Good morning, Lord Jesus. Put Your thoughts in my mind and Your desires in my heart to lead my steps in Your ways today -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God. ...
"Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever" (Isaiah 9:1).
Thank You, Lord!
In these days of darkness and despair, violence and vengeance, sickness and sorrow, where things seem out of control and people seem out of their minds, so many wonder if there's light at the end of this tunnel. So many wonder if there's any hope to hang on to.
It was the same in the days of Israel when You spoke a word of hope through Your prophet Isaiah. At a time when the people could "see only distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish " (Isaiah 8:22), You spoke words of Spirit and Life, to turn their hearts to the One who would come in His Light in the midst of their darkness and shine His Hope in the gloom of their despair. Their time of darkness and despair would not go on forever! (Isaiah 9:1)
"The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. You will enlarge the nation of Israel, and its people will rejoice. They will rejoice before You as people rejoice at the harvest and like warriors dividing the plunder. For You will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders. You will break the oppressor's rod, just as You did when You destroyed the army of Midian. The boots of the warrior and uniforms bloodstained by war will all be burned. They will be fuel for the fire" (Isaiah 9:2-5).
Isaiah was speaking of the coming of Christ, the Messiah of Israel, the coming of the One who would be their Light and be their Hope. And they would rejoice at the harvest of their salvation.
"For a Child is born to us, a Son is given to us. The government will rest on His shoulders. And He will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of His ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven's Armies will make this happen!" (Isaiah 9:3-7)
This was a Word of Prophecy fulfilled in part at Your first coming and a Word of Prophecy to be ultimately fulfilled at Your second coming (1 Thessalonians 4:16; Revelation 19:11-16). And it's also a Word of Prophecy being fulfilled in our hearts and our land every moment we humble ourselves in Your sight to pray and to turn from our ways and everything that would overwhelm us in our world to call on Your name and cry out for the help and hope that only You can provide (2 Chronicles 7:14; James 4:10).
So in repentance in prayer, in faith and hope, we call on Your name and cry out to You on behalf of our communities and all our land. Come Lord Jesus! Come in revival! Come in awakening! Come in our hearts and our communities and all our land!
You're the Light at the end of this tunnel! You're the Hope that lifts us up out of darkness and despair! It will not go on forever! A great revival, a great harvest of salvation is on its way in the hearts of all who will call on Your name! (Matthew 13:39) All who call on the name of the Lord will be saved! (Romans 10:13; Acts 2:21) In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
My family, I pray you may be filled with hope to know this darkness and despair will not last forever. I pray you will humble your heart and call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ with expectant faith for yourself, for your community, and for all our land, in Jesus name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friends!
Join us every second and fourth Friday of the month as we gather to pray for revival in our cities.
Please post and share your thoughts, reflections, questions, or prayers with us in the comment box below.
Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
One Direction Community/Toney UMC
Email: garyl@onedirection.community
Website: https://www.onedirection.community
Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC/ Toney UMC
Please support and partner with my self and my family as we serve those God crosses our path with in our community with your one-time or monthly financial gift by clicking link below.Become our partner and support us in our ministries by becoming supporting us monthly or with a one-time gift. Thank you!
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Good morning Lord Jesus, speak to me in this silence of my morning as I tune my heart to hear your voice.
If your plans are not intimidating to you, they are insulting to God. Why? because if they are not intimidating to you you do not need God to accomplish them. God delights and honors big faith. God delights and multiplying those of big faith. We cannot afford to be a people of small faith.
A faith that is not altered by how things end in this side of Glory. You do have those who’s great faith ended happily in this world, on this side of glory:
o Daniel's deliverance from the lion's den in Dan. 6,
o Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego being saved from the fiery furnace Dan. 3.
And you have those mentioned in Hebrews 11:17-35a “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau. By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff. By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.
By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king's edict. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them.
By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.
And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection.”
But you also have the continued naming of others mentioned in Hebrews 11:35b-40. It does not always end in a happy ending in this world, on this side of glory.
“Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.”
o You have the story in Acts chapter 7 of the stoning of Stephen.
o In Acts chapter 12 Peter was arrested. The church prayed and he was miraculously set free. Later in Acts chapter 12 James is also arrested. The same church again prayed for James yet he was beheaded.
How the story turns out on earth has nothing to do with whether God is glorified or not. It may not have a happy ending on this side, but on the other side God is glorified. But whether it turns out happy or sad by earthly standards, cannot take away or hinder the glory that comes from big faith. God delights and honors that faith. All those listed whether in the first or second half of Hebrews 11 were admitted into God’s Hall of Fame. They did not gain entrance into his hall of fame by how their life ended, but how their life was lived. They all were admitted because of their big faith. You get in God's hall of fame through big faith exhibited in how you are living your life.
Look at Caleb and Joshua’s story and actions in their entering into Canna found in Numbers chapter 13. They are not looking at the problems; they are looking at their God with big faith. Without a faith like this we pray for everything man can do but not for what only God can do. We have to be obedient to him if we want to see him at work.
My family, Spend time reading these stories of big faith found in Daniel chapters 3 and 6, Hebrews 11:17-40, Acts chapters 7 and 12, and Numbers chapter 13. Then with the Holy Spirit meditate on your level of Faith. Do you have big faith? Is it based and influenced by hope of fame in this world, or hope of entering God’s hall of fame in the new earth? Does your life exhibit big faith? What plans or journey are you obeying and following God though that are intimidating to you? In Jesus’ name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you my friends!
Please post and share your thoughts, reflections, questions, or prayers with us in the comment box below.
Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
One Direction Community/Toney UMC
Email: garyl@onedirection.community
Website: https://www.onedirection.community
Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC/ Toney UMC
Please support and partner with my self and my family as we serve those God crosses our path with in our community with your one-time or monthly financial gift by clicking link below.Become our partner and support us in our ministries by becoming supporting us monthly or with a one-time gift. Thank you!
