Joe Barnett

Run in such a way as to get the prize.                   —1 Corinthians 9:24 When Houston Texans’ owner Bob McNair rewarded J.J. Watt with a $100 million contract, J.J. opened the door and turned on the lights at 2:00 a.m. the following morning at the Texans’ training […]

For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.       —1 Corinthians 15:22 We exercise, we watch what we eat; which may—or may not—delay death. At best, it only postpones it. Death is the biggest bully in the building. Fear is his most forceful weapon. Hebrews pictures

God left them and let them go their sinful way.      —Romans 1:24 Flip Wilson’s signature line, “The devil made me do it,” was catchy comedy. In real life, however, flippantly passing off misbehavior by blaming old Scratch doesn’t move the needle on the laugh meter. You lied to your spouse? Or filched a

Don’t get discouraged and give up.                 —Galatians 6:9 Opera buffs know the meaning of “It ain’t over ’til the fat lady sings.” John Greenleaf Whittier’s encouragement poem, Don’t Quit, begins: When things go wrong as they sometimes will When the road you’re trudging seems all up hill,

Be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.    —James 1:19 I had an email last night from the daughter of a man I’ve known and admired for years, informing me that he had passed away. I suppose he had some flaws; if so, I never saw them. The first verse that

Run away from all those things.             —1 Timothy 6:11 Elizabeth’s three children were quiet. Too quiet. Checking on them, she found them feeding a brood of baby skunks. “Run kids, run!” she screeched. Each grabbed a skunk and ran. When temptation comes knocking at your door, it’s time to

Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty.     —1 Peter 3:3 Peter apparently conquered his earlier fears, for it took enormous courage to write these words to wives: “Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty that depends on fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should be known for the beauty that comes

Your sin will find you out.      —Numbers 32:23 Adolph Hitler, with his goose-stepping terrorists, had the world on edge. But at 10 Downing Street, cigar-chomping, brandy-sipping Prime Minister Churchill was composed and confident. He knew it was just a matter of time until the insecurity, immorality, and insanity of the führer would be

Seek your happiness in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desire.                           —Psalm 37:4 The other line moves faster—at the bank, supermarket, tollbooth. If you change lanes, the one you were in previously moves faster. All papers that you save

He persevered because he saw him who is invisible.       —Hebrews 11:27 Seldom can you describe a person in two words, but Moses met that measure: “He persevered,” wrote the scribe of Hebrews. Moses faced the threats of Pharaoh, the biggest bully of the era; the recurrent rebellion of the Israelites; the provoking