Good morning Jesus, fill me with your Spirit and l renew your presence in me.
“We have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God's will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God" (Colossians 1:9-10).
“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” Romans 15:4
Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of the 40 day season of Lent. As I have been explaining in previous posts, in the Lent season, people give up physical pleasures like chocolate, sweets, dining out. …ect. Since it falls on Valentines Day, at ODC we are holding our “Ash Wednesday” gathering tomorrow. We are not that legalistic in religion practices and at the heart of God is love, therefore we hope you will spend a special time with the one you love today, and tomorrow we will hold our solemn gathering.
As I have reflected on this week, Lent is a time of reflection and preparation of our hearts to one that earnestly desires God
In previous posts I have examined how we become disciple of Jesus worth multiplying. The answer was simple; Spend more time in prayer than ever before, spend more time in the word than ever before, spend more time in Christian accountability than ever before. Spend more time in service than ever before. Simple, but not easy. The season of Lent basically is a 40 day period that we re-focus and re-center our lives around being a disciple worth multiplying.
Spending time in the Word and prayer is how we allow the Holy Spirit to “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10) Use these 40 days to re-commit and re-form your will to daily time in prayer and the Word.
One of the reasons people say as to why they do not spend time daily in prayer and reading the Bible is they forget. We seem to dismiss things that we forget as not being a sin, as how can we be held accountable for something we forget to do? Say you pull into your company’s parking lot and park in the presidents parking space. You receive a memo saying please do not park in that space to which you reply, “Sorry, I forgot.” The next day you park in the presidents spot again and you get the same memo not to park there to which you reply, “Sorry, I forgot again.” If you continued to park in the presidents spot all week claiming to forget, the president of the company is going to call you in, as there comes a point that it is not a matter of forgetting, but a matter of your will. If you are not spending time daily reading the Bible and in prayer, you may one day forget, or because of some crisis not have time to do it, however, if you neglect to do it consistently, it is no longer a matter of you forgetting or not having time, it is a matter of your will that is set against it. And then you find yourself in a place that your will is set against God’s. For who’s will is it that does not want you to pray or read God’s word, God’s or Satan’s? The word Satan means “apposer.” It is a “heart issue.”
Lent is a season we address “heart issues.” Lent's emphasis on conforming your heart’s will to desire to spend time in the Word and prayer is not as some legalistic task or something you are to do, however it is something you are to become, because abiding in Christ is a life giving source from which you receive. Jesus tells you, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) Jesus tells you, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10).
My family, I pray today as we begin this 40 day season of Lent, you will through the searching of the Holy Spirit, examine the will of your heart. Where it aligns with God, where it opposes God, and repent and re-shape your heart to one that’s will is to earnestly desire God. 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 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!
I begin my day entering into your presence Jesus my Lord.
I will continue my reflection from yesterday on the season of Lent and Ash Wednesday. In yesterday’s blog I explained what is the season of Lent in the church. It is a 40 day period of self reflection and, repentance and preparation while looking ahead to Easter and the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection and conquering of deqth. During Lent, most Christians use three things as aides to help them focus, listen and pray to God: Fasting from things, Service/taking on things, and Prayer
FASTING: Some people have been known to go without food for days. But that's not the only way to fast. You can fast by cutting out some of the things in your life that distract you from God. Some Christians use the whole 40 days to fast from candy, tv, soft drinks, cigarettes or meat as a way to purify their bodies and lives. You might skip one meal a day and use that time to pray instead. Or you can give up some activity like worry or reality tv to spend time outside enjoying God’s creation. What do you need to let go of or “fast” from in order to focus on God? What clutters your calendar and life? How can you simplify your life in terms of what you eat, wear or do? Read Isaiah chapter 58
SERVICE: Some Christians take something on for Christ. You can take on more times set aside to read your Bible. You can collect food for the needy, volunteer once a week to tutor children, or work for reform and justice in your community. You can commit to help a different stranger, co-worker or friend every day of Lent. Serving others is one way we serve God. Read Isaiah chapter 58.
PRAYER: Christians also use Lent as a time of intentional prayer. You can set aside times to pray daily, prayer walk, use the Prayer Wheel daily, create music or art as a prayer to God, or savor a time of quiet listening. All can be ways of becoming more in tune with God.
I am going to reflect deeper on the means of grace of fasting. I believe it is the one thing of the three above most people have the most difficulty understanding. Isaiah chapter 58 is my go to chapter when trying to explain fasting.