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“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone wants to become my follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what does it benefit a person if he gains the whole world but forfeits his life? Or what can a person give in exchange for his life?” Matthew 16:24-26
For the past three days I have been looking at Matthew 16:13-26 and talking about Jesus’ model of discipleship which is based on two things: invitation and challenge. In verses 24-26 Jesus distills this down to its core essence. His invitation: follow me. His challenge: the cross.
Jesus’ invitation: Follow me. Christianity and discipleship is not an invitation into following and imitating a religion, but following and imitating a person, namely Jesus Christ. Your life is not called to try to conform to and imitate current church models, but it is called to conform to and imitate the life of Jesus Christ.
Jesus challenge: The cross. To bear the cross means to accept the rejection of the world’s narcissism, pride and self reliance and turning to Jesus and following him. Discipleship involves a death that is like a crucifixion. The point of the saying "whoever wants to save his life will lose it" is that if one comes to Jesus then rejection by many will certainly follow. If self-protection is a key motivation, then one will not respond to Jesus and will not be saved. One who is willing to risk rejection will respond and find true life.
Jesus’s message today is short and simple, so is my reflection.
My family, Read: Matthew 16:13-26; Galatians 6:12-18; 1 Corinthians 1:18-25; Hebrews 12:1-2 Then take time a look at who and what are you following. Is it Jesus plus nothing? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal anything you added and to help you remove it. What is challenging you? Is it simply the cross? Have you added any unnecessary challenges and are trying to conform to things based on religion, tradition, habit, or culture? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal these to you and help you remove them, in Jesus name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you my friends!
Please post and share your thoughts, reflections, questions, or prayers with us in the comment box below.
Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
One Direction Community/Toney UMC
Email: garyl@onedirection.community
Website: https://www.onedirection.community
Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC/ Toney UMC
Please support and partner with my self and my family as we serve those God crosses our path with in our community with your one-time or monthly financial gift by clicking link below.Become our partner and support us in our ministries by becoming supporting us monthly or with a one-time gift. Thank you!
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Good morning Lord Jesus, through your Holy Spirit I place myself in the throne room of the Father and bow and worship you.
“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” (Matthew 16:18-23)
Jesus’ model of discipleship of invitation and challenge repeats again here. Jesus gives Peter a new kingdom name and invites him into the same intimate relationship and covenant he had with Abraham. Peter in Greek means “Little Rock.” He is now a co-heir in the kingdom, he has the power of those in the kingdom.
On one side of this covenant relationship is invitation, where we get the cupboards of heaven. On the other side is Challenge. We need to take on ownership of these gifts and power in a more and more responsible manner.
The challenge begins in the reality of the cross that is at the center of our covenant relationship. with Jesus v.21:
Peter struggles with the reality and challenge of the cross and rebukes Jesus v.22
Jesus name for Peter changes from Peter, “Little Rock”, to Satan “Adversary”. v.23 Jesus tells him earlier you had your mind on the will of the Father, now you have your mind on your will. That change in mindset changes our identity.
We were called to be fruitful and multiply, but also to rule. To take responsibility. Jesus is saying, I am inviting, entrusting you with all my power and authority, but I am challenging you, I need you to become the kind of person who can wield that type of power in obdeience. You don’t give your child the keys to your car if they are not capable and will obey traffic laws.
What feels like a harsh rebuke is a kind action. Jesus is telling him, and telling us, your place of power is not in front of me trying to lead me but walking behind me.(get behind me), I need you walking behind me, follow me in everything:
The way you talk to your children.
The way you talk to your spouse.
The way you treat your co-workers
The way you manage your finances.
The way you prioritize your time.
The way you take care of your health.
The way you___________________ (Fill in the blank).
Read: Matthew 16:13-26, Genesis 17:1-9
My family, I pray you take some time in prayer with the Holy Spirit. Jesus has a kingdom name for you, reflect on what it may be. In what areas of your life do you find it easy to accept the invitation of Jesus to pick up your cross and walk behind him in the strength of that name? In what areas of your life do you struggle with his challenge and step out in front of Jesus? in Jesus name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you my friends!
Please post and share your thoughts, reflections, questions, or prayers with us in the comment box below.
Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
One Direction Community/Toney UMC
Email: garyl@onedirection.community
Website: https://www.onedirection.community
Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC/ Toney UMC
Please support and partner with my self and my family as we serve those God crosses our path with in our community with your one-time or monthly financial gift by clicking link below.Become our partner and support us in our ministries by becoming supporting us monthly or with a one-time gift. Thank you!
CLICK HERE TO GIVE
Good morning Lord Jesus, with all that I am I seek all that you are.
“Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 16:13-18)
In Thursday’s blog post I stated how Jesus’ life, His method of making disciples was one of invitation and challenge. Jesus invited his disciple into His life, exposed them to it, and challenged them by it. He then walked with them through the challenge. Jesus was always looking for the indication of growth in them. Then He would invite them deeper into Him, expose more of himself and his ways to them. It challenged them. He helped them through it. Looked for indications of growth, then repeated this process. A constant process of challenging them to die more to themselves, so they could live more in Him.
Jesus challenged his disciples and asked them “Who do the people say I am?” (v.13) His challenge went deeper still when he then asked, “Who do you say that I am?” (v.15) In Peter’s response Jesus saw real spiritual growth and real growth as a disciple. Jesus praised Peter because his response is not something you can discern from reading a book, from listening to a sermon, or attending seminary. This is only something that is revealed from the Father. Before it could be revealed to Peter by the Father, he had to first develop and come to the place where he could hear and discern the Fathers voice. This was developed in Peter through the hours, days, years of watching Jesus, being invited into His life, His rhythms of prayer, and the challenges Jesus presented Peter and allowed him to go through. Jesus was mentoring and discipling Peter and the other the disciples to hear from the Father and be lead by the Father like He is before he leaves. In Peter’s affirmation that “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus probably said to himself, “Yes! You are hearing the revelations of the Father!” His is the voice Jesus had been patiently, discipling these men to hear! I believe this was one of the reasons why earlier in the Gospels when people tried to seize him and kill and they failed. The reason why was said, “Because his time had not yet come.” Jesus had not yet mentored and discipled His disciples to the point that they heard from the Father, were being led by Him. He needed to accomplish this before the cross.
