Joe Barnett

O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever.      —Psalm 30:12 Today thank God for deliverance. Your biopsy revealed a malignancy, but they caught it in time. Your child was in a serious accident, but she survived. Your spouse was wheeled into the operating room with a less-than-hopeful outcome, but the surgery […]

Make it your goal to lead a peaceful life, mind your own business.  —1 Thessalonians 4:11 We know what the government should do, what the editor should do, what the church should do—what Tom, Dick, and Harry should do. When someone is accused of being self-centered, it isn’t intended as a compliment. Nevertheless, I cast

Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.                      —1 John 3:16 American Indians were creative in shielding their settlements from the prairie fires that were common on the frontier. They protected their property by setting fire to the dry grass adjoining their encampments. Fire cannot

Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your heart.       —Hebrews 3:13 Here are a few things that happened on this day in history: 1848: The women’s suffrage movement was launched in Seneca Falls, New York. 1923: Insulin was introduced as a remedy for Diabetes. 1969: Apollo 11 prepared for the

The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping.                           —Acts 12:6 Seeing that putting James to death pleased the Jews, the politically savvy Herod Agrippa pegged Peter as his next victim. So, he had him arrested and jailed—bound

Blessed are all who wait for him.                      —Isaiah 30:18 You have prayed earnestly. Urgently. Pleadingly. But you have received no response—at least none that you can see. Feel familiar? Don’t quit believing, and don’t stop praying. Delay doesn’t mean denial; presently unanswered doesn’t mean permanently

If sinners entice you, do not consent.                     —Proverbs 1:10 Temptation can’t be escaped, but it can be resisted. James timelines the progression from the initial temptation to spiritual death this way: temptation, enticement, conception, sin, death (Jas 1:14–15). God doesn’t provide a way of escape

Our God is full of compassion.              —Psalm 116:5 When Francis Shaeffer was a college freshman, one of his professors told him, “This is the best philosophy paper I’ve ever read, but it’s the worst spelling. I can’t pass you.” Shaeffer, who couldn’t spell due to severe dyslexia, replied, “Sir,

[I] will remember their sins no more.                        —Hebrews 8:12 In Throw Out Fifty Things, author Gail Blanke gives some “Rules of Disengagement” to clear the clutter from life. The first one is: “If it weighs you down, clogs you up, or just plain makes

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.                           —Psalm 107:1 I’m not a fan of bumper stickers with political agendas or those that are morally obnoxious. But I am fond of those that make me smile—like these: If things get better