Articles Tagged 'Sh' (Page 15)

Our New Chapter

by Jackie Halstead, Ph.D. · Romans 12:1-2 · New Year

Jackie Halstead challenges us to take advantage of the New Year to begin writing a new chapter in our lives that brings grace to a world struggling with evil.

My response is to recognize God’s greatness and grace in using me as an instrument and with confidence move into this pure, unspotted new chapter.

A Labor of Love

by Phil Ware · Luke 1 · Jesus · Christmas · Incarnation

Phil Ware shares some thoughts on what incarnation means as the collision of mortality and eternal, God in human flesh.

Jesus' birth was the collision of the gloriously divine and mundanely human. It was God entering our world through the birth canal of a woman.

Far Beyond the Monotony of Low Expectations

by Phil Ware · Luke 1 · Jesus · Christmas · Advent

Phil Ware reminds us to celebrate Advent and not simply settle for Christmas.

Advent is rooted in the work of God in history through real people to do the miraculous in the most human of things, the birth of a child.

More than the Outskirts of His Ways

by James Nored & Phil Ware · Hebrews 1:1-3 · Incarnation

Phil Ware and James Nored share in word and video an idea about how we can truly understand God's greatness, glory, and grace even though we cannot understand everything about him.

If there is a God and he's out there, why doesn't he just get it over with and show himself to us? Why this need for faith?

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.

Phil Ware continues his series of messages of how Jesus values women, focusing this week on the loving and extravagant gift of the unnamed woman who broke her alabaster jar and anointed Jesus with expensive perfume.

Regardless of our reasons in the past, let’s make sure we honor the Lord’s wishes in this circumstance and others like it.

Treasure in the Details

by Phil Ware · Romans 16:1-16 · Women

Phil Ware continues his series of reflections on the importance of women in the Bible, the ministry of Jesus, and the early church.

Paul could not have made the importance of Phoebe's previous work in Cenchrae and her future work with the church in Rome more clear.

When Storms Come

by Max Lucado · Hebrews 7:25

Max Lucado shares words of encouragement and hope as hurricane Florence comes ashore.

Could you use some hope in the aftermath of this storm, and in other choppy seas you may be facing?

God's Providence? Perhaps!

by Steve Higginbotham · Romans 8:28 · Providence

Steve Higginbotham connects us with God's amazing work at getting people together and helping them live as brothers in Christ both in Bible times and today!

Is this any less amazing than Paul’s unlikely meeting with Onesimus?

Important Women, Important Roles

by Phil Ware · Hebrews 11 · Women

Phil Ware continues his series on the role of women and their importance in the story of God's unfolding grace.

If we listen carefully to God’s unfolding story, there are many strong women of faith who played key roles in the life of God's people!

The Holy Family, Incarcerated!

by Patrick D. Odum · Matthew 2 · Refugees

Patrick Odum challenges us to think critically and lovingly in light of our new-found awareness of baby Jesus' status as a refugee from violence.

Christ Church takes the story of the flight to Egypt and uses it to make us think about what the “old, old story” of Jesus tells us about this very contemporary issue.

The Good Life: Following the Way of Jesus

by James Nored & Phil Ware · Matthew 5 · Jesus

Phil Ware and James Nored, through word and video, remind us of our need to return to the Jesus-styled kind of life.

Jesus went up on the mountain and taught his followers to live the good life — to live as Jesus did!

I Will Cling to the Old Rugged Cross

by Phillip Morrison · John 19 · Homebound · Holy Week

Phillip Morrison reminds us where the journey of Holy Week ends and our new life in Christ begins, the cross and the empty tomb.

Like him, and because of him, we live and die to live again.

Your Feet in His Hands

by Max Lucado · John 13

Max Lucado writes reminding us of our need for being washed and made clean by Jesus.

We say, “No! Don’t wash their feet, Jesus. Tell them to wash Yours!”

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?

Life Happens!

by Brian McCutchen · Psalm 73 · Assurance

Brian McCutchen uses the journey of Asaph in Psalm 73 to remind us that life happens to everyone, but God is with those who love him.

No one is exempt from life’s challenges.

Trust God to Lead

by Max Lucado · Matthew 6:34

Max Lucado reminds us to trust God to lead us into the future and not worry about what is ahead.

Why do we worry about what lies ahead when we know the One Who is already there?

The Story of Our Savior's Birth

by Scripture · Matthew 1

Jesus' birth stories from Matthew and Luke are shared in straight Scripture from The Voice Bible.

Sometimes we just need to hear the familiar story told simply with fresh words.

The Weather When Jesus Came

by Phil Ware · John 3:16-17 · Jesus · Christmas

Phil Ware recalls a refreshing winter morning that reminds him of the weather when Jesus came.

What will your weather be this Christmas?

Jesus, Be Born in Me

by Phil Ware · Matthew 1:28-35 · Jesus · Christmas · Mary, Jesus' Mother

Phil Ware reminds us of the gritty reality of Jesus' birth and Mary choosing to accept the challenge of being Jesus' mother and reminds us of our need to commit to have Jesus born in our lives.

Like Mary, we don't know fully what we are committing to do, but we know that our ultimate destination is Jesus.

Indescribable

by Phil Ware · Acts 20:35 · Christmas · Giving · Generosity

Phil Ware shares a quick thank you for all who have donated and then focuses on establishing a new tradition of teaching his grandchildren to share what they have with others.

Wow! What a precious addition to our Christmas with these boys. We hope to do something like this every year.

We've Got to Listen Before We Speak

by Tim Archer · James 1:19 · Evangelism

I've come to believe that's the wrong focus. Instead of thinking of what we're going to say, we need to focus on listening. What will we hear? How will we get the other person to open up? Can we learn enough about them to help them draw closer to God

Don't focus on what you're going to say!

Finish!

by Phil Ware · John 4:34 · Purpose · Called · Finish

Phil Ware reminds us that we are called to accomplish the mission God has called us to do so that when our days on earth are over we can say we have finished the work he has given us to do.

As long as there is life, we have a mission and purpose to complete.

Knowing the People Makes the Difference

by Bill Brant · 1 Thessalonians 3:9 · Disaster

Who do you know that needs your prayers and your help? What else can you do to help them because knowing the people makes the difference!

It's all about who you know

Simple, Complex, and Awesome

by Byron Ware · Romans 5:6-11 · Love

Byron Ware reminds us that in our world of darkness, now more than ever, we need to be a people who do put love into practice every day.