Joe Barnett

All things work together for good for those who love God.             —Romans 8:28 When you’re being battered and drenched by one of life’s inevitable hurricanes, you may find it difficult to buy into Paul’s assertion: “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God.” […]

All things are worth nothing compared with the greatness of knowing Christ.                      —Philippians 3:8 The apostle Paul’s father may have had deep pockets, for he sent his son to Jerusalem to get a top-notch education under the tutelage of the esteemed Rabbi Gamaliel. Some expositors

Encourage one another and build each other up.   —1 Thessalonians 5:11 Jamaicans Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake made history when they finished first and second in both the 100- and 200-meter races in the 2012 Olympics in London. Rivals on the track, but partners in training, they prodded each other to be their best.

You are the light of the world.              —Matthew 5:14 A Peanuts cartoon has Lucy saying, “How could the world be getting worse with me in it? Ever since I was born the world has shown a distinct improvement!” We grin. But then have to question if our presence in

I always try to maintain a clear conscience.                                       —Acts 24:16 Renowned basketball coach John Wooden told his athletes, “Your reputation is what you’re perceived to be by others, but your character is what you really are.

There is nothing new under the sun.                 —Ecclesiastes 1:9 On November 11, 1918, World War I ended. The death count was 9 million combatants and 13 million civilians. During the same year, the Spanish flu terminated more lives than the war—50 million. There was a collective hope

It is God who works in you to will and to act.    —Philippians 2:13 Oswald Chambers, author of the classic My Utmost for His Highest, said, “Every moral question or call comes with an ‘ought’ behind it.” Pesky word, ought. You ought to do this; you ought to do that. One way to deal

What we will be has not yet been made known.             —1 John 3:2 Gutzon Borglum is best known as the sculptor of the Mount Rushmore National Memorial in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The massive 60-foot granite faces depict U.S. presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and

I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance.              —1 Timothy 1:13 Bill had avoided traffic for months by taking a back-alley shortcut. There was a no-trespassing notice posted, but he never saw it. He was ticketed and had to pay the fine, even though his infraction was unintentional.

Our only goal is to please God.            —2 Corinthians 5:9 In ancient Greek religion, Zeus was “the sky and thunder” god. Greek artists pictured him with a thunderbolt in his raised right hand. He was depicted as a terrorist god, using violence to get his way. When he got angry,