Jesus spent years discipling 12 men to get them to a place and level of spiritual maturity that they could hear the revelation of the Father, be lead by him and obey Him. He wanted them to become imitators of Him, disciples that are conformed to His image. And at the central core of being a disciple of Christ, is the ability hear the revelations of the father. To be one with the Father. “That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:21)
If someone asked you, “Are you a Christian?” You would answer “Yes.” What defines you as a Christian is not what church you attend, your church attendance, whether your parents where Christians, the traditions or religious acts you practice or religion you follow. What defines you as a Christian is if you are a follower, a disciple of Jesus. If someone asked. “Are you a disciple of Jesus?, would you answer “Yes?” You want to be a disciple of Jesus. Jesus invited and challenged His disciples, and He also invites and challenges you to achieve real spiritual growth and real growth as a disciple. His goal for you is also something you can not discern in your flesh, from reading a book, from listening to a sermon, or attending seminary. This goal is for you o be able to hear and receive revelations from the Father and to be lead and obedient to that revelation.
If you are able to hear the revelations of the revelations of the Father and allow Him to lead you, ask the Holy Spirit who are those you need to be discipling in this area? Who do you need to invite into and give real access to your life, your day, your rhythms, and let your life challenge them to achieve growth? They don’t need you to simply give them a book to read, invite them to your church to meet your pastor and and listen to a sermon, or attend a class. They need you to give them access to your life and disciple them like Jesus did, and like His disciples did, and you are called to do. If Peter and the other disciples after their time together, their “church gathering”, where they declared and came to the decision and conclusion that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, afterwards went out to lunch and simply went home and did not share, mentor, or disciple anyone, like most people who attend church do today, there would be no churches today, none of you would know of Jesus, and I would not be writing this post.
My family, I pray you pend time in prayer with the Holy Spirit and ask to hear and receive from the Father? It is impossible to become a disciple of Jesus if you can’t. What is hindering, distracting, clouding, or stopping you from His revelation in your life? What invitation and challenge of Jesus are you resisting? Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal those people, processes, and tools you need to intentionally and actively seek out that will assist in discipling and can walk with you in this challenge. Pray for the Holy Spirit to lead you to the persons you need to start discipling and to connect you with them to begin before the end of this week, in Jesus’ name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you my friends!
Please post and share your thoughts, reflections, questions, or prayers with us in the comment box below.
Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
One Direction Community/Toney UMC
Email: garyl@onedirection.community
Website: https://www.onedirection.community
Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC/ Toney UMC
Please support and partner with my self and my family as we serve those God crosses our path with in our community with your one-time or monthly financial gift by clicking link below.Become our partner and support us in our ministries by becoming supporting us monthly or with a one-time gift. Thank you!
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When my wife and I were up in Lexington for the years I was attending seminary, our income was very limited. We were considered poor enough for our children to receive free lunches and health care through the state. I remember one time walking into the county office with my wife to renew are children’s benefits. Maybe the woman behind the desk who saw us was having a bad day, but she was very judgmental towards myself and my wife. My wife and I could tell she had a negative attitude towards us because we were “poor.” In our conversations she told us about a couple other programs we could apply for, however her derogatory attitude was one of “good luck“ getting into it. Nancy and I walked out thinking, the others programs probably don’t even exist.
People do not believe there is a heaven because of they way allot Christians treat them on earth. When Christians are around someone who is "lost," or of a different color, view on gender, social standing, “different look” or even level of spirituality, they are judgmental towards them. So those that are lost think, "There can't be a heaven or they would not have told me bout it." They do not like being around me as it is here on earth. So if there is a place much better than earth, where those there in heaven will to spend eternity together, and they don't like spending this limited time with me on earth, they surely would not tell me about such a place where they would have to be with me forever. The fact that they are telling me about such a place, proves to me it is a lie and that it does not exist.
I have told people who attend my church not to invite people to our church, but first invite them to get together for a cup of coffee, out somewhere of over your house for dinner. Why would you invite someone to your church, and faith, a deep, spiritual, even awkward place to a non-believer to enter, if you won’t first invite them out to dinner. The same applies to our methods of evangelism. Why would a Christian invite someone to spend eternity with them in heaven if they first won’t even invite them for a few hours into their life for a meal? In this time we find ourself in as a nation as we reflect on how we treat people different from us and how we open up real dialogue with others in some way different from us, I believe those in the church need to reflection this as well.
How we treat people matters. People do not care what you know, do not listen to you, unless they know you care. In my story above, as my wife and I were getting ready to leave her office, she asked me what I did for a living. When I told her I was a pastor and going to seminary, her whole attitude changed towards us. She basically choked on her attitude towards us previously and we became her new best friends. When she saw us as members of the body loved by God, it cut through and changed any preconceived attitudes and prejudices she formed against us. When we see everyone as members of the body and loved by God, it changes the way we relate to them, and they receive from us.
My family, I pray today the Holy Spirit reveals any prejudices or attitudes in you that are hindering you from inviting people “into” a relationship with you before you invite them “To” a church gathering or salvation in Christ Jesus. Pray over what may be hindering you from sharing and others believing the Gospel of grace in Christ Jesus you are called to invite others to receive, in Jesus’ name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you my friends!!!
Please share your thoughts, reflections, questions, or prayers with us in the comment box below.
Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
One Direction Community/Toney UMC
Email: garyl@onedirection.community
Website: https://www.onedirection.community
Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC/ Toney UMC
Please support and partner with my self and my family as we serve those God crosses our path with in our community with your one-time or monthly financial gift by clicking link below.Become our partner and support us in our ministries by becoming supporting us monthly or with a one-time gift. Thank you!
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Your sheep hear Your voice, and I'm listening for Your leading, to begin my day centered in Christ, grounded in Your Word and filled with Your Spirit. ...
"Keep my steps steady according to Your Promise, and never let iniquity have dominion over me" (Psalm 119:133).
