Author Archives: kenbarnes

Next to them the Tekoites made repairs; but their nobles did not put their shoulders to the work of their Lord. (Nehemiah 3:5 NKJV)   When Nehemiah was building the wall around Jerusalem, a short statement is recorded, which should speak volumes to us about the value of work. I once led a discipleship training […]

The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. 6 So the Lord was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke his heart. (Genesis 6:5-6 NLT)   These two Bible verses record […]

But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. (2 Peter 3:8 NLT) It was during the 1970s when a book called “The Late Great Planet Earth” by Hal Lindsay was popular. We all expected Lord’s return […]

“But when this happens, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, I will honor you, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, my servant. I will make you like a signet ring on my finger, says the Lord, for I have chosen you. I, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!” (Haggai 2:23 NLT)   When God called Zerubbabel […]

“You have said, ‘What’s the use of serving God? What have we gained by obeying his commands or by trying to show the Lord of Heaven’s Armies that we are sorry for our sins?  (Malachi 3:14 NLT)   As a Christian, if you haven’t felt like the people of Malachi’s day, at some point you […]

If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king.  But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or […]

The crucible is for silver and the furnace for gold,And each is tested by the praise accorded him.  (Proverbs 27:21 NASB) Most people enjoy a good compliment, yet the praise afforded you, if not appropriately received, can be more detrimental to your character than your trials. Trials such as uncomplimentary things people may say about […]

Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. For each one will bear his own load.  (Galatians 6:2,5 NASB)    There seems to be an apparent contradiction between verses two and five. There are times when we all have burdens so oppressive that we need some help, yet we should never let […]

Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. For each one will bear his own load.  (Galatians 6:2,5 NASB)    There seems to be an apparent contradiction between verses two and five. There are times when we all have burdens so oppressive that we need some help, yet we should never let […]