thoughts by Phil Ware Archives - Page 17 of 23

Published October 13, 2018

Wonderful Promises

“Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” —
2 Corinthians 7:1

Thought

God has blessed us with so many wonderful promises. He has secured them through the sending of his Son “to conquer death and bring life and immortality to life.” He will “transform our lowly bodies to be like his glorious body.” He will take us home to be with him eternally, but until that day, he will live inside us and reveal himself to us. He will make us more than conquerors and will not allow anything to separate us from his love. So what should our response be? Yes, sure we should offer him praise. But, we must not limit our praise to words. God wants our lives to be pure, staying away from what is evil, vile, putrid, and corrupt. He wants us to do this, not so we can claim some moral superiority, but so that we can show him our adoration and reverence. In our desire to offer God praise, let’s not forget that one of the greatest ways to praise him is to seek him in purity and holiness!

Prayer

Forgive me, Heavenly Father, for my sins. Purify my heart and cast out any foothold the devil may have in me because of my sin. Empower me to holiness and accept my life as an offering of praise and thanks to you. In the name of Jesus, I offer you my heart, my life, and my all. Amen.

By Phil Ware

Used by Permission
From http://www.heartlight.org

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We Don’t Control Tomorrow

Published October 11, 2018

We Don’t Control Tomorrow

“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.” Proverbs 27:1

Thought

Humility about the future! We don’t control tomorrow. At other times in our lives we may have taken tomorrow for granted; not so anymore. Tomorrow may not come. Tomorrow something horrible could happen. Tomorrow everything we possess could be gone. In the face of these discouraging possibilities, is there anything positive we can hold onto? Absolutely! We know that God holds tomorrow in his hands. We know that because our life is hidden with Christ in God (cf. Colossians 3:1-4) our tomorrow is secure. It might not be what we expect. It might not go as we planned. But, it will go as God determines and it will end up with us sharing in his comfort, victory, and glory.

Prayer

Father, my tomorrows all rest in your hands. I ask that I can be useful to you today; courageous enough not to worry about tomorrow, and loyal enough to not waver in my love for you and my commitment to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

By Phil Ware

Used by Permission
From: Phil’s daily devotionals on http://www.verseoftheday.com

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Bear With Each Other

Colossians 3:13 Bear with one another and forgive one another

Published June 29, 2018

Bear With Each Other

“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13

Thought

How can I not forgive a brother or sister for whom Christ died, when I know what God paid to forgive me?

Prayer

Holy Father, I commit today to release any grudge or bitterness that I have against one of your children. I am sorry for not reflecting your grace and mercy which you lavished on me. Abba Father, I need the help of your Holy Spirit to relinquish my claim on the wrongs committed against me and to treat those who have hurt me as full siblings in your family. Please empower me as I commit to follow your example in forgiving, even when it is hard. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.

By Phil Ware
Used by Permission

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The Grace of God

Published June 23, 2018

The Grace of God

“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age..”. — Titus 2:11-12

Thought

In a world which has no absolutes, in a world in search of moral standards, salvation by the costly grace of God beckons us to change our lifestyles in response to God’s grace. Anyone who receives grace and refuses to pursue righteousness demonstrates his/her ignorance or hardness of heart. In our day, in our time, to be saved means to pursue righteousness — not so that we may earn our salvation, but so that God’s saving grace will not be fruitless in us.

Prayer

Holy Father, I confess that I live in a confusing time. Satan is always distorting the distinction between right and wrong, good and evil, moral and immoral. Because you have been so gracious with me, may my life today reflect the righteousness you gave me through Jesus. “May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart, be pleasing in your sight, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Through Jesus, my atoning sacrifice I pray. Amen.

By Phil Ware
Used by Permission

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Grace and Confidence

Psalm 23 He makes me to lie down in green pasture

Published June 4, 2018

Grace and Confidence

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.” Psalm 23:1-3

Thought

He restores my soul. My that sounds so good. But it is more than talk. When we’ve reached that point that we can’t go on, God blesses us with strength to just keep on walking. When we’re in a struggle and things are tough, his power upholds us and we run to victory. When we’re winning victories in his name, we can soar on wings like eagles. He is a shepherd and more. He is the Rock and Sustainer of our lives!

