"Sound of Many Waters"

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"Sound of Many Waters"

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Let my day begin here in the communion of prayer, immersed in Your Presence, seeking You and Your leading--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God. 

"Then I turned to see whose voice it was that spoke to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands I saw one like the Son of Man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash across His chest. He head and His hair were white as wool, white as snow; His eyes were like a flame of fire, His feet were like burnished bronze, refined as in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters. In His right hand He held seven stars, and from His mouth came a sharp, two-edged sword, and His face was like the sun shining with full force" (Revelation 1:12-16).

We had around 20 people last night at our house church gathering in my family room.  We began with a time of worship with guitar and djembe and it flowed into a time of prayer and sharing in the Lord’s supper.  The prayer time continued in a powerful way and people confessed and shared pain in their life so we anointed with oil and laid hands and prayed. People confessed and shared fears, struggles with their children, struggles with their marriage, addictions they were hiding, and we anointed with oil, laid hands and prayed.  We never got to our time in the Word as 2 hours later we were still in deep prayer.  At times in my prayer I heard the sound of washing waters,  “ the sound of many waters” so when everyone left I sat down in my family room, which still felt of the prayers that occurred there, picked up my Bible, and turned to the passage above in Revelation.

 I read it again this morning and I pray now as I begin my day that like the many waters of a mountain stream, let the Word of God wash over me and pour through me, cleansing me and refreshing me. Let the words of Jesus’ voice purify me and sanctify me "with the washing of water by the word" (Ephesians 5:26). "As the deer longs for flowing stream, so my soul longs for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God?" (Psalm 42:1-2)

When John heard Your voice like the sound of many waters, he fell down at Your feet, in deep humility in honor of Your holy presence of Your glory (Revelation 1:17). But then You lifted him up and told him not to be afraid, but to be about the work of the Kingdom You set before him (Revelation 1:17-19). I now humble myself and fall at your feet in Your sight as well.  Lift me up! Set me about the work of your Kingdom!  When we draw near to You, You draw near to us (James 4:8). When we listen for Your voice to be led by Your Spirit as the children of God, You speak to your children and You lead your children. (John 10:3; Romans 8:17; Isaiah 30:21).

Thank You for the sound of many waters rushing through my spirit like a mountain stream this morning. Thank You for reminding me to forever be seeking Your Presence and listening for Your leading throughout the moments of my day. "There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High" (Psalm 46:4). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

My family, I pray the Holy Spirit, right at this very moment as you read this cleanses you and refreshes you with the washing of the water by His word flowing through you.  Rest for a moment and listen for the voice of the One who speaks like the sound of many waters over you and in you, in Jesus' name! Please pray the same of me. God bless you, my friends! 

 Please share your thoughts and reflections in the comment box below.

 

Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower

One Direction Community

Email: garyl@onedirection.community

Website: https://www.onedirection.community

Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC 

I could use your financial support for One Direction Community, my family, and those on the margins God has placed in my path I refuse to walk around.  Please begin 2018 by a commitment to partner and support myself and One Direction community through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, PO Box 1293 Madison, Al 35758.  

Thank You!

To Give Click Here

 

 

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 "Clouds of Witnesses"

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"Clouds of Witnesses"

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I welcome You here in my heart and every moment of my day. 

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:1-2).

As I reflect back on my day yesterday it included starting at 7:00am at the Waffle House to enter the lives and stories of my “Church” there. I had a wonderful time sharing about Jesus through Scripture to a person seeking to know Jesus.  Lunch with a couple men and a woman who are prophets of the faith. I spent time in the hospital  with friends going through a crisis, and came home at 7:30pm in the evening to my wonderful family.  Throughout my day God has placed in my path people, “clouds of witnesses” to the Gospel and the Kingdom of God.  You as well are surrounded by them everyday.  This morning,  these witnesses you will encounter, that I will encounter, I give them permission through the Holy Spirit to hold me accountable and remind me to spend my day, to spend my life, "looking to Jesus." When I'm tempted to look to the left or the right, to this distraction or that one in my life, remind me to look to Jesus.  When I'm tempted to look back at what "should have been" or look forward with the tainted vision of regret to imagine how it would be "if only I had done this or done that," remind me to look to Jesus. 

Jesus, You're the Pioneer and the Pefecter, the Author and the Finisher of my faith. You're the Apha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the One who is and who was and who is to come, my All in All. So I look to You and welcome Your Spirit within me so I can run this race You've set before me--today and every day, full of life, full of joy, full of hope, with my eyes looking ahead to you.

By the power of Your grace, help me lay aside and let go of every weight that would slow me down and be set free and forgiven of every sin that would trip me up. For the sake of the joy You've set before me, I choose to live this day for the sake of the joy of the One who endured so much for me just so that I can. Thank You, Jesus! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

My Family, I pray today you ask the Holy Spirit to put in you path, then seek out and allow those around you to remind you to “look at Jesus.”  I pray you run the race set before you with perseverance and grace, looking to Jesus who's always encouraging you and empowering by His Spirit within you to live for the sake of His joy through your life, in Jesus' name! Please pray the same of me. God bless you, my friends! 

Please share your thoughts and reflections in the comment box below.

 

Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower

One Direction Community

Email: garyl@onedirection.community

Website: https://www.onedirection.community

Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC

I could use your financial support for One Direction Community, my family, and those on the margins God has placed in my path I refuse to walk around.  Please begin 2018 by a commitment to partner and support myself and One Direction community through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, PO Box 1293 Madison, Al 35758.

 Thank You!

To Give Click Here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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"Companions of Jesus"

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"Companions of Jesus"

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Be at the center of my heart and every moment of my day. 

"When they had made the prisoners stand in their midst, they inquired, 'By what power or by what name did you do this?' Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, 'Rulers of the people and elders, if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. This Jesus is 'the stone that was rejected by you, the builders; it has become the cornerstone.' There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.' Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized them as companions of Jesus. When they saw the man who had been cured standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition" (Acts 4:7-14).

Lord, as I begin my day and a new week I know I will put on various "hats" throughout my day and week by which I will be recognized.  The "hat" of "father" when counseling my daughters and "husband" when with my wife. Throughout the week I will have on my "pastor" hat, "coach" hat, and "son" hat when I visit my parents.  However, no matter what hat I am wearing or role people see me in, Lord, let me always be recognized as a "companion of Jesus." Let me be known as one who has "been with Jesus" (v. 13). Let me be so "filled with the Holy Spirit" (v. 8) that I speak with "boldness" (v. 13) and minister Your healing love and Your message of eternal salvation in the power and authority of Your name (v. 10-12) to whoever I am with no matter what hat and role I am in.

I thank You for the gift of Your Word and Your Truth. But at the same time, I want more. I want more of the gift of Your Spirit, the encounters of Your Presence, the intimacy of Your companionship. I want to "abide" in You, as You "abide" in me (John 15:4). So this week Lord, give me a hunger to spend more time in your Word.  Give me a heart that longs for time with you in prayer.  I want to be "mature in the faith because I know Christ"--because I know You, not just know about You (1 John 2:13).

My family,  I pray you will be recognized every day as a companion of Jesus, because you've taken time to be with Him and know Him in his Word and in prayer.  May you get so close to Him the fragrance of Christ will surround you everywhere He sends you in the power and presence of His abiding Holy Spirit, in Jesus' name! Please pray the same of me. God bless you, my friends! 

Please share your thoughts and reflections in the comment box below.

