Joe Barnett

We should make plans— counting on God to direct us.         —Proverbs 16:9 TLB There’s a vast genre of books and workshops on goal setting, covering everything from sales goals, corporate goals, private business goals, and personal goals. A basic ingredient is the time dimension: My goal is to get to this

We will reap a harvest if we do not give up.    —Galatians 6:9 I secretly nicknamed him “Yowbut.” He had an impressive supply of talent—and a boatload of pessimism. No matter how well things were going, his catchphrase was, “Yeah, but it won’t last.” I secretly nicknamed her “Imdone.” She had extraordinary skills and

When it is full-grown, [it] gives birth to death.                                    —James 1:15 “Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and

No one should say, “God is tempting me.”      —James 1:13 Trials are seldom silent. They’re loud. Chaotic. Hostile. Malicious. In-your-face. Temptations, on the other hand, are subtle. Shrewd. Devious. Cunning. Sneaky. James wrote of the blessedness of the person who “perseveres under trial” (Jas 1:12). And Peter wrote of those who suffered “in

Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you.             —Psalm 50:15 You say: I can’t go on. God says: My grace is sufficient for you (2 Cor 12:9). You say: I’m tired. God says: I will give you rest (Mt 11:28). You say: I can’t do

To me, to live is Christ.    —Philippians 1:21 Living a good life. Attending church. Knowing the right doctrines. All are important, but do they capture what Paul meant when he wrote, “To me, to live is Christ”? In Philippians 3, Paul draws up his profit-and-loss account. In one column, he lists the things that

We have different gifts.      —Romans 12:6 He had an agenda. It wasn’t an agenda for him; it was an agenda for me. He was tenacious: there was no doubt in his mind about what I should do. When I hesitated, he said, “Do you have anything to do that’s more important than this?”

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others.                     —1 Peter 4:10 I often think of people I’ve known who have used their gifts to bless others. I think of Don. He was a dud at public speaking, but a genius

Command those who are rich . . . not to put their hope in wealth.               —1 Timothy 6:17 James didn’t beat around the bush. He scorched the self-centered wealthy: “Your life on the earth has been one of luxury, pleasure, and endless consumption” (Jas 5:5 VOICE). Or, as

Do not judge, and you will not be judged.                               —Luke 6:37 Here are five resolutions that will nudge you to make a U-turn when you catch yourself plodding in judgmental mud. I resolve to remember that I will be weighed