Joe Barnett

I have learned the secret of being content.                          —Philippians 4:12 “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances,” Paul wrote (Phil 4:11). If you cannot say “Me too,” it’s because you haven’t fully subscribed to Paul’s secret. “I have learned the secret,” […]

The prize awaits me— the crown of righteousness.         —2 Timothy 4:8 More than thirty million people have gawked at the crowns and other items of ceremonial regalia of the kings and queens of England. Known as the “Crown Jewels,” they are stored and displayed in the Tower of London. Different crowns

We belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others.             —Romans 12:5 “I’ve been compiling my bucket list,” Ron said, handing me a sheet of paper. The first item was, “Take my sister to Italy.” “I thought you’d been to Italy,” I said. “I have, but

I will praise the Lord, who counsels me.                                  —Psalm 16:7 Dr. LeMoine Lewis, one of my Bible professors in college, read a devotional every morning from The Imitation of Christ, by fifteenth-century theologian, Thomas à Kempis. In one of

Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.                    —2 Corinthians 10:17 Marilyn vos Savant has the highest IQ ever recorded: 228. Moustafa Ismail bench presses 600 pounds and holds the Guinness World Record for the largest biceps: 31 inches. Jeff Bezos is the richest person on

Morning by morning he wakens me and opens my understanding to his will.                         —Isaiah 50:4 When my father was teaching me how to drive, he stressed maintenance. He pulled the dipstick, showed me how to check the oil, and said I should check

It is by grace you have been saved.                 —Ephesians 2:8 In the play Amadeus, the devout Antonio Salieri is obsessed with the desire to become a famous composer; but he doesn’t have the talent. He wonders why God denies him fame while rewarding the obscene, undeserving Wolfgang

I have learned to be content.         —Philippians 4:11 Have your closets reached—or already blown past—capacity? Are you parking in the driveway because your garage has been hijacked for storage? If you have recently tackled the task of cleaning your closet, garage, attic, or basement, you’ve probably wondered what you were thinking

Put to death . . . greed, which is idolatry.                          —Colossians 3:5 Jeremiah accused Judah: “You have as many gods as you have towns, and the altars you have set up . . . are as many as the streets of Jerusalem” (Jer

Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine.      —1 Samuel 17:32 Claire has been smacked with a tsunami of setbacks this year. The coronavirus pandemic shut down her business. Her mother, over 600 miles away, suffered a stroke. And her husband was severely injured in a traffic accident. Claire is fighting