 

Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower

One Direction Community

Email: garyl@onedirection.community

Website: https://www.onedirection.community

Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC 

I could use your financial support for One Direction Community, my family, and those on the margins God has placed in my path I refuse to walk around.  Please begin 2018 by a commitment to partner and support myself and One Direction community through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, PO Box 1293 Madison, Al 35758.  Thank You!

To Give, Click Here

 

 

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"Holy Invitation"

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"Holy Invitation"

“And He (Jesus) said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 27:37-40)

Yesterday was a day of the Holy invites into people's lives that comes when you enter into loving God and loving your neighbor.  I started it out with my morning hour and a half in prayer and Scriptures meditating and writing my morning reflection blog.  I also spent time in prayer over a good friend who was having a medical procedure.  Loving God and accepting His invitation into my life.  

Afterwards, I then went to “my office”, the Waffle House.  There I spent time talking to a person who shared with me they just found out their spouse has been having a long affair with another person and they were heartbroken.  I also talked to a person who had cancer their PET scan in their words, “lit up light a Christmas tree” yesterday when they went for a follow up treatment the day before and was dealing with all the realities, emotions, and thoughts of the treatments choices he now is forced to make.

A little after that I received a phone call from a person I recently met who wanted to have lunch with me.  I went not knowing what to expect and I was blindsided by a gift of grace.  This person wanted to share with me insights he has come across from years in the Word and I spent two hours being blessed listening to the Scriptures coming alive in the life and enthusiasm of this person.

I left there and joined met with a person who is dealing with Alcoholism and its effect on them and their family.  We went to am alcohol and drug treatment center I suggested they go into and sat in with them as they went through the intake interview.  While there I saw a person who was a heroin addict that I helped and encouraged to go to the treatment facility 4 years ago.  He went through a 12 month residence program.  Yesterday when I saw him he told me this was his second time back to the facility since he graduated the 12 months program and his struggles and  breaking the grip this addiction had on their life.

While with the person at the drug rehab I can texts and calls from a family who’s grandmother was in the hospital and was dying.  I left the rehab and drove to the hospital.  The grandmother passed, she was a woman I knew who always had a beautiful smile and was full of grace.  I spent time sitting with and being present with the family.

I left there and went straight to a birthday party for a friend I was invited to attend.  I got their almost two hours late, and transitioned from being present with a family mourning the death of a loved one, to a family celebrating the life of a loved one. I left the party and went home and caught up with the day of my family and shared mine.

My family, I do not know what your day will bring, however I pray you will be attuned to and ask the Holy Spirit to make you aware of the Holy invites into the lives of those you will encounter today.  You as well are called today to love God and love your neighbor, In Jesus’ name.  Please pray the same for me.  God bless you my friends!

Please share your thoughts and reflections in the comment box below.

 

Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower

One Direction Community

Email: garyl@onedirection.community

Website: https://www.onedirection.community

Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC 

 

I could use your financial support for One Direction Community, my family, and those on the margins God has placed in my path I refuse to walk around.  Please begin 2018 by a commitment to partner and support myself and One Direction community through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, PO Box 1293 Madison, Al 35758.

 Thank You!

To Give, Click Here

 

 

 

 

 

 

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"Message of the Cross"

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"Message of the Cross"

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You're my Lord and Savior, and yet You're also my Constant Companion and my Best Friend, with me always to the end of the age.

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.... We proclaim Christ crucified ... Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God" (1 Corinthians 1:18-24).

Lord, what is the heart of the message of the cross? 

As I wait and listen, it seems I hear You saying, "My son, the heart of the message of the cross is the message of my heart of love for you and for all the children of My creation. Through the power of the cross, I forgive your sins; I restore you to the intimacy of a deeply personal relationship with Me; I heal your wounds; I break your bonds; I renew your sense of identity as My child; I release you into your destiny as My disciple; I empower you to become more like Me every day; and I invite you to live with Me throughout all eternity in the security and abundance of My unfailing, holy love for you." 

Yes, Lord. Let every word of spirit and life that's truly from You penetrate my heart and shape my understanding. The message of the cross reveals the power and wisdom of God. Help me grow in my understanding of this message and let this message keep changing me. "May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world" (Galatians 6:11). 

Help me grow in my spirit until I can truly say that through the power of the cross at work within me, "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Galatians 2:19-20). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

My family, I pray the heart of the message of the cross you wear around your neck or hang on your walls penetrates your heart and changes your life.  May you grow in Christ-likeness today--crucified with Christ so that it is no longer you who live, but it is Christ who lives in you, in Jesus' name! Please pray the same of me. God bless you, my friends! 

 

Please share your reflections and prayers in the comment box below.

 

Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower

One Direction Community

Email: garyl@onedirection.community

Website: https://www.onedirection.community

Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC

I could use your financial support for One Direction Community, my family, and those on the margins God has placed in my path I refuse to walk around.  Please begin 2018 by a commitment to partner and support myself and One Direction community through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, PO Box 1293 Madison, Al 35758.  Thank You!!

To Give, Click Here

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"Wings Like Eagles"

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"Wings Like Eagles"

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Help me hear what You're speaking into my spirit to begin my day centered and grounded in You and Your Word--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God. 

 

" Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures… in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls." (James 1:17-21).

 

Every good and perfect gift comes from You God.  And two of Your greatest gifts are Your Word and Your Spirit.  As I read Your Word this morning I am grounded in truth.  As I pray into Your Spirit, I'm empowered to live out that truth in my life.

 

Thank You for the gifts of Your “implanted Word” and Your empowering Spirit.  Let the Word of God be implanted deep within me as I read and meditate upon Your Scripture as the very Word of God and the standard of truth for my life. "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16).  Let the Spirit of God fill my heart! Let it form all my thoughts and shape all my desires to live out Your Word through the words and actions of my life today and every day.  "For God is working in (me), giving (me) the desire and the power to do what pleases Him" (Philippians 2:13 NLT).

 

."The Lord is an everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.... He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint" (Isaiah 40:28-31). Like the two wings of an eagle, let Your Word and Your Spirit lift me and move me, empower me and guide me, in a life that freely and fully soars in Your will. As I embrace the good gifts of Your Word and Your Spirit, You move mightily within me and move mightily for me to align my life with Your good will. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

 

My Family, I pray you will hunger and spend time the Bible, the implanted Word of God and in prayer for the empowering Spirit of God so they both would lift you up today and every day and cause you to soar into the fullness of the good life the Lord has for you in the center of His good will for you, in Jesus' name! Please pray the same of me. God bless you, my friends! 

 

Please share your thoughts and reflections in the comment box below.

 

Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower

One Direction Community

Email: garyl@onedirection.community

Website: https://www.onedirection.community

Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC 

 

I could use your financial support for One Direction Community, my family, and those on the margins God has placed in my path I refuse to walk around.  Please begin 2018 by a commitment to partner and support myself and One Direction community through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, PO Box 1293 Madison, Al 35758.  Thank You!

To Give, Click Here

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"Out of Her Poverty"

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"Out of Her Poverty"

Good morning Jesus, with all that I have, and all that I am, I begin my day worshipping you.

This morning I finish up encouraging you as disciples of Jesus to covenant in 2018 to Immediate Radical Costly Obedience 111.1 (IRCO 111.1) by looking at the “.1” at the end of  111.1.

“And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury. And He saw a poor widow putting in two small copper coins. And He said, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all of them; for they all out of their surplus put into the offering; but she out of her poverty put in all that she had to live on.” (Luke: 21:1)

Please share your thoughts and reflections in the comment box below.

