Pray & Work

Jeremiah 29:7 And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare."

1Timothy 2:1 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 2 Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. 5 For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. 6 He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time. 7 And I have been chosen as a preacher and apostle to teach the Gentiles this message about faith and truth. I'm not exaggerating—just telling the truth. 8 In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.

In the first verse above Jeremiah is telling the captives in Babylon to work towards and pray for peace and prosperity for their captor's city.

Next we have Paul telling Timothy to have believers pray for their government leaders with pretty much the same goal in mind. The goal being good welfare and peace.

In 2009 the city I live in was named the "third dying-est city in the country" by Forbes Magazine. It breaks my heart when I hear God's people, some of which are making upwards of $20 and more an hour complaining about their jobs. Based on the verses we read today I want to encourage you to pray for your city, for your government leaders. I want to encourage you to work towards your city's prosperity and peace. That means you will need to do the following:
1. Pray for the businesses and leaders in your community.
2. Work well at your job. Don't be lazy. Do your work and pick up slack where you can.
3. Don't complain about your job or your leaders. Be an example to others in your words.
4. Be thankful. If you have a job you have much for which to be thankful.
5. Get out of debt.
6. Look for ways to help the needy and do it.
7. Encourage other believers to do all the above.

NOTE: I may not send these out again until March 3.

Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr

Fw: Eyes

Psalm 3:1 O Lord, I have so many enemies;  so many are against me. 2 So many are saying,  "God will never rescue him!"    Interlude 3 But you, O Lord, are a shield around me;  you are my glory, the one who holds my head high. 4 I cried out to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy mountain.    Interlude 5 I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the Lord was watching over me. 6 I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies  who surround me on every side. 7 Arise, O Lord!  Rescue me, my God! Slap all my enemies in the face!  Shatter the teeth of the wicked! 8 Victory comes from you, O Lord.  May you bless your people.    Interlude

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won't become weary and give up. 4 After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.

In verse 5 of Psalm 3 we read that God's eyes are on those who cry out to Him. 2 Chronicles 16:9a The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

Today ask yourself, "What are the eyes of my spirit focused on? Am I committed fully to the Lord? Or do I have an agenda different from His that steals my gaze from my Savior? Do I see the adversity I deal with as a personal attack on me or as an opportunity to be like my Jesus?"

Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr

What's Shaken?

Psalm 62:1 I wait quietly before God,  for my victory comes from him. 2 He alone is my rock and my salvation,  my fortress where I will never be shaken. 3 So many enemies against one man—  all of them trying to kill me.To them I'm just a broken-down wall  or a tottering fence. 4 They plan to topple me from my high position.  They delight in telling lies about me.They praise me to my face  but curse me in their hearts.    Interlude 5 Let all that I am wait quietly before God,  for my hope is in him. 6 He alone is my rock and my salvation,  my fortress where I will not be shaken. 7 My victory and honor come from God alone.  He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. 8 O my people, trust in him at all times.  Pour out your heart to him,  for God is our refuge.

Hebrews 12:26 When God spoke from Mount Sinai his voice shook the earth, but now he makes another promise: "Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also." 27 This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain. 28 Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. 29 For our God is a devouring fire.

Sometimes our enemies try to shake our faith. Sometimes the shaking we sense is our Awesome God tearing loose everything that cannot remain. That would be anything that is not of Him.

I've heard that the safest place to be in a building during an earth quake is in a door way. John 10:9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. (NKJV)

Psalm 62:1 I wait quietly before God,  for my victory comes from him. 2 He alone is my rock and my salvation,  my fortress where I will never be shaken.

Today, whatever you are burdened with, take it to God in prayer and trust that He will hold you firm. Wait quietly (peacefully) before Him.

Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr

Enthusiasm for Christ

1Corinthians 15:49 Just as we are now like the earthly man, we will someday be like the heavenly man. 50 What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever. 51 But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! 52 It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. 53 For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. 54 Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled:"Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is your victory?  O death, where is your sting?" 56 For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. 57 But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. (NLT)

There is an old song that says, "I'll have a new body, Praise the Lord I'll have a new life." My father-in-law says, "Whether I go by way of the undertaker or the uppertaker my eternity is secure in Jesus Christ."

So here we have the promise of eternity with a body that will not die. That is great encouragement, and Paul tells us to allow that encouragement to drive us to be strong and immovable. I believe he is talking about being strong in faith and love. He uses the same thought in Colossians 1 that we looked at last week.

Then he tells his readers to "Work enthusiastically for the Lord." And along with that is the promise that nothing done for the Lord is "ever useless."

Today ask yourself, "Is my service for the Lord Enthusiastic?"
"Do I look at the work I do for Christ and sometimes think it is a waste of time?" The Apostle Paul tells us our work is never useless. Choose to believe that and work enthusiastically for your God and King.

Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr

Someone is praying for you.

Romans 8:31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won't he also give us everything else? 33 Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. 34 Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God's right hand, pleading for us. 35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, "For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.") 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. 38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Oh Great and Awesome Father, Creator of Heaven and earth, may the truth of the scripture above sink deep into those who read it today. Thank You that Jesus pleads (intercedes) for us. Thank You that we are completely safe in Your hands. Thank You that though our flesh may fail our Hope, Comfort, Peace and Joy is secure for eternity in You and Your Son, Jesus Christ.

In His Holy name, AMEN!

Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr

SO!!!

Psalm 107:1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!  His faithful love endures forever. 2 Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out!  Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies. 3 For he has gathered the exiles from many lands,  from east and west,  from north and south. 4 Some wandered in the wilderness,  lost and homeless. 5 Hungry and thirsty,  they nearly died. 6 "Lord, help!" they cried in their trouble,  and he rescued them from their distress. 7 He led them straight to safety,  to a city where they could live. 8 Let them praise the Lord for his great love  and for the wonderful things he has done for them.

Other translations have verse 2 as, "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so."

People holler out for their favorite sports team, for their political party and even brag about their sin. As the children of God Almighty, Creator, Lord and Master of the universe how can we keep silent. 2 Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out!  Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies.

Psalm 40:2 He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. 3 He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord.

2 Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out!  Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies.

Today, say SO!

Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr

The Good News is Spreading

Col 1:3 We always pray for you, and we give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God's people, 5 which come from your confident hope of what God has reserved for you in heaven. You have had this expectation ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News. 6 This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God's wonderful grace. 7 You learned about the Good News from Epaphras, our beloved co-worker. He is Christ's faithful servant, and he is helping us on your behalf. 8 He has told us about the love for others that the Holy Spirit has given you.

In verse 6 Paul encourages his readers that the good news of the Gospel is spreading over the whole earth.  Think about this, on the day of Pentecost, in one place 3,000 souls were saved. Wouldn't it be exciting to be in a service like that?

Daniel 2:34 As you watched, a rock was cut from a mountain, but not by human hands. It struck the feet of iron and clay, smashing them to bits. 35 The whole statue was crushed into small pieces of iron, clay, bronze, silver, and gold. Then the wind blew them away without a trace, like chaff on a threshing floor. But the rock that knocked the statue down became a great mountain that covered the whole earth.
Daniels interpretation of this is:
44 "During the reigns of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed or conquered. It will crush all these kingdoms into nothingness, and it will stand forever. 45 That is the meaning of the rock cut from the mountain, though not by human hands, that crushed to pieces the statue of iron, bronze, clay, silver, and gold. The great God was showing the king what will happen in the future. The dream is true, and its meaning is certain."

If there were only 1,000,000 believers on earth and only 10 percent of them share their faith with someone today and each leads one person to Christ that's 100,000 souls saved. There are many more believers than that. It is often reported among Christians that a great awakening is taking place in China where it is illegal to proclaim the Gospel.  Let that encourage you. God is still at work in big ways in our world right now. In the end we win. Let's live like the battle truly is the Lord's and be part of that 10 percent who share their faith, and I pray that God will lead you to those ready for harvesting for His kingdom.

Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr

Heavenly Confident Hope

Col 1:3 We always pray for you, and we give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God's people, 5 which come from your confident hope of what God has reserved for you in heaven. You have had this expectation ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News. 6 This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God's wonderful grace. 7 You learned about the Good News from Epaphras, our beloved co-worker. He is Christ's faithful servant, and he is helping us on your behalf. 8 He has told us about the love for others that the Holy Spirit has given you.

What captivates your thoughts today? In verse 5 above, Paul encourages his readers that the love and faith they exhibit is generated from their "confident hope" in what God has in store for them. Has it been a while since you thought about eternity? Peter puts it like this:
1Peter 1:3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, 4 and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay... Vs 8 You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.

Are you living today with great expectation? Are you living with a confident hope in what Father God has in store for you in Heaven?

Today think about it and let that hope, that expectation drive you to more love and more faith in God above.

Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr

Guess what I heard.

Col 1:3 We always pray for you, and we give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God's people, 5 which come from your confident hope of what God has reserved for you in heaven. You have had this expectation ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News. 6 This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God's wonderful grace. 7 You learned about the Good News from Epaphras, our beloved co-worker. He is Christ's faithful servant, and he is helping us on your behalf. 8 He has told us about the love for others that the Holy Spirit has given you.

As a pastor I'm always blessed when I hear a positive report about one of our church members. And I am blessed that this happens often. Someone goes out of their way to help a brother. Someone makes a visit or a phone call that encourages a sister. A saint offers a kind word or a helpnig hand. And then on top of that, people are giving praise for those in their lives who have ministered to them.

