thoughts by Phil Ware Archives - Page 19 of 23

Published April 11, 2016

For God Loved the World

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Thought

Did you know the Bible doesn’t just say, “God loves you.” Now don’t let me confuse you. Scripture does tell us many times that God loves us. However, don’t miss the important truth here. Each time Scripture tell us that God loves us, it also demonstrates that love as well. God’s love is more than emotion and intention. God’s love is demonstrated. God loved us so much he didn’t just say, “I love you.” God showed his by sending and sacrificing his Son to give us his incomparable love! We never have to doubt that God means what he says. He has backed up his promises of love with his actions.

Prayer

Loving and Almighty God, thank you for loving me. Thank you for both saying it and showing it. Please know, dear Father, I love you, too! Accept my words and actions today as a testimony to my love. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.

By Phil Ware

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

Reading this by email? Please comment by Clicking on the Title at the top

Brought to you by www.thoughts-about-god.com

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Phil Ware

To Him Who is Able

Published April 5, 2016

To Him Who is Able

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21

Thought

We have far greater power than we often realize. That incredible power is at work within us (see Ephesians 1:18-19). This promise of power, however, is tied to two opportunities God gives us daily. First, it is based on actively asking for God to do great things based upon a holy charged imagination. Second, it is based on our living to bring God glory. So let’s ask, imagine, and give God glory; then let’s praise him for doing far greater things than what we ask or even imagine!

Prayer

Dear Father in heaven, forgive me for my pedestrian dreams, my selfish prayers, and my short-sighted goals. Awaken my heart to your will and open my eyes to your plans by the power of your Holy Spirit. As you do this, dear Father, please do it to your glory and praise. In Jesus’ name I ask this. Amen.

By Phil Ware

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

Reading this by email? Please comment by Clicking on the Title at the top

Please Tell a Friend

Would you take just a moment to prayerfully consider sending this to two friends who might be blessed by what we’ve shared today?
If you received this issue from a friend, you can join our list at www.thoughts-about-god.com/blog/

Brought to you by www.thoughts-about-god.com

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Phil Ware

Published March 23, 2016

The Love of the Father

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” 1 John 3:1

Thought

Some gifts are too precious for words and too wonderful to fully appreciate. The greatest of these gifts is that we are God’s children! We have been adopted into the Father’s family! Jesus claims us as his younger siblings! Even though the world may not acknowledge this, that condition doesn’t make it any less true. After all, the world didn’t recognize its Creator when he became flesh and lived among the people he had made. God’s Word, however, still proclaims the truth; we ARE the children of God!

Prayer

Thank you, dear Heavenly Father, for the incredible blessing of being your child. I know that I haven’t begun to understand all the glorious things this gift means. However, dear Father, I look forward to what I can learn now about what it means, and I joyously anticipate the day when I can see you face to face and fully know the meaning of this joy. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

By Phil Ware

used with permission.
Phil’s daily devotionals on http://www.verseoftheday.com

Reading this by email? Please comment by Clicking on the Title at the top

follow on Facebook follow on Twitter follow by EMAIL follow RSS feed

Brought to you by www.thoughts-about-god.com

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Phil Ware

He Has Reconciled You

Published March 8, 2016

He Has Reconciled You

“Once you were alienated from God … but now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.” Colossians 1:22

Thought

“Christians aren’t perfect, just forgiven!” You’ve probably seen this bumper sticker or something similar. In one sense this is absolutely true. But, from God’s point of view, Christians ARE perfect. That’s the incredible message Paul gives the Colossians. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, God does not see our imperfections. He sees us through Christ’s perfection. Look at these concepts and marvel! Look at how God views you and give thanks! Be humbled by God’s grace to us in Jesus and rejoice! Holy, without blemish, and free from accusation — there’s nothing left to say but “Hallelujah!”

Prayer

Father, thank you for providing the sacrifice that makes me clean. Thank you for seeing my worth through the perfection of Jesus and his sacrifice. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for paying off my debt to sin and for sharing your perfection with me. May my life today, and everyday, more closely resemble the perfection you have given me by your grace. In the name of my Savior Jesus, I pray. Amen.

By Phil Ware

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

Reading this by email? Please comment by Clicking on the Title at the top

Brought to you by www.thoughts-about-god.com

Photo credit: Mara Earth light https://www.flickr.com/photos/mara_earthlight/

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Phil Ware

Guard My Mouth

Published February 23, 2016

Guard My Mouth

“Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.” Psalm 141:3

Thought

How important is our speech? Jesus said it revealed what was going on in our hearts. Proverbs repeatedly tells us that our words can wound or heal. The apostle Paul tells us to speak only what will benefit those who hear us. In light of these Scriptures, this prayer of David is very appropriate. Only God can help us tame the tongue and use its power to bless. Let’s invite him into our world of speech and ask him to take control of it as he does our hearts!

