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

May Remembering Make a Difference

Psalm 78:35 Then they remembered that God was their rock, that God Most High was their redeemer. 36 But all they gave him was lip service; they lied to him with their tongues. 37 Their hearts were not loyal to him. They did not keep his covenant.

May we remember Who our Rock is. May we walk in His Spirit and live worthy of His calling.

Love in Christ,
Bro Steve Sherwood Sr

Be Truly Glad

1Peter1:4 (NLT) 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. 5 And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. 6 So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while.

When the disciples returned to Jesus and told Him how even the demons were subject to them in His name, His response to them was, "Rejoice because your names are written down in Heaven."

It's exciting to see God work in miraculous ways, but what are you going to do when things get tough, when the miracles are delayed or refused. Regardless of our circumstances God is still God and He has given us the assurance that those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ will be saved. Their names are written down. Therefore we can truly be glad this day no matter our circumstances. He who is I AM is with us and is our God. He has a treasure in heaven for us that will never pass away.

Be Truly Glad!

Prayer

Dear Church Family,



This morning I awoke with this passage running through my thoughts.



Hab 3:16 When I heard, my body trembled; My lips quivered at the voice; Rottenness entered my bones; And I trembled in myself, That I might rest in the day of trouble. When he comes up to the people, He will invade them with his troops.

Hab 3:17 Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls-

Hab 3:18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

Hab 3:19 The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer's feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills. To the Chief Musician. With my stringed instruments. (NKJV)



Much has come to pass in recent days that stirs fear in the hearts of men and women, especially those who have placed their faith in something or someone other than God our Creator.



Three challenges this morning.



1. Look to God in the scriptures. Read all of Habakkuk. It's a small book with a powerful message.



2. Look to God for your salvation. Rejoice in His Salvation. (Spiritual Salvation as well as the provider of your physical needs.)

3. Look to God for your strength. Run to Him and for Him. Live for Christ.



As you do these things, don't look for our Heavenly Father to make everything all better in one fell swoop. Rather, look for Him as your all sufficiency TODAY. Then tomorrow start all over again. Live each day looking to Him, Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Hebrews 12:2



A Prayer for the Church

May God grant us sight to see that He has blessed us with the faith to seek first His kingdom and righteousness. May His Spirit remind us with power to do so.







--I thank God for you.



Love in Christ,

Brother Steve

They grow fast.

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