In reply to the story on Snopes.

I received a lengthy email this morning about snopes.com being led by liberals. It may be true, it may not.  I didn't bother to check it because:

I don't use snopes. I use truthorfiction.com. However, when it comes to truth there is really only one we can fully rely on, that person being Jesus Christ. After all He is the way, the truth and the life.

Most of this stuff that gets sent out over the internet as a BIG WARNING is hype. Truth is Christ promised we would have trouble in this world and along with that promise came this encouragement, "Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

Further more, many types of emails that go out with, "if you care let all your friends know" plastered on them are meant to spread fear.  Jesus said, "(NLT) Matthew 10:28 "Don't be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell."  We are also told in 2Ti 1:7  For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 

Other such emails are sent to make us angry about something.  Eph 4:26  And "don't sin by letting anger control you." Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, Eph 4:27  for anger gives a foothold to the devil. Eph 4:31  Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.

Here's another one. "If you love Jesus you will send this to 10 people in the next 30 seconds." My love for Jesus is not measured in the emails I send.  It is measured in whether I'm keeping His commands.  Some wishy washy email that only speaks of God's love but says nothing of His justice and the need for repentance is only going to spread a false sense of security to people who are already complacent in their relationship with God almighty. You want to show Jesus you love Him? Push away from your computer, come out of hiding and love some real people you can see. Share with them the Gospel. Share your food and clothes with them. Visit the nursing home, the hospital and the jail. Go out into the streets and talk to some homeless folks. Give a smile to the check out clerk at the store who is moving a little slow. Say, "God Bless You!", instead of griping how long they took. Show the love of God.

So, Truth is, I ignore a lot of these forwarded emails. Yes, I hit delete without even opening them. Father, God can be trusted. Pray, write your congressmen and senators, but speak with grace and truth, not bitterness and anger. Share your faith with people face to face.

Feel free to save this and send it to those people who insist on filling your inbox with all their fears, guilt trips and rants. Or you can delete it. There are no miracles waiting to happen one way or the other as a result, except that some may find you unreasonable in your trust of almighty God and may remove you from their spam list. 

Oh, one more thing, please don't send me those forwarded emails. Someone will no doubt write me and say, "But you like getting jokes, don't you?"  Yes, yes I do.  Pro 17:22  A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person's strength. So send on the good CLEAN jokes.

Love in Christ,

Steve Sherwood Sr.

Place, Bigger font.

I sent this earlier and received a reply that the font was very small.

(NLT) 1 John 5:21
Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God's place in your hearts.

We are created with a God sized hole in our lives. Though many things will try to fill that place, none but God can fill it correctly and adequately.  Only God is sufficient.

So, what is first in your life? Who is first in your life? Is there anything that pushes God off the throne of your heart?

You see, when you chose to become a Christian, in your heart you believed that God raised Jesus from the dead, and you confessed with your mouth that Jesus is Lord. (Rom 10:9) Do you confess Him, Jesus Christ, as Lord? If so, then is He Lord of your life? If He is Lord of your life what things, people, situations, thoughts, desires, etc., are clamoring for control of your life?

What things do you need to lay aside to truly give Christ the throne of your heart, mind and body?

You may be saying, "Isn't this my life to live as I please?"  1Co 6:19  Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20  for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. 

There is no safer, calmer place to be than in the middle of God's will with Him at the controls of your life.

Love in Christ,

Steve Sherwood, Sr.

Place

(NLT) 1 John 5:21
Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God's place in your hearts.

We are created with a God sized hole in our lives. Though many things will try to fill that place, none but God can fill it correctly and adequately.  Only God is sufficient.

So, what is first in your life? Who is first in your life? Is there anything that pushes God off the throne of your heart?

You see, when you chose to become a Christian, in your heart you believed that God raised Jesus from the dead, and you confessed with your mouth that Jesus is Lord. (Rom 10:9) Do you confess Him, Jesus Christ, as Lord? If so, then is He Lord of your life? If He is Lord of your life what things, people, situations, thoughts, desires, etc., are clamoring for control of your life?

What things do you need to lay aside to truly give Christ the throne of your heart, mind and body?

You may be saying, "Isn't this my life to live as I please?"  1Co 6:19  Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20  for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. 

There is no safer, calmer place to be than in the middle of God's will with Him at the controls of your life.

Love in Christ,

Steve Sherwood, Sr.

1Co 6:19  Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, 

Roof Ripping Perseverence

(NLT) Mark 2:2-5
Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God's word to them, [3] four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. [4] They couldn't bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. [5] Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "My child, your sins are forgiven."

(NLT) Mark 2:11
"Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!"

Notice what moved Jesus to act on this man's behalf, (Vs 5) "Seeing their faith". Their faith showed by their action that they truly believed Jesus could help their friend.

(NLT) Ephesians 6:18
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

Do your prayers for others show "roof ripping" perseverence?

I have a friend who has been so beat up by every turn of life that her faith is presently paralyzed. She can't get herself to Jesus right now. Her friends must carry her in prayer.

On Fridays I usually have a prayer for you. Today I'm asking you to put your armor on and pray for "Steve's friend". Father knows her name. I'm asking you to pray with "roof ripping" perseverence for my friend and any of the people you know who feel paralyzed by Satan's lies.

Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr.

Think!

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.

There is an old song that says, "Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face, then the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace".

How are we to live the faithful life?

1. Turn your eyes on Jesus.
A. He started our faith.
B. He will complete it.

2. Turn your mind to all that Christ endured. Have you suffered for your faith? Have you been nailed to a cross? Notice Christ endured the hostility. Now He is seated with God in the heavenlies.

3. Turn your weary heart and mind to rejoice in the strength Christ offers. Be encouraged.

Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr

Rest in the Lord

Psalm 37:7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him;
Mark 6:31 And He said to them, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. 32 So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves.

This will be the last post until May 26. I'm taking the Lord's advice and getting some rest. We have been very busy of late with some intense battles. Know this, dear ones, you will still be in my prayers.

Take time daily to rest awhile in the arms of your loving Heavenly Father.

Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr

Quiet Confident Comfort

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. 

Heavenly Father, we all have our enemies. Some of us are in the thick of battle right now. You alone can grant victory. Remind us today to wait in confidence for You. Grant us ears that hear clearly the voice of Your Holy Spirit, our comforter.
Help us remember that You are our refuge and not our own designs and plans.
Thank You that we can trust You for power belongs to You. Psalm 62:11 God has spoken plainly, and I have heard it many times: Power, O God, belongs to you; 12 unfailing love, O Lord, is yours. Surely you repay all people  according to what they have done.
Thank You that our sin is under the blood of Your Son. Those who refuse to receive Him as Lord will see Your wrath on the day of Judgment. We pray for their repentance, and Your protection for us in the mean time.
On You we will wait with quiet confidence in the comfort of Your promises.

In Christ Jesus,
AMEN!

Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr