Cowboy Church

Tomorrow night at 5pm is Cowboy Church time at Fairview Baptist in Kokomo. We hope all ya'll can make it for this time of singin', and plain ole' fun.

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In Christ,

Steve Sherwood, Sr.

Pastor

Fairview Baptist Church

2108 E Vaile Ave

Kokomo, IN 46901

Mobile 765-860-3050 

Fwd: Prayer

John still has not found a new job. His unemployment has not come thru and the van won't start.  Prayers for financial blessings would be appreciated. Thank you and God bless.

Vicki Miles

Sister Ida is feeling better, but still not well. She goes to the doctor tomorrow to find out what the doctor thinks based on the testing they have done. Please continue to pray for her.

Sister Alice is home and feeling much better.

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In Christ,

Steve Sherwood, Sr.

Pastor

Fairview Baptist Church

2108 E Vaile Ave

Kokomo, IN 46901

Mobile 765-860-3050 

YAHWEH, Lord.

Gaylyn Williams composes this blog daily on the Names of God. I urge you to read her posts on a daily basis for encouragement. Knowing Who God is, not who we think He is will give us a clearer perspective on life. The following is a link to her blog for today.

Daily Name of God. Thank you, Gaylyn.

A comment and a prayer.

He who Is, always has been, never a has been and never was wasn’t, always shall be is ruler of my life. It is His glory we see each and every day. Our lives are to be a reflection of His glory.

Oh YAHWEH, Master, open our eyes to see Your glory this day. In the midst of the trials, the pain shine Your presence, Your promises, Your praises in our hearts. Mash us, melt us and mold us into a material that will reflect that glory to all around. And should none see because of blindness or location then allow us to shine Your glory back to You. For You are the one we praise, the one we glorify, honor and worship.

In the Name of Jesus of Nazareth, AMEN!

Can I run every situation through this filter?

(Php 4:4) Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!
(Php 4:5) Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
(Php 4:6) Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.
(Php 4:7) Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
(Php 4:8) And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Vs. 4 No matter what, my joy can remain in the Lord, because He does not change. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Vs. 5 Through Christ, I can treat others with the love I would want to be treated with regardless how they treat me. Jesus asked the Father to forgive the men who nailed Him to the cross and were gambling over His clothes. Luke 23:34

Vs. 6 I can carry every burden to God through Christ with thanksgiving. He has done marvelous things for me. I can trust He who is faithful with every burden.

Vs. 7 Then I will experience His peace as I live in Jesus Christ.

Vs. 8 So when trials come, when someone is unkind, rude, thoughtless or hateful I can run their actions through the filter in this verse.
A. What is the truth of this situation? Who am I in Christ?
B. How can I best Honor my Savior and love this individual as I love myself?
C. What is the right thing to do, the godly thing?
D. How can I show the pure love of Jesus Christ?
E. What would bring beauty to this situation?
F. What, in God's sight, is the admirable thing to do?
G. How can I bring praise to God through and in this situation?

And if, by the power of Jesus Christ I start each day with the mindset of verse 8 it will be easier and eventually second nature to run each situation through this filter. I think I shall find it necessary to reset this mind of mine several times each day.

May you and I glorify our King and Savior, Jesus Christ, with our minds. May they be renewed by the power of His word.
(Rom 12:1) And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him.
(Rom 12:2) Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
(Eph 4:23) Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.

Love in Christ,
Brother Steve

Life

The other day our 19 month old grandson, Aiden looked at his Mom's pregnant belly and asked, "What's that?"
Last night I got to feel the baby move. How delightful. How precious. How thought provoking... Wasn't it just a short time ago Evelyn lay on the operating table having a C section for the second time? I heard the nurse say, "Blood pressure dropping." Evelyn moaned as she started to pass out. I squeezed her hand and said, "Where's my baby girl?" At that moment the doctor lifted a healthy child from Evelyn's womb, and one of the nurses asked, "How'd you know she was girl, Dad?" (We didn't have any pre-testing done.) Ev's blood pressure stabilized and in a few moments I was holding Stephanie.
The first six months of her little life she cried a lot, but from the day she learned to crawl she became one of the happiest, most delightful children I've ever met.

