Joe Barnett

Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you.          —Psalm 55:22 “There are some burdens we must bear alone,” goes the saying. It sure seems that way sometimes, doesn’t it? But at the deepest and most encouraging level, it isn’t true. The New International Version has Psalm 68:19 this […]

Let the little children come to me.                        —Luke 18:16 A fictional story pictures a famous architect gazing proudly at his magnificent, just-completed cathedral. Then, his eye is drawn to a scrawny waif at his elbow. Abused? Abandoned? Homeless? If he had to make a

Do nothing out of selfish ambition.                 —Philippians 2:3 Wanting to do what we do as well as it can be done is a healthy ambition. On the other hand, a desire to get top billing and snag the lion’s share of credit is a misguided ambition. “Do

Go and do likewise.     —Luke 10:37 “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” a lawyer asked Jesus. “What is written in the Law?” Jesus responded. “Love the Lord your God . . . and love your neighbor as yourself,” replied the counselor. “You have answered correctly,” Jesus said. “And who is my

I trust in your word.    —Psalm 119:42 At 5 a.m. on July 17, 1938, Douglas Corrigan lifted off in a beat-up plane in New York City, destined for Los Angeles on a nonstop solo flight across America. Twenty-eight hours later, he landed—in Dublin, Ireland. Crawling out of his cockpit, he said to curious bystanders,

Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.       —Galatians 6:7 At Aristotle’s bidding, Alexander the Great took scientists with him on his Hellenistic crusade. They were to collect flora and fauna for Aristotle to analyze. “Why, if you plant an acorn in the ground, doesn’t it produce an elephant?” asked Aristotle.

They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.        —Luke 16:29 The rich man begged Father Abraham to send Lazarus to warn his brothers to straighten up. “If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets,” Abraham said, “they will not be convinced if someone rises from the dead”

This is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.”     —1 John 5:4 J.D. Armstrong’s two-story home was on fire. He herded his wife and three children to the front door to make their escape. Suddenly, Todd, the youngest, ran back upstairs, unnoticed by his parents. The terrified child appeared at the window,

Help me overcome my unbelief.                   —Mark 9:24 There was a mixture in the heart of the father of the demon-possessed child—a hybrid of belief and unbelief. He pleaded with Jesus, “If you can do anything, take pity on us.” Jesus replied, “Everything is possible for him

Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him.           —Luke 24:31 Two disappointed disciples left Jerusalem and headed home. Their leader was dead. Game over. As they walked, Jesus joined them. But they didn’t recognize him. Disappointment can do that to you. It can blind you to the presence of