Philippians 2

"Dear Father, One God of your one holy people, Help all of us to do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility help us count..."

Far too often the incarnation of God in Jesus as Immanuel, God with us, gets lost in all the theological language, and the call of Jesus for us to live with each other in love is forgotten. Far too often the incarnation of God in Jesus as Immanuel, God with us, gets lost in all the theological language and forgets the call of Jesus to live with each others in love.

"You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to...."

Who do you spend most of your time thinking about? The interests of others must be our focus and not just our own stuff and wants.

Can we really be one in Christ? Unity is found in Christ.

Does his hat fit your head? We must serve others with the humility of Jesus.

"Dear Father, Help me do what is needed without complaining or arguing, so that I may be blameless and pure. Let me be your child without fault, a..."

"Dear Servant of God, Families, churches, groups, and communities are all systems of people. These systems are built upon flawed people and broken..."

Let's cut through the fluff and deal with the real issue here! Selfishness is what really lies behind all of marriage problems and the devil wants to use selfish people and marriage problems to render the church ineffective.

So we are supposed to sing a song to get us on the same page? Phil Ware of www.interimministrypartners.com continues his series on inviting Jesus back to church with us and asks us to use Jesus to evaluate everything we do based on Jesus' example and teaching and use Paul's Christ hymn as our Jesus filter.

"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made..."

Inspirational illustration of Philippians 2:5-8 -- Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a s

Coach Wooden and the most important player on the team. Rubel Shelly talks about Coach John Wooden of UCLA and his great winning streak and the importance of teamwork.

Would you have given a boy with these struggles a chance? Thank God for those who give others in unfortunate situations a chance to succeed.

What is the real homewrecker? Paul Faulkner looks at the role maturity and unselfishness play in good families.

We must learn to be much more selfless and much less self-serving in our marriage relationships.

What can reach our hearts and call us to be like Jesus with power and emotion? Phil Ware continues his series on 'Ancient Wisdom, Today's Grace' and challenges us to follow Paul's example of using our songs to call us back to Jesus.

"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in...."

"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in...."

"God exalted him [Jesus] to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every other name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven..."

"Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don't be..."

Inspirational illustration of Philippians 2:9-11 -- God exalted him [Jesus] to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every other name,

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 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!

Sometimes we look God's greatest blessings in the face and miss them! Phil Ware takes a moment to remind us of the importance of serving those who are caregivers and holding them up as heroes and recognizing that these people are considered precious in God's Kingdom.

Can your ego handle the call of Jesus to humility? Our egos are fragile and important but also dangerous, but we must learn humility.

God chose to come to us, suffer at our hands, and sacrifice himself so we could know the depth of God's redeeming love for us. Phil Ware shares Scriptures and James Nored shares an inspirational video regarding the blessings and significance of Advent, Jesus' coming to earth as God in human flesh as our Savior and Lord.

Sometimes we look God's greatest blessings in the face and miss them! Phil Ware takes a moment to remind us of the importance of serving those who are caregivers and holding them up as heroes and recognizing that these people are considered precious in God's Kingdom.

As much as we don't want to admit it, we often miss the way of the upside down Messiah as badly as his first disciples. James Nored and Phil Ware remind us in word and video how upside down Jesus' values are to the way we often do things in our world and in our churches.

"Dear Child of God, Glory? Glorious? "Gloria in Excelsis Deo"? It was not too glorious if you look at the place where My birth happened! I was placed..."

How did Jesus have the strength to resist sin again and again and again? What strategies or tools did he use to overcome the schemes of the evil one? Phil Ware leads in our focus on being JesuShaped disciples by talking about the real power behind Jesus overcoming temptation.

How much to help those who need someone in their lives? The real point of life is being willing to be a friend those who need relationships.

"If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything..."

"Dear Father, Help me to obey your word, not only in the presence of other followers of Christ but even more when they are absent, when there's no..."

"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,...."

"...that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory..."

"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in...."

"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in...."

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own..."

"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped..."

"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped..."

"...but [Jesus] made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled..."

"Dear Father, One God of your one holy people, Help me never to be a party to any division within the body of Christ. Let me be perfectly united in..."

Inspirational illustration of Philippians 2:14-15 -- Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe

Inspirational illustration of Philippians 2:14-15 -- Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe

Inspirational illustration of Philippians 2:1-2 -- If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-min

Why did Jesus have to go to the cross and die? James Nored and Phil Ware remind us that Jesus gave his life for us because of his love for us and his unwillingness to leave us in sin.