I could use your financial support for One Direction Community, my family, and those on the margins God has placed in my path I refuse to walk around.  Please begin 2018 by a commitment to partner and support myself and One Direction community through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, PO Box 1293 Madison, Al 35758.  Thank You!

To Give, Click Here

Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower

One Direction Community

Email: garyl@onedirection.community

Website: https://www.onedirection.community

Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC 

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"Flowing Oil"

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"Flowing Oil"

I begin my week surrendering my will to your Lordship Jesus to align myself with your will and receive your power and protection.

This past Friday evening myself and a large group from One Direction Community drove two and a half hours to Dalton, Ga to the back of a carpet warehouse to attend a prayer and worship gathering.  At the gathering was a large, clear, 7 or 8 gallon tub with a Bible in it that oil is slowly flowing out of and fills the container.  You can get more complete details on this story at this website; https://hisnameisflowingoil.org/story-of-the-oil/  There were around 600 or more people from all over that came to the gathering.  All were allowed to dip their fingers in the oil and then spent time worshipping and laying hands and praying over each other.  I felt the presence of God in the warehouse.  Many people including myself were prophesized over and received words from God.   All were given vials of oil to take home and I would guess around 2,000 vials were handed out.

On the bus ride home I was asked by several people my thoughts on the oil.  If I believed it was a miracle or not and if the oil held special healing powers. Here are my reflections on the oil and the gathering that night. 

I believe that the oil is flowing out of the Bible is a miracle.  That God is allowing oil to flow from this Bible for the anointing of his people.  Do I believe there is special healing powers in the actual oil itself, yes and no.  Let me explain. The oil was created by a miracle of God, the same as yours and my creation are also a miracle of God.  What is a greater miracle that is harder to explain; oil that is created and flowing out of a Bible, or life that is created and comes out of a womb?   The oil that is miraculously flowing into the container is just that, oil.  It has no power of its own sitting in the container. When I dipped my fingers into the oil and it covered my hands and ran down my arms I was not overcome by any special feeling.  What it did was focus my hands, my mind and my heart on God and his presence and I went into a time of deep worship and prayer.  And as I allowed others to lay hands on me and anoint me with oil, and as I laid hands on other and did the same, the Holy Spirit was active and present among us and we felt the presence of the healing and restoring power of God among us.  One elderly woman named Anna prayed over me and I felt the Holy Spirit in an amazing way. The oil in itself was not what healed and prophetic words flowed from, however it was the catalyst which brought living tabernacles of the presence of the Holy Spirit together in prayer.

Is God using the oil to bring revival and healing?  Absolutely.  Why on a Friday night did 600 people drive, for us two and a half others, for some six hours, to attend a gathering in the back of a carpet warehouse?  As that in itself is a miracle.  It was to see the oil.  It brought people together hungry and expecting to see God.  As the gathering began, people shared testimonies of healing and restoration that occurred in people they anointed with oil and prayed over.  These testimonies further increased the expectancy and anticipation of those gathered that God would move among them that night and instilled an atmosphere in which the Holy Spirit was invited and encouraged to move and be present.  When the gathering ended, as I mentioned earlier, around 2,000 vials of oil were handed out to people as they left.  And those who left, while receiving the vials, where excitingly naming the people they were going to anoint with the oil and pray over: parents, siblings, children, neighbors, co-workers and church members.  If each vial of oil can anoint around 10 people, then it leads to the possibility of 20,000 people that are going to have hands laid on them and anointed with oil and prayers.  That flowing out of one Friday night gathering is a miracle. 

I believe God is making oil flow from the Bible to gather, remind, and encourage his people to excitedly and expectantly give and receive the power and presence of the Holy Spirit among each other.  God has always desired that his people gather together in his presence and power and then to "go" and bring his power and presence to others.  And He is quite aware of the decline not only of the numbers of those gathering in churches in the U.S., but the decline of the expectancy of the power and presence of God in His churches by those that are gathering in His churches.   And if He has to miraculously make oil flow out of  a Bible into a large Tupperware container to get people to gather, then He will.  Which leads me to the questions, Why is that?

To be honest, the only reason we drove two and a half hours to Dalton, Ga to this gathering was to see the oil. To see the oil is why 95% of the people gathered that night.  If it was posted on social media that there was going to simply be a prayer and worship gathering Friday night at the same location, we would not have drove there, and very few of the others that attended would have either.  And that convicts me.  Why do we need a “Draw” to gather us, besides the opportunity to pray, worship and experience the presence of God together?  Why do we need the draw of either a well known praise and worship band, a well known speaker or author, an amazing theatrical performance or pro presenter presentation, a comfortable venue or other catalyst.  Why do we need a Tupperware container full of oil?

I am also convicted: Why do we need “special vessels of oil” from God to encourage us and get us excited about laying hands and praying over those in our community?  We who call Jesus Lord are all vessels of the very presence of God in the Holy Spirit.  Its is that inward presence, power and anointing of the Holy Spirit that flows from us, that the act of outward anointing of oil represents. 

So again, is the oil a miraculous sign from God, yes.   However, I am convinced if that  tub of oil was not our "draw" and not present Friday night, and that the same 600 people who gathered that night gathered together with the same excitement and expectancy, and worshipped together, laid hands on each other and anointed each other with whatever oil they had in their pocket, spoke healing words and prophetic words over each other, the some powerful presence of the Holy Spirit would have fallen on that warehouse.  And if all those gathered left without being given a vial of oil, but with the same excitement and expectancy to lay hands on and pray over loved ones, friends, and neighbors, the same healing renewal and rival would take place.  I think this is the main point God is trying to remind and restore in His Church through the flowing oil.   And I believe God will allow it to flow to encourage and remind his people of His active presence in the world, and more importantly, in each of us.  And God will continue the oil to flow until it stops becoming a referent to His presence and glory and we make an idol of it, which we as people always inevitably do.

My family, I pray today you discern and realize that the simple “Draw” of the opportunity to pray and worship together in the presence amazingly enough.  That you will make it the center of why you gather and you will excitedly and expectantly seek these simple yet powerful gatherings together.  In prayer may the Holy Spirit remind you that you are a vessel of the very presence of God and that your were created to pour out onto and anoint those around you with His healing and grace.  In Jesus’ name.  Please pray the same for me.  God bless you my friends!

 

 

Please share your thoughts and comments below in the comment box.

Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower

One Direction Community

Email: garyl@onedirection.community

Website: https://www.onedirection.community

Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC

 

 

Please begin 2018 by a commitment to partner and support myself and One Direction community through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, PO Box 1293 Madison, Al 35758.  Thank You!

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"Mall Church"

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"Mall Church"

Oh come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!  I arise this morning in complete adoration and awe of you Jesus!

“After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Luke 10:1-2)

Last night the One Direction Community house church I belong to met in the Food Court at the Parkway Place Mall in Huntsville.  We came there to prayer walk the mall.   In the middle of the food court we pushed tables together to accommodate us and for the first 30 minutes we shared a BYOD (Buy-Your-own-Dinner) together from food vendors of your choice.  Afterwards, I spent about seven minutes giving a short teaching on prayer and prayer walking.  We then went into a time of prayer together over ourselves and then the people in the mall we were about to encounter.  We then shared the Lord’s Supper and closed by singing together the chorus of, “Go Tell it on the Mountain.”  There were 13 of us, so we divided up into three groups and walked off into different direction to prayer walk the mall for an hour.   As each group walked they would stop and talk to a shopper or store employee and tell them they are prayer walking and praying over the mall and the people here and ask them if there was something they could pray for them.  “and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.” (Philemon 1:6)

 

 Afterwards we met back up at our table in the Food Court and spent time sharing our encounters and experiences, praying over prayer requests of people we met and each other, then left for our homes.  When the three groups shared with the rest of us after prayer walking, all of them shared stories told them by the people they talked with.  Stories of struggles with health and finances and school, work, or family issues.  Most in the groups expressed they experienced uncertainty or fear approaching someone, however after they did and began to hear the peoples stories of life and pray with them, they all felt peace and joy from it and as they walked away.

