The last several weeks...

Praise the LORD!!!
   For we've been blessed with the beginning of another year, but truly, as of yet, it is but only one day. So many seek to plan out that which "they'll accomplish" within the bounds of this new year. Yet, they've no more of an idea as to if they will be blessed with any of it.

   The last several weeks, I've been away. Not physically, but spiritually!!! My mind and heart have been totally upon that which the LORD has set forth for me. HIS ministry thru me.

   Most all others though, have been living it up. After all, this is the holiday season. Christmas and New Years all wrapped up conveniently together. To me, these are but days, another day within those I've been blessed with. Another day to glorify the LORD within all that I do.

   Now, let's return to these last several weeks, in which I was seldom here(online.) I was here the whole time, but I was only led to partake in a very limited manor. Sharing a little here and a little there, but not the usual bombardment of WORD into other's lives!!!

   The reason for this, is that another phase of my life for the LORD is about to take place. And there was the need to form up the guidelines and knowledge base needed to step into it.Like all good foundations, they're solidly set. Solidly set upon the ROCK JESUS CHRIST.

   Though I've been led to go back to "a means" of earning an income for the ministry and self, my feet are still firmly planted upon all that the LORD has led me to understand. Yes, you heard me right, "that the LORD has led me to understand." For, that which I post online and live out in my life, are not my own understandings. Not in the least.

   Sure, I've read thousands of pages of scripture, thousands of pages of books written by men and listened to thousands of hours worth of teachings. Still, not one jot or tittle is that of my own understanding. You may wonder how this is possible!?! Simple, for I am dead. I am dead to this world and all it's ways. I'm dead to the flesh. The flesh that so strives against anything that even closely resembles holiness. A flesh, that would rather pleasure in one moment of pleasure, even if it meant an eternity of suffering and separation from GOD.

   This goes back to the moment of my salvation. Where I gave the LORD everything. Sure, mine was a "prison conversion," but far from that of most. For it wasn't one of those "Lord, I give you my life, if you'll but get me out of this mess," types of conversions. No, it was the wholehearted, "LORD, this life that is within me, it is YOUR's and YOUR's alone. All that I have, all that I am, or ever will be, are YOUR's. Do as YOU will, lead and I'll follow." Hopefully, you can see that there is a determination within my life. Not to live for self, but to live that life which HE has set before me. Not for my purposes or gain, but for HIS glory alone!!!

   Now, back to the direction this entry was intended to head in. I know not the reasons, or even dwell on the possibilities of why, people(yes, y'all) fail to see, hear or take note of that which the LORD has had me working on for years. Whatever it may be, doesn't really matter, it is my task to continue on doing as I'm led. Those other matters, are between each person and their LORD/lord(yes, those spellings are correct(think about it.))  

   I've been blessed in the last several weeks, with not being able to work. It's hard for a carpenter to work, when they can barely walk around, it's a very mobile profession. In this time, I've consumed more scripture and scriptural writings than most will in this coming year. Along with this, I've crammed hours worth of study in photography and post processing. Everything I could read or watch to become proficient in the art and business of photography. A part of my life for many years, long ago. But Oh, how things have changed since those days, not in "myself" alone, but the technology behind the art. These things, they've all been devoured and stockpiled, ready for usage, when the time comes.

   Now, comes a time of questions. Questions, which I truly don't expect answers from, because I've learned that people don't answer my questions anyway.
Have I not been among you for these many years, constantly(well almost) set before you a mass of scripture and related writings??? Can you not see, that there is a wholehearted devotion for the LORD in this life of mine??? Have not your tables been blessed with food to feed your spirits??? Why then do you shun this ministry and it has to survive on only that which I'm blessed to provide???

   This ministry was set forth during a time when ministers and their cohorts, have battered down your doors, to gain your tithe, that they deem they deserve. Yet, a fresh air ministry that doesn't follow in like manor, is shunned or maybe just forgotten. This ministry is not alone though. For there are numerous others, where the minister takes from their own plates to set before those in need. Many may not consider many, if not most of these, as not being true ministries. In all actuality, these are truer ministries than most of the others. For they give and give, not expecting earthly rewards or fame, but to but once hear their LORD and SAVIOR say "well done"!!!

*** As usual, I've no idea the reasoning behind this post. Except for the fact that I was led to do so. I received the leading and have done as led, the rest, as with all things in my life, are in the LORD's hands !!! GOD bless :{)))

Almost there...

Praise the LORD!!!

