A Clay Jar

Encouraging, comforting, and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. (1 Thess. 2:12 NIV)

Faith

curse the fig tree

Why Did Jesus Curse the Fig Tree – Matthew 21:18-22

Published:

Updated:

One of the stranger stories in the gospels concerns Jesus cursing a fruitless fig tree. What is the point of this? Why is it in our Bibles?

hiddenness of God

The Hiddenness of God: An Objection to God’s Existence

Published:

Updated:

Why does God seem hidden? Does he not want us to believe that he exists? Or does he want more? To have us respond to him in faith and love.

Faith without works is dead

Faith Without Works is Dead – James 2:17

Published:

Updated:

James calls on us to test our faith. Is it active and fruitful? Or is it only an intellectual acknowledgement. Faith without works is dead and useless.

shield of faith

Take Up the Shield of Faith – Ephesians 6:16

Published:

Updated:

Our enemy, the devil, will be firing flaming arrows at us, seeking to cripple our effectiveness. Deflect them with the shield of faith.

Defining Eternal Life: Who, What, When, and How

Published:

Updated:

Eternal life as defined in the New Testament is much more than just living forever. Eternal life is relational. It is knowing the triune God.

the Lord is my rock

The Lord Is My Rock – 2 Samuel 22:1-3

Published:

Updated:

My hope is in God. Even should all else around me fail, I can trust in him. He is my deliverer. My Savior. The Lord is my rock.

entrusted to Christ

What I have Entrusted to Christ- 2 Timothy 1:12

Published:

Updated:

In what do you trust? Much of what we might trust in will fail. Only what is entrusted into God's hands is secure. Trust him with your life.

the doctrine of salvation

The Doctrine of Salvation

Published:

Updated:

The doctrine of salvation encompasses our initial salvation experience, our ongoing walk with Christ, and our final deliverance.

Abram Believed the Lord – Genesis 15:6

Published:

Updated:

Abraham had every reason in the world to doubt what God had promised him. But he believed, and God counted that belief as righteousness.

pursue righteousness

Flee Ungodliness; Pursue Righteousness- 1 Timothy 6:11

Published:

Updated:

As a 'man of God,' I need to flee ungodliness in all its forms. Instead, I should pursue righteousness, godliness, and other godly virtues.

Faith and a Good Conscience

Faith and a Good Conscience – 1 Timothy 1:19

Published:

Updated:

As a believer, how important is it to hold onto faith and a good conscience? According to Paul, it is absolutely vital. Hold tightly to them.

With God, everything is possible

Everything Is Possible – Mark 9:23

Published:

Updated:

To the one who believes, and does not doubt, everything is possible. Nothing God calls us to do will be impossible for the one who believes.