Over the years...

 Praise the LORD!!!

    Over the years, I've run into many Christians, in varying degrees of their walks. Most of you, most likely can state the very same. Have you ever noticed that many, when new to the faith, are on fire for the LORD? While those that are more 'seasoned', seem  not to be so energetic?

   As I've said before, the LORD has been involved in shaping me, like HE has all of you, since early in life, even before that day that I was blessed to accept HIM as LORD and SAVIOR! Part of this shaping was a innate ability to observe things(people, operation or occurrences) and listen to an inner voice as to what was going on. I know now, that this inner voice is HIS!!!

   What do these two have to do with each other? I'll tell you!

   Those on 'fire' Christians, are those that have a fresh view of their faith and those events which have recently taken place. Whereas the older, more seasoned Christian, while growing in maturity and knowledge of the LORD and HIS KINGDOM, have in a sense become polluted by many different teachings and teachers!!! You may be wondering about my choice of the word 'polluted.' In a sense this is truly what has taken place, something has been added that wasn't, or even, isn't meant to be there!!!

   The 'young' convert (not age related, but faith related), has accepted JESUS into their hearts, in a 'simple childlike' manor and they've begun to overflow with love and affection for their SAVIOR and others. They go out and begin telling almost everyone they know about this priceless gift they've received. This outpouring is awesome to see and has many times brought me to tears:))) (I'm not afraid to say, this old man cries like a baby at times like this) As time goes on though, changes begin to take place, not those changes associated with the regenerated being, that perfecting of our spirits, that JESUS effects within us, but external ones. Not those external ones that are changes to our character either. These changes come about when one beings to reach out to gain a greater understanding about their new lives. Usually this starts out through their reading their Bibles and then expanding onto the teachings of others.

   Now don't take me wrong here, there are plenty of awesome teachers out there, but the problem begins to manifest when people begin to take a human teacher's words as truth, without using the Bible as their ultimate guide and the HOLY SPIRIT as their teacher!!! This doesn't mean that the teachings weren't Biblical in their content or origin, but that they weren't that which they were to acquire at this time. It is at this time that something is added to their walks, that wasn't meant to be there. GOD has  perfect timing, a perfect plan and perfect order as to the matters of our lives. When we step outside this order of GOD's, we're polluting that plan and our lives begin to bear direct results from it. Suddenly, a once energetic, on fire, Christian begins to struggle. That flame, that once overwhelmed their lives, begins to turn into withdrawal, moodiness and at times depression. 

   I know you've witnessed this, for there are many around us in this condition. Their on fire for the LORD one day and the next, the bottom seems to have fallen out from under them. One day their words are purely scriptural and then they've taken on a differing line of witness and the next they're crying out from the pits of despair.

   The greatest weapon in a Christian's arsenal of weapons? The Bible? Nope, it's the HOLY SPIRIT and HE alone. It is through HIS leading and guidance that we're to grow and prosper in our walks. It is here that the Bible comes into play. Being led by the SPIRIT in our readings, we begin to gather everything that will be needed to prosper within our walks. All that we gather, is now in proper place, in proper time and according to that perfect plan GOD has for us. I know I've done this numerous times over the years. Knowing what GOD wills for me, but stepping out on my own and getting out of timing with HIM. It is at these times that I've learned some of the greatest lessons. Perhaps the greatest of these, that I've learned, is ALWAYS depend on the leading of the HOLY SPIRIT and not my own understandings!!!


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

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