No One Knows...

 Praise the LORD!!!

     No one knows my life better than I do. Which is a statement all of us can make, for it is the spirit within each of us that truly knows us, even better than the conscious self, soul, knows us.

   If I were to tell you, which I have stated this before, that I'm TOTALLY sold out to GOD, you may doubt the truth of this matter. I'm going to reveal here some of the facts that will back this statement up. Not just matters of words and speech, but physical matters as well.

   As you should know, since you're reading this, that I've been working on developing the LORD's ministry for me, for over twelve years now, totally alone(accept the LORD.) All of the money that has gone into it's formation and works has come from out of my own pockets. There have been donations along the lines of items deemed for donation to others, but until very recently none had donated time, efforts or funding to it. All that has been accomplished, from Springfield MO., to Kingsville, TX. have been by my hands alone. Not one has ever stepped up and said they would want to join in on this Herculean effort, and that is exactly what it is!!! A ministry that is even beyond my total comprehension, for that which I was shown of it in visions in '97' literally blows my mind!!!

   I've given up a house(2/3 paid for), my family(wayward wife and sons) and anything one might consider a normal lifestyle, to stretch every cent as far as possible to continue on in my 'carrying of this cross' for the LORD!!!

   After leaving behind everything in Springfield, MO., with plans to go on a missions trip to Haiti(which was cancelled(kidnappings in Haiti of missionaries), I rode out the right front quad of hurricane Rita in '05'. This is when the , central focus of, ministry's disaster relief branch came to full life. For the next several years, I reeked out a living and stretched every penny I could into helping those in which the storms of '05' had overturned their lives. Constantly witnessing to the life changing abilities of the LORD, in overcoming adversity. This ended up leading me to Florida, living with my sister and her husband, only hours before my mother went home to be with the LORD. For the next year and a half, I was totally separated from most of the works associated with direct connections to the ministry. Though I was still able to witness constantly and help others(with my hands) to improve their lives.

   This is when I received the leading, to totally step out of the boat. The trip to Texas, on foot, was begun. Here again, I left everything behind, including thousands of dollars worth of tools, cookware and other ministry related items. Since my arrival in Texas, every detail of my life has been in the LORD's hands. Everything I have to my name, are either donated items(from local Christians), or those I've managed to gather up thru the works of my hands(working for several local apartment complexes, or helping residence of the area.) If anyone in need were to ask me for any  of these items, I'd gladly give them. Even if someone were to want to steal them, they could have them also. For what actually are all these things, except blessings from the LORD!?! If stolen or given freely, the LORD would replace them as they are, or upgrading them to even better:)))

   Over the last two months or so, the LORD has truly blessed me with have the first ever donations, actually given forth for the ministry. At this time, I've received just under a thousand dollars worth of items, a computer and monitor and the money to upgrade this to a more proficient system to accomplish the works needed. You can believe me, I am praising the LORD for them:)))

   Though all this this I consider as nothing, for my walk, in personal relationship, with the LORD is all important. Though this grows daily, I've become tired, tired not of relationship with HIM, but in the efforts to carry this cross daily. HE has promised that HE will be assisting me in this effort and HE does, but the task ahead is great and so far the laborers few, one!!! If others don't begin taking this matter in prayer before the LORD and listening, being obedient and following HIS leading it will not disappear, but remain only as it has been, the works of a single man.

   As I said, "No one knows" this life I walk daily, no one knows the weight of this cross that I so willingly carry and no one knows these burdens that weight so heavily upon my heart for the lost and needy of this world. No one will continue to know these, until others are willing to step out of the boat(that life they think is severing the LORD) and truly step on board this Herculean effort to glorify the LORD like no other generation has ever sought to do. If you think this may be what the LORD is leading to, pray and listen for HIS answer, then get up and step out onto stormy waters, knowing JESUS will carry you onward !!!!!!!

*** any and all information about the ministry can be found on the website (and yes, I know it's not the best of sites(I'm not a web designer either:))) )) I can use every sort of help there is known to man and the LORD!!! Don't ask me if the help is needed, if led, just do it. I trust the LORD and know HE will make all things work together for the good of those that love GOD and are called according to HIS purpose:))) Is this HIS purpose for you, if you believe so what are you waiting for, just step out and DO IT:)))))))




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


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