Joe Barnett

Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus.            —Romans 1:1 For a Roman citizen—which Paul was—to identify himself as a slave would shock his proud Roman readers out of their sandals. Nevertheless, the first word he used to describe himself when he wrote a letter to the Romans was “slave”—“Paul, a slave […]

[God] will fulfill his purpose for me.                          —Psalm 57:2 Scottish runner Eric Liddell was favored to win the 100-meter race in the 1924 Paris Olympics. He withdrew from the event because it was scheduled for Sunday, and his religious convictions vetoed competing on

Because I live, you also will live.                         —John 14:19 I recently presided at the memorial service for a dear friend who had battled cancer for six years. In a post to family and friends, he wrote, “I have zero fear of death.” Jesus

Love one another.    —John 13:34 David Doubilet, the most-published photographer for National Geographic, is a master craftsman who produces breathtaking underwater pictures. Environmentalists berate him for not publishing hard-edge pictures of polluted oceans, grungy beaches, and dead fish. But Doubilet believes the way to inspire people to be environmentally sensitive is to show the

The apostles got into an argument about which one of them was the greatest.                         —Luke 22:24 When Jesus took off his robe, wrapped a servant towel around his waist, filled a basin, and began washing his disciples’ feet, you could have heard a

[God] planned . . . that we should be adopted as his own children.             —Ephesians 1:5 Eloise sits on the edge of her four-year-old’s bed and says: “If I could have my pick of all the girls in the world, when I saw you I’d say, ‘She’s the one

Name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.                 —Matthew 1:21 The 2013 movie, Man of Steel, was a reboot of the Superman myth. Clark Kent, the super-powered alien from the planet Krypton, assumed the role of protector, facing off with General Zod to

Sin will not rule over you.              —Romans 6:14 His older sister was bossy when they were children: she dictated; he obeyed. One day his mother told him, “You don’t have to do what she says—she’s not your boss.” That did it. Free at last. Is Satan exploiting your slip-ups—tormenting

In him we have redemption . . . the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.                                     —Ephesians 1:7 Enough money can buy almost anything these days. $52 million will get you a seat on