Prayer

O Gentle Shepherd, help me rest tonight in your grace and in the confidence that you are nearby. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

By Phil Ware
Used by Permission

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No Condemnation

Published May 19, 2018

No Condemnation

“There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life in Christ has set me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:1-2

Thought

“Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!” Becoming a Christian means we have been liberated from law keeping. We now have God living in us through the Holy Spirit. The Spirit helps us to know God’s will and then live it. Through the Spirit’s power, we can do what no law could make us do: live up to God’s standards of righteousness. We are set free to be like God and to be with God, free from the crippling power of law, sin, and death.

Prayer

Gracious father, thank you for all of your gifts to me. Today, I want to especially thank you for liberating me from law and empowering me with your Spirit. Fill me and empower me today with your Spirit as I commit to live my life for you. In the name and by the authority of Jesus my Lord I pray. Amen.

By Phil Ware
Used by Permission
Phil’s daily devotionals on http://www.verseoftheday.com

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Build Others Up

The Goal in Christian Communication is not merely clarity, but encouragement based on what the needs of the other person are.

Published February 28, 2018

Build Others Up

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29

Thoughts on today’s verse

The goal in Christian communication is not merely clarity, but encouragement based on what the needs of the other person are.

Prayer:

Tender Shepherd, give me a heart that is pure so that my words may be pure. Give me a heart that is kind so that my words may be kind. Give me a heart that is full of joy and encouragement so that I may share these with those you bring to my path and with whom I share conversation. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

by Phil Ware
used with permission.
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Give Thanks

Published January 8, 2018

Give Thanks

“Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men” Psalm 107:31

Thought

I’m not sure I can fully comprehend “unfailing love.” To always do the loving thing, whether it’s discipline or reward, fun or pain, I’m not sure I can fully understand it. But I can tell you this: I am eternally grateful for it! It’s not hard to give thanks for a God like ours!

Prayer

Thank you Almighty God for revealing yourself as Abba Father! Thank you for loving me so much that you give me what I need, not what I want or deserve! Thank you for the very many kindnesses and loving deeds you have done for me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen

By Phil Ware
Used with permission.

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Open My Heart

Published November 26, 2017

Open My Heart

“Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.“— Psalm 34:8

Thought

Some aspects of faith are indescribable: they can only be experienced and known by doing them. Taste the Lord. Sample his goodness. Lean on his grace. Take refuge in his care. We are blessed to find him near and take our refuge from life’s greatest dangers and death’s greatest fears.

Prayer

Help me, dear Father, to know you better. Open my heart, dear Lord, so that I will more fully entrust myself to your care. Open my eyes to see just how gracious you are — not to impress me, but to share in your grace. Thank you for your goodness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

By Phil Ware
Used with permission.
You can also follow Phil’s daily devotionals on http://www.verseoftheday.com

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Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Phil Ware

Rest in the Shadow

Published September 20, 2017

Rest in the Shadow

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1

Thought

At the end of summer’s scorching heat, where did you find your shadow of protection and refreshment? When we place our lives in the care of God Most High, we find that his shadow of protection and refreshment covers us. Even in times of difficulty, we know that he has protected us from the worst of Satan’s withering attack and that his presence offers us strength that we may not often see but always can trust.

Prayer

Give me eyes to see, O LORD, and a heart to believe that you are there when I cannot see any evidence of your presence. Please be my protection in times of attack and my refreshment in times that bring soul-withering despair. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

By Phil Ware
Used by Permission
You can also follow Phil’s daily devotionals on http://www.verseoftheday.com.

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Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Phil Ware

Bad Stuff Happens

Sample Prayer: Father, I appreciate your promise to work out all things in my life, both good and bad, for my good. I ask, dear Father, for faith to believe this promise is true during painful and difficult times. I ask for patience, O God, to hang on to my convictions when trying times persist. I believe your promise, dear Lord, and look forward to what you will eventually make of me when you are finished with your work. In Jesus’ mighty name I pray. Amen.

