Costa Rica: Day 1

On By josephbarlowIn MissionsLeave a comment


Well the Costa Rica trip started off interesting:

We had to spend an extra day in Chicago because although my passport was not expired it didn’t have 30 days left. That’s not allowed in Costa Rica. But God laid out the red carpet for us and we had my renewed passport by 12:30pm. We’re back at it tomorrow same time, same place. That means up at 2am to the airport by 3:30am again. It’s been a long but blessed day. Pray for us.

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Prayer Makes A Difference

On By josephbarlowIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Almost two weeks ago the Lord put it on my heart to meet with some of my team for five days in a row for two hours of prayer a day. Today is day four and we’ve been experiencing some amazing blessings.

Answers to questions have been coming forth. Things are falling in place or being put in place.
I’m seeing God’s hand in some very awesome ways.
God loves us and wants to move in our lives but sometimes we’re not making enough room for Him to work.
Pray my friend.
It doesn’t cost you, it pays you.
Love ya
Joe
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When Kids Are Scared

On By josephbarlowIn Uncategorized2 Comments

Hey Friends,

One of my kids came up to my bedroom last night saying he had a scary experience in his bedroom. He said he felt like something was closing in on him and he felt something trying to clamp onto the top of his head. He was obviously scared and wanted to come talk to me about it.
I prayed for him and took authority over the spirit of fear. Then I explained to him a little bit about how demonic power operates. I told him that this was just a demon trying to bring fear into his life and that demons are only fallen angels. We have authority over demons, but we have to take and use that authority.
I told him that I was a little boy too once. I used to think alot of thoughts and pray alot too. One night when I was in my basement bedroom by myself I had prayed to receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. I prayed in tongues for the first time that night. 
The Bible says that the enemy comes immediately to steal the word that is sown in our hearts. That night after praying in the Spirit my room was suddenly filled with an evil presence. I was only 13 years old at the time. I remember being so scared. I remember saying “Jesus, you have to save me.”
Immediately I saw a little picture in my mind of Jesus holding my head against His chest with His other arm extended behind me to ward off all evil. All the fear left instantly. I knew I was safe in Jesus and that I had received His Holy Spirit.
Relating this to my son last night his face seemed to brighten. I said, “Son, the difference is when I had that experience I called on the Lord to save me and He did. You called on me which is OK because I’m here to help you, but it’s time for you to call on the Lord. The Bible says that those who call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
He seemed fine and confident after that but he still wanted to hang out up in our bedroom. With my encouragement he returned to his own room. 
He’s doing just fine.
Blessings on you all 
Hope you’re doing well.
Joe
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Lift Up Your Voice – Let It Be Heard

On By josephbarlowIn Uncategorized1 Comment

Friends,

Today I read an article about the Church of England apologizing to Charles Darwin for misunderstanding his theory of evolution. 
Normally when I read something like that I just shake my head at the foolishness, but Jesus spoke something to Paul the Apostle in the Book of Acts that made me want to say something:
Act 18:9  Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: 
Act 18:10  For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city. 
So after you take these words to heart lifting up your voice is something God actually wants you to do. So I did.
I simply posted a comment on the article. Here’s what I have to say to the Church of England:

This is a road-marker or a sign post for the church of England. Your faith is not evolving it’s eroding. Concerning survival of the fittest: your faith is not strong enough for you to survive. You’ve classified theory as fact and the basic tenets of your faith as theory. Your foundations have been destroyed. If you turn back to the scriptures and seize upon its teachings and make them your foundation rather than the theories of the age then your faith will be well-founded and your chances of surviving will return. If you let every theory challenge and destroy your faith you’re just like sand on the seashore and every wave degrades you. I believe the Lord’s arms are outstretched to you desiring you to turn to Him, but if you reject His Word then you surely have rejected Him. Those who truly believe the Word of God and act on it will have an abundant harvest of souls to present to our King, Jesus Christ, and all you will have is empty buildings.

Well friends, 

Blessings on you

Joe

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Get Ready For A Tumultuous Ride

On By josephbarlowIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Hey Friends,

If you follow politics or just the elections you know we’re not riding on a calm lake right now.

Psalm 33:12 says: 
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.

Proverbs 29:2 says:  
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: 
but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. 
As Christians there is no biblical doubt that we are to seek a righteous ruler; 
one whose heart is truly turned to the Lord.
The days ahead are going to be very interesting as the one who thought he had a free ride to the White House finds he has a battle on his hands. And as a great majority of Christians who had very little hope about this election are now feeling energized and empowered because they may end up honestly having a righteous ruler.
Keep your hearts during the days ahead because the chances are you’re going to see some ugly things come to the surface. Real tests bring core issues to the surface. People can wear a mask when things are smooth sailing but real character comes out under pressure. 
Let’s watch and see what happens.
Be in prayer
Guard your heart
Pray And Vote!
Blessings
Joe
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History Will Prove Us Wrong About…

On By josephbarlowIn Uncategorized1 Comment

Hey Friends,

Some of the things I’ve seen in the news lately have bugged me a bit.
I know the abortion issue has been raging for years, but when people start picking on the likes of me because I’m happy about a pro-life candidate, I guess it got under my skin a bit so I’m writing this:

I believe everyone in the USA is against slavery.
Everyone sees how unjust it is and inhumane. From history’s vantage point we see the shame on our nation.

