Tag: speak

Why I Like Being A Father

On By josephbarlowIn FatherLeave a comment

When I was 14 I had a distinct impression/desire: I wanted to be a father.

It wasn’t just my hormones screaming, it was something different.

I wanted to speak into people’s lives.

I wanted to challenge them.

I wanted to take care of them, but not coddle them.

I wanted to be there as a blessing in their lives in a way that brought comfort, confidence, direction, wisdom, encouragement and more confidence.

Being a father was a big dream in me.

Philippians 2:13 says that God is at work in us to will and to act according to His good pleasure.

I really believe that the stirring of those desires as a teenager was literally God Himself on the inside of me, stirring up those desires. Well, if God is willing to stir up desires within me that are perfectly in line with His will then lets get busy, lets get stirred up. Bring on your desires Lord.

Now at the age of 58, after 34+ years of marriage, Nancy & I have 7 children. I love every one of them. We have two children-in-law with another being added soon. We have three amazing little grand-daughters. We are so blessed. I am so blessed.

But I feel like my heart is about 5% filled.

My desire to be a father is increasing.

We’re not looking for any new babies of our own.

But the desire to father is increasing in my heart.

God seems to still be at work in me to fill my heart with desires.

My desire to speak directly into people’s hearts, to bring them wisdom, encouragement, comfort, guidance, etc. those desires are increasing.

I see so many fatherless. Sometimes their dad was a failure at being a dad. Sometimes he just was not present. Sometimes he was a jerk. And I see the children’s hearts not being filled. This grieves me and motivates me. I believe I can stand in. I believe if I have the chance to speak I can love them the way their father should have.

Lord, help me to be effective in people’s lives. Help me to be a voice that fills the gap. I love you Lord. I want to represent you well.

I really believe that the human race has so much potential. If there was a father there to encourage them, guide them, help them…then we could see some amazing answers come forward to bless this world.

Maybe that’s what father’s do, they plant, fertilize, grow, weed, harvest answers for the world.

Receiving God’s Best

On By josephbarlowIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Son, receive my best. I am an abundant God and I have abundance for you. I can grant what you request.
Make way for me by making requests of what you’d like me to do. I delight in answering your prayers.
Faith words come from faith, no other source.
Listen to what faith is saying and say that. No manipulation. No appeals for mercy. No shows. Just speak what faith is saying.
Son, my plan is unfolding. Walk it out as I give it to you. There are great things coming. Know this. Know me. I am your very great reward.
Let me draw you deeper into Sonship. Position yourself as my son. Occupy that position. Expect provision, blessing, direction, and wisdom.

Negativity

On By josephbarlowIn JournalLeave a comment

Negativity can be poisonous. It creates an environment where fresh new ideas are afraid to come out. They run for their lives. They won’t dare show themselves in a negative environment. Fresh, creative ideas need a friendly atmosphere where there is acceptance, consideration and hopeful thinking.

If you don’t believe things could get better why would you accept something that might promise some improvement?

Strong criticism shuts everybody up except for those who are willing to be quite vocal with their negative talk. It’s more of the same. It’s like a self-fulfilling prophecy. Say it’s bad and it’s getting worse and voila! Surprise, surprise! Look what happens: things get worse.

Negativity is like gravity. It always pulls you down. Well, some may say it helps you keep your feet on the ground. If you really want to submit to gravity, why stand on your feet at all? Why not just lay down?

Negativity pulls you down. Resist the gravity. Stand up. Climb up. Jump up. Get up. Lift up. Speak up. Shout it. Give resistance to gravity. Resist negativity.

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!

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.
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