Praise the LORD, we're blessed with another day to glorify the name of JESUS!!!
From the title, one should be able to see that this is something of importance. For the repeating of these words, as well as the repeating of a certain statement, were meant to drive home the importance of a fact that was to follow. It's not that what I'm going to say is important, but that the message the LORD has laid on my heart is.
WHO/who do you follow??? That should be simple enough to answer, but is it??? There are several warnings given by Paul in the New Testament, on the separation or divisions within the Church. Though like in his day, it seems that people have greatly overlooked and still fail to heed these.
There truly shouldn't be a need for the question, but there is, for far too many follow after the teachings of others, instead of following those strictly of CHRIST. Now, I'm not talking about those that are following after "errant" teachers today, though this IS a major problem. But, those that are taking the teachings from the Bible, let's call them "one liners", and going on crusades with them.
Now, all in all, this may not be wrong, but when one forsakes the very teaching of CHRIST, to go off on a tangent, to bolster a cause, there is. A great deal of this happens due to the "immaturity" of the believer. Paul himself tackles this problem, but I'm led to re-hash it today. For people would rather just overlook it and "run with that which they believe is of the SPIRIT." Well, it maybe of the spirit, but certainly not the HOLY SPIRIT!!! For anything that the HOLY SPIRIT teaches, will completely coincide with ALL of scripture, not only on a part of it. In other words, "if it doesn't mesh with the complete Bible(beginning to end), it's not of the HOLY SPIRIT!!!"
Now, to the crust of this biscuit.
There are so many lines of thought within the Church today, it's downright ridiculous. Here, I'm focusing on two specific ones. People preaching nothing but the "End Times." Others, doing nothing but standing in judgement of others in the Church and their teachings. And, though both of these topics, ARE in scripture, they are but "one liner" topics. (and yes, I know these are covered in more that a single line, but that's what the BOSS, says call them :{))) argue with HIM) Both, though important facts, don't "mesh" with the totality of scripture. Which makes focusing on and the pursuit of them wrong.
JESUS warns us, personally, of focusing on the events of the "End Times," and also in numerous places, of standing in judgement of others, especially those of the Church. An I know, there are those that are going to say "these aren't of the Church, but are errant in their ways." There you go though, you're putting "yourself" in the position of THE JUDGE, and are you so sure that your "righteous judgement" is truly righteous??? Or not just "a little of the flesh boiling up within you"??? You know, we as "man," are prone to a little pride, now and then. Even the best of us.
To keep this from being a book, I'm going to make this short and sweet. The next time you're doing a little surfing of the internet, or reading somebody's new(or old) book, and something really fires you up. Back off for a bit. Pray, test the spirit of this matter and give it some time to settle in. For like an actual fire, all will blaze up at first, but not all will continue to burn strongly. This because the RIGHT FUEL isn't there. That fuel, the right, is the HOLY SPIRIT. The wrong fuel, is that of this world and it's purposes, are to bring division and take our eyes off the true focus we are to have> spreading the GOSPEL, loving GOD, our fellow believers and our neighbors(believer or not.)
GOD bless and good day,
Rev. Marshall Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries
Showing posts with label focus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label focus. Show all posts
Sunday, January 4, 2015
Monday, October 13, 2014
satan will ...
satan will use every means possible to defeat GOD!!! This statement shouldn't surprise anyone, well anyone that believes in GOD in the first place.
The "dark lord" has already lost one decisive battle and was rewarded by being cast out of heaven. But truly, he's as stubborn as he is prideful and won't give up or give in until that day in which he's finally defeated.(and yes, he will be, for it is written!!!)
Today satan wages war against GOD thru a constant barrage of attacks upon believers. I'm pretty sure that I don't need to tell you about these. For daily, we're under constant attack in many ways. Most of which are meant to focus our attentions on our plight and away from GOD and HIS promises to us.
