Breaking the mold

Praise the LORD!!!

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (1 Peter 2:9; NIV)

"Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’" (Exodus 19:5,6; NIV)

"Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." (Titus 2:14; AV)

Breaking the mold ??? GOD has called forth HIS people to be peculiar!!!

• pe·cu·liar
• [ pi kyóolyər ]
unusual: unusual, strange, or unconventional

1. unique: belonging exclusively to or identified distinctly with somebody or something

synonyms: odd · strange · weird · unusual · irregular · abnormal · uncharacteristic

Why then, are we all standing around in the same light cast for us by the world and unfortunately, the church itself???

For the best part of the last forty years, ministries have been telling us that we've got to focus upon making ourselves look and preform just like them and the world. Striving to stand out, yet only following after the very same mold they've been set in. A "mold" that is almost exactly that as the "mold" that the world uses to bring note to itself !!! 

You, know what I mean. That, "we've got to have the biggest and the best, to make people come through our doors," or "we've got to act this way or that, to blend in with them, making them feel acceptable in our pews." 

There is no "standing out, because we're different," or "standing out, because we don't accept your ways or beliefs." It's, "smooth over the rough spots," "sweeten our words, so we don't offend anyone." Are any of these, those "PECULIAR" ways that the LORD has called us out to be???


Use these verses, but don't stop with them, cross reference and seek out GOD from within HIS WORD!!!


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

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 

03.13.10_ Matt. 14:28-32_ Stepping out...

Praise the LORD!!!

   I was at the church again today to finished up as much of the childrens ministry sound booth that I could. When I got back to the house I was right online working on posting some ads for the ministry and I just finished up for night. I'm not going to rush a devotional, because I feel that I should do as good a job as possible when writing them. So I'm going to do a re-post. I know this is the second one this week and you thought they were to be daily, right? Well, if were blessed to have others working along side me, I might just be able to do it, but I'm trying to run the ministry, write blogs and devotionals, redo the website and a whole lot more, by my self. So please, just bear with me a little and pray others will catch the vision of VCM and either come on board as a member or donate funds or materials to help this ministry grow into what the LORD has shown me it will be!!!



   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

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