Prayer

Most holy and righteous Father, I don’t want my language to ever betray you or wound your children. Please help me redeem my speech and use it to glorify you, bless your children, and speak of salvation to those who do not know your Son. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

By Phil Ware

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

Reading this by email? Please comment by Clicking on the Title at the top

Brought to you by www.thoughts-about-god.com

Photo Credit: Ashley Rose https://www.flickr.com/photos/ashleyrosex/ some Rights Reserved: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Phil Ware

He Establishes Us

Published January 9, 2016

He Establishes Us

“Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ… to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.” Romans 16:25-27

Thought

God doesn’t just bless us. He establishes us! He makes us strong! He matures us into solid and true disciples. He does this in many ways. One of the most important, however, is through the words the Holy Spirit inspired and shared with us through Jesus’ early disciples. As this year moves towards its close and another stands at the door, let’s make a renewed commitment to spend time each day in the Bible. Let’s not let this powerful tool and great resource for living be relegated to being a coffee-table book or a good luck charm to take with us to church.

Prayer

I thank you, O God, for your Spirit that breathed out your message through human agents. I thank you for those human partners who shared the Spirit’s message with us in Scripture. I thank you for the many fine translations of the Bible that are available to us today. I thank you for the freedom to have a copy of the Bible in my home. Please help me not squander the incredible blessing of your written word. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

By Phil Ware

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

Reading this by email? Please comment by Clicking on the Title at the top

follow on Facebook follow on Twitter follow by EMAIL follow RSS feed

Our Twitter Page now has PHOTOS

Brought to you by www.thoughts-about-god.com

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Phil Ware

Have Patience

Published November 29, 2015

Have Patience

“We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.” Romans 15:1

Thought

Dear friend of Jesus, have patience with those around you who are not yet what God intends for them to be — remembering that we are not yet what God intends for us to be. In the process of “bearing with” their failings, you may just find that others are more patient with your failings and more thankful for your faithfulness. Of course, the goal of our being patient isn’t to benefit ourselves. Instead, we do it to bless others, knowing that many of our brothers and sisters in Christ are hanging on to their faith, hope, and love by the thinnest of threads. Let’s never let them go and never cause them to stumble!

Prayer

Tender Shepherd, give me more patience with those who are struggling and who need your strength and my encouragement. Forgive me for not noticing their struggles the way that you do. Help me show them how patient you are as you perfect them in your holiness. Thank you, O Lord, for your help in this area of my heart as I seek to be a blessing to my brothers and sisters in grace. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

By Phil Ware

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

We would LOVE to hear your comments. Please click on the Title if you are reading this by email.

follow on Facebook follow on Twitter follow by EMAIL follow RSS feed

Our Twitter Page now has PHOTOS

Brought to you by www.thoughts-about-god.com

Photo Credit: Richard Walker https://www.flickr.com/photos/richardwalkerphotography/
Some Rights Reserved: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Phil Ware

Published November 8, 2015

So Many Freedoms

“In him [Jesus our Lord] and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” Ephesians 3:12

Thought

In Christ we are given so many freedoms — freedom from law, sin, death, etc. But one of the greatest freedoms we have is to boldly come before the Creator of the universe, the God of all time and creation, and speak openly and confidently with him. Incredibly, we mortals can enter God’s world with our problems and be confident that he hears us and cares about our concerns.

Prayer

Almighty and most holy God, I know that without your grace and attentive care my requests to you would go unheeded. But I also am confident that because I am your child, my requests matter to you. Thank you for hearing my prayers each day. Thank you for caring about my concerns. Thank you for being patient with my impatience and tender with my frustrations. Most of all, Father, thank you for the freedom to do what I have no right or power to do — to invade your world with my concerns and be welcomed by you there. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

By Phil Ware

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

………………………….

If you are reading this devotional by email you can respond by clicking on this link:
https://www.thoughts-about-god.com/blog/?p=50642

Our Twitter Page NOW has PHOTOS

follow on Facebook follow on Twitter follow by EMAIL follow RSS feed

Brought to you by www.thoughts-about-god.com

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Phil Ware

Splendor of His Holiness

Published November 3, 2015

Splendor of His Holiness

“Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth.” Psalm 96:9

Thought

Don’t you really appreciate the phrase “the splendor of his holiness” and long to behold that splendor? It conjures up reminders of Isaiah’s encounter with God in Isaiah 6 or John’s vision of Jesus in Revelation 1. God’s essence — known in the Old Testament as his glory and his holiness — can be described only as splendorous! Our only fitting response is to join the angels of Isaiah 6 and the twenty-four elders around the throne in Revelation and worship God and cry, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty. The whole earth is full of his glory.”