A secondary means that is being used, is the "trivialization" of GOD's WORD and WAYS. If but for a moment he can get our attentions turned away from GOD and focused on, or disbelieving in one "jot or title" of scripture, he's gained a minor victory. A foothold. A wedge between us and our SAVIOR.
These means are also being used against those to whom we as believers are to witness. Putting up stronger wall of defense between us and them. These can take many forms and can even use the professing Christian to do so.
We in the western world are among the most prosperous nations in the world and this prosperity is one of satan's greatest weapons against us. We've houses, that resemble great mansions to those that live in make-shift shelters. We've numerous vehicles to drive all around. When the greatest percentage of others are bound by "manual" transportation, walking or bicycles. We've masses of electronic gadgets filling our home and vehicles. To which, a great many are but distractions from the world we live in, but they too, are distractions from the very GOD that has blessed us with them.
Even our houses of worship, have become more entertainment, than they are worship. Sure we do worship in them, but is it any degree of that which it was a hundred years ago, or for that matter, just fifty years ago??? For the most part, gone is most of the music that the saints sing. Replaced by that which they listen to, or maybe sing along too. Gone, is the harmony of voices singing, no matter how out of tune, together, making melody to the LORD.
Gone is the church family, which knew each other as well as they know themselves. Gone, are many of those ways that used to separate the Church, from the rest of the world. Today, many of our churches resemble any other gathering of people.
These, the few that I've mentioned, are nothing but satan's trivialization of GOD, HIS WORD and HIS WAY!!!
THINK ABOUT IT, FOR THE FUTURES OF MANY, DEPEND UPON US!!!
GOD bless and good day,
Rev. Marshall Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries
The "dark lord" has already lost one decisive battle and was rewarded by being cast out of heaven. But truly, he's as stubborn as he is prideful and won't give up or give in until that day in which he's finally defeated.(and yes, he will be, for it is written!!!)
Today satan wages war against GOD thru a constant barrage of attacks upon believers. I'm pretty sure that I don't need to tell you about these. For daily, we're under constant attack in many ways. Most of which are meant to focus our attentions on our plight and away from GOD and HIS promises to us.
A secondary means that is being used, is the "trivialization" of GOD's WORD and WAYS. If but for a moment he can get our attentions turned away from GOD and focused on, or disbelieving in one "jot or title" of scripture, he's gained a minor victory. A foothold. A wedge between us and our SAVIOR.
These means are also being used against those to whom we as believers are to witness. Putting up stronger wall of defense between us and them. These can take many forms and can even use the professing Christian to do so.
We in the western world are among the most prosperous nations in the world and this prosperity is one of satan's greatest weapons against us. We've houses, that resemble great mansions to those that live in make-shift shelters. We've numerous vehicles to drive all around. When the greatest percentage of others are bound by "manual" transportation, walking or bicycles. We've masses of electronic gadgets filling our home and vehicles. To which, a great many are but distractions from the world we live in, but they too, are distractions from the very GOD that has blessed us with them.
Even our houses of worship, have become more entertainment, than they are worship. Sure we do worship in them, but is it any degree of that which it was a hundred years ago, or for that matter, just fifty years ago??? For the most part, gone is most of the music that the saints sing. Replaced by that which they listen to, or maybe sing along too. Gone, is the harmony of voices singing, no matter how out of tune, together, making melody to the LORD.
Gone is the church family, which knew each other as well as they know themselves. Gone, are many of those ways that used to separate the Church, from the rest of the world. Today, many of our churches resemble any other gathering of people.
These, the few that I've mentioned, are nothing but satan's trivialization of GOD, HIS WORD and HIS WAY!!!
THINK ABOUT IT, FOR THE FUTURES OF MANY, DEPEND UPON US!!!
GOD bless and good day,
Rev. Marshall Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Forgetfulness
Praise the LORD!!!
Most of us tend to forget that as we go through life in this world, this is not what we're to be living for!!!
