Praise the LORD!!!
"Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me," (John 14:9; AV)
Yesterday, I was asked about one of the post I had made and what scripture references I could use to back it. The post: "A Thought for such a time as this:
A Christian should not settle with a level of production(for the LORD) that is the same as yesterday!!!"
At the time that I gave answer I was a bit distraught from having tried to monitor and post tornado warning to followers on this current system. As many of you know, well those that have followed the ministry for over a year or two would, this is part of the ministry's functions. Any way, back to the point of this blog :{))) My answer was in two parts, because another stepped in asking, but here are both parts:
"PTL!!! It is not GOD requires, wants or needs anything but our love, but as with any relationship lovers seek to provide the other with greater things from the heart as the relationship deepens. Would you give your wife/girlfriend a BMW one day and turn around and give them a gardening tool??? I think not. It may just be me, but as I grow closer to the LORD, I desire to do more for HIM, not because I have to, or because it will gain me one thing, but just because I love HIM !!!"
"PTL!!! I consider my relationship with GOD above all others and seek to deepen it in every way. As with any relationship, a knowledge of the other is great, but if that is where we leave off, what do we really have other than knowledge, we've no experience. Any thriving relationship must have experiences that deepen it, that bring the two parties closer together. I've had many relationship and most were very one sided, due to my pride, The LORD has blessed me by removing this hindrance and now I willing to seek a depth in our relationship deeper than any every before. HE gave HIS all for me, shouldn't I be willing to do the same in return, not being satisfied with the results of yesterday, but seeking to make today even better??? Scripturally, you'll not find this depth of relationship mentioned, to the best of my knowledge, but I'm sure it was in the hearts of many of those that have died for CHRIST while smiling at their tormentors and singing praises unto GOD!!! "
You can believe this was on my heart last night as I went to sleep and it was put to prayer. Now I can understand new believers in CHRIST having(needing) scripture "proof" to solidify their understandings, but supposedly seasoned, mature Christians!?! Have we been so long with JESUS, yet we fail to really know HIM??? To know those things we are to do. To know the manor in which we are to live our lives and reflect HIS image to others.
Now don't take me wrong here, I'm not judging these others involved here, but I'm being blessed to see the BODY as a whole here. We've lived our lives for years for CHRIST. We've supposedly read and read the Bible numerous times. Studied and studied for hours, taking in hour after hour worth of sermons and teaching tapes(disc) and books. "And yet hast thou not known me,"
______________________________
I ask, but not I, but the LORD, is your knowledge of me only within your mind, or is it within your heart??? Do you really have a loving relationship with me, or is it but a knowledge of scripture??? I want your heart, as well as your mind and body. I want all of you!!! Are you willing to give it???
GOD bless and good day,
Rev. Marshall Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries
Showing posts with label our likeness to CHRIST. Show all posts
Showing posts with label our likeness to CHRIST. Show all posts
Monday, February 11, 2013
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Of Social media, judgment and gossip...
Praise the LORD!!!
There are times that things must just be brought out in the open and this is one of them(Ephesians 5:11). Over the past several months, there has been a great increase in Christians taking part in that which is far from a reflection of a CHRIST-likeness(Christian attitude and actions.) From the title you should be able to tell that this has been happening on possibly the greatest tools we have at our beckon, for spreading the GOSPEL. The internet and more specifically, the social media side of it. Also, this isn't aimed at any one person, for there have been many that have been constantly straying over these scriptural lines in the sand !!!
Now, if you've been following me for any length of time, you should of realized, I've a great span when it comes to my internet presence. I've accounts on a good number of social media site ( Facebook, My_space, Twitter etc.) I've seen a drastic increase in Christians doing that which Christians shouldn't be doing. Namely, the standing in judgment of others(Romans 2:1-11) and then relaying this information on to others with the third party being totally unaware of it(1 Tim. 5:13). Both of these are far from that which our LORD and SAVIOR would of done in these very same cases, very far from it !!! It pains me dearly to have to say this, especially when a good number of these offenders exhibit a well rounded knowledge of scripture and for the most part behave as we should. I feel like the author of the Book of Hebrews, as they wrote verses 5:12-14, and the recipients were unfit for the consumption of anything stronger than 'milk.'
