John 14:1-21

"Dear Child of God, Beginning today and for the next several days, I will remind you of things I shared with My closest disciples on the night I was....."

Why don't we do it God's way? While we know the will of God, we often do things our way instead of His way.

Where is home for you? No, really, Where? Phil Ware concludes his SpiriFire series with a reminder that God -- Father, Son and Holy Spirit -- lives inside us and makes his home with us.

"Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied." Jesus replied, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still....."

"[Talking about his return to heaven, Jesus continued,] "And you know the way to where I am going." "No, we don't know, Lord," Thomas said. "We..."

Can Jesus really be experienced at Christmas? Phil Ware continues his Christmas series on finding Jesus and emphasizes Jesus' promise to be real to us and near us and in us if we seek him and ask him.

"[Jesus continued,] "If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you....."

"[Jesus continued teaching his disciples:] "If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who..."

"[Jesus continued,] "I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to...."

"[Jesus promised his disciples,] "I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I..."

"[Jesus continued,] "No, I will not abandon you as orphans — I will come to you. Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I..."

"[Jesus said,] "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told..."

"[Jesus said,] "If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He....."

"[Jesus said,] "If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy...."

"If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy..."

"[Jesus said,] "I will talk to the Father, and he'll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you. This Friend is the Spirit of..."

Inspirational illustration of John 14:1-3 -- In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you.

Jesus gave his promise to speak comfort and hope into this place of deep longing in their hearts Phil Ware continues his series on Seed, Towel, Promise, and Torchlight, focusing this week on the power of Jesus' promise in the face of his own impending death.

"Dear Disciple, My return to the Father after My crucifixion and resurrection was important for many reasons. However, for My apostles, the experience..."

No matter what life, Satan, or circumstances suggest, we will never be forsaken by our God! Phil Ware shares his message focused on Paul's promises that the Lord will always be near us, focusing on Jesus' promises to his early disciples and to us!

God promises to be with us and in us so that we can experience his love for us! 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 presence to be in us and real to us and reveal his love in us.

Have you ever wondered how God feels on his end of things? Phil Ware shares about his son coming for Thanksgiving and it reminds him how much God must anticipate his children coming home to him.

How do we find the bright lining in the dark clouds? Tom Norvel talks about being disappointed in a predicted snowfall that was nothing more than a light dusting.

The Spirit is a person. And Jesus calls him the Paraclete. Max Lucado reminds us of the Holy Spirit living in us based on Jesus' promise and Jesus' special name for the Spirit, the Paraclete

As we share this bread and drink this cup, let's be reminded of our home on the horizon and the joy we will share when we arrive! Phil Ware talks about longing for home and the food of home and challenges us to see Communion as our taste of home while we are away.

"[Jesus continued,] "There is more than enough room in my Father's home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place...."

"Do not let your heart be troubled (afraid, cowardly). Believe [confidently] in God and trust in Him, [have faith, hold on to it, rely on it, keep..."

"[Jesus said,] "If you love me, show it by doing what I've told you. I will talk to the Father, and he'll provide you another Friend so that you will always have..."

"Jesus answered him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one goes to the Father except through me. If you have known me, you will also know my....."

"[Jesus assured his disciples,] "Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live. When I am raised to life...."

I know my heavenly Father is looking forward to having me home to enjoy the celebration with him and his other children. Phil Ware shares an article about his son coming home from college and how it reminds him of the Father in heaven waiting for us to return home to him.

Where is home when home is gone? Entering a gate where the house is gone opens up our heart to the truth about our lasting home in heaven with God that Jesus has prepared for us.

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.

In a world of deception, spin, and verbal hedging, is there anyone we can trust? Tom Norvell shares with us insight into our skepticism and why we find it so hard to trust anyone.

What can we really expect the Spirit to do for us, today, in our world? Phil Ware writes about Jesus' promise of the Holy Spirit focusing on John 14 and Jesus' promise to not leave us as orphans but to come to us and show himself to us and be in us and make his home with us.

Despite many warnings from the prophets, Israel began felt entitled because they were God's PEOPLE, in God's PLACE, by God's POWER. Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in an online, worship through words and music using YouTube videos to lift our eyes to the LORD and receive our strength, hope, and encouragement from him.

What is the purpose of God sending Jesus? Tom Norvell looks at our humanity and sees behind it all our need for Jesus.

This is no throw away or empty phrase, but a reminder of the One in charge! Max Lucado reminds us of the great power of praying in Jesus' name.

I don't worry about an outbreak of disease ... Christians have the only certain security during times of epidemic illness.

Some wish they could, some might want to, but you can know you will go to heaven. You can know you are going to heaven. You do not have to wish you were able to, you just have to decide how bad you want to go.

It can be a scary feeling when you don't know how to get where you're going. In our spiritual lives, only Jesus can show us the way to God because He is the way to God.

"Dear Disciple, Even after I ascended back to the Father, the work of My apostles reminded people that My power and presence were still at work. I was..."

"Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."

"Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.""

"[Jesus promised his disciples,] "No, I will not abandon you as orphans — I will come to you.""

"[Jesus continued,] "Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.""

"The Lord Jesus gives special revelations of himself to his people. Even if Scripture did not declare this, there are many of the children of God who....."

"Great Father revealed himself to believers of old before the coming of his Son, and was known to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as the God Almighty. Then....."

Inspirational illustration of John 14:6 -- Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'

Inspirational illustration of John 14:7 -- If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.

Inspirational illustration of John 14:21 -- Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.

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.

Do you have any words that you want to make sure get heard? We need to always be prepared for the final eventuality of life!

Anchored in the context of the Last Supper, Jesus promises greater things! Phil Ware reminds us that Jesus made great promises in the context of his Last Supper and one of them promised that we would do greater things than he did.

Where will I be when I finally realize that I'm home? Sarah Stirman talks about the funeral for her grandfather and it reminds her where her real home is.

Occasional guest? No sir! The Holy Spirit is a year-round resident in the hearts of his children. Max Lucado reminds us that the Holy Spirit is a daily resident in our hearts if we will open our hearts to him.

What would you do in your last moments with those you love? Phil Ware continues his series on the unpredictable Savior and reminds us of the upper room discourses where Jesus demonstrates and teaches what is most important to him to those who are most important to him, his disciples, his friends, those he loves.

Where does your train ride end? While we may know who we are, unless we know whose we are, we don't know our ultimate destination.

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.

Who do you listen to when it matters most? Listen to the Lord, don't seek the advice of those who don't truly know the truth.

What can we expect the Spirit to do for us? Phil Ware continues a short series on the Holy Spirit focusing on John 14 and what it means for Jesus to not leave us as orphans, but to come to us and show himself to us and be in us and make his home with us.

"Dear Child of the King, You may have noticed in our time together the last few days that I have had you read from Galatians and/or James in your..."

The Bible and the early church were both exclusive and inclusive about salvation and fellowship. James Nored and Phil Ware remind us of both the exclusive claim of Jesus as the only way to God and the inclusive fellowship of welcoming all people who truly believe in him.

"[Jesus promised his disciples that,] "Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father..."

Where are our greater things? Phil Ware continues his series on greater things focusing on 'the name of the Lord' and the power and presence of Jesus that fed the expectation that God would surprise his people with greater things.

What can we really expect the Spirit to do for us, today, in our world? Phil Ware writes about Jesus' promise of the Holy Spirit focusing on John 14 and Jesus' promise to not leave us as orphans but to come to us and show himself to us and be in us and make his home with us.

So how do we get to what really matters? Phil Ware finishes his series on the I AM sayings of Jesus with the focus on the way, the truth and the light.

They are both little words, but the is a world of difference between being There is a difference between being "a" god and being "the" God. God claims to be the God.

"[Jesus continued,] "Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I..."

"Dear Friend, Before I ascended to the Father, I promised My disciples that I would send the Spirit. I promised I would pour out the Spirit on people...."

Can you dance with the Holy Spirit Phil Ware continues his short series on the Holy Spirit focusing on dancing with the Spirit and keeping in step with the Spirit.

Are you walking down the hard road alone? Phil Ware continues to share his insights on experiencing Jesus as Immanuel.

What do you do when you can't do what needs to be done? Tom Norvell looks at times that are too difficult for us to handle well and challenges us to realize that there are many things we can do to help folks in desperate situations.

Been talking to anyone about the Lord lately? Phillip Morrison talks about a campaign in Austin, Texas, called Explore God and about trying to introduce people to conversations about the Lord.

As I drove along the highway on the brow of one of the mountains near us, I would occasionally look to my left catching a glimpse of the view. Every-once-in-a-while, there would be a break in the tree line and I could see for miles across the valley below Tom Norvell shares insight into taking time to really get a vision of what is out there.

What can cure the real problems in our souls? Jesus is the only real answer that works in our world today.

Truth doesn't stop being truth There are many opinions, many theories, and many philosophies. But there is an absolute truth: there is only one God and the only way to Him is through Jesus Christ.

When are we going to let him into every area of our lives? Phil Ware shares the values of his dad with his children and emphasizes to them how Jesus is everything.

Let's be witnesses with those here, near, and far like the first followers of Jesus did! Phil Ware continues his short series on Acts 1:1-11 called Phil Ware continues his series called 8GT -- Eight Truths that Turned the World Upside Down -- and focuses on finding those seeking Jesus and being witnesses to them of the great things Jesus has

Does your policy cover this? What's our best way to insure what is really important to us, our going to heaven?

Are you just circling? Patrick Odum describes a man in a boat near England that had no plan and was just circling, he needed help and a way to get where he was going.

What can we learn about God by looking at Jesus? Phil Ware compares Jesus to a keyhole through which we look at God and the closer we get to Jesus the more clearly we see God.

Is there something out there? What would it mean if there were? Scientists are forever searching the skies for alien life, but what does that mean to the Christian? Randy Becton shares his thoughts on extra-terrestrials, aliens, and God.

