2 Corinthians 3:17-18

"Dear Father, transformer of my life, Lord God, I thank you for your Spirit, for the Lord, and for the freedom I have in them. Thank you that I, with...."

"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate [and reflect] the Lord's..."

"Whenever, though, [people] turn to face God as Moses did, God removes the veil and there they are — face to face! They suddenly recognize that God is a..."

"But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away [a veil like the metaphorical veil that kept the Jews from understanding the old covenant]. For....."

"Whenever, though, [the Israelites] turn to face God as Moses did, God removes the veil and there they are — face to face! They suddenly recognize that..."

"And we, who with unveiled faces all [contemplate and] reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes...."

Inspirational illustration of 2 Corinthians 3:18 -- And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

We live our lives where we place our focus! Phil Ware reminds us that by focusing on Jesus and our need for Jesus to be the transforming presence in our lives the Holy Spirit transforms and conforms us to Jesus with increasing likeness.

How will you face the winds of change? Ron Rose writes about change and how it is not only inevitable, but it is the answer to life's greatest challenges and the wind upon which faith sails.

Instead of responding to my requests, Abba whispers, 'Let's chase rabbits!' Ron Rose shares how God has taught him that the real answers are not in the smooth, seamless, well-thought-out passages, but in the journey chasing His rabbits!

Can we really become all God has made us to be if we rush ourselves to God's goal? Rubel Shelly reminds us that rushing around to get where we think God wants us to be is seldom God's plan and seldom accomplishes what God wants to do in us.

How do we really help people with low self-esteem? We are given remarkable freedom in Jesus; we can become like him.

Don't give up on the changes that need to occur! Transformation, sanctification takes time in the real world of our lives, but God won't give up on us.

Thoughts of freedom permeate the thoughts of the people of our world right now. Phil Ware reminds us on the eve of Independence Day in the U.S. and movements all around the world striving for freedom, that the Holy Spirit gives us the greatest freedom of all!

Can we keep growing, or do we have to stop just because we age? Phil Ware shares an insight on older people in the Bible and today who kept growing and changing through the years because they wanted to be more like Jesus.

Are you going through life like a zombie? Ron Rose talks about sleep walking through life like zombies and how we were made to find life and dance with joy and help others do the same.

Why intentionally face hard opponents? Phil Ware shares insight on the challenges of trials and sufferings and also on the desire and passion to have God's character produced in our lives through perseverance in times that are hard and facing opponents that are challenging.

Phil Ware challenges us to look beyond the New Year's resolutions on to a life pursuing Jesus. Phil Ware challenges us to look beyond the New Year's resolutions on to a life pursuing Jesus.

"Dear Follower, I came into the world as the Light of the World. That means I came to bring true light. So much light around you is dim and full of..."

To become more like Christ, we must allow the Lord to lead us in the dance of grace to the music of the Holy Spirit. Phil Ware shares article three in his four-part series on being transformed to become like Jesus.

I bet you can't find any that are easy! The New Year's resolutions that we committed to keep begin in earnest today and they won't be possible without the help of God because there are no simple changes.

Our practice of omitting from the Lord's Great Commission is more likely based on our preference for the attractional model of doing church. Phil Ware continues his series on What is CORE focusing on the training -- teaching to obey -- element of the Great Commission.

Tired of seeing the same ol' thing? God will help us overcome our sinful re-runs.

God isn't after change, that happens all the time: God wants transformation! Phil Ware continues his series on Jesus and transformation and focuses today on our walking with Jesus each day in the gospels and learning his words and talking with him and taking on on his character and compassion as the Spirit transforms us.

Surely you want to do something a little deeper than just another coat of pain? External changes won't cut it, we need real spiritual transformation which comes from the Spirit of God.

That passion to pursue Jesus must never die! Phil Ware continues his series tied to Thanksgiving called "...and thankful" and this week he is thankful for the longing to move toward Jesus and pursue the things of God.

The more I discover, the vast possibilities ahead yawn even wider before me. Melissa Troyer reminds us of the breathtaking partnership we have with Christ to remain in the process of transformation.

Why does the character we long to have take so long to develop? Phil Ware's first in a four article series on Jesus' work of transformation in us.

Paul insists that we serve under a new covenant, a covenant not based on law but on the life-giving Spirit of God. Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead through worship in song, the Lord's Supper, a powerful message from God's word, and a blessing to enable us to worship from home or with family and friends in a meaningful way.

How do we accomplish great things and find ourselves attaining greatness? Rubel Shelly uses John Wooden as an example and a great quote on the need to focus on doing today what we can do and make the little changes each day that get us closer to our goal.

What things change for the better as we grow older? Change for the better only happens if our goal is Jesus and our power to change is the Holy Spirit?

What does God have in store for this New Year? Ron Rose writes about redemption and even more of sanctification, the slow work of God to transform us into something new and better and more like Him and reminds us that this is a process.

