Finding My Story in God's Story 2017 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.

One Defining Note!

Phil Ware and James Nored remind us that the core of our faith is Jesus, that Christ is our defining note around whom all of us must tune our lives and recognize the grace of being called and transformed to be like him.

Do we realize the grace of getting to tune our lives to Jesus?

In the Footsteps of Jesus

James Nored and Phil Ware remind us of an important reason to be baptized: Jesus was and said it was the right thing to do.

Jesus said this was the right thing for him to do!

Bat Turn at the Jordan

Phil Ware and James Nored look at what the ministry of John the Baptizer meant for people in his day and call on us to share in this move toward the kingdom of God today.

before we can be ready to be fully used by the Lord in the work of the kingdom of God, we must have our bat turn moment.

One of Us!

James and Phil continue their series on The Story of Redemption by focusing on the birth of Jesus and what it means for us.

Jesus didn't come to earth to be protected from life's harshest realities, but entered into mortality to share it all with us — the good, the bad, the ugly, and the painful!

This is Our Story, Too!

Phil Ware and James Nored continue to share God's story of redemption and focus this week on Jesus as the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham and David and the genealogy of Jesus that displays God's grace.

We want our lives to be part of Jesus' story of redemption, and then we want to share that redemption with others!

Our Journey with God

Phil Ware and James Nored remind us that we can journey with God like Abraham, knowing that he goes with us until he brings us fully home.

How do I know God is really with me on my journey to find a home with him?

Honesty with God on Our Journey of Faith

James Nored and Phil Ware remind us that Abraham's journey of faith wasn't easy, his life was not perfect, and his questions for God were real.

Thankfully the Bible is honest about the flaws of our heroes so we can know that we can be a person of faith useful to God, too!

Promises! Promises?

James Nored and Phil Ware remind us that God keeps his promises and Jesus is the ultimate proof that God's promises can be trusted!

Is God good enough and big enough to make all of his great promises come true?

My Response to God's Call

James Nored and Phil Ware remind us of the call of the Lord to leave and follow no matter the cost.

Will I follow on the journey, or will I choose to let where I am, where I'm comfortable, and what I have hold me in bondage?

Rebellious Confusion

James Nored and Phil Ware share in thought and video several important truths about the Tower of Babel story and the human resistance to the will of God.

The story of the Tower of Babel is a reminder of the confusion that ultimately results from refusing to obey God's will.

The Struggle to Find Faith

James Nored and Phil Ware look at C.S. Lewis and his struggle to find faith and our own challenges in believing.

I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!

Noah, Violence, and Grace

James Nored and Phil Ware remind us that violence is not God's plan, but humanity's corrupt and wicked propensity to injure and mar those created in the image of God.

The story of Noah fascinates children, but the message of Noah also reminds us of the Creator's heart being broken by humanity's penchant for violence.

God Still Cares

James Nored and Phil Ware continue their messages on God's plan of redemption and how God longs to restore us to himself.

When we have sinned, fallen short of God's plans for us, and have disappointed our heavenly Father, we assume he puts us into his “club for the unwanteds.”

The Gospel According to Nintendo

Phil Ware continue their series on Finding Our Story in God's Story of Redemption by focusing on the beauty of creation, the arts, and sharing God.

How do we leverage creation to cry out for the Creator to be the guiding force in our lives?

What Happened?

James Nored and Phil Ware remind us that human sin and rebellion have left our world a broken mess, not the world God intended for us.

Why do death, disease, disasters, and devilish influences steer our world, our humanity, into such mess?

Beautiful to Broken

James Nored and Phil Ware continue helping us find our story in God's story, this time looking at the Fall.

Why reject the goodness of God and all he has done to choose our own way?

Made Out of Love

James Nored and Phil Ware continue their series on Finding My Story in God's Story and listening to what the Bible says about our world, about us, and about where to find life.

Why in the world did the Creator make us and give us such a beautiful place to live?

Finding My Story in God's Story

James Nored begins to share his great video series on the Story of Redemption, entitled Finding Your Story in God's Story.

Life's ultimate questions need answers. Do you know where to find them? Do you know how to share them? Do you know how your story fits into God's big picture?