Let the Promises of Your Word set the path for my day. Go before me and order my steps to lead me where You will and according to Your will. Though You've given me the freedom of will to choose, I choose You -- Your will, Your plan, Your purposes according the Promises of Your Word for this day and all of my life. "Your Word is a Lamp to my feet and a Light to my path" (Psalm 119:105).
There are consequences for every choice I'll make and every step I'll take (John 3:18). But I've known You long enough and You've seen me through so much, that I've learned to trust Your ways and follow Your will to let You make my steps steady according to Your Promises -- as best as I can and all by Your grace. With Your Spirit in my heart and Your Light leading my way, "Righteousness will go before (me), and will make a path for (my) steps" (Psalm 85:13).
Lord, lead on today -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God -- as I seek to "follow in (Your) steps" (1 Peter 2:21). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
My family, may you be grounded in God's Word and filled with His Spirit, allowing Him to steady your steps according to His Promises and fulfilling His plans for this day and your life, in Jesus name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!s!
Please share your thoughts, reflections, questions, or prayers with us in the comment box below.
Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
One Direction Community/Toney UMC
Email: garyl@onedirection.community
Website: https://www.onedirection.community
Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC/ Toney UMC
Please support and partner with my self and my family as we serve those God crosses our path with in our community with your one-time or monthly financial gift by clicking link below.Become our partner and support us in our ministries by becoming supporting us monthly or with a one-time gift. Thank you!
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Rule and reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords in my
heart and my life and every moment of my day. ...
"Beloved, we are confident of better things in your case, things that belong to
salvation. For God is not unjust; He will not overlook your work and the love that
you showed for His sake in serving the saints, as you still do. And we want each
one of you to show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope
to the very end, so that you may not become sluggish, but imitators of those who
through faith and patience inherit the promises" (Hebrews 6:9-12).
Even with all that’ going on in the bitter days of our world right now, we can be
"confident of better things" to come. Even when it seems our world is being tossed
to and fro on the seas and ready crash hard on the rocks, You steady our hearts
with Your "full assurance of hope to the very end."
You don't "overlook" us; You see us. You're not ignoring us; You're at work within
us. You see our work; You know our love; You remind us to remember that You're the
One who is at work within us and the One who loves through us by Your Spirit to
be "imitators" of You.
Looking to You, taking hold of You, letting You take hold of us, we find our security
and strength to withstand the turmoil and turbulence of our days. "We who have taken
refuge (in You are) strongly encouraged to seize the hope set before us. We have
this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters the inner
shrine behind the curtain, where Jesus, a Forerunner on our behalf, has entered..."
(from Hebrews 6:17-20).
By the power of Your grace, I choose to "seize the hope" that is set before me today.
I "seize" the One who is my Hope, the One who is my Rock, my Refuge, my Strong Tower,
and my Strength forever. And in that Hope, in my hope in You, I am "confident of
better things" to come and better days ahead. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
My family, may you be confident of better things to come and better days
ahead, as You keep looking to the One who is your Hope and letting Him take hold
of you, in Jesus name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!
Please share your thoughts, reflections, questions, or prayers with us in the comment box below.
Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
One Direction Community/Toney UMC
Email: garyl@onedirection.community
Website: https://www.onedirection.community
Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC/ Toney UMC
Please support and partner with my self and my family as we serve those God crosses our path with in our community with your one-time or monthly financial gift by clicking link below.Become our partner and support us in our ministries by becoming supporting us monthly or with a one-time gift. Thank you!
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Holy, holy, holy, Lord -- God of power and might -- heaven and earth are filled with Your glory. Fill my heart with Your glory as I abide in Your presence, here in these first moments of my morning with You -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God. ...
"For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, have not perished. Ever since the days of your ancestors you have turned aside from My statutes and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts" (Malachi 3:6-7).
This world seems crazy. Things are constantly changing, Something else always seems to be “the new normal.” Yet You are the everlasting God, the never-changing God. Like the children of Jacob, we have not perished because You keep Your promises. We have not been utterly destroyed because You come to save us to the uttermost.
When we return to You, You return to us. When we humble ourselves to call on Your name, You lean in and You draw near to remind us You know us by name and we are still precious in Your sight, even when we, like sheep, have gone astray (Isaiah 43:1-7). When we draw near again to You, You draw near to us (James 4:8). When we abide again in You, You abide in us (John 15:4).
I seek to remind myself of Your unchangeable nature by turning to Your unchangeable Word. With the words of the Psalmists in Psalm 107 and all who have found themselves in desperate need of Your everlasting mercy and never-changing love, I turn to You and cry out to You for the help and hope only You can provide:
"O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
for His steadfast love endures forever.
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
those he redeemed from trouble....
Some wandered in desert wastes,
finding no way to an inhabited town;
hungry and thirsty,
their soul fainted within them.
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and He delivered them from their distress;
He led them by a straight way,
until they reached an inhabited town....
Some sat in darkness and in gloom,
prisoners in misery and in irons,
for they had rebelled against the words of God,
and spurned the counsel of the Most High.
Their hearts were bowed down with hard labor;
they fell down, with no one to help.
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and He saved them from their distress;
He brought them out of darkness and gloom,
and broke their bonds asunder....
For He shatters the doors of bronze,
and cuts in two the bars of iron.
Some were sick through their sinful ways,
and because of their iniquities endured affliction;
they loathed any kind of food,
and they drew near to the gates of death.
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and He saved them from their distress;
He sent out His word and healed them,
and delivered them from destruction....
Some went down to the sea in ships,
doing business on the mighty waters;
they saw the deeds of the Lord,
His wondrous works in the deep.
For He commanded and raised the stormy wind,
which lifted up the waves of the sea.
They mounted up to heaven, they went down to the depths;
their courage melted away in their calamity;
they reeled and staggered like drunkards,
and were at their wits' end.
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and He brought them out from their distress;
He made the storm be still,
and the waves of the sea were hushed.
Then they were glad because they had quiet,
and He brought them to their desired haven.
Let them thank the Lord for His steadfast love,
for His wonderful works to humankind!"
(Psalm 107:1-31)
Everlasting, never-changing God, come change our hearts and heal our land!! Throughout the ages and even in these days, You still hear and answer our repentant cries.
