News items from Joe's Blog

Hey Friends,
Today I asked this friend of mine, "Have you ever had someone lie about you to a friend and then you lost that friendship because of the lie?"
It leaves you feeling like you just got punched in the gut. Injustice is a terrible thing. Being lied about is painful.
As we discussed this, I said to my friend, "Do you know who is the biggest victim of this" common scenario? "God is." He loves and has many good relationships with people but then someone lies about Him and He loses relationships because someone else lies.
His foe is the Father of Lies. Satan is not only the accuser of the brethren but He accuses God right in our thoughts. His goal is for you to think God is guilty. If the Devil can get you to think that God is guilty then you won't be pursuing God.
Once we stop pursuing God, He is left without us.
I found myself falling prey to this subtle scheme. I found myself shrinking back from pursuing God because I was disappointed at how certain things had turned out. I was beginning to subtly think that God was not good. And if I seek Him I'm just wasting my time.
As I was praying about it, the Lord spoke to me:Son, my love is strong, stronger than your rejection. Stronger than all accusation. Son, you've been disappointed but not by Me. Jesus took all sin and accusation upon Himself to show my love and to make the way for you to come to Me.
I was despised and rejected by men to bring all men healing & refreshing - to bring new life. Yet they reject Me still.
My friends, we don't need to continue to reject God or shy away from Him. He's not guilty and He's not mad at us. He doesn't stand there with His arms crossed but He stands there with His arms open wide and we are welcome and invited to run to His embrace.
Return to Him. He's waiting for you.
Don't be the victim of these lies any more. Don't let God and His relationship with you be victim to these lies any more.
God made you to have fellowship with Him. He enjoys it when you spend time with Him.
From that divine friendship with Him every other part of your life will flow from there. It's great.I hope this helped you today.
BlessingsJoe39176

Hey Friends,
Years ago I had a situation that I was getting anxious about. I knew I needed to talk to someone but didn't want to. I wasn't sure how things would work out. Then the Lord spoke to me during my prayer time in my journal:
Son, fear not! Share your heart and watch me guide the conversation. I have a plan. When things get clogged up its most often a heart issue unattended that causes the problem. Deal with these things and you'll see my blessing flow.
It's amazing the relief you feel after you do what He said in this word. I did talk this thing out, amazed at how well it worked out for me.
It's a blessing to follow God, because His Holy Spirit is right here teaching us everything we need to know if we'll just listen to Him.
Love yaJoe38578

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Have you ever met a man who was a really good father? There are some out there.

Jesus said

Mat 7:16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?

A quick way to find good parents or a good father: look for good kids. If you find some kids who seem to be raised right, who are a blessing to others; then you are hot on the trail to finding what you’re looking for.

How about in the word of God? The Bible? Are there some good examples of fathers in there?

One wonderful thing about the Bible is that it doesn’t just paint a rosy picture about everything. It tells the truth. It shows the negative along with the positive.

In the area of fatherhood the scales seem to be tilted. There are more negative examples of fathers in the Bible than positive. But that doesn’t leave us wanting. The absolute best example of a father is found in the Bible.

We know that our Heavenly Father, God Almighty is the ultimate example of a father. But throughout most of scripture He is so far removed from being an example that it is hard to get ahold of some real basic fathering principles from Him. So He gives us a picture.

Joh 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Joh 14:7 If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."

Joh 14:8 Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us."

Joh 14:9 Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?

Joh 14:10 Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.

Joh 14:11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves.

Now most everyone knows what a wonderful example Jesus was to all of us. Now we know who’s example He was following, who He was accurately representing: God the Father.

So, now we know that if we want to be a good father, the best example to follow is Jesus Christ himself. The fatherly characteristics we need are found in Him.

Men, fathers, study the life of Jesus. Look at the way He walks, talks, loves, acts, corrects, holds to the truth, the standard. Watch His life; in it you will find yours. And your children will find a true father. Men, you can do it. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you.

Blessings on you

Joe

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The Journey of Fatherhood Begins

I remember over 22 years ago when Sarah, our firstborn, came into this world. She was brand new, but so was I. She started her journey in this life and I started my journey as a father.

We've been through all the stages of parenting with Sarah, we're in the final and best stage right now, Friend. It's quite a joy. But getting here wasn't easy. We're still in almost every stage of parenting with our other children. You see, Sarah, led the way for six more children to come into this world.

So, there's Sarah, Andrew, Natalie, Mark, John, Olivia and JuliAnna. Nancy and I believe we have completed our portion of God's assignment to

Gen 1:28 God blessed them and said to them,
"Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it...

and

Malachi 2:15 Has not the LORD made them one?
In flesh and spirit they are his. And why one?
Because he was seeking godly offspring.
So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth.

Daddy's Soft Heart Comes Out

At first the child is totally dependent on you. You learn a lot about being a Dad in this phase. Your protective instincts kick in. Your provider instincts. Areas of love and softness that are deep in your heart come out toward these little ones not only because they need it but because that's a safe environment for a Dad to express these things. Those little ones get more of Daddy's heart than any because it's safest for the Dads there.

Daddy Gets To Be The SuperHero

As the child grows and begins to talk, Daddy can become the super-hero he always dreamed of being when he was young. Now, in these young one's eyes Daddy is the superhero. So, men, guard your stature well. Don't stumble in these young one's eyes. Protect their hearts. Protect their image of you. This is not fantasy to them, it is reality. You are that important and that powerful in their eyes.

Watch Them Blossom

You never know what's in your child until they begin to blossom. God put gifts in there, you have to be watching, waiting, expecting, exploring, questioning, discovering, dreaming, praying. There's something in that child waiting to be discovered. You, Dad, can be the one to help your child find out who they are.

Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go:
and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

My son, Andrew, right now works for a computer software company doing amazing work in a technical support position. Andrew's always been good at computers. When he was very young, probably six or seven, he and I used to enjoy playing a computer game where there was a space ship flying around shooting things. But we got to this one level that neither he nor I could beat. One day I came home from work and he had this bright look on his face; he couldn't wait to tell me, "Dad, I beat the level!" I said, "No way! How'd you do that?" He said, "I found the editor part of the software and I went in and erased the things we couldn't get past." We went and looked at what he had done. Sure enough, since we couldn't beat the program he edited the program so we could beat it.

Andrew was blossoming right there before my eyes. When he was 14 he installed and implemented an internet based grading program necessary for a school of ministry I was overseeing. He did it by himself. I was watching him blossom. So we nurtured that. We talked about that. We encouraged that.

Andrew is a blessing to many people now because of the skills and abilities we saw in him and nurtured to maturity.

Coach Them

You should never underestimate the value of a coach. My youngest brother, Greg, is about the same age as Bret Favre. Greg has about the same strong healthy build. He can throw a football with pinpoint accuracy 70 yards. He's sharp. He thinks fast on his feet. Greg could have been a great ball player, he has all the natural equipment. Greg never had the one thing that would have made him great. A coach.

Once you discover the giftings in your child, give them opportunity to grow in that area. If you don't know or understand that area you can learn enough about it to give your child some encouragement. Speak to them. Ask them questions. Let your child feel that your heart is with them in their pursuit of greatness in whatever area they pursue…. TO BE CONTINUED

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Dear Friends,

Please don't make the same mistake I've made.

The Bible says in Proverbs 14:4

Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest.

In the margin of my Bible I wrote "Good tools" next to this verse. In my life I have no need of an ox. But oxen are basically tools that a farmer uses to produce his abundant harvest. Good tools are necessary to help you do what you're called to.

The mistake I made was that for years I continued trying to write songs without the proper tools. I've missed more than a decade of effective song writing having been hindered by the lack of the proper tools. For you the proper tools may be a truck, a computer, an education, a guitar, any number of things. Decide what you need, ask God, trust Him. He'll show you a plan to get the right tools. You may have to make an investment but it will be well-worth it.

God wants you to have the right tools to do your work. Plus, I believe, He wants you to have the finest. You're a King's Kid aren't you?

I hope this encourages you

Joe

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Hey Friends,When I was young, 15 to be exact, my brother Vince wrote a song for my parents. He gave it to them for their anniversary. I hope you enjoy it.

Don't forget to tell your loved ones that you love them.Love yaJoe35196

I’m a pastor.

My wife and I have seven children.

Today I was studying for this Sunday’s Mother’s Day message.

I was reading the passage in Proverbs 31 where it says:

Pro 31:10

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.

So, I decided to find out how much
rubies were worth.

I thought you might find
this calculation interesting:

· There are 141.7 carats in an ounce

· There are 16 ounces in a pound

· If the average wife weighed in at 120 lbs

· Then she would weigh 272,064 carats

· A particular ruby sold for $425,000 per carat

· That means that the minimum worth of a 120lbs wife with noble character is

· $ 115,627,200,000

That’s $115.6 Billion!!!

So that’s the minimum worth,

if she has noble character.

But the Bible says her worth is far more!

How much is far more than 1?

Maybe 10?

OK, it could be a lot more than 10 but let’s start there.

So, the minimum worth of a 120lb wife of noble character is at least

$1.15 Trillion

I think we need to start treating our wives better!

www.josephbarlow.com

Blessings,

Joe

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Hey Friends,
Last Friday night we had a great worship meeting. My son, Andrew, led for awhile then I got out my guitar to worship for awhile.
Take a listen, leave this window open while playing, it's good worship music or background music.This recording includes me, on electric guitar, Stan Stubbs on keys, Stu Betts on Bass and my son, Mark on drums.







If you enjoyed that one, here is another we did at a Sunday morning service several months ago.This one includes the same musicians except Melvin Godson on keys and vocals.
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I hope you enjoy.
Blessings
Joe

Hey Friends,
For some folks, life is hard. Everything they do seems to be a grind.
Others find life comes to them with relative ease. They don't seem to struggle or find great difficulty in doing things.
I'm not sure, but I think the first batch are those who've found their place in the puzzle. The place where everything fits; and fits well.
But what about the others?

1. First, be assured that there is a place where you do fit.
2. Know that you were created by God as a gift to this world. You are desperately needed somewhere.
3. Know that you can actually get to where you belong. There is a path from where you stand to where you fit.
4. I don't know what that path is. Neither does anyone else; except God.
5. I recommend getting to know Him. He made all of creation. He made you. He knows how you fit.
6. If you are a puzzle piece and it seems through your life that you've changed in various ways, make sure you are changing to be able to fit the place created for you.
7. Let God change you. Call on Him. He'll help you. Call on Jesus.
8. Walking with Him and being His friend is worth it all by itself, but there is so much more. He'll lead you to that place; that place He's made for you.

I call that place the "Sweet-Spot".
Love yaJoe34911

Hey Friends,
I'm teaching on the Kingdom of God at church. This week I taught on The Lesson of Yeast. I'd like to encourage you to listen to it. I believe you will be blessed. It's only about 27 minutes long. http://bit.ly/9wjvH9Let me know what you think.
Blessings
Joe

Hey Friends,

The Bible is full of encouraging words and commands about keeping your life pure. Do you know it’s not because God doesn’t want you to have any fun? It’s because He loves you. God knows what’s in store for you after your actions.

Galatians 6:8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

So, if we’re not to do the things our flesh wants to do, what are we to do? I challenge you, go kneel down by your bed for 5 minutes and pray. Or, go slowly read a chapter from the Bible. When you do this you are sowing to your Spirit. You will be blessed. Guaranteed.

Love ya

Joe

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Years ago I was having some difficulty with life and I was sitting looking out the front window when I heard the voice of the Lord speak to me. He said, “Son, many of my children get off right here. But just keep going and do what you know you’re supposed to do and everything will work out alright.”

So, I did. I kept getting up every morning and praying and reading my Bible. I kept going to church. I kept looking to the Lord. I kept walking in love and everything did turn out alright.

That was over 25 years ago. My life has been blessed and increased so much because I’ve just kept doing what I knew I was supposed to do. Love y’all, I hope that helped.

Joe

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Hey Friends,
How much time do you spend on your finances? Worrying doesn't count. How much time do you spend reading about money management? developing your portfolio? planning for the future?
I think one of the reasons so many people are in financial trouble, especially Christians, is because they spend so very little time learning, thinking, planning, preparing for financial success. Well Joe, doesn't the Bible say:Mat 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Yeah, it does, but it doesn't say ignore your finances.
Mat 10:16 I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
We're supposed to be wise about our finances.
Pro 27:23 Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; Pro 27:24 for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations. Pro 27:25 When the hay is removed and new growth appears and the grass from the hills is gathered in, Pro 27:26 the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field. Pro 27:27 You will have plenty of goats' milk to feed you and your family and to nourish your servant girls.
I love these verses. They tell us clearly to do our finances; balance our check book, make sure the bills are paid. Ignoring your finances won't make your financial problems go away.
Proverbs 10:4Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.
Proverbs 12:24Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in slave labor.
Proverbs 12:27The lazy man does not roast his game, but the diligent man prizes his possessions.
Proverbs 13:4The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.
Proverbs 21:5The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.
So here's what I recommend: work on your finances for 15 minutes a day. This might include:

1. Paying bills
2. Balancing the checkbook
3. Investigating a stock to purchase
4. Studying to learn what a stock is
5. Learn what a portfolio is and what yours should contain
6. Investigate other ways to make money besides your current job
7. Plan for retirement
8. Read a book about personal finances
9. Praying for your finances, asking God for knowledge, wisdom and blessing
10. Ask someone else how they handle their finances

So friends, there is so much to do, so much to learn, but if we just sit back and wonder when this financial situation is going to turn around, we may be waiting a very long time.
Blessings on youJoe34354

Several years ago I heard a preacher say that people who are 'great' live with a sense of destiny. When I heard that I jumped on the inside. I got excited. I had that sense on the inside of me. I can still feel it. I have a future assignment that God is pulling me toward.
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

Because of these verses, I believe that everyone has a destiny. Everyone has an assignment that God is drawing them toward and preparing them for. The key is to wake up to it.
So, here is your wake up call. My Friend, you were not an accident. God created you, no matter your origin, with a plan to use you, to bless you, and to make you a blessing to others. You are the answer to one of earth's problems. You are the answer to someone's life problems. So wake up to it. Realize that you are important. Begin to submit yourself to God's plan for your life. It's what you were created for. It's what you are best suited to do. It's the place where you will thrive and flourish. Let God love through you.
I hope this encourages you.BlessingsJoe34346

Hey Friends,
I was given the privilege of speaking at the Oasis of Light church down in San Antonio, TX. What a beautiful group of people. I taught their youth on Friday night on "Becoming Marriable" that was very interesting. My wife, Nancy, said everyone needs to hear that message. Maybe I'll put that up some time. It includes our testimony of how God brought us together.
On Sunday night, their church had their first Romanian service. I got to be the main speaker for that as well. I was amazed by the amount of anointing that flowed through in that setting. Toward the end of the message the Lord gave me a picture of a man opening a gift that was full of all kinds of blessings and Jesus just continued to plead with him to finish opening the gift.
It's interesting listening to messages with a translator, but if you can get through it, I think you'll be blessed. I'm teaching on the essence of Grace and Peace.(Give it a few seconds to load.)






Blessings on you my friends,Joe34325

Hey Friends,
I wanted to give you a chance to hear something you normally wouldn't hear unless you were on the mission field.
Recently I had the privilege of speaking at Pastor Cary Diaz' church in Addison, IL. We had an awesome time. I got to share my testimony and as I did an amazing peace came over the congregation. We could really sense God's presence.
Anyway, if you like to listen, hear it is: (Give it a few seconds to load.)






Blessings on you my friends,Joe34294

Hey Friends,I wanted you to know that our next Friday Night Meeting will be next Friday night the 12th. We will not have any other Friday Night Meetings this month, including the previously announced March 26th meeting. We're encouraging everyone to go Living Word on that night.
We've put up a website just for the announcement of these meetings.Click here to see it.Or take a peek at this picture of the site.Blessings,I hope you can join us.love yaJoe34181

Last night I was ministering to a group about hearing God's voice and He had me demonstrate for them.Here's the word He spoke during that demonstration.
Son, I delight in seeing you display my glory. It makes me laugh. It makes me dance.Son, the power I have to reveal through you is greater than you've imagined. My strength that is available through you has gone mostly untapped. Step into Me, Son. Lean into Me. Lean into My Spirit and expect Me to meet you there. I will and you will not be disappointed.

Be blessed my friendsHave a great dayJoe34164

Hey Friends,I got an invitation to minister this Sunday night in Addison.

Come on out if you can.
God bless you Joe34049

When I was little I loved it when my mom would cook up a batch of popcorn with salt and melted butter, we’d sit and talk and watch TV and enjoy each other’s company. When I was a little older I tasted my Aunt Peggy’s caramel corn and was amazed, it was better than Cracker Jack. But it wasn’t till I was married that somehow we stumbled upon using parmesan cheese along with the salt and melted butter that really created the ultimate treat.

If you think this article is about popcorn it’s really not. You see if you take the word popcorn and remove the 2nd, 3rd and 4th letters (opc) you reveal a real problem for men. If I type that word here, many keyword blockers will keep you from seeing this. So, I’m just going to assume you know what I’m talking about.

God made man to be a visually stimulated and driven being for a reason. He wanted him to be a go-getter; a doer; one who would see something he wanted and go after it with all his heart. I believe this is why Paul says in Philippians 2:13 “for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” He’s trying to get hold of your desires, to harness them so the mighty power He put in you can be used for His purposes.

God made women beautiful and visually stimulating for many reasons, one of them is: the propagation of the human race is mighty high on His agenda; that’s why it was the very first commandment ever given to mankind in scripture: Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it…”

But there are many men in this world who have already taken part in that process yet the drive behind their eyes has not abated. Proverbs 27:20 “Death and Destruction are never satisfied, and neither are the eyes of man.”

Ecclesiastes 1:8 “All things are wearisome, more than one can say. The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing.” Well, Solomon, that is true, but there’s got to be more hope for the regenerate, for those of us who have been born again. Romans 8:5 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. Galatians 5:16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.

A friend of mine, fresh out of prison, was really battling with the desires of his flesh. He came to me for advice and prayer. I told him, “If your body won’t line up with the word don’t feed it.” He took my words to heart and went on a fast, not that long of one, but he returned with an amazing report. “What you told me really worked. When I fasted that overwhelming desire left.” Things had come under control.

Once when I was struggling in this area, I went to the Lord for forgiveness and counsel. His reply was interesting, “Go to war, son!” It reminded of me of David in 2Samuel 11:1 In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king's men and the whole Israelite army... But David remained in Jerusalem. 2 One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful…

David was in a posture of leisure, he was not fulfilling his responsibilities, he was pushing them off on others, letting them carry the burden so he could be at ease. His divine purpose had been pushed on someone else’s shoulders.

God said to me, “Go to war, son!” When we are busy with our life’s purpose; when our shoulders are harnessed with the yoke of God; when we are at war sin will have a hard time even presenting itself as an option. Uriah couldn’t be moved off of this posture of war. 2Samuel 11:8 Then David said to Uriah, "Go down to your house and wash your feet." So Uriah left the palace, and a gift from the king was sent after him. 9 But Uriah slept at the entrance to the palace with all his master's servants and did not go down to his house. 10 When David was told, "Uriah did not go home," he asked him, "Haven't you just come from a distance? Why didn't you go home?" 11 Uriah said to David, "The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in tents, and my master Joab and my lord's men are camped in the open fields. How could I go to my house to eat and drink and lie with my wife? As surely as you live, I will not do such a thing!"

The destruction David reaped in his life from this was terrible.

So, my friend, I hope these two bits of advice bring power to your Spirit to resist the wicked temptations that seem to abound in our culture. The next time you are tempted to enjoy some popcorn, remember the Devil is not presenting this temptation to you because he likes you, he’s doing it because he wants to kill you. It’s time to either fast or go to war.

–Joe Barlow (copyright 2010)

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