Articles Tagged 'Lit' (Page 2)

To the Least of These, Like Jesus

by James Nored & Phil Ware · Matthew 23 · Least

James Nored and Phil Ware remind us that we not only must become like children but as Jesus' followers, we must value children.

Largely, in the days when Jesus came, children were only valued if they were wanted. I wonder what history will say in the future about us?

Living My MUSD #4: Shared Prayer through Empowering Missionally

by Phil Ware · Ephesians 6:18-20

Phil Ware shares some practical ideas on how to stay on mission even while practicing social distancing.

I get done only what I pray for!

Living My MUSD #3: Shared Prayer through Communicating Purposefully

by Phil Ware · Ephesians 1:16-20

Phil Ware shares some practical ideas on how to stay on mission even while practicing social distancing.

My prayers for others mean much more to them when they know what I have prayed for them!

What Jesus Can't Do!

by Phil Ware · Mark 6:1-6 · Faith

Phil Ware looks at Mark 6:1-6 and reminds us that this story is for us because we are Jesus' family, relatives, and hometown!

Why did Mark include it in his gospel? After all, his gospel is the shortest and most compact story of Jesus among the four gospels!

Dry Pine Needles and Cold, Dusty Attics

by Phil Ware · Hebrews 2:14-18

Phil Ware reminds us that as we clean up from Christmas and New Year, the mess left after the holidays should remind us of the hard times Jesus and his family faced after his birth.

Jesus' real-to-life circumstances, along with his dangerous predicaments caused by his divine reality, are comforting to me.

To the Least, Like Jesus

by James Nored & Phil Ware · Matthew 25:40-45 · Life · Least

James Nored and Phil Ware remind us that we not only must become like children, but as Jesus' followers, we must value children.

Largely, in the days when Jesus came, children were only valued if they were wanted.

Cruciformed #5: The Power of Small

by Phil Ware · Mark 8-10 · Servant

Phil Ware continues his series on the Cruciformed disciple, focusing this week on the power of the small.

Jesus’ disciples were clueless. Even worse, they were unwilling to accept that the role of exaltation for Jesus and his followers involved the cross of Golgotha!

Cruciformed #4: Only by Prayer

by Phil Ware · Mark 9 · Prayer

Phil Ware continues his series of posts from the discipleship section of Mark chapters 8-10, this time focusing on the boy the disciples of Jesus could not heal.

Unlike the father of the boy with the tormenting spirit, we don’t confess our unbelief and then ask for help in believing more is possible.

How Full Is Your Gift Sack?

by Phil Ware · Philippians 2:5-11

Phil Ware asks us to remember all the people who joined Jesus at his birth and challenges us to believe that these are exactly the kind of people Jesus came to redeem -- people just like us!

Most of us only hoped to get enough of these seasons’ “givings” in our sacks not to be embarrassed, humiliated and marked as a less than desirable.

Jesus Came to Be One of Us!

by James Nored & Phil Ware · John 1:1-18 · Jesus · Christmas · Incarnation

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

We desperately need to push past the glitz of the season and remember the gritty grace of the manger and the glory of God incarnate in a helpless baby who came to be one of us!

Lead with Gentleness

by Tom Norvell · Philippians 4:5

Tom Norvell reminds us that gentleness is essential in today's divided world because we know that Jesus is near.

In a society where parents are overwhelmed, overbooked, overworked, and overstressed, I can be a voice of gentleness!

Credentials

by Phil Ware · 2 Corinthians 12 · Cross · Credibility

Phil Ware looks at the way we chase and give credibility in our world and reminds how Paul showed credibility in his own: becoming a servant, in weakness, and letting God's glory and power be seen in him.

What are the achievements that validate your credibility at doing the things you are called to do?

Be Mindful of the Words You Hear

by Tom Norvell · Philippians 4:8-9 · Listening

Tom Norvell reminds us that we don't have to hear the messages and noise around us, we can follow Jesus' example and withdraw from the situation.

You don't have to listen to the noise around you!

All in the Family

by Phil Ware · Matthew 1:1-6

Phil Ware is using December to remind us how to welcome Jesus during this special time and what Jesus' coming means for each of us.

When God chose to come into our world through a child, he chose a family line that was every bit as messed up as our world.

One of Us!

by James Nored & Phil Ware · John 1:1-18 · Incarnation

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!

Ancient Wisdom, Today's Grace: Singing the Jesus Song

by Phil Ware · Philippians 2:1-11 · Servant

Phil Ware continues his series on 'Ancient Wisdom, Today's Grace' and challenges us to follow Paul's example of using our songs to call us back to Jesus.

What can reach our hearts and call us to be like Jesus with power and emotion?

What Happens When You Die?

by Max Lucado · John 5:25-29 · Death

Max Lucado shares insights from the Bible about what happens to us when we die and what Jesus' resurrection means to our hope.

What Jesus' resurrection guarantees about our own.

I Doubt it: Stepping Out of the Boat

by Phil Ware · Matthew 14:22-31 · Doubt

Phil Ware reminds us that it is not the storm or our "little faith" that is the problem: it's losing sight of Jesus!

Jesus didn't give up on Peter and his 'little faith' and he won't give up on us!

Something Greater to Come

by Phillip Morrison · 1 John 4 · Christmas

Phillip Morrison reminds us that waiting and Christmas and Advent involve waiting and the wait is worth the effort when the desire of our hearts comes and fills us with his love.

Waiting for the Lord to come and realizing that his coming is clothed in love.

His Power Becomes Our Power

by Max Lucado · Ephesians 3:16 · Holy Spirit

Max Lucado reminds us to wait on the Holy Spirit to come with power.

When we wait on the Holy Spirit, we are anticipating God's power to work through us to God's glory!

Keep Singing the Song

by Phillip Morrison · Genesis 1:26-27 · Sexuality

Phillip Morrison brings Sara Barton's writings into the moments of our headlines of today with a story from long ago that reminds us that God's word still has the ultimate love song.

As followers of Jesus, isn't it time the world heard what we are for when it comes to sexuality?

The Lord is Near: Doubts

by Phil Ware · Philippians 4:4-9

Phil Ware shares his third in a series of 6 messages on the promise that the LORD is near; this time focusing on our doubts.

How do we hang onto God's promises when they seem too good to be true?

Two Little Girls

by Phil Ware · Matthew 19:14 · Compassion International

Phil Ware reminds us of the power of compassion, especially when that compassion is channeled to help children escape poverty in Jesus' name through Compassion International.

To Jesus, she's more than just another forgotten little girl!

How Big Is Our Aquarium?

by Phil Ware · Colossians 1:15-23 · Love · Unity · Selfish

Phil Ware looks through The Jesus Window and is led to ask a question of all of us: just how big is our aquarium, just how big is our Jesus?

Why do we have to be the big fish in our small puddle?

Where Is the Love?

by Tom Norvell · 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Tom Norvell reminds us that as disciples of Jesus, our job is to bring the love of Jesus into every arena of life, even if the rest of the world has forgotten to do so.