When we wait on the Holy Spirit, we are anticipating God's power to work through us to God's glory! Max Lucado reminds us to wait on the Holy Spirit to come with power.

Let’s be witnesses with those here, near, and far (Acts 1:8) like the first followers of Jesus did! Phil Ware continues his short series on Acts 1:1-11 and focuses today on being witnesses of the great things Jesus has done.

Jesus is the only way to God, or he is nothing. Jesus claims to be the one true way to God. There is no other.

Is your marriage really hopeless? Infidelity wrecks lives and destroys families, but only by coming to the truth can its impact be healed.

Don't you hate to have to choose! Phil Ware talks about Jesus' identity, our reluctance to choose, and how we have to choose one way or the other about Jesus' identity.

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

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.

Move beyond resolutions to Kingdom living! Phil Ware begins the New Year with an article or post about the book of Acts and the power of Jesus and the Holy Spirit to take broken people and use them powerfully to change the world.

What would keep you from doing what you need to do? We must not let critics intimidate us into being silent about the truth of Jesus.

"Dear Believer, When Paul wrote to the Colossians, he was imprisoned and facing hardship because of his work for the gospel (Colossians 1:24-29;..."

"Dear Beloved, Your world is filled with many influences that vie for the control of your heart and the practice of your faith. In the multi-cultural...."

Why would a minister tell you to not come to church? Life's problems are not solved by going to church. They are solved by going to Jesus.

Watching and listening to a Little League made me think about following Jesus Running around the bases because of errors is not a home run. You cannot change the rules. You cannot change God's rules either.

Do you know the secrets they religious are trying to supress? Jesus didn't intend to set up the religious mess we see, but instead build a life of relationships and concerned people.

In whom do you trust? We put a lot of trust in people, trusting them to do what they should. We need to put our full trust in God

Why are we afraid to ask for spiritual directions? There are believers in Jesus who would kindly and graciously help you find your way to Jesus.

Do you know how to get where you're going? We all need help to get where we're going. If you don't know how to get to Jesus, don't be afraid to ask someone who does.

"Dear Friend, There are many voices that call out to you and seek to win your heart. There are many distractions in your busy and high-tech culture..."

Is there really light on the dark side of the mountain? Phil Ware begins a new series called light on the dark side of the mountain focusing on the fall and the cracks that became a chasm in the lives of God's first children.

Is there truth that can be trusted? Jesus is the only absolute -- truth is found only in him.

Aren't you tired of the same ol' things? Phil Ware begins a series of messages from Acts 2 and 3 on greater things that Jesus does through his followers.

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.

Can we really expect to meet Jesus! Phil Ware continues his series on The Andrew Effect and reminds us that Jesus promised to be present with us as we live out the four moves of the Andrew Effect.

We can do great ministry in the name of Jesus and can survive all the tough challenges in life because our LORD is always close to us! 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 promise to be close to the broken-hearted and crushed, lonely and abandoned, discarded and forgotten.

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.

Why do we run after other things to add to Jesus? Phil Ware continues his messages out of Colossians; this one focuses on Jesus being enough and anything added to Him is less.

Can we really expect to meet Jesus? The sad reality is that many folks give up on meeting and experiencing Jesus, personally. Phil Ware invites into the "Andrew Effect" and reminds us that Jesus promised to be present with us as we live out the four moves of Phil calls the Andrew Effect

Where can I find true freedom? Tom Norvell thinks about July 4th and reminds us that freedom is found in Jesus.

What can we learn from the storm of the decade? A horrible storm in the United States Pacific Northwest helps slow things down enough for folks to remember some key truths from God.

Do we run toward God or run from him? We don't have to live in fear of God, waiting for him to zap us when we make a mistake. Yes, our God is a just God who will punish sin. But for those of us who seek him, who enter into a relationship with him, he is merciful and good. His love frees us fr

Can you truly say God longs for us to love him and how could we not love, both in our church worship (singing, praying, reading Scripture) and in our life of worship (obedience).

What does it take to find hope in this life? There is real hope for our present lives. God offers us this hope through Jesus, and only through him.

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.

One way to heaven? That's outrageous! But you see, there are times when we have to face the truth that not every option is equal and not every choice is valid. When it comes to eternal life, to salvation, to having a relationship with God, there's only one way: through Jesus Christ.

What does true love do? While true love waits, true love also obeys. Whatever happened to obedience?

Are we really willing to make Jesus the center of our life. Phil Ware reminds us that Jesus is the center of everything, our salvation, our time, our hope, but will we make Jesus the center of our lives?

With the Holy Spirit, there never has to be a spiritual drought! Phil Ware reminds us of Jesus' promise to send us living water in the Holy Spirit, water that would never run dry and would well up in us to eternal life.

Does God still speak and make his presence known in our lives or is he silent, leaving us to decipher our own way through our troubled world? Phil Ware continues his series on finding God's vision for our lives and living on mission for God.