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
Showing posts with label Christian helps ministry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christian helps ministry. Show all posts
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
The extra mile
Praise the LORD!!!
Today's verse, will be hidden among a chapter on the Christian character, that which we're to emulate after we've accepted JESUS as our personal LORD and SAVIOR !!! Traits, which are very important, if we're to fully reflect JESUS within our lives and also important, if we're to stand out as separated from those others around us whom are worldly.
Matthew 5:38-42, but specifically verse 41
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’a 39 But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Why this one verse, hidden among such rich scripture, is that which I was led to early this morning??? It could have to do with the fact that today, I'm grouting a floor, while suffering from a group of old ailments. I've had bad knees for years, due to my working construction for the best part of my life, plus raced Moto X for thirteen years. Both these, extract a high price upon the body and usually one we don't think of much at the time. It is years later, that this price begins to be noticed, as the wear and tear upon our body begins to reveal itself :)))
I was hurting enough this morning, that I'd thought about calling the day's work off and relax. After some prayer and reading though, I was led to go in and go at it, as if nothing was wrong. This went well, for about an hour, until I stood up for the hundredth time. It was almost impossible to straighten up, this due to the herniated disc I suffered while helping rebuild after hurricane Katrina along the MS. gulf coast. This while working for a "storm chasing" company (no insurance and if you didn't work, you didn't have a job.) If you've ever lived in an area after such a disaster, you'll know how hard it is to survive, because the cost of living has doubled, if not tripled and they get away with it for the most part. All this, isn't that which this is about.
We can see an example of how JESUS went that extra mile, several times. Those times, when HE feed the multitudes, with very limited resources. For unlike that which we see many times these days, where large groups of people are being feed after a disaster or while living thru hard times, those people's needs were abundantly met. Each had received enough to eat, that they were full and there was an abundance left over to gather up !!! Though we're not told what was done with these leftover, I can most likely guarantee, they weren't thrown away, but distributed to those in need.
Here we are in the midst of the holiday season, when millions of families will be preparing meals of great abundance. Multiple main coarses, multiple sides and not to mention a vast selection of desserts to boot !!! Anyone want to bet against the fact, that tons of leftovers will be wasted ??? Here(in America), we are in one of the most prosperous countries in the world, though going thru some hard economic times right now, and there will be more food thrown in the trash, then what many third world countries will have put on all their tables combined. Not only those of these nations, but right here in this nation, there will be thousands, that will be doing without and not just on these holidays, but many are suffering daily, year round!!! A pretty bad picture, when confronted with it, isn't it??? One of the most prosperous countries in the world and we've thousands suffering without, all because of greed and an unwillingness to go that extra mile, and share that which we've been blessed with.
Hundreds of food pantries around this country, are having to cancel their supplying these holiday meals. Many having to cutback on even their normal monthly provisions to the needy. All due to a lack of funding and supplies. Many, are even having to shut their doors, because it has gotten so bad. Wouldn't it be awesome, even a miracle, to see these ministries overflowing with such an abundance of provisions, that the have to gather them up and reach out to those even beyond their normal scope??? I think it would be !!! I'd love to see every family in this country, just cutting back a little and reaching out, going that extra mile, to help these ministries serve these people. Even if each one were to downsize these meals by say 10%, just think of how this would add up over the long run, that extra mile :)))))))
Prayer request can be sent to: prayers@vineofchrist.org
GOD bless and good day,
Rev. Marshall Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries
Today's verse, will be hidden among a chapter on the Christian character, that which we're to emulate after we've accepted JESUS as our personal LORD and SAVIOR !!! Traits, which are very important, if we're to fully reflect JESUS within our lives and also important, if we're to stand out as separated from those others around us whom are worldly.
Matthew 5:38-42, but specifically verse 41
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’a 39 But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Why this one verse, hidden among such rich scripture, is that which I was led to early this morning??? It could have to do with the fact that today, I'm grouting a floor, while suffering from a group of old ailments. I've had bad knees for years, due to my working construction for the best part of my life, plus raced Moto X for thirteen years. Both these, extract a high price upon the body and usually one we don't think of much at the time. It is years later, that this price begins to be noticed, as the wear and tear upon our body begins to reveal itself :)))
I was hurting enough this morning, that I'd thought about calling the day's work off and relax. After some prayer and reading though, I was led to go in and go at it, as if nothing was wrong. This went well, for about an hour, until I stood up for the hundredth time. It was almost impossible to straighten up, this due to the herniated disc I suffered while helping rebuild after hurricane Katrina along the MS. gulf coast. This while working for a "storm chasing" company (no insurance and if you didn't work, you didn't have a job.) If you've ever lived in an area after such a disaster, you'll know how hard it is to survive, because the cost of living has doubled, if not tripled and they get away with it for the most part. All this, isn't that which this is about.
