Praise the LORD!!!
***This is a re post, and a few things have been changed and enlisted in parenthesis as to allow for the original thought to remain intact and current changes to be brought to light(I didn't want anyone to think it was 45 degrees in south Texas in May:))) .)***
It is a beautiful day here in south Texas. Our high temp. for the day has been 45(89) degrees. Believe me, I'd love to see that doubled, because the cold really gets to me since I'm becoming 'ancient.':) Though I'm not really that old, 54(55), I've had friends tell me that I had JESUS sign my yearbook and HE was an under classman. Got to love friends though, they mean it in a loving manor.
Philippians 4:11,12
"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."
I am being blessed to be hosted by a awesome Christian couple. They have provided my needs for the last four(six) plus months and not mentioned anything about payment. This isn't an older couple either, mid thirties, with a son just off to collage. I've been growing weary of being a burden to them and have been praying for the LORD to provide the means for me to get into a place of my own. This morning in devotional time HE laid this one me.
We are to be content in all our circumstances, no matter what they are. Doing our best to constantly be about our work for the KINGDOM of GOD. Whether it is living in a nice house or homeless, we should count it all as a blessing and continue to be about HIS works for us. Many times we allow our current surroundings to dictate our moods. Whether we're happy or sad being dependent upon how our life is currently going. This is wrong in many ways for the Christian and one of the hardest practices to overcome.
Many times I've heard someone make the statement "that I don't pray for myself, because GOD has better things to spend HIS time on." Talk about having a small GOD! At other times its been the complete opposite, where their prayers are nothing but about themselves and all that they need GOD to do for them. Two great extremes and neither one even close to the 'secret' that Paul was talking about here. Now I've got to say, my GOD is definitely not to small to handle my minor(or major) problems. For HE is the one that created the universes and still has enough time to care about a single sparrow falling to the ground. My prayers are also far from being centered on my own being and all of those things that I personally would like to have. Those that know me can attest to this. I spend a great amount of my time in prayer for others and professing the greatness of our creator and HIS great love for all of mankind.
Why then has HE impressed me to study and write this. Because, I was forgetting that HE is totally in control and that every second of my day is formed by HIM. HE has set all things into motion and controls the opening and closing of every single door and pathway in the universe. These happenings are just as HE wills them to be and not one minute occurrence is out of place. If I were to be living in another house, eating different food or whatever the difference may be. It would be just as HE wills it and not any different. I must admit, GOD does have a way of humbling a person at times, but I love it, for I always have grown closer to HIM after wards!
We all have problems in our lives, whether rich or poor, we have problems that draws our attention towards them. It is how we allow them to control our reactions to them, that is the difference. The 'secret' Paul spoke about here is simple, so simple we tend to completely over look it. GOD is in total control of all things!!! It doesn't matter what it is either. Good, bad, in need, having an abundance, single, married and with grandchildren or childless, not one of these things is not in GOD's control. Even the current state of affairs around the world, terrorism, piracy, earthquakes and volcanoes, starvation and plaques. They are all under HIS control and not even the littlest of details are not known completely by HIM.
So as you finish reading this, I'd like you to ask yourself, "Am I content," and/or, "should I be?" If you aren't, search out the reasons behind it and make the alterations needed to change it. For it will make a huge difference within your life and relationship with JESUS. Possibly making such a great difference within your life, that one day in the future you will look back and wonder, "why had I never seen this before?"
Other verses to ponder: Isaiah 40:26-31; Ecclesiastes 5:10; Psalms 37:16; 1 Tim 6:6-8; Heb. 13:5; 1 Cor. 4:11-13; 2 Cor. 9:8; Luke 3:14
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
Showing posts with label trust. Show all posts
Showing posts with label trust. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
01-26-10
Praise the LORD!!!
Yesterday when I'd finished editing my post for today I added the little note about not thinking it had anything to do with the referenced verse and putting the matter to prayer and as led posted it! Well I now know why, it wasn't finished. Today I will go on where the LORD had me leave off.
