‘God’
(NLT)Psalm 11:1-7
I trust in the Lord for protection. So why do you say to me, “Fly like a bird to the mountains for safety! [2] The wicked are stringing their bows and fitting their arrows on the bowstrings. They shoot from the shadows at those whose hearts are right. [3] The foundations of law and order have collapsed. What can the righteous do?” [4] But the Lord is in his holy Temple; the Lord still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth. [5] The Lord examines both the righteous and the wicked. He hates those who love violence. [6] He will rain down blazing coals and burning sulfur on the wicked, punishing them with scorching winds. [7] For the righteous Lord loves justice. The virtuous will see his face.
Yes, satan is out to destroy you. It’s what he does. He kills, steals and destroys. What will you do? Will you run? Hide? Cower in a corner?
Read the first part of verse 4 again. [4] But the Lord is in his holy Temple; the Lord still rules from heaven.
Today proclaim with the Psalmist, “I choose to trust the one who rules from Heaven.”
Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr
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(NLT)Psalm 49:5-9
Why should I fear when trouble comes, when enemies surround me? [6] They trust in their wealth and boast of great riches. [7] Yet they cannot redeem themselves from death by paying a ransom to God. [8] Redemption does not come so easily, for no one can ever pay enough [9] to live forever and never see the grave.
(NLT)Hebrews 9:11-12
So Christ has now become the High Priest over all the good things that have come. He has entered that greater, more perfect Tabernacle in heaven, which was not made by human hands and is not part of this created world. [12] With his own blood-not the blood of goats and calves-he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever.
(NLT)Romans 8:18
Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.
Today, whatever comes your way remember you are redeemed. What you suffer now is not worthy to be compared with the glory God will reveal in you on the day of redemption.
Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr.
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(NLT)2 Peter 3:17-18
I am warning you ahead of time, dear friends. Be on guard so that you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing. [18] Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Jesus taught us to pray that we would not be lead into temptation and that we would be delivered from evil. Please do that for Your children today. While You do that cause us to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Yes increase our love for You, for others and for ourselves.
Increase our knowledge of Who Jesus really is. There are many ideas floating around that touch on one or another aspect of His character, but without the whole picture we get a weak, watered down faith that has no power for living and no glory for You. So, increase our knowledge of Who He is. Give us a desire to dig into Your word and learn the whole story.
And may You be glorified in us, our lives, our thoughts, words and actions.
In The Name of Jesus Christ,
AMEN!!!
Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr.
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(NLT)Hebrews 6:18-20
So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. [19] This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. [20] Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.
Today, let those words encourage you. God, who cannot lie has promised and He is a trustworthy anchor for your soul. Because of Jesus, you have free access to Your heavenly Father.
Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr.
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(NLT)Psalm 62:1-2
I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him. [2] He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken.
Father, many of us are in a time of waiting. The next step is not quite clear, or perhaps we are listening for the trumpet to sound the charge for a battle plan already laid out. Either way, when waiting we need to keep our eyes on You, for from You comes our victory. Grant Your children peace and the security that comes from knowing You are our rock and salvation, our fortress that will not be shaken.
In Christ we pray, AMEN!
Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr
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(NLT)Hebrews 2:18
Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.
Remember school? Yeah, I try not to go there mentally very often too. But I think it will help clarify this thought. Think of those teachers who covered so much stuff in class and left you no clue what would actually be on the test. I’m not suggesting cheating, but wouldn’t it have been nice to talk to someone who had taken the test who could tell you which parts you really needed to study. Or maybe, you could have had a tutor who could help you prepare.
Life’s testing is sometimes much tougher than a highschool exam. We have a High Priest, a friend, a constant companion comforter, a Father, God who has been there, done that and He will help us. The key to that help is in asking, seeking and knocking. I find that I often rush ahead thinking, “God’s given me wisdom. I’ll just take this bull by the horns and…” then the bull and I together trash the China shop. When we rush ahead we are like a child who steps into the street without looking both ways.
Today, in the midst of decision, ask, seek, knock and listen for your Heavenly Father’s guidance. Few major decisions have to be made imediately. No problem is so big that His hand cannot reach and help. Take time to seek the help of the One who can truly help.
Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr
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(NLT) Psalm 100:1-5
Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! [2] Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. [3] Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. [4] Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. [5] For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.
A man comes to dinner at a new friend’s house. While they eat, the new friend’s small son keeps staring at the guest. Finally, the guest says, “Why are you staring at me like that, young fellow?” The kid says, “Daddy told me you were a self-made man.”"I am.”"Well, why did you make yourself like that?”
Verse 3 above tells us that God made us. Some translations go on to say, “not we ourselves,” instead of “we are His.” Either way, He made us and we are His. Any good that comes from our lives is due to His grace in our lives.
Today, acknowledge that He, the Lord is God and surrender yourself to His ownership. Do so by giving Him thanks and praise.
Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr
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(NLT) Matthew 11:28-30
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. [30] For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
I pushed the switch on the table lamp in our dark foyer. The darkness remained. So, I pulled my mobile phone from it’s holster and used the light from it’s screen to inspect the problem. The power cord lay on the floor right below it’s source of strength. Upon plugging the cord into the outlet the room filled with light and the darkness was dispelled.
Well, that’s just common sense, right? Do you ever find yourself void of spiritual light or strength? Are you weary in well doing? Unlike the lamp which has no ability to reach for the outlet, we can, at any time reach for Christ, or at the least cry out to Him for aid. Like that lamp we are not far from the source of our strength. He will not leave, nor forsake us.
The point is to be connected to Christ through prayer. Have you talked to Him today? Have you listened for His voice for direction? Have you looked to Him for real rest?
Today, talk to Christ, listen to Him and ask Him for His rest.
Love in Christ Jesus,
Steve Sherwood Sr.
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(NLT) Romans 8:15-17
So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” [16] For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. [17] And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.
When the enemies’ weapons are all manned
On Christ the solid rock I stand
When their weapons are depleted and they themselves defeated
In Papa’s lap I climb and curl up
I say, “Thank you, Lord. Please fill my cup.”
He wraps His loving arms around me
And there within His sweet caressing
I find my self completely resting
In Papa’s lap.
-Steve Sherwood Sr. (1980)
Dear Heavenly Father, may we be found faithful this day. When in battle clearly show us the path to victory for Your Name’s sake and for Your glory. Do not let us run from the battle or the suffering that is ours to share in. Remind us to stand on You, our solid rock.
During and after each battle remind us Whose we are. Papa, Abba, Father take us in Your arms and hold us. Remind us where our strength comes from and that we are Your children. There grant us Your rest.
In Christ our Lord, AMEN
Steve Sherwood Sr.
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(NLT) Philippians 1:7 So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News.
(NLT) John 15:16
You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.
(NLT) John 15:19
The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.
I’m not going to get into any deep discussion over the sovereignty of God, or Calvinism vs Armenianism. (NLT) Psalm 131:1
Lord, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I don’t concern myself with matters too great or too awesome for me to grasp.
Today, just soak your mind in the humbling fact that your Heavenly Father chose you. He, God chose you to be His child, to come out of the world, to join Him in sharing the good news of Christ, and to receive answers to prayer.
Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood, Sr.
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