   Well folks, we're almost there. At the end of another year and the beginning of a new one. And like every other year's end, we've tons of "ministries" and "organizations" asking for donations!!!

   If you're anything like me, you've subscribed to numerous "Christian" groups/newsletters and the such. So your email boxes are crammed with pleas for "end of year" donations to their prospective needs.

   That is one thing you'll not see coming from this ministry, and one of the greatest differences between this ministry and many others. That is it's means of obtaining funding for operations. Most, you'll see very little difference between them and those of the world(non CHRIST centered.) They will boast of the many "works" they've done over the year(s), they'll take about all that they've "grown" and talk about all that they "could" do, if they receive the "needed" funding to do so.

   Here I am, running this ministry "out of pocket(that which I've been blessed to earn);"  off from work, going on three weeks now; and still leaving the matter of "if this ministry will survive another day," totally in the hands of GOD alone!!!

   A life of serving GOD with your all is tough. You grow used to "trials and tribulations" within your daily life. You go at things totally different than most. You face them head on and deal with them moment by moment. For there is no tomorrow that we're promised. Sure, we've a ton of blessings we're promised. Tons of them, that can "fall into our laps," at any given moment. But the truth is, these are all dependent on the matter of what GOD holds in store for tomorrow and whether or not HE is going to bless you with a tomorrow !?!

Though homeless...

Praise the LORD!!!

   Though homeless the LORD has blessed me to not be completely out in the cold. I've been supplied, what started out as "storage only," a temporary shelter in a friend's garage. They've also allowed me the use of a small electric heater, an air mattress to keep me up off the cold concrete floor and the use of their Wi-Fi connection so I'm able to keep the LORD's message going out!!! You can believe I highly thankful for this person's listening to the LORD and being obedient in following that leading!!!

   That which I'm blessed with would be considered "a luxury suite" to many around the world. Those who live in condition far worse than that which most could ever imagine. My heart goes out to these, as day in and day out I continue to work on building the LORD's ministry for me. Of which, the plight of the homeless is but one of the agendas that it will seek to cure or at least assist people in overcoming. The list of agendas for the ministry is a long one, covering far more than most could imagine themselves. Truthfully, I couldn't of even begun to bring all these together under one ministry, let alone add all them together in a growing list!!!

   What GOD has done within my life, since "re-birth," has simply been amazing!!! I've come from one of the most self-centered, egotistical people you could of met and been born anew into one that cares far more about others than he does himself !!! The problem is though, that in all the efforts expended to broadcast the ministry and it's goals, not one person has ever stepped up and asked about how they can help or join in with the efforts!!! This wouldn't be so bad if I'd of just started all this a year or so ago, but when you consider that I've been at this whole thing since my release from the "halfway house" in "99." I've gone thru every imaginable means of broadcasting the ministry, it's goals and the GOSPEL message thru it and still "no interest."

   Many would be disheartened, but I am not. For I know WHO it is that laid this cross upon my shoulders and WHO it is that shall bring it all to completion in every degree!!! When the LORD gives you something to carry, carry it to your dying breath, no matter what it looks like at this time, HE has ways of making things happen!!!

   "With GOD, all things are possible !!!!!!!" (Mark 10:27)


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

The Whole Enchilada

Praise the LORD!!!

    Seldom is it, that I'll post here, the complete writings of another, but this will go against that. The reason for this is that fits perfectly in with a number of conversations that I've had in the last several days and handles them in a very fitting manor!!! Enjoy :)))( side note, this is a whole sermon, so it isn't short:))) )

  

                                                            The Whole Enchilada

                                                                    Acts 5:41

“So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.” (NASB)

In the 1989 movie Field of Dreams, Ray Kinsella hears a voice saying, “If you build it, he will come,” and interprets the mysterious message to mean that he should plow under his Iowa corn to build a baseball diamond. Which he does, resulting in Shoeless Joe Jackson and seven other banned players from the 1919 White Sox team showing up on his baseball diamond to play.

(http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097351/plotsummary)

Toward the end of the movie Ray and Shoeless Joe have an exchange that goes to the heart of Ray’s motives. Ray says something to the effect of “I’ve done everything you’ve asked me to do and have never once asked, ‘what’s in it for me.’ ” “What are you saying?” Shoeless Joe replies. Ray fidgets, shifts his weight, looks down to the ground and says, “Well, what’s in it for me?”

