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

Published March 23, 2013

We are Reconciled

by Phil Ware

“If, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life.” Romans 5:10

Thoughts on today’s verse

Jesus didn’t just die for my sins, he lives for me. In fact, he is at God’s right hand claiming me as his own (see 1 John 2:1-2). If he was willing to die to save me, what will he withhold now that he lives victorious over death?

Prayer:

Holy and Righteous Father, I thank you for Jesus, who is at your side and knows my heart, struggles, and world. I thank you for your constant care and protection through all of my difficulties and triumphs. Please make your presence known more clearly today than ever before as I try to serve you with wholehearted devotion. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2013/03/23/pw_we-are-reconciled/

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

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Phil Ware

Published November 7, 2012

Shelter of the Most High

by Phil Ware

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

Thoughts on today’s verse

How good it is to be as close to God as his shadow and share in the comfort of his shelter. He is not far if our hearts choose to draw near him.

Prayer:

‘O great Almighty God, tender Shepherd and Abba Father, make known to me your nearness. I long to live in your presence and reflect your holiness and grace. By Jesus’ blood I draw near to you in full assurance of your love and grace. Amen.’

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2012/11/07/pw_shelter-of-the-most-high/

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

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Phil Ware

Published August 14, 2012

Unfolding Your Words

by Phil Ware

“The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” Psalm 119:130

Thoughts on today’s verse

Sometimes the right path is not so difficult to find, we just need to know where to begin our search — the reading of God’s words. The right way is very seldom just the property of the bright, wise, and scholarly. It is very clear if we will but look for it!

Prayer:

Holy Father, thank you for making your will known through your words in Scripture. Bless me today as I open your word. May I find not only the answer to my questions, but may I find you and your precious will. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2012/08/14/pw_unfolding-your-words/

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

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Phil Ware

Published June 30, 2012

God is not Unjust

by Phil Ware

“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” Hebrews 6:10

Thoughts on today’s verse
So much assurance in such a short verse! God is not unjust — boy is that an understatement. If he produced the atoning sacrifice for our sins, what will he deny us if we seek after him? He will not forget our work and love — an eternal record of the good we have done! When we help our brothers and sisters in Christ, we bless him! We are HIS people!! That’s real motivation to keep on maturing in Christ.

Prayer:
God, you are so gracious. Thank you. Words cannot express my joy at hearing such a simple and profound statement describing your virtues. I am so glad I am your child. Through my brother Jesus I pray. Amen.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2012/06/30/pw_god-is-not-unjust/
from http://www.heartlight.org
– used by permission. You can also follow Phil’s daily devotionals on http://www.verseoftheday.com

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Phil Ware

Published February 22, 2012

Whatever is Right

by Phil Ware

“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

Thoughts on today’s verse

Our actions follow our thoughts like a heat-seeking missile follows the exhaust of a jet fighter’s engine. So in a day when so much around us trains us to find the negative in life, we must aggressively think and pursue the character, the qualities, and the things of God’s goodness.

Prayer:

Holy and Magnificent God, thank you for being better than anything my world can offer me. Thank you for calling me to a higher standard than the world accepts. Thank you for giving me the promise of a better future than any human can imagine. Thank you for giving me a high calling. In Jesus’ holy name I pray. Amen.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2012/02/22/pw_whatever-is-right/

Phil Ware: from http://www.heartlight.org – used by permission. You can also follow Phil’s daily devotionals on http://www.verseoftheday.com. International work with http://www.verseoftheday.com

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Phil Ware

Published February 3, 2012

Your Word

By Phil Ware

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105

Thoughts on today’s verse

God’s promises, God’s Scripture, help us find our way in a pluralistic world of competing voices and lights our path in these times so given to cynicism and despair. What great grace we have to know God’s will in our own words!

Prayer:

Loving Father, thank you for giving me your truth in Scripture. To know that you love me enough to communicate in language I can read is truly awe inspiring to me. Make my heart hunger for your truth revealed in your Word. I want to grow to be a righteous and gracious child in your family. With love through my older brother I pray. Amen

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2012/02/03/pw_your-word/

by Phil Ware from http://www.heartlight.org – used by permission. You can also follow Phil’s daily devotionals on http://www.verseoftheday.com. International work with http://www.verseoftheday.com – (in 7 languages)

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Phil Ware

Published January 18, 2012

Reason Together

by Phil Ware

“Come now, let us reason together,’ says the Lord. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”  Isaiah 1:18

Thoughts on today’s verse

Nothing stains quite like sin. It not only leaves a stain in our heart but a residue in our minds. But God’s grace is shown in that he doesn’t just forgive our sins, he doesn’t just forget our sins, he banishes them. They are gone. The stain is removed, the guilt is taken away. We are clean by his grace.

Prayer:

O the joy your grace gives me! I can never thank you or praise you enough for rerouting my life so that it will end, and begin again, in you. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2012/01/18/pw_reason-together/

from http://www.heartlight.org/ and is used by permission. You can also follow Phil’s daily devotionals on http://www.verseoftheday.com. International work with http://www.verseoftheday.com/ – (in 7 languages)

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Phil Ware

Published January 8, 2012

Word and Deed

by Phil Ware

“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:17

Thoughts on today’s verse

God’s promises, God’s Scripture, and God’s clearest message of all, his Son, are truth. But only the last of these is truth, grace, deliverer, friend, Lord, Savior, brother, Redeemer…

Prayer:
‘O God, give me a holy passion to know your truth and live it in both word and deed. Make my life a reflection of your Word, who both proclaimed and lived your truth. In him I pray. Amen.’