Why is it that the country’s eyes are blinded to the injustice of abortion?

I believe history will prove America wrong. We as a whole were wrong about the way we thought about abortion. When we as a nation thought it was OK to kill a human for convenience sake – we were wrong.

I believe this is a time that is worse than when slavery was normal and worse than when Hitler was killing his masses.

History will show the deep shame of killing your weakest.

I can not vote for someone who is for abortion – it is a litmus test!

Lord, grant this country repentance so that as a nation we can see the evil of this sin and turn away from it. In Jesus’ Name I pray!

Thanks for reading
Joe

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A Prayer For You

On By josephbarlowIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Hey Friends,

Sitting back thinking about what to write and this phrase comes to me:
A Prayer For You.

So maybe you need prayer right now?

Let’s do it.

Father, I pray for my friend who’s reading this right now. Lord, I ask you to reach down into their heart and get ahold of them in a way that’s really meaningful to them. Just like when they were a kid and they used to think about you and wonder about you and talk to you.

Lord, I ask you to speak to them, introduce your voice to them like you have to me. Make yourself real to them and get ahold of their heart so they won’t wander anymore. Lord, if they’re hurting I ask you to lift the pain, so much so that they wonder where it went.

Let them know you love them. Speak to them when they see things that you did, just say to them, “That’s Me.” So they know that it was you who did those things and You who speak to them.

Lord, I want my friend to love you, like I love you. Help them Lord. Bring them some godly friends. Help them to read your word and discover you there. Fill them with your Holy Spirit and help them to live their lives for you.

Lord, I love you and I love my friends, I want them to be with us when we spend eternity together.

I love you Lord.
In Jesus’ Name
Amen.

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Don’t Wait To Get HELP!

On By josephbarlowIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Hey Friends,

I hope all is well with you. God’s been doing some awesome, wonderful and kind things in our lives.

I was thinking about writing you all and this title popped into my mind:
Don’t Wait To Get Help!

I’ve seen this happen over and over again. People need help or are in trouble and they have a thought about who they ought to call or write to ask for help. But then they disqualify that idea. They come up with some(lame)reason as to why they shouldn’t make the call.

I love to help people. I honestly believe most people like to help others. It actually makes me happy when someone calls me asking for help. (So hopefully that eliminates one excuse for you.)

When someone avoids reaching out for help it doesn’t change the need they have. If the load was light enough for you to carry you wouldn’t have been thinking about getting help.

Nancy & I have seven kids, all living at home. We run our church out of the home which could make it busy enough, but our three oldest children each have their own businesses being run out of the home here. Nancy also works on Wednesday mornings as a nurse, is the international prayer ministry coordinator for a large ministry and teaches a class at Living Word’s Bible Training Center on Monday nights.
And we were trying to do all this without help around the house.
So just before it about wiped us out…

We called for help.

A young lady from the church will be coming tomorrow to help with the cooking, cleaning and laundry.

Whew!

Who are you supposed to call now?

Love ya
Joe

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Is God Able???

On By josephbarlowIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Well that question should get you stirred a little???

Of course God is able, He’s God!

Well, let’s back up a little.

Able to do what?

Can God lie?

No!

Can God bridge the gap between where you are at right now and where you believe you are supposed to be???

Yes!

Will He?

Well, that’s up to you.

God’s will doesn’t always automatically come to pass in your life. He needs your cooperation.

At one point in Jesus’ ministry He went into His own hometown and could do no mighty miracles there. Why couldn’t He do at home what He did elsewhere? Because the people were so familiar with Him as being the carpenter’s son they did not believe He was capable of doing any great miracles. Their faith was required to accomplish His will. Some might say it wasn’t God’s will to do mighty miracles in His hometown. But that’s not what the scripture says. It says “He could not…”

Can God do mighty wonders in your life? Can God accomplish through you what He wants to? Yes, if you’re not like His hometown. Yes, if you believe Him wholeheartedly. Yes, if you are willing to stand firm in your faith. Yes, if you’re willing to take God’s word and plant it in your heart, believe it, request it, and stand in faith to see it come to pass.

Your faith turns you into a lightning rod for the power of God to move in your life.

Are you able to believe God for His will to come to pass in your life?

God is able to deliver but you must be willing to believe.

My friend I pray that you would be filled with the knowledge of God’s will for you.(Colossians 1:9) I also pray that you will receive faith in your heart by hearing God’s word. (Romans 10:17)
I pray that God would bless you and your relationship with Him would produce wonderful things that would cause others to marvel and desire to know Jesus as Savior as well.

Love ya
Joe

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