...19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rustg consume and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rusth consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.(Matt. 6:19-21; NRSV)
We also tend to forget at what a great personal cost most of those mentioned in the Bible dealt with. Abraham left all that his life existed of to seek after GOD's leading. Ruth, she left behind all also, to glean in the fields of a stranger. Look at the disciples and all that they left to follow CHRIST. Even Peter when he stepped out of the boat left behind much. Think about it, he left behind common sense and all the laws of nature to which he'd lived his whole life.
The point here is, what are you willing to do(forget) in life, to obtain a full relationship with JESUS today???
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
Most of us tend to forget that as we go through life in this world, this is not what we're to be living for!!!
...19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rustg consume and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rusth consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.(Matt. 6:19-21; NRSV)
We also tend to forget at what a great personal cost most of those mentioned in the Bible dealt with. Abraham left all that his life existed of to seek after GOD's leading. Ruth, she left behind all also, to glean in the fields of a stranger. Look at the disciples and all that they left to follow CHRIST. Even Peter when he stepped out of the boat left behind much. Think about it, he left behind common sense and all the laws of nature to which he'd lived his whole life.
The point here is, what are you willing to do(forget) in life, to obtain a full relationship with JESUS today???
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
Sunday, November 27, 2011
??? FOCUS ???
Praise the LORD!!!
Good morning, and being that you're reading this, GOD has blessed you with another day of life. Something to be greatly thankful for and that which is often overlooked by many, if not most whom call themselves Christians.
If you've not noticed, I'm the one that opens every single comment or article I make, with a PTL!!! This due to several reasons: 1. the fact that I was born with a bad heart and for twelve years, planned for open heart surgery; 2. Though I'd known GOD was real and very prevalent within my life, had run from HIM for the most part and it was thru a book on praising GOD at all times, that HE used to bring me to living a totally changed life in JESUS. In a way, this isn't that which this is about, then again, it is:)))
Focus, what is it? Why is it important within our lives? Plus, why is the center of our focus, the most important part, especially for the Christian???
FOCUS, is, loosely, according to Webster's Dictionary, is the point at which our attentions are concentrated upon. Or we could say, that upon which our lives are centered upon. For the Christian, this is to be JESUS/GOD!!!
FOCUS, why is this of importance??? The intents of one's life, that which they focus their total being upon, is that which after all is said and done, describes a person and all that they do within life. Again, for the Christian, this is of a tantamount importance and it is TO BE GOD that holds this position within our lives!!!
FOCUS, the intents and purpose, our focus, is that which guides all that we do, or seek to do in this brief existence we call life. If our focus is upon ourselves, it is ourselves that receives all the glory in the end. We see this daily in the lives of many, scientist, sports star, movie stars and politicians to name but a few. For the Christian though, that which their lives "ARE" to be focused on, is to be GOD and HIS KINGDOM and not ourselves in any way, shape or form!!!
FOCUS: much could be written upon this topic and maybe some day will be by me, but for this time, it isn't the LORD's intents for this article. HIS intent is, that we as Christians, those that bear HIS precious name as our profession of faith in HIM, should have but one focus. That of HIS will for our lives. Not just once or several times a week, but that of every single second of it that we're blessed with!!! So my friend, where is your focus???
Prayer request can be sent to: prayers@vineofchrist.org
GOD bless and good day,
Rev. Marshall Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries
Good morning, and being that you're reading this, GOD has blessed you with another day of life. Something to be greatly thankful for and that which is often overlooked by many, if not most whom call themselves Christians.
If you've not noticed, I'm the one that opens every single comment or article I make, with a PTL!!! This due to several reasons: 1. the fact that I was born with a bad heart and for twelve years, planned for open heart surgery; 2. Though I'd known GOD was real and very prevalent within my life, had run from HIM for the most part and it was thru a book on praising GOD at all times, that HE used to bring me to living a totally changed life in JESUS. In a way, this isn't that which this is about, then again, it is:)))
Focus, what is it? Why is it important within our lives? Plus, why is the center of our focus, the most important part, especially for the Christian???
