‘encouragement’
(NLT) John 8:12
Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”
(NLT) 2 Corinthians 4:7
We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.
Halellujah for the Light.
Follow Christ and you have the light.
(NLT) Ephesians 1:18
I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called-his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.
(NLT) Ephesians 5:8-9
For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! [9] For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.
May that light, His Light fill you from head to toe. May His confident hope encourage you.
Okay, I’ve prayed for you. Now it’s up to you. Follow Christ.
Love in Christ,
Steven R Sherwwod Sr.
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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
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2Thess 1:4 We proudly tell God’s other churches about your endurance (patience)* and faithfulness in all the persecutions and hardships you are suffering. 5 And God will use this persecution to show his justice and to make you worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering. 6 In his justice he will pay back those who persecute you. 7 And God will provide rest for you who are being persecuted and also for us when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven. He will come with his mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus. (NLT) *my note.
Could other people say about you what Paul said of the Thessolonians? We proudly tell God’s other churches about your endurance (patience)* and faithfulness in all the persecutions and hardships you are suffering.
The truth is that most of us in this country know very little about suffering. Our lives have not been threatened. We’ve not been imprisoned for proclaiming the Gospel. Oh our jobs may be less than desirable, or we have had some sickness, but suffering? I think not.
Phil 2:14 Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.
Today, when troubles arise:
1. Check your attitude.
2. Don’t whine, Shine.
3. Walk in the Spirit’s fruit of patience.
4. Rejoice.
5. Watch for God:
A. to increase your patience.
B. to take care of the situation.
Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr
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Philippians 4:6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 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.
Galatians 5:22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace,…
I repeat, since you have the Holy Spirit His fruit is already in you. For some of us it seems to be like a coconut in the top of a tree. We see it but how do we get to it? For others it’s more like a piece of fruit lost in the foliage of a plant. The troubles of life can make us forget the fruit is there. How do we clear away all the stuff that keeps us from seeing and appropriating the fruit of the Spirit, specifically, Peace?
According to our first passage today, we pray. Don’t worry, pray. People tell me, “Oh I pray all the time, but it just doesn’t seem to work for me.” What they want is for all their troubles to go away. That wasn’t in the promise. The promise is for peace in the midst of the trouble. John 16:33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
Today pray, and then trust that Father really is still in control. He knows your pain and suffering, and He has a plan He is working out of it. 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.
The peace is already in you through the Holy Spirit. Let it rule.
Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr
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John 14:23 Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. 24 Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me. 25 I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. 26 But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. 27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. 28 Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am.
A friend sent me a picture of a sign out in front of a church. The sign says ,”Evenings at 7pm in the fellowship hall.” Under that it had the following:
“Monday – Alcoholics Anonymous
Tuesday – Abused Spouses Support
Wednesday – Eating disorders
Thursday – Say No to Drugs
Friday – Teen Suicide Watch
Saturday – Soup Kitchen”
Under that list it had the title for Sunday’s sermon, “America’s Joyous Future”.
This may cause us to chuckle, but haven’t you looked around at our world and wondered if there is any hope or peace to be had? Well, there is and it is found in the Jesus left us in verse 27 above. He left us His peace. A peace that the world cannot give. The world lives in fear and worry. We have the promise of His peace and His return. There is also the promise of His constant presence and that all things work together for our good. (Rom 8:28) We could go on like this all day. He is God, He is good He loves us and has given us His Peace.
Today let that rule your heart and mind.
Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr
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Psalm 34:14 Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
Romans 12:17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. 19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,”I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. 20 Instead,”If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” 21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.
Verse 18 above is surrounded on both sides, “Don’t hit em back” statements.
As believers we are to seek peace in all situations. Peace is another part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit, therefore, it is already in us. I think that is why Paul tells us in 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.
Today let the peace of Christ rule you heart and mind, then allow that peace to rule your words and actions toward others.
Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr
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1Thess 5:10 Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. 11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. 12 Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. 13 Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other. 14 Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. 15 See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people. 16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 19 Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. 20 Do not scoff at prophecies, 21 but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. 22 Stay away from every kind of evil. 23 Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. 24 God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for sending Your Son that might have life eternal.
Please open our eyes today to these things; opportunities to encourage, to honor our spiritual leaders and pray for them. Help us see the path to peace with each other. Grant us wisdom and Grace in warning the lazy and in strengthening the timid and caring for the weak.
May we constantly see Jesus and hear him saying, “Father forgive them…”, of those who nailed Him to the cross. Cause that fruit, patieince, we so carelessly mock, to flow through us in all our dealings with others.
Fill us with Your Joy. Remind us when we allow anything to cover it up. Cause it to be evident in our lives. Remind us to pray instead of worrying. At all times remind us to count our blessings.
Father forgive us for grieving your Holy Spirit. We yield to you today. Speak to us and grant us clarity of thought. Keep us from evil and make us Holy in every way.
We praise You that we can trust You in all areas of our lives.
In Christ our Lord, AMEN!
Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr
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Psalm 2:1 O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way? 2 How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand? 3 Turn and answer me, O Lord my God! Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die. 4 Don’t let my enemies gloat, saying, “We have defeated him!” Don’t let them rejoice at my downfall. 5 But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. 6 I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me. (NLT)
My wife put these words on our kitchen wall, “When you can’t see God’s hand, trust His heart.” Read verse 5 again. It says His love is unfailing.
Dear brother & precious sister, rejoice because He has saved your soul. Sing because He is good to you. When you begin to do these things you will sense His joy. It may be in small ways at first, but continue to praise Him. Continue to rejoice in His goodness and continue to sing about His goodness.
Today “Count your many blessings, name them one by one. Count your many blessings, see what God has done.”
I count you among my blessings.
Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr
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Galatians 5:22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another. (NLT)
If you are a child of God His Holy Spirit is at work in you. Romans 8:9 But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.)
Part of the fruit the Holy Spirit produces is Joy. Paul tells us to follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. He produces joy, if we are to follow Him we should allow that joy to rise to the surface of our attitude. We should allow joy to be one of the buffers in our responses.
I believe it was Warren Wiersbe who I first heard say, “Happiness depends on happenings, but joy depends on Jesus who is the same yesterday, today and forever.” In other words, our joy is not dependent on our circumstances, rather firmly planted in our immutable God and the assurance of the promises of God in Christ. 2Cor 1:20 For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.
The fruit is there for the picking. It is a by-product of the Holy Spirit, so joy in Christ. Rejoice!
Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr
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Psalm 107:1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. 2 Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies. 3 For he has gathered the exiles from many lands, from east and west, from north and south. 4 Some wandered in the wilderness, lost and homeless. 5 Hungry and thirsty, they nearly died. 6 “Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he rescued them from their distress. 7 He led them straight to safety, to a city where they could live. 8 Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them.
Other translations have verse 2 as, “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.”
People holler out for their favorite sports team, for their political party and even brag about their sin. As the children of God Almighty, Creator, Lord and Master of the universe how can we keep silent. 2 Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies.
Psalm 40:2 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.
2 Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies.
Today, say SO!
Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr
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