Joe Barnett

Teach us to number our days aright.                          —Psalm 90:12 A guy named Albert perched on the same barstool in a Pub in Buffalo, NY, every night the last twenty years of his life. Even though he was there every night, no one really […]

Say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.”            —Hebrews 13:6 The author of Hebrews is big on the Christian living confidently . . . He urges us to “hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory” (3:6). He exhorts us to

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.                                —Matthew 5:10 It’s a jarring jump from peacemaking to persecution. But there is an unavoidable clash when irreconcilable value systems intersect. An anything-goes culture

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.               —Matthew 5:9 It is appropriate that “Blessed are the peacemakers” follows “Blessed are the pure in heart,” for “the wisdom that comes from God is first of all pure; then peaceful” (Jas 3:17 NCV). In country,

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.     —Matthew 5:8 Jesus deals with our conception of purity of heart later in this chapter, specifically citing the polluting influence of anger and lust, (vv. 22, 28). But expositors define the pure in heart in this verse as those who are single-minded;

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.                 —Matthew 5:7 Awareness of how merciful God has been to us should compel us to be merciful to others. “The Lord is compassionate and gracious . . . he does not treat us as our sins deserve”

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.                     —Matthew 5:6 Robust spiritual health requires a hearty appetite for righteousness. Unblemished righteousness is beyond our reach, but must never be beyond our longing. Jesus did not say, “Blessed are those

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.           —Matthew 5:5 The Greek word for “meek” means gentle, humble, considerate, courteous. Therefore, as John Stott observed, the meek person is one who exercises “self-control, without which these qualities would be impossible.” Meekness is not weakness; the meek are strong,

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.        —Matthew 5:4 The mourner here is not one who grieves over earthly loss, but one who mourns over their sin; their loss of innocence, righteousness, and self-respect. Our sins bring sorrow—causing grief to us, to those we love, to God . .

Today’s post begins the third volume of A Daily Walk in the Word. We have written and posted two years of 365 daily essays—a total of 730. Jesus began the Sermon on the Mount with the beatitudes, and I’ve felt an urge to begin this volume with those qualities. So the next eight posts will