Matthew 6

Are humans that predictable? Are people really so selfish? Do we nearly always pursue some payoff or reward in every situation? Phil Ware writes out of a quiet time study of Matthew 6 and the memory of the crass motivation often behind our behaviors, even our most religious behaviors.

For many, the added ending is not a good thing, and it is certainly NOT a 'Jesus thing'! Phil Ware with Doug Peters help us finish our study of The Lord's Prayer and focus on how it points us to the 'coolest" Father of all.

How can we tune our hearts to the vibe of heaven? Phil Ware continues his series of thoughts on The Jesus Vibe and this time he shares how the Lord's Prayer tunes our hearts to living the life of the Jesus Vibe.

While we see glimpses of our universe's awe-inspiring beauty, variety, and magnificence, we also are witnesses of its brokenness. Phil Ware with Chad Higgins help us understand and commit to praying for God's Kingdom to come.

Where are you stuck? We will never make it trying to live in the middle: it is the place of collisions and disasters.

God is faithful to us through all the seasons of our lives. He isn't a fair-weather God. Phil Ware invites us to share in prayer in all the seasons of life and especially know we have an all-season God who longs to hear our prayers, especially prayers for a change in our world's messes.

Prayer becomes a tuning fork that helps us sing the song of God's magnificence with both holy praise as well as genuine concern for the people in our world. Phil Ware continues his series of thoughts on living as a disciple that is JesuShaped and focuses on how the Lord's Prayer tunes our hearts to living the JesuShaped life.

What are you willing to do that only God knows? The greatest is often not the one we think is most important, but the one who serves with the most selfless heart.

So how are you going to avoid it happening to you? Patrick Odum learns that Chicago is the most stressful city in America and shares some insight on stress.

He's already preparing a place for you, so why not accept his invitation? Max Lucado invites us to look at the beautiful Lord's Prayer and see it as the blueprint to the Great House of God prepared for us -- not just later, but now -- as his children.

How can we do this? How can we not? Phil Ware gives his applications on the seven sayings of Jesus from the cross for today's world and Jesus' followers.

How could He Jesus so much more in his disciples than they had ever demonstrated? Phil Ware shares insight on how the resurrected Jesus forgave and empowered his his 11 disciples through his radical forgiveness.

Why is it so hard to do things quietly and without drawing attention to ourselves Tom Norvell reminds us that true piety is about quiet, anonymous, kind acts of service and generosity for others done to honor God and not ourselves.

Do you see and listen to these folks around you? Rubel uses a street person named Jack and his friend to remind us that each of these people have a name and need to be valued and noticed as real people.

We cry out together, as Jesus' followers and family, for God's holiness to make itself known in undeniable ways in our fallen world. Phil Ware and Andy Johnson remind us how important reverencing God is when we pray.

Living My Mission Under Social Distancing Phil Ware opens the New Testament and reminds of a great way to live out our mission while under social distancing, prayer because prayer has always been a virtual way of blessing others.

I feel like I am launching my prayers upward, as if I was shooting bbs toward heaven, only to have them hit a metal ceiling and fall at my feet, mocking me with their ineffectiveness! Phil Ware provides a host of resources on prayer and how to grow our prayer lives.

Here's the best financial planning possible So instead of burying your money in the ground, you should be storing up treasure in heaven. How do you do that? Do good. Be rich in good deeds. Be generous. And be willing to share.

How could He see so much more in them than they had ever demonstrated? Phil Ware shares insight in his LifeWORDS series on the resurrection sayings of Jesus and how Jesus forgave and empowered his failures, his disciples, by this forgiveness.

What an incredible story of transformation from an atheist to a Christian missionary in primitive Papua, New Guinea, and it is the real James Nored and Phil Ware share in video and words the wonder of Jesus’ birth and how it changed the world with the Sound of Music and tie this to the New Year with New Hope prayer hour.

Growing in prayer, feeling a connection with the Father, and being formed to be a useful vessel for Jesus to use to bless others is a journey. Phil Ware, with the help of Chad Higgins, continues his series on Lord Teach Us to Pray focusing on learning from Jesus.