Prayer

You are holy, majestic God, more than my mind can grasp or my imagination can dream. I worship and praise you for your glory, might, grace, and mercy. I hunger for the day when I can see your splendor face to face and join the angels of heaven and the twenty-four elders in never ending worship and praise. Through Jesus I offer this praise and my life. Amen.

By Phil Ware

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

If you are reading this devotional by email you can respond by clicking on this link:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2015/11/03/pw_splendor-of-his-holiness/

follow on Facebook follow on Twitter follow by EMAIL follow RSS feed

Brought to you by www.thoughts-about-god.com

Photo credit: John McSporran; https://www.flickr.com/photos/127130111@N06/
Creative Commons License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Phil Ware

Beginning of Wisdom

Published October 22, 2015

Beginning of Wisdom

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10

Thought

We look for wisdom in so many worthless and futile places. But ultimate wisdom is found only when we intentionally humble ourselves before our incredible God, giving him the reverence and worship he deserves.

Prayer

Magnificent and awesome God, the great expanse of space and the incredible intricacies of the things in your creation that are so small humble me to silence. Please forgive my lapses into ignorant arrogance and lead me in the way of your wisdom. In Jesus name. Amen.

By Phil Ware

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

If you are reading this devotional by email you can respond by clicking on this link:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2015/10/22/pw_beginning-of-wisdom/

follow on Facebook follow on Twitter follow by EMAIL follow RSS feed

Brought to you by www.thoughts-about-god.com

Photo by Mar10os

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Phil Ware

Do Not Worry

Published September 22, 2015

Do Not Worry

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?” Matthew 6:25

Thought

Worries are many and they all seem to crowd in around bill time, don’t they. Jesus reminded us that life is more than food or clothes. The real question is whether we can live like life is more than food and clothing. We get deceived so easily, like Esau who sold his birthright for a bowl of soup. Let’s not sell out what is precious for the allure of what will most likely end in difficulty and entanglements or at the very least doesn’t have eternal value.

Prayer

Generous Father, banish fear and selfishness from my heart. I know you have already provided the most incredible gift of all time. Please help me pursue you and your will and not the things that choke out your presence in my life. 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

If you are reading this devotional by email you can respond by clicking on this link:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2015/09/22/pw_do-not-worry/

follow on Facebook follow on Twitter follow by EMAIL follow RSS feed

Brought to you by www.thoughts-about-god.com

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Phil Ware

Call out to God

Published September 16, 2015

Call out to God

“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.“ Jeremiah 33:3

Thought

God wants us to seek him and call out to him. He wants to answer us and tell us about things beyond our human comprehension. He longs to draw us close so that we can know him. Like a scared child calls out to a loving father in the next room, we too can call on him knowing that our Father will answer, protect, and comfort us. Even more than that, our Father will reveal to us things that would be impossible for us to know without his grace.

Prayer

Almighty God and Abba Father, I do want to know you and to be known by you. Yes, there are things in my heart and my life that I wish were not there. But I know your grace and I am confident that you know my heart and its desire to reflect your glory, share your grace, and display your character. Thank you for the gift of being your child and having my future secured. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

By Phil Ware

From http://www.heartlight.org
– used by permission

If you are reading this devotional by email you can respond by clicking on this link:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2015/09/16/pw_call-out-to-god/

follow on Facebook follow on Twitter follow by EMAIL follow RSS feed

Brought to you by www.thoughts-about-god.com

photo Credit: Ricardo Camacho

Thoughts by Men thoughts by Phil Ware

Published August 21, 2015

Children of God

“To all who received him, to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God — children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” John 1:12-13

Thought
We live in a time and culture of rights. “It’s my right to ___.” Just fill in the blank. But we don’t have a right to be God’s child. We are given that right by God’s grace. This right came to us at great cost to God. Jesus came to earth, lived, died and was raised from the dead. We receive this grace through faith: God gives us new birth as we trust in Jesus as Lord and we are baptized and reborn through the power of the Holy Spirit (John 3:3-7; Titus 3:3-7). To be born of God, to be born from above, to be born “again” is the gift of adoption into God’s family and brings us all the rights of heirs in God’s house (Galatians 3:26-4:7).

Prayer
Abba Father, thank you for including me in your family. May my life today reflect your influence, character, mercy, holiness, compassion, righteousness, and love. I want to be like you, my Father. So just as I was born into your family by the power of the Holy Spirit, please fill me with your Spirit today so that I will reflect you in all I do and say this day. In the name of my older brother Jesus I pray. Amen.

