Praise the LORD!!!
Good morning and I can see from the fact that you're reading this, that GOD has blessed you with another day :{)))
Those of you that follow me through my many post, know that I currently homeless and working but part time while living out of a friends garage. Yesterday was one of the days I was blessed to work, the first in three weeks. After receiving our checks the boss proceeded to run the three of us home.
At the first drop off, the boss pipes in about my co-worker(the one getting out) not having any gas service due to the need to repair the lines and "what would it cost to repair." After a short conversation the statement was made "that I'll help get this done, at the beginning of the week and we'll make arrangements on paying it back." Now I want you to keep in mind that my boss is a "Christian."
As we continued on the boss began asking my other co-worker about the fact that he too was without gas service and that they too could make the arrangements to remedy this problem. The conversation then turned, not to my homelessness(as you might think), but to his(the boss) having helped another, by loaning him some money to fix his car and never having received repayment or the man's car getting fixed.
Now it is when the conversation turned my way. Not in an offer of any sort, but as to the conditions in which I'm living and how they could be so much worse.Now this went on for about the next five minutes and never once came to an offer of any kind, so as I was getting out of the truck I asked if he had $20 I could borrow until my check cleared(3 business days). He only had ten on him and I accepted it and told him that I remind him of it. This because of the fact, that my little check was basically already spent on bills that would be covered by the bank.
Here is the point of this all. It is scripturally improper for a Christian to blow the trumpets when doing their works for the LORD!!! For in doing so, it is here that they'll receive their rewards and it likens them unto the pagans, that give only to receive back in return. We see and hear from all sorts of secular charity groups of the "good works" that they do and usually this is attached to another plea for money. Christians are supposed to give freely, because it was it this very manor in which our LORD gave and we are to reflected HIS image within and through our lives!!!
Has the BODY become so like the world, that it has to be glorified by the works that it does in love??? Do Christians give, only so they can receive back in likeness or greater??? As you know I've the ministry and it pains me to think that so many "CHRIST-like" people won't donate(and haven't in 12+ yrs.) because the ministry isn't 501.3.c rated and they'll not receive a tax credit!!! I've come to the decision that the ministry will never be rated in this manor, for IT will not succumb to government regulations as to "what we can say" or "against what we can stand against(sins rampant in society today.) As a Christian, I see it as my duty to abide by the LORD's teachings over any that government or any group wants to condone!!! Sure I've told of some of the things done over the years, but these weren't in depth stories or videos focused on getting your donations. They were done to let others see what it is that the ministry does and that alone. Many know that I don't even desire "thanks" for those things that I do, for I see it as having received my rewards already and here is not where I seek to do so.
My questions to you at this time are, "Where do you want your "rewards" to be given???" and "Just "who" is it that you seek to glorify, self or GOD???" This isn't meant to blow any trumpets, but to silence those of the BODY!!!
GOD bless and good day,
Rev. Marshall Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries
Showing posts with label freely giving. Show all posts
Showing posts with label freely giving. Show all posts
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Friday, July 15, 2011
Benevolence
Praise the LORD!!!
Today is a great day!!! Why? Because it is another one that the LORD has blessed us with, not just life itself, but HE's given us the ability to share HIS awesome love for us with all those around us!!!
HIS awesome love for mankind goes so much deeper than we can even begin to imagine. We've the greatest shown through HIS death upon the cross for us. Yet, we tend to over look many of the other ones. "What other ones?" you may ask! Let us look at HIS ministry on earth then.
In most places in the 'four GOSPELS', we see JESUS, walking among the masses or seated among a group of people. Seldom do we see HIM alone, except for those times, where HE snuck away for private time in prayer with the FATHER. Now, we don't have a full account of all the events that took place during HIS life, so that which I'm going to set forth, may be considered as conjecture. Let me say though, this is HOLY SPIRIT guided conjecture:)))
When we hear of JESUS' ministry, we should be able to see a pattern developing, one of order, which for the most part was continually followed by HIM and even by the apostles after HIS departure. There were the healings and acts of benevolence always witnessed, before HE began HIS teachings. From the title, you should be able to see that it is not the healings that this article is about, but the benevolence. Those acts of charity(love) that are the topic.
For the most part, we're only let in on two of the most miraculous ones, the feeding of the masses. The 4000+ and 5000+. Now if you reckon these numbers, as the Hebrews would, the numbers were far greater, for these were just the head count of the 'men,' those heads of households, not all the women and children which were in attendance, so these numbers could be greatly multiplied.
These accounts were only the two 'greatest,' what about all the rest of the time? How many sat down with JESUS, besides HIS disciples, daily? I have to wonder, if HIS procession didn't look more like the exodus, than that of a small group of wanderers? Just take into consideration what we see today, when some famous person comes into the area. The mass of followers that seek the person's attendance to them, in some way. These are just regular people, not the messiah or future king of the nation, so how much greater was HIS following, then we're allowed to witness!!!
Yet it is not the numbers, that I seek your focus to be upon, but that which HE shared with them. Not just HIS WORDS, but that love, those provisions. How many sat with HIM at meal time and went away satisfied? How many, walked along side of HIM and had their daily needs met? Not just their spiritual needs, but those physical needs that are a matter of life and death in such a land as that? We hear of those women that provided for HIS needs daily, that accompanied HIM along HIS way! We hear of HIS 'paying the temple tax' from the mouth of a fish! We do not hear though, of how HIS everyday needs were met! Yet, being very GOD, I'm sure there were many miracles, that even the disciples weren't aware of:)))
It would be fair to say that the habits of those of the first century church, could impact our understanding better the great acts of benevolence that took place among JESUS' procession through the holy lands. For though they weren't told to do so, they gathered together, giving of all that they had. Giving at much of the time far beyond measure. So great was this desire to give and supply the needs of all, that they sold almost all that they owned!!!
There is much here to be digested, so I'm going to leave it here and let these thoughts sink into your hearts. I'm also going to post many scripture here for you, as a follow up on our topic. I pray, you'll enjoy, as the LORD opens your eyes to a fuller understanding of HIS ways, while on earth!!!
Use these verses, but don't stop with them, cross reference and seek out GOD from within HIS WORD!!!
Deut. 15:7–15, 18. Lev. 25:35–43. Psa. 41:1; Psa. 112:9; Prov. 3:27, 28; Prov. 11:25; Prov. 22:9; Prov. 25:21, 22; Prov. 28:27; Isa. 58:6, 7, 10, 11; Ezek. 18:5, 7–9; Matt. 5:42; Matt. 19:21 Mark 10:21. Matt. 25:35–45; Mark 9:41; Luke 3:11; Luke 11:41; Acts 6:1–4; Acts 11:29, 30; Rom. 15:25–27; 1 Cor. 13:3; 1 Cor. 16:1–3; 2 Cor. 8:1–15, 24; 2 Cor. 9:1–15; Gal. 2:10; Phil. 4:10–18; 1 Tim. 5:8, 16; 1 Tim. 6:18; Heb. 6:10; Heb. 13:16; Jas. 2:15, 16; 1 John 3:17
Prayer request can be sent to: prayers@vineofchrist.org
GOD bless and good day,
Rev. Marshall Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries
Today is a great day!!! Why? Because it is another one that the LORD has blessed us with, not just life itself, but HE's given us the ability to share HIS awesome love for us with all those around us!!!
HIS awesome love for mankind goes so much deeper than we can even begin to imagine. We've the greatest shown through HIS death upon the cross for us. Yet, we tend to over look many of the other ones. "What other ones?" you may ask! Let us look at HIS ministry on earth then.
In most places in the 'four GOSPELS', we see JESUS, walking among the masses or seated among a group of people. Seldom do we see HIM alone, except for those times, where HE snuck away for private time in prayer with the FATHER. Now, we don't have a full account of all the events that took place during HIS life, so that which I'm going to set forth, may be considered as conjecture. Let me say though, this is HOLY SPIRIT guided conjecture:)))
When we hear of JESUS' ministry, we should be able to see a pattern developing, one of order, which for the most part was continually followed by HIM and even by the apostles after HIS departure. There were the healings and acts of benevolence always witnessed, before HE began HIS teachings. From the title, you should be able to see that it is not the healings that this article is about, but the benevolence. Those acts of charity(love) that are the topic.