After covering the area of our online time and how it can either be used as a blessing for GOD, or distract our attentions away from GOD. I'll go into other areas of our lives where the adversary can and will use our lives and surroundings to keep our eyes focused somewhere other then GOD and HIS wonder working power over all creation.
In this day and age we have many problems which distract our attentions away from GOD. With the current state of the economic systems around the world being a mess, this is a very potent weapon against us. For our money has a direct influence on the manor in which we live. Whether we are thriving or just surviving, both can be used against GOD's influence within our daily existence. When people have amassed large fortunes they tend to focus their attentions on maintaining their wealth. This in itself isn't wrong, what is though is worrying about it and placing it before our duty to the LORD. In doing this, we've placed our focus on the money and not GOD. Plainly put, we are worshiping an idol, something our very own hands, though with the blessings of GOD, have acquired and built up. No difference between this and making an idol out of wood or precious metals. It is that which we've formed and shaped and placed before GOD as our source of provision and protection!
This also goes for those that are just barely surviving due to financial woes. They will tend to focus their thoughts and actions on seeking out their livelihood on their own, even though there may be a lot of prayers, and taking their focus of HE that has promised to provide all of our needs. Now working to make a living isn't wrong, but when we focus more on the work we do to make a living then we do on the GOD whom has given us the abilities to work and make it, then we've lost sight of what GOD wants from us. Our devotion and dependence upon HIM, also our faith that in no matter what is happening around us, or to us, we know that GOD is the ultimate source of it all. Not ourselves and the little works of our hands.. It is GOD and all that HE's blessed us with being able to do through HIS grace!!!
Now we come to our health. Where does our good health come from? All that is good comes from GOD! When our health isn't as we think it should be, we begin praying for the LORD to heal us and when we've not received instant healing we begin to moan and grumble about all our aches and pains. Now GOD has promised to heal us 'by the stripes of JESUS' and HE has, for that verse reads 'were healed', not will be or might be, but 'were.' Now you say you know this, but you're still not received the healing, because you still have the problem. Well, where are your eyes focused? On the healer or on being healed? If you are focusing on being healed, your eyes are looking in the wrong place! The HEALER has said you were healed already and you should be thanking HIM for allowing you to receive it and see it. Not on the facts that you see, but on the facts that you KNOW GOD has healed you. Every little bit that you doubt in GOD and HIS ability to do exactly what HE has promised hinders your ability to receive that which you seek!!! Take for instance breathing. Do you doubt that when you take your next breath that there will be air there to inhale? Most likely not! You have not doubt at all that it will be there and you receive it into your lungs really not even thinking twice about it, its a natural, or a given. This is the same manor we need to realize GOD has given us all the blessed promises, they are ours we just need to grab hold of them and not think twice about it.Just remember to be thankful when it happens!!!
We need to learn to take our eyes off the act of getting our needs met and focus on the fact that GOD says they've already been met and even this to a greater extent then we can imagine. Trusting in GOD is most likely our biggest problem in life. We need to seek HIM out in everything we do, no matter how trivial it may seem and be thankful for the fact that it has already been considered by HIM and provided for us. This is faith in GOD and all that HE is and does in this thing we call life!!!
Other verses to read: there were no verses to feed this entry, for it came off of yesterday's, so you can go back over those if you wish. Personally I love reading scripture numerous times, because GOD always seem to open them up in some new way. This is why we call it the " Living WORD," it isn't static, though the words themselves never change, it is how GOD's HOLY SPIRIT moves upon them within our lives giving us a fresh revelation of them.
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
Yesterday when I'd finished editing my post for today I added the little note about not thinking it had anything to do with the referenced verse and putting the matter to prayer and as led posted it! Well I now know why, it wasn't finished. Today I will go on where the LORD had me leave off.