By Phil Ware

from: http://www.heartlight.org
– used by permission

If you are reading this devotional by email you can respond by clicking on this link:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2015/08/21/pw_children-of-god/

follow on Facebook follow on Twitter follow by EMAIL follow RSS feed

Brought to you by www.thoughts-about-god.com

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Phil Ware

Help Us

Published July 18, 2015

Help Us

“Help us, O God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name’s sake.“ Psalm 79:9

Thought

I am sure at times that God gets disgusted with our behavior and our lack of seeking after him. I’m sure there are moments when he acts to bless us only because we are his people and we wear his name. But when we cry out, confessing our sins and shortcomings, he is still our Savior. Even when we are not what we should be, God can act out of compassion and preserve the glory of his name.

Prayer

Holy and righteous God, Savior and Abba Father, please forgive me my sins, rebellion, failures, and duplicity. Deliver me, not just from the consequences of my sin, but also from the mediocrity that permeates my commitment to you. Set fire to your holy zeal in me to seek your glory and the glory of your name. You alone, O God, are my Savior! In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

By Phil Ware
Phil Ware from http://www.heartlight.org
– used by permission

If you are reading this devotional by email you can respond by clicking on this link:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2015/07/18/pw_help-us/

follow on Facebook follow on Twitter follow by EMAIL follow RSS feed

Brought to you by www.thoughts-about-god.com

Photo Credit: Bart Maguire Link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bartmaguire/
Some rights Reserved: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Phil Ware

Full Armor

Published July 14, 2015

Full Armor

“Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Ephesians 6:10-11

Thought

Many of the struggles in our lives are not mere accidents! Many of them are not put there by God. Our challenges often come from the hand of our enemy, Satan. He always prowls about looking for the best scheme to knock us out of our commitment to and relationship with the Lord. Placing ourselves firmly in the hands of the Lord and using his tools of warfare will help us defeat our enemy who has already been humiliated by Jesus and the cross.

Prayer

Strengthen me, O God, that I may stand against my foe and triumph by the power of your Spirit so that I may bring honor and glory to my conquering Savior who will return one day and take me home in victory. In the name of the victorious Rider on the White Horse I pray. Amen.

By Phil Ware
From: http://www.heartlight.org – used by permission

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2015/07/14/pw_full-armor/

Photo Credit: eLKayPics; https://www.flickr.com/photos/elkaypics/
Creative Commons license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

follow on Facebook follow on Twitter follow by EMAIL follow RSS feed

Brought to you by www.thoughts-about-god.com

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Phil Ware

Category: <span>thoughts by Phil Ware</span>

Reading this by email? Please comment by Clicking on the Title at the top

Please Tell a Friend

Would you take just a moment to prayerfully consider sending this to two friends who might be blessed by what we’ve shared today? If you received this issue from a friend, you can join our list at www.thoughts-about-god.com/blog/

Brought to you by www.thoughts-about-god.com

Reading this by email? Please comment by Clicking on the Title at the top

Brought to you by www.thoughts-about-god.com

Brought to you by www.thoughts-about-god.com

Brought to you by www.thoughts-about-god.com

Photo Credit: Richard Walker https://www.flickr.com/photos/richardwalkerphotography/ Some Rights Reserved: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/

Brought to you by www.thoughts-about-god.com

Brought to you by www.thoughts-about-god.com

Photo credit: John McSporran; https://www.flickr.com/photos/127130111@N06/ Creative Commons License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Brought to you by www.thoughts-about-god.com

Brought to you by www.thoughts-about-god.com

Brought to you by www.thoughts-about-god.com

Brought to you by www.thoughts-about-god.com

Brought to you by www.thoughts-about-god.com

Photo Credit: Bart Maguire Link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bartmaguire/ Some rights Reserved: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/

Photo Credit: eLKayPics; https://www.flickr.com/photos/elkaypics/ Creative Commons license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Brought to you by www.thoughts-about-god.com

Would you take just a moment to prayerfully consider sending this to two friends who might be blessed by what we’ve shared today?
If you received this issue from a friend, you can join our list at www.thoughts-about-god.com/blog/

Photo Credit: Richard Walker https://www.flickr.com/photos/richardwalkerphotography/
Some Rights Reserved: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/

Photo credit: John McSporran; https://www.flickr.com/photos/127130111@N06/
Creative Commons License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Photo Credit: Bart Maguire Link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bartmaguire/
Some rights Reserved: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/

Photo Credit: eLKayPics; https://www.flickr.com/photos/elkaypics/
Creative Commons license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/