Have you thought through your major purchase? Steve Higginbotham shares his problems with impulse buying and the bills that eventually come due and he compares it to how we live our lives and the big check out day that lies ahead.

An old silver dollar evokes many old memories! Russ Lawson lets silver dollars remind him of long ago with his grandparents and challenge himself right now to treasure the proper things in life.

Does prayer feel like sand getting kicked in your face? Rick Brown reminds us that prayer begins simply, and in the process fo growing we all end up developing and growing in our prayer life.

So what are we supposed to think about if not this? Tom Norvell uses Matthew 6:25 and several translations (NIV, Message, and KJV translations) to help drive home Jesus' point and that many of us who look good on the outside are filled with worry on the inside, worry Jesus wants to take off our shoulders.

Finding more than we are looking for! Russ Lawson talks about the origin of the word serendipity and asks how we will use these blessings in our lives?

What do you really know about prayer? Rubel Shelly helps us think about the mystery of prayer.

When Jesus taught on prayer in the Sermon on the Mount, he shifted from individual prayer in private to prayer shared with others Phil Ware, with the help of Grady King, reminds us that prayer is a together experience in much of experience and God calls us to share this experience together, then Grady King gives us some added insight and an exercise to help us through the next week.

Can I live up to my purpose? Teresa Bell Kindred shares some ideas about New Year's resolutions and living for others.

Prayer can be an incredible blessing for us as God's children. However, prayer can also feel frustrating and bewildering to many who are trying to follow Jesus. 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 that prayer is about relationship and Jesus has given us the Holy Spirit to help us know our hearts are heard.

My own lack of forgiveness toward others can shut off the flow of God's forgiveness to me. Phil Ware with Grady King give us insight on Jesus' example and command to forgive others as we pray for our own forgiveness.

Why do we dread what we don't know? Larry Davies shares a childhood experience and reminds us that we don't have to fear the unexpected or unexplained; we can pray and avoid a whole lot of sleepless nights.

Doesn't my gift count? Cathy Messecar confesses her struggle to make giving something that honors God and not herself and she talks about the Salvation Army Red Kettle Drive.

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.

Prayer changes something much more important than our circumstances! Phil Ware continues his series on building a culture of honor focusing this week on prayer, especially prayer as a redemptive tool of offering forgiveness and blessing to those who are our enemies and who mistreat us.

When is running late being ahead of schedule? Sometimes when we are running late, God gets our attention anyway and helps us make it to our destination on time.

What will it tke to get you out of your rut? God wants us to get out of our ruts and find the new things and new people he has set in our paths.

Is your treasure safe? Treasure in this world can be stolen or lost. Treasure with God is safe forever.

Can anything be this fresh? Forgiveness is forgetting to remember the hurts you forgave and giving others, and yourself a fresh start on life.

What do you do when you have those who offend you When someone has hurt you and you can get even, what are you going to do?

Can you really pray this every single day? Even though it is hard to pray it and truly mean, we must pray, "your will be done on earth as it is in heaven!"

Why is it all about taste and aroma? Katha Winther talks about all the smells and tastes that are associated with marketing products today and reminds us that life is more than food and clothing.

The earth is sick. Our world is sicker. We are to bridge the gap until Jesus' return! Phil Ware along with Doug Peters help us hear the Lord's Prayer for the kingdom to dawn on earth so that the will of God can be seen on earth as it is in heaven.

Does it really make any difference? Bill Sherrill talks about not worrying about tomorrow, because we are not able to accurately predict it and Jesus and James tell us not to worry.

When you look in the mirror, what do you see? Phil Ware challenges us to look beyond the cosmetic image we see in the mirror and view ourselves as God does.

How do I know God is really with me on my journey to find a home with him? Phil Ware and James Nored remind us that we can journey with God like Abraham, knowing that he goes with us until he brings us fully home.

What if we really took Jesus' words seriously? Phil Ware continues his series on moving from Church to Kingdom and focuses on obeying the words of Jesus.

Forgiveness is good for you! Forgiveness is good for you. Resentment is harmful. The choice should be easy, yet we often find ourselves keeping a record of the wrongs done against us.