For the most part, we're only let in on two of the most miraculous ones, the feeding of the masses. The 4000+ and 5000+. Now if you reckon these numbers, as the Hebrews would, the numbers were far greater, for these were just the head count of the 'men,' those heads of households, not all the women and children which were in attendance, so these numbers could be greatly multiplied.
These accounts were only the two 'greatest,' what about all the rest of the time? How many sat down with JESUS, besides HIS disciples, daily? I have to wonder, if HIS procession didn't look more like the exodus, than that of a small group of wanderers? Just take into consideration what we see today, when some famous person comes into the area. The mass of followers that seek the person's attendance to them, in some way. These are just regular people, not the messiah or future king of the nation, so how much greater was HIS following, then we're allowed to witness!!!
Yet it is not the numbers, that I seek your focus to be upon, but that which HE shared with them. Not just HIS WORDS, but that love, those provisions. How many sat with HIM at meal time and went away satisfied? How many, walked along side of HIM and had their daily needs met? Not just their spiritual needs, but those physical needs that are a matter of life and death in such a land as that? We hear of those women that provided for HIS needs daily, that accompanied HIM along HIS way! We hear of HIS 'paying the temple tax' from the mouth of a fish! We do not hear though, of how HIS everyday needs were met! Yet, being very GOD, I'm sure there were many miracles, that even the disciples weren't aware of:)))
It would be fair to say that the habits of those of the first century church, could impact our understanding better the great acts of benevolence that took place among JESUS' procession through the holy lands. For though they weren't told to do so, they gathered together, giving of all that they had. Giving at much of the time far beyond measure. So great was this desire to give and supply the needs of all, that they sold almost all that they owned!!!
There is much here to be digested, so I'm going to leave it here and let these thoughts sink into your hearts. I'm also going to post many scripture here for you, as a follow up on our topic. I pray, you'll enjoy, as the LORD opens your eyes to a fuller understanding of HIS ways, while on earth!!!
Use these verses, but don't stop with them, cross reference and seek out GOD from within HIS WORD!!!
Deut. 15:7–15, 18. Lev. 25:35–43. Psa. 41:1; Psa. 112:9; Prov. 3:27, 28; Prov. 11:25; Prov. 22:9; Prov. 25:21, 22; Prov. 28:27; Isa. 58:6, 7, 10, 11; Ezek. 18:5, 7–9; Matt. 5:42; Matt. 19:21 Mark 10:21. Matt. 25:35–45; Mark 9:41; Luke 3:11; Luke 11:41; Acts 6:1–4; Acts 11:29, 30; Rom. 15:25–27; 1 Cor. 13:3; 1 Cor. 16:1–3; 2 Cor. 8:1–15, 24; 2 Cor. 9:1–15; Gal. 2:10; Phil. 4:10–18; 1 Tim. 5:8, 16; 1 Tim. 6:18; Heb. 6:10; Heb. 13:16; Jas. 2:15, 16; 1 John 3:17
Prayer request can be sent to: prayers@vineofchrist.org
GOD bless and good day,
Rev. Marshall Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries
Monday, June 6, 2011
Paying for prayer???
Praise the LORD!!!
I pray all are well this morning and no, I'm not going to ask you to pay for these prayers!!! You may be saying to yourself right now, "What?", but I will explain.
Recently I received an email, asking if I were in need of prayer and being that there are many current needs both for the ministry and myself, I sent them a request. In a short time I received a short reply, most likely an automatic reply, that they'd received my request and would be praying for my request. It was the next day that I received a short, basically two lined prayer in an email. Which, though only hitting the major request and very briefly, was sufficient in my eyes.
Now comes the kicker, that which has disturbed me. An email requesting assistance in funding their "work." My first reaction was "What?", just like yours may of been with my first line:) Now, I'm far from new to the internet or ministry(or life) and I know that it takes money to operate in this world. My question though, is that if this group is Christian and has been graced with the ability to utter a simple prayer, how can they seek payment for it? In my mind, and heart, this is basically prostituting the faith!!! Putting a price tag on that which every single Christian is called to do.
When JESUS sent out the disciples, after anointing them with power (Matt. 10:7,8 ), HE gave them this command. To give and to give freely as they too had been given. One of the foundational principles of my ministry is along these lines, for we'll not ask for money, but only put out the information about our needs and allow the LORD to lead people from there. Numerous times I've been asked, when talking about the work I'll be doing, "what would you like to be paid?" My answer has always been the same, "nothing, I'm doing these works to reveal JESUS' love for you and HIS love for me is ample payment!"
