Tag: Journal

Jealous Perspectives

On By josephbarlowIn Journal, TeachingLeave a comment

SO, YOU’VE HEARD THE SAYING, “THE GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE.” SO, HERE’S MY QUESTION: IS THAT TRUE OR FALSE? IS THE GRASS ALWAYS GREENER OVER THERE? MY ANSWER MIGHT SURPRISE YOU, BUT HOPEFULLY IT WILL GIVE US ALL SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT.

THE ANSWER IS: TRUE! THE GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE.

IF YOU’RE LOOKING DOWN AT GRASS YOU SEE GRASS WITH DIRT AROUND IT. YOU’RE SEEING FROM A PERSPECTIVE WHERE THE BLADE IS NOT GETTING ITS BEST SHOWING. HOWEVER IF YOU CHANGE THE ANGLE AT WHICH YOU ARE VIEWING THE GRASS, PERHAPS FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE, YOU’LL NOTICE THAT YOU DON’T SEE MUCH DIRT AND YOU SEE THE FULL SIDE OF THE BLADE OF GRASS. THINGS ARE DEFINITELY GREENER FROM THIS ANGLE. NOW IF YOU WALK OVER AND STAND ON THE GREENER GRASS YOU WERE LOOKING AT, THEN LOOK BACK AT WHERE YOU WERE STANDING BEFORE, NOW THAT GRASS LOOKS GREENER. IT’S ALL A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE. YOU MAY BE JEALOUS OF SOMEONE, BUT YOU MIGHT NOT BE IF YOU COULD SEE THE DIRT IN THEIR LIFE THAT THEY PUT UP WITH DAILY. YOU WERE GIVEN THE PERSPECTIVE YOU HAVE SO YOU CAN CHANGE THINGS THAT NEED TO BE CHANGED, NOT SO YOU COULD BE JEALOUS OF SOMEONE YOU THINK IS BETTER OFF THAN YOU.

Living Free From The Fear Of Death

On By josephbarlowIn Politics, TeachingLeave a comment

A FEW WEEKS AGO I SPOKE AT CHURCH ABOUT LIVING WITHOUT FEAR OF DEATH. I THOUGHT I WOULD UNFOLD A FEW THOUGHTS FOR YOU HERE THAT MIGHT HELP:

I GAVE MY LIFE TO JESUS CHRIST WHEN I WAS 11 YEARS OLD, I GOT FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT AT AGE 13, BUT BECAUSE OF BAD THEOLOGY AND LACK OF TEACHING THERE WAS A VOID IN MY LIFE. YOU SEE I HAD A GREAT RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD. I PRAYED REGULARLY, GOT INTO THE WORD NOT AS REGULAR, WENT TO CHURCH AS MUCH AS I COULD, I WAS FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT AND HAD WONDERFUL THINGS HAPPENING IN MY LIFE, EVEN HEARING THE VOICE OF GOD ON OCCASION AND ALSO AS I JOURNALED,  BUT I KNEW NOTHING OF ANY ETERNAL ASSURANCE. I DIDN’T KNOW WHERE I WAS GOING WHEN I DIED. WHEN I WAS 19 I BEGAN TO HEAR THE WORD PREACHED ON A REGULAR BASIS. IN MY OLD CHURCH THEY WOULD READ THE SCRIPTURES BUT NO ONE HAD ANY REAL UNDERSTANDING OF THEM. AT THE NEW CHURCH THERE WAS TEACHING COMING FROM THE PULPIT THAT REALLY MADE ME COME ALIVE. I FOUND OUT THAT FOR A CHRISTIAN, A CHILD OF GOD, HEAVEN IS PROMISED. ITS NOT A ‘WAIT AND SEE’ PROPOSITION. I WAS ASTOUNDED, REALLY AMAZED; NOT ONLY DID I GET THIS GREAT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD, BUT I GOT TO GO TO HEAVEN TOO.

KNOWING WHERE YOU’RE GOING

ONCE YOU KNOW YOUR ETERNAL DESTINATION, YOU’RE NOT JUST HOPING NOW, BUT THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS TAUGHT IT TO YOU INTERNALLY THEN YOU COME INTO A PLACE WHERE A BASE FEAR, A PRIMORDIAL FEAR CAN BE RELEASED. THE FEAR OF DEATH IS A HAUNTING THING. BUT WHEN YOU KNOW WHAT’S ON THE OTHER SIDE OF DEATH’S DOOR THEN IT DOESN’T LOOK SO DAUNTING.

