Joe Barnett

I cry out to you, O God, but you do not answer.         —Job 30:20 Sometimes prayer feels like shooting an arrow into the dark; or reaching for a hand you cannot find. You’ve probably felt Job’s despair: “I cry out to you, O God, but you do not answer.” You pray, […]

I will show you my faith by what I do.                         —James 2:18 There is a lot of truth in the well-worn prayer: “We have done things which we ought not to have done and left undone things which we ought to have done.”

He always lives to intercede for them.                      —Hebrews 7:25 Jesus prayed for the small group of disciples that companied with him. And then—long before you were born—he prayed for you: “I am not praying only for these men but for all those who will believe

The Father … has entrusted all judgment to the Son.          —John 5:22 We are judged. Every day … By the face that looks back at us from the mirror. By the people we love, and the people we don’t. By what our children do, and don’t do. By the roads we

No one comes to the Father except through me.     —John 14:6 Some think a Christian is someone who believes certain things: inspiration of Scripture, virgin birth, resurrection. Some think a Christian is someone who does certain things: goes to church, gets baptized, takes communion. Some think a Christian is just a nice guy,

Let us examine our ways and test them.                 —Lamentations 3:40 When you look in the mirror, what do you see that you like? And what stares back at you that makes you squirm? Of all the things you’ve done in your life, what is the one you’re

We have this hope as an anchor … firm and secure.       —Hebrews 6:19 There are times when all is well in your world. Health is shipshape. Job is secure. Family is happy. But you live next door to a world where all is not well. An accident has turned the life of

He did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.           —Matthew 12:58 Have you tied Jesus’ hands; prevented him from doing great things in you and through you because of anemic faith? Are you less than bold in prayer, thinking he won’t—or can’t—answer? Are you praying timidly,

Because I live, you also will live.                —John 14:19 Woody Allen said, “I’m not afraid of death; I just don’t want to be there when it happens.” For many, the thought of death is a terrifying. Heb. 2:15 points a bony finger at “those who all their lives

I thank my God every time I remember you.                                —Philippians 1:3 When someone posts you a birthday card, a note, or a “tell-her-hi-for-me,” you get the message that you have been something special to them; have planted a bit of