Come remind us we're still loved and still precious in Your sight. Come revive us and reawaken us to know who we are in in You and who You are in us, that we may yet fulfill our calling and destiny in You. "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago" (Ephesians 2:10). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
My family, may you be revived and reawakened in your heart and in our land, as you cry out in repentance and faith to our everlasting, never-changing God, in Jesus name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!s!
Please share your thoughts, reflections, questions, or prayers with us in the comment box below.
Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
One Direction Community/Toney UMC
Email: garyl@onedirection.community
Website: https://www.onedirection.community
Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC/ Toney UMC
Please support and partner with my self and my family as we serve those God crosses our path with in our community with your one-time or monthly financial gift by clicking link below.Become our partner and support us in our ministries by becoming supporting us monthly or with a one-time gift. Thank you!
I had a talk yesterday morning with a young man in his mid-to-late twenties. He had visible tattoos on his neck and arms and some piercing. He was sitting at the Waffle House (WH) counter eating breakfast when I walked in and I sat down beside him (one stool between us). We had talked for about 10 minutes when a WH regular walked in and saw me. He apologized to me for not coming yet to any church gathering I have invited him to, but said he would get there soon. I turned back to the young man and our conversation turned to church. The young man said he did not go to church. I asked why not? He said because the people their were fake and hypocrites. I asked him why he thought that.
He said he could remember going to church with his family and friends when he was young. (A 26 year old saying “when he was young” made me smile). He said we all would get in the car just like we were going anywhere else. Yet when the people he was with pulled into a church and stepped out of the car, they rearranged their facial muscles and make and wear their “church face.” When the service is over, they get back into their car, then rearrange their facial muscles again and remove their church face. And they pull out of the parking lot complaining that church went 10 minutes longer than it was supposed to, and criticizing other aspects of the service, excited to repeat gossip they heard in church about someone not the preacher’s message, that they are glad "church" is over, and they watched "church" disappear in their review mirror and were pretty happy about it and that part of their day was over. He said he had a friend that was the pastor’s son. He remembered riding home from church with them, and most of the time these were the same thoughts and actions of the pastor and his family as well.
Ouch. This hit home. I can remember back to some of the conversations that were said when I was growing up going to church and coming home from church. Being told before “We Have To” go to church, and afterwards “We Get To” go out and eat like going to eat in a restaurant was a reward for going to church, and what we looked forward to the most. Which we as children would echo, “Do we “Have To” go to church? and “Do we “Get To” go out and eat afterwards?” The first is done in duty, the second is done in joy. Comments on the way to church to behave and “act right” in church. (rearranged their facial muscles and make and wear their church face) Comments of “that service was long” on the way home. These comments I regret I have made as well. Comments I regret I have made as a pastor driving home. We have segmented “church” into a time slot in a week. And one we “have to” participate in.
Church is mobile, it is a movement. It is not a time slot, simply a place or building you go to or participate in. We are the living sanctuaries of the Holy Spirit, the living breathing church. We are the chosen bride of Christ, full of life and beauty. Our “church face” is not something we wear for an hour a week but we should wear the face of Christ and see “church” through our windshield as being everyplace and every where we go.
I could say we need to watch how we act and what we say about church because those around us are watching and listening. What we need to do though is watch our heart toward church. Are we going to church out of a heart of duty or joy? Are we a bride that reluctantly enters the groom’s embrace lout of obligation ike an arranged marriage? Have we forgotten our first love? (Rev. 2:4)
My family, read this morning Rev 22:16-17, 4:9-11; Heb. 12:28-29; Phil 4:6-7; Col 2:6-8, 3:15-17. Then I pray you take a moment to pray and read the young man’s answer to why he does not go to church. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any attitudes of your heart that hits home with the story.. Ask yourself do you feel you “have to go” or “get to go” to church? Ask yourself if you have compartmentalized church from a movement to a building and an hour on Sunday mornings? Ask for a renewing of your first love for Christ, in Jesus name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you my friends!
Please share your thoughts, reflections, questions, or prayers with us in the comment box below.
Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
One Direction Community/Toney UMC
Email: garyl@onedirection.community
Website: https://www.onedirection.community
Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC/ Toney UMC
Please support and partner with my self and my family as we serve those God crosses our path with in our community with your one-time or monthly financial gift by clicking link below.Become our partner and support us in our ministries by becoming supporting us monthly or with a one-time gift. Thank you!
Good morning, Lord Jesus. As I look to You and listen for Your leading, help me begin this day grounded in Your Word and filled with Your Spirit. ...
"On that day the Lord with His cruel and great and strong sword will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, Leviathan the twisting serpent, and He will kill the dragon that is in the sea" (Isaiah 27:1).
On a day when it seems our world is swimming in a sea of confusion, struggling for stability, crying out for security against wave after wave of anarchy, we find ourselves finally turning to You. You alone are our Strength and Strong Tower, our Wisdom and the One who leads us in the ways of life, grounded in Your truth and guarded in Your love.
While it may look like cultural wars and political battles and social turmoil, the deeper truth is that we're in the midst of an epic spiritual battle. We're in the midst of days where good is called evil and evil is called good, where what is true is called a lie and what is a lie is called the truth. And without the grounding of Your Word and the guidance of Your Spirit, we are doomed to lose our discernment to know the difference.
"Ah, you who call evil good
and good evil,
who put darkness for light
and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet
and sweet for bitter!
Ah, you who are wise in your own eyes,
and shrewd in your own sight!" (Isaiah 5:20-21).
While the twisting serpent wants to twist our sense of what is true and what is false, what is good and what is evil, what's of the Spirit and what's of the flesh, what will stand the test of time and what will be consumed in the Fire of the Lord like wood and hay and stubble, we turn to the One who defeats the twisted lies with the truth. We cry out to the One who cuts off the head of the serpent with the Sword of the Lord, the very Word of God, wielded in the power of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 6:17).
Come, Holy Spirit! Set the twisted things straight. Make our paths straight. Set us free from this twisting serpent of our times! Set our hearts right on the path that is straight and true, even though it's the way that's more difficult to walk against the headwinds of our world. "For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many go by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it" (Matthew 7:13-14).