After covering the area of our online time and how it can either be used as a blessing for GOD, or distract our attentions away from GOD. I'll go into other areas of our lives where the adversary can and will use our lives and surroundings to keep our eyes focused somewhere other then GOD and HIS wonder working power over all creation.
In this day and age we have many problems which distract our attentions away from GOD. With the current state of the economic systems around the world being a mess, this is a very potent weapon against us. For our money has a direct influence on the manor in which we live. Whether we are thriving or just surviving, both can be used against GOD's influence within our daily existence. When people have amassed large fortunes they tend to focus their attentions on maintaining their wealth. This in itself isn't wrong, what is though is worrying about it and placing it before our duty to the LORD. In doing this, we've placed our focus on the money and not GOD. Plainly put, we are worshiping an idol, something our very own hands, though with the blessings of GOD, have acquired and built up. No difference between this and making an idol out of wood or precious metals. It is that which we've formed and shaped and placed before GOD as our source of provision and protection!
This also goes for those that are just barely surviving due to financial woes. They will tend to focus their thoughts and actions on seeking out their livelihood on their own, even though there may be a lot of prayers, and taking their focus of HE that has promised to provide all of our needs. Now working to make a living isn't wrong, but when we focus more on the work we do to make a living then we do on the GOD whom has given us the abilities to work and make it, then we've lost sight of what GOD wants from us. Our devotion and dependence upon HIM, also our faith that in no matter what is happening around us, or to us, we know that GOD is the ultimate source of it all. Not ourselves and the little works of our hands.. It is GOD and all that HE's blessed us with being able to do through HIS grace!!!
Now we come to our health. Where does our good health come from? All that is good comes from GOD! When our health isn't as we think it should be, we begin praying for the LORD to heal us and when we've not received instant healing we begin to moan and grumble about all our aches and pains. Now GOD has promised to heal us 'by the stripes of JESUS' and HE has, for that verse reads 'were healed', not will be or might be, but 'were.' Now you say you know this, but you're still not received the healing, because you still have the problem. Well, where are your eyes focused? On the healer or on being healed? If you are focusing on being healed, your eyes are looking in the wrong place! The HEALER has said you were healed already and you should be thanking HIM for allowing you to receive it and see it. Not on the facts that you see, but on the facts that you KNOW GOD has healed you. Every little bit that you doubt in GOD and HIS ability to do exactly what HE has promised hinders your ability to receive that which you seek!!! Take for instance breathing. Do you doubt that when you take your next breath that there will be air there to inhale? Most likely not! You have not doubt at all that it will be there and you receive it into your lungs really not even thinking twice about it, its a natural, or a given. This is the same manor we need to realize GOD has given us all the blessed promises, they are ours we just need to grab hold of them and not think twice about it.Just remember to be thankful when it happens!!!
We need to learn to take our eyes off the act of getting our needs met and focus on the fact that GOD says they've already been met and even this to a greater extent then we can imagine. Trusting in GOD is most likely our biggest problem in life. We need to seek HIM out in everything we do, no matter how trivial it may seem and be thankful for the fact that it has already been considered by HIM and provided for us. This is faith in GOD and all that HE is and does in this thing we call life!!!
Other verses to read: there were no verses to feed this entry, for it came off of yesterday's, so you can go back over those if you wish. Personally I love reading scripture numerous times, because GOD always seem to open them up in some new way. This is why we call it the " Living WORD," it isn't static, though the words themselves never change, it is how GOD's HOLY SPIRIT moves upon them within our lives giving us a fresh revelation of them.
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
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Matt. 19:26...With GOD...(01.20.10)
Praise the LORD!!!
This is my second life verse, and just in case you don't know what one is, it a verse that has special meaning within your life and you use it to focus your attention upon GOD.
Think deeply about all that happens within your life. All the problems you constantly face from day to day. Both the good and the bad that happens as you walk through this short period called life. Stress, sickness, bills, disease, and the list could go on for days! We have a tendency to think of our problems as overwhelming. To us they may be, but look at this verse. What is impossible for GOD? Nothing!
