thoughts by Phil Ware Archives - Page 5 of 23

Published February 26, 2023

In Your Faithfulness

“O LORD, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief. “ Psalm 143:1

Thought

Some days are just plain tough! Those we care about are hurting. Our plans are falling through. Our prayers seem to bounce off the ceiling and fall at our feet. We cry out to God ? sometimes in anger, sometimes in desperation, but especially for mercy. We need relief! We need hope! We need the Father to respond.

Prayer

Faithful and righteous God, loving Father, please come to my aide and bring me relief from my struggles with sin, with disease, with discouragement, with friends who are untrue, and with enemies who work for my humiliation and destruction. I need your help. I need your mercy. O, dear Father, I need to know your presence and power in my life today. In Jesus sweet name I pray. Amen.

By Phil Ware
Used by Permission

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

Cast Away the Dark Fears

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said,

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

Thoughts on today’s verse

Darkness is more than a symbol, it is a pervasive way of living and viewing the world. Darkness is the place of deception, evil, crime, predators, sin, and death. To follow Jesus means to bring him our heart and let him cast everything from the darkness that plagues us on the inside so we don’t have to be afraid of the darkness on the outside. In this way, Jesus gives us light, but it is a light that does more than fill a dark room. This is a light that illumines the heart.

Prayer:

Holy God who lives in glorious and irrepressible light, I praise you for sending Jesus to cast away the dark fears that so easily envelope me. I pray for strength and courage to not only live in the light, but show others their way to the light. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

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

Christ’s Love Compels Us

“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

Thought

“What am I living for?” While that is an important question, the most important question of all is “Who am I living for?” Only one person can insure that I will never die because he has already died for me and conquered death! If he was willing to die for me, I’m for sure going to live for him!

Prayer

Victorious Lord, thank you for giving me triumph over death through Jesus, my Lord. Thank you for giving me victory over sin through his sacrificial death. Thank you for giving me victory today in my life as I live it for him. Through the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

By Phil Ware
used by permission

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

The Real Meaning of Love

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Thought

Love! In the week of Valentine’s Day, we want to remember the real meaning of love. Without the motivation and expression of love, all “Christian” activities are more “activity” than Christian. Love is the expression of Christ’s character and presence in our lives through deeds done for others. So don’t get lost in the annual trip down sentimental lane. Too many of us forget the needed daily dose of love that so often gets lost in the grit of day-to-day relationships. Let’s be loving year round and thus show ourselves to be Jesus’ disciples. (cf. John 13:34-35)

Prayer

Loving Heavenly Father, thank you so much for your demonstration of love in Jesus. Help me to love as he did — selflessly, sacrificially, and consistently so others may know of your love through my actions. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.

By Phil Ware
Used by Permission

Imitators of God

“Be imitators of God as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2

Thought

Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery. If we are to sincerely flatter God by being like him, imitation may be the most costly form of flattery as well. You see, love for God is never something that occurs just in our minds or our hearts. Love is something we do for another — it is action. John said in 1 John 4 that we must love in both our deeds and our words. Love means to give ourselves up — what we want, our rights, our desires — to honor God and serve others. This is a kind of love that can change the world, or a marriage, or a family.

Prayer:

Abba Father, I will never fully understand how you could love me so much that you would allow your son to die for me as my sacrifice. Please help me love others sacrificially. I know the power to do this is not within me, so please pour your love into my heart so that I may share that love with others. Through Jesus, my brother and my sacrifice, I pray. Amen.

by Phil Ware
used by permission

He is Near

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

Thoughts on today’s verse

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
Phil Ware from http://www.heartlight.org

Living Content

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” Philippians 4:12

Thought

Contentment! Mmmm, I’d like to have a little of that; how about you? I find it hard to be contented about almost anything. My performance is not up to par. My weight isn’t where it should be. My words were a little insensitive in the last conversation. It’s even easier to slip into recognizing what we don’t have financially and then pursue that. But before money, possessions, health, or any other thing can be truly enjoyed, we first have to learn that contentment is not based on our circumstances but our salvation.

Prayer

Almighty and generous God, you are the giver of all good gifts, so now I would like your help in finding the gift of contentment. Bless me as you choose, for I know deep in my heart that no blessing can compare to being your child and being loved and known personally by you. In Jesus’ name I thank you. Amen.

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

His Way is Perfect

“As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.” Psalm 18:30

Thought
God is a shield whose Word can be trusted. His way is not only true, but it is also life-giving. But, we must take refuge in him if his flawless word and his perfect way are going to be blessings and his presence is going to bless us as our shield. Our allegiance, reliance, and dependence must be voluntarily placed in him and lives must be committed to living by flawless word.

Prayer
God of our Fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, I trust my soul and future to you. You are my strength and shield. Please protect and guard me, my family, and your church from the Evil One. Please keep us physically safe, spiritually vibrant, and morally upright as we serve you this summer and seek to honor your will by obeying your Word. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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

I Trust in You

“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.” Ephesians 1:18

Thoughts on today’s verse

Heaven is something we see with our heart. When we are discouraged, doubtful, and depressed, we need to have the eyes of our hearts “enlightened.” The dawn needs to rise in our darkness, and then we will see the dawn of hope and the riches of our inheritance. But when things look bad, the only way to remember these things is to sing them, pray them, and read God’s promises of them.

Prayer:

O God, you are my Hope. I trust in you and your promises. But I admit that at times, like even right now, I struggle with the confidence that you will act in response to my prayers and do what I’ve trusted you with my life to do. Please fill me with your Spirit, comfort my doubts, and kindle my passion so that I may serve you with boldness and share your grace with others. Through my Lord Jesus I pray. Amen.

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

I am Doing a New Thing

“This is what the Lord says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:16,18-19

Thought

The year is gone, finished, past. We cannot reclaim it or undo it. We cannot rest on the great distance it has brought us. If tomorrow dawns, it will be another day, a new opportunity, and the time to show our faith in Jesus as Lord. Let’s journey forward, knowing that God already inhabits the future and promises to provide us refreshment on our journey there.

Prayer

Lord of all eternity, please help me to learn from my mistakes this past year, but not to dwell on them. Please help me not rest on my accomplishments in this past year, but use them to further your work in me and through me. Please help me not quarrel with those who injured me yesterday, last month, or this past year. Instead, O Father, lead me in your paths and help me see your mighty works this next year. In Jesus’ name and by his power I ask it. Amen.

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

Whatever You Do

“Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:17

Thoughts on today’s verse

Everything! All! No matter what we say, no matter what we do, it is to be offered as a gift of thanks to God with Jesus’ name, power, and honor attached! This makes all of life our worship and thanksgiving to God. There’s no such thing as going to worship; if we live, if we talk, if we act it’s worship. So how has your worship been lately?

Prayer:

Almighty and Most Holy God, I want all of my life to be lived out to your glory, a living testament of thanks to you for the grace you have given me in Jesus. While I do not always do this as well as I would like, I lovingly offer you my words, my actions, my heart and my mind to bring you glory by doing your will. Please, use your Spirit to remove the areas of self-deception from my life so that weakness and hypocrisy will not rob my discipleship of its intended worship of your majesty. 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

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

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

“O LORD, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief. “ Psalm 143:1

Further Reading

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

Further Reading

“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

Further Reading

Further Reading

“Be imitators of God as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2

Further Reading

Further Reading

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” Philippians 4:12

Further Reading

“As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.” Psalm 18:30

Further Reading

“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.” Ephesians 1:18

FURTHER READING

“This is what the Lord says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:16,18-19

Further Reading

Thoughts on today’s verse

FURTHER READING

“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