Lord, let us find it! Lord, let us live into it! Lord, let us see in our day Your mighty defeat and manifestation of Your eternal victory over this ancient and twisted serpent! As we stand firm in You and walk in Your ways, You will crush his head under our feet (Roman 16:20) and You will cut off his head with Your strong sword in Your mighty name! (Isaiah 27:1) In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
My family, may you be strengthened and encouraged, filled with the Holy Spirit to stand firm in the Lord and walk in His ways, as He sets twisted things straight and cuts off the head of the twisting serpent in your world, in Jesus name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friends!
Please share your thoughts, reflections, questions, or prayers with us in the comment box below.
Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
One Direction Community/Toney UMC
Email: garyl@onedirection.community
Website: https://www.onedirection.community
Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC/ Toney UMC
Please support and partner with my self and my family as we serve those God crosses our path with in our community with your one-time or monthly financial gift by clicking link below.Become our partner and support us in our ministries by becoming supporting us monthly or with a one-time gift.
Good morning, Lord Jesus. I love You, Lord, and I listen for Your leading to begin my day seeking to follow You and even become more like You today -- all by Your grace at work within me and within all who open their hearts to trust in You. ...
What I hear in my heart this morning is this bold declaration -- "He who sits in the heavens laughs!" ...
Immediately Your Word comes to mind from Psalm 2:
"Why do the nations conspire,
and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the Lord and His Anointed, saying,
'Let us burst their bonds asunder
And cast their cords from us.'
He who sits in the heavens laughs!
The Lord has them in derision.
Then He will speak to them in His wrath,
and terrify them in His fury, saying,
'I have set My King on Zion, My holy hill'"
(Psalm 2:1-6).
The question comes to mind, "Lord, why are You laughing? Right now our world is full of poverty, injustice, sickness, fear, hatred, and greed. Right now there are millions of souls bound in spiritual darkness and given over to hopeless despair. I know You are good and the very essence of love. I know righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne. I know You hate evil in every form and Your heart breaks at the brokenness of our broken and fallen world. So Lord, why are You laughing?" ...
And what comes immediately to mind is the rest of the Psalm....
"I will tell of the decree of the Lord:
He said to Me, 'You are My Son;
Today I have begotten You.
Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your heritage,
and the ends of the earth Your possession.
You shall break them with a rod of iron,
and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.'
Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
be warned, O rulers of the earth.
Serve the Lord with fear,
with trembling kiss His feet,
or He will be angry, and you will perish in the way;
for His wrath is quickly kindled.
Happy are all who take refuge in Him!"
(Psalm 2:7-11).
Yes, Lord! You're not laughing at our misery; You're laughing at Your victory! You're not laughing at all we're going through; You're laughing at all You're bringing us through! You already see the day when Your Word will be fulfilled here on earth as it in heaven: "The kingdoms of this world have become the Kingdom of our God and of His Christ!" (Revelation 11:15)
You're the God who sees the end from the beginning and the beginning from the end. You're the God who already knows how it all turns out, how You turn it all around for our good and Your glory. You're the God of whom it is said "For the sake of the joy that was set before Him (He) endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2).
That's the joy that fills Your heart! That's the joy that flows out of Your belly laugh from the heavens like Rivers of Living Water washing over our world. Wicked people and evil kings of this world may laugh now. The wicked and evil "ruler of this world" and so-called "god of this age" who "knows his time is short" and goes about our world "like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" may think he's winning, as he's defying the will and breaking the heart of the Most High God. "But He who sits in the heavens laughs!" He who sits in the heavens already sees the day when all will be well and all will be right and all will be just and all will even say, "It was worth it all to receive what we have and become who we are, forever and ever and ever!"
Yes, Lord! As You said long ago through Your prophet Nehemiah to Your people so troubled by all they were going through in their world, "Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!" (Nehemiah 8:10) And in the strength of Your joy we declare: "The Lord is my Strength and my Shield; in Him my heart trusts and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him!" (Psalm 28:7) And now "May the God of hope fill (us) with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit (we) may abound in hope!" (Romans 15:13) In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
My family, may you be comforted and filled with hope, strengthened in the joy of the Lord and laughter be heard in your heart as you believe and trust in the One who is at work in our world and in our hearts in the power of His love and joy even in the midst of all we're going through, in Jesus name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!s!
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Fill my heart with Your words of spirit and life as I begin my day centered and grounded in You and Your Word. ...
It saddens me when I see the hate and lack of respect, civility, and compassion of people that is dividing our nation. It saddens me more when I experience these things amongst Christians in The Church. As peoples emotions rise, the malicious attacks on each other at gatherings, in face to face encounters, social media posts, text and emails also are rising. I have experienced several of these attacks from people in the church who don’t even know my heart. I read another one directed at me last night from a church member that disturbed me and I rose this morning with a troubled heart, crying out to the Father for unity as I begin my devotion time in Word and prayer.
"I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow My decrees and be careful to keep My laws. They will be My people, and I will be their God" (Ezekiel 11:19-20).
When our hearts are divided from one another, they are divided from You. And when our hearts are divided from You, they are divided from one another.
How we need Your Spirit to fill our spirits! How we need Your Heart to change our hearts! The spirit of division would seek to harden our hearts like stone against one another and against You. But there is a Spirit who unites us and aligns us, that gives us grace for one another in our differences and that we may even see great value in our differences that strengthen us instead of separate us.
There's power in agreement. "How can two walk together unless they are agreed?" (Amos 3:3) "Again, I tell you truly that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven. For where two or three gather together in My name, there am I with them" (Matthew 18:19-20).
No wonder our enemy would seek to divide us! No wonder Your Holy Spirit is so determined to unite us! "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! ... For there the Lord commanded the blessing -- Life forevermore!" (Psalm 133:1-3)
Give us Your Life, Lord. We're desperate for Your blessing, Lord. Soften our stony, hardened hearts and attitudes toward one another and give us a tender heart toward each other -- even if we disagree about direction or decisions, even if we hold firm opinions and stick up for our values, even if we will not compromise on truth or appease the ways of the world, the flesh, and the devil, give us Your Spirit and Your Heart for one another. For "whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar" (1 John 4:20). Instead, You said, "By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35).