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I was so proud of all who attended.  One family that attended was a family new to Christ and the Church that I just baptized 6 months ago.  I told them though they have only walked with Christ 6 month’s they are experiencing and living out all Christians call to be a disciple of Jesus, one who imitates Jesus’ life,  in a greater way than people who have been in the “church” for years.  Jesus' “Church” is a movement, not a location.  What a completely different understanding and experience of church they are forming from their experience of church last night than from another family sitting in a pew or seats in a “sanctuary” removed from the world.  They discovered that they themselves are the “living sanctuaries” where God resides.

I want to encourage you: your church, small group, Sunday School class, and as a family to go out and prayer walk.  We chose the mall because it was dark outside and cold at that time, however you can prayer walk your neighborhood, apartment complex, Wal-Mart, a college campus, Flea Market,... anywhere.  And here is the thing, unlike other church programs or trainings that require having a building and class room, video teachings, TV or projector, workbooks or other materials, and a pastor or gifted teacher, what we did last night was free!  It did not cost us a penny, we did not need any materials, curriculum, video equiptment or gifted leaders, all were simply led by the Holy Spirit and we all just did it!

My family, I pray today you will come to embrace more church as a movement and not a location.  I pray today as you walk through your day you will seek interruptions by two things- God and people, and enter into the interruptions and be both transformed and agents of transformation by and in the power of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name.  Please pray the same for me.  God bless you my friends!!

 

Please share your reflections and prayers in the comment box below.

 

Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower

One Direction Community

Email: garyl@onedirection.community

Website: https://www.onedirection.community

Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC

 

Please support and partner with my self and my family as we serve as local missionaries to those in our community with your year-end financial gift.   Donations can also be made by checks made out to: ODc, PO BOX 1293 Madison, Al 35758

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"Go and Tell"

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"Go and Tell"

Good morning Lord Jesus, with all I am, and all I have I seek to start this day giving glory to you.

I read through the same passages in Mark's Gospel this morning and my reflections center around the same two verses as my last two blog posts.

“Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.” Mark 5:19-20

Just like in the world when Jesus walked it, we also live in a world of great needs: physical, spiritual, emotional, and the like. People all around us are crying out in search of a source of hope. As believers, we know exactly what they need: Jesus. He is the only one capable of bandaging their wounds, healing their hearts, and, most importantly, forgiving their sins. Given this, telling people about the good news of Jesus Christ is all the more urgent. Here are some lessons I’ve learned and thoughts I’ve had on how to be more effective at sharing the gospel.

First, we must find our ‘sailboat’.

Bill Hybels, who founded Willow Creek Community Church, often references his passion for sailing and his excitement about his boat in speaking. He has made a habit of using his sailboat as a means to tell people about Jesus.  Hybels uses his sailboat and his love for sailing to evangelize to others who love sailing. Everyone needs to have a similar example.

So the question is: What’s your sailboat? Not all of us have our own boat, but most of us have a house or apartment. Maybe some of us have a really neat backyard, a pool, of and a whole community of people around us to invite.  We may belong to a gym, club, professional network or other social group.  If you do not, you need to join something.

My sailboat happens to be my neighborhood. I go to my neighborhood Waffle House almost every morning and spend time talking and listening to my neighbors who meet there.  I became a member of our homeowners association board to invest in our community and hear of needs of my neighbors.  At one meeting a resident came and complained about the state of her neighbors yard. The grass had not been mowed in a month and its shrubs and landscaping were over run with weeds. Before the board gave them a notice I told them I would talk with the homeowner.  I found out the owner had to have heart replacement surgery.  So to avoid them getting a fine, I walked back over with my lawn mower, edger, weed eater, and chain saw and spent a afternoon getting their lawn and yard in shape. 

Second, it helps to make a list.

Given the hectic, fast-paced nature of most of our lives, it’s easy to place things—people, even—on the backburner. In the heat of the moment, we think to ourselves, I really want to connect with that new neighbor across the street or I need to dedicate myself to praying for that struggling parent in my church small group. But sometimes we let hours, days, and even weeks go by before suddenly remembering all the people we forgot to reach out to and pray for.

 I tell everyone at ODC to write down a list of 100 names of people they have influence and a connection with them: family members, friends, co-workers, classmates, all the way down to the mailman. Then write after their name if they are Christian, non-Christian, or unknown. Then pray over the list daily and begin to intentionally reach out to people on your list who don’t know Christ. If we are serious about the gospel, our natural response shouldn’t be to bottle up the gift we’ve been given in our hearts and keep it to ourselves. The message of Christ’s love and redemptive work on the cross was meant to be shared and it’s our job—not someone else’s—to testify to its power. 

Third, Those who are in leadership areas of your church: we need to dedicate ourselves to leadership in this area.

It’s not enough for us to talk about evangelism from the pulpit, in a class or a meeting,. We need to make sharing the gospel a priority in our individual spheres and circles if we want to inspire our congregations and our familes to do the same. We need our churches to be places of accountability where churchgoers, staff, and leaders come together with one common desire: reaching people. This is because, at the end of the day, sharing the gospel isn’t just a side job—it is, arguably, one of the most important of our Christian responsibilities. The command to love God and neighbor is most fully expressed when we bring the message of his love directly to those who need it most.

My family, when it comes to evangelism, you can’t lead what you won’t live.  I pray today and over this weekend you will set aside time and intentionally pray over your “sailboat, make your list of 100, and dedicate evangelism to be part of your life starting next week.  In Jesus’ name, amen.  Please pray the same for me.  God bless you my friends!

Please share your reflections and prayers in the comment box below.

Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower

One Direction Community

Email: garyl@onedirection.community

Website: https://www.onedirection.community

Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC

Please support and partner with my self and my family as we serve as local missionaries to those in our community with your one-time or monthly financial gift by clicking link below.  Donations can also be mailed to One Direction Community, PO Box 1293, Madison, Al 35758

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Lips and Hearts

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Lips and Hearts

Good morning, Lord Jesus.  Come into my heart and every moment of my day. 

"(Jesus) said to them, 'Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written, 'This people honors Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship Me, teaching human percepts as doctrines.' You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition'" (Mark 7:6-8).

Uproot and remove all that merely ritual and religion. Give me a passionate desire and uncompromising hunger for authentic relationship with You. May my actions and my heart be genuine expressions of my true faith in my one, true God. May the relationship with you I claim I have when I speak to others be an honest representation of my relationship with you.

 If I am wearing a golf shirt and someone comes up to me and says, “So you are a golfer.”  I would immediately reply,” no, I am not a golfer, I like to go out and hit a ball once in a while and try to get in a round in once a month, but I am not a golfer.  I realize and understand the huge difference between a being a true golfer and a person who occasionally plays a round of golf.   The commitment to spending time on the driving range, with a trainer, on the practice green and on the course that is required to be proficient enough at the game to call yourself a golfer.  The same is true if I played occasionally in a touch football league, I would not call myself a football player.  Or if I played a few times a month in a Saturday morning church basketball league. I would say I like to play basketball, but would not define myself as a basketball player.

