Joe Barnett

No mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.                 —1 Corinthians 2:9 With a couple of kids in the back seat, a trip to grandma’s house can be downright chaotic. It’s a war zone back there … “You got to sit by the […]

We do not lose heart. —2 Corinthians 4:16 The reason behind Paul’s “We do not lose heart” was this: “our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Cor. 4:17). That wasn’t a spurt of sing-and-be-happy drivel. Paul knew what it was to hurt: he had

Cast your cares on the Lord.                 —Psalm 55:22 He offered him $250,000 a year to do all his worrying for him, and he accepted faster than you can count to 10 by 5s. The new-hire’s first question was, “Where are you going to get the $250,000?” “That’s

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.              —Psalm 37:7 Dear God, When I have to cope with the irritable the demanding the critical the unreasonable teach me to be still and wait patiently for you. When I am tempted to disgrace my Christian calling by being

He knew what was in a man.                  —John 2:25 You can’t fool God: “O Lord, you have searched me and you know me.” (Ps. 139:1). God is onto people who honor him with their lips, but don’t have their heart in it (Matt. 15:8). He knows everything

How long will you lie there, you sluggard?                             —Proverbs 6:9 Before leaving for an appointment, Ebenezer Webster laid out the day’s chores for his sons Daniel and Ezekiel. He returned at the end of the day and found they had done

We … are being transformed into his likeness.                          —2 Corinthians 3:18  Love. “Serve one another in love” (Gal. 5:13). Encourage. “Encourage one another and build each other up” (1 Thess. 5:11). Shine. “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.                  —Galatians 5:25 You have choices to make today … Choose love—Love never fails. Choose joy—Wherever the day takes you, let it find you with a smile. Choose peace—Peace with God; peace with others;

Put off your old self.   —Ephesians 4:22 There is no one you can change but yourself. You can threaten, coerce, and manipulate others; but you can’t change them. You wish you could, because you think things would be better if you could do a makeover of certain people. But you can’t. And that’s good

Every good and perfect gift is from above.                                —James 1:17 Weeks before Christmas children live in excited anticipation of the presents they will open on that magic morning. They think they know—but aren’t quite certain—what is hidden beneath paper and