05-05-10_Isaiah 40:31_Wait... ( re post)

Praise the LORD!!!
   This morning during my devotional time, the LORD led me to one point and one alone. This is seldom the fact, for most of the time HE will enlighten me on several lines from just one reading. this morning though only one thought kept being impressed upon my heart. Let us start with today's reading from the book of Isaiah.

Isaiah 40: 31

   "but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (NIV)

   Now you may be wondering "what does this have to do with waiting on the LORD?" believe me, we shall get to it, just wait! In our world of 'fast food', microwaves, the internet and mobile communications we've become greatly accustom to instant gratification within our lives. No longer do we wait for very much of anything and when we have to, we quickly become impatient and sometimes even hostile. The act of hoping in the LORD isn't along these lines. It requires patience and sometimes great patience to say the least. Hoping in something, is the basis of faith. "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

   Here we have it again! We are certain of things we have not received as of yet. As before , we were hoping in the LORD and as of yet not receiving our renewed strength, but it was promised. Now, we all know that what GOD has promised, HE shall bring into being!!! It is just getting over that part of having to wait for that which we hope for. Many of us are having very difficult times right now, especially considering the current state of most economies. Many are stretched to what we think to be the utmost of our limits. It is very understandable to think this way, with the way things are going within our lives. What the LORD is saying here though, is that we must stand on what HE has said, as if it is already done for us. Not looking at all the signs of the world that things are not improving, but that GOD has already taken care of them all.

   Here are with that little word again, wait. We must of faith to truly worship GOD. We must have patience, for it is a fruit of the SPIRIT. We must worship GOD in spirit and not in the flesh for our worship to be received of GOD. Three very good points, that when put together, bring us into a right relationship with GOD and a much more enjoyable life. We must hope in that which GOD has promised to do for us, we must wait and be patient until it has happened and we must not look at the things of this world(the flesh), but we must see thing through our spirit as if all has already been accomplished. Remember GOD is SPIRIT and functions on the SPIRITual level of existence first, then and only then do these things happen in the physical realm, where we can actually put them to use within our lives.

   There is great strength and benefits awaiting us when we can petition GOD for our needs and then await the delivery of them in HIS timing and HIS opportunity. So please, learn to wait!!! For you just may find your strength renewed, being able to run and not growing weary and walking and not becoming faint or soaring on wings like an eagle!!!

"I truly don't know if anyone will make sense out of this, for like all the others it was written as it was impressed upon my heart. Many times GOD will lead me to a verse to cover an area I'm having personal difficulties in. Giving me HIS understand , to remedy the problem. Sometimes this will happen in the first hour after reading it and at others hours later, after working through a good bit of the day. But I always pray and ask for the LORD's leading before typing a single word and then continue to pray all the while as doing it. Many times I never have an idea of what has been entered, until given the sign that it is done. I would love to get comments from those of you that read these. I'd love to know how the LORD is using these to effect your lives, because I already know all that HE's been blessing me with since starting them."



 Other scripture you may enjoy: Heb. 11: 1; Psalms 25: 5, 32: 8, 62: 1
 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


GOD bless and good day,

Rev. Marshall Barth

Vine of CHRIST Ministrieshttp://vineofchrist.org

Vine Ministerial Network International

3.20.10_1 Peter 3:15_Shinning

Praise the LORD!!!

    I pray all are well today and that the LORD is truly moving within your life.

  1 Peter 3:15

    15 "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,"
    Have you ever done something within your walk for CHRIST, that you thought may of been a deterrent to the spreading of the GOSPEL?  I other words, something that would make your credibility as a Christian come under the scrutiny of others. Not something that would out right speak volumes as to the validity of your walk, such as crimes or moral lapses, but something that could be considered just a bit far fetched, or out of the ordinary. This has happened to me with the announcement of the fact that VCM will operate on the lines of the 1st century church and not that of modern churches. Right away, people began thinking about the fact that in the early church, the saints sold everything that they owned and gave it to the cause of spreading the GOSPEL. Though I've mentioned this in the announcements, it truly isn't the picture of what I was talking about. That which I'm speaking of is the fact that during this time, the saints had but one purpose in their lives and that was to serve JESUS to the fullest no matter what it took to do so!!!   

    In today's verse this exact thing is seen, just from a bit of a differing point of view. We're to set CHRIST apart in our lives, so that others can see a remarkable difference in all that we do. We tend to go through life with a hope that is far different then that of other people, for while we're facing trials and tribulations, we can still manage to have joy and hope shining forth. This is something that is totally lacking in the present day church to a great extent. People today, tend to allow all the weight of the world to come to bare upon their shoulders and present this as an "oh I'm a suffering Christian" type of attitude. More of a pity me because of my faith ordeal, and this is far from what our verse today has laid hold of.

   Why has this happened to so many within the church today? Probably because so many have lost sight of their "first love," and all that living a life for HIM entails. Life today in the church, has grown more into a school of life and how to succeed in the world through biblical principles. We have sermons on every aspect of life there is, marriage, finances, dating, divorce, you name it and it's most likely being preached in a church somewhere next Sunday. Seldom will one hear a sermon bearing directly on CHRIST and our need for HIM within our lives, let alone one every single week of the year. No longer is our focus on JESUS, but it seems to be only on all that HE can do for us, instead of how we can share HIM with the rest of the world. Christians have taken on the forms of the world, no longer focusing on JESUS, but only on self.