Even the most selfless among us get around to asking the question eventually, “What’s in it for me?” Part of the reason we do, is because we’ve been conditioned by Madison Avenue to think that way. But really, no one had to teach us to be selfish it is natural. Somewhere among the other single-syllabic words toddlers learn is always the word: “Mine!“It is a word a small child will use to describe everything they like without regard to real ownership. As we grow, we learn to share and care about other people’s feelings and rights, but somewhere deep down inside is that nagging question, “What’s in it for me?”

Even when it comes to matters of faith.

We understand that becoming a Christian means surrender of our own will to God’s will it is completely giving our lives to Him and submitting ourselves to His lordship. We know that we no longer can claim ownership of our lives because we’ve been bought with a price. We read Paul’s opening words in Titus 1:1 “This letter is from Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ …” (NLT) and understand that Jesus is our Lord and we are His servant. Intellectually, we know that what really matters is God’s will and His Kingdom, but something inside of ourselves says, “Yeah, but that’s just Church talk you know the kind of thing you say in Sunday School it isn’t the real world.”

And so our duplicity continues. We dabble in faith, but are not willing to swallow the whole enchilada.

Not the early Christians.

Our text says, “So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.” (Acts 5:41 NASB)

God was manifesting Himself in powerful ways in the 5th Chapter of Acts. After the purging of the church, the entire congregation was gripped by a great fear of the Lord (vs. 11). And the Apostles began performing miraculous acts of service. Those in need were flocking to the church and were being healed (vss 14–16). You’d think everyone in town would be happy that the needy were being ministered to, but they weren’t. The religious leaders went into a jealous rage and arranged for the Apostles to be imprisoned (vss 17–18).

But God was at work and an Angel of the Lord broke them out of jail and told them to get back to work proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ, which they did at daybreak (vss 19–21).

More political wrangling followed, resulting in the conspirators dragging the Apostles before the council. The council confronted the apostles with not following their clear directive to never preach in the name of Jesus again. The apostles didn’t relent, but insisted that they would continue to follow God (vss 22–32). The council was enraged with the apostles declared that the council was guilty of the blood of Jesus and was ready to kill them before Gamaliel stopped them with a voice of reason. He said, “So my advice is, leave these men alone. If they are teaching and doing these things merely on their own, it will soon be overthrown. [39] But if it is of God, you will not be able to stop them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God.” Acts 5:38–39 (NLT) With that, they flogged the disciples, and once again warned them never to speak in Jesus’ name again.

Their reaction wasn’t to gripe about their ill treatment. They didn’t call their lawyers because they were thrown in jail without a cause. They didn’t complain that they had to start work early the next morning without a decent night’s sleep and neither did they complain that they were flogged. Instead, the scripture records that they rejoiced “that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.”

No “what’s in it for me” attitude here they’d fully committed themselves to God. They weren’t dabbling in faith. They’d swallowed the whole enchilada. They were so committed to Christ that they were grateful for their flogging, because God considered them worthy to suffer for His name.

This attitude is not isolated to this passage of scripture. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:10 NASB) Jesus considered the persecuted blessed people. In Luke 6:22 He said, “Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and cast insults at you, and spurn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man.” (NASB)

Like Ray Kinsella, you might be ready to ask, “so what’s in it for me?” Well, I’m glad you asked. Persecution does have its advantages. For one, it makes you STRONG. Romans 5:3 says, “And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;” (NASB) Just like lifting weights builds muscles, going through trials builds character.

It makes you strong, but it also SEPARATES THE TEMPORARY FROM THE PERMANENT. Hebrews 10:34 says, “You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.” (NIV) Whenever everything else is stripped away what is left is what is most precious.

In the same vein, in your weakened state, you discover the SOURCE OF YOUR TRUE STRENGTH. 2 Cor. 12:10 says, “Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” (NASB)

Yes, persecution strengthens you, helps you know what is permanent and shows you the source of your true strength, but there’s more.

The Apostles didn’t rejoice because the flogging made them strong, long for heaven or because they found that God was the source of their strength. They rejoiced because God found them WORTHY TO SUFFER FOR HIS NAME’S SAKE.

Paul wrote, “For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him.” (Philip. 1:29 NLT) And Peter wrote, “But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. [14] If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. [15] If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. [16] However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.” (1 Peter 4:13–16 NIV)

“What’s in it for you?” Fellowship with Christ. Philip. 3:10 says, “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;” (KJV)

You can’t just pick and choose. If you want to know the power of his resurrection, you’d better be ready to know the fellowship of his sufferings.

Because you can’t be finicky when it comes to following Christ you can’t just dabble in faith, you have to eat the whole enchilada.


Wilson, J. L. (2009). Fresh Sermons. Fresno, CA: Willow City Press.
-via Logos4

How often...

