Peace as the manager.

Col 3:15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

There is a quiet, unassuming manager waiting patiently for you to look his direction. He is the peace that comes from Christ. He has the ability to rule your heart with grace under fire. When trials threaten to ruin your day he can step in with assurance that all is well, God is still on the throne, large and in charge.

The key word in this verse is a small word, "Let". In other words, allow it to happen. Allow the peace that is already present, because Christ is present, have the first & last word in every conversation of your heart. Allow him to be the chairman of the board in the meetings of your mind.

Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr

Kindness

Col 3:12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.

A good melody line is nice, but there is something so very pleasant when the melody is joined by perfect harmony. For those who enjoy music the harmony brings a completeness to a song.

Yesterday, I met with some loving brothers in Christ and I shared a burden that had been weighing me down. They showed tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. They prayed with me and encouraged me. While in that place I heard the harmony. When I left there my heart was light and the word of Christ was dwelling in me richly once again.

I thank God for those dear brothers and their willingness to show tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

Today, look for opportunities to do the same for someone else.

Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr

Romans 3:20 For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are. 21 But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. 22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. 23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. 24 Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, 26 for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus. 27 Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith. 28 So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law. 29 After all, is God the God of the Jews only? Isn't he also the God of the Gentiles? Of course he is. 30 There is only one God, and he makes people right with himself only by faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles. 31 Well then, if we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about the law? Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law.

Have you believed on the Lord Jesus Christ as the sacrifice for your sin? If so you are right with God, not by your own merit, but by His grace.

Psalm 32:1 Oh, what joy for those  whose disobedience is forgiven,  whose sin is put out of sight!

Today, rejoice!

Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr

It is the song that does not end.

Psalm 40:1 I waited patiently for the Lord to help me,  and he turned to me and heard my cry. 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. 4 Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord,  who have no confidence in the proud  or in those who worship idols. 5 O Lord my God, you have performed many wonders for us.  Your plans for us are too numerous to list.  You have no equal. If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds,  I would never come to the end of them.

One evening I was the guest speaker in a small city church. I asked if anyone would like to share how God had been good to them. One gentleman, I'm guessing him to be in his 70's or 80's, stood and with tears streaming down his face said, "Preacher, if I were to start sharing all the ways God has been good to me we never would get to go home."

He got it. He understood that there is no end to God's goodness.

The world likes to complain. Today you can choose to join the world in their old worn out song of griping and complaining, or you can choose to sing the new song. This new song is about Him and His grace. It is truly the song that does not end, for His mercies are new every day.

Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr

A prayer for us!

Psalm 19:1 The heavens proclaim the glory of God.  The skies display his craftsmanship. 2 Day after day they continue to speak;  night after night they make him known. 3 They speak without a sound or word;  their voice is never heard. 4 Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,  and their words to all the world. God has made a home in the heavens for the sun. 5 It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding.  It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race. 6 The sun rises at one end of the heavens  and follows its course to the other end.  Nothing can hide from its heat. 7 The instructions of the Lord are perfect,  reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy,  making wise the simple. 8 The commandments of the Lord are right,  bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear,  giving insight for living. 9 Reverence for the Lord is pure,  lasting forever. The laws of the Lord are true;  each one is fair. 10 They are more desirable than gold,  even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey,  even honey dripping from the comb. 11 They are a warning to your servant,  a great reward for those who obey them. 12 How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart?  Cleanse me from these hidden faults. 13 Keep your servant from deliberate sins!  Don't let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt  and innocent of great sin. 14 May the words of my mouth  and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you,  O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Today, read this Psalm and rejoice.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Revive our souls and make us wise. Fill us with Your joy and grant us insight for living. Increase our desire for Your Word. Cleanse us of any secret sins. Keep us from deliberate sins. Don't let any sin control us, but fill us with Your Spirit and may we yield willingly to Him. And May the words of our mouths  and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing to you,  O Lord, our rock and our redeemer.

In Christ our Lord, AMEN.

LOVE IN CHRIST,

Steve Sherwood Sr

Good to me!

Psalm 142:1 I cry out to the Lord;  I plead for the Lord's mercy. 2 I pour out my complaints before him  and tell him all my troubles. 3 When I am overwhelmed, you alone know the way I should turn. Wherever I go, my enemies have set traps for me. 4 I look for someone to come and help me, but no one gives me a passing thought! No one will help me; no one cares a bit what happens to me. 5 Then I pray to you, O Lord. I say, "You are my place of refuge. You are all I really want in life. 6 Hear my cry,  for I am very low. Rescue me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me. 7 Bring me out of prison so I can thank you. The godly will crowd around me,  for you are good to me."

Today, say what the Psalmist says in verse 7. Tell your Heavenly Father, "You are good to me." Okay, now this time say it like you mean it.

In the garden the serpent asked Eve, "Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?" Today he says to believers, "Did God really say He is good, or He is faithful, or He will work all things together for good to those who love Him?" And sometimes we allow our circumstances to say the same things. Stop listening to the serpent and your circumstances and proclaim with the Psalmist, "God, You are good to me."

Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr

Remember whose you are!

Phil 1:27 Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.

When our children were in school I would drive them most mornings. As they got out I would pray for them and tell them, "Remember Whose you are, and I'm not talking about Steve and Evelyn." I wanted them to always remember that they were children of Jesus Christ and therefore act accordingly.

Today, live as citizens of heaven, as children of your King. Remember Whose you are.

Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr