Joe Barnett

I am the resurrection and the life.                 —John 11:25 We don’t get drowsy reading tales of nail-biting escapes from a burning building, a sinking ship, a sleazebag human trafficker, a toxic relationship, a life-threatening accident. The Bible is full of escape stories. Lot’s escape from Sodom. Isaac’s […]

God sent his Son. —Galatians 4:4 “The happiest day of my life,” said eighty-three-year-old Martha, “was the day I became engaged.” “Do you remember why that brought you such happiness?” “I think it was the realization that somebody really wanted me.” That pretty much gets to the heart of things. It’s life-changing to be wanted.

His father saw him and was filled with compassion for him.             —Luke 15:20 He took half of his dad’s money, swaggered off to Acapulco and blew it on booze and bimbos. Now he’s heading home because he’s broke and hungry. And catch this! His dad throws a party for

Bless those who curse you.           —Luke 6:28 Some of Jesus’ teachings are out of sync with the mindset of our times. Some of us go to church these days to hear a message that will make us feel good about ourselves. Words like “ought” and “must” and “should” give us

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.        —Philippians 3:13 I’ve been in this apartment fourteen years. It’s time for a change. I’m moving. If you remember your last move, you know why I get chills thinking about it. What to keep? What to toss? Most of my stuff is

What do I still lack?  —Matthew 19:20 He was rich, but unfulfilled. So he came to Jesus with a question: “What must I do to get eternal life?” Obey the commandments. Done that. What else must I do? Sell your possessions and give to the poor. That hill was too steep to climb, for he

I thank my God every time I remember you.                               —Philippians 1:3 When someone posts you a birthday card or texts you a Thank You note, you’re being told that you are special to them; that you have implanted a bit

He did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.        —Matthew 13:58 The big fish in Jesus’ hometown were amazed at his teaching—and he was amazed at their lack of faith (Mk 6:2, 6). They’d known him since he was a kid riding his bike on their sidewalks. They

What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?                      —Mark 8:36 One of the temptations Satan threw at Jesus was this: showing him all the kingdoms of the world, he said, “I will give it all to you

If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.                          —Mark 4:23 God’s grace includes anyone who will accept it . . . “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink” (Jn 7:37). “If anyone is in Christ, he is a