thoughts by Phil Ware Archives - Page 2 of 22 - Daily Devotionals by Thoughts about God

Published December 28, 2022

Bread of Life

“Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” John 6:35

Thoughts on today’s verse

We crave food at regular intervals during the day. During this holiday season food occupies our thoughts and fills up our activities. But deep in our soul is a hunger, a soul hunger. It cannot be filled by food, drink, or chemicals. This hunger was the desire built into us by our Creator, placed there when he knit us together in our mother’s womb. This hunger can only be satiated by Jesus.

Prayer:

Please fill me, my Father, with Jesus. Give me today, my Daily Bread, that I may find life in all its fullness. Precious Lord, Jesus my brother and Savior, fill me and touch me with your presence so that I can serve you by blessing those around me with your grace. Amen.

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

God Our Comforter

“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.” Psalm 94:19

Thought

God is our comforter, sustainer, and Lord. Only his gracious presence and tender blessings can bring consolation and comfort to our restless and discouraged souls. So let’s turn to him, honestly confessing both our sins and our sorrows. Let’s ask him to take our anxiety away and restore to us the passion, the joy, and the confidence of our salvation.

Prayer

Almighty Shepherd, in the noise and confusion of many thoughts burdened by many concerns, minister to me through your Holy Spirit. I need your comfort and peace. I ask for your presence and your grace. In Jesus’ name I ask. Amen.

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

To learn more about the Holy Spirit, visit this link: http://thoughts-about-god.com/biblestudies_/spiritfilledlife

I Will Not be Shaken

“I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken”. — Psalm 16:8

Thought

There are many things that can trouble our lives, but none that can shake us loose from the grip of God’s grace if our hearts remain pointed at Jesus as our Lord and our hope remains focused on the Lord’s return. If Jesus is our Lord, then all of life’s greatest blessings lie ahead of us and he will let nothing rob us of this coming glory!

Prayer

Holy Lord, you are worthy of majesty, honor, and praise. I lift up your name, O God, and place it above every name. As I look to the future, I want to honor you and I want to journey with you there. Since I believe you will never leave or forsake me, I will always look ahead to find you leading the way. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.

By Phil Ware
Used by Permission
From: http://www.verseoftheday.com

The Knowledge of God

“Oh, the depth and riches of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out.” Romans 11:33

Thought

God’s plan to save us is incredible. His blueprints for the creation of our universe are beyond our imagining. He is so rich in wisdom and knowledge. What else can we do but go to him and ask him to open our minds to his work and his will in our lives.

Prayer

Precious and Almighty Father, thank you for reawakening me each spring to the power of your sustaining presence in the world, but even more in my life. Bless me today as I seek to put you first in all I do. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

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

Resist the Enemy

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” 1 Peter 5:8-9

Thoughts on today’s verse

Satan is real. He and his power are intended to harm. But rather than spending our time worrying about him, let’s resist him when we are tempted and focus on Jesus. He’s the one who won the big showdown at Calvary, triumphing over Satan. He took Satan’s greatest tool and disarmed it. Now we can resist and Satan will flee.

Prayer:

Thank you, Almighty God, for sending Jesus to break Satan’s stranglehold over us. Through the Savior’s death you have assured me that mine won’t be the end of our relationship, but the beginning of life with you. Today, however, I ask that you help me especially resist Satan’s power over my life in the following ways… Through Jesus I pray. Amen.

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

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

God’s Patience

“My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9

Thoughts on today’s verse

No matter how we try to perceive God, he is still God and we are not. We must forever remember that the original and still primary sin was to try to become like God in terms of knowledge and understanding. We are to know God, but we can never fully know about him. We are to take on his character, but we cannot approach his majesty. This is both exciting and frustrating. But the promise remains that one day we will be like him and see him as he is.