(NLT)Psalm 127:3-5
Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him. [4] Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior's hands. [5] How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them! He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates.

I thank Yahweh for my children. They are a blessing from Him.

What You Meditate You Will Modulate

(NLT)Psalm 145:1-6
I will exalt you, my God and King, and praise your name forever and ever. [2] I will praise you every day; yes, I will praise you forever. [3] Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness. [4] Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power. [5] I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles. [6] Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue; I will proclaim your greatness.

What is coming forth from your mouth today? (NLT)Luke 6:45
A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.

What I meditate on, watch on TV, read, dwell on greatly effects my speech and my demeanor.  David declares his intention to meditate on "Your (God's) majestic, glorious splendor and your (God's) wonderful miracles."

Paul tells us, "Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." (NLT)Philippians 4:8

There is nothing nor anyone more worthy of Praise than our great God and King, Yahweh!

After meditating on Him, His goodness, His miracles, joy will fill your soul and His praises will be on you lips. What comes forth from your mouth will be from the abundance of praise, honor and glory to Him that is in your heart.

Focus your heart on Him and your lips will honor Him. On what you meditate you will modulate.

In Christ,
Brother Steve

29 Years

It was 29 years ago today that I first had a date with my lovely Evelyn. Tonight we took a carriage in downtown Kokomo. It was cold, but the memories, laughter, blanket and hot cocoa warmed us. It has been 29 wonderful years.

The journey has not always been easy, but our God, Yahweh has led us to and through much. Sweet Evelyn often says, “If God leads us to it He will lead us through it.” I praise Him that He is still leading us each step of the way.

Psa 25:10  The LORD leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep His covenant and obey His demands.

Yahweh, thank You for your unfailing love and faithfulness. You know full well we have not always kept your covenant and yet in Christ You have found us faithful. Thank You for the wonderful gift of Salvation in Christ.

Prayer for Joy

(NLT)Psalm 30:11-12
You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, [12] that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!

Oh Lord God of Heaven, our Creator and King, pour out Your joy on Your people today. Clothe us in pure joy and cause praise to replace our mourning. Spirit of God force our blessings to the front of our thoughts and cause thanksgiving to be on our lips.

We are blessed. May we, this day, proclaim those blessings and the praises of the One who gives them to us. (NLT)James 1:17
Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood, Sr.

Deep depression

Luke 10:17-20 NLT

  17 When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, "Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!"
  18 "Yes," he told them, "I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning! 19 Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. 20 But don't rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven."

It has been awhile since I last wrote the Daily Encouragement. For the last few weeks I have been battling a deep depression. The sharing of this comes with much hesitation for fear of all the well meaning concern with which it will be met. Please understand, I did not battle this entirely alone. My wife and a few very close friends were privy to my plight.

As I began me ascent from the despair I discovered that several others were in the heat of the same battle. I am convinced that some of you who read this have been there as well. Perhaps this writing today will assist you to win the victory over your own despair.

The passage above points out three things that are important in the daily life of every believer.

1. In Christ Jesus you have authority over the kingdom of darkness and all of it's power.

2. Don't get overly excited about #1. Just know it is true and take that authority, rather matter of factly if you will.

3. Rejoice in this fact... your name is written in the record of Heaven. It is written in the Lambs book of Life. (NLT)Revelation 20:15
And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.
So rejoice that you are His child, His precious possession. You need not fear judgment as do those whose names are not written there.

Today, Lift up your head and rejoice you are His. Now, in His Name, the name above every name, trample on some snakes and scorpions... do it like your stepping on ants that have gotten into your house. Don't get overly excited about this part. Just do it because it has to be done or they will torment you. Then go ahead and rejoice some more that you are His. Now that you can get excited about. (NLT)John 1:12-13
But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. [13] They are reborn-not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.

Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr

Marital Status

(NLT)1 Corinthians 7:7
But I wish everyone were single, just as I am. But God gives to some the gift of marriage, and to others the gift of singleness.

Have you ever thought of your marital status as a gift? I'm not addressing divorce right now, though no doubt some may count that as a gift after a bad marriage.

For the married I wish to challenge you to teat your spouse as a gift, a treasured gift. If you would treat your spouse in this manner you will fall in love all over and your spouse will most likely will fall in love with you again.

If you are single Paul teaches you have the freedom to serve Christ unfettered by the responsibilities of marriage. If you are single and have the desire for marriage hold to (NLT)Matthew 6:33
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
The problem that many single people run into is they start seeking a spouse and find one who is not seeking the Kingdom of God.

Today rejoice in your marital status. Married? Love your spouse like a treasured gift. Single? Love your freedom like a treasured gift. Either way, seek Him, thank Him, live for Him as He leads.

Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood, Sr.

Acceptable Sin

(NLT)Proverbs 16:28
A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.

(NLT)Proverbs 17:4
Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip; liars pay close attention to slander.

(NLT)Proverbs 26:20-22
Fire goes out without wood, and quarrels disappear when gossip stops. [21] A quarrelsome person starts fights as easily as hot embers light charcoal or fire lights wood. [22] Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one's heart.

Helen, a dear old saint who has gone home to her Lord use to say, "My ears are not garbage cans." She didn't like gossip, didn't participate, didn't spread it and didn't listen to it.

What is gossip? It is information about someone, true or false that is used to belittle that person, hurt a relationship or make the gossip teller appear a better person.

A gossip is a troublemaker who plants seeds of strife and thereby separates friends and even family members.

One who listens to gossip is a wrong doer, perhaps a liar who listens intently to slander.

Rumors, gossip, dainty morsals of information sink deep into the heart. They are not easily forgotten. They generate doubt, fear, mistrust and thereby ruin relationships.

Today, refuse to tell or listen to gossip. (NLT)Proverbs 20:19
A gossip goes around telling secrets, so don't hang around with chatterers.
(NLT)Psalm 15:1, 3 Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? [3] Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends.

And say a prayer for those who have been damaged by this heinous sin that we too often wink at and count as acceptable.

Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr.

When.

(NLT)Matthew 6:2, 4-6, 16, 18, 32-33
When you give to someone in need, don't do as the hypocrites do-blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. [4] Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
[5] "When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. [6] But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
[16] "And when you fast, don't make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. [18] Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

When you give, when you pray, when you fast... not if, but when. It would appear that Jesus assumes His followers will do these things.

I skipped some of the instructional verses that go with each of these on purpose to point out the main similarities.

1. Each is an assumed action of a child of God.
2. Each is to be done without fanfare or in secret as much as possible.
3. Should you choose to do these to be seen of others, then that is all the reward you get... being seen, praised by others. That's right your peers seeing and saying, "Hey look! (Your name) gave a gift, said a prayer, fasted... Hey look! (Someone else's name) gave a. .."   and that's about how long it lasts, but that's what you wanted.
4. Each should be done with these two things in mind...
   A. Your Father Who sees everything is watching everything you do.
   B. Your Father Who sees everything will reward you. 

Your Father, God, Creator of heaven and earth is seeing everything you do. He is watching you and when you give, pray or fast and do it for His glory He will reward you.

(NLT)Galatians 6:9-10
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 and this weekend give some thought to acts of kindness, to prayer and fasting. When you practice these are you looking for mans reward of fame or God's eternal rewards? Let's do what we do for God.

Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr.

I'm a murderer.

#DE

(NLT)Matthew 5:21-22
"You have heard that our ancestors were told, 'You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.' [22] But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.

Anger, name calling and cursing are placed, by Jesus, on the same level as cold blooded murder.

I wish to focus on name calling for the moment. Though there are those who mutter, "Idiot", about every person who annoys them, most of us are not so brash. I'm more inclined toward sarcasm. A sharp humorous remark that raises my seeming intelligence or understanding above my opponents obvious lack thereof is my choice of weapons. Oh yes, and I'm good at it. I can belittle the best banterers... but, does that reflect the love of Christ?