JESUS came a died for all of mankind, not just Christians. HE didn't die for the righteous, but for sinners and yes, I do know that no one is righteous, not even one single solitary person(Romans 3:10-18). Judgment, we should consider as a double "ended" sword, which inflicts as much damage to the one using it, as it does the one it is used against. For when we judge another person, in any manor(status, looks, job or in any way)let us not forget Matt. 6:15), we place ourselves in a position as if we're better than they are(Romans 14, yes the whole of it:))) ). Hence sinning, and a multiple pronged sin, for this brings in the demon of pride and every christian should realize what JESUS thinks about pride-fulness !!! (This should be one of the first tenants of the faith we learn and understand !!! (milk.)
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
There are times that things must just be brought out in the open and this is one of them(Ephesians 5:11). Over the past several months, there has been a great increase in Christians taking part in that which is far from a reflection of a CHRIST-likeness(Christian attitude and actions.) From the title you should be able to tell that this has been happening on possibly the greatest tools we have at our beckon, for spreading the GOSPEL. The internet and more specifically, the social media side of it. Also, this isn't aimed at any one person, for there have been many that have been constantly straying over these scriptural lines in the sand !!!
Now, if you've been following me for any length of time, you should of realized, I've a great span when it comes to my internet presence. I've accounts on a good number of social media site ( Facebook, My_space, Twitter etc.) I've seen a drastic increase in Christians doing that which Christians shouldn't be doing. Namely, the standing in judgment of others(Romans 2:1-11) and then relaying this information on to others with the third party being totally unaware of it(1 Tim. 5:13). Both of these are far from that which our LORD and SAVIOR would of done in these very same cases, very far from it !!! It pains me dearly to have to say this, especially when a good number of these offenders exhibit a well rounded knowledge of scripture and for the most part behave as we should. I feel like the author of the Book of Hebrews, as they wrote verses 5:12-14, and the recipients were unfit for the consumption of anything stronger than 'milk.'
JESUS came a died for all of mankind, not just Christians. HE didn't die for the righteous, but for sinners and yes, I do know that no one is righteous, not even one single solitary person(Romans 3:10-18). Judgment, we should consider as a double "ended" sword, which inflicts as much damage to the one using it, as it does the one it is used against. For when we judge another person, in any manor(status, looks, job or in any way)let us not forget Matt. 6:15), we place ourselves in a position as if we're better than they are(Romans 14, yes the whole of it:))) ). Hence sinning, and a multiple pronged sin, for this brings in the demon of pride and every christian should realize what JESUS thinks about pride-fulness !!! (This should be one of the first tenants of the faith we learn and understand !!! (milk.)
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
Thursday, February 18, 2010
2.19.10_Lesson from a Dove
Praise the LORD!!!
Today there is something totally different in store for you. Hey, this took me by storm too, so don't think you're alone in this.I've had a whole lot on my mind lately. I'm single. I've been working this ministry by myself for over ten years and until the yesterday, I hadn't ever had one person want to join. My health hasn't been the greatest. I'm living with a host family and have been here going on five months, with no income. So you see, I've a lot on my mind!
Today I went outside to smoke a cigarette, yes I still smoke, the matter is totally in the LORD's hands and I have been smoking less everyday. Let's not get sidetracked here though. When I went outside, since my host family doesn't smoke, I heard the cooing of a dove. I looked over and one was walking through the grass. I began to notice how it's head moved each time it took a step. I must of thought this is a questioning mode, because the next thing I know I'm having the LORD impress it upon my heart as to the similarity between this dove and our Christian walk.
I was a baffled, as you are about now, so relax and enjoy, for I did. We all know that the dove is representative of the HOLY SPIRIT in our faith. This is the form that HE took, when HE ascended onto JESUS at HIS baptism in the Jordan (John 1:32). You should also know, that JESUS is the HEAD of the Church(Eph. 1:22,23), not the one with four walls that you attend, but the CHURCH that is the total gathering of the Christian faith. In all rights every single person that has ever called upon HIS name for salvation. We as Christians are known as the members of the body of the CHURCH(Col. 1:24). But what the LORD impressed upon me was not the whole of the body, well at first, but it's feet alone and how they represent us. For we are known as being the hands and the feet of the LORD here on earth. We are the actual workers of most of that which is accomplished in the physical world, by the use of our bodies.
WE have the HEAD, being CHRIST. We have the feet, being us. Well what about the body? The body is the HOLY SPIRIT, which ties us together with JESUS!!! This making a complete unit, that in totality functions as one. Not independent of each other, but working together as a whole to accomplish it's daily task. Not one of the dove's parts could be missing, for anything to be accomplished.
