Joe Barnett

He walked in the ways of his father.            —2 Chronicles 20:32 Their father was dead. Of the left-behind sons, Bunyan’s Greatheart said, “If they see any place where the old pilgrim hath lain, or any print of his foot, it ministereth joy to their hearts, and they covet to lie […]

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.        —Proverbs 16:18 Arrogance zaps nations. The Edomites were a cocky bunch. “No one can bring me down” they crowed. “I will bring you down,” said the Lord (Obad. 3, 4). And how about Babylon? “I will put an end to the arrogance

Whoever is kind to the needy honors God.                     —Proverbs 14:31 Discipleship isn’t a five-star, flashy production. It’s played out in the everyday bumps and bruises of life in little things, thoughtful things, loving things. It’s a handwritten note, a hug, doing lunch with someone who

He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord.                     —Proverbs 19:17 Wendy keeps bottled water and peanut butter crackers in her car to give to down-and-outers who stroll the medians at major intersections: Hungry — Laid Off — Will Work for Food. Wendy

Who despises the day of small things?                     —Zechariah 4:10 Are you doing big, bold, headline-grabbing things? Maybe not. But you’re doing small, subtle, kindhearted things that make your corner of the world better. Think what you do is unimportant? It isn’t. What you consider of

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you.                 —John 15:16 In Romans 12 Paul said, “we have different gifts,” and in 1 Corinthians 12 he teaches that each of us has our designated niche in the church. Your gift is matched to the

Night is coming, when no one can work.                           —John 9:4 Before long all our earthly resources will be left behind: every nickel and every knack. The fruit of our words, works, and wealth will also be left behind. We’re bunking here in

Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.        —Mark 13:33 Jesus is coming again. That is certain. Nobody knows when. That is equally certain. “You do not know on what day your Lord will come” (Mt. 24:42). That hasn’t deterred date-setters. There’s a long list of self-declared prophets who

Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God.    —Deuteronomy 8:11 When Moses delivered his valedictory to Israel he charged them to remember how God had blessed them; then gave them fair warning that when they became prosperous, built ritzy houses, and wined and dined in luxury, they would be in danger

Do this … in remembrance of me.        —1 Corinthians 11:25 In preparation for their exodus from Egypt, Moses ordered each Israelite family to kill a lamb, brush its blood on the doorframe of their house, then roast the lamb and eat it with bitter herbs and bread made without yeast—the Passover meal.