Sarcasm is just another way of telling someone, "You are an idiot. I am smarter." It is often anger cloaked in humor and if the other person fails to see the humor and feels the sting of the demeaning motive it may be a curse. Should they receive the message they may hear in their deepest being, "I'm worthless. I'm stupid. I have nothing to offer." At the moment they believe that they are crippled, disabled, murdered emotionally and mentally and possibly, even spiritually. They cannot be effective in the Kingdom of God if they do not know they are precious, loved and of great worth to their Heavenly Father... and I, with my sarcasm, am the crippler, the disabler, the murderer.

Today let us weigh our words carefully before they leave our mouths. Let us check our motives. Are we here to build up ourselves or to reconcile others to God? Are we here to lift up ourselves, or here to lift up God and His love?

At the end of this day will I have murdered someone? (NLT)Psalm 51:14
Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves; then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness.

Oh dear God of Heaven, keep us from evil.

Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr.

Tell them to shut up.

DE20100921
(NLT)Matthew 15:11
It's not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth."

(NLT)Matthew 15:15-20
Then Peter said to Jesus, "Explain to us the parable that says people aren't defiled by what they eat." [16] "Don't you understand yet?" Jesus asked. [17] "Anything you eat passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer. [18] But the words you speak come from the heart-that's what defiles you. [19] For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. [20] These are what defile you. Eating with unwashed hands will never defile you."

In our society the "heart" is the seat of emotion. Our emotions are effected by many things including, hormone levels, health and other circumstances. Our thoughts, if left unchecked are then effected by our emotions.

God is the same yesterday, today and forever. He, His promises, His commands remain constant no matter how bad we feel, no matter how bad our circumstances get, no matter what threats or temptations lay ahead. He is still God, still on the throne, still able to work all things out for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

Emotions are fickle. They change fast and often and for those controlled by them their thoughts flip flop between opinions. They are double minded. Today "God is good", tomorrow, "He doesn't love me."

From the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander.

Today, choose to take control for your thoughts by taking them to God's Word. God's Word is truth. Make and keep your heart pure by the power of the Word. At the gym where I work out there is a sign on the wall that says, "When your body starts screaming at you tell it to shut up." When your circumstances start screaming something other than God's truth, tell them to shut up. Take your thoughts back to the Word.

Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr.

Trashing the Temple

(NLT)1 Corinthians 3:16-17
Don't you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? [17] God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.

I've heard many messages about our body being the temple of the Holy Spirit and therefore we need to take care of our bodies. And those messages are correct, but this passage is pointing to the fact that all believers are part of the temple of God. In other words, God lives in, functions, ministers through believers... all of us.

This week we are staying in a condo that belongs to some friends. We praise God for blessing them and for their generosity. It is located on a lake and is fantastic. We are treating each room with the utmost care and respect because we respect our friends and appreciate them.

Now let me tell you, this place is immaculate and decorated beautifully, but lets just imagine that there is one room in which we don't like the decor. (In case you read this, Kara, there aren't any. This is for illustrative purposes only.) So because we find the color scheme not to our liking, or the chairs a little hard we decide to trash that room. How do you think our friends would respond?

Is that not what we do when we choose to mistreat one of God's children? When we work against a brother or sister, rather through gossip, manipulation or some other hateful deed we are trashing part of the Temple of the Most High God.

Today, examine your heart and your relationships with others. Do you see each believer as part of God's temple? How do you treat the ones who make you uncomfortable?

(NLT)1 Thessalonians 3:12-13
And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows. [13] May he, as a result, make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy as you stand before God our Father when our Lord Jesus comes again with all his holy people. Amen.

Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr.

Adopt someone

(NLT)Proverbs 17:6
Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; parents are the pride of their children.