"Cry aloud; do not hold back; lift up your voice like a trumpet; declare to my people their transgression, to the house of Jacob their sins.
2 Yet they seek me daily and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that did righteousness and did not forsake the judgment of their God; they ask of me righteous judgments; they delight to draw near to God.
3 'Why have we fasted, and you see it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?' Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers.
4 Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with a wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high.
5 Is such the fast that I choose, a day for a person to humble himself? Is it to bow down his head like a reed, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Will you call this a fast, and a day acceptable to the LORD?
6 "Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
8 Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
9 Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, 'Here I am.' If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,
10 if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.
11 And the LORD will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.
(Isa 58:1-11)
God, when I read your inspired words through Isaiah, I understand the fast that You choose for me is a fast from my flesh, a fast from selfishness and self-centeredness. It's a fast that frees me from the tyranny of my self and turns my heart to the things on Your heart.
Give me Your heart, Lord. Open my eyes to see the needs of those around me and fill my spirit with the power to do something about it. Give me time and passion for people like you have, in the ways that I can make a difference. Let me be part of the move of Your Spirit in my city and spheres of influence to rebuild the "ancient ruins," to "raise up the foundations of many generations" and "be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets" (v. 58:12). Let me first seek these things in me.
Fasting is not about ancient rituals or even faithfully executing spiritual disciplines. Fasting is about putting You first, as Your Spirit overcomes my flesh so You can change the world around me through my life. This is the fast You choose. (v. 5) So by the power of the grace of God at work within me, let this be the fast I choose. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
My family, I pray today you will reflect on the question, “What is the fast you choose for me God?” I pray you will reflect on what forms of fasting, service and prayer God wants to use in these upcoming 40 days to draw you back into deep discipleship with him. in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you my friends!
Please share your thoughts and experiences on fasting 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 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!
Good morning, Lord Jesus. King of kings and Lord of lords, be King of my heart and Lord of my life this day and every day. ...
"But Moses said to the people, 'Do not be afraid, stand firm, and see the deliverance that the Lord will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you see today you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to keep still.' Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Whey do you cry out to me? Tell the Israelites to go forward. But you lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the seas on the dry ground.... Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. The Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night, and turned the sea into dry land; and the waters were divided. The Israelites went into the sea on dry ground, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left. The Egyptians pursued, and went into the sea after them, all of Pharaoh's horses, chariots, and chariot drivers.... Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Stretch out your hand over the sea, so that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots and chariot drivers.' So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at dawn the sea returned to its normal depth. AS the Egyptians fled before it, the Lord tossed the Egyptians into the sea. The waters returned and covered the chariots and the chariot drivers, the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea; not one of them remained" (Exodus 14:13-28).
The physical warfare the children of Israel faced under the Old Covenant speaks to us of the spiritual warfare we face under the New Covenant. All that they endured and learned in the physical realm of their day "serve as an example, and they were written down to instruct us" for all we endure and learn in the spiritual realm today (1 Corinthians 10:11). Pharaoh and his armies speak of our spiritual enemy and his armies who pursue us to destroy us--"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. (You) came that (we) may have life, and have it abundantly" (John 10:10). "For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12).
In the example and lesson of Moses, You told the Israelites to stand firm, to stand still and see the deliverance of the Lord. And at the same time You told them to go forward through the sea when You rolled back the waters. In standing firm and standing still, they were not to be merely passive in Your deliverance. They were to be actively obedient to take their steps of faith through the waters to the other side. Likewise, You were the One who parted the waters for Israel to pass and then closed the waters to destroy her enemies. But at the same time, Moses was not to be merely passive in his faith, but actively stretching his rod over the waters to open then and then to close them. You were their Deliverer, the battle belonged to the Lord; and at the same time, they were called to be actively engaged in their deliverance through the warfare they faced. And so it is with us.
Moses stretched out his rod over the waters. What is our rod of authority? The Israelites walked in obedient faith through the waters. What are our steps of faith? They walked across on safe and dry ground that had been at the bottom of the sea. Where is our place of our safe and holy ground?