Who are you really living for? We are called to be Christ-centered, not self-centered.

Is God my treasure? If I were to lose everything but still have God in my life, would he be enough for me? Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in a virtual, DIY, worship through words and music using YouTube videos to call us to recognize God as our greatest treasure and that he is enough for us, even in, and especially when, the world crashes in on us.

How do you honor a servant who is not trying to be noticed? Phil Ware talks about a university honoring students for their acts of service and it leads him to wonder how we honor God's servants today.

Holding each other and ourselves accountable for our growth toward Jesus it often the forget piece in building a culture of honor. Phil Ware continues his series on building a culture of honor with a focus on accountability -- both holding others accountable and holding ourselves accountable for our growth in the Lord.

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.

God's yearning to bring life runs thematically from the beginning of our Bibles in Genesis, to its conclusion in Revelation. Phil Ware and Grady King bring us teaching and practical prayer strategies on praying for God's will to be done.

Are you tuned up to face the New Year? Rubel Shelly gives us some practical advice and a challenge to face the New Year with expectation and also reminds us to take one day at a time.

What in the world is that sound? Phil Ware looks back on an old reel-to-reel recording and editing session and reflects how he could sure use that same kind of thing in his life!

We want to be a people who sing to God out of hearts full of gratitude because of our riches in Christ Jesus! Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in online worship through words and music, using YouTube videos to lead us to sing with hearts full of gratitude for all that God has done for us in Jesus.

Give thanks for this? Phil Ware finishes his November series of giving thanks and focuses on our mission or call from God.

Which smartphone does God require of us? Max Lucado reminds us that we don't have to know how to use a smartphone to talk with the Creator of the universe who also happens to be our ABBA Father.

What are you searching for? Patrick Odum writes about Alaska, Skagway, gold, searching, treasure, and the Kingdom of God.

So why do we discount what the Lord does through us? Phil Ware reminds us that nothing we do in the Lord's name is insignificant, unimportant, or forgotten by God who loves us and remembers and rewards us for what we do.

How do you react to this kind of stuff? Lisa Mikitarian shares an event in the life of her daily routine with her son and how her reaction to a broken mug leads to even more destruction and a family lesson.

Godliness with contentment is enough Christians can be rich. Rich people can be Christians. But we need to remember that material things can often get in the way of our faith. Godliness with contentment. That should be our goal.

Does God really know all about me? Paul Faulkner talks about God knowing all about us and still loving us immensely and how his love is better than the best dad and compensates for the worst dad.

How can we complete all that we were meant to accomplish? Jesus accomplished all he was sent to do because he put God's kingdom and his righteousness first.

With such an emotional tomorrow, can we stay focused on today? Phil Ware continues his series on his trip to Sagrada Familia.

Do you prioritize what you schedule or do you schedule your priorities? Rubel Shelly reminds us of Stephen Covey and living by priorities rather than just prioritizing the things we schedule.

We can spend our lives pursuing accomplishments and health and joy, or we can seek God's righteousness, love, and reign in our lives and have him bless us with what we need on our journey! Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in a virtual, DIY, worship through words and music using YouTube videos to call us to recognize God's greatness, righteousness, love, and faithfulness to bless us as we seek him with our lives.

He can do far more than our worry can ever do! Bill Sherrill talks about bad news about his heart and he begins to worry until he remembers what Jesus said!

Jesus didn't pray for unity just so Christians could sit in a happy circle, hold hands, and sing Kum Ba Yah around the campfire at church camp. Phil Ware reflects on the words of Jesus, the actions of the apostle Paul, and the example of a couple of men in his life, all focused on the theme of reconciliation.

Is hail a good thing... or a bad thing? Why I am glad I am not in charge of the world. Roofers pray for hail. Farmers pray it won't hail. I've done both. And it helped me realize why I need someone bigger than me in charge.

Now that Christmas is over, can you see Jesus? Mike Barres talks about a plaque in his office that spells out Jesus, but many folks don't see the name, just like most folks besides Anna and Simeon didn't see Jesus for who he truly was; but will we see him?

Are you really hungry for God? Fasting is a way to draw closer to God.

