Category: Teaching

Fatherhood:

On By josephbarlowIn Encouragement, Family, TeachingLeave a comment

CONTINUED:

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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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
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A New Class We’re Doing – Check It Out!

On By josephbarlowIn TeachingLeave a comment

http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=7467000&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1

PROMO: How to Study the Bible from Family Life on Vimeo.

Hey Friends,

Call the church for more info. 630-802-8010.
Attendance is free we’ll take up an offering at each class to offset expenses.
If you like the background music, see our website http://www.familylife.cc
Blessings
Joe
32774

Back To Hearing His Voice

On By josephbarlowIn Encouragement, Journal, TeachingLeave a comment

Have you heard?

He’s speaking.
Have you heard?
He’s speaking to you.
Have you heard?
Are you listening?
Did you know that He’s speaking to you?
There was a little boy named Samuel. Going to bed one night after fulfilling his duties in the temple of the Lord. He laid down and heard a voice calling his name. He thought it was the high priest that he worked with, but it wasn’t. It was the Lord calling his name.
When I was a little boy, 8 yrs old, I was getting ready for school and I heard a voice saying “There’s going to be a new boy at school today. I want you to take care of him for me.” When I got to school that day 1/2 way through the morning there was a new boy. I had heard the voice of God. He spoke to me. He introduced His voice to me.
When I was 13 I saw my brother Vince writing in his journal. I asked him what he was doing. He said, I’m talking to the Lord and I write down what He says to me. I said, “Can I do that?” He said, “I usually just start by writing, ‘My Son,…’ then I just listen and the Lord let’s me know what to write. I just write it down.” I ran down to my bedroom and did what he said. To my delight I heard God’s voice again.
I’ve been doing just what my brother told me since I was 13 and faithfully every time I’ve positioned myself to hear His voice, He has spoken.
I love hearing His voice.
Why be willing to live without it?
If it’s available to you why not position yourself to hear His voice?
If you’ve never heard His voice, why not ask Him to introduce His voice to you?
There’s a lot to learn about this, but the most important thing is faith.
Take a step of faith and ask Him to speak to you.
John 10 says that His sheep know His voice, they hear His voice, they follow His voice.
Enjoy your new found fellowship with Him. 🙂
If you want some more inspiration in this area, search for the labels on journaling.
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Vision Is A Gift From God

On By josephbarlowIn Encouragement, Journal, Teaching1 Comment
Hey Friends,
I found this word the Lord spoke to me a few years before I became a pastor, I thought it might help you today:

Vision is a gift from God.

It becomes an authority that you submit to.

At this time submit to the vision of those in authority over you.
At the proper time you will be assigned a vision. You will be the bearer, the steward of that vision. But for now be a steward of the vision I have given to those in authority over you.

Your faithfulness will prove your trustworthiness.
When you are faithful it proves to me safety for my vision that I will impart.

When you hand your baby to someone they must be trustworthy or you will not release care of your baby, even for a moment for them to hold it. So it is with you; I will not release care of my vision to you until I see your maturity; until I see you caring for what I’ve assigned you for now.
I hope that word helped you, it did me.
God bless you Friends,
Joe
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The Best Story On Leadership I’ve Ever Heard

On By josephbarlowIn Encouragement, Teaching1 Comment

Hey Friends,

I’ve been teaching on Leadership at our church’s leader’s meetings. 
Check this out:
   When my sister, Connie, was in high school, one day the teacher walks in and says,
     “Today, we are going to talk about leadership. But first, I want everyone in this room
     who thinks they are a follower to get up and stand on the left side of the room.
     Everyone who thinks they are a leader, get up and stand on the right side of the room.”

   So all of the kids, trying to be humble or something,
     got up and stood on the follower side of the room. 

   Nobody stood on the leader’s side.

   My sister, standing in that follower line looked around and said, “Well, I guess I’m a leader.”
   and she walked over to the leader’s side of the room. 

   After she did this….. 

              everyone followed her!
Remember my friends:
To be a leader, 
  • you have to be going somewhere
  • you have to provide enough influence for them to leave their status quo

People want a better life and won’t follow you unless you can better their position.

Lead On My Friends
Blessings,
Joe
29885

Will He Come Through?

On By josephbarlowIn Encouragement, Teaching1 Comment
Hello Friends,
Are you ready to walk by faith?

God loves it when His children live by faith. But that often can leave us in an uncomfortable position where our natural eyes don’t see what our heart sees. That can be tense. But if we go with what’s in our heart rather than what’s in our mind then we are choosing to walk by faith. This, my friend, is very pleasing to God.

Hebrews 11:6
 And without faith
it is impossible to please God… 
Romans 14:23
  …everything that does not come from faith
is sin. 
When God has spoken to  your heart and you believed what He said, then faith has come into you. From then on you make the decision to believe it or not.
Romans 10:17
  So then faith comes by hearing,
and hearing by the word of God. 
So make a decision to believe and stand in faith because it will be richly rewarded.
Hebrews 10:35
  So do not throw away your confidence;
it will be richly rewarded. 
My friend, I’ve seen God come through over and over again. Sometimes at the last minute, but God is faithful, your faith will bring that answer in for a landing right there for you. Don’t give up. Wait for the Lord to fulfill the promise.
When that tension comes, your mind will have a natural tendency to try to make up a “safe” way for you to get what you need. Abraham did this with his wife’s maid and ended up giving birth to Ishmael. Ishmael was man’s answer, but Isaac was God’s answer; and Ishmael has never been a blessing.
Be patient my friend, wait on the Lord.
He will make a way for you.
God bless
Joe
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Show Them The Picture Not The Negative

On By josephbarlowIn Encouragement, Teaching1 Comment

Hey Friends,

So we’re trying to raise our kids. We look and see them doing something, something wrong and our first inclination is to stop them from doing what they’re doing. Granted that’s often a good idea unless it’s your only method of correcting wrong behavior. When the child is about to do something that could be harmful to him or someone else stopping them is the best thing.
But, if all your child hears is “don’t do this”, “don’t do that” then all they’re being given as a picture of right behavior is a negative. 
Do you know what a negative looks like? Some people who have only been around digital photography might not know what a negative looks like. It’s the exact opposite of a picture. It’s what’s left of the ink after the picture has taken the ink it needs. It’s a reverse image. No matter how you explain it a negative is not easy to comprehend. It’s difficult to look at a negative image and get an idea of what was really being shot.
To show your child the actual type of behavior they should try to go after you need to show them a positive. What does that mean? Tell them what to do more than you tell them what not to do. Paint a verbal picture for them that is desirable, something they want to do.
I was giving my two little girls some instructions this morning. We were on our way to meet with an old college friend I hadn’t seen in over a decade. When I set the appointment Nancy was going to be able to watch the girls, but that changed. She had to work. So here I go with my two little pretties in tow. 
“Now, Oli & Jules(Olivia & JuliAnna) how should you act when we’re at the lunch?” 
“Good.” they responded.
“If you sit quietly at the table, that will be a blessing, so I can talk to my friend.”
“Do you know that if you do something bad that could be embarassing to you or to Dad?”
“Also, if you do something bad they might think Barlows are bad. You don’t want that do you?”
“No.”
“Also, if you do something mean they might think Christians are mean. You don’t want that do you?”
“We represent God, our family and ourselves. Especially God. Let’s show other people how good God is.”
Now granted there was some negative in that talk, but I was trying to win her heart toward what I was saying. These things did minister to Olivia, 5, more than Jules, 2. Their behavior during lunch was really wonderful and my buddy and I had a great time catching up with each other as the girls sat quietly and listened.
There are ways to paint the picture positive and win their hearts and help them desire good rather than to just shun evil.
I hope this helps.
Blessings,
Joe
29377

Do You Speak In Tongues?

On By josephbarlowIn Encouragement, Prayer, TeachingLeave a comment
  • Some people don’t have a clue about what this is.
  • Others have heard of it and wonder.
  • Some think people who do this are looney.
  • Others think it’s totally normal.
I confess to you that I fall into the last category. Speaking in tongues is an enormously helpful part of my prayer life. You’ve heard the commercial, “Don’t leave home without it!” That’s how I feel about this. It is vital, even  essential to my being an effective Christian. 
What is Speaking In Tongues?
Well it is a supernatural gifting of the Holy Spirit to speak fluently in a language you’ve never learned, yet still without understanding what you’re saying.
Why Would I Ever Want To Do That?
#1 Because Jesus said so! 
  • Mar 16:15  And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 
    Mar 16:16  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 
    Mar 16:17  And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 
  • If Jesus said that as a believer, I would speak in new tongues then He must have had a reason. I have found that He did…
#2 Speaking in Tongues let’s me deliver a message from God to the church which is then interpreted by someone for the church’s encouragement or to build them up. (See 1 Corinthians 12 & 14) This has happened to me a few times. It was awesome. Plus I’ve heard this many times in our church and others.
#3 Speaking in Tongues let’s me deliver a message from God to someone of a different tongue who hasn’t heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (See Acts 2) This has happened a few times to me. People of another language have informed me that something I said in tongues was something they understood.
#4 Speaking in Tongues helps me to pray effectively for myself and others. This is the way I use it most.
  • Rom 8:26  In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; 27  and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 
    • So, here the Holy Spirit is praying God’s perfect will through me. I have seen so many miracles happen because of this kind of prayer it is amazing. I’ll share more on this later.
#5 Speaking in Tongues builds up my faith (See Jude 20)
#6 Speaking in Tongues helps me to get wisdom from God. I pray with my spirit then I pray that I might interpret what was said. (See I Corinthians 14) When I interpret it I often get great wisdom from God. Oral Roberts testifies that this is how he found out from God how to build a University.
#7 Speaking in Tongues was and usually is the first evidence of someone being filled with the Holy Spirit. Acts 2, and many other places in the Book of Acts.
If you’d like to learn more about this, you can listen to my message on it at:
I also recommend Andrew Wommack’s teaching on this topic at:
God bless you
Joe
29015

Time With Family or What?

On By josephbarlowIn Encouragement, Teaching1 Comment

Hey Friends,

Who’re you spending time with? 
Obviously right now you’re on the computer. But who do you spend most of your time with?
  • Your cell phone? 
  • Your iPh0ne? 
  • Your computer? 
  • Your TV? 
  • Your HDTV? 
  • Your friends?
  • Your kids? 
  • Your spouse? 
All of us have relationships that we must manage, maintain & cultivate. But I found that if I have an unpleasant conversation with one of my relatives(spouse included) that in comparison, time with my computer can be more pleasant. My computer doesn’t argue with me; it doesn’t challenge me. Now human nature is such that, like electricity, it wants to take the path of least resistance. 
But that’s not always good. If I end up spending all my time with inanimate things rather than real humans, then I don’t grow. I don’t become stronger. Think of human relationships as if you were a boxer. If you only box with those who are weaker than you, you’ll never improve. If you never have conversations with people that challenge you deeply you’ll never grow.
Studies prove that money does not bring lasting happiness, relationships do.
Before my parents got married in the late 1940’s they went around and asked people what brought true happiness. The answer from all the couples they interviewed was the same: “having children.”
This shows from voices of experience that learning to relate to others is the shortest path to happiness. So I encourage you: is there someone you should call right now? Or email? Or visit? Maybe it’s somebody right there in the room with you or in the next room? Try it out. Go invest in a relationship. Happiness is waiting.
Blessings
Joe
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