FOCUS, is, loosely, according to Webster's Dictionary, is the point at which our attentions are concentrated upon. Or we could say, that upon which our lives are centered upon. For the Christian, this is to be JESUS/GOD!!!
FOCUS, why is this of importance??? The intents of one's life, that which they focus their total being upon, is that which after all is said and done, describes a person and all that they do within life. Again, for the Christian, this is of a tantamount importance and it is TO BE GOD that holds this position within our lives!!!
FOCUS, the intents and purpose, our focus, is that which guides all that we do, or seek to do in this brief existence we call life. If our focus is upon ourselves, it is ourselves that receives all the glory in the end. We see this daily in the lives of many, scientist, sports star, movie stars and politicians to name but a few. For the Christian though, that which their lives "ARE" to be focused on, is to be GOD and HIS KINGDOM and not ourselves in any way, shape or form!!!
FOCUS: much could be written upon this topic and maybe some day will be by me, but for this time, it isn't the LORD's intents for this article. HIS intent is, that we as Christians, those that bear HIS precious name as our profession of faith in HIM, should have but one focus. That of HIS will for our lives. Not just once or several times a week, but that of every single second of it that we're blessed with!!! So my friend, where is your focus???
Prayer request can be sent to: prayers@vineofchrist.org
GOD bless and good day,
Rev. Marshall Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
From the beginning...
Praise the LORD!!!
From the very beginning, in the Garden of Eden, satan has done his best to keep our eyes focused on ourselves and away from where they should be, on GOD!!! This is perhaps the greatest weapon in his arsenal. Whenever we turn our eyes towards ourselves, to our sufferings, to our pain, to even our very basic of needs, satan is gaining ground towards victory!!!
You heard me right! For whenever we've taken our eyes off of focusing upon GOD, our relationship with HIM, HIS WORD for us and everything else that HE has for us, we've fallen prey to satan's scheme!!! Even, when our prayers turn to our very own needs this is happening. That's right. GOD already knows our needs before we even pray for them, so why not simply acknowledge the need as viable and thank HIM right off the bat? Not going into some long, drawn out, crying mass of "I'm-s" Why not a simple, "LORD, I know YOU're in control, YOU know my needs for __________, and I thank YOU for taking care of this!"?
Our flesh, our pride, is that which originally separated us from GOD!!! Let us defeat it ultimately, by focusing not upon it(the me's, my's and I's) and turn our eyes and hearts to focusing only upon JESUS !!!!!!!
Prayer request can be sent to: prayers@vineofchrist.org
GOD bless and good day,
Rev. Marshall Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries
From the very beginning, in the Garden of Eden, satan has done his best to keep our eyes focused on ourselves and away from where they should be, on GOD!!! This is perhaps the greatest weapon in his arsenal. Whenever we turn our eyes towards ourselves, to our sufferings, to our pain, to even our very basic of needs, satan is gaining ground towards victory!!!
You heard me right! For whenever we've taken our eyes off of focusing upon GOD, our relationship with HIM, HIS WORD for us and everything else that HE has for us, we've fallen prey to satan's scheme!!! Even, when our prayers turn to our very own needs this is happening. That's right. GOD already knows our needs before we even pray for them, so why not simply acknowledge the need as viable and thank HIM right off the bat? Not going into some long, drawn out, crying mass of "I'm-s" Why not a simple, "LORD, I know YOU're in control, YOU know my needs for __________, and I thank YOU for taking care of this!"?
Our flesh, our pride, is that which originally separated us from GOD!!! Let us defeat it ultimately, by focusing not upon it(the me's, my's and I's) and turn our eyes and hearts to focusing only upon JESUS !!!!!!!
Prayer request can be sent to: prayers@vineofchrist.org
GOD bless and good day,
Rev. Marshall Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries
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