What can you really control about your day? Rubel Shelly reminds us of several things we cannot change, especially in overwhelming times, but one we can change is our attitude.

How in the world do we use Scripture to build a culture of honor? Phil Ware finishes his series on building a culture of honor by focusing on Jesus and his birth and the awful way Herod misuses Scripture and worship.

We choose to follow our Lord's example and submit our desires to the needs of others. Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in an online, DIY, worship through words and music using YouTube videos to celebrate Father's Day and Juneteenth, and also focus on the practical ways we live in relationship with others with Christ at the center of

Simple spiritual moves of faith can become divine appointments that change the world! Phil Ware shares Scriptures, stories, and ideas to help us prepare for the hour of worldwide unified prayer for our broken world, especially focused on Jesus being both Savior and Lord.

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.

Right answers can never substitute for right living. Phil reminds us that having right answers means very little if we don't treat people like Jesus did.

Status-seeking and a lust for superiority and power over others cannot be part of the Jesus lifestyle! Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in online virtual worship through words and music using YouTube videos to call us to have a heart for God's people and to serve them in love.

Look how far will they go to follow your example? We have a profound impact on others through our example.

What else can you say, but thank you? Phil Ware shares a collection of Scriptures that talk about the significance of Jesus' birth.

Before we put Jesus away with our Christmas ornaments, let's pause for... Phil Ware has one more Christmas thought to place in our hearts before we lose Jesus in the New Year!

What does God see that we don't? Mike Barres reminds us about the power of leadership and encourages us to prayerfully step up if asked.

As we examine the value of women to the work of God in the early church, we must examine the roles women actually performed at the request or with the blessing of the apostolic leaders. Phil Ware continues his series of reflections on the value given to women and their work in the Bible, with this week focusing on Paul's work in Macedonia.

O God, make our hearts ache for them to know Jesus! Phil Ware continues his series on "The Andrew Effect" by focusing on connecting those we know with Jesus.

Jesus’ disciples were clueless. Even worse, they were unwilling to accept that the role of exaltation for Jesus and his followers involved the cross of Golgotha! Phil Ware continues his series on the Cruciformed disciple, focusing this week on the power of the small.

How could God help us understand his faithful love for us, yet demonstrate his desire for us to live in our world with his righteous character and gracious compassion? James Nored and Phil Ware share the meaning of Jesus' incarnation in word and video using a simple but powerful allegory.

As much as we don't want to admit it, we often miss the way of the upside down Messiah as badly as his first disciples. James Nored and Phil Ware remind us in word and video how upside down Jesus' values are to the way we often do things in our world and in our churches.

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.

"Dear Beloved, In yesterday's note, I urged you to display your Father's righteous character and gracious compassion. Today, I apply that principle..."

When was the last time you sat down with the Rick Brown finds a Black Friday experience that pushes him back to the real meaning of Christmas and the old Sears Wish Book.

Do you want the Lord without the Lordship? We all too often want to have the promises of God without commitment to his Kingdom work.

Why would you cheer against your own team? Rubel Shelly describes a better football game than the Super Bowl with the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers, and this was between two high school teams, Grapevine Faith Christian and Gainesville State.

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? 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.

"Dear Precious One, The events that led to Paul's journey to Rome and his shipwreck and other problems along the way began in Jerusalem. Some Jews..."

"Dear Disciple, I AM deeply moved when people show their undivided loyalty to Me and are willing to invest everything they have in My cause. Remember...."

"Dear Follower, The Father's role for Me when I came to earth as the Son of God shocked many people. They expected a warrior or kingly ruler who would..."

What are you doing to help those around you? Mike talks about a time when someone helped him on a hike and it reminded him of how we have to help those who come behind us.

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves."

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves."

"Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."

"Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name..."

"We use lights to make manifest. A Christian man should so shine in his life, that a person could not live with him a week without knowing the gospel....."

"Jesus is the great teacher of lowliness of heart. We need daily to learn of him. See the Master taking a towel and washing his disciples' feet!..."

What can make my joy complete? Tom Norvell talks about his son's wedding and how everyone sacrificed to do what the bride and groom wanted and this allowed complete joy to bless everyone.

Why in the world would anyone want to go to such an effort? Serving may be hard work, but like good exercise, it develops us into a healthier people.

God has done great things and is worthy of all of our praise. Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in a virtual, DIY, worship through words and music using YouTube videos to give us confidence in our salvation because our God is able!