 Praise the LORD, for HE has blessed us with another day, one bringing to and end a week of toil and gracing us with several days of down time !!!

    How often..., oh this could lead in many directions :))), but for this day the LORD has only one in mind. How often do we go out into the world, wearing, let's say a Christian t shirt or pin, or drive around with a Christian bumper sticker ??? If you're like me, this is a constant, for I'm either wearing a Christian t shirt when out and about on personal chores or wearing a ministry related one when out doing the LORD's work !!!

   If you're familiar with my writings, you'll know, that they all are multifaceted, many times taking in a whole score of differing issues :))) Believe me, this isn't my doing, but the LORD's, for I am but a simple man when it comes to things, but the LORD, HE deals with things on multiple levels of detail. (Just take into account nature and it's many levels of interaction, all weaved together into a perfectly operating system !!!) Opps, point proven, I'd say :))) Back to that at hand.

   Here we are, out taking care of business, either personal or pertaining to our livelihoods. We're sporting the latest in Christian fashions, letting all whom come across us know we're a Christian. When suddenly we tend to forget this fact of life and are moving around totally unaware of that which we're doing and those around us. Let's say, we're shopping in the local market, and anything could fit here. We're moving around, maybe shopping list in hand, child in tow (or maybe not), oblivious to everything else. We may cut off a person with our shopping cart, not being forgetful to excuse ourselves, yet speedily we continue moving along. Item after item we add to our carts, until the list is fulfilled and it's off to the checkout line. Here, we find line after line of people, all seeking the same thing, to finish our shopping and get on with our day.

   OK, here's where things get interesting, let's take a look at all that has just happened, and compare it with that which we're representing in life(remember that t shirt, hoodie or pin :))) and it doesn't even need to be any of these, just those around us, that know the fact that we're a Christian will suffice.) We've sped thru the store, unaware of those around us- would JESUS of done so ??? We've interacted with people in an inexcusable manor(for even though we excused our actions, is it really CHRIST-like to place ourselves before others???) These are just two things that may of happened, there truly could of been many more. The issue here, is the fact, that in all that we do, whether we announce the fact that we're a Christian or not, we "ARE" representing JESUS 100% of the time,or are supposed to be. Whether at work, in the store or wherever, we represent JESUS in all that we do and say !!! A truly important fact, especially in this fast paced world of ours, where it seems as if everyone is out for themselves, caring little or none at all for the welfare of others around them !!!

   Though JESUS, being GOD in the flesh, HE had a much keener incite into the needs and emotions of people(while here on earth), it doesn't take a 'rocket scientist' to know something about a person, without asking. If one is truly going thru life as we should, shouldn't we be caring about all those around us, to a higher degree then ourselves??? Shouldn't we be looking into people's eyes, the windows of their souls, and getting an incite into the intensity of that which they're going thru??? How often do we also forget, that while out in the world, others that see us, even from a distance, who may know we're a Christian or know from that which we're wearing that we are, are watching !!! Watching and learning, just to what extent we truly are that which we proclaim to be !!! So, the next time you're out and about among the world, think about just "How often", you, as a Christian, are truly representing JESUS !!!!!!!


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

*** please don;t forget, if you've a prayer need, the ministry has an email account to which you can send your request to : prayers@vineofchrist.org 

Oh, to be like nature

 Praise the LORD!!!

    OH, it would be sweet to be like nature. For unlike nature, man is constantly seeking to render things by his own hands and not those of GOD !!!

" These wait all upon Thee;
  That Thou mayest give them their meat in due season.
  That Thou givest unto them, they gather:
  Thou openest Thine hand, they are satisfied with good." Psalm 104:27-28
         from- Waiting on God, Andrew Murray

   Oh, so sweet it would be, to be so un-dependent upon self and more so dependent upon GOD alone. Not to have the cares and worries of life, that so heavily weight us each of us down, both day and night!!! But child of GOD, it is there for us, if we but truly reach out with unwavering faith. Yes, it is there, we but need to realize it and trust HE whom is far more able to meet our needs than we can ever be.

   This does not mean to cease from our efforts of gathering, but to realize that it is not by our efforts alone that these provisions come. For it is thru the blessings of GOD, HIS abundance poured out upon us and into our waiting hands. Matt. 6:25-34 so clearly sings this out and it is but up to us to be the trusting and faithful ones to garner that which is given so freely. Lifting up voices in praises, as the flowers lift their petals to the heavens, seeking not our own glory, but that of the one and only, that truly is in control !!! Sing your praises to the LORD, for only HE is worthy !!!!!!!

