Joe Barnett

A sluggard does not plow in season; so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing.                      —Proverbs 20:4 I’d had it up to here with an associate who had been given an easy, but important, assignment. I’d asked for a progress report several times—always receiving […]

God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.                 —Philippians 4:19 Mark reports four back-to-back stories of people in critical need . . . First, Jesus rescued a crew of terrified disciples trapped in a furious squall. He “rebuked the wind and

I will not neglect your word.             —Psalm 119:16 A single verse of scripture has captured the attention and transformed the lives of many, including Augustine, Martin Luther, Jonathan Edwards, and Charles Spurgeon. This verse—“But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the

[T]o each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.                —Ephesians 4:7 “Do you have anything to do that’s more important?” he asked me. As a matter of fact, I did. He was insisting that I drop what I was doing and follow his agenda.

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.              —Psalm 118:24 Her purchases had been paid for and bagged. As she turned to walk away, the perky clerk said, “Have a good day.” Queen bee did a 180 and hissed, “Young lady,

Man’s days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months.                        —Job 14:5 Hurricane Harvey made landfall near Rockport, Texas, August 26, 2017. Officials ordered a mandatory evacuation. Rockport Mayor Pro Tem Patrick Rios asked residents who refused to leave to write their

I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.                         —Psalm 23:6 The only thing that can keep you out of heaven is . . . you! Your spouse can’t. Your parent can’t. Your enemy can’t. Nothing and no one can keep you

I care very little if I am judged by you.                  —1 Corinthians 4:3 Fear of displeasing others gives them control which only you and God should have. There will always be somebody who wants to control you. But when pleasing people becomes your primary focus, your vision

[E]ncourage one another daily.                 —Hebrews 3:13 Ben Byrum was lonely. Ben had been to a nearby church a few times but didn’t feel welcome or wanted. He decided to go one more time; walk in and sit down. If no one spoke to him before the service

[D]o not be afraid of them.     —Matthew 10:26 Peter and John were ordered by the Sanhedrin to quit talking about Jesus. “With all due respect, sirs, that isn’t going to happen. You crucified him, but God raised him from the dead. We must speak about what we have seen and heard.” Fear caused