Prayer:

Tender Shepherd, thank you for being so patient with me when I cannot fully understand and appreciate your holy and transcendent character. Thank you for sending Jesus so I can know you better and trust you to know me better than I know myself. I look forward to seeing you face to face when Jesus comes to bring me home. Until that day, please know I love you. Through Jesus I offer my thanks and praise. Amen.

by Phil Ware
Used by Permission

The Lord Confides

“The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them. My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he will release my feet from the snare.” Psalm 25:14-15

Thought

Where does true deliverance come from? Only from God. Deliverance is found in God through deep reverential respect for his holiness and might, through living in covenant relationship with him, and through maintaining our focus on him. Any other roads to deliverance are false and ultimately prove themselves to be a snare. Like the tight rope walker whose eyes are not on the ground or the surroundings, but on the rope in front of him where he will walk, so too our eyes must be on the Lord. Only by looking to him will he lead us to safety.

Prayer

Precious Father, you have done so much to save me. You who are so holy and righteous, have reached down to take my hand when I was a sinner and in rebellion to your love. Teach me your ways. Correct the wrongs in my life. Guide me into the ways of your truth. I want to not only be saved from my sin, but from days of uselessness and frustration. Make me a vessel that can be used to honor you. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

By Phil Ware
Used by Permission

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Mighty to Save

Published November 1, 2022

Mighty to Save

“The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

Thoughts on today’s verse

So God likes to sing too! He even likes to share his lullabies with those he loves. Not only is God Abba Father, he is also like a mother. He gently rocks and quiets his children with his affectionate care.

Prayer:

O God, I pray that when the storms of life rage against me, I will remember these words and find refuge, comfort and peace in your sheltering care. Make me aware, O God, of your singing in my life as you make your salvation more clear to me each day. Through my Savior Jesus I pray. Amen

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

Renewed Mind

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing, and perfect will” Romans 12:2

Thought

Don’t be molded by the world. Wow, isn’t that a tough one to obey. It’s a reminder that what we think is one of the places of greatest spiritual warfare. Sloppy thinking is more than sloppy, it’s dangerous because we are fed messages constantly that distort God’s truth and holy values. But rather than being incensed by the world acting like the world, let’s be transformed by renewing our minds and doing what Paul said he did – take every thought, every word, captive for Christ. We often think a tithe is giving ten percent of our money, but an even more vital tithe is giving ten percent of our totally undivided thought time to the things of God!

Prayer

O Lord, please guard my soul from pride, my heart from callousness, and my mind from too much focus on unimportant things and not enough on your things. Teach me in my heart what it means to be about my Father’s business, especially in the world of my thoughts! In the name of Jesus, my greatest example of one who knew and lived your will, I pray. Amen.

By Phil Ware
Used by Permission

Eyes on Jesus

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2

Thought

Who is your hero? I’m not asking for the Sunday school class answer, but the person you most actively admire! It is hard to “fix our eyes on Jesus” because he is not here where we can see him like other heroes. But he was the ultimate adventurer and trailblazer. He faced the horrific penalty and shame of the cross, taking away our sin! He did it so that we could have a hero that death and sin could not destroy, mar, or taint. He did it so that we could be confident that if we follow in his footsteps, the trail he blazed wasn’t just for him, but for us, too!

Prayer

Holy God, forgive me when I chase what is false and let my focus shift from Jesus as my ultimate hero. I want to honor and serve him, having his life come alive in me, so that others may know the confidence that comes in having Jesus as their Lord. Words cannot express my gratitude to my Lord for his sacrifice and the horrible price he paid for my sins. Neither can words express my jubilation at his trailblazing victory that assures that I will someday be with you forever! It is in his name, Jesus Christ, that I pray. Amen.

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

Gentle and Humble

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:2

Thoughts on today’s verse

“You mean I have to put up with that!?” There are those folks in life about whom the saying is true: “They are the grit out of which we are to fashion our pearl.” But our great example in this challenge is Jesus. Think of what he had to put up with in his 12 disciples. Remember how transformational his patience and gentleness with them was. Can we dare to less?

Prayer:

Give me strength and patience, O God, that I may be as loving, gentle, and patient with others as you have been with me. Through Jesus my Lord and hero I pray. Amen.