Though we have three biological grandchildren and one on the way the Lord recently moved in our hearts to adopt a family. It came out of a ministry situation in which Father spoke very clearly to my Spirit to adopt and treat as my own daughter a lady I was counseling. In the process I gained a wonderful son-in-law and 4 delightful grandchildren. Today I get to go on a field trip with one of my new grand daughters.

Over the years I have seen other people do similar things with folks who were either estranged from their biological families or just a great distance from them. In the church in Indiana I presently Pastor there was a dear couple who adopted a family from New York. They would go to school with the children for Grandparents day and other events. It was a blessing to the children.

All of this to challenge you to look around you. Are there people God has placed in your life who need to be loved and treated just like family? Father may not lead you to go the extreme we have gone, but I believe He will lead you to somone He would like you to include in your family.

Today pray, Father, who would You have me include as part of our family and to what extent.

Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr

Thinking on Jesus. Think I'm gonna burst.

(NLT)Psalm 28:7
The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.

" Are you allergic to anything Mr. Sherwood?" the nurse asked.
" Just pain." I replied. "It causes me to break out... in screams."

When was the last time you were so overwhelmed with joy over the goodness of the Lord that you burst out in songs of thanksgiving?

I've seen this happen in church services when the preacher would bring a charismatic message about the resurrection or heaven or some other topic that touches the heart strings of the believer. There are certain preachers who are good at generating this kind of response from God's people. In this Psalm the writer is praying and in his praying recognizes the blessings of God's protection and then he burst out in songs of thanksgiving.

Today don't wait for someone else to point out God's goodness to you. Spend time thinking about Who He is, what He has done, how He has helped and how He has promised to continue doing so. Think on those things until you burst out in songs of thanksgiving.

Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr

Talking at? Or talking with?

(NLT)Psalm 27:7-8
Hear me as I pray, O Lord. Be merciful and answer me! [8] My heart has heard you say, "Come and talk with me." And my heart responds, "Lord, I am coming."

Is your prayer time a time of talking to or with God or a time of talking at Him?

When I'm distressed I tend to talk at Him. I tell Him, demand of Him, command Him, holler, cry, wail and,... well, you get the idea. But He says, "Come and talk with me."

How does your heart respond to that invitation? If you go and read the rest of Psalm 27 you will see the Psalmist listing promises from the Lord, even though he lays out his requests he looks to God's promises for his encouragement and hope. That is part of talking with God, listening, reading, remembering His promises and holding to them. In order to do this we have to turn towards thanksgiving for the victories we've seen, no matter how small they may seem in the moment.

Today join me in talking with God, not at Him.

Oh Lord God of Heaven and earth, we come to You today proclaiming Your goodness and blessings. Thank You for loving us, saving us, filling us with Your Spirit, and inviting us to a conversation with You. Forgive us when we (especially I) have talked at You, instead of with You. Thank You for the promise of Your forgiveness when we confess our sin.

Father, we invite You to take over the conversation the rest of this day. Take over us, our lives, thoughts, actions, words. Lead us in paths of righteousness for Your great Name's sake.

Through Christ our Lord, AMEN!

Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood, Sr

Spot Light

(NLT)Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.

It would seem that God our Father delights in shining just enough light so we can see where to place our next step. He does not often light the whole way for us. This causes us to look to Him each step of the way. Could we see the entire path and it's outcome we would be inclined to run ahead.

I know this all too well. Many time I've stumbled on the path when I thought I knew best how to proceed and so, without looking up I've surged ahead in my own light and strength. Dim lit weakness is incredibly dangerous on the road of life.

Today, ask God for the light you need today. Ask Him to shine on the next step you should take.

Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr

Paranoid

(NLT)Psalm 121:1-8
I look up to the mountains- does my help come from there? [2] My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! [3] He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. [4] Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. [5] The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. [6] The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. [7] The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. [8] The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.

Five times in eight verses it says you are being watched by God. So that paranoid feeling that someone is watching you? He is. Let your fear turn to peace.

Read the first line in verse 5 again... The Lord himself watches over you!

Today, thank Him for His constant watch care.

Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood, Sr.