Joe Barnett

This is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.”     —1 John 5:4 J.D. Armstrong’s two-story home was on fire. He herded his wife and three children to the front door to make their escape. Suddenly, Todd, the youngest, ran back upstairs, unnoticed by his parents. The terrified child appeared at the window, […]

Help me overcome my unbelief.                   —Mark 9:24 There was a mixture in the heart of the father of the demon-possessed child—a hybrid of belief and unbelief. He pleaded with Jesus, “If you can do anything, take pity on us.” Jesus replied, “Everything is possible for him

Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him.           —Luke 24:31 Two disappointed disciples left Jerusalem and headed home. Their leader was dead. Game over. As they walked, Jesus joined them. But they didn’t recognize him. Disappointment can do that to you. It can blind you to the presence of

Neither do I condemn you.                   —John 8:11 Do you ever wonder how Jesus feels about you when you fail and flicker? “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out” (Mt 12:20). Maybe you know how it feels to

Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?              —Mark 16:3 Early Sunday morning, as the women made their way to the tomb to anoint the body of their crucified Lord, they realized they had a problem: an enormous stone, tall as they were,

Go, tell his disciples and Peter.                   —Mark 16:7 Three days ago, Peter had denied his Lord—then limped away and wept. These three days must have been miserable for Peter, tormented by his cowardice and disloyalty. The shameful, sordid scene replayed endlessly in his tortured mind. Women

He saw the disciples straining at the oars.                                  —Mark 6:48 Their boat was being tossed like a toy by vicious wind and waves. Jesus had agreed to join them, but evening came, and he was nowhere to be seen.

What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?                                  —Mark 8:36                                  When he died in 1885, William Henry Vanderbilt had a fortune of more than $200 million ($6.5 billion in today’s money). Shortly

How many loaves do you have?              —Matthew 15:34 It was a big crowd—4,000 men, besides women and children. Jesus decided to feed them, while his disciples considered supper impossible. “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven.” “That will do.” You know the rest of the story. Do

How majestic is your name in all the earth.                                —Psalm 8:9 Sir Christopher Wren designed and built the renowned St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. He is buried there, and the Latin epitaph on his tomb (translated into English) reads: “If