Joe Barnett

There is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.                       —Luke 15:10 You may not know much about angels, but angels know a lot about you. Remember the day you decided that doing-it-my-way wasn’t working and decided to […]

His incomparably great power for us who believe.   —Ephesians 1:19 You don’t have to live in the dark. Power is available to light up your life. Paul writes of the awesome power you have, which may have escaped your attention. He prays “that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that

You shall name him Jesus.            —Matthew 1:21 Parents-to-be give serious thought to the name of their baby-to-be. The baby’s name isn’t a trivial tag. It establishes an identity that will follow the child from the cradle to the grave—and beyond. Mary and Joseph weren’t asked what their baby’s name would

Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.                               —Luke 2:11 In 1739, Charles Wesley wrote the lyrics to Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. In 1753, Wesley’s friend, George Whitefield, altered

We have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.              —Matthew 2:2 Charles Schulz’s A Charlie Brown Christmas made its television debut on December 9, 1965. Fearing that quoting the Bible would offend some viewers, network officials asked Schulz to omit the “Christmas story.” Schulz

On earth peace, goodwill toward men.                          —Luke 2:14 Edmund Sears was depressed. The United States and Mexico were struggling in the aftermath of the Mexican-American War (1846–1848). And Europe was staggering under the weight of the numerous revolutions of 1848. It seemed to

You will find a baby lying in a manger.                            —Luke 2:12 Walking to his one-room apartment after a midnight Christmas Eve service in New York City in 1934, Robert MacGimsey passed the open door of a pub. The raucous swearing was, he

Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your heart.         —Hebrews 4:7 God singled out Moses and saddled him with a heavy mission: “I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt” (Ex 3:10). God singled out Saul and saddled him with a distasteful

Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin.                   —Matthew 18:7 St. Bernard of Clairvaux resolved that his actions must pass three tests: Is it lawful? Can I do it and not sin? Is it becoming in me as a Christian? Can

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.                            —Psalm 106:1 If only my spouse was more understanding. If only my child was more respectful. If only I didn’t have to deal with such jerks. If only I had more money. Does