We seem to be most impressed with the strong and powerful, the talented, and the physically beautiful. They receive more attention and have more influence than other people do. But what we find attractive and appealing in people is not the same as what God is looking for. God delights in those who fear him… Continue reading God Delights in Those Who Fear Him – Ps. 147:10-11
Author: A Clay Jar
I Will Exalt You My God – Psalm 145:1-2
I will exalt you, my God the King;I will praise your name for ever and ever.Every day I will praise youand extol your name for ever and ever. Psalm 145:1-2 NIV What a wonderful psalm of exaltation and praise this is. The psalmist recounts some of the attributes of God and exalts him for them.… Continue reading I Will Exalt You My God – Psalm 145:1-2
Rahab: Faith in Action – Joshua 2:8-9
Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. Joshua… Continue reading Rahab: Faith in Action – Joshua 2:8-9
Why Are You So Afraid? – Matthew 8:26
He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. Matthew 8:26 NIV Jesus and his disciples were in a small boat crossing the Sea of Galilee when a sudden storm hit the lake, and waves began to… Continue reading Why Are You So Afraid? – Matthew 8:26
The Example of the Early Church – Acts 2:42-47
There is a passage in the book of Acts that I have been drawn to recently. This passage describes the life of the church in the earliest days after Pentecost. And I am wondering if maybe what worked for them might not also work in the church today? Are we daring enough to break from our… Continue reading The Example of the Early Church – Acts 2:42-47
The Parables of the Precious – Matthew 13:44-46
One of the tools Jesus used in his teaching was the parable; a simple story using common every day circumstances that had something to say to his hearers, both then and now. A parable is kind of like an object lesson, and Jesus used them often to illustrate spiritual truths. Some of these parables were very… Continue reading The Parables of the Precious – Matthew 13:44-46
The Parable of the Rich Fool – Luke 12:13-21
How important are things to you? I would be the first to admit that I have lots of stuff. Far more stuff than I need to survive, or even to live a comfortable life. But how important is all that stuff to me? Would it ruin my life if any of it went away? Is… Continue reading The Parable of the Rich Fool – Luke 12:13-21
The Lost and Found Parables – Luke 15:3-32
Luke records 3 of Jesus’ parables in the 15th chapter of his account of Jesus ministry. These three parables, typically identified as the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Prodigal Son, are given in response to criticism Jesus received from the religious leadership of his day. Seems like Jesus was hanging out with people… Continue reading The Lost and Found Parables – Luke 15:3-32
The Exaltation of Jesus – Philippians 2:5-11
One of my favorite passages of scripture is in Paul’s letter to the Philippians, which appears to be a quote of an early Christian hymn or creed. A hymn of exaltation for Jesus and what he has done for us. And since Philippians was written by 62 AD, it would have indeed been an early hymn.… Continue reading The Exaltation of Jesus – Philippians 2:5-11
Going into the Mountains to Pray – Matthew 14:23
I enjoy going up into the mountains to get away from all the distractions that swirl around me every day. So you would have to expect that I am going to latch onto what I think may be my new favorite verse in the Bible. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a… Continue reading Going into the Mountains to Pray – Matthew 14:23