Joe Barnett

The love of money causes all kinds of trouble.                          —1 Timothy 6:10 “People who want to be rich fall into all sorts of temptations and traps. They are caught by foolish and harmful desires that drag them down and destroy them. The love […]

Be content with what you have.               —Hebrews 13:5 At the time of this writing, there’s a new baby in the British royal family. They haven’t named him yet. I have a suggestion: call him Discontent. No disrespect intended—it’s just that all babies come into our world kicking and

I have learned to be content.        —Philippians 4:11 Are you content? If not, what would it take to get you there? I know of a man who was at the top of his game. He had a boatload of money, an immense inventory of properties, and was powerfully positioned politically. Was he

I trust in your unfailing love.                —Psalm 13:5 During the Congolese civil war in 1964, British medical missionary Helen Roseveare was taken prisoner by rebel forces, and for five months repeatedly beaten and raped. Asked how she could continue her missionary work in the Congo after such brutality

Treat others as you want them to treat you.                                    —Matthew 7:12 Today’s text is among the best-known statements of Jesus—and among the least-practiced. It has been called the “Everest of Ethics.” J.B. Phillips said it is “the essence

Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.                —Colossians 3:12 Jesus is all-powerful, all-knowing, all-seeing. Since he is all-that, you might expect him to be described in bold, brassy, bombastic words. But I only recall two words that Jesus used in his self-appraisal of his disposition. Only

I thank my God every time I remember you.                        —Philippians 1:3 Ninety-nine-to-one. If ninety-nine people complimented a sermon and one person criticized it, I’d spend days nursing the wound inflicted by the critic. Do you spend more time thinking about those who have hurt

A happy heart makes the face cheerful.                        —Proverbs 15:13 “Dandy” Don Meredith was quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys for nine seasons (1960–1968). Asked why he retired from football, he said it was because he stopped having fun. He got so uptight he couldn’t enjoy

We want God to give us our heavenly home.                         —2 Corinthians 5:2 Dr. Bill Rogers, one of my elders, was a fanatic. I’m leery of fanatics and usually try to distance myself from them. But I was drawn to Bill’s fanaticism, found no

Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word.          —Psalm 119:67 “There are no atheists in foxholes,” is a phrase of uncertain origin, but usually attributed to war journalist Ernie Pyle. Many a soldier, who never prayed before, fervently does when bullets fly. Alexander Solzhenitsyn said, “It