Yet if someone saw me with a crucifix around my neck or on a bracelet on my wrist and asked me, Are you a Christian?” I automatically without thought reply, “Yes I am.”  As most Christians do.  I do not differentiate like I do with everything else in life before I answer if I am truly a Christian, a disciple of Christ. I do not reply if I am someone like the person who plays an occasional round of golf, a person who when it is convenient plays around occasionally with Christianity.

  And I guess I can get away with going to church once or twice a month, spend 30 minutes or more reading the Bible the just as often, praying when I am sick or my transmission goes out in my car, and still look that person in the eye and say I am a Christian.  But I cannot look them in the eye and say I am a disciple of Jesus.  As the verse above states, I “honor you with my mouth” but my heart and my commitment are far away from you.  In my heart, just as I know what is required to call myself a Golfer or a Football Player, I understand the level of commitment to time spent in prayer, the Word, and accountability to others, and the deep zeal and love for God and my neighbors that is required to call myself a Christian, a Disciple of Jesus.

My family, As we begin our week I pray that may your lips and your heart both be a genuine expression of your true love, faith and commitment in our one, true God throughout your days.   in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friends!

Please share your reflections and prayers in the comment box below.

 

Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower

One Direction Community

Email: garyl@onedirection.community

Website: https://www.onedirection.community

Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC

 

We need your help.  This Giving Tuesday, please support and partner with my self and my family as we serve as local missionaries to those in our community with your one-time or monthly financial gift by clicking link below.

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"How Deep is Love"

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"How Deep is Love"

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Let me hear and see and sense Your Presence here with me, here within me, as I begin my day in the communion of prayer -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 

"Then Jesus said, 'There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.' So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired hands have bread enough to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.' So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Quickly, bring out a robe--the best one--and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found! And they began to celebrate!" (Luke 15:11-24)

When the prodigal son came to the end of himself, he said, "Here I am dying.... I am no longer worthy." He was giving up hope, believing his sins were too dark, his heart was too hardened, his character was too tarnished, his faith was too weak, his life was too wasted. He believed he was too far gone and began to give up to hopeless despair.

But then a thought came to his mind of the father he knew. And though he felt so much rejection from within him, so alone and so unworthy that surely he would be unloved and unwanted, he chose to "get up and go to (his) father, and (speak) to him" (v. 18). He was sure in his mind and convinced in his heart that he would only face more shame, more rejection, more disappointment, all in confirmation of all the negative things he'd come to believe about himself and his worth in the eyes of his father and everyone else. Yet, something drew him to come and see, to take a risk to come receive, to humble himself come and ask for his father's help.

And the amazing reception from his father was beyond what he ever imagined! His father ran to him and hugged him and kissed him and welcomed him home in the embrace of his love. He father was filled with joy at his son's return -- the one who was dead was now alive, the one who lost was now found!

As I am writing this, the song, “How Deep the Father’s Love for us,” right on cue from God!  “How deep is our Father's love for us,How great, how vast beyond all measure” The song of worship says:

How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the man upon a cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers

 It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

 I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

 Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

(Songwriter:  Stuart Townsend)

 

My Father, I thank You for never giving up on me. Thank You for never letting me give up on myself. Thank You for Your sacrifice of love for me and for all, through Jesus Christ, that there is no sin You won't forgive, no wound You won't heal, and no bondage You won't not break if we humble ourselves to turn to You, to call on Your name, and ask for Your help. When we humble ourselves in Your sight, You lift us up (James 4:10). 

Thank You for Your everlasting promise and unfailing love:  "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. 'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, 'therefore I will hope in Him.' The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul that seeks Him" (Lamentations 3:22-25). In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

My Family, I pray you embrace the Father's love for you--His unfailing love, poured into your heart by His Spirit through His Son, every day, in Jesus' name! Please pray the same of me. God bless you, my friends!  Take three minute to listen to the song.

Please share your reflections and prayers in the comment box below

Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower

One Direction Community

Email: garyl@onedirection.community

Website: https://www.onedirection.community

Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC

We need your help! Please support and partner with my self and my family as we serve as local missionaries to those in our community with your one-time or monthly financial gift by clicking link below.

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"What is a Disciple?"

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"What is a Disciple?"

"Then Jesus came up and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” 

Jesus commands us to "Go, and make disciples" v.19.  That is all of are calling.  At our Wednesday night house church last night we looked at this command. After our time of worship, prayer and sharing the Lord's Supper, I began our discussion type by asking those in my living room, "What is a disciple?"  You can't obey Jesus' command make disciples until you understand and define what you are trying to make.  We went around the room and everyone gave their answer to this question.  Afterwards, I handed out One Direction Community's definition of a disciple and a highlighter marker to everyone.  We then went through the definition line by line and everyone highlighted and shared the parts of the definition that stood out to them.  I have included ODC's definition below and its description for you to read and reflect on this morning and through ought you day.    

A disciple is a committed apprentice of the Lord Jesus Christ who is growing in Love for God and others, sent out to make disciples, all through the power of the Holy Spirit.

…a committed apprentice… of the Lord Jesus Christ

ODC’s definition of disciple rests on the confession of the earliest Christians: Jesus is Lord.  If Jesus is Lord, then no one and nothing else can be. This implies exclusivity: Lordship excludes all other claims to loyalty; and totality: there is no area of life that is not under the rule of God. Jesus modeled total submission to his Father to the exclusion of all else and expects his followers to do the same. This is not something we can do by ourselves. We need each other and the power of the Holy Spirit.

…growing in love for God

We recognize discipleship as a life-long process of growing… becoming more and more like Jesus. As God reveals thoughts, attitudes, and actions that are not “Christ-like,” a committed apprentice responds by changing to be more like Christ.

The ongoing growth process is a series of baby steps of immediately obeying everything we hear Jesus commanded us to do.  His first command was to love God.

Loving God includes all that we are (our soul), the expression of our emotions (heart); the exercise of our will to obey what Jesus commands (strength), and the content of our thoughts (our mind). It is not hard to see why loving God is a process that can be costly, or that seems radical. Nevertheless, it’s what Jesus expects of His followers, His disciples. (Matt 22:37)

…growing in love for others

ODC wants to form disciples who are growing in love for God (through Immediate Radical Costly Obedience) and others (by putting them first). (Mat 22:39)

Loving others extends beyond warm feelings or treating people with simple courtesy (although that is not a bad place to start). It involves listening (for many people, being heard is so close to being loved that they can’t tell the difference). We notice their needs, and take time to meet those needs by serving them.

Loving others by serving them often means inconvenience, and the sacrifice of personal time and resources. Radical hospitality… inviting our neighbors to enter into our lives… sets people at ease and fosters trusting relationships. “Welcoming the stranger” demonstrates our love for God by extending His love to those who are right in front of us.

Loving others by the practice of seeing them spiritually through the eyes of God. If we want to minister to them as Jesus would, we need to be able to see them as Jesus does.