In Colossians 1 Paul is giving thanks for what He has heard about the Christians in Colosse. He has heard of their faith and love.

Today, think about the people in your life that have shown you love and faith. Think about those you've seen blessing others. Give praise to God for them, and if you must talk about people talk about these.

Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr

A Prayer For You

John 17:20 "I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. 22 "I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. 23 I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. 24 Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began! 25 "O righteous Father, the world doesn't know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. 26 I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them."

Heavenly Father,

Make us, Your children one in You and Jesus. Bring Your perfect unity to the body of Christ, His church. Shine truth on those things that divide us. Give all of us hearts to receive truth even when if it goes against things we've been taught all our lives. Tear down walls of division. Make us shine with Your love in this world that they may see You at work in us. Cause others to be drawn to You as You shine in and through us.

Father answer this prayer that Jesus prayed for His church.

Even so Lord Jesus, Come quickly.

In Christ our Lord, AMEN!

Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr

Loved, Free to Love, so do it part. 3

Matthew 22:39 A second is equally important: `Love your neighbor as yourself.'

There is a subtle phrase in this verse that is often overlooked, "as yourself." I can't think of any specific commands telling us to love ourselves. I believe the reason for this is we have a built in desire, or instinct for survival. In short, I'm rather fond of mother's youngest (That would be me) and I try to take good care of him... Me. I try to make myself comfortable and give myself a peaceful atmosphere. I feed me (too much sometimes). You get the point.
So what God is telling us is treat others how you wish to be treated. Someone asked, "How do I love mean people?" The instructions didn't change based on the neighbor's disposition. When you are in a position to love do it, show them the same love you would hope to receive were your roles reversed.

Note the neighbors in the parable of the good Samaritan were the man in need and the Samaritan. Jesus told His disciples if their message was rejected they were to wipe the dust from their feet and move on. Don't purposely put yourself in the path of someone you know will not receive truth and will only try to hurt you.

Sometimes you can't help but be in their path. Romans 12:18 says, "Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone." Sometimes, after you've done all you can they will still mistreat you. Pray for them. Vs 14 "Bless those who persecute you. Don't curse them; pray that God will bless them."

Since all the law and the profits are wrapped in those two commands, the greatest love you can show for yourself is to love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself. Just do it.

Heavenly Father,
Thank You that You love us. Today remind us of that love before we open our mouths to speak an unkind word. Remind us before we turn our back on someone in need that we have the means to help. Remind us what we do for the least of these we do for You.
In Christ our Lord, AMEN!

Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr

Loved, Free to Love, so do it. Part 2

Matt 22:37 Jesus replied, "`You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: `Love your neighbor as yourself.'

Luke documented an account of Jesus having a conversation about these two commands. Luke 10:29 The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

Jesus' response is a story about the good Samaritan. In that story Jesus points out that our neighbor is the one who has a need we can assist with.

My dad would often go out of his way to help others. Once a lady had spun off the road out onto a slightly frozen flooded field. One end of her car settled on a fence post as the other end broke through the ice and sunk. My dad walked out to her breaking through the ice until he was chest deep in the icy water. He then carried her over his head to safety.

When questioned about his own safety in regards to his actions one time he responded, "If I have the means to help someone and do it, I believe God will see to it that if my wife or children ever need help they will be helped." I have never broken down on the road that help wasn't there within minutes. God has always met our needs. And I believe that is at least in part, due to my father's selfless acts of kindness.

Gal 6:6 Those who are taught the word of God should provide for their teachers, sharing all good things with them. 7 Don't be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. 8 Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. 9 So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up. 10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.

Today keep your eyes open for God's opportunities to help others.

Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr

Loved, Free to Love, so do it.

Matt 22:37 Jesus replied, "`You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: `Love your neighbor as yourself.'

1John 5:1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too. 2 We know we love God's children if we love God and obey his commandments. 3 Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome.

John 21:15 After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," Peter replied, "you know I love you." "Then feed my lambs," Jesus told him.

Today, take a moment to imagine yourself in Peter's position. In your minds eye see Jesus standing before you asking you, "Do you love me? Do you love me with your heart? With your soul? With your mind? In other words, do you obey me with your entire being? Is your heart, soul and mind submitted to me? Are your thoughts captive to the obedience I showed by going to the cross? Are your finances and other belongings surrendered to my will?"

Only you and God can answer those questions. Most of us are like Peter. We insist that we love God but do our actions show that love? Be honest. There have been times I have had to say, "Father my love for you is weak at best. Please forgive me and strengthen my love for you. Work Your love in me."

More tomorrow.

Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr