Joe Barnett

He who promised is faithful.           —Hebrews 10:23 “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him” (Rom 8:28). Do you believe that? I don’t recall having ever heard a Christian say, “No, I don’t believe that!” But I’ve heard some attach a qualifier: […]

Consider the generations long past.             —Deuteronomy 32:7 Traditions. Good or bad? Some are good: those that have their authority in scripture, as well as some family and organization traditions. Some are not good: outmoded responses to situations that no longer exist. In any case, this old saying holds true:

I gave you a land on which you did not toil and cities you did not build.            —Joshua 24:13 Raucous British voices trash-talked those who had led their past, provoking Sir Winston Churchill to say, “If we open a quarrel between the past and the present, we shall find that

Show mercy and compassion to one another.                                       —Zechariah 7:9 The returned remnants of the exile had worshiped God in Babylon for seventy years, but their sincerity was suspect: “Did you really do it for me?” the

Give me understanding according to your word.                                —Psalm 119:169 Texts that changed lives (concluded) William Penn: “This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4). Francis of Assisi: “God forbid that I should glory, save

I have put my hope in your word.                   —Psalm 119:147 Texts that changed lives (continued) Enoch Stapleton: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5–6).

Direct my footsteps according to your word.                        —Psalm 119:133) Texts that changed lives (continued) George Moore: “He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life”

Your word is a lamp for my feet.              —Psalm 119:105) A century ago, F.W. Boreham wrote four books about people whose lives were changed by a single scripture. Here are a few of them—not their stories, just the texts that changed their stories. These will be posted for the

Give thought to your ways.             —Haggai 1:5 Returned exiles of Babylonian captivity were driven by the excitement of rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. But after laying the foundation, their enthusiasm waned, and construction ceased. They ignored God’s house for the next sixteen years while building ritzy digs for themselves.