A Word From Joe Barnett
This site is about words.
First, about God’s authoritative, inspired Word.
Second, about my non-authoritative, non-inspired words—nevertheless, written in hope that they will encourage those who read them, and above all that they will point the reader to God’s Word.
Here are the regular features you will find here.
- Today’s Walk in the Word. A brief devotional that appears Monday through Friday. Each entry is based on a single verse of Scripture, followed by my comments related to it, and ending with a summary aphorism. To access the latest devotional click on "Today’s Walk in the Word" below. To access previous messages click on "Archives/A Walk in the Word" in the top menu.
- On My Mind. Messages on varied topics that appear on this site at least once a month. To access the latest entry click on "On My Mind" below. To access previous messages click on "Archives/On My Mind" in the top menu.
Each of these features can also be fed directly to your email box if you wish. Just click here to sign up.
And yes, you are permitted—in fact, encouraged—to pass along any of these messages to those you feel will benefit from them. Just click on the “Forward to a Friend” button. Your participation in this way makes this “our” ministry instead of “my” ministry.
If you find anything here that brings you, or those with whom you share these messages, into a closer relationship with the Lord, I praise God and thank him for permitting our paths to cross.
Thanks for dropping by. I hope you will do so often.
Today's Walk in the Word
Do the Telling
By Joe Barnett |
For them to hear about the Lord, someone must tell them. —Romans 10:14 William Carey, widely recognized as “the father of modern missions,” went to India in 1793, and spent the rest of his life there, translating scripture and founding the first degree-granting theological university in that country. When Carey felt called to …
Everything We Need
By Joe Barnett |
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness. —2 Peter 1:3 Father, Son, and Spirit are great givers. For an exhilarating experience, read through your New Testament and highlight the gifts of the Holy …
Be Gracious
By Joe Barnett |
Let your conversation be gracious. —Colossians 4:6 Four-star General Peter Chiarelli, Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, attended a formal White House dinner in dress uniform. A senior advisor to President George W. Bush mistook the general for a waiter and asked him to get …
Raise Your Hand
By Joe Barnett |
I confessed my sins to you. —Psalm 32:5 The St. Olaf Choir, a 75-voice a cappella choir in Northfield, Minnesota, has been producing beautiful music for more than a century (since 1912), performing in venues around the world. Choir members exercise strict self-discipline: when someone makes a mistake …
Contrasting Value Systems
By Joe Barnett |
Invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. —Luke 14:13 The media that invade my space display our culture’s value system: if you’re good looking, you’re valuable; if you’re productive, you’re valuable. Runway-model gorgeous. CEO of the Year. Hall of Fame nominee. It’s all about appearance and performance. Tough …
One-Word Answers
By Joe Barnett |
I have been with you a long time now. Do you still not know me? —John 14:9 Here’s a riddle for you. What is greater than God and more evil than Satan? The poor have it, and the rich need it. That one stumped me, even though it has …
