Joe Barnett

Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.             —Proverbs 2:11 Growing old is inevitable. Growing up is optional. The contented person is never poor; the discontented never rich. The heaviest thing you can carry is a grudge. Conceit is a strange disease—it makes everyone sick except the one […]

He who walks with the wise grows wise.                      —Proverbs 13:20 Aphorisms say much in few words. I’ve gathered bouquets of some of my favorites to pass along to you for the next five days. You don’t have to be successful to start, but you have

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.     —Psalm 119:105 Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible. Spend some reading time there today. Here are a few of the golden nuggets you will find … God’s Word gives you knowledge, understanding, insight, discernment, wisdom, hope,

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.               —Psalm 46:1 Some seek refuge in money—a benefit, but not a sure shelter. Some in medicine—a blessing, but not a never-failing remedy. Some in education—an asset, but not a cure-all. Some in non-stop activity—a diversion, but not

Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought.         —Romans 12:3 When you rejoice in the accomplishments of those more gifted than you—this is victory. When others have strengths where you have weaknesses and you cheer them on—this is victory. When others are praised or promoted and you continue to

Momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.                       —2 Corinthians 4:17 Paul Harvey’s The Rest of the Story exhibited his genius for telling true stories that had bad beginnings but good endings. Christians aren’t spared painful passages; most

Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?          —Job 2:10 For some it only takes one balloon to launch a pity-party … a traffic jam; a cantankerous clerk; a critical comment. Why do bad things always happen to me? What have I done to deserve this? Here’s a suggestion for

Five Days of Prayer – Day 5 It is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.                —Philippians 2:13 Dear God, Sometimes I don’t want to do your will. But I want to want to. Sometimes I don’t want to do

Five Days of Prayer – Day 4 You who pass judgment do the same things.                           —Romans 2:1 Dear God, I am often guilty of the flaws I find offensive in others … I am judgmental of those who are judgmental. I am

Five Days of Prayer – Day 3 You are a shield around me, O Lord.                         —Psalm 3:3 Dear God, I thank you often for obvious blessings: family, friends, food. But there are many favors I take for granted; I fail to thank because