Articles Tagged 'Self'

Finding Jesus' Heart for Ministry: Purpose

If we are honest, so much of what we choose to do is based on our self-interest, while Jesus invites us to live life centered in God's purpose for us!

This post continues Phil Ware's look at the man with leprosy in Mark 1:35-45 and Jesus' loving interaction with the man after he had committed to live out the Father's purpose in his life.

Is God Listening to My Prayers?

Prayer that the Father hears is directed to him in faith with an unselfish attitude, seeking to bless and honor God's will because of our love for the Father.

Bill Sherrill reminds us about the importance of prayer and how we should pray to honor God.

ToGather: The Wisdom God Longs to Give Us! (January 23, 2022)

We know that our God showers his grace upon us. One of his greatest gifts is heavenly wisdom, given when we ask for it in faith.

Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in virtual worship through words and music using YouTube videos encouraging us to recognize that God is our Father who longs to share His heavenly wisdom with His people.

The Andrew Effect: Jesus Promises His Presence

Can we really expect to meet Jesus? The sad reality is that many folks give up on meeting and experiencing Jesus, personally.

Phil Ware invites into the "Andrew Effect" and reminds us that Jesus promised to be present with us as we live out the four moves of Phil calls the Andrew Effect

Beyond Chapter and Verse

Have we missed the joy of our Father and the party he longs to throw for all of us who love him and give up all to follow Jesus?

Jordan Harrell and Phil Ware invite to come celebrate at the table of grace our Father longs for us to share and not get hung up on chapter and verse prooftexting religion.

Daily Altar of Grace

God isn't going to accept anything we offer him — our hearts, our Sunday worship, our offerings, our praise, our hopes, our private prayers, our dreams — if we knowingly remain at odds with a brother or sister in Christ.

Phil Ware takes the two love commands of Jesus, the Greatest Commands, and applies them to all of life for a follower of the Lord.

Unlikely Heroes Who Sacrifice

Their flesh yearned for a mighty conqueror who would slay their enemies. Jesus made it clear that he would not be that kind of hero!

James Nored and Phil Ware remind us of that inner part of us that still bears the stamp of God's divine nature, the part that is touched by stories of self-sacrifice.

Grace for the Worst of Us... Even Me!

It took several years for him to dig out of the hole he made for himself with his lack of appreciation for grace and his own need of it.

James Nored and Phil Ware remind us that not only is God's grace available in his love and mercy but also that mercy and grace is available to all, even the worst of sinners, like you and me!

Unlikely Heroes

Their flesh yearned for a mighty conqueror who would slay their enemies. Jesus made it clear to Peter that he was not that kind of hero!

James Nored and Phil Ware remind us of that inner part of us that still bears the stamp of God's divine nature, the part that is touched by stories of self-sacrifice.

Teach Us to Pray 09: Recalibrating Need

Our prayers often treat God as if he is the free Amazon delivery service for our every whim and want.

Phil Ware with Andy Johnson remind us that our prayer is for the bread we need today, not the extravagance we want for ourselves.

Waiting to Be Ready

Can any good thing come from having to wait?

Phil Ware turns to some key principles Jesus' lead apostle Peter shared with people in his day to help them be ready for both opportunity and trial.

More Mess than Ministry?

When we choose our way, when we think we must be true to what we feel rather than what Jesus said, we find ourselves opposing the work of Christ.

Phil Ware reminds us that authentic ministry involves listening for the will of God in time in God's presence, genuine compassionate and personal care for those who are broken, and obedience to Jesus as our Lord.

How Big Is Our Aquarium?

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

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?

The Misunderstanding

Without understanding the cross, we turn Christianity into another human contest about self-importance.

Phil Ware shares his third post on The Question, Peter's confession of Jesus and how he had to be broken before he could really understand what his confession meant.

Destructive Selfies

Click! Click! Oops!

When we only think about ourselves and our projects, we run the risk of trampling others and shattering the faith of those around us.

God's Claim on You!

No matter what anyone else may say about you, you are precious to your Creator!

Max Lucado reminds us that we are precious to God and he has done everything he can to help us see that we are precious to the Creator of the universe.

Purpose

Jesus refused the route of popularity and chose to live for God's purpose.

This post continues Phil Ware's look at the man with leprosy in Mark 1:35-45 and Jesus' loving interaction with the man after he had committed to live out the Father's purpose in his life.

The God Who Believes in You

Where do we turn when no one believes in us... including us?

Max Lucado reminds us that God doesn't give up on us even when everyone us, including us, does.

I Choose

We have a huge impact on our day by what we decide to choose!

Max Lucado reminds us that our life is made by what we choose to do with our character and our heart.

Following Jesus Is Not About You

Making a decision to follow Jesus is really not about you at all.

The decision to follow Jesus is not about you. If anything, it is about rejecting yourself.

Fifty Shades?

Is it Grey or Gray?

Patrick Odum writes about 50 Shades of Grey and reminds us to think carefully about our participation and expectation of the movie and our sexuality.

Keep in Step with the Spirit

Can you dance with the Holy Spirit

Phil Ware continues his short series on the Holy Spirit focusing on dancing with the Spirit and keeping in step with the Spirit.

The Scorned Virtue

Why do we see this as weakness?

Rubel Shelly reminds us of the Christian virtue of humility, which is not thinking less of ourself, but thinking of ourself less.

What Women Need to Say to Each Other to Shatter the Dark

Who determines my worth as a daughter of the King?

Ann Voskamp looks at her daughters, remembers her own journey, and reminds all women that it is God, our Father, who determines the worth of a woman, not a mirror, not the media, and not our own doubts and self-deprecations.

Early Morning Coffee Discipline

What's this discipline of early morning coffee?

Rubel Shelly reminds us that even early morning coffee can be a good thing if it is tied to a great habit of self-disciplined focus.