Published September 7, 2017

Bad Stuff Happens

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. “ Romans 8:28

Thought

Bad stuff happens in life. Satan has a part to play in the bad stuff. Our own sins and their consequences also play a part. The rebellion against God and the spiritual weakness in those we love bring hurtful things into our life. Sometimes, God even disciplines us to awaken us out of lethargy or to correct some sinful problem in our lives. Yet in all these things, we have an incredible promise: If we love God and are seeking to honor his call in our lives, our Father in heaven will work out all of the things going on in our life for our good.

Prayer

Father, I appreciate your promise to work out all things in my life, both good and bad, for my good. I ask, dear Father, for faith to believe this promise is true during painful and difficult times. I ask for patience, O God, to hang on to my convictions when trying times persist. I believe your promise, dear LORD, and look forward to what you will eventually make of me when you are finished with your work. In Jesus’ mighty name I pray. Amen.

By Phil Ware
Used with permission
You can also follow Phil’s daily devotionals on http://www.verseoftheday.com

We’d love to hear from you. If you don’t see our response form, please go to https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/pw_bad-stuff/

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Seek the Lord

Published August 7, 2017

Seek the Lord

“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.” Isaiah 55:6

Thoughts

In truth, God is always close to those who genuinely seek after him. The real problem is that we drift away from him, lose interest, and leave his presence. So let’s seek him and receive his grace and his help while we recognize that he alone is the one who truly saves.

Prayer:

Father, I seek you with all my heart. While I seek to know about you through your Word, I long to know you and be known by you as a tender father knows his child and as a child feels complete trust toward his tender father. Be not only my God, but be real to me in ways that transcend explanation. Help me sense your nearness and to know your presence. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.’

by Phil Ware

used by permission.
You can also follow Phil’s daily devotionals on
http://www.verseoftheday.com

We’d love to hear from you. If you don’t see our response form, please go to https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/pw_seek-lord/

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I Am the Way

Published July 12, 2017

I Am the Way

‘Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

Thoughts on today’s verse

I don’t want to be any more exclusive than Jesus. But I do want to hear his voice. He calls me to find the way to the Father through him. I must also know that others must know him to find their way to the Father, too. How can we not be more passionate about those around us who do not really know Jesus as their Savior, Redeemer, Brother, and Lord? How can the first four books of our New Testament lie unread?

Prayer:

Holy God and Righteous Father, give me a passion for Jesus and a heart that knows him in word, deed, and concern. Through him I pray. Amen.’

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by Phil Ware

– used by permission. You can also follow Phil’s daily devotionals on http://www.verseoftheday.com
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Wait

Published June 2, 2017

Wait

“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:14

Thoughts on today’s verse

If there is anything we don’t like to do, it’s wait. Maybe that is why God is so interested in us learning to do it! There is something purifying about remaining strong in tough times and remaining faithful when ill winds blow. So God gives us times of waiting to see if our search is really for him or merely for something new.

Prayer:

Loving Father, I know you have waited for me so many times — for me to show my faith, repent of my sins, grow in holiness, come to you in prayer, act more mature, give to those who cannot return my care… Help me as I wait for you to show me the way with my decisions, to meet my needs, and reveal your presence in my loneliness. I really do seek you with all my heart. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.

by Phil Ware

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Be Strong

Published May 23, 2017

Be Strong

“Have not I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Thought

Never alone! What a promise. God will go with him, and us, through all the seasons of life, through all our ups and downs, through temptations and triumphs, even through death (cf. Psalm 139). So we can take courage and feel his strength. We are not alone!

Prayer

O God who is and was and is to come, thank you for being there and staying there when all others forsake and leave. You are the one constant in my life so full of change. Help me become more steadfast and faithful in my commitments and relationships to honor you and to learn more about you. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.

By Phil Ware
Used with permission.
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Wonderful Promises