NOW SELF-PRESERVATION IS A BASE INSTINCT. WE HAVE A NATURAL, BUILT-IN TENDENCY TO DO WHATEVER WE CAN TO STAY ALIVE. THIS IS GOOD AND WONDERFUL. BUT THE FEAR OF DEATH GIVES PLACE TO SOME RATIONAL FEARS AND SOME IRRATIONAL.

WHY SO AFRAID?

MOST PEOPLE ONLY KNOW WHAT THEY CAN SEE WITH THEIR PHYSICAL EYES. HEAVEN IS NOT A REALITY TO THEM SO THEY MUST HANG ON TO THE ONLY REALITY THEY KNOW. DEATH IS A DOOR WAY THAT LEADS TO ETERNITY. OBVIOUSLY ITS A PRETTY BIG QUESTION: DID YOU GET YOUR ETERNAL ACCOMMODATIONS WORKED OUT? IF YOU DIDN’T THERE IS A DEFAULT BUT ITS NOT HEAVEN. IF YOU HAVEN’T CHOSEN JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOUR AND GIVEN THE LORDSHIP OF YOUR LIFE OVER TO HIM THEN I RECOMMEND YOU DO. IF YOU HAVEN’T, YOU HAVE GREAT REASON TO FEAR DEATH, BECAUSE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF DEATH’S DOOR IS ETERNAL JUDGMENT. BUT IF YOU’VE GOT THIS ETERNITY QUESTION WORKED OUT THEN DEATH SHOULD BE AVOIDED BUT NOT FEARED.

Hang On To Your Favorite Scriptures

On By josephbarlowIn Encouragement, Ministry, TeachingLeave a comment

HEY FRIENDS, I JUST WANTED TO SHARE A QUICK THOUGHT WITH YOU AS YOU’RE ATTEMPTING TO LEAD A GOOD LIFE. THERE ARE SAYINGS THAT GUIDE YOU AND SHAPE YOU. THERE ARE SCRIPTURES THAT FEED YOU AND KEEP YOU ON TRACK. THIS IS A JUST A QUICK REMINDER, GO BACK AND READ THOSE SAYINGS AND SCRIPTURES AGAIN. IT’S AMAZING HOW REFRESHING IT CAN BE. FOR ME, I LIKE TO JUST PAGE THROUGH MY BIBLE AND READ THE VERSES THAT I HAVE UNDERLINED. I ALSO LOVE TO READ THROUGH MY JOURNALS AND SEE WHAT SCRIPTURES I WROTE IN THERE AND WHAT SAYINGS I WROTE OR COPIED DOWN. VISITING THESE SAYINGS AND SCRIPTURES WILL FORTIFY YOU AGAIN, HELP YOU GET BACK ON TRACK OR STAY ON TRACK. IT MAY BE THE FUEL YOU NEED.

Lead Strong

On By josephbarlowIn Encouragement, Journal, Teaching, Word From GodLeave a comment

Not everything you do is supposed to be met with rave reviews. You are called to listen to my voice and move forward with what I say. So hear me Son. You are obeying me. You are listening to me and seeking my will. You have found favor in my eyes. Continue with boldness. Don’t let what people say drag you down. You are mine. I am yours. Continue with the plan I’ve given you and don’t back down. Let the others conform to what I’ve given you, as the leader. I will test them through it. Son, I’m with you. Fear not. Be bold, confident, knowing that all of heaven is backing you up. And we are not weak. March forward right over the Devil’s forces. My power is manifest.

Be God’s Mouthpiece

On By josephbarlowIn Encouragement, Journal, TeachingLeave a comment
Son, be at peace.
 