As I stated, this all came about because of my wondering about how the dove's head moved every time it's feet did. The LORD showed me, that as we are moving through life, doing the works that HE has set aside for us, HE too is moving along with us, but not just HE but the HOLY SPIRIT also. Each step we take in our walks for the LORD is accomplished through our being moved by the HOLY SPIRIT and thus the LORD's goal here on earth is moved forward also. In all rights the CHURCH is here revealed as a trinity also. Just as GOD is one in three separate entities, FATHER, SON and HOLY SPIRIT, we have the CHURCH. The head, JESUS, in control of all that takes place. The body, the HOLY SPIRIT, which supplies all the animation and power for everything to take place. An we the feet, the part that accomplishes these works here on earth. Three separate entities, all working together to accomplish one goal.
Now you may call me crazy, if I am, it is totally for the LORD. For I listen for HIS leading in everything I do in life and I mean right down to the dirtiest of details. The LORD is always with us, the HOLY SPIRIT dwells within us constantly, so HE is there all the time no matter what you're doing. You might want to think about that the next time you start to do something that isn't very Christian like! The point of this is, that as we walk through our lives, JESUS and the HOLY SPIRIT are right there with us. Making every move we do, hearing every word that we speak and every thought that we think. Does this make one really think hard about every detail of their life or not? It has made me! What about you?
There will be no verses today, but I'd like you to take the several within the context of the devotional and cross reference them from your Bibles or some other means.
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
Today there is something totally different in store for you. Hey, this took me by storm too, so don't think you're alone in this.I've had a whole lot on my mind lately. I'm single. I've been working this ministry by myself for over ten years and until the yesterday, I hadn't ever had one person want to join. My health hasn't been the greatest. I'm living with a host family and have been here going on five months, with no income. So you see, I've a lot on my mind!
Today I went outside to smoke a cigarette, yes I still smoke, the matter is totally in the LORD's hands and I have been smoking less everyday. Let's not get sidetracked here though. When I went outside, since my host family doesn't smoke, I heard the cooing of a dove. I looked over and one was walking through the grass. I began to notice how it's head moved each time it took a step. I must of thought this is a questioning mode, because the next thing I know I'm having the LORD impress it upon my heart as to the similarity between this dove and our Christian walk.
I was a baffled, as you are about now, so relax and enjoy, for I did. We all know that the dove is representative of the HOLY SPIRIT in our faith. This is the form that HE took, when HE ascended onto JESUS at HIS baptism in the Jordan (John 1:32). You should also know, that JESUS is the HEAD of the Church(Eph. 1:22,23), not the one with four walls that you attend, but the CHURCH that is the total gathering of the Christian faith. In all rights every single person that has ever called upon HIS name for salvation. We as Christians are known as the members of the body of the CHURCH(Col. 1:24). But what the LORD impressed upon me was not the whole of the body, well at first, but it's feet alone and how they represent us. For we are known as being the hands and the feet of the LORD here on earth. We are the actual workers of most of that which is accomplished in the physical world, by the use of our bodies.
WE have the HEAD, being CHRIST. We have the feet, being us. Well what about the body? The body is the HOLY SPIRIT, which ties us together with JESUS!!! This making a complete unit, that in totality functions as one. Not independent of each other, but working together as a whole to accomplish it's daily task. Not one of the dove's parts could be missing, for anything to be accomplished.
As I stated, this all came about because of my wondering about how the dove's head moved every time it's feet did. The LORD showed me, that as we are moving through life, doing the works that HE has set aside for us, HE too is moving along with us, but not just HE but the HOLY SPIRIT also. Each step we take in our walks for the LORD is accomplished through our being moved by the HOLY SPIRIT and thus the LORD's goal here on earth is moved forward also. In all rights the CHURCH is here revealed as a trinity also. Just as GOD is one in three separate entities, FATHER, SON and HOLY SPIRIT, we have the CHURCH. The head, JESUS, in control of all that takes place. The body, the HOLY SPIRIT, which supplies all the animation and power for everything to take place. An we the feet, the part that accomplishes these works here on earth. Three separate entities, all working together to accomplish one goal.
Now you may call me crazy, if I am, it is totally for the LORD. For I listen for HIS leading in everything I do in life and I mean right down to the dirtiest of details. The LORD is always with us, the HOLY SPIRIT dwells within us constantly, so HE is there all the time no matter what you're doing. You might want to think about that the next time you start to do something that isn't very Christian like! The point of this is, that as we walk through our lives, JESUS and the HOLY SPIRIT are right there with us. Making every move we do, hearing every word that we speak and every thought that we think. Does this make one really think hard about every detail of their life or not? It has made me! What about you?
There will be no verses today, but I'd like you to take the several within the context of the devotional and cross reference them from your Bibles or some other means.
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
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