   This is what set the early church apart from the rest of the world! Their lives were filled with an abundance of love for others and in all that they did, they did it in a manor so much different than the rest. They had a hope, that was so visible to others, that it manifested itself to everyone, in everything that they did. When I was working on the gulf coast after the 05 hurricanes, every once in a great while this could be seen. I'd run into a person wading knee deep in mud and they'd have a smile on their face. I could tell right away that they were a fellow Christian and one that focused their daily hope on JESUS and all HE's done within their lives and they were showing this fact. Then there were times when I'd run into groups of Christians working and it'd be no different then working amongst any group of non-believers. Cussing, complaining about this or that, all sorts of talk that was the farthest thing from JESUS you could imagine. The worst part of this fact, was that I'd find out that they belonged to some big denomination and had come there as part of a massive move to mobilize their church members and put a show on for others to see. Most of these spent their time away from the work area, in air conditioned buildings, traveling around in tour buses and in general were very short term.

   These that I've just mentioned, are not the one's that VCM wants working for us. We want the first example group. Those that will wade through the muck and mire, smiling and singing. Swatting at mosquitoes the size of air planes and laughing about it. These are those that truly have a hope within them. These are those that have set aside CHRIST within their hearts and these are those that will truly give their all, going to the extreme to show the love CHRIST has for a of mankind, through their actions, no matter what the conditions they're putting up with.

   This may seem more like a blog for the ministry, than a devotional. But I'm sure that if you look hard enough, you're find that which convicts your heart of a need for some changes within your life. Something that draws your attention to your daily walk with the LORD, and a need to alter things a bit. Our lives as Christians, is supposed to reflect JESUS, not just part of the time, but all the time. Can you say that this is the way your walk is truly, and all the time? If not, then there is room for improvement. I sure hope that no one says that their walk is spotless before GOD, because I'd have to tell you, you're wrong! For there is only ONE WHO's walk was this way and HIS name is JESUS!!!

Some extra reading for your pleasure: Gal. 6:14; 1 Tim. 1:12-17; 2 Tim. 1:8-12; James 2:1-8
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
You also may enjoy my other blog, Blogs from the VINE

GOD bless and good day,

Rev. Marshall Barth

Vine of CHRIST Ministries

Vine Ministerial Network International

2.23.10_a re post_Matt.Matt. 14:28-32_Stepping out...

Praise the LORD!!!
   Today's post is a re post of an earlier posting. I've been busy all day with matters of the ministry which needed to be done. With the state of affairs with our computer, it takes twice as long to do the simple chores, let alone anything major which was the situation today. It was time to make up and post this coming months newsletter for the ministry and that which should of taken no more then two hours, ended up taking almost eight. I will be tomorrow, LORD willing, with a fresh posting of "Gleanings."


    This morning/day I ask you, where are your eyes/intentions focused this day? Are they upon the troubles that have befallen you? Or on the daily task that lie ahead in wait? Or are they on our SAVIOR?

 Matt. 14:28-32

   "LORD, if it's YOU," replied Peter, "tell me to come to YOU on the water." "Come," HE said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward JESUS. But when he saw the wind , he was afraid and beginning to sink, cried out, "LORD, save me!" Immediately JESUS  reached out HIS hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" (NIV)

   You've accepted JESUS as LORD and SAVIOR (I pray so!) and HE has changed your life from within. You have asked HIM to take over control of it and HE has. Now, HE ask you to "Come," step out of the boat (you comfort zone, your dependence on self) and walk unto HIM! Will you be as confident as Peter was, at first, and immediately take the first step? Or like the others, that remained in the boat?

   Like Peter, many will step out and begin to walk the path towards JESUS and in like manor make it closer to HIM. Then our eyes have a tendency to turn from HE that should be the focus within our lives, to the troubles that surround us. Then we begin to sink under their weight. We, like Peter, tend to focus on the problems of the world around us, for it is here that we've spent most of our lives. We've allowed it to shape us and form us into one that is always aware of the external conditions of our lives. We're told in scripture that these things, all of them, are but temporary, soon to be gone and forgotten.

   As with Peter, our LORD is right there, reaching out and taking hold of us. Drawing our attention back upon HIMSELF. Though we forgotten it, our new goal within life is to follow JESUS and place our faith in HIM and HIM alone! We must focus our whole being upon HIM, heart, mind, soul and body! The LORD knows that we are weak, for HE was once just as we, human. Like the good shepherd, HE knows more about HIS flock then we can ever imagine and has our best interest at heart. HE knows that we tend to focus upon our immediate surrounds, for these are those things that effect our here and now. The things that we are used to shaping our lives on a daily basis.

   In order put away our old lives, we must crucify our flesh and allow GOD to bring our focus back upon HIM and HIM alone. We must be willing to offer up to HIM all that our lives consist of, right down to the smallest of details! Then and only then can we take HIS out stretched hand and begin to hear HIS voice. Yes, it will be a rebuke at this time, for our lack of faith in HIM, but then HE will begin to lead us and teach us more of the great wonders of the KINGDOM.

   Are you willing to hear HIS voice, even though it will be a rebuke unto you? Are you wise enough to take correction? Or is your wisdom, wisdom of this world and self, where you are above correction? Are you ready to do a little cutting away of the flesh? These are all questions one must ask themselves, especially before stepping out of the boat!!!

Other scripture readings: Rom. 12:1,2; 1 Cor. 1:25; 2 Cor. 10:3-5; I John  2:15-17; Eph. 4:22-24

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


GOD bless and good day,

Rev. Marshall Barth

Vine of CHRIST Ministries

Vine Ministerial Network International