By Phil Ware
Used by Permission
From http://www.heartlight.org

Hanging On

“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him” James 1:12

Thought

This beatitude comes from Jesus’ brother. He had experienced it and not just taught it! James knew it was worth “hanging in” and “hanging on” when his faith was under attack. He affirmed that God loves us and that he has made incredible promises about what lies ahead for us. He knew that eventually our period of testing would be transformed into a time of great blessing. James wants us to know that God longs to bless us with life! After all, that’s why he sent Jesus. (cf. John 10:10)

Prayer

Dear LORD and Father, thank you for all those times that you strengthened me when I was under attack and sustained me when I was weary and ready to quit. Write “perseverance” deep within my soul and give me a spirit of tenacity so that I might serve you no matter what the outward circumstances of my life may be. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

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

Godly Power

“God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7

Thought

Power! We like that concept. When it is godly power, might does make right because godly power is accompanied by love and self-discipline. These three together make a person’s life effective, constructive, and corrective. Live life to its fullest: not as a closet Christian afraid of standing true and firm, but one who lives by God’s power, shares God’s love, and displays God’s virtues.

Prayer

Holy God, you are without compare in your majesty and might. I have no right to come into your presence and yet you have invited me here by your love and your grace. You are my Rock, my Fortress, and my Strength. I depend upon your guidance and your mercy to sustain me through my storms and reclaim me from my stumbles. Holy God, you are without compare and I worship you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

By Phil Ware
Used by Permission
from http://www.heartlight.org

I Love the Lord

“I love the Lord. He heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.” — Psalm 116:1-2

Thought

Understanding the Lord’s love, presence, and nearness should lead us to serve him and to deepen our relationship with him. While we love God for many reasons, we want to express our love to him today especially for his personal concern for us. In a world where important people refuse to spend time with those “beneath” them, we are truly blessed with an incomparable God who listens to our every cry, recognizes our very own distinct voice, and tunes his ear to hear every one of our whispers. Yes! I will call on him, praise him, thank him, confess to him, and speak with him as long as I live!

Prayer

Father, you know each hair on my head and every thought on my heart. Thank you for hearing my prayers. Thank you for answering so many of them with the answer I sought from you. Give me patience when I cannot see your hand in the other answers that do not come as soon or do not bear the result that I request. I believe and trust that you are there and working for my good even when I can’t see it. I believe you always answer to your glory and my best interest. But please, dear Father, strengthen my faith so that I will never outlive my trust and faith in you. In the name of Jesus I ask it. Amen.

By Phil Ware
Used by Permission

He Who Began a Good Work

“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6

Thought

God made the world in 6 days. Now he sustains it with his powerful word. But in each of us, he is still at work and will continue to work to his glory (see Philippians 2:12-13) until Christ comes to take us home!

Prayer:

Thank you Father, for being at work in my life. I confess that at times you seem distant, but looking back over the crucial moments where things were held in the balance, I can see your fingerprints and your grace leading me to where I am today. Please make your presence more powerfully known in my life as I seek your will and live to your glory. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.

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

Bread of Life

“Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” John 6:35

FURTHER READING

God Our Comforter

“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.” Psalm 94:19

Further Reading

I Will Not be Shaken

Further Reading

The Knowledge of God

Further Reading

Resist the Enemy

Further Reading

God’s Patience

Thoughts on today’s verse

Further Reading

The Lord Confides

Mighty to Save

“The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

Further Reading

Renewed Mind

Further Reading

Eyes on Jesus

Further Reading

Gentle and Humble

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:2

Further Reading

Hanging On

“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him” James 1:12

Further Reading

Godly Power

“God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7

Further Reading

I Love the Lord

“I love the Lord. He heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.” — Psalm 116:1-2

Further Reading

He Who Began a Good Work

“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6

Further Reading

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

“Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” John 6:35

FURTHER READING

“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.” Psalm 94:19

Further Reading

Further Reading

Further Reading

Further Reading

Thoughts on today’s verse

Further Reading

“The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

Further Reading

Further Reading

Further Reading

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:2

Further Reading

“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him” James 1:12

Further Reading

“God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7

Further Reading

“I love the Lord. He heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.” — Psalm 116:1-2

Further Reading

“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6

Further Reading