How do you get everything done in life? Life is accomplished and made worthwhile by sticking to our goals and doing things one step, one brick, at a time.

What distracts you most easily? Mike Barres reminds us to not be distracted with the things going on around us but fix our eyes on Jesus.

What can I do that really matters to the Kingdom of God? Phil Ware begins a short series on Untold Stories from the Bible and shares the story of Onesiphorus refreshing Paul while he was in prison.

What happens the other 51 weeks of the year? Phil Ware begins a 4 part November series on giving thanks just in time for the Thanksgiving season.

Jesus provided us the few simple words we need to return us to that place of righteousness in the eyes of our Father: “Forgive us our debts.” Phil Ware, with Chad Higgins, reminds us of the power of the simple words 'Forgive us our debts' and give us a daily practice to emphasize the power of these words.

Our God is the God of surprising opportunities, fresh hope, and new life. Phil Ware reminds us of John Mark's failure when he deserted the mission field and the mission team and describes how God used this mess and the grace, mercy, and love of godly men to bring great good out of potential disaster.

How clean can you get? When we forgive, it cleanses us like a spring rain.

In the Lord, we are called to complement, complete, and bless each other so that each can be what she or he is created by God and re-created in Jesus to become! Phil Ware continues his series on how God values women as seen in Scripture, this is part 2.

Can you really forgive? Forgiving others when they have truly hurt us is the hardest grace of all.

What happened with the talk about the Kingdom of God? Phil Ware talks about climbing to the top of a mountain and seeing all the beauty that he never realized was there and uses this metaphor to talk about the difference between church and kingdom.

What are you waiting for? Russ Lawson shares some insight into why we put off being happy and worrying about tomorrow.

Are you caught on the tracks and the train is coming? When we place things in God's hands, we don't have to agonize with worry about them.

What comes first in your life? We should be a Christian and seek Christ's purposes for our life and his Kingdom as our first priority.

Wouldn't you have been upset? Sarah Stirman writes about a time her husband didn't quite follow through on getting their pre-school kids to Bible class and she gets angry, but the Lord challenges her to forgive!

So how do we obey these hard commands to not worry? Rubel Shelly reminds us that trust in God to act is not passive, but an active life that does what is required, trusting that our difficulties and challenges are problems for God to solve.

How can I escape my past? Paul Faulkner reminds us that we need to live for the present to help others and keep our focus on the matters of the Kingdom rather than let our lives get filled with regret for the past.

Have you adjusted your schedule to reflect your priorities? Mike Barres reminds us to move things around in our schedules to fit our priorities.

How are you going getting your life in proper order? When things are not in good shape at home it is usually because our priorities have gotten off track.

Are you a thrill seeker? Let's not just be thrill seekers, but also Kingdom seekers.

Can I be present in the moment and still have a hope for the future? Michelle Howe warns women about worry and wishing that can rob them of the present moment and distort their vision of their future.

Why do we worry about what lies ahead when we know the One Who is already there? Max Lucado reminds us to trust God to lead us into the future and not worry about what is ahead.

Why do you do the things you do? People look at the outside; God examines the heart. Rather than trying to impress those around you, put your time and effort into doing the things that God would have you do. Don't do it to try and get something in return; make pleasing God your goal.

Hope beyond our world's brokenness! Phil Ware continues his series on the value of woman in the eyes of God and how we incorporate that value into our belief system, roles, and treatment of women in our church culutures.

How do you get life that is truly life? Wealth isn't measured by dollars or gold. The only treasure that matters is that which is stored in heaven.

before we can be ready to be fully used by the Lord in the work of the kingdom of God, we must have our bat turn moment. Phil Ware and James Nored look at what the ministry of John the Baptizer meant for people in his day and call on us to share in this move toward the kingdom of God today.

Without forgiveness, bitterness is all that’s left! Max Lucado reminds us of the importance of forgiveness or bitterness poisons our hearts and destroys our influence.

Why do we love the darkness so much? Phil Ware continues his series on Jesus, I AM, and his claim to be God with us, who brings light into our lives.

How do we combine both reverence and familiarity, respect and intimacy? Phil Ware and Doug Peters remind us what it means to pray to God as our Abba Father and then give us some pratical ways that we can experience God as Abba in our prayer life.

