‘Jesus’
(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
No Comments »
(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.
No Comments »
(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
No Comments »
(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.
No Comments »
(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.
No Comments »
(NLT) Acts 20:21
I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike-the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus.
(NLT) Psalm 37:3
Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.
Today, be sure you are trusting in Christ, but also do good. We are not to continue in the old way of life.
(NLT) 2 Corinthians 5:17
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr.
No Comments »
(NLT) Luke 5:15-16
But despite Jesus’ instructions, the report of his power spread even faster, and vast crowds came to hear him preach and to be healed of their diseases. [16] But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.
If Jesus saw fit to pull away from the hustle and bustle of life and pray, how much more should we?
This passage seems to indicate that He didn’t stick around for every group that headed His way. The urgent, important and dramatic was not as appealing nor necessary as time with His Father.
Today, when things get hectic,don’t be afraid to withdraw to a place of quiet worship, prayer or holy contemplation.
Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr.
No Comments »
(NLT) James 5:16
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
If you are still looking for yesterday’s installment I apologize. I didn’t get it written.
I want to meditate on the phrase, “pray for each other.” It is so easy to get wrapped up in our own needs to the point we forget to pray for others. Yet often, our own healing comes while we are focused on someone else.
The model prayer uses the words, “our” & “us”.
So, below is today’s prayer for us. As you read it, pray it for us, all believers world wide.
(NKJV) Matthew 6:9-13
Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. [10] Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. [11] Give us this day our daily bread. [12] And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. [13] And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr
No Comments »
(NLT) James 5:16-18
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. [17] Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! [18] Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.
Elijah was as human as you. This is the guy who called down fire from heaven, raised a dead child, and blessed containers holding flour and oil so they didn’t run out for the duration of a drought. You are like him.
Yesterday I pointed out that our righteousness is in Jesus Christ. I urge all of us to be more earnest or sincere in our approach to prayer.
One of the biggest obstacles to prayer is the belief, “God won’t hear me. I mean, who am I?” You are like Elijah, a human with the same passions and desires. You are one for whom Jesus Christ died.
(NLT) Romans 8:31-32 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? [32] Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?
Today, take time to pray earnestly keeping these things in mind:
1. Christ’s righteousness has been imparted to you.
2. God loves you so much He gave His son for you.
3. Elijah was just as human as you and yet God answered his prayer to control the weather for 3 and a half years.
Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr.
No Comments »
(NLT) James 5:16-18
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. [17] Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! [18] Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.
Now I have no problem being earnest in prayer, but I struggle with the righteous person part.
Matthew 9:13 Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”
Okay, this I know all too well. I do not think I (Steve) am righteous.
(NLT) John 16:10 Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more.
(NLT) Romans 3:24-26 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.
(NLT) Romans 4:5-8 But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners. [6] David also spoke of this when he described the happiness of those who are declared righteous without working for it: [7] “Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sins are put out of sight. [8] Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of sin.”
Oh! So, it’s not about my righteousness, but about the righteousness of Jesus Christ imparted to me by faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Today, rejoice and pray with confidence in Christ’s righteousness, that your prayers will be heard and will produce wonderful results.
Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr
No Comments »
|
