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
Your Ever-Present Father
By Joe Barnett |
The Lord watches over those who trust in his love. —Psalm 33:18 Caseworkers reported that Debbie had been molested. She was placed in a rehabilitation facility for abused children while CPS sought answers. Debbie was lonely and angry—she felt abandoned. Parental contact was limited to once-a-month supervised visits. Her father disappeared; …
Companion Tattoos
By Joe Barnett |
I have tattooed your name upon my palm. —Isaiah 49:16 In Hindu traditions, married women display a sindoor (a red dot) at the parting line of their hair to declare their wedded commitment. In our part of the world, the symbol is …
Responsibility and Reward
By Joe Barnett |
Each one of you must love his wife . . . and a wife must respect her husband. —Ephesians 5:33 These two things torpedo happiness: 1) wanting something you can’t have; 2) having something you wanted and no longer wanting it. The coed who came to my office …
Who Is the Sinner Here?
By Joe Barnett |
He has gone to be the guest of a sinner. —Luke 19:7 When Jesus invited himself to Zacchaeus’ home, he was “welcomed with great joy” (Lk 19:6). The mood on the street didn’t match the joy in the house. The …
Thank God—for Everything
By Joe Barnett |
Always give thanks to God the Father for everything. —Ephesians 5:20 Giving thanks is grace focused, expressing gratitude for blessings received, though undeserved. When we verbalize our gratitude to God, worry diminishes, trouble dwindles, courage develops, and peace dawns. In Ephesians 5, Paul specifies giving thanks as an ingredient …
Peruse Your Checkbook
By Joe Barnett |
Honor the Lord with your wealth. —Proverbs 3:9 Bob and Nell were frivolously spending their rapidly-diminishing retirement savings. Their financial advisor repeatedly counseled them to be more cautious. They kept spending. He suggested that they bring one of their three grown children to their …