Isn't this what we need instead of hand-wringing? Rob Frazier sees a girl overcoming a handicap and it reminds him how we need to address our financially troubling times.

Are we willing to pay the price to really make a difference? Learning to pay the price to get better or else we'll become irrelevant.

I can't change the past or be sure of the future. But I know who can. We worry about the past and cannot do anything about it, but God can. We worry about the future and cannot do anything about it. But God can.

Is there anything beyond sports, work, and pain? Tony Dungy reminded us that character wins and that character involves more than just sports.

How important are the little things you do for others? Rubel Shelly reminds us how important it is to do simple acts of kindness and not simply look for the splashy and big things to do to bless others.

How are you going to find your way through the mess? Rubel Shelly talks about how we can navigate through the economic and political storms and also reminds us that adversity is the opportunity for new beginnings.

Why would God lead us into temptation? Doesn't God want us victorious over temptation? Phil Ware and Andy Johnson help us look at our prayer for deliverance from temptation and the evil one.

When the Dow swings nearly 1,000 points in a day, what would Jesus say? Danny Sims shares some insight for us on our two week wild run on Wall Street and the up and downs of the market.

Where is your heart? We need to take care of our hearts, both physically and spiritually

What can make a dying boy say A dying boy reminds us of the things we should celebrate

Saved every way a person can be saved Phil Ware continues his series on Out of the Box and focusing on the big Four primal fears that Jesus helps us address and he reminds us that salvation involves a from, for, and to component and shouldn't be simply elevator theology.

How do you honor a servant who is not trying to be noticed but simply trying to do good things for others? Phil Ware talks about a university honoring students for their acts of service and it leads him to wonder how we honor God's servants today.

Our ToGather time today focuses on God's great promises to bless us, but also challenges each of us to ask: What is the true source of my delight? Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in a virtual, DIY, worship through words and music using YouTube videos to call us to recognize God's greatness and his desire to bless us with every good thing we need.

What's a young guy got to do? Rubel Shelly wades into the Tim Tebow issue with some good insight and a reminder to wait and see how this all turns out.

What makes you rich? Jesus told his followers that it was hard for the rich to become a part of his kingdom (Matthew 19:24). The apostle Paul said that those who want to have wealth fall into a trap, and some have ruined their faith because of it. (1 Timothy 6:9-10) And James

Can you break away from the things that are holding you back? We need to realize that sin and bad habits are the leash holding us back from being all God wants us to be.

Are you still thirsty? We try to slake our thirst but only Jesus can truly satisfy.

Before we can be useful in living for God, we need to have our U-turn moment! Phil Ware and James Nored look at what the ministry of John the Baptizer meant for people in his day and call on us to share in this move toward the kingdom of God today.

How honest are you? Let's make sure our words are true and fair and honest, completely.

Where can you actually see and taste a little bit of heaven? Phil Ware writes about a group of young men and young women interning in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and the cultural and racial melting pot that is the church.

Blues got you down? We all get a little blue or depressed; here are 10 suggestions to help us.

If we are willing, and if we allow ourselves the space to listen, God’s voice surrounds us. Jackie Halstead reminds us to listen for God's voice in creation.

Why is it so important that God be called Father? Phil Ware continues his series on the Prodigal Son called the Journey Home about the God we all need to be our Father.

How do we combine both reverence and familiarity, respect and intimacy? Phil Ware and Doug Peters remind us what it means to pray to God as our Abba Father and then give us some pratical ways that we can experience God as Abba in our prayer life.

We are broken vessels, saved by grace and empowered by the Holy Spirit to make a difference in our broken world with the grace that we have received. Demetrius Collins & Phil Ware lead through worship in song, the Lord's Supper, a powerful message from God's word about not being lazy and neglectful of the opportunities God has given us to lead others to Jesus, along with a closing blessing for worship

How can we follow in the same pattern doing the same ol' thing yet it appear on the surface as something very different? Phil Ware continues his series on the prodigal son called the journey home, this message is about how both sons wanted the same thing and both loved the father's stuff more than they loved the father.