We can see an example of how JESUS went that extra mile, several times. Those times, when HE feed the multitudes, with very limited resources. For unlike that which we see many times these days, where large groups of people are being feed after a disaster or while living thru hard times, those people's needs were abundantly met. Each had received enough to eat, that they were full and there was an abundance left over to gather up !!! Though we're not told what was done with these leftover, I can most likely guarantee, they weren't thrown away, but distributed to those in need.
Here we are in the midst of the holiday season, when millions of families will be preparing meals of great abundance. Multiple main coarses, multiple sides and not to mention a vast selection of desserts to boot !!! Anyone want to bet against the fact, that tons of leftovers will be wasted ??? Here(in America), we are in one of the most prosperous countries in the world, though going thru some hard economic times right now, and there will be more food thrown in the trash, then what many third world countries will have put on all their tables combined. Not only those of these nations, but right here in this nation, there will be thousands, that will be doing without and not just on these holidays, but many are suffering daily, year round!!! A pretty bad picture, when confronted with it, isn't it??? One of the most prosperous countries in the world and we've thousands suffering without, all because of greed and an unwillingness to go that extra mile, and share that which we've been blessed with.
Hundreds of food pantries around this country, are having to cancel their supplying these holiday meals. Many having to cutback on even their normal monthly provisions to the needy. All due to a lack of funding and supplies. Many, are even having to shut their doors, because it has gotten so bad. Wouldn't it be awesome, even a miracle, to see these ministries overflowing with such an abundance of provisions, that the have to gather them up and reach out to those even beyond their normal scope??? I think it would be !!! I'd love to see every family in this country, just cutting back a little and reaching out, going that extra mile, to help these ministries serve these people. Even if each one were to downsize these meals by say 10%, just think of how this would add up over the long run, that extra mile :)))))))
Prayer request can be sent to: prayers@vineofchrist.org
GOD bless and good day,
Rev. Marshall Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries
Thursday, April 1, 2010
4.02.10_LOVE
Praise the LORD!!!
We are within days of Easter and the LORD is laying some pretty heavy things upon my heart. Today, not just the normal single section of verses, but a triple. Over the last year the LORD has been moving on my heart about this area of the Christian walk. Not so much as to my personal need for correction in it, but of that which is deficient with HIS CHURCH. If you've been following me since my return online in Oct., you'll know about a lot of my writings, if not, you can easily find them with a few simple searches.
1 John 4:19-21
19 We love because he first loved us. 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.
John 13: 34-35
34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
CHRIST died and took our place, HE paid the price for, and HE intercedes for! In all these ways, CHRIST JESUS is showing HIS love for us. Worthless, decrypted creatures that we are, and HE has found love for us, deep within HIS heart. So deep is this love, that HE has gone the distance and given HIS very life for that of another.
Yet what love do we exhibit in return? Do we show HIM our love in words only? Or do we show HIM our love by the works of our hands being rendered to others? If JESUS so loved us that HE went to these levels, how must it grieve HIM, that we do not show love for others by our lives? How much are we grieving the SAVIOR by our heartless actions? How much are we grieving HIM by our very words? How much are we grieving HIM in our lack of compassion, by just offering prayer for a brother in need, when we've the means to alleviate their problems within our hands? How much do we grieve HIM, when we can't even offer up prayer for others, that don't have our own needs tucked in with them?
Have we become such a heartless and self centered society, that all we do, even when done for others, is done for our own security? We pray for others, because we know that GOD is listening and will remember that we prayed for them. We donate our labor, because we know that GOD is watching and that HE will repay us for the time we've given so freely. We donate our money, because we know that GOD will multiply it back to us. Do you see anything wrong with this picture? Can't you see that there is a focus on self and not on others? Can't you see that these are not CHRIST-like, but as of the world. Doing these things only because the return from GOD will be greater then that which we put out!
Have we become such a worthless generation of saints, that all that we do is only done for our personal gains? Look around and see that which is done by others and self. Listen to the very words of your mouth. You put down those that practice any other way then that which you do. Yet they too worship JESUS! You put down those that are what we call 'prosperity preachers'. Yet, only will you donate time or money if you know the return will be in your favor.