Lord, you have armed us with the "weapons of our warfare" (2 Corinthians 10:4). Thank You for "humility," that we can humble ourselves in Your sight to willingly choose to be desperately dependent upon You alone to be our Salvation, our Healer, and our Deliverer. Thank You for "intimacy," that we can draw near to You, forgiven from sin and secure in our identity as children of God, favored by our Father and resting in Your Presence. Thank You for "authority," that we can pray and speak in the power of the name and the blood of Jesus, grounded in the Word of God, confident in the certainty of Your promises and provision and protection. Thank You for "praise," that we can worship You in spirit and truth, looking up to You to behold Your glory as You change us into Your image from glory to glory, setting our minds and hearts on the things that are above, on the things that are eternal, seated with Christ in the heavenly places, and forever abiding and embraced in the unfailing love of Your Presence.
Help me keep learning and living into all You've provided for my deliverance from my spiritual enemies in every spiritual battle I'll ever face. Thank You for Your unbreakable promise in Your unfailing love that "in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us" (Romans 8:37). "Thanks be to God, who give us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!" (1 Corinthians 15:57). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
My family, I pray you continue to grow and lead in the mighty weapons and means of grace the Lord has given you in humility, intimacy, authority, and praise that you may know His victory and deliverance in every spiritual battle, 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 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!
Good morning, Lord Jesus. O Lord, my God--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit--take hold of me and every dimension of my life--spirit, soul, and body.
"They said to him, 'Where is your wife Sarah?' And he said, 'There, in the tent.' Then one said, 'I will surely return to you in due season, and your wife Sarah shall have a son.' And Sarah was listening at the tent entrance behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age; it had ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, 'After I have grown old, and my husband is old, shall I have pleasure?' The Lord said to Abraham, 'Why did Sarah laugh, and say, 'Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?' Is anything too wonderful for the Lord? At the set time I will return to you, in due season, and Sarah shall have a son'" (Genesis 18:9-14).
Last night God’s grace came to me in an unexpected phone call from a friend of mine who is an amazing an prayer warrior and prophet named Ken. He called to say he was in town and headed to my neighbor Wayne’s house, who is also lover of Jesus. I walked two houses down to Wayne’s house at 9:00pm and walked back to my house at 12:30am after spending over 3 hours in deep prayer together over seasonal issues in our lives. This time we spent together was set by God. The passage above from Genesis came up in our prayers so this morning I turned to it and read it again.
Reading the passage, I was reminded that there is a "set time ... in due season." And God You're the One who sets the time and the season, not me. Sometimes Your promises seem "too wonderful" and even impossible. Sometimes when I look at my life through my eyes it seems my chance has passed, I missed the moment, my ship has sailed, my window of opportunity has closed. Sometimes it even seems likes the door of destiny has been slammed in my face. "But God..." (Genesis 8:1; 20:3; 21:12; 31:7; 45:8; 48:21; 50:24; ect., ect., ect. throughout the Bible from Genesis to Revelations; over and over and over again; more than I could ever ask or imagine...).
"But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love which He loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved--and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:4-7). To which I say praise God!!!
Give me grace to firmly believe and patiently wait for the "set time ... in due season" for every promise You've spoken to my heart by Your Spirit and through Your Word. Whenever I'm tempted to be the setter of my times and seasons; whenever I am tempted to question or laugh, to scoff or doubt, remind me of every time it looked so impossible and unbelievable "but God...." For this saying is sure and this Word is true, "For God all things are possible" (Mark 10:27). "The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul that seeks Him" (Lamentations 3:25).
There is a time and a season for all things, according to Your will and Your ways for every one of us (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). You make all things beautiful in Your time (Ecclesiastes 3:11). And You have shown Yourself so worthy so many times of my patience and my trust. So as for me, I will put my trust in You--in the God whose promises are always Yes and Amen (2 Corinthians 1:20). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
My family, I pray today you begin your day by looking back in your past and remember every time something seemed impossible, “But God…” I pray you see every promise of the Lord to you by His Spirit and through His Word come to pass and make all things beautiful for you in His time and in His way, 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 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!
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!
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!
“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!
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!!
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!
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!
Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
One Direction Community
Email: garyl@onedirection.community
Website: https://www.onedirection.community
Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC
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!
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.
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
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
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.
Link to our Newsletter and photos of our ministries.
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.
Link to our Newsletter and photos of our ministries.
"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.
Link to our Newsletter and photos of our ministries.
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.
Link to our Newsletter and photos of our ministries.
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.
Please support and partner with me as my family and I serve as local missionaries our community with a one-time or month gift.
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