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 :{)))

Four years ago...

Praise the LORD!!!
 
   You can thank a Christian brother(and the LORD) for this next little piece :{)))

As the title suggest, it has to do with "Four years ago,"  and "Yes, it does."
This friend's post brought up the subject of  "obedience" and then the LORD hit me with what I was doing on a morning just like this "Four years ago."

   You see, I was sitting on the side of a major county road in Kentucky, just south of Caneyville, with a blown out knee; 90 lb. duffle bag and a one year old shepherd/wolf pup. At this time(12:30 PM), I'd been there for about two hours already and the "church" attendees would be on their way home about now.  I figured that if there were any chance of me getting some assistance, it'd be now!!!

   LORD, was I surprised !!! I watched for the next three hours, as vehicle after vehicle went by. Many glancing in my direction, yet the only tail lights I saw, were from those slowing down for the corner at the bottom of the hill.

   Now, what does this have to do with "Obedience"??? Plenty!!! Just how many of those "church" goers had the LORD "suggest" to them that they should stop and render assistance??? How many just blew it off ??? Or how many started the ol' "I've got to do this(and that)... ??? You most likely have made the "excuses" before. Most likely "MANY" times before!!! I surely know I have :{)))

   Well folks. That right there has to deal with "OBEDIENCE" big time and there isn't a single one of us that hasn't flubbed up when it comes to it!!! We're so intent on living our own(selfish, little) lives, that we plain ol' overlook, play deaf and dumb when it comes to OBEYING the LORD's still quiet voice. There is but one way to overcome this deficit and this is>>> MUCH TIME SPENT ON HUMBLE KNEES

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

SLAP!!!

Praise the LORD!!!

    What I'm about to write, can be called nothing else, but a "SLAP!" Why, you may ask? The only reason that comes to heart, is that it is a reflection of the church and the heart of the BODY of CHRIST. This reflection, is marred and truly not as it should be.

   Most likely any of you that are reading this, are familiar with my ministry, my life and all the recent events within these. If not, a little research online can reveal all these, for I'm totally transparent about these.The truth is, this isn't about me and my walk with the LORD, for though this does reflect upon my works for the LORD, it isn't my lack that is being brought to the forefront.

   Since the inception of the ministry, back in June of '99', I've always put out notice of the intents of the ministry and the needs. Not asking for donations, but asking that you pray over these needs and do as the LORD leads and that only. From the beginning there seemed to develop a trend and this is that which this blog is about! This trend has greatly been revealed to me over the last several years, through the events that the LORD has walked me through. All these can be found, either at the ministry's website(in the newsletters) or in one of my blogs, or at one of the social sites that I frequent.

   What is this trend, you may be asking? The trend that more non church going Christians reveal Christian charity and faith, then those that regularly attend church!!! Some of you may be saying, "hold on now, I give my tithes at church and I regularly take part in the churches outreaches." Yes, this may be true, but how often do you reach outside of these? How often do you go the "extra mile" JESUS spoke of us going?(Matt. 5:39-42) How often do you play the part of the "good Samaritan," assisting one along the 'roadside' of your walk through life?(Luke 10:30-37)

   If these questions have stirred deep thought within your heart, you've been 'slapped,' but not by me, but by the LORD. For it is a sad statement, but one I'm thankful for, when anyone can say "they've received more compassion from those outside of the church, then they have from those within!!!"

   Most ministries at this time would enlist your tithes, but not mine! I ask you to pray, ask the LORD to reveal the truths of these matters. Then and only then, ask HIM what you can and should do about these and then do them!!!!!!!

   If you need prayer, you can use our email prayer line: prayers@vineofchrist.org

 May GOD richly bless you and guide you and may you hear HIS calling unto you!!!
 Rev. Marshall Barth
 Vine of CHRIST Ministries