GOD has had enough of our worthless ways. We're beginning to see the results of this everyday in the world around us. We're seeing the 'beginning of sorrows,' yet we hear not the trumpet of the LORD. Are we the goats of the parable? Or are we the sheep? Do we hear the still quiet voice of the LORD in all that we do? Or is it the drone of the world that fills our ears? I ask this, with a heart that has been torn open by the heartlessness of Christians, having seen no compassion at all by those that call me brother. How is it that one can give up all to help others, yet those that say they worship the same GOD, do nothing to help them in their time of need? How is it that there are those that are in need, right in our sight and yet they walk away still in need? If the LORD is our helper and our supplier. He that takes care of our every need. How is it that we hoard money for the future and turn away those we could help here and now with it. Where is our trust? Where is our faith? Where is our belief that HE is whom HE said HE is and that we are HIS children, HIS bothers and sisters, that we are HIS called and chosen ones?
There are no added verses today, but may I suggest that you do a cross reference in your Bible and study more on these verses themselves. The LORD has laid this topic upon my heart heavily for almost a year now and its not for no reason at all. Wake up church, the LORD's return is nearer then ever before!!!
Prayer request can be sent to: prayers@vineofchrist.org
GOD bless and good day,
Rev. Marshall Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries
Vine Ministerial Network International
We are within days of Easter and the LORD is laying some pretty heavy things upon my heart. Today, not just the normal single section of verses, but a triple. Over the last year the LORD has been moving on my heart about this area of the Christian walk. Not so much as to my personal need for correction in it, but of that which is deficient with HIS CHURCH. If you've been following me since my return online in Oct., you'll know about a lot of my writings, if not, you can easily find them with a few simple searches.
1 John 4:19-21
19 We love because he first loved us. 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.
Phil. 2:5-7b
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
John 13: 34-35
34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
CHRIST died and took our place, HE paid the price for, and HE intercedes for! In all these ways, CHRIST JESUS is showing HIS love for us. Worthless, decrypted creatures that we are, and HE has found love for us, deep within HIS heart. So deep is this love, that HE has gone the distance and given HIS very life for that of another.
Yet what love do we exhibit in return? Do we show HIM our love in words only? Or do we show HIM our love by the works of our hands being rendered to others? If JESUS so loved us that HE went to these levels, how must it grieve HIM, that we do not show love for others by our lives? How much are we grieving the SAVIOR by our heartless actions? How much are we grieving HIM by our very words? How much are we grieving HIM in our lack of compassion, by just offering prayer for a brother in need, when we've the means to alleviate their problems within our hands? How much do we grieve HIM, when we can't even offer up prayer for others, that don't have our own needs tucked in with them?
Have we become such a heartless and self centered society, that all we do, even when done for others, is done for our own security? We pray for others, because we know that GOD is listening and will remember that we prayed for them. We donate our labor, because we know that GOD is watching and that HE will repay us for the time we've given so freely. We donate our money, because we know that GOD will multiply it back to us. Do you see anything wrong with this picture? Can't you see that there is a focus on self and not on others? Can't you see that these are not CHRIST-like, but as of the world. Doing these things only because the return from GOD will be greater then that which we put out!
Have we become such a worthless generation of saints, that all that we do is only done for our personal gains? Look around and see that which is done by others and self. Listen to the very words of your mouth. You put down those that practice any other way then that which you do. Yet they too worship JESUS! You put down those that are what we call 'prosperity preachers'. Yet, only will you donate time or money if you know the return will be in your favor.
GOD has had enough of our worthless ways. We're beginning to see the results of this everyday in the world around us. We're seeing the 'beginning of sorrows,' yet we hear not the trumpet of the LORD. Are we the goats of the parable? Or are we the sheep? Do we hear the still quiet voice of the LORD in all that we do? Or is it the drone of the world that fills our ears? I ask this, with a heart that has been torn open by the heartlessness of Christians, having seen no compassion at all by those that call me brother. How is it that one can give up all to help others, yet those that say they worship the same GOD, do nothing to help them in their time of need? How is it that there are those that are in need, right in our sight and yet they walk away still in need? If the LORD is our helper and our supplier. He that takes care of our every need. How is it that we hoard money for the future and turn away those we could help here and now with it. Where is our trust? Where is our faith? Where is our belief that HE is whom HE said HE is and that we are HIS children, HIS bothers and sisters, that we are HIS called and chosen ones?
There are no added verses today, but may I suggest that you do a cross reference in your Bible and study more on these verses themselves. The LORD has laid this topic upon my heart heavily for almost a year now and its not for no reason at all. Wake up church, the LORD's return is nearer then ever before!!!
Prayer request can be sent to: prayers@vineofchrist.org
GOD bless and good day,
Rev. Marshall Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries
Vine Ministerial Network International
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