Joe Barnett

Because I live, you also will live.                 —John 14:19 Grieving women trudged to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus, only to find the tomb empty. “Why do you look for the living among the dead?” an angel asked. “He is not here; he has risen!” […]

Death has been swallowed up in victory.               —1 Corinthians 15:54 A car crash on I-45 between The Woodlands and Conroe, Texas, left a victim with such severe injuries his chance of survival was slim. Thankfully, skillful surgeons saved his life. The downside is that he has brain damage

Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”    —John 11:43 Mary Magdalene—one of the last at the cross and first at the tomb—stood outside the sepulcher weeping. Angels appeared and asked why she was crying. Because “[t]hey have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.”

I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.               —Matthew 16:18 When Jesus said, “I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it,” he was pointing to his resurrection. He would soon be crucified, and the gates of

I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.       —Philippians 4:11 If you are defined by your possessions, you’ll feel great when you have a lot, and lousy when you don’t. A new car, a new house, a new smart phone, a stout 401(k), a healthy bank balance. O joy! But the

Do not fret. —Psalm 37:1 When things seem to be spinning out of control and evil seems to be winning Psalm 37 serves up this advice: Keep your eyes on the Lord; trust him and wait patiently for him to act . . . Trust in the Lord (v. 3); Delight in the Lord (v.

He changes times and seasons.                 —Daniel 2:21 My friend, minister/author Gene Shelburne, reminds us that in the 1970s the scariest threat we faced was what the Washington Post called a “new ice age.” According to Time magazine, Shelburne says, “the earth had been cooling at an unprecedented

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.                           —Luke 6:36 Big poohbahs surround themselves with a cadre of aides whose job is to protect them from interruptions. Jesus’ disciples were inclined to erect protective walls . . . “Send the crowds away,”

Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.     —Psalm 136:26 You search the Hallmark rack for the just-right card for your spouse; the card that eloquently articulates your love that your own words can’t express. You hold a picture of your child, fondly observing every feature of that handsome face.