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2012/01/08/pw_word-and-deed/

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Phil Ware

Published December 6, 2011

The Lord is the Rock

by Phil Ware

“Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord is the Rock Eternal.” Isaiah 26:4

Thoughts on today’s verse

When we see mountains we feel small, knowing not only how much larger they are than we are, but also how much longer they have been here than we have been. But the Lord existed long before any mountain and will exist long after it has melted into nothing. The only rock of security, and all the forevers we have, are found in him.

Prayer:

Eternal I Am, who is and was and will be forever, I trust that you are and will always be my God, my Redeemer, my Savior, my Shepherd, and my Father. I commit all my tomorrows to you. Through Jesus my Lord.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2011/12/06/pw_lord-is-the-rock/

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Phil Ware

Published October 5, 2011

Live in Harmony

by Phil Ware

“Live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.” 1 Peter 3:8

Thoughts on today’s verse

Unity and harmony are no accident! They happen because of intention and submission. But more than just states of being, they are commanded by God. How do we have unity and harmony? Peter reminds us that we must have three commitments 1) actively share concern with those who grieve; 2) share love just like a healthy family does; and 3) show compassion rather than arrogance as we deal with others failures toward us.

Prayer:

Father, I confess that I have let my own over-sensitive self be wounded, and have reacted with pettiness when my brothers and sisters in Christ have not treated me as I felt I deserved. I know Jesus was treated so rudely and shamefully by those he created, so I know I shouldn’t be surprised. But Father, please help me to know when to challenge those who wound me with a loving confrontation and when to just ignore the barb and find a way to minister to them because of some deeper wound in their life. Father, let me be an instrument of your peace, harmony, and unity. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2011/10/05/pw_live-in-harmony/

 

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Phil Ware

Published September 27, 2011

The Truth

by Phil Ware

“To me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21

Thoughts on today’s verse

The truth is often as simple as it is sweet — if Jesus is our life, then our life has no end.

Prayer:

Eternal God, thank you for sending Jesus to show me your love and thank you for sending him again soon to take me home. He is my anchor in the storms of life and my light in the darkest nights, reminding me that you love me with an undying love. Through him I pray. Amen.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2011/09/27/pw_the-truth/

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Phil Ware

Published August 21, 2011

The Road Ahead

by Phil Ware

“Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1

Thoughts on today’s verse:

While the road ahead of us may be filled with questions and concerns, we can look back and see the many ways God has acted in our behalf to get us to the places we need to be. We see his work through history and we can take assurance that his promises are true and his victory in us is assured.

Prayer:

Almighty God, I believe that before there was a world, you existed. I trust that even now you sustain our world with your word of grace. I am confident that before the future arrives you are already there preparing it for us. Help me when I worry to remember my faith and to press on trusting that you are there. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2011/08/21/pw_the-road-ahead/

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Phil Ware

Published August 13, 2011

Help Me See Your Words as Life

By Phil Ware

“I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life.”  Psalm 119:93

Thoughts on today’s verse

Much like the rules parents have for young children — don’t drink what’s under the cabinet, don’t play in the street, don’t walk behind parked cars — God’s guidance is not intended to restrict us, but to protect us. His commands, both positive and negative, are for our protection and perfection. By them we find life and have it preserved.

Prayer:

Holy Lord, help me see your words as life. I know you have given your commands, your will for holiness, to bless me and protect me. Use your Spirit to make my heart less stubborn and my life more nearly conformed to your will. Through Jesus’ power I ask it. Amen.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2011/08/13/pw_see-your-words-as-life/

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Phil Ware

Published August 3, 2011

God Wants to Hear our Prayers

by Phil Ware

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Thoughts on today’s verse

God wants to hear our prayers, but to keep them from becoming too self-focused, God wants us always to remember to give thanks. It is so easy for us to turn prayer into a request line. We are the ones who are left bereft when thanksgiving and praise are robbed from our prayers.

Prayer:

Gracious God, I have so many reasons to praise you. In the face of trial and hardship I have your promises to reawaken my hope. In the moment of victory I have you to thank for my abilities. In the boredom of the routine, I have great joys in your surprises. Thank you, God, for being so great and yet so loving. In Jesus name. Amen.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2011/08/03/pw_hear-our-prayers/

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Phil Ware

Published July 26, 2011

Moral Filth

by Phil Ware

“Get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.”  James 1:21

Thoughts on today’s verse

Isn’t it true! When we find ourselves caught in the clutches of the moral filth of our culture, we find the word of God boring and irrelevant. Yet even in those moments when Satan uses sin to harden our hearts, God’s Spirit calls us to change at a level deeper than just the mere understanding of the words of Scripture. Thank God for his Spirit, which can use his word like a surgeons scalpel on our hearts.

Prayer:

Holy God, I pledge to you today to willingly and decisively give up the immoral habits in my life. I recognize that these not only offend your holiness and grace, but also harden me to your will, pull me away from your character, and blunt my witness to others. Please forgive me and then sustain me as I seek to live a life wholly pleasing to you. In Jesus I pray. Amen.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2011/07/26/pw_moral-filth/

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Phil Ware