So what do you see in your mirror? Kimberli looks in the magnifying mirror and sees things she doesn't like on her face and also in her life.

The Holy Spirit gives birth to Lord in the heart of each new Christian and longs to bring that new follower of Christ to full maturity in Jesus. Phil Ware challenges us to enter the mystery of the conception and birth of Jesus the Messiah with Mary and find ourselves caught up in the story of Jesus with her.

How does your shoulder feel? Exercise can cause pain, but that pain is necessary to help us grow and see things more clearly.

When was the last time you played this part? Getting a chance to play Santa Claus opens up a deep joy and a reminder that we need to be Jesus to those around us.

How do you know there is still time to make a difference? Paul Faulkner reminds us that it's never too late to make a difference in the lives of our family members if we will start today.

The Holy Spirit gives birth to Lord in the heart of each new Christian and longs to bring that new follower of Christ to full maturity in Jesus. Phil Ware challenges us to enter the mystery of the conception and birth of Jesus the Messiah with Mary and find ourselves caught up in the story of Jesus with her.

Jesus longs to be born again into our world in me? Jesus wasn't just born into our world in the womb of Mary, but he longs to be born into our world again in each individual Christian the Holy Spirit gives birth to in the world.

God bless us all as we seek to let the grace of Jesus shine through us and touch those around us. Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware share a DIY worship plan with a message, songs, and other resources in YouTuube video format and including a communion devotional by Rubel Shelly.

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! 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.

Can folks tell you've been in His presence? Sure people will be touched by The Passion, but will they be touched by what they see of Christ in us?

God set us free from law-keeping and sinful rebellion so that we can find freedom to become all we were created to be. Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in a virtual, DIY, worship through words and music using YouTube videos to celebrate our freedom in Christ and make a commitment to never give up our freedom to law-keeping or sin.

Mary yielded her life completely to the LORD's call, discipline, and purpose for her. Will I? Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in a virtual, DIY, worship through words and music using YouTube videos to say thank you to our moms and call us to surrender to the discipline and transformation God is working in our lives.

What will you do with this fresh and shining new year? It's a bright and shining new year so let's do something with it to bless the Lord and his kingdom.

God is the potter. He created us, taking us from an idea to what He imagined we could be, then shaping us into something beautiful. Tom Norvell reminds us what it means to be in the hands of the potter!

"Dear Disciple, How does one of My ministers prove his or her legitimacy, worth, and right to serve and lead? Paul will return to this question over...."

When is it okay to think that we've arrived at spiritual maturity? Phil Ware continues his series on 'Ancient Wisdom, Today's Grace' and focuses on our desire to continue to grow in Christ.

To become more like Christ, we must allow the Lord to lead us in the dance of grace to the music of the Holy Spirit. Phil Ware shares article three in his four part series on being transformed to become like Jesus.

I want to grow spiritually — to be more like Jesus — but can I really do that? Phil Ware answers a question he is often asked by those who are new followers of Jesus or people whose spiritual lives have stagnated: "How can I grow spiritually?"

So do we make people think of Jesus? Phil Ware continues his series on What is Core by calling us to true discipleship, people being conformed to be like Jesus and living out the cross, burial, and resurrection in their lives.

Why feel this kind of urgency? Why not think about retirement and enjoying my... ? At the beginning of the New Year, and the beginning of his new year of living, Phil Ware challenges us to be more like Jesus, especially in the way he loves people.

Isn't this an oxymoron? Mike Barres reminds us that God wants to bless us and he also wants to conform us to Jesus: so let's not use our Christianity for selfish motives.

Can we ever be more than a lump of clay or a collection of dust? Article on the transformation God can do in our lives changing us from a lump of clay into an object of beauty and usefulness.

Have you seen the Gospel demonstrated lately? Sometimes it is helpful to just see the Gospel of Jesus demonstrated; that's what the movie Radio helps do for us.

Have you forgotten the freedom you have in the Spirit? Nothing short of the Holy Spirit is enough to account for the Christian's change!

Do you feel as if our world has completely changed in its attitude toward faith? Tim Woodroof of Interim Ministry Partners shares the introductory article on changes facing the church today and comparing it to the early church we find in the book of Acts.

God alone had earned the right to speak truth into their lives, compassion into their hearts, and righteousness into their behaviors. James Nored and Phil Ware remind us of the importance of the 10 Commandments and the two divine principles of God and Jesus and call us to live them in our daily lives.

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

All anyone wants to talk about is Jesus! Phil Ware concludes his series on Inviting Jesus back to church with this message on Jesus being our center.

How can we be shaped by both our Father's nature and his nurture? Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead through worship in song, the Lord's Supper, a powerful message from God's word, and a blessing to enable us to worship from home or with family and friends in a meaningful way.

