Least we fall

Praise the LORD!!!

   There was the day when we were all sinners, "There is none righteous, no, not one"(Romans 3:10; KJV 1900) and this my friends, we should not forget!!! Though the LORD forgives and forgets the life of sin we've lived, let us not. For when we do there is the chance that within our hearts we will begin thinking of ourselves as better than those around us. Placing ourselves upon a pedestal above all the immoral sinners of this dying world. When it was right there at the base of that pedestal, that we too used to live.

   Pride, is the original sin, it is that which set satan up for the fall, the very one that took down Adam and Eve and has brought mankind to the need for salvation. It is the pride of man that placed JESUS upon the cross and it is one of satan's greatest tools against us!!!

   For at the moment of salvation we're broken and contrite(or we should be), we humble ourselves before the LORD in our need of HIS forgiveness. An unless humility rules within afterwards, that very pride that placed us in need of a SAVIOR can and will begin to grow, unless carefully(very carefully) watched.  A while back in one of the devotionals, Spurgeon stated "In some sense the path to heaven is very safe, but in other respects there is no road so dangerous. It is beset with difficulties. One false step (and how easy it is to take that(step), if grace be absent), and down we go." The Pharisee and Sadducee traveled a road of religious pride, much like many Christians today and it was them that JESUS condemned so richly!!! 

   During my walk to south Texas, many to which I spoke, said that it was the hypocrisy within the church that kept them from going(the number 2 reason) to church. Truly it should be plain to see that anywhere you've Christian gathered, we see pride also. We see it all the time, though we may overlook it for the most part. Maybe because it has become so ingrained within our lives and the lives of those around us that we just accept it. I don't know, but I do know, it is leading many to a fall.

   Let us each remember, and remember well, from where the LORD saved us, or we could say from "whom," for it was our own pride that took us there. Those very sinners that we tend to look down upon, are the very ones that JESUS died for. Remember, we were each there at one time ourselves!!! :{)))

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

02-17-10_Phil. 4:11_ Contentment...

Praise the LORD!!!

   It has turned out to be a beautiful day here on the coastal bend of south Texas and I'm very thankful for the sunny skies. Though this morning it was thirty eight degrees, I was still content to just be alive.

 Phil. 4:11-13

11"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  12 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.  13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

   It does not matter here what Paul's circumstances were, but truly it is the condition in which he has addressed them. Here is a man whom has suffered much in the name of JESUS and has been at many times in peril for his life. Yet, he is saying that in no matter what situation he's in, he is content with it! Oh to be able to feel this way continuously. Not allowing the burdens of our health, surroundings or future to hold us down from enjoying the life that GOD has graced us with.


   Paul speaks of it as a secret, yet it was all over the Bible, speaking of their ancient scrolls, but it was hidden from the eyes of most and ignored by others. We know today, that it is relationship with JESUS that is this great secret, a total dependence on HIM and HIS guidance within our lives! Yet if you look around or but listen to people, you don't see it or even hear it. Everyone is complaining about how hard their life is, or how unfair they're being treated by someone. Where, if we but took our eyes off the problems and focused on the source of relief from them, we'd have that relief  that we so eagerly seek!!


   Why then is it, that we can't obtain it, when it is truly so simple? (a two part question here) 1. We can't obtain relationship with the LORD when we won't take our eyes off of ourselves and all that is bothering us. We see only as far in front of us as the tips of our noses and no farther. That which is confronting us is the total sum of our life, nothing seems to exist beyond it. We tend to place so much importance upon our living this life, the here and now, that we've forgotten that this life isn't the one we're to look at, but that which is to come. I know it is next to impossible to focus on the life to come, when this life is so totally over whelming. But it can be done, if we will just allow the LORD to fully take over.


   This brings us to part two of the question, or really the latter half was more of a statement, the simple how to do this. We must begin to draw on the power of GOD which we've been so graciously given(that is if you've given your life to CHRIST.) In the HOLY SPIRIT lies our strength, our wisdom and our understanding of all things. Now this is only if we let HIM be in control, for HE will not force us to do anything we don't want to. It is our choice alone to allow GOD's HOLY SPIRIT to control all that we are and do, not GOD's or anyone else. Once we've made this choice, which I pray you do, we begin to focus our prayers and all of our lives on that which HE leads us to focus on. Not whether the bills are paid or not, but on HIS leading and this only. Our prayers will begin to take on a whole different context. No longer will they be centered upon ourselves, but they will be for others, whether those we're in direct contact with or someone we don't even know. But our focus will no longer be centered on those things that are so important to us.

   Most likely at this time you'll begin to get a craving for some food, not that which will satisfy the flesh, but that which will provide the spiritual food that is needed. You will begin to read your Bible with a hunger like never before. Seeking out all that GOD has for you, from within it wondrous pages. Yet this may not be enough, so you'll turn on the radio to a christian station for some inspirational music and talk. Or the TV, but not to normal programing, but to one of the awesome Christian stations that we are so blessed with these days. Gleaning all that you can from every song, word or picture that you see. With each moment you're growing in strength, wisdom and understanding as never before. Remember though, to always allow the HOLY SPIRIT to be your guide while doing this, for there are those out there, wolves in sheep's clothing, that are perverting the WORD of GOD and some will most likely to pass your way.