….sent out

Jesus exemplified the Missio Deo or “The Mission of God.”  That is the spreading of the gospel that the Kingdom of God is at hand and ushering in that good news in a tangible way.  Just as God sent Jesus in to this world to proclaim this gospel, Jesus sends us out to proclaim it as well (Joh. 17-18).  Disciples are to be missionaries.  Missionary defined as someone who forsakes everything but the Gospel, for the sake of the Gospel.  Discipleship is actively following Jesus through the presence of the Holy Spirit out into their neighborhoods and communities. (John 17:18)

….and making disciples

Jesus’ last commandment to his disciples was for them themselves to go and make disciples. (Mat 28:19)  His commandment applies to all of us as well.  It is a good thing when we come to know Christ.  It is a better thing when we lead someone else to Christ.  It is the Greatest thing, the most Christ like thing, when we lead someone to Christ and disciple them so that they then lead someone to Christ.  Moreover, the goal of discipleship is to become the most Christ-like.

…through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Finally, this definition of disciple reveals our total reliance on the power of the Holy Spirit for transformation and growth.

A core value of our House Churches is that truth is revealed through the study of scripture, in community with others, under the direction of the Holy Spirit. Gifted teachers and great curriculum are valuable but can never replace the Holy Spirit’s work in exposing the truth of scripture. Reading a few verses directly, without external commentary, allows the Holy Spirit to flow through multiple believers whose various personal experiences, traditions, reason, and spiritual gifts reveal the simple and obvious meaning of the text.

How do you make a disciple?

First and for most if you desire to make disciples is to personally answer and reflect on this question, “Am I a disciple worth multiplying?” God does not desire to multiply mediocrity.  He desires to multiply those who exhibit Immediate, Radical, Costly, Obedience (IRCO).  Discipleship is the act and process of modeling and conforming yourself to Christ.  I have come to understand that there is no “easy button” to achieve this, to become or make a disciple.  It requires reading Scripture more than I ever have before, praying more than I ever have before, and being openly accountable to others in the body more than I ever have been before.  How I become or “make” a disciple is simple, but it is not easy.  If I am not willing to consistently embrace and model this, then I cannot effectively lead others to become disciples.  For I cannot lead them to a place I myself am not willing to go.  And no program, training, technique or tool I try to use can replace lack of obedience.  

Am I a disciple worth multiplying?

My family, I pray this morning you will read and reflect over what is a Disciple of Jesus and return to read and reflect on it until it is instilled in your very being that this is command that YOU are called to obey.  Then "Go" into your work place, school, neighborhood, and third places and by the Holy Spirits leading enter into peoples lives, give them access to you life, and begin to intentionally make disciples of those God's has placed in your path.  Please pray the same for me! God bless you my friends!!

Please share your reflections and prayers in the comment box below.

 

Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower

One Direction Community

Email: garyl@onedirection.community

Website: https://www.onedirection.community

Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC

 

 

Please support and partner with my self and my family as we serve as local missionaries to those in our community with your one-time or monthly financial gift by clicking link below.

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Centered in Peace

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Centered in Peace

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God; You are One and You are with me. I welcome You here within me and every moment of my day. 

"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.... Rise, let us be on our way" (John 14:27-31).

Every morning, I can rise and be on my way with You because Your peace is within me. As You promised to Your first disciples, You continue to promise every disciple, "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33 NKJV).

The first disciples world under Roman control was a world full of foreboding and fear, chaos and confusion, injustice and inhumanity, troubles and tribulations.  Sound familiar?  You invited them and You invite me to find my peace in You. You remind me You are the "Prince of Peace" -- my "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). You encourage me to overcome by embracing the One who has already overcome (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21).

The mornings I begin my day in word and prayer centered in your peace,  there's a shifting in me, long before there's any shifting in the world around me I am about to go out and enter into. It's a shifting of perspective that gives me peace in the confidence and assurance of Your Presence. You're with me through it all (Isaiah 43:2; Psalm 23:4). You never leave me, nor forsake me (Hebrews 13:5). You're with me "always" (Matthew 28:20). 

And at the end of my day when it's all been said and done, when I see with my eyes what I've known in my heart, that You've been with me to the end, I will look and see that none of the things of this world that tried to overwhelm me and overcome me to steal my peace had the last word or defined my life. You did. You always have and You always will. And Your word over me is always good (Jeremiah 29:11). You are the Living Word of God, who is always with me (John 1:14). And that's what gives me "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard (our) hearts and (our) minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

My family, I pray you will know the peace that surpasses all understanding through every trouble and tribulation you ever endure, safe and secure, encouraged and overcoming in the One who is your Prince of Peace, in Jesus' name! Please pray the same of me. God bless you my friends!

I continue to join with you in prayer for all those who are grieving and struggling with the tragic loss of life in the community of Sutherland Springs, Texas and everywhere the troubles and tribulations of this world seek to overwhelm and overcome.

Please share your reflections and prayer requests over trials and tribulations in your life in the comment box below.

 

Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower

One Direction Community

Email: garyl@onedirection.community

Website: https://www.onedirection.community

Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC

 

Please support and partner with my self and my family as we serve as local missionaries to those in our community with your one-time or monthly financial gift by clicking link below.

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"Funeral For A Friend"

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"Funeral For A Friend"

Good morning Jesus, I begin my work week by surrendering all my works at the foot of your cross so that your will not mine be done...

Yesterday, I performed a funeral for a friend of mine, Ashley.  Ashley is a waitress at the Waffle House (WH).  Last Monday her mother Cathie died in a fire that burned her house to the ground.  A house she has lived in for the past 44 years.  I first encountered Cathie through stories Ashley shared with me as I sat at the WH bar.  Through my daily visits month after month, year after year Ashley has shared with me in our conversations her love, concerns and life with her mother. 

I got to meet Cathie about a year and a half ago.   Cathie’s home was in need of repairs and renovating and Ashley was helping her mother to complete this project.  I was able to get a donated stove, dishwasher and other items for the project and delivered them in my truck to Cathie’s home.  With my background in construction whileI was there I spent over an hour walking through her home, listening to what needed to be done, and I gave her some tips and advice.  Cathie shared stories and the history of her life and home as we walked through its rooms.

Last Tuesday morning (Halloween) I walked into the WH.  And as I was sitting at the bar a waitress asked me if I had heard about what happened to Ashley’s mother.  I told her I had not.  As she was telling me  what happened I received a text from Ashley telling me the same thing and asked me if I would perform her mom’s funeral and to please call her.  Ashley and her mother do not attend or are connected to a church.  And her only contact with the Gospel and grace of Jesus is my visits and sharing and praying with her and over her.  I told her it be an honor.

This is the second funeral I have been asked to do by WH staff and regular guests.  “Chuck”, the man I wrote about in my earliest post “He’s My F*cking Pastor" was the first.   I have also been asked to perform one wedding, and have made hospital visits for waiters/waitresses because of illness and to bless the birth of a children born.  My church conference and most do not use funerals and weddings performed as a church metrics of church health.  I do not count numbers of waitresses and customers at the bar of the three WH I visit weekly as “seats in the pews” for weekly attendance.  And I do not pass a plate or get any financial support for my time spent in ministry to them to claim.  However, to me these instances I have been invited to share in the intimate and holy moments of peoples lives just re-enforces to me that besides what it may look like; “For better or for worse, in sickness and in health”, my presence and commitment those at the WH, though lacking the form, is functioning as a “church.” 

Performing Cathie’s funeral instilled a new level of trust and intimacy with Ashley, the WH employees and regular customers that attended the funeral.  I pray God will use that to allow me to draw them closer to Him and His Son.

