Joe Barnett

You will forget the Lord your God.              —Deuteronomy 8:14 God pummeled Pharaoh with plagues until he released the Israelite slaves. That was just the beginning of his blessings to Israel. He orchestrated their Red Sea escape, protected them from fierce enemies, provided water and food, and clothes that didn’t

Be careful that you do not forget the Lord.                          —Deuteronomy 8:11 Alzheimer’s! Scary word. We all know someone who has it. We have seen its devastation. A memory lapse triggers a haunting feeling that we may be headed for the twilight zone of

The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.         —Numbers 6:26 Is someone making your life miserable? An always-on-your-case parent? A you-can’t-do-anything-right spouse? An out-of-control child? A know-it-all associate? A cantankerous church member? Do thoughts that splinter your peace go something like this: If only my spouse was more

Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge.                         —Leviticus 19:18 Revenge and grudge-bearing is a dead-end street—and the name of the street is Misery Lane. Revenge is like biting a dog because the dog bit you. Harboring a grudge hurts no one but

You shall not covet. —Exodus 20:17 Francis de Sales allegedly heard more confessions than any Catholic priest. He said that he never once heard anyone confess covetousness. We don’t confess it because we don’t think we’re guilty of it; covetousness is seldom recognized by its victim. Yet, it ranks high among human flaws. A lopsided

You shall have no other gods before me.                         —Exodus 20:3 If you’re finding peace of mind elusive it may be because you’re looking for it in the wrong places. Rather than seeking it in the God who owns the world, are you searching

The Lord will reign for ever and ever.                                  —Exodus 15:18 The wind started blowing, the sea started parting, and two million Israelites trotted across the sea bed on dry ground. Now God had their attention! “When the Israelites saw

Then a new king, who did not know about Joseph, came to power.                         —Exodus 1:8 Who was Harry Truman’s Vice President? Who won Super Bowl XXXII? Who was the Democratic Presidential nominee in 1988? Who won the Academy Award for Best Actress in

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.                  —Genesis 50:20 The things that happened to Joseph were puzzling and faith-challenging: sold into slavery by jealous brothers; jailed because of the false accusation of a lying woman; forgotten and forsaken by those he helped. It

I will be with you and will bless you.                                  —Genesis 26:3 What’s holding you back? Does the task seem too big? The project too long? The problem too great? The habit too ingrained? The hurt too intense? The resentment