My Faithful Friend

On By josephbarlowIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Hey Friends,

I was speaking with a missionary friend of mine yesterday about what to speak on when I go on the mission field this year. He said, “I really recommend you give your testimony about journaling and hearing God’s voice. That is very powerful. Since I heard you share that I’ve shared that testimony in many places.”
A few years ago I went to help a friend who was planting a church in San Antonio. While we were standing in the airport I was sharing with him about what I was planning to teach at his church. Somehow I mentioned something that the Lord had spoken to me and he said, “You should teach that!” “What?” I asked. He said, “You should teach the people down here about hearing God’s voice. That would really help.” I did end up speaking on that and my friend said it was one of the best messages he’d heard. It was very practical.
But to me these things are normal. Talking to God and hearing Him speak to me in my heart is the way Christianity is supposed to work.
John 10:3 The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
Joh 10:4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.
Joh 10:5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.”

When I was 13 yrs old my brother shared with me how to journal by listening to God’s voice. It has made an awesome difference in my life.
God has been my faithful friend.
I’m sharing this testimony tonight at our Friday Night Meeting over at Christ Community Church in Wheaton, 602 Geneva at 7pm.
If you can make it come on out. If not, check back here and read through some older posts to learn more.
God bless you
Joe
33588

Videos from my Liberia Trip

On By josephbarlowIn Missions, VideoLeave a comment
Hey Friends,
Here’s some videos of my trip to Liberia last month.
I had an amazingly blessed time.
Thanks to all who helped by contributing finances and prayer.

//www.youtube.com/get_player

This is Timothy Fahyiah, he received the baptism in the Holy Spirit. He is so excited.

//www.youtube.com/get_player

Pastor Elwood and his wife and two children returned to Liberia from America three years ago. He had gone back to Africa for a funeral when the Lord got ahold of his heart. They now live in a home with no running water and no electricity. Can you imagine leaving America to live in that situation? This man has a heart of gold and is being highly effective in the Kingdom of God. In just three years he has started this church, with over 100 members, a gradeschool, and a medical clinic, fully staffed. He needs continued funds to keep all these going, so if you want to help send some money in! It’s amazing what this man and his wife Yata have accomplished in three years.

//www.youtube.com/get_player

Pastor Steven Lewis was a delight to be with. He manages the youth at his father’s church. What a sweet spirit. He and his father are believing God for the funds to build a building for their gradeschool($25,000). If they are able to do this, many more children will come to their school because, if they have a building then the government will provide lunches. They’re also needing money for a video player, tv and generator to run a bible school($1,200).
If you are interested in contributing to any of these projects you can do it through our church and get a tax write-off.
God bless,
Joe
32800

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

An Email To My Kids

On By josephbarlowIn Uncategorized1 Comment

The following is an email I sent my kids this morning, as soon as my wife saw it she said I should blog it as soon as possible. She felt like someone else out there needed to see it.

Hey Kids,
I know we’ve never taught on this much, we’ve focused more on what Christ has done in you, but after prayer and study this morning I want to give this verse to you as a challenge:

2Corinthians 7:1

Since we have these promises, dear friends,
let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit,
perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

God has done a work in us, but we also have a responsibility to do a work in us. So, my children, whom I love so dearly, don’t let the things of this world entangle you. That is their motive. Do what you need to do to clean your life.
I love you
Dad
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Getting Ready For The Big Day

On By josephbarlowIn Uncategorized2 Comments

Missions Trips! I love ’em.

You have to leave normal life behind and venture out into something almost completely unknown. I’ve been on several trips before. My first one was when I had just graduated from 8th grade. I went with a group to some town in West Virginia to paint a church. We slept in the foyer of one church and worked in the hot sun. I still remember the good time I had with those team members.
For years I went to a church where the missions effort was very strong. We poured out as much love as we could on our missionaries. So my heart was always stirred by meeting missionaries and hearing their wonderful stories.
Later I went to Costa Rica with Pastor Winston and Keith Hershey. That was a treat. It was on that trip that I met my friend Don Korach. He’s given his life to serving the Lord down in San Jose. I’ve been on several trips with him and each one is a delight.
The trip to Hyderabad, India with Pastor Winston was really awesome. So many different things I experienced. Staying in a 4-star hotel, made of white marble! Riding through the streets of Hyderabad. Ministering in an orphanage that was basically one room. Falling in love with a group of orphans and wondering when I could ever go back. Experiencing Spirit-filled Telegu worship-some of the best I’ve ever heard. The rhythms were so amazing you couldn’t keep from dancing.
My favorite thing is ministering to people; seeing the light go on in their eyes, seeing physical healings, getting a word of knowledge from the Lord then finding out that it was really accurate, hearing from God a message to preach then seeing it land in the hearts of the people.
I remember one message the Lord gave me while I was in India. We were scheduled to visit the orphanage mentioned above. I woke that day and the Lord started speaking, He took me to Ps. 127 that talks about how blessed it is to have children they are like arrows that a father sends forth. The Lord said, but these children have no father. So, He said, “I myself will be their father. I will get up off my throne and send them forth like an arrow. I will launch them as a good father would.” I was so blessed to deliver that message to those orphans. You could see that it affected them.
So now I’m getting ready to go minister in a church in Luxembourg, then to another church in Monrovia, Liberia. I know that this is a divine appointment. I know there is a specific task God wants me to do. However, many times you don’t know what that task is until you’ve already done it. I like following God, doing things His way and fulfilling His heart’s desire. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Love ya
Joe
32406