Father, fill our hearts with Your Holy Spirit. Unite us as one with Your heart and with the hearts of one another. "With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, and with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as (we) were called to one hope when (we) were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all!" (Ephesians 4:1-6) In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
My family, I pray you may be filled with the Holy Spirit, undivided in your heart for God and for your brothers and sisters in Christ in the bond of peace and power of God's love. in Jesus name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friends!
Please share your thoughts, reflections, questions, or prayers with us in the comment box below.
Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
One Direction Community/Toney UMC
Email: garyl@onedirection.community
Website: https://www.onedirection.community
Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC/ Toney UMC
Please support and partner with my self and my family as we serve those God crosses our path with in our community with your one-time or monthly financial gift by clicking link below.Become our partner and support us in our ministries by becoming supporting us monthly or with a one-time gift.
The past Sunday Ms. Fran from The Manna House cam and shared helot and compassion for people. I have beed meditating and praying on Christian compassion this week.
Now all the tax collectors and the sinners were coming near Him to listen to Him. Both the Pharisees and the scribes began to grumble, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them." So He told them this parable, saying, "What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost! I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. The Lost Coin "Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost!' In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents" Luke15:1-10
Becoming a disciple means imitating, conforming ourselves to the complete image of Jesus Christ. This includes our heart. To have a heart that beats in rhythm with Christ. God has a heart of compassion for the lost as John 3:16 declares His compassion and love for the lost, including you, is why He sent Jesus to save the world. Jesus had a heart of compassion and love for the lost, including you, that is why He willingly embraced the cross to save you. Do you have a heart of love and compassion that breaks for the lost? Have you ever been brought to tears over a person or people who do not know Christ? Do you begin your day praying over those outside of a saving relationship with Christ, and make it you heartfelt goal to do something about it? Have you ever laid in bed at night troubled by those who don’t know Christ? Do the lost have value to you? They did to Jesus. He had, has, and always have a heart that breaks for those who do not know Him.
When we read passages like the one above from Luke, we see that here, and all throughout the Scriptures, and when we look at the early church, the lost had extreme value, They are a lost treasure that is desperately searched for and angels rejoice over when they are found. Paul’s whole life journey and martyrdom after his conversion was driven by reaching people with the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. I do not see that same value on the lost in the church today. I do not see hearts in Sunday gatherings that break for the lost. People leaving its doors compassionately compelled to seek and find those who don’t know Christ like a lost treasure of extreme value. The “lost” have become a derogatory term. We use the word “lost” frequently to cast a negative view on someone, “Oh that Steve, he is lost.” Followed by, “Bless his heart.”
In Luke 16:19-31 we find the story of the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man, after he finds himself in hell cries out to Abraham, “And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him (Lazarus) to my father's house— for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment”(v.27”). I read here that those in hell have something that I believe many of those in church do not have, compassion for the lost. They are desperate not to have their loved ones and neighbors enter the eternal torment they are in. They cry out in prayer over the lost. They beg for someone to go and share the Gospel with those who have not heard it. Today’s church is missing something hell has. True compassion that cries out to God for those who don’t know Christ. If we in the church cannot have the heart of Jesus for the lost, at least let us have the compassion of hell for them! Read Luke 15:1-10, 11-32, 16:19-31.
My family, I pray you will spend time with God today reflecting on my same questions from above; Do you have a heart that breaks for the lost? Have you ever been brought to tears over a person or people who do not know Christ? Do you begin your day praying over those outside of a saving relationship with Christ, and make it your heartfelt goal to do something about it? Have you ever laid in bed at night troubled by those who don’t know Christ? Do the lost have value to you? Ask God to give you a heart that breaks for the lost, in Jesus name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you my friends!
Please share any thoughts, questions, or prayers over persons who are lost in the comment box below.
Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
One Direction Community/Toney UMC
Email: garyl@onedirection.community
Website: https://www.onedirection.community
Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC/ Toney UMC
Please support and partner with my self and my family as we serve those God crosses our path with in our community with your one-time or monthly financial gift by clicking link below.Become our partner and support us in our ministries by becoming supporting us monthly or with a one-time gift.
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Merciful and Mighty, Faithful and True, my Strength and Shield, my Lord and King, O Lord my God -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -- I bow before You and look up to You, to begin my day intentionally and intimately embracing Your Presence. ...
When we're wavering and wondering, You're always here reminding us to turn to You. And as I turn to You today, You're Word comes to mind from the prophet Jeremiah, who spoke into the hearts of Your people through troubled times:
"Then the Lord put out His hand and touched my mouth; and the Lord said to me, 'Now I have put My words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant" (Jeremiah 1:9-10).
It's Your word that's anointed "to pluck up and to pull down, to destroy and to overthrow" just as it's Your word that's anointed "to "build and to plant." And all that's truly of You and Your word will always be counterfeited by the enemy of all that is right and true, "the thief who comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy" (John 10:10).
There's a right way and wrong way. There's Your way and the enemy's way. There's Your word and Your way; and there's his words and his way. And we desperately need Your discernment to know the difference.
Give us humility to see and to allow what needs to be plucked up or pulled down, what needs to be destroyed or overthrown. And at the same time, give us courage to embrace what is of You and to stand against what's not of You. May we stand up and speak up for what You've build and planted, what You've sown and grown, what You've established to stand through the tests of time.
We'll stand on the right side of history when we kneel by the side of our beds and at the foot of Your cross to hear Your words, to receive Your guidance, and to obey Your commands as we seek to walk in Your ways.
We need the same Holy Spirit who anointed Jeremiah to hear and to speak, to respond and to act, to anoint us with Your words and Your power, with the wisdom of Your ways in our generation. Let nothing be plucked up or pulled down, be destroyed or overthrown that You have not marked for destruction, even as You uproot and remove all that is. Give us the God-given sense to know the difference.