Allow my river to flow from your heart. Allow the words to be formed in your mouth that will be life and peace. Words that will be authority and bring structure and order. Shall you not be an oracle? You shall. This is your destiny. I must have a mouthpiece in the earth. The words must flow from my Spirit to your spirit, from your mouth to the ears of those who must hear. Its not only humans who must hear you speak, there are spirits, angelic and demonic who must hear your words. They must hear the sound that they’ve heard for ages past. The same sound, the same authority they’ve heard in heaven. They know and have heard that voice. They recognize the sound of faith as it comes forth into the earth. They have heard it much and they know the change it brings. They respect it. They must bow to it. Son be my mouthpiece. Speak what my Spirit gives you to speak. Speak. Speak. Speak!

Handhelds can become parasitic

On By josephbarlowIn Encouragement, Journal, Teaching, Word From GodLeave a comment

Hey Friends,

 
I woke up this morning with the Lord talking to me. Here’s the journal entry:
 
You awaken my ear like one being taught.
 
Regarding handhelds & other electronics:
They can become parasitic
 
Jeremiah 2:6
This is what the Lord says
What fault did your fathers find in me
that they strayed so far from me?
They followed worthless idols
and became worthless themselves.
 
  • Pay attention to what you need
  • Pay attention to what you have
  • Pay attention to what has you
  • What do you focus on?
  • What do you focus on the most?
  • Is it life to you?
  • Or does it take life from you?
 
Seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years.
This is your life –
what will you spend it on?
Where your focus is – there your heart is.
 
Proverbs 17:24
A discerning man keeps wisdom in view,
But a fools eyes wander to the ends of the earth.
 
Proverbs 19:29
Stop listening to instruction, my son
and you will stray from the words of knowledge.
 
Son, I will show you what life is:
Life is when you tap into me and knowledge, wisdom, love and healing begin to flow. Being one with me, spending time listening to my voice, reading my word & preparing your heart for service. This is life.
This multiplies and brings forth my abundance to you.
 
So walk with Me Son.
Let me lead, guide, direct.
Let me give you focus.
Focus your eyes on Me.
Through me you can see all I would have you see.
Through me, the wisdom you need is revealed.

Trouble In The Land – What To Do

On By josephbarlowIn Encouragement, Journal, TeachingLeave a comment

Hey Friends,

The Lord spoke this to me a few months ago:
Here’s my journal entry from 2/19/2011
Good morning Lord,
There’s a lot of turmoil in the world today – Wisconsin, DC, several states budget battles, in other countries rebellion against standing leadership
Son, there’s coming even more shaking. The Kingdom of Darkness will continue to work to consume itself and any others it may.
 
If no one takes responsibility to correct things the people will return to anarchy.
 
Son, be fiscally responsible. Always believe me for the things I tell you to do. Trust that my provision will come and don’t shrink back from your stand of faith.
 
I am God and I can and will provide. The government is not God. It cannot provide all that it has promised. Great disappointment will follow these broken promises and you will see violence throughout the land. The way this shakes out depends on what the righteous will do. Pray for those who are called to stand up and speak that they would allow me to speak through them.
42248

Starting A New Journal

On By josephbarlowIn Encouragement, Journal, Teaching, Word From GodLeave a comment

Hey Friends,

I love starting a new journal after I’ve filled up another. I recently started a new one. Here’s the entry from the first day:
Father, I call forth a new level of revelation, conversation and wisdom as you and I discuss in these pages the things we would share with each other.
Lord, fill my heart & mind with your wisdom.
Son, I’m speaking in such a way as to draw your heart and mind to a more open posture. I want you to hear me more clearly and obey me instantly. My “suddenlys” can be your “suddenlys”. Are you ready to move quick when I speak?
 
Here I am, now follow me.
 
Know my voice
Know it when it’s gentle
Know it when it’s kind
Know it when it’s soft
Know it when it’s strong
 
I am kind Son.
I am gentle
I am encouraging
But, I’m also a King!
I make decrees and commands that I expect to be obeyed.
 
Know my voice Son
Hear me whisper
Hear me shout
I am God
Theres is no other
Hear me out!
 
Son, the path I have for you is long.
There’s many years ahead.
Hear my voice speaking to you of my secret wisdom
…known to so few and some of it to none.
Come listen
Let me explain
 
I go before you…don’t make me follow
Watch & see what you see
I will show you
As I go before you it will naturally be in your sight.
You’ll know what to do.
– So slow down a bit –
Watch for my hand.
Don’t make moves without Me.
There’s safety in waiting.
Rest now.