Category: Uncategorized

Take It By Faith!!!

On By josephbarlowIn UncategorizedLeave a comment
The following is a short testimony/article I wrote for a healing magazine that our church publishes called “Revive”:
So, when I was in High School, I had a thing called pharyngeal measles. It resulted in a loud hacking cough. It wasn’t contagious (as far as I know) so I continued in school coughing loudly and often. This illness was the kind that was more inconvenient than anything else. I had to go to the doctor’s office everyday to get a shot in the back end. Embarrassing, I know, but the only good thing about it was that the doctor’s of-fice was right next door to my house, so I didn’t have to go far.
One day a friend invited me to attend a three day retreat called TEC: Teens Encounter Christ. I accepted the invitation with eagerness. I was already born again and filled with the Spirit, and was looking for opportunities to increase my faith and draw closer to the Lord.
On the third day of this retreat they took each group of teens into the chapel for some more intimate prayer time. Each student was invited to pray in turn, and really just pour out their hearts to the Lord. Well, I did.
As I spoke to the Lord, I thanked Him for the wonderful weekend retreat and all that He was doing in my life. Then I said, “Lord, your word says that if I ask I will receive. So, I’m asking you to heal my body from this disease, and I believe I receive it right now.” After my group came out of the chapel, I felt I needed to testify to the larger group. So I stood up before them, and told them how I had asked the Lord to heal me, and that I had been healed. Now, I was still coughing; they all heard me. But I knew in my heart that I had asked and received. The coughing continued for the next three days, but then I was healed. Completely healed. This sickness had been going on for months. I was so happy to be healed. 
But I had to take it by faith!
God bless you friends,
Joe
29519

It’s Not Good For Man To Be Alone!!!

On By josephbarlowIn Uncategorized1 Comment

Hey Friends,

Haven’t posted in a while, I was out of town a few days then Nancy took a vacation with her sisters. So, I’ve had the kids since Saturday morning. That can be a good thing once in a while, you know you get more individual time with the kids, you get to talk to them, play with the little ones and get some projects done for Nancy that would bless her.
But the Bible says in Genesis 2:18  
The LORD God said, 
“It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” 
Well I must tell you that I agree with that scripture. For a time, for a little vacation off with her sisters, no problem. But me being alone would not be good.
All you have to do is walk in the house and look around and you can tell that it’s not good. Nancy does a wonderful job of keeping the house clean and beautiful. I do a mediocre job at best. Nancy makes sure the little girls are completely taken care of. With me they learn more survival skills 🙂 

I have told many people this and I’ll share it with you. If it hadn’t been for Nancy I would not be near as blessed as I am in my life. She has had a profound effect on me. I am more of a man. I’m a better father. I’m a better provider. I’m a better pastor and boss. All this due in large part to my wife and her letting God work through her. She encourages me and that means so much.
I’m looking forward to picking her up tonight at the airport. She’s a great blessing to me.
Proverbs 31
10  A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. 
11  Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. 
12  She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. 
I’m a truly blessed man.
Welcome home Nancy!
Love 
Joe
29153

Your Prayers Work

On By josephbarlowIn Uncategorized1 Comment
James 5:16  
The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. 
1Ti 2:1  
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone 2  for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  3  This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 
Jer 29:7  
Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” 
My Friends,
God wants us to pray. Pray for those in authority. Let’s pray for America to prosper under Barak Obama’s leadership. The word tells us to do so.
Thanks
Joe
28846

Remember Summertime?

On By josephbarlowIn Uncategorized2 Comments

Hey Friends,

Last night as I was driving through the snow I heard a commercial for an awning for your back patio or deck to protect from too much sunshine. A summertime commercial in the middle of winter. How strange.
Well, I thought I’d give you a taste of summer in the midst of this arctic cold:
                  
Don’t worry the winter won’t last forever!
God bless you today!
Joe
28673

Knee Time

On By josephbarlowIn Uncategorized1 Comment

Hey Friends,

Yesterday I shared a message with the church that the Lord put strongly on my heart. It was  about the need for humility in prayer. If you have about 12 minutes you might take a listen.

Here’s some of the key points:

  • Of all the things that stop progress in your life most of the blockages are inside of you.
  • Pride is one of the biggest
  • God resists the proud
  • Get pride out of the way
  • Humble yourself
  • Kneeling down is a method of humbling yourself

Dan 4:37  “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are true and His ways just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride.”

1Pe 5:5  You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE. 

1Pe 5:6  Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, 

Dan 6:4  Then the commissioners and satraps began trying to find a ground of accusation against Daniel in regard to government affairs; but they could find no ground of accusation or evidence of corruption, inasmuch as he was faithful, and no negligence or corruption was to be found in him.

Dan 6:10  Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously. 

The Lord spoke to me to especially encourage the men of the church to do what Daniel did: kneel down and pray, it’s a humbling thing. But it’s better for us to humble ourselves than for God to do it for us.

God bless you
Love ya
Joe

28624

Merry Christmas????

On By josephbarlowIn Uncategorized1 Comment
Hey Friends,

Well for years we’ve been trying to do a Christmas letter. It has happened once or twice, but I’m not sure we had any kids then. 

Well it finally happened. Not in time for Christmas, but I hope you enjoy reading it.
This is what we looked like a few years ago.
Click here to see what we’re doing now.

Blessings on you
Joe
28531

Time To Get Away

On By josephbarlowIn Uncategorized1 Comment

Hey Friends,

Nancy & I are getting away for a few days to pray and seek the Lord. There is so much coming up in this new year we’ve got to have the Lord’s direction.

The church is going great and so are things with the family. We are starting a new ministry called Joseph Barlow Ministries. The focus will be on:

  • Music 
  • Ministry
  • Missions
There is so much that God has put on my heart to do, I’m excited to see the future. 
Keep us in prayer.
Keep Joseph Barlow Ministries in prayer.
The Lord showed me the first thing to put in place is the prayer structure.
So I want to recruit some people to commit to pray for me.
The Lord will provide the right people.
Blessings on you all.
Jesus loves you
So do I
Joe
28431