How can we know if our lives make a difference and truly matter? Phil Ware helps us to better understand both Mark's message about where true life is found and also his outline and organization of his gospel around the hinges to the story provided by the stories of two blind men that Jesus heals.

How could God help us understand his faithful love for us, yet demonstrate his desire for us to live in our world with his righteous character and gracious compassion? James Nored and Phil Ware share the meaning of Jesus' incarnation in word and video using a simple but powerful allegory.

How could God help us understand his faithful love for us, yet demonstrate his desire for us to live in our world with his righteous character and gracious compassion? James Nored and Phil Ware share the meaning of Jesus' incarnation in word and video using a simple but powerful allegory.

God is worthy of all our praise — more than our finite minds and inadequate vocabulary can muster. So, how can we praise God appropriately? Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in virtual worship through words and music using YouTube videos encouraging us to worship God with all that we are and have and say.

In absolute arrogance and stupidity, the people of the plains of Babylonia set out to make a name for themselves. Phil Ware and James Nored share through words, images, and video the story of the Tower of Babel and the self-destructive danger of pride and arrogance.

Why would the sinless Son give himself, surrender his life and his dignity, to save those who were ungodly, helpless, sinners, and enemies of God? James Nored and Phil Ware remind us that Jesus gave his life for us because of his love for us and his unwillingness to leave us in sin and how his love defined

Does this make sense to you? Russ Lawson gives us an insight into Jesus' ministry by comparing him to a human interface device -- a keyboard.

So how is your bracket holding up? Tom Norvell talks about his NCAA March madness tournament bracket and compares it to some predictions he is sure of in Scripture.

Jesus recalibrated greatness and changed it from being fame and notoriety to kneeling and using a basin and towel. Phil Ware reminds us that the Jesus vibe is about being a servant and helping others, but he also reminds us that there are powerful memories in the Lord's Supper to help remind us of this thought.

So who wants to go get a towel and a water basin? Phil Ware reminds us that the Jesus vibe is about being a servant and helping others, but he also reminds us that there are powerful memories in the Lord's Supper to help remind us of this thought.

So what's the big problem with all this self stuff? When we put self in the middle of everything, then everything becomes about I, me, my, and mine, and not about God and we mess up our self-absorbed lives.

Where did that laser beam come from, anyway? In a world of darkness, an intensely focused life is going to emit a lot of light in our dark world.

So are you ready for the buzzer to sound? Teresa Bell Kindred reminds us to use the fourth quarter wisely and finish strong.

What are the achievements that validate your credibility at doing the things you are called to do? 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.

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.

Sometimes life is not fair with us, so what are we going to do about it? Rubel Shelly shares an important reality about dealing with the hand we are dealt and living life recognizing that there are many things we cannot change but have to do the best we can with.

If someone were to see you, would you match with Jesus? Christians should be recognizable because their behavior and conduct match that of Jesus.

What is your family running on and what is it running toward? Rick Brown reminded us that families run on values, so what are the values your family runs on?

When's the last time you heard a call for real life change? Bill Denton reminds us that we are not only saved from something but for something, and we need to display that salvation through repentance and life that is changed into what God made us to be.

Where does a leader find true and lasting glory? Phil Ware continues his series of messages on true shepherds in the church and focuses on the subject of a leader's glory -- seeing his or her passion formed in others they have trained.

What can God do through you? God uses ordinary people to do his amazing work.

How do we handle our values with integrity in the life of our congregation? Greg Anderson reminds us why values are so important and how we must live out of our values with integrity.

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.

When things on earth seem bleak and our strength feels small, we can push against the darkness with praise! Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in a virtual, DIY, worship through words and music using YouTube videos to remind us and call us to passionate praise as our gift to honor God and empower his Kingdom in the face of fierce opposition today.

So we know a lot about Jesus' birth, but what does it mean? Phil Ware gets us back into The Story by taking us to Jesus' birth and looking from the prologue of the Gospel of John to try to understand what it means.

We must try to see each other, our world, and ourselves with the eyes and the heart of God, not through our own self-serving point of view. Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in virtual worship through words and music using YouTube videos to challenge us to use our strengths, interests, and gifts to bless others and glorify God.

Beyond sexual equality to the Jesus way of mutuality and sacrificial love. Phil Ware continues his series on how God values women and how precious they are to Him, His people, and the future of humankind, this week focusing on sexual intimacy and value.

What do you talk about most frequently? We can always find something to complain about, but let's be people who compliment and affirm!

This white Christmas revels more than a snowman. Phillip Morrison talks about the incarnation of God in human flesh in Jesus and the parable of the birds to explain why God had to do it.

