One to think on!

 Praise the LORD!!!

    Anyone whom is familiar with me and my post, either through reading of my book(Out of the LIGHT), the ministry, or just my post in general, will know that my life revolves around "Praising the LORD!!!" This is far from an easy practice to maintain, for the greater one lifts their voice in praise unto the LORD, the greater will be the attacks of the adversary allowed.(Yes, allowed! For satan must ask GOD's permission before attacking Christians!)

   An example of this, that I will give for you to ponder the implications of, was when I was baptized in prison back in '06.' Upon coming up from the water, I began to praise the LORD and thank HIM for HIS blessings upon me. All was well for a week, until I was escorted during count time (9 PM) to the main office. Now this was no ordinary escort, there were two officers and a lower ranking guard taking care of me. Normally, most things will wait until after an official count and I'd yet to witness an escort of such rank being involved.

   Upon being taken into the office I was greeted by the Chaplin and this really got my attention. She first asked me how things were going. To which I answered, "blessed." Then the hammer fell. She told me that there had been an car accident involving my family and that my step-daughter, April (12 yrs. old) had been killed in it. The first words out of my mouth were "Praise the LORD!!!" Well, you'd of thought I'd just  given those three this same tragic news, for it sounded like the air within the room had suddenly been sucked out. The Chaplain's mouth dropped open and I turned to see the same look of shock on the two officer's faces!

   I quickly began to explain my statement. I told them that "No, I'm not pleased by the news, it was a great lose, but that my faith was in that GOD was going to work through this event to HIS glory and that I must thank HIM for so doing!" I continued to explain my faith in the power of GOD and how HE many times works through the most tragic events to mold us and shape us into vessels worthy of HIS name. How, we of such limited intellect, can't fathom how HE works or even begin to understand HIS reasoning through events such as this. After a good while of my voice being the only one heard, I was filled in on all the events and later escorted back to my unit. Here, I was greeted by several of my Christian brothers, as they were forewarned by the guards of what had happened and were ready to comfort me.

   Now, I could go on here with more of the events that happened following, and even during, these events, but these can be found in my book. But as per this entry: GOD often works through the most, seemingly, tragic events within our lives to reveal HIS glory. HE often has allowed satan to "sift us" or nature to batter us in order to accomplish this. If when this happens our mouth begin to acknowledge HIS greatness and glory, you can surely count on a quick rebuttal from the adversary. For there is nothing that he hates more than hearing GOD receive glory for the works of his hands. So lift up your voice in praises to GOD and rest assured all hell will soon follow in their way. But let not this constrain your praises from being sung, only increase the volume of them. For it will soon be GOD's turn to reveal wonders upon wonders for all that you've sung unto HIM about!!!


Prayer request can be sent to: prayers@vineofchrist.org 

GOD bless and good day,
Rev. Marshall Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries