Category: Teaching

Are You Generous?

On By josephbarlowIn Encouragement, Teaching1 Comment

Hey Friends,

If you’re a Christian and you’ve been taught that you “have to” give or you “have to” tithe, I have a question for you:
What if there was no expectation on you to give? 
What if you were never taught to give?
Would you give?
Would you be generous?
God Himself is a giver. Since you’ve become a believer have you let His nature rise up on the inside of you?
Commune with God. Let His desires rise up on the inside of you. He’ll put a desire in you that He wants you to follow through on. If it’s to give something somewhere; be encouraged: DO IT! You’ll be so glad to have followed that desire. 
But make sure you give what you really desire to give, this will be so rewarding to you.
My wife, Nancy, is a real giver. She has it so strong in her heart to give. Earlier today there was a lady who stopped by. Nancy just couldn’t let her leave without giving her something. She looked around and all she could find was a big package of paper towels. So that’s what she gave her. The woman was blessed. So was Nancy. I believe God was blessed too, because someone trusted Him. They trusted that His provision would continue to come and they gave, which is very close to His heart.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world 
that he gave 
his one and only Son, 
that whoever believes in him shall not perish 
but have eternal life.
Blessings
Joe
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Encouragement

On By josephbarlowIn Encouragement, Family, TeachingLeave a comment

Hey Friends,

Do you need some encouragement?
Well, know this:
God Himself made you!
He looked ahead and saw your life and saw the world as it would be during your days on this planet and He made you special; He filled you with all the gifts necessary for you to become a great blessing to this planet and to the people in your life. 
You are potential embodied. 
You are full. 
Now go be a blessing to someone. Go do something with that gift that’s on the inside of you. 
If you can’t think of anything else to do, just go make someone smile. Your effort will be rewarded.
Blessings,
Joe
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Who’s Your Best Friend?

On By josephbarlowIn Teaching1 Comment
Hey Friends,
So, who is your best friend? Do you even know? How did you come to the conclusion that they were your best friend? Did you make a decision on a certain day? 
Well even if you know who your best friend is, do they know? Have you told them that you think more of them than anyone else? Do you spend time with them more than anyone else?
The Bible says:
Proverbs 18:24  … there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. 
I have a Friend. He means more to me than anyone else. But for some reason I don’t always show it. I sometimes sense Him waiting. He’s quiet. He waits. But I don’t always come running to Him the way you’d think I should. But He waits. When I do come to Him He’s always there waiting for me. He’s always got something to say. He always encourages me. He also tells me the truth like a good friend should. The truth doesn’t always feel good when just anyone tells you; but with my Friend, even when He tells me a hard truth, one that would normally bite or sting, it doesn’t hurt. I actually feel peace in my heart. It’s so good. He’s so good. So I need to go spend some time with my Friend. 
He’s waiting.
Do you know my Friend?
God bless you
Joe
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Fresh Bread

On By josephbarlowIn Journal, TeachingLeave a comment

Son, my Spirit is with you. 

Rely on Him. 

He’ll never fail you; never let you down. 

Look to Him. 

He’ll guide you and show you what to do and how to do it,
all through the day. 

Receive it. 

He is such a gift to you.


Bless you friends, hope this word from Him helped you today.

Joe

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Gotta Stay Steady

On By josephbarlowIn TeachingLeave a comment

Hey Friends,

Heb 12:1 …let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  

It is so easy to get side-tracked. It is so easy to get knocked off track. But you don’t have to let that happen.
Discipline yourself to go back to the things you wrote down. Those things you wrote when you were being inspired. The things that make the road before you clear.
Emotional storms may come. Go back to what you wrote.
Fear may come. Go back to what you wrote.
Uncertainty may come. Go back to what you wrote.
But Joe, I haven’t written anything yet.
Well, if that’s the case, I think you know what you need to do.
Blessings,
Joe
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Prayer

On By josephbarlowIn Prayer, Teaching1 Comment

Hey Friends,

I’ve been noticing something interesting in the media (news, movies & shows). I’m sure you know this but they don’t make any room for God. 
So many shows are about the badness or goodness of mankind. They depict a world in which God does not exist, has no voice or doesn’t matter. 
But this is a lie. The portrayal of this world view is a lie. It does not tell the whole story. 
God is present. He is real. 
Many don’t see Him because they reject Him. 
Many don’t see Him because they’ve never heard the Gospel. But God is real. He is present. He is available to all who call.
He has made a way to be active in your life. He doesn’t like to barge in. He likes to be invited.
Give God an invitation to move, work, act, speak in your life today. 
The Bible says that anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
His name is Jesus.
Simply pray!
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