   
  

Colossians 3:1-17 NIV84

PTL!!!

   This is something, that in the past I've not done, but am led to post at this time, for there are those in need of this leading also !!!

   Colossians 3:1-17 NIV84

3 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is youra life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.b 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. 

*** I've left all the notations in place and with "reftager"(a Logos program) these should work, but at this time, I'm not sure, so we all shall see :)))

 GOD bless and good day,

 Rev. Marshall Barth

 Vine of CHRIST Ministries

   If you're in need of prayer, please feel free to email us(me at this time) @ prayers@vineofchrist.org

How long???

Praise the LORD!!!

    This is being laid upon my heart this day and I must be obedient and post it!!!

   How long must I contend with you? You call yourself the BODY, yet you act as if only a bunch of members of it!!! You act upon that which brings yourselves acclaim and not on that which I have commanded you!!! I have set before you many, that truly seek to do all that I've commanded them, wholeheartedly and without questioning, yet you ignore them all. You are a hand, while another is a foot, yet you worry about a manicure, instead of putting shoes upon a foot that is in so great of need!!! You worry about fine jewelry, to adorn your fingers, while those I've called walk upon blistering streets, barefooted!!! You call yourself a ministry for the LORD, yet you only seek your own good!!! I've set before you many, many that are in greater need then yourselves, yet you turn blind eyes upon them!!! Building greater and greater buildings, larger and larger systems, all for your own glory!!! Shall I pull my hands back from blessing you??? Shall I open the windows and doors of heaven and pour out my blessings upon those that truly seek the glory of MY KINGDOM and not that of some earthly building???

   The time is near, you just need to look around to see this!!! I AM about to move as never before!!! That which has used my provisions for their own glorification shall be laid low and those that have only sought after MY glory, shall I lift up!!! It is your call, as to what I shall do with these blessings that I've stored up for such a time as this which is about to come to be!!! You can either broadcast it to those in great need, or you can keep it for yourself, if you do, these will be your rewards and my hands shall come upon those that only seek my glory!!! The time of my contenting with you is over and it shall be MY KINGDOM that will receive the glory!!!!!!!

Popery, what are we doing to combat it?

Praise the LORD!!!

   There are to many today that have forgotten the history of the "Church of Rome" and all that they did to keep men blinded to the truth. We should always stand strong against the erroneous ways that they pander among the pews. The worship of icons and saints, placing themselves as the 'vicar' (substitute) of CHRIST and rendering more power to the man, then to GOD!!! Read this devotional, from Spurgeon, and then search back through the history of the Catholic church, to find all the atrocities that they've committed in their own name and using CHRIST as a cover!!!

“Cursed be the man before the Lord, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho.”
— Joshua 6:26

Since he was cursed who rebuilt Jericho, much more the man who labours to restore Popery among us. In our fathers’ days the gigantic walls of Popery fell by the power of their faith, the perseverance of their efforts, and the blast of their gospel trumpets; and now there are some who would rebuild that accursed system upon its old foundation. O Lord, be pleased to thwart their unrighteous endeavours, and pull down every stone which they build. It should be a serious business with us to be thoroughly purged of every error which may have a tendency to foster the spirit of Popery, and when we have made a clean sweep at home we should seek in every way to oppose its all too rapid spread abroad in the church and in the world. This last can be done in secret by fervent prayer, and in public by decided testimony. We must warn with judicious boldness those who are inclined towards the errors of Rome; we must instruct the young in gospel truth, and tell them of the black doings of Popery in the olden times. We must aid in spreading the light more thoroughly through the land, for priests, like owls, hate daylight. Are we doing all we can for Jesus and the gospel? If not, our negligence plays into the hands of the priestcraft. What are we doing to spread the Bible, which is the Pope’s bane and poison? Are we casting abroad good, sound gospel writings? Luther once said, “The devil hates goose quills” and, doubtless, he has good reason, for ready writers, by the Holy Spirit’s blessing, have done his kingdom much damage. If the thousands who will read this short word this night will do all they can to hinder the rebuilding of this accursed Jericho, the Lord’s glory shall speed among the sons of men. Reader, what can you do? What will you do?
Spurgeon, C. H. (2006). Morning and evening : Daily readings (Complete and unabridged; New modern edition.). Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers.

 I will be off line for awhile due to moving. I pray it will be but for a short period, as with all things this too is in the hands of the LORD and not man!!!