My family, I pray this morning, as you begin your week you will pray and reflect on who you are called and sent to serve day in and day out in your week. You were not sent by God to a church.  I have been and you you may have been called to help serve and participate in a church, but it is your neighborhood, apartment complex, workplace, school, and other third places you find yourself in to whom you are sent.  You are sent into these places where you live your life and spend your time to be to them a tangible example of the kingdom of God in their lives.  You are sent to be to them examples of salt and light, justice and mercy, love and compassion, partying and banqueting, laughter and dancing.  You are sent to them to be "The Church" with them.  If not you, then who?  If not now, then when?  In Jesus’ name.  Please pray the same for me.  God bless you my friends!

 

Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower

One Direction Community

Email: garyl@onedirection.community

Website: https://www.onedirection.community

Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC

 

Please share your reflections and prayers in the comment box below.

 

 

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Graham Crackers

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Graham Crackers

“Then Jesus sat down opposite the offering box, and watched the crowd putting coins into it. Many rich people were throwing in large amounts. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, worth less than a penny. He called his disciples and said to them, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the offering box than all the others. For they all gave out of their wealth. But she, out of her poverty, put in what she had to live on, everything she had.” (Mark 12:41-44)

Tonight we are having are big neighborhood Halloween Party at our house.  We will have lots of food, lots of candy and coolers of drinks.  I created a sign-up sheet for ODC members to sign-up to bring food items for the party.  One of our members, I will call him “Tim”, called me yesterday to talk about some things his family is going through and near the end of our conversation he said, “I have the box of Graham crackers I signed up to bring.”  Here is the story behind the box of Graham crackers.

Tim and his family are new to Christ and new to church.  I baptized him, his wife and  his two children 6 months earlier.  They live in a small three bedroom trailer they rent, his wife recently had a baby so they live off of his income and they struggle from time to time to make ends meet.  He works hard though, and comes to our house church at 6:30pm in muddy boots and work cloths as he comes straight from his 12 hour work day.

A month or so ago Tim’s sister and he husband and their two kids moved into their small trailer with them.  Where his sister and family lived was not a good place for them.  They started getting caught up in drugs and had to get away.  So Tim, out of his now love for Christ took tem in.  Though his small trailer barley held them he struggled feeding his family,  he took in  another family of  four and is feeding them as well.

The phone call we had earlier concerned him sharing some of the challenges he was going through with this.   However, before Tim hung up, he said he got the box of Graham crackers he signed up to bring to the party to use for s’mores.  He said when he got his paycheck cashed, the first thing he went and bought before he began paying his bills before he ran out of money was the box of Graham crackers.  He was so proud to be able to pitch in and help the church outreach.

The story of the poor widows offering above in Mark’s gospel came to mind. Tim’s box of Graham crackers was purchased out of his poverty.  And the kids who use the Graham crackers to make a s’more, and maybe take a couple bites and offer the rest to their parents or throw it away will have no idea of the Christ-like love and sacrifice that those simple crackers represent.  Jesus’ sermon on the mount also come to mind, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 5:3)  The kingdom of heaven is Tim’s.  I am so proud of Tim and where he has come in his short time in Christ.  I am also so convicted by his simple example giving and tithing.  He gave the “first fruits” of his paycheck to reach out to his community for Christ. 

My family, I pray today you will also be proud of Tim’s giving, and also convicted by his simple act of giving out of his need and his beautiful embracing of tithing to God, in Jesus’ name.  Please pray the same for me.   God bless you my friends!!

 

Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower

One Direction Community

https://www.onedirection.community

Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC

 

Please share your reflections and prayers in the comment box below.

 

 

Please click on the link below to our news and support letter and view photos and stories of One Direction Community’ ministries. We could use your support.

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Intentional Obedience

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Intentional Obedience

Good morning Jesus, I begin today placing all that I am and all that I have into you hands.  

Yesterday Curtis Sergeant and his wife Debbie  came to our house and listened took part in a discussion with us on obeying Jesus’ command to go and make disciples who make disciples.  Multiplication is a critical aspect of discipleship.  Multiplying disciples is at the core of being a Christian. It is the DNA Jesus instilled in his disciples.  This same DNA was instilled in you when you accepted Christ as your Lord.  One of the questions our conversations centered around was, “Am I a disciple worth multiplying?” God does not want to multiply all disciples, but those who are his true disciples. God does not want to multiply mediocrity.  “Mediocrity” in Christianity, the western church is multiplying quite well on its own.   However, you must examine and improve your personal prayer life and level of discipleship before you can step into trying to examine and improve your community and your church.  God desires to multiply those who exhibit Immediate Radical Costly Obedience (IRCO) 

Immediate: Martin Luther said, “Delay is the sharpest arrow in the enemy’s quiver”

Radical: If your life is rooted in Christ, you will stand out to the world.

Costly:  no matter what is required.

Obedience:  “If you love me, you will obey my commandments.” (John 14:15)   “Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and take up residence with him.” (John 14:23)

 

Throughout Scripture, God’s multiplication of disciples was achieved through those individuals who exhibited Immediate Radical Costly Obedience (IRCO). One example is Abraham.  God chose Abraham to be the source of multiplication and blessing because he exhibited IRCO.  Read these four stories of his life in Genesis. 12:1-4; 17:9-11, 22-23; 21:8-14; 22:1-3.  In all these stories, Abraham basically heard what God was telling him to do, and then he did it.  He obeyed what God told him without delay, faithfully, no matter what the personal cost. 

If I were to add another letter “I” to IRCO it would be for “intentional”.  For the Great Commission to be completed and the making of disciples requires intentional action and resoluteness. Jesus commands us today to set our eyes on the goal of disciple making and pursue that goal with stubborn focus. This means that unless you pray and plan to make disciples, you won’t do it.  Though we at ODC may make allot of mistakes along the way of making disciples, However, like inviting Curtis into our mist and setting aside a day to be with him shows, we are seeking to be very intentional to make disciples.

Disciples are not made accidentally or may I add at Sunday morning worship services.  Worship is an aspect of a disciples life, however Sunday morning worship does not train, model, or create disciples. We must intentionally change our mindset that we can make disciples without changing anything in our daily lives and the daily lives and formats of our churches. That disciples will be made if we keep going about doing our own thing. Making disciples requires intentionality and it requires Immediate Radical Costly Obedience.

My family, I pray today you will open your Bible and read through these four stories of Abraham in Genesis. Then take time in prayer to reflect on these passages.  If you love God, you will obey what he commands, and his commands are not burdensome.  They are not legalistic or to be negatively obeyed, but obeyed out of love. “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matt 19:29-30) How is your love for God being expressed in your life through IRCO?  Please pray the same for me.  God bless you my friends!!!

 

Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower

One Direction Community

https://www.onedirection.community

Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC

 

Please share your reflections and prayers in the comment box below.

 

 

Please click on the link below to our news and support letter and view photos and stories of One Direction Community’ ministries.

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If you are in the neighborhood tomorrow come by and grill a hot dog and s'more, and say "hi!"

If you are in the neighborhood tomorrow come by and grill a hot dog and s'more, and say "hi!"

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Eyes of Heaven

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Eyes of Heaven

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I welcome You into my heart and every moment of my day. 

 

"The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, 'The Lord is with you, you mighty warrior'" (Judges 6:16).

 

Gideon saw himself with the eyes of his present circumstances, but You saw him with the eyes of heaven (v. 11-13). Gideon spoke out of his pain and disappointment and fear, but You spoke to him with words of his calling and identity and destiny. Gideon wanted to murmur and complain about all that You weren't doing, but You came to commission him and empower him to go be a part of what You were doing. And when Gideon was afraid he could never fulfill Your calling and plans for his life all on his own and all in his power, You assured him he would never have to:  "Go in this might of yours and deliver Israel from the hand of Midian; I hereby commission you.... I will be with you" (Judges 6:14-16).

