Joe Barnett

When Jesus heard this, he was astonished.                     —Matthew 8:10 The gospels cite the amazement of Jesus only twice. On the one hand, he was amazed by the lack of faith of his own people, the Jews. In his home town he was ridiculed and rejected. […]

Blessed are you, Simon.      —Matthew 16:17 “Who do you say I am?” Jesus asked. “You are the Christ,” Peter answered: “Now I’m going to tell you who you are,” Jesus said. “You are Peter, a rock” (MSG). But hold the phone! Moments later, when Peter took Jesus to task for predicting his death,

Don’t be afraid; just believe.             —Luke 8:50 One was a well-known man with a dying daughter; the other an unknown woman with an incurable illness. He (Jairus) was an important synagogue official; she (name unknown) was an anonymous nobody. He was about to lose a daughter that had given

Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.    —Mark 5:34 The dear woman had been ill for twelve miserable years. “[A] long succession of physicians had treated her, and treated her badly, taking all her money and leaving her worse off than before” (Mk 5:26 MSG). Give up? Not this lady! She stealthily

Lord, teach us to pray.         —Luke 11:1 Jesus’ life was a ministry of healing, helping, and hope—all immersed in prayer. He laid his heart and his concerns at the feet of the Father. Model your prayers after his. His prayers were submissive: “[N]ot as I will, but as you will” (Mt

How many loaves do you have?               —Mark 6:38 The crowd was large. The hour was late. So Jesus’ disciples urged him to call it a day and send the hungry horde home for dinner. “You give them something to eat,” Jesus said. He had to be kidding, right?

We’ve spent this week talking about words. Here are some final thoughts. He who holds his tongue is wise.               —Proverbs 10:19 You don’t have to explain something you haven’t said. —Calvin Coolidge Keep in mind that you are more interested in what you have to say than anyone

This week we’re talking about words Let your conversation be always full of grace.   —Colossians 4:6 If it goes without saying, let it. You don’t have to attend every argument you’re invited to. Be slow to believe what you hear about others, and even slower to repeat it. What you say about others often

This week we’re talking about words Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord.                   —Psalm 141:3 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord (Ps 19:14) Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of