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

What does freedom mean? A collection of Scriptures for July 4, Independence Day.

When our hearts look beyond our walls, our nations, our skin tones, and our languages, we can hear our Savior welcome all of us as his family. Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in a virtual, DIY, worship through words and music using YouTube videos to challenge us to love one another and put other's need above our own.

What do you do when you have to make a change in your plans? Phil reminds us that a change in our plans may not be for the worst, in fact it may be one of God's little reminders that we need to be aware of his work in our lives.

Are the things going on in your life just random or are they God things? Journaling allows us to see God's work, his fingerprints, his involvement in our lives.

When's the last time you let them know you were thinking of them? Mike Barres reminds us to be thoughtful to others and one way to do that is to remember those who have been thoughtful to us.

We have some choices, so what will we choose? Ron Rose asks us to see beyond all the ugliness in the world and use our influence for good, to be light in darkness and be an agent of transformation.

How can we be sure that our time on earth truly matters and that we will accomplish all the Lord wants us to get done? Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in an online, DIY, worship through words and music using YouTube videos to remind us that God is at work in us and will get done through us all that we need to get done to honor him and complete our life's mission.

So we are supposed to give thanks for this? Phil Ware continues his 4 part series on Thanksgiving and how important it is for churches to leverage change and growth in in their church families.

Will you be where you need to be? God gets us where we need to be when we need to be there!

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.

Does it really matter all that much what we intend to do? God is really the only one whose intentions really matter, what I intend to do does hold that much weight.

How long has it been since you tried to do it again? Mike Barres talks about a real mess he made when he tried to cook when his wife was pregnant, but he tries again 28 years later to see if he can do it -- and does, reminding us to not quit with a failure.

Everyone in God's family is flawed just as we are, which makes loving each other hard at times. However, our love generously shared with each other is proof we are God's children in whom the Holy Spirit lives. Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in a virtual, DIY, worship through words and music using YouTube videos to challenge us to love one another and put other's need above our own.

Jesus demonstrated God's love powerfully while he was on earth and is now at the right hand of the Father with power to work in our lives for our good and God's glory. Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in a virtual, DIY, worship through words and music using YouTube videos to remind us of God's grace to be at work within us for our ultimate Good.

Don't try to be someone else, God made you to be you for his purposes. Max Lucado reminds us that God didn't call us to be anyone else, but calls us to be the person whom he made for his purposes.

Here's a place it's hard to imagine God, but it is the place God often chose to be! Cathy Messecar challenges us to see the God of Abram, our God, in a new way, the God who will bless and bow to serve us as well as the God who calls us to obey and follow.

You mean I am an important tool in God's ministry toolset? Phil Ware reminds us that God longs to fashion us into a vital tool in The Master's SIGnature Toolset to be used for Kingdom and church ministry.

Who is your old goat? Listen to how you talk about others and see what you find: is it prejudice or humility?

Are you living by candlelight rather than God's power and light? An electrical outage doesn't last as long as folks thought and they learn a lesson about turning on the power.

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.

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.

God places value in our journey and the discovery of age-old truths that are vibrant and life-changing for us here in our specific new season. Melissa Troyer writes with her unique and young mothering grace as she discovers new truths from an old familiar passage to discover, old stories have new truths when we come with fresh eyes and from a new place in our lives.

How much would you have lost? A damaging fire that swept through the Norvell home is heartbreaking and hard, but also a reminder of God's constant care.

Can you see more going on in your life than the daily grind? Phil Ware writes about having a sense of divine partnership in daily life and being used by God and sensing God's presence in what we do.

What is coming down the road for you? Sometimes when we least expect, in an area where we would never suspect it, God opens up our eyes and hearts and helps us see everything in a new light.

Do you ever get out ahead of God and forget to listen for his voice? Sometimes we try to fix things so hard that we get ahead of God!

Can we really pursue obedience and have a deep passion for holiness and still welcome people who practice their faith differently than we do? 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 to living a life of holiness that refuses to judge others in Christ over non-essential practices.

Do you see yourself in the story? We can know we are saved by putting ourselves in the story of God's great deliverance.

How do you process things these days? Russ reminds us that we are to have the mind of Christ, our Jesus filter, through which we process the things in our lives and the way we look at people around us.

What goes way beyond new at being new? Life comes in many packages, but something way beyond new is fresh, like a loaf of bread.

You're invited to use our worship guide for your home or group worship! Dr. Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware invite you to join us for our Sunday Verse of the Day home worship guide and videos, called ToGather.church!

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.