We all need to discover that Jesus is not just alive and interceding for us at the right hand of God, but he is also present with us now as our resurrected Lord, Savior, and friend. Phil Ware shares how we can experience Jesus in our lives based on Jesus' promises and Matthew's story of Jesus in his Gospel.

Where do you find God doing His best work? Ron Rose talks about layers in photography and layers in our lives, and emphasizes that the layers are where God's transformation takes place.

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.

Where will we find Jesus in the middle of our messes? We will find the presence of Jesus in our lives when we are willing to be his presence in the lives of others.

Are you going to take Jesus out to the curb with the rest of the Christmas trash? We can't let Jesus be relegated to just Christmas; he needs to be part of our world every day.

Who do you look like? We may look like a lot of people, but the real issue is whether or not we look like Jesus.

If the Lord can transform Peter with his failures, imagine what the Lord can do with you. Phil Ware finishes his four part series on Peter and following Jesus by focusing on Jesus transforming and cruciforming him into a great servant for the Kingdom of God.

Not only can we begin the New Year as a fresh start, but we can also be made new — from the inside out — each day as we follow Jesus! Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in virtual worship through words and music using YouTube videos and inviting us to continually be made new from the inside out.

When all is said and done, what will you be? When we grow up, we want to be like Jesus!

"Dear Disciple, Some of Paul's language in his letter to the Galatians is harsh. He begins his letter without his normal prayer of thanksgiving for..."

Behind every act of power in Acts, we see Jesus at work, guiding his followers and providing his strength for them to do what he asked of them. Phil Ware begins an eight-part series on eight truths that turned the world upside down, a look at the early verses of the book of Acts.

We will exchange our mortal bodies for immortal bodies that are made for eternal glory! Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in a virtual, DIY, worship through words and music using YouTube videos to glorify God as we remember the encouraging future and forever-change we have in Jesus at his return in glory.

Behind every act of power in Acts, we see Jesus at work, guiding his followers and providing his strength for them to do what he asked of them. Phil Ware begins an eight-part series on eight truths that turned the world upside down, a look at the early verses of the book of Acts.

Do you worry about this? Phil Ware shares insight into the unforgivable sin against the Holy Spirit, or blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, and offers a four point way to invite the Holy Spirit into our world each day.

What have you done to grow your soul lately? While we focus on physical exercise at the beginning of the year, why not also focus on spiritual exercise, too?

Jesus said this was the right thing for him to do! James Nored and Phil Ware remind us of an important reason to be baptized: not only was Jesus baptized, he also said it was the right thing to do and called on all his disciples to be baptized and baptizers.

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched. Phil Ware shares some great online resources for images for Holy Week and Resurrection Sunday.

Are we listening to what Jesus said? Phil Ware begins a series of messages on the Great Commission and Jesus' last words which must be our first priority.

Are you not there yet? We must not give up on ourselves or each other because we are not there yet!

Let's each pledge to use our spiritual gifts as different parts of Jesus' body and join together to live as Jesus in the world. Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in virtual worship through words and music using YouTube videos and invite us to live as Jesus' bodily presence in the world, today.

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.

Where do we begin to change the cynicism and negativity we bring into our families, workplaces, and churches? Phil Ware continues his series on building a culture of honor focusing on affirmation.

Can you see God's signature on his masterpiece? Phil Ware reminds us that we are all God's gifted children and that God has put his signature on each of us in three different ways.

We can trust God's promises that the Spirit is at work in us! Phil Ware reminds us that God wants us to know that we have the Holy Spirit present and at work with power in our lives!

Jesus isn't calling us to keep a list of do's and don'ts; he is challenging us to obey the Father from our hearts, in love. James Nored and Phil Ware remind us of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount and that he was not giving us a list of do's and don't do's, but was calling us to put into practice the way of God from the heart.

When Luke wrote his good news story about Jesus, he wants us to know that as much as we may resent and resemble Adam 1.0, the Holy Spirit is transforming us into Adam 2.0! Phil Ware leads us in exploratory devotional thoughts about the first and second Adams and what they mean to us and that Jesus came as Adam 2.0 to bring us a better future and life eternal with and like Jesus.

Why should we be content to remain immature in Christ? Mike Barres challenges us to seek spiritual maturity.

I remain convicted that these passages give us the CORE of what we must believe and practice as Jesus' disciples. Phil Ware brings his series on 'What is CORE!' to a close, giving us a short summary to help us remember these three CORE passages and what they teach and call on us to do.

We've allowed our modern definition of faith to be drained of depth and turned into a shallow kiddie wading pool of little more than mental assent. Phil Ware reminds us that faith as understood in the New Testament was much more robust than what we often call faith today.

How do we know what passages of Scripture are most essential? Phil Ware stops at the mid-point in his series on What is CORE to review and look forward to what is ahead.