Joe Barnett

Make every effort to live in peace with all men.                                —Hebrews 12:14 Where there are people, there will be conflicts: in community, workplace, family, even church. (I sometimes think there should be a verse that says, “Where two or three […]

I have finished the work which you gave me to do.             —John 17:4 Jesus signed off, saying, “I have finished the work which you gave me to do.” “My only aim,” wrote Paul, “is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord has given me” (Acts 20:24).

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another.             —1 Peter 4:10 Parents give their children gifts that meet their individual needs, desires, age, and aptitudes. Our heavenly Father does the same. He gives appropriate gifts to each of his children. First Corinthians 12 says he

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.    —Matthew 28:18 Authorities have been getting a lot of press lately, mostly unfavorable. Authorities often come across as bullies, running roughshod over the powerless and vulnerable. But such domination and oppression is temporary and limited. Jesus has ultimate authority. He is the

You shall have no other gods before me.                          —Exodus 20:3 Idols made by human hands “have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. They have ears, but cannot hear, nor is there breath in their mouths” (Ps 135:15–17). An idol is carried,

When David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep.                         —Acts 13:36 If there had been just one different husband-wife match-up in your genealogical tree, you wouldn’t be here. But here you are at this specific time, in this specific

If you are willing, you can make me clean.                              —Matthew 8:2 Leprosy! Dreaded. Terrifying. Incurable. The leper approached Jesus reverently, kneeling before him, saying, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Doubtless, he fervently hoped Jesus would heal

[God] made us alive together with Christ.                              —Ephesians 2:5 You know that when Christ comes you will be resurrected. But did you know that you have already been resurrected once? “God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with

All the disciples deserted him and fled.                       —Matthew 26:56 On their trek to Gethsemane, Jesus told his disciples, “Tonight all of you will desert me” (Mt 26:31).  Peter insisted that he wouldn’t—“And all the other disciples said the same” (Mt. 26:35). But when the