  Don't forget our prayer line email system at: prayers@vineofchrist.org or my devotional at "Gleanings from the Vine"

GOD bless and good day,

Rev. Marshall Barth

Vine of CHRIST Ministries


 Vine Ministerial Network International

VCM June newsletter, "Notes from the Vine"

Praise the LORD!!!

    This is coming out a bit early, due to the fact that on the first, I will be moving into a new home. I'll be making the transition from living in a host family's house, to that of an apartment complex. I will also update our mailing address today, because for a while I may not have an internet connection. This will be a bit of a drawback considering that most of the work for the ministry is online at this time, but I'm sure that the LORD will provide the needed funds in HIS timing.

      Over the last month there has been a good deal of progress for the ministry. We've now a newer (05) computer system up and running. This is a donated unit, that was frozen up when given to us, but the LORD blessed us with being able to find the proper programs and knowledge to take care of this problem. Since getting it up and running, more RAM has been added and with the fact that it had a video card, more has been accomplished. We've made some VCM t-shirts, to help get the word out around town. These are mostly worn by myself as I'm out and about town, either while working or out taking care of chores. Even though there were mistakes on numerous ones, like the program not mirroring text, we've used every transfer printed (we'll waste nothing.)

      There has also been reworkings of the website, if you've not noticed, though nothing major at this time. I need to better familiarize myself with the programming methods of the website before I really start to rework it heavily. As some of you may know, this website has been the workings of my hands alone for almost four years and it would be a shame to lose a percentage of the information by preforming the wrong procedure. I could easily lose a page in but one click and you know how long some of these pages are :)))

      There is also going to be another change made. This is to be a return to our focusing on the Christian duties and/of the family unit. Not just that of the incarcerated, but all families. As Christians, we've been given some pretty direct instruction as to our duties in the formation and practices of our families. The LORD laid it upon my heart, just days ago, that as Christians, we've sorely neglected HIS guidelines for the most part. The majority of families in this country, and around the globe, are falling apart due to a falling away from these guidelines. A very large percentage of Christian parents fail to raise their children up in fear of the LORD! Allowing them to function for most of their time in worldly manors and following after GOD only during church activities. Most of us know this is wrong, yet the practice still seems to dominate in our faith. I can hear a bunch of parents now saying, "We raise our children up in the LORD." Yet, many of these very same parents are those that allow their children's lives to be focused on worldly endeavors. Video games, TV and secular music to name but a few. Instead of leading them by example and showing them that as Christians we're to focus and center our attentions upon GOD, family and then others. We need to set forth for them the fact that all the glamor of the world is deceptive and draws one's attention from GOD's true goals for us. I really could go more in depth right now, but I'd be preaching and this isn't the place for that:)))

      There are many other things that will be taking place with the ministry and I'll fill you in on these as led to. For now, these are of most importance. There is also the fact that I've taken on a part time job, working doing apartment turnovers. For you that don't know what this is, it is going in after an apartment is vacated, cleaning up and making any repairs needed, before the next tenants move in. Strange thing about it, I've not even asked what my pay will be! I've a Christian boss and he's told me all aspects of the job and how he'll assist me in every way possible and I guess (:) ), I just forgot to ask. I'm truly not worried though, because I do know that however much it is, will be just what is needed to provide my personal needs and those of the ministry. For truly, our GOD is an awesome GOD and has made this promise and I know HE will provide that which is needed to bring glory to HIS most holy and precious name, JESUS!!!

LOVE'S BLESSINGS!!

Praise the LORD!!!

   Today starts an adventure that I've not ventured into in the past. This morning I received an email from a sister in CHRIST that was a word in time. It was impressed upon my heart to share it with others. After asking and receiving permission, here it is. I pray everyone will be impressed by the SPIRIT that is within this message!!!


Dear Loving Family in Christ,
It has been many days since I spoke to you all.  My heart is heavy with LOVE for ALL of you, and yet, I have neglected you.  Please forgive me for I surely DO LOVE YOU!!  In all the things which keep my body busy, here on earth, even to the point of exhaustion, my soul cries out and yearns for your love, your spiritual love and any input from you I can receive.  Alas, I already know, your lives are busy, as well.  So, I am asking ALL of you, to never forget how much I truly love you.  It is my relationship with you, which gives me great strength and much hope, for everlasting life.  Fortunately, for ALL of us, we have come to rely on our FAITH in GOD and not, in man.  Of this, we must ALL be thankful!!! 

Our God, so many, many years ago, LOVED us so much more than ANY man could ever even try to LOVE us!!  I thank Him and praise Him, every single day for His Great Love, as I know, you do.  We are ALL so very blessed by this!!  We must ALL take comfort in the Love and Power of God!!  And, as we struggle here on earth, through each and every day, we must KNOW we are not struggling alone.  Right there, within our grasp, is our Lord Jesus!!  So many times during my day, I actually reach my hand out to my side and clasp His hand in mine.  If others could see this, they would think I was crazy.  If any of YOU saw this, you would see faith.  Praise God!!  God, in all His power, could have been such a snob or He could have not cared at all, forcing us to go through our lives without a single friend.  But He did not do this, for WE have a FRIEND IN JESUS!!!  THANK YOU, JESUS!!!  We never walk alone, even when it feels like there is NO ONE there!!  Isn't it WONDERFUL to KNOW this???  It sure has been a COMFORT to me!!!  Because man will always let us down, even when they do not want to let us down.  Like me, for instance.  Is it that I want ALL OF YOU to think I do not care?  NO!!  I DO CARE!!  Am I there for you?  NO!!  I am not!!!  But, JESUS IS THERE!!  ALWAYS!!!  ALL WAYS!!!  And, He is there through GOD, His Father!!!  Ultimately, it is our GOD who is THERE for us all!!  Praise God!!  He sends to us, His Son, so we will ALWAYS have comfort and a FRIEND who never leaves our side!!  In ALL the wonders of ALL the world and ALL creation, God LOVED US!!!  WOW!!  Isn't that amazing????  US???  We are only one grain of sand on a beach of many acres, and He knows ALL the grains of sand, each and every one of them!!!  WOW!!  Not only does He KNOW them, but He chose to LOVE them!!!  Folks, THAT is AMAZING!!!  And, you know what's even MORE amazing???  He ALREADY KNEW I would be sending this email to ALL of YOU!!!  He KNEW THIS!!  WOW!!!

So, to sum up this email, I just wanted you to know that I have not forgotten you and I still LOVE you ALL very, very much and BIG!!  Also, You are ALL gifts from God, sent to me for encouragement, enlightenment, and understanding of His ways.  Even as I have encouraged some of you, I have found many blessings in doing it.  Surely, God knew you needed those words of encouragement, at the time I was "inspired" to write them.  We are ALL here to help each other stand in rightousness, to uphold that which is good and that which is GOD!!  My prayer is that each and every one of you, will be blessed, in KNOWING the GOOD our GOD wants in our lives.  Obviously, this is ALL HE WANTS for us!!!  Often, we feel as if the whole world is against us, yet we still have FAITH, don't we?  THAT is the key!!  There are prayers we pray, which may never be answered in our lifetime, but GOD is listening.  His Great Plan is already laid out/ already designed.  We take Comfort in this.  Even as we see so much suffering around us, we must KNOW our GOD is in control.  In His great design, He wanted us to "feel", to "suffer", to "cry".......and all the while, we should have GREAT HAPPINESS and JOY in KNOWING He Loves us so very much!!

Please remember, I DO LOVE YOU!!  But, most importantly of all, keep your faith, keep your eyes on the sky above you, KNOW our GOD still LOVES YOU even in your struggles.  I shall delight in YOUR BLESSINGS!!  For GOD has PROMISED us these BLESSINGS!!

Here are a few examples:

Genesis 49:25  Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee: and by the Almighty, who shall BLESS thee with BLESSINGS of heaven obove, BLESSINGS of the deep that lieth under, BLESSINGS of the breasts, and of the womb:

Deuteronomy 28:2  And all these BLESSINGS shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God. 

Proverbs 10:6  BLESSINGS are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

Proverbs 28:20  A faithful man shall abound with BLESSINGS: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent. 

Ephesians 1:3  BLESSED be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath BLESSED us with all spiritual BLESSINGS in heavenly places in Christ:

And MY FAVORITE because I "listen" to nature, and see ALL CREATION giving PRAISE TO OUR LORD every single day of every year, without asking for anything.  Praise to Our Lord with tears of gratitude!!

Malachi 2:2  If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your BLESSINGS: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart.

And, as to this GREAT LOVE I have for You ALL, and that YOU have for ME???  Here's yet another scripture for you, as we all hold each other up!!!

Romans 12:10  Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

That is why we can't get enough of our FRIENDSHIP!!!

Love to You ALL!!!!
Your Sister in Christ,
Debra, Debi, Momma, Aunt Deb, Feather in Wind...yadda yadda yadda (lol)

 Published with express permission of the author, Debra Sartelle

 Rev. Marshall Barth

 Vine of CHRIST Ministries

 Remember that if you need someone to pray for you, you can email our prayerline at: prayers@vineofchrist.org

To many times...

 Praise the LORD!!!

   To many times we as humans tend to forget GOD. We forget that all we have to our name is from HIM and given to us for a purpose. We tend to forget that HE has given us the very ability to take the next of breath. Or the fact that we have a heart beating within our chest, that HE alone has blessed to continue beating. This too has a reason, HIS reason, for being. All that exist, whether living or not, has been created by GOD and for GOD's express purpose. Not one moment of time or one minute particle within this whole universe has a reason for being of it's own. All was created for GOD's very own unique purpose.

   We as humans, being of the highest order of creation on earth, hold a spot very unlike any other created item. We have the ability to think and reason, to seek after knowledge, wisdom and processions. Even the angels, which are closer to GOD, seek not after these things. For they realize that their very existence has come about by HIS hand and that their very existence relies completely upon HIM. Whereas we as humans, should be able to figure these facts out, many times we don't and we believe that we're the controlling factor within our own worlds. This characteristic comes from the fact that we've been blessed with a living soul, that can and does make choices on how it will exist. We've a trait called pride that causes us to focus on our own existence and survival over all else.

   This trait, pride, is that which was the cause of the original sins, both those of the angels and of mankind. lucifer and the fallen angels thought more highly of themselves then they should have, thus their current state of banishment from the KINGDOM of GOD. Whereas only their leader, now called satan or the devil, is allowed at any time to enter this realm. Whereas we of the earthly order of created beings (mankind), fell from GOD's KINGDOM also because of pride, but HE has made special amendments to enable our return to it if we so choose. Why HE would chose to do this only for us and not the angels can only be assumed, for it is not written in scripture. But it is a fact that still exist and one that GOD has set down and can not be changed.

    We as humans tend to forget the fact that GOD is the controlling factor within our lives and we seek to do things in our own strengths. What we usually end up with is more of a mess then anything else. Yes there are times we we can do things that work out for the betterment of ourselves and others, but usually they're done for the wrong purposes, in effect voiding the good that was done. How is it that we so easily forget that GOD placed us here with a purpose? That HE alone has brought about everything that has happened within our lives? Its simple, we see ourselves at a higher level of importance then we rightfully deserve. We believe we're the ones in control and that we can cause things to happen to our own benefit. This is that 'original' sin of pride welling up inside of us, taking the forefront of our thought process.

    The only way to do away with this sin is to totally die to self and this is only possible by allowing GOD, by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT to come in and take over control. This is a dying to self that is often spoken of in scripture, but seldom truly sought after, to the fullest extent. Sure there are times that we give a weak hearted attempt at it, but its usually attempted under our own power and not that of the HOLY SPIRIT. Thus all our efforts are of no avail. Only when we allow the HOLY SPIRIT to take up residence within our hearts and then continue to allow HIM to mold us into the being that GOD originally intended us to be can this succeed. We must learn to totally release our lives into the hands of GOD and allow HIM and HIM alone to break us and mold us into that new creation spoken of in scripture. The regenerated being, the born again man.

    I urge you today, if you're a Christian and having problems within your life, pray for GOD to bless you with the HOLY SPIRIT. Pray that HE will then take the mess of a man/woman that you are and totally recreate you into the image that HE and HE alone wants you to be. At this time you will become a new creation, worthy to live in communion with the LORD!!!

    If pray tell you've not given your life to JESUS yet, take the time to read the GOSPEL of John. find yourself a version of the Bible that is clearly understandable to you, like the NIV, and sit down with it. Pray that if GOD is real and that HE has a purpose in life for you, that HE'll reveal HIS truth to you from the reading you're about to undertake. Then begin to read, not speed reading, but take your time and allow GOD to move upon your heart from within the WORDS of this most holy book. If at anytime you feel that you've enough proof that GOD is real and that HE loves you and has a direct purpose for you in life, let HIM know it. Just talk to HIM like you would a loving friend or parent. Let HIM know that you believe that HE came to earth in the man/GOD, JESUS. That HE died upon the cross for your sins, that HE was buried and rose again to life on the third day, ascended to heaven and is now sitting at the right hand of the FATHER, interceding for you before the FATHER. Ask JESUS to come into your life and take control, so that you may live a life seeking to bring glory to HIS most holy and precious name. Then follow suit with the others and ask HIM to grace you with the HOLY SPIRIT, to created in you a totally new creation!!!