Month: March 2010

Improving Your Financial Acumen

On By josephbarlowIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

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 10:4
Lazy hands make a man poor,
but diligent hands bring wealth.

Proverbs 12:24
Diligent hands will rule,
but laziness ends in slave labor.

Proverbs 12:27
The lazy man does not roast his game,
but the diligent man prizes his possessions.

Proverbs 13:4
The sluggard craves and gets nothing,
but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.

Proverbs 21:5
The 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 you
Joe
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Waking Up To A Sense Of Destiny

On By josephbarlowIn Encouragement, TeachingLeave a comment

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.
Blessings
Joe
34346

Romanian Service

On By josephbarlowIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

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.)

http://flash-mp3-player.net/medias/player_mp3_maxi.swf

Blessings on you my friends,

Joe
34325

Teaching Through An Interpreter

On By josephbarlowIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

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.)

http://flash-mp3-player.net/medias/player_mp3_maxi.swf

Blessings on you my friends,

Joe
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Next Friday Night Meeting March 12th

On By josephbarlowIn AnnouncementsLeave a comment

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.
Or take a peek at this picture of the site.
Blessings,
I hope you can join us.
love ya
Joe
34181

Fresh Word

On By josephbarlowIn JournalLeave a comment

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 friends
Have a great day
Joe
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