   We have begun to fill our lives with the secret that had been hidden from our eyes for so long. We may begin to notice that our problems, though still there, are no longer key issues within our life. It is to know and experience JESUS and to let all the world know of HIS love for us and them also that has taken over. We are beginning to take on the likeness of our SAVIOR, where as the things of this world no longer matter and the things of the KINGDOM of GOD is all that is important. This is how Paul had learned to be content in all circumstances and a lesson that we should all take on within our lives. I choose this way, will you?

  Other verses to seek out: Josh. 7:7; Prov. 13:25, 19:23; Eccl. 4:8; Luke 3:14; 1 Tim. 6:8; Heb. 13:5

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

04-28-10_Micah 2:10_Our resting place**re post

Praise the LORD!!!

   ***Though this is a re post, I'm leaving this opening comment, for it is pertinent to our Christian walk that we realize that nothing happens by chance, all happens because GOD has a purpose for it too!!!***


   First off this morning, I want to thank those whom have held me up in prayer before the LORD over the last several days! I've been down with a 'bug' and not been able to do the LORD's works that have been set before me. But all this has been for a reason. I will now be devoting more of my time online to directly doing those works set forth for me and less on other projects! With all this said and done, we shall proceed...

   Micah 2:10

      "Get up, go away! For this is not your resting place, because it is defiled, it is ruined, beyond all remedy."

   Because we as Christians live in this 'world', we have a tendency to focus our attentions upon our daily living within it. This can be expected, because it is that which we are directly effected by. Yet it isn't that which we should allow to be our focus. Yes, we do live in this world and have to attend to all that it requires to continue living in it. Yet we are to have our focus on our true home, that which is in heaven.

   We each have our daily routines, which we must take into consideration. The bills, that always seem to be growing in amounts. What we shall have to set before our family at the table. Our jobs, which supply all the needs of our lives in this world. Transportation worries, health needs or problems, the list goes on and on like the energizer bunny. Yet we are told in scripture that these are not to be our focus, but it is to be upon our heavenly home, the place set aside for us in heaven, where we shall spend an eternity with our SAVIOR!

   One may ask, "how can we keep our focus on the LORD, when all these problems are before us and so directly effecting our lives?"  A very good question it is and one that I myself have often asked. I have learned over the years, to always keep my eyes focused on JESUS first, and then allow this world's needs to filter in. Not focusing upon them, but focusing more directly on the promises of GOD then upon the problems. In doing this I've laid the foundation for GOD's promises to work within my life first, and then all else that effects my life to build upon this foundation. Keeping GOD and all that HE has set forth for me in scripture, the promises, as the governing principles within my life, draws my focus towards all that HE has planned and away from all the others. I awake each day giving thanks to HIM for granting me another day to glorify HIS name. I ask for HIS HOLY SPIRIT to strengthen me so I can fulfill HIS will for me this day. Then I go to my daily Bible readings and devotionals, all mingled with prayer and some quiet time, to hear HIS leading. After this and only after this will I begin to undertake that which the 'world' has for me.

   In our reading today, we are told to "Get up, go away!" This is that which I'm doing when I set GOD as the focus for my day. Not rendering to the 'world' all the attention it so demands, but placing my attention on GOD and that which HE has for me. We then see, that all that is around us is not that which GOD has intentions for us to be controlled by, for they are not that which HE has set before us as our resting place. They are spoiled, totally ruined by man's hands and the works of them. Though nothing is impossible for GOD, we are told that these are beyond repair and are, without direct intervention by GOD. For this world will not turn it's attention fully to GOD, so it will be left to its own demise and the fall that will come along with this refusal to accept GOD and HIS righteous ways. Only those that truly accept GOD and HIS ways are those that will obtain an eternal rest within HIS presence.

   Taking our attention off of those things of this world and focusing upon GOD, brings us into relationship with HIM and allows HIM to carry our burdens for us. Remember the poem "Footprints in the Sand," where the times of hardest life we are carried through them on our LORD's shoulders and not allowed to bare their burdens upon our own! This is that place that GOD wills for us to be, not under a yoke of our own making, but allowing HIM to carry us through out our lives. When we focus on the eternal, and not the temporary things of this world, we are showing GOD that we realize that HE is our source and provider and not we ourselves. This is an important step in our lives as Christians, because it shows HIM that we admit our weakness' and are totally dependent upon HIS helping us along life's many pathways. For when we are weak, HE is able to carry us through them, but when we are strong, we won't allow HIM to take hold of them, we want to do it all by ourselves. It is hard to share anything with another if you're not willing to allow them to hold onto part of it. This from a worldly standpoint, no lesser so, a heavenly one!

   I ask of you this, look at your life and see how many times you have tried to carry all of it on your own. Then look back and see those that you called upon the LORD's help in. Which of these were the more prosperous and beneficial? An now I ask, where will you turn for the rest of life's needs?  


   No other verses will be given today. I'd like you to seriously think over these matters. If led to read else where, please do so, but not by my leading, but only by HE that has called you to a higher purpose!!!

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