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

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!