If we were to listen to our own prayers, what would we hear? Would we hear a strong confidence in GOD where we're telling HIM how much we know HE can do in our lives? Or do we hear just the opposite? Whining and complaining about how we feel so bad, or how our car payments or bills are past due, and of coarse this list too, could go on for days. To often we fill our prayers with nothing more then complaints about our life or the lives of others around us. Did GOD shut down HIS promises and open up a 'complaint department' or something?
Back in early '97' I suffered a heart attack. This really didn't surprise me though, I had been born with a bad heart and lived under a doctors care for the first twelve years of my life. At this age they released me from under their control and said that 'it would be a miracle if I lived to be twenty one.' For those that haven't read my book, 'Out of the LIGHT,' I was going to be forty two in several months. The doctors in prison had specialist come in and run a battery of test on me. Several weeks later the results were in and was I told to prepare for a very advanced five major procedure operation within weeks. I smiled and flat out told them, 'that GOD has given me a new heart and that they would have to take another set of test to prove to me that I really needed this operation!!' I was standing on scripture and claiming a promise of GOD. There was no doubt in my mind or heart that all of what is promised in scripture is true and backed by the greatest power in all the universe. I had been blessed with this kind of faith just barely two years into my walk with the LORD!
Now here it is almost thirteen years later, I've no scares on my body where doctors proceeded with any operation of any sort. After they'd taken me in town to the heart center in the largest hospital in town and after weeks of going over their findings, both sets, they told me that I had the heart of a perfectly healthy seventeen year old. There weren't even signs of scar tissue from my birth defects, which had clearly shown up on the first set of test! Now how do you think this happened? It was only because I had taken GOD at HIS WORD and held it up before both HIM and man. For with GOD, nothing is impossible!
The next time you start to pray, think about how you're going to pray. Are you going to put a bunch of needs and request forth that you so badly need, because you're suffering so badly? Or are you going to hold up before GOD those promises HE so generously placed all through scripture. Ones that have promised healing from our sickness and diseases. Ones that say that HE cares about a single sparrow and its life, how much more will HE care for you and yours? What about those finely dressed flowers of the field? All creation was formed by GOD with just a simple few WORDS. HE supplies all that is needed to maintain every living creature on this planet in the very same manor.
If someone gave up HIS own life for you it would be a fair bet that this person cared greatly for you! GOD did this exact thing for each and everyone of us on the cross of Calvary. So do you really think that HE doesn't know and care about you enough to take care of even your smallest need? Next time you set your mind to pray, sure ask GOD for what you need, but then thank HIM for having the power to provide this in your life and thank HIM as if already having been graced with it. You may just find out that there is an unlimited power in this universe that loves you, yes little old you, more then HIMSELF and your life will never be the same again!!!
I pray that GOD will move within your lives, to open your eyes to the truths that lie within scripture. That HE will give you the wisdom to grasp ahold of them and hold them up before HIM and the grace to realize just how much HE loves you and will provide all of your needs. May HE begin to transform your lives into a life that will truly bring nothing but glory to HIS most holy and precious name, JESUS. AMEN!!!
God bless and good day,
Rev. Marshall Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries
Vine Ministerial Network International
http://vineofchrist.org
p.s. you will notice that beside the verse topic for the day, I've not given any scripture references! I never will, it is each and every Christians personal responsibility to know and study scripture. Don't get mad at me either, cause GOD has led me from the beginning of my ministry in this practice. I will however give you several other verses along the same lines as that written on for the day, it is your job to go from there and in doing so grow closer to GOD daily!!!
Gen.18:14, Job 42:2, Jere. 32:17, Luke 1:37 and 18:27, Rom. 4:21
This is my second life verse, and just in case you don't know what one is, it a verse that has special meaning within your life and you use it to focus your attention upon GOD.
Matt. 19:26
"JESUS looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with GOD all things are possible." (NIV)Think deeply about all that happens within your life. All the problems you constantly face from day to day. Both the good and the bad that happens as you walk through this short period called life. Stress, sickness, bills, disease, and the list could go on for days! We have a tendency to think of our problems as overwhelming. To us they may be, but look at this verse. What is impossible for GOD? Nothing!
If we were to listen to our own prayers, what would we hear? Would we hear a strong confidence in GOD where we're telling HIM how much we know HE can do in our lives? Or do we hear just the opposite? Whining and complaining about how we feel so bad, or how our car payments or bills are past due, and of coarse this list too, could go on for days. To often we fill our prayers with nothing more then complaints about our life or the lives of others around us. Did GOD shut down HIS promises and open up a 'complaint department' or something?
Back in early '97' I suffered a heart attack. This really didn't surprise me though, I had been born with a bad heart and lived under a doctors care for the first twelve years of my life. At this age they released me from under their control and said that 'it would be a miracle if I lived to be twenty one.' For those that haven't read my book, 'Out of the LIGHT,' I was going to be forty two in several months. The doctors in prison had specialist come in and run a battery of test on me. Several weeks later the results were in and was I told to prepare for a very advanced five major procedure operation within weeks. I smiled and flat out told them, 'that GOD has given me a new heart and that they would have to take another set of test to prove to me that I really needed this operation!!' I was standing on scripture and claiming a promise of GOD. There was no doubt in my mind or heart that all of what is promised in scripture is true and backed by the greatest power in all the universe. I had been blessed with this kind of faith just barely two years into my walk with the LORD!
Now here it is almost thirteen years later, I've no scares on my body where doctors proceeded with any operation of any sort. After they'd taken me in town to the heart center in the largest hospital in town and after weeks of going over their findings, both sets, they told me that I had the heart of a perfectly healthy seventeen year old. There weren't even signs of scar tissue from my birth defects, which had clearly shown up on the first set of test! Now how do you think this happened? It was only because I had taken GOD at HIS WORD and held it up before both HIM and man. For with GOD, nothing is impossible!
The next time you start to pray, think about how you're going to pray. Are you going to put a bunch of needs and request forth that you so badly need, because you're suffering so badly? Or are you going to hold up before GOD those promises HE so generously placed all through scripture. Ones that have promised healing from our sickness and diseases. Ones that say that HE cares about a single sparrow and its life, how much more will HE care for you and yours? What about those finely dressed flowers of the field? All creation was formed by GOD with just a simple few WORDS. HE supplies all that is needed to maintain every living creature on this planet in the very same manor.
If someone gave up HIS own life for you it would be a fair bet that this person cared greatly for you! GOD did this exact thing for each and everyone of us on the cross of Calvary. So do you really think that HE doesn't know and care about you enough to take care of even your smallest need? Next time you set your mind to pray, sure ask GOD for what you need, but then thank HIM for having the power to provide this in your life and thank HIM as if already having been graced with it. You may just find out that there is an unlimited power in this universe that loves you, yes little old you, more then HIMSELF and your life will never be the same again!!!
I pray that GOD will move within your lives, to open your eyes to the truths that lie within scripture. That HE will give you the wisdom to grasp ahold of them and hold them up before HIM and the grace to realize just how much HE loves you and will provide all of your needs. May HE begin to transform your lives into a life that will truly bring nothing but glory to HIS most holy and precious name, JESUS. AMEN!!!
God bless and good day,
Rev. Marshall Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries
Vine Ministerial Network International
http://vineofchrist.org
p.s. you will notice that beside the verse topic for the day, I've not given any scripture references! I never will, it is each and every Christians personal responsibility to know and study scripture. Don't get mad at me either, cause GOD has led me from the beginning of my ministry in this practice. I will however give you several other verses along the same lines as that written on for the day, it is your job to go from there and in doing so grow closer to GOD daily!!!
Gen.18:14, Job 42:2, Jere. 32:17, Luke 1:37 and 18:27, Rom. 4:21
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