Joe Barnett

Christ Jesus … is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.                        —Romans 8:34 In the courtroom , jurors cringe when ghastly murder photos are presented. The scene in Herod’s banquet hall was far worse—a grisly display of John the […]

Do everything without complaining.                      Philippians 2:14 Caryl Fry, a caring third grade teacher, was always available to her students for a one-on-one. All they had to do was request a meeting in writing. One of her students jotted this note: Mrs. Fry, Can I git

Rejoice in the Lord always. —Philippians 4:4 Is something sabotaging your happiness? Fill in the blank: “I will be happy when ­­______________.” If that ever happens will you really be happy? And if it never happens—if your dream never materializes, your situation never changes, can you be happy anyway? Think for a moment of what

Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.                —Psalm 103:2 Father, sometimes I forget. Sometimes I forget to thank you for a refreshing night’s rest. Thank you for not forgetting to grant me rejuvenating sleep. Sometimes I forget to thank you for the gift

Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult.      —1 Peter 3:9 They filled their cups at the coffee bar. One paid for both and politely thanked the cashier, who didn’t respond. “Sullen dude, isn’t he?” said his friend. “Oh, he’s that way every day,” he shrugged. “Then why do you continue

Keep your tongue from evil.             —Psalm 34:13 Paul called them depraved and named their sins: evil, greed, depravity, envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. Then added gossip and slander (Rom. 1:29, 30). Gossip is in bad company. Today let’s declare war on gossip. It won’t be easy, for “there

Do not go about spreading slander.               —Leviticus 19:16 Alfred Hitchcock was a mischievous prankster. One of his favorite monkeyshines was to step out of a crowded elevator shaking his head and saying, “I didn’t know the gun was loaded.” The door would slide closed behind him, leaving an

They are not busy; they are busybodies.                    —2 Thessalonians 3:11 “Peter, there’s something I want you to do after I’m gone,” said Jesus: “Feed my lambs; take care of my sheep.” “But Lord, what about him?” Peter asked, pointing at John. “That’s none of your business,”

Each one should use whatever gift he has received.                —1 Peter 4:10 Rich Karlgaard is Publisher of FORBES magazine. Since FORBES is primarily a money periodical, Karlgaard’s Money and Meaning editorial probably caught most readers off guard. “Money is nice,” he began … “But in the final analysis

The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.                         —1 Timothy 6:10 From his London suite Robert Maxwell took the elevator to the roof, where he stepped into his helicopter that whisked him to his pad at the airport. His