The Jesus Window (Page 8)

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.

Beyond Description

by Phil Ware · John 1:1-18

Phil Ware looks at the gospel of John chapter 1 and reflects on all the titles, names, and descriptions given to Jesus in this one chapter and what it really means for us.

The beloved disciple wants us to know and love Jesus like he does!

Forever Friends!

by Phil Ware · John 15:15

Phil Ware reminds us that in Jesus, we are friends, and our friendships reach around the world, across cultures, and unite us in one family.

As followers of Jesus, we are blessed to have forever friends from all over the world!

Waiting to Be Ready

by Phil Ware · 1 Peter 1:13-16 · Waiting · Preparation · Holiness

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.

Can any good thing come from having to wait?

No Fear Here!

by Phil Ware · 1 John 3:16-18 · Salvation · Love · Sacrifice

Phil Ware reminds us what we know, but often don't practice; our love must have no barriers.

Do we let love drive out our fear, or are we still holding back?

Treasure

by Phil Ware · Colossians 1:19-22 · Grace

Phil Ware tells us a simple story of a mother's love to remind how our Father sees us as his treasure.

How can such a discovery, no matter how badly dirt-encrusted and stained, not be seen as a genuine treasure?

Willing to Be Powerful

by Phil Ware · Mark 9:28-35 · Sacrifice

Phil Ware writes out of the context of recent disasters and the loss of a mother and child to remind us that being a servant, offering ourselves in sacrificial love, is never a waste!

Dear God in heaven, we’d sure like to have a little bit of power to alter our irrelevance, lighten the burdens of others, and heal the wounds of the broken and despairing.

Looking Beyond the Fireworks

by Phil Ware · Mark 9:2-10 · Jesus

Phil Ware reminds us not to miss the truth about Jesus by getting too caught up in the heavenly fireworks of the Transfiguration.

Peter thought it was good to be in that moment in time, but he had no idea the greatness of Jesus that he was missing!

When Right Words Are Very Wrong

by Phil Ware · Mark 8:45

Phil reminds us that having right answers means very little if we don't treat people like Jesus did.

Right answers can never substitute for right living.

More than Meets the Eye

by Phil Ware · Mark 6:30-44 · Weakness

Phil Ware looks into Jesus feeding the five thousand and reminds us that he longs to do amazing things through us, too!

Exhausted, bone-weary, and insufficient to meet the task at hand? Ah, you may just be in the place where Jesus can use you most powerfully!

Kryptonite of Grace

by Phil Ware · Mark 6:1-6

Phil Ware challenges us with a hard truth about our low expectations of what we believe Jesus can do with us, for us, and through us -- are we, the church, the Nazareth of today?

Why in the world would Mark tell this story about what Jesus couldn't do after telling about four powerful miracles Jesus did?

Legion No More!

by Phil Ware · Mark 5:1-20 · Demons

Phil Ware reminds us the battle we are in with Satan with our lives and how Jesus can end our bondage to him.

Jesus came to bring us freedom from bondage to Satan and his power.

Primal Fears

by Phil Ware · Mark 4 · Fear

Phil Ware looks at Jesus and how he brings us victory over our worst fears as adults.

Instinctive? Maybe. Pervasive? Absolutely! Primal fears have plagued humanity for as long as we have told stories and laid awake at night... afraid!

Aren't the Trees Nice and Full!

by Phil Ware · Mark 4:30-32 · Transformation · TRANSENDING

Phil Ware introduces us to the concept of TRANSENDING.church and calls us to be a people who gather to transform and scatter.

We are called to be a group of mustard seed people — folks who know they are GATHERED to be TRANSFORMED and SCATTERED.

Not a Patch, but a Whole New World

by Phil Ware · 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 · Jesus

Phil Ware continues looking at the gospel of Mark and reminds us that Jesus isn't a patch on religion or a new joy to infuse old and stale religion; he is an altogether all new thing.

Pursue Jesus. Completely pursue him. You will notice that while you are not religious, you are being drawn to a holy character and gracious compassion that religion longs to impart, but cannot!

Dinner at Levi's House

by Phil Ware · Mark 2:13-17

Phil Ware asks a bunch of troubling questions as he looks at the story of Jesus and his call of Levi and the party Levi had at his house afterwords.

They're unsettling. They're uncomfortable. They're troubling. So, we don't ask, at least not out loud!

I Will Believe for You Until You Can Believe for Yourself

by Phil Ware · Mark 2:1-12

Phil Ware reminds us of Mark's story about Jesus and the four friends who dug a hole in the roof to get their buddy to Jesus.

During times of cascading badness, friends sometimes need to believe for those caught in the crush of seriously bad stuff.

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.

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.

Preparing Hearts for Jesus

by Phil Ware · Mark 1:1-9 · Salvation

Phil Ware shares insight on the beginning of Mark's gospel and how salvation is preceded by service, serving comes before saving, and the gospel always begins with a servant.

The sequence of grace — serving before saving!

Viewing People as Jesus Did!

by Phil Ware · John 9 · Value

Phil Ware reminds us of the four ways we often view people that are very crass and treats them as less than human, then he compares that to how Jesus views people.

Too often as human beings, we tend to view people in ways that demean their value to God and reveal the diminished value we place upon them.

I Doubt It: World Changers

by Phil Ware · Acts 1:1-8 · Great Commission

Phil Ware continues his series called 'I Doubt It' and focuses today on Jesus' call and promise that his eleven apostles and those that followed them would turn the world upside down with their message of good news and hope and grace.

Despite early Jewish opposition and later Roman persecution and martyrdom, their passion, conviction, and impact could not be stopped.

I Doubt It: You Still Have a Lot to Offer

by Phil Ware · John 21 · Rest · Restore

Phil Ware continues his 'I Doubt It' series and reminds us that Jesus not only forgives and cleanses, but he restores and calls us back to ministry.

Yes, we've all blown it at some point, yet Jesus does more than remind us we're valuable; the Lord calls us back to service!

I Doubt It: Jesus Is Risen from the Dead

by Phil Ware · 1 Corinthians 15

Phil Ware continues his series called 'I Doubt It' and focuses this week on Jesus having risen from death to never die again.

Jesus is risen, and we believe because the first disciples had their doubts!

I Doubt It: Dirty Feet & Open Hands

by Phil Ware · John 13 · Servant

Phil Ware continues his series called, 'I Doubt It,' focusing this week on Jesus' tender act of washing the disciples' feet.

Learning the art of loving and sacrificial service in a room full of dirty feet.

I Doubt It: Never Die

by Phil Ware · John 11

Phil Ware continues his "I Doubt It" series focused today on Jesus' promise to Mary that those who believe in him will never die.