Liberia

On By josephbarlowIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Hey Friends,

I wanted to say thank you to all of you who helped with both prayers and giving toward the trip to Liberia.
Eldon and I will leave next week. I’m so excited.
Keep praying for us. I’m really sensing this is going to be a very fruitful time.
Love y’all
Thanks
Joe
32335

If You Like To Worship

On By josephbarlowIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Hey Friends,
This Friday night I’m doing a night of worship. I’m really looking forward to this and want to invite you all to come.
There is an amazing team of musicians who are going to join me.
But mainly if you like to worship the Lord then please consider coming. We want to offer Him a sacrifice of praise that will please Him. Remember we sing for an audience of One!
Love y’all
Hope to see you soon.
Joe
32123

I’m Going to Liberia!!! Will You Help?

On By josephbarlowIn UncategorizedLeave a comment
Dear Friends,

I hope you are doing well. Nancy & I and the kids are doing great. The church is doing very well. I’m writing to share with you an opportunity that I have to spread the Gospel.

At the beginning of this year a friend of mine, Eldon Tracy, a missionary for many years/decades asked me if I would join him on a mission trip to Monrovia, Liberia. His plan is to travel there by way of Belgium. When he first brought it up I thought “Well, I’ll pray about this and see what the Lord says.” But while I was thinking that, I heard the voice of the Lord very clearly say, “Go with him.”

Eldon and I met for prayer here at the office a while ago. That prayer time was a profound experience. The Lord seemed to be making things very clear that it was His will for us to go.

We leave October 15th and I’ll be back two weeks later. Eldon will stay an extra week after I leave.

In Monrovia there is a church called Faith In Christ Church. We will be having a conference on Leadership, Giving & Tithing, Evangelism and Church Growth. 4-500 people will be in attendance along with several pastors. We’ll have meetings every morning and afternoon for four days. While I’m there I’ll be doing most of the teaching. The conference will continue the following week with Eldon teaching.

So I need your prayers and your financial support. The cost of the trip is over $7,500. I want to raise the funds for travel costs for Eldon and myself, then include the costs of the conference as well.

So please pray for us: pray for our safety, our effectiveness, for divine appointments, for miracles, for the message to come forth with clarity and for every need to be provided.

Pray also what the Lord might have you do financially. God might whisper in your ear or put a desire in your heart. Either way follow what He says. If each part of the Body does what He says then there will be no lack, only abundance. How wonderful it would be for me to take a financial gift to those in need over there as well.

On the way to Liberia, I will have a chance to minister in Brussels on Sunday afternoon. I’m really looking forward to that.

Well, my friend, the ball’s in your court.

If you want to give you can go online using Paypal(you don’t have to have a Paypal account) at www.familylife.cc/donate.

If you want to donate by check you can write the check to Family Life and send it to

Joseph Barlow Ministries(c/o Liberia Trip)

640 East St. Charles Road

Carol Stream, IL 60188

Remember we leave in mid-October and the expenses need to be paid soon. So, just follow the Lord.

I’ll write back and tell you how the support is coming unless you write and tell me to exclude you. J

I love you all.

Keep seeking God’s will for your life.

Joe

Pastor Joseph Barlow

Family Life Christian Center

http://www.familylife.cc

640 E. St. Charles Road

Carol Stream, IL 60188

31828

Enjoy this!

On By josephbarlowIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Hey Friends,
I got this from a dear friend of mine.
Enjoy!
Joe
31799

On Thu, Aug 27, 2009 at 1:17 PM, Vern wrote:

About a month ago I had my annual physical. The results were good with the exception of a growth (mass) the size of half of my little finger in the kidney and a small kidney stone that showed up from the ultrasound. Next they sent me for a CT scan to go over everything again and to make sure it wasn’t cancer. That was about two weeks ago. Just after the scan on a Sunday during worship at our church The Lord whispered in my ear, “I will heal you!” His voice is unmistakable but it is the first time He whispered to me. Kinda neat! Today I saw the doctor for follow up and you guessed it, there was no evidence of a growth or stone. Now you know the rest of the story! No brag, just fact as Walter Brennen would say. I’m telling you this because I believe we need to tell what God has done for us. “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!”


Psalm 5:12
For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous;
 With favor You will surround him as with a shield.

Here’s my response:

Joe Barlow

to Vern


WooHoo!

Awesome!
Now after Peter’s mother in law was healed she got up and started serving sandwiches…
What’s God calling you to do?
Thanks for the testimony Vern!
You are loved.
🙂