Joe Barnett

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened.       —Ephesians 1:18 Do you find your time and attention consumed with material possessions? Paul didn’t pray for the growth of his friends’ financial resources; he prayed that the eyes of their heart (their understanding, KJV) would be enlightened. He was […]

He chose us in him before the creation of the world.                                            —Ephesians 1:4 Ephesians chapter one is filled with thrill. It tells you that God has chosen you, adopted you, redeemed you, forgiven you,

At the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.           —Galatians 6:9 Patience. Yawn … ZZzzz. Halford Luccock called patience the “ho-hum” virtue. John Chrysostom, on the other hand, called it “the queen of virtues.” Failure can more often be chalked up to lack of

A man reaps what he sows.          —Galatians 6:7 You harvest what you plant. It is that simple. And that certain. Some people limp through life feeling mistreated—by spouse, parent, child, teacher, employer, co-worker, friend. And maybe they are. You may have been dealt a sorry hand and have a long list

Carry each other’s burdens.          —Galatians 6:2 Some scriptures wait on us for their fulfillment. For instance, the words “encourage one another and build each other up” (1 Thess. 5:11) just sit on the page until we act on them and make them come alive. Here’s a way to breathe life into

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.                —Galatians 5:25 Murder, hatred, adultery, idolatry, envy, drunkenness, gossip, selfishness. Run your eye over that list and divide it into “Big Sins” and “Little Sins.” Murder and idolatry probably made your “Big Sins” list.

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.                               —Galatians 5:24 Michael Gay received third-degree burns pulling Jodi Oakes from her burning car. “It’s only because of him that I’m alive today,” she

The acts of the sinful nature are obvious.                         —Galatians 5:19 The light rail line in Houston, Texas, has been a fiasco of cars crashing into trains. In spite of dozens of posted “Do Not Turn” signs, illegal turns have been the cause of

When the time had fully come, God sent his Son.                                 —Galatians 4:4 She had made some bad choices and was now trying to turn her life around. “I have taken the first step toward God,” she said. “I’m hoping

Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor.     —2 Corinthians 8:9 Jesus’ sacrifice wasn’t only in what he gave, but also in what he gave up. He gave up heaven for earth, divinity for humanity, a throne for a cross, and wealth for poverty. Here is a verse that should