Now, I don't know about you, but to me, selling services or anything that the LORD has blessed me with is wrong!!! HE has blessed me with abilities, understandings and wisdom and these are not for sale, no matter what. I've spent many an hour out in the weather, doing the works of the ministry in a disaster area and never once mentioned a price for my labors. Most of the work that I've done, the only request has been that the homeowner supply the materials needed for the work. I've worked in the construction trades for the most part of my life and my abilities would require a pretty good cost, yet it has all been freely given. Sure, I've received payments at time, but I've told them that it was being accepted as being a donation alone and they should treat it as such.
It is very disheartening to me to see so many in the faith, that make their livings off the WORD of GOD, the wisdom that the LORD has blessed them with, or the abilities HE has graced them with. The faith has been blending too long with the world and it's love of money and needs to withdraw itself. We as believers in JESUS have been set apart by the LORD and are to lead a life differing from that of the world. Isn't it time we start acting in the manor which we've been called to? Isn't it about time, we stop thinking about the price we pay for our service? After all, isn't about the price HE paid and that alone???
Matt. 10:7,8
7 As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.
Use these verses, but don't stop with them, cross reference and seek out GOD from within HIS WORD!!!
Prayer request can be sent to: prayers@vineofchrist.org (and there is no price to anyone:) )
GOD bless and good day,
Rev. Marshall Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries
I pray all are well this morning and no, I'm not going to ask you to pay for these prayers!!! You may be saying to yourself right now, "What?", but I will explain.
Recently I received an email, asking if I were in need of prayer and being that there are many current needs both for the ministry and myself, I sent them a request. In a short time I received a short reply, most likely an automatic reply, that they'd received my request and would be praying for my request. It was the next day that I received a short, basically two lined prayer in an email. Which, though only hitting the major request and very briefly, was sufficient in my eyes.
Now comes the kicker, that which has disturbed me. An email requesting assistance in funding their "work." My first reaction was "What?", just like yours may of been with my first line:) Now, I'm far from new to the internet or ministry(or life) and I know that it takes money to operate in this world. My question though, is that if this group is Christian and has been graced with the ability to utter a simple prayer, how can they seek payment for it? In my mind, and heart, this is basically prostituting the faith!!! Putting a price tag on that which every single Christian is called to do.
When JESUS sent out the disciples, after anointing them with power (Matt. 10:7,8 ), HE gave them this command. To give and to give freely as they too had been given. One of the foundational principles of my ministry is along these lines, for we'll not ask for money, but only put out the information about our needs and allow the LORD to lead people from there. Numerous times I've been asked, when talking about the work I'll be doing, "what would you like to be paid?" My answer has always been the same, "nothing, I'm doing these works to reveal JESUS' love for you and HIS love for me is ample payment!"
Now, I don't know about you, but to me, selling services or anything that the LORD has blessed me with is wrong!!! HE has blessed me with abilities, understandings and wisdom and these are not for sale, no matter what. I've spent many an hour out in the weather, doing the works of the ministry in a disaster area and never once mentioned a price for my labors. Most of the work that I've done, the only request has been that the homeowner supply the materials needed for the work. I've worked in the construction trades for the most part of my life and my abilities would require a pretty good cost, yet it has all been freely given. Sure, I've received payments at time, but I've told them that it was being accepted as being a donation alone and they should treat it as such.
It is very disheartening to me to see so many in the faith, that make their livings off the WORD of GOD, the wisdom that the LORD has blessed them with, or the abilities HE has graced them with. The faith has been blending too long with the world and it's love of money and needs to withdraw itself. We as believers in JESUS have been set apart by the LORD and are to lead a life differing from that of the world. Isn't it time we start acting in the manor which we've been called to? Isn't it about time, we stop thinking about the price we pay for our service? After all, isn't about the price HE paid and that alone???
Matt. 10:7,8
7 As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.
Use these verses, but don't stop with them, cross reference and seek out GOD from within HIS WORD!!!
Prayer request can be sent to: prayers@vineofchrist.org (and there is no price to anyone:) )
GOD bless and good day,
Rev. Marshall Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries
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