JESUShaped 2022 Archives

For over 30 years, Heartlight has shared articles to help people live for Jesus in everyday life. While we are no longer publishing new articles, this enduring collection features relevant pieces throughout the year to encourage faith, offer biblical perspective, and speak to real-world joys and struggles.

Something Simple, Something Glorious

Phil Ware reminds us that though the bread and wine of this meal are simple, so were Jesus' words to Jairus' daughter, and those words changed everything.

Don't be fooled by the simplicity of this meal, but be reminded that Jesus makes simple things glorious!

Adam 2.0

Phil Ware leads us in exploratory devotional thoughts about the first and second Adams and what they mean to us and that Jesus came as Adam 2.0 to bring us a better future and life eternal with and like Jesus.

When Luke wrote his good news story about Jesus, he wants us to know that as much as we may resent and resemble Adam 1.0, the Holy Spirit is transforming us into Adam 2.0!

8GHT: Don't Just Stand There

Phil Ware finishes his series called 8GHT and focuses on Jesus' command for us to quit standing around and doing nothing but to go and do something to redeem our lost world.

As our world sinks ever deeper into the abyss of division, evil, hatred, and violence, Jesus followers must do more than spout platitudes, post opinions, blame others, go to church, pray, and preach.

Jesus' Power to Get It Done

Phil Ware continues his series called 8GHT, focusing on eight principles out of Acts 1:1-10, today his focus is on the Holy Spirit being the power behind the early church.

We must not forget to punch that little red button and make sure the current of heaven's grace and power flow to us and flow through us to the world.

8GHT: A Family Without Borders

Phil Ware continues his series called 8GHT on Acts 1:1-11 and focuses today on sharing the message of Jesus with the world God loves and all the people of all races and nationalities and social levels.

These ordinary people did the extraordinary: they lived Jesus' words into reality.

8GHT: The Revolutionary Power of Witnesses

Phil Ware continues his short series on Acts 1:1-11 called Phil Ware continues his series called 8GT -- Eight Truths that Turned the World Upside Down -- and focuses on finding those seeking Jesus and being witnesses to them of the great things Jesus has

Let's be witnesses with those here, near, and far like the first followers of Jesus did!

8GHT: What Time Is It?

Phil Ware continues his short series on Acts 1:1-11 and focuses today on restoring the kingdom.

Our world is fractured and lost. It needs to see what the way of the Kingdom looks like in real life today!

EGHT: All Seekers Welcomed Here!

Phil Ware continues his series called 8GT -- Eight Truths that Turned the World Upside Down and focuses on finding those seeking Jesus.

In the Bible, sometimes a person's name was changed because of something that person did or because of something that God was going to do through that person.

8GHT: It's All About Jesus

Phil Ware continues his series called 8GHT -- Eight Truths that Turned the World Upside Down! from Acts 1:1-11, this week focusing on Jesus as the Message, Motive, Model, and Mover in the early days of the church.

Behind every move made by disciples in the book of Acts, Jesus was The Mover!

8GHT: Jesus Isn't Finished with Us Yet!

Phil Ware begins an eight-part series on eight truths that turned the world upside down, a look at the early verses of the book of Acts.

Behind every act of power in Acts, we see Jesus at work, guiding his followers and providing his strength for them to do what he asked of them.

FEPDO

Phil Ware talks about a discovery he made in Acts 1 -- that the early disciples chose to depend upon God's guidance for their direction, decisions, and future.

In cornbread English, these loose lug nuts didn't have a clue about what to do next, so they looked to God for guidance.

Connecting People of Other Cultures with Jesus

Phil Ware continues his series on 'The Andrew Effect' and connecting people with Jesus, this time focusing on including people of other cultures, races, and languages.

Are we willing to take the risk and reach outside our comfort zones to connect people with Jesus?

Connecting Those Who Want to Help Others with Jesus

Phil Ware continues his series on The Andrew Effect focusing this week on bringing those who want to help others in need to Jesus and connecting them and their resources to the Lord.

In a world of so much hurt and so much need, are we going to remain paralyzed to help because of a lack of faith?

Connecting Those We Know with Jesus

Phil Ware continues his series on 'The Andrew Effect' by focusing on connecting those we know with Jesus.

O, God, our hearts ache for them to know Jesus, please help us know how!

Connecting with Jesus Personally

Phil Ware continues his series on The Andrew Effect focused on connecting others with Jesus as our life's mission.

Can I really know Jesus?

Connecting People with Jesus

Phil Ware begins a series of messages on The Andrew Effect -- connecting people with Jesus and helps us learn from Andrew on how to make a Jesus difference in the lives of others.

What am I put here to do?

A Touch of Grace in Horrific Moments

Phil Ware shares a Holy Spirit given insight into the horrific deaths of Jonath, Saul, and Jesus, and how good people did kind things to mitigate the pain and evil of those deaths.

If we are willing to get our hands dirty to show loving respect, God will use us to be his touch of grace in times of horror.

More Than What's in The Sacred Page

Phil Ware shares very frank and clear teaching about how Jesus resisted temptation and reminds us that simply knowing the Bible is not enough to win the war with Satan.

When Jesus was hungry, alone, and had been contemplating his mission that would end on a cross, Satan's temptations were quite enticing!

Nicos and Yosef Save Easter?

Phil Ware reminds us that Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea were indisputable eye witnesses to the death of Jesus so the resurrection could be assured!

The real question is whether or not we will choose to follow Jesus from the cross, to the tomb, and into the new life that Jesus' resurrection brings?

Seed, Towel, Promise, and Torchlight: The Torchlight

Phil Ware concludes his four-part series on Jesus' Passion called seed, towel, promise, and torchlight.

With Jesus' arrest under torchlight, the end for darkness' reign drew near.

Key Resources for Resurrection Sunday, Holy Week, Commission and Ascension Sundays

Phil Ware shares some great online resources for images for Holy Week and Resurrection Sunday.

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched.

Seed, Towel, Promise, & Torchlight: The Promise

Phil Ware continues his series on Seed, Towel, Promise, and Torchlight, focusing this week on the power of Jesus' promise in the face of his own impending death.

Jesus gave his promise to speak comfort and hope into this place of deep longing in their hearts

Seed, Towel, Promise, and Torchlight: The Towel

Phil Ware continues his series on Seed, Towel, Promise, and Torchlight focusing on common elements in our world, our lives, that Jesus used to join our hearts to his love.

The hands that would soon be nailed to a cross now reached for a towel to serve those that would abandon him while he hung on that cross, alone!

Seed, Towel, Promise, and Torchlight: The Seed

Phil Ware continues his four week series on seed, towel, promise, and torchlight focusing on the power of the Seed to overcome dirt, darkness, and death.

Go ahead, plant a seed. See it disappear into the dirt. But, don't forget!

Seed, Towel, Promise, and Torchlight: Introduction

Phil Ware begins a four-week series on seed, towel, promise, and torchlight as he looks at Jesus' last hours on earth and what they mean for us.

Yes, the seed is still enough of a mystery to keep me interested while I wait for the full blessing of its secrets to reach full bloom.