Joe Barnett

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  —Romans 12:12 In a recent sermon, my friend Allen Isbell told this chilling story about Kirby, who had been a law school classmate of his. Kirby and his adult son gave shelter to a homeless man, who killed the son, attempted to kill Kirby, and […]

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.                     —Psalm 107:1 Thanksgiving is a calendar-reminder of the blessings of God, the Great Giver. On the heels of Thanksgiving comes Christmas, when we are nudged to be givers. The season spurs us to be both grateful

Let us come before him with thanksgiving.                   —Psalm 95:2 On September 6, 1620, the Mayflower set sail from Plymouth, England, with 102 passengers. Sixty-six days later, it anchored at Cape Cod. “God sifted out a hundred and two seeds from the civilization of Europe to plant

Celebrate the Feast of Harvest.           —Exodus 23:16 Except for Noah’s family and his floating zoo, God wiped out the whole shebang. He said he would never do that again: “As long as the earth remains, there will be seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night”

The joys to come will last forever. —2 Corinthians 4:18 “Rejoice in the Lord always,” said Paul. And in case we were nodding off, he doubled down—“I will say it again: Rejoice” (Phil 4:4). Now that we’re awake, he added, “Do not worry about anything” (Phil 4:6). Unless you’re exceptionally good at multitasking, you can’t

Give all your worries to him. —1 Peter 5:7 Do you remember what you were worrying about twenty years ago? How about ten years ago? Those nail-biters that were keeping you awake back then are now past tense. Like a bad haircut, most of the pesky problems that plague us, given a little time, fix

Live a life worthy of the calling you have received.     —Ephesians 4:1 Micah chapter 6 opens with the prophet confronting Israel as the voice of God. I saved you from slavery and delivered you from danger. What have I ever done to cause you to turn from me? (vv. 3–5). Convicted of their

I have loved you with an everlasting love.                   —Jeremiah 31:3 God doesn’t always step in and stop suffering, but his love is assured in good times and bad. His love is unfailing and unshakable: “Though the mountains be shaken . . . yet my unfailing love

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.        —Psalm 46:1 On September 20, 2017, Hurricane Maria slammed Puerto Rico, leaving behind an estimated 2,975 dead. Natural disasters are devastating. So are personal disasters: a fatal accident, a harrowing health issue, a lonely crisis. Sooner or later, we’re all ambushed

Fear not, for I am with you. . . . I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you.       —Isaiah 41:10 Are you traveling into new territory? A new town? A new school? A new relationship? A new job? A new challenge? Or tiptoeing through a painful passage in