 

Jesus, You allowed Gideon to give ask his questions, to give voice to his concerns, and express his doubts. You even allowed him to set out a "fleece" to test the faithfulness of Your promises in all of his doubts and fears (v. 36-40). But at the same time, even in the midst of Gideon's reluctance and uncertainty, You gave him courage and faith, as You inspired him and empowered him. And when the time came for him to step out in faith and move forward in obedience, You possessed him with Your Spirit:  "The Spirit of the Lord took possession of Gideon!" (v. 34)

 

You kept speaking to his spirit and confronting his fears each step of the way along the path of his destiny. And "he worshipped" You in response to Your guidance and hope, with Your assurance of Your presence through every he would face (v. 7:15). You gave him great victories for himself and for his people, fulfilling the promise of Your word (v. 8:28).

Gideon was no saint, and he still struggled with temptations and sin, even in the light of all You had done (v. 8:22-27). Yet in Your mercy and love, for him and his people, You moved mightily on their behalf. "The land had rest forty years in the days of Gideon" (v. 8:28).

 

Lord, You know I am no saint either and you know my struggles with temptations and sin. You know the times my doubts and fears try to hold me back from all You've created me to be and commissioned me to do. So I'm forever in need of my Savior. I'm forever in need of Your mercy and love. I'm forever in need of Your Spirit to possess me and inspire me and empower me. It's only in You that I can know my identity and fulfill my destiny.  So I'm forever thankful that I am in You and You are in me (John 14:20 and 17:21; Romans 8:9-11).  In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

 

My family, I pray you'll see with the eyes of heaven, and pray and seek the Spirit of the Lord to possess you and empower you to know your identity and fulfill your destiny in Christ, in Jesus' name! Please pray the same of me. God bless you, my friends!

 

Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower

One Direction Community

https://www.onedirection.community

Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC

 

Please share your reflections and prayers in the comment box below.

 

 

Please click on the link below to our news and support letter and view photos and stories of One Direction Community’ ministries.

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Hunger and Thirst

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Hunger and Thirst

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I lift my eyes and open my heart to welcome Your Word and Your Spirit into me and every moment of my day. 

"Remember the long way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, in order to humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commandments. He humbled you by letting you hunger, then by feeding you with manna, with which neither you nor your ancestors were acquainted, in order to make you understand that one does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord" (Deuteronomy 8:2-3).

Give me a holy hunger.  One that is never satisfied. Give me a hunger for Your Word and for Your Spirit, for Your promises and for Your presence. Rather than filling myself up every moment with the food I can provide with my own hands, food that will never satisfy me, give me the grace to wait for the "manna" that only You can provide. Let the delays of "the long way" you lead me make me hungrier still for the only One who can ever satisfy the longing of my soul.

With this holy hunger may You humble my heart to keep and obey your commandments as You guide my steps along the long and narrow way that leads to life in You. Give me a faith to persevere  and believe You're using the journey you have me on to make me more like You each day and to conform me into the image of the Son of God (Romans 8:29).  Help me understand the journey will be worth it. 

Just as You led Israel on her journey, so You're leading me to on my journey to the place You've prepared for me all along. "For the Lord (my) God is bringing (me) into a good land ... where (I) will lack nothing.... (I) shall eat (my) fill and bless the Lord (my) God for the good land that He has given (me)!" (Deuteronomy 8:7-10)  

As You have said to all who would choose to humble themselves and follow You, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" (Matthew 5:6). In the power of Your grace, give me that holy hunger and righteous thirst for You today so that I may be filled with your righteousness.  In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

My family, I pray you'll begin your day seeking to hunger and thirst for the One who longs to fill you with His Word and His Spirit to make you more like Him each day, including today, in Jesus' name! Please pray the same of me. God bless you, my friends!

 

Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower

One Direction Community

https://www.onedirection.community

Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC

 

Please share your reflections and prayers in the comment box below.

 

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"Teach Them Diligently"

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"Teach Them Diligently"

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” Deuteronomy 6:4-7

In Deuteronomy God reveals through Moses what the Greatest commandment of all is, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” And what is the first thing God tells his people to do to obey this commandment?  Teach this to your children.  God’s first commandment to his people after placing loving God at the core of their being is not plant churches, cast out demons, heal the sick, or set the captives free, but to teach your children.  And that to teach is not just directed to your biological children, but all children. And not just to people with children,  but all people.

Today, especially in the USA and Western cultures I believe we do not do a good job of teaching and mentoring our children.  Especially by providing them access to those who are “seniors” in our churches and communities.    Seniors have attended and graduated life’s “School of Hard Knocks.”  They “paid” the full tuition required to graduate this school. They paid the tuition of pain, mistakes, heart break,  bad decisions, disappointment, financial loss, struggle, anxiety.  They have a wealth of knowledge gained from life’s school of hard knocks they can mentor and share with children and youth so that they do not have to pay the full tuition.   Their life’s wisdom and knowledge they can pass on are amazing “Grants” or Scholarships” that if shared with youth can enable them to avoid and not pay all of the required tuition I listed above.

However, in the USA and western culture and  western church structure there are very few intentional opportunities for youth to “hang-out” and be mentored by seniors and adults in general.  Most children and youth’s  opportunities throughout the year to interact with seniors is the half a dozen or so times they see their grandparents at holidays, birthdays, funerals, and special occasions.  In our churches efforts to excel growth and numbers of those attending they have launched contemporary services and most churches now have a contemporary service and a traditional service.  So the minute people enter the church youth are separated from seniors as youth go to contemporary service, seniors to the traditional service.  Youth go to youth groups, seniors go to Bible studies, and the only time the two meet again is in the parking lot headed to cars.  I think most churches never look at the theology behind separating youth and seniors in their gathering structures.

The reality is that today's youth have very few real, intentional opportunities to to contact and connect with adults and seniors in their day to day, year to year American structure of life.  The reality is  that we in the USA and western church are not doing well at “ Teach this to your children.”  The reality is that we all need to be more intentional, and intentional being the key word, at making opportunities to not just teach in a classroom setting, but to do life with and mentor our children and youth.  And remember God commanded all of us, not just those ”gifted with children” to teach our children.

Yesterday I spent the afternoon at ODC’s Kids of the Kingdom ministry which  meets in the pool are of an apartment complex and intentionally reaches children who would otherwise not attend a church or be taught or mentored in “loving God with their whole heart.” 

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Afterwards, I went out and bought a bunch of pumpkins and last night I invited eight of my daughter’s teenage friends over two carve them.  It gave us a chance to laugh and share life in a “not-weird-classroom” setting and for my wife Nancy and I to share ways we paid, and ways they could avoid paying tuition to the school of hard knocks.

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My family,  I pray today you meditate on God greatest command to love him with all your heart, mind, soul and strength.  I pray you meditate on God’s command for you to teach this to children and youth.  I pray today you meditate on how you can intentionally do this.  Please pray the same for me.  God bless you my friends!!!

 

Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower

One Direction Community

https://www.onedirection.community

Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC

 

Please share your reflections and prayers in the comment box below.

 

Please click on the link below to our news and support letter and view photos and stories of One Direction Community’ ministries, including those to our youth and children.  We would love your support.

http://us13.campaign-archive.com/?u=7ca90509476db4c3737dcfabb&id=bdb542e0bc

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