Joe Barnett

We are going up to Jerusalem.                —Mark 10:33 Jesus turned water into wine and sinners into saints. He empowered disciples and excoriated hypocrites. He walked on water and patched up paralytics. He preached all day and prayed all night. He healed the sick and raised the dead. But […]

Your sins are forgiven.        —Luke 7:48 She dared to crash the party and wash Jesus’ feet with her tears. Accustomed to being scorned, she ignored the contempt of the Pharisee host. Jesus, too, brushed off the censure of the self-righteous host and said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.” Most commentators

Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man.                          —Matthew 7:24 The world says: “The way to win is to follow your dreams.” Jesus says: “The way to win is to follow me.” The world

Make the most of every opportunity.                    —Colossians 4:5 Today you will see everything for the first and the last time. You will see your grandchild for the first time, because it’s not the same child you saw yesterday; and the last time, because tomorrow the child

All Scripture is God-breathed.            —2 Timothy 3:16 There is incredible power in the ABC’s, the 26 letters of our alphabet. Everything you learned in school was communicated to you through those 26 letters. Everything people say to you is made up of those 26 letters. Everything you know about God

Our Father in heaven.      —Matthew 6:9 Most of us know The Lord’s Prayer by heart; a good thing, but putting us in danger of mouthing words without giving much thought to what we’re saying. What are we saying when we pray, “Your will be done”? We are saying we want God to do

Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him.            —Luke 24:31 Jesus seldom comes with fanfare and fireworks. He usually comes quietly, unexpected. Future apostles were slogging through their regular 9 to 5 when he tapped them on the shoulder with a quiet “Follow me.” A lost and lonely Samaritan

So that in him we might become the righteousness of God.            —2 Corinthians 5:21 God enters the Garden and asks Adam and Eve two questions … “Where are you?” They’re hiding; ashamed and afraid. “What is this you have done?” The one thing God told them not to do is

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,