Just as a tree is known by its fruit, so are our motives and actions. Let each of our motives and actions bear the fruit that comes from obedience and courage to hear and obey Your words is spirit and truth. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
My family, may you be anointed to know when to pluck up and pull down to destroy and overthrow, to build and plan, by the discernment and the power of the Holy Spirit of the Living God who abides in you, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friends!
Please share you prayers and reflections with us in the comments box below.
Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
One Direction Community/Toney UMC
Email: garyl@onedirection.community
Website: https://www.onedirection.community
Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC/ Toney UMC
Please support and partner with my self and my family as we serve those God crosses our path with in our community with your one-time or monthly financial gift by clicking link below.Become our partner and support us in our ministries by becoming supporting us monthly or with a one-time gift.
https://www.onedirection.community
Good morning, Lord Jesus. You are the "King of Kings and Lord of Lords" (Revelation
19:16). You are "Lord of All" (Acts 10:36). ...
As I look to You in prayer today, in the midst of a world that looks so dark and
divided, I also see light and hope in the midst of it all. For wherever there's
darkness, there will also be light (Isaiah 60:1). Wherever there's wickedness,
there will also be righteousness (Matthew 13:30). Wherever there's evil, there will
also be good (Romans 12:21). And wherever there's despair, there will also be hope
(Romans 5:5). For You have not left Yourself without a witness in any place in our
world (Acts 14:17).
Racism must be uprooted and replaced with respect. Violent destruction must be opposed
with mutual honor and respect. Evil must be overcome with good, hate overcome with
love, and darkness overcome with light. For as Your Word declares, we are all "one
blood" in You:
"(God) has made form one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the
earth, and has determined their pre-appointed times and the boundaries of their
dwellings, so that they should (all) seek the Lord in the hope that they might grope
for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live
and move and have our being ... 'For we are also His offspring'" (Acts 17:26-28).
It's the enemy of our souls that seeks to divide us, while You seek to unite us.
It's the enemy of our souls that seeks to stir up division and strife with hatred
and fear, pitting life and against life and race against race. It's the enemy of
our souls who "comes only to steal and kill and destroy" but You "came that (we)
may have life and have it abundantly" (John 10:10).
In You, there is no division, no racism, no prejudice, no violence, no murder, no
injustice, no shame. "The Scripture says, 'No one who believes in (You) will be
put to shame.' For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the Lord is
Lord of all and generous to all who call on Him. For, 'Everyone who calls on the
name of the Lord shall be saved'" (Romans 10:11-13). And the Scripture says, "If
anyone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does
not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen" (1 John
4:20).
So I join with the prayers of my brothers and sisters in Christ around this world
to pray that our hearts and our land be covered and cleansed in the "one Blood"
that can make us see one another, respect one another, honor one another, love
one another, stand up and speak out for one another as "one blood" together with
one another. "For He Himself is our Peace, who has made the two one and has torn
down the dividing wall of hostility" -- between Jew and Gentile, between one race
and another, between all hearts divided by sin from our God (Ephesians 2:14). "For
in (Jesus Christ) all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Him
God was pleased to reconciled to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven,
by making peace by the Blood of His cross" (Colossians 1:19-20).
By His One Blood, there is "unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one
body and one Spirit, just as (we) were called in one hope of (our) calling; one
Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all who is above all, and through
all and in (us) all" (Ephesians 4:3-6). One Blood, One Love, One God and Father
of All. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
My family, I pray you may you be an ambassador of Christ, His light in the darkness
through the One Blood of of the only One who can make us one in His Love and Light
in our world, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friends!
Please share you prayers and reflections with us in the comments box below.
Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
One Direction Community/Toney UMC
Email: garyl@onedirection.community
Website: https://www.onedirection.community
Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC/ Toney UMC
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Good morning, Lord Jesus. I speak out Your name and listen for Your voice, here at the beginning of my day. .
This morning I read and meditated on Psalm 59. Psalm 59 is a psalm of deliverance where David cries out to you to be delivered from his attackers. I see it was a very challenging time of transition in David's life. He had many mixed emotions, surrounded by both friends and foes on his journey into his destiny. But through it all and in spite of it all, he turned his eyes and lifted his spirit to You, as his finished his Psalm with a flourish of heart-felt words of worship from a heart full of faith and trust and praise:
“But as for me, I shall sing of Your strength; Yes, I shall joyfully sing of Your lovingkindness in the morning, For You have been my stronghold and a refuge in the day of my distress. O my strength, I will sing praises to You; For God is my stronghold, the God who shows me lovingkindness." (Psalm 59:16-17).”
I like how he begins his final declaration of his trust in Your goodness and grace with the word "But." All that David wrote before that "But" was his reality and the reality of the world he faced in his day. He didn't have his head buried in the sand. He wasn't afraid of reading the news. He wasn't detached from the challenges of local politics and the national turmoil of his time. "But" at the same time, he kept his eyes on You with his heart full of songs of praise.
In his songs, You strengthened him. In his prayers, You empowered him. And even to this day in what we now call "The Psalms" we're all encouraged by his heart of faith, despite all he went through -- both by all he brought upon himself and by all that was brought down upon him -- "But" as a man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). "When (God) had removed (Saul), He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, 'I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will" (Acts 13:22).
By the power of Your grace, I want to be a man after Your own heart like that, like David. One who will be found faithful to do all Your will no matter what. Fully aware of all that's going on in my day, in my world, and not detached from all I've been through -- no matter the source of my struggles, whether my own or otherwise. "But as for me” remind me I am always accountable to you how I live my day as a child of God. May I walk out my door trusting in You with a song in my spirit, full of faith in my heart, In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
My family, I pray you may be found faithful as one after God's own heart, with your eyes on the Lord and your heart full of praise, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. Thank you for being my friend and joining with me on this journey of faith and prayer! God bless you, my friends!
Please share with us your thoughts and reflections with us this morning in the comment box below.
Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
One Direction Community/Toney UMC
Email: garyl@onedirection.community
Website: https://www.onedirection.community
Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC
I could use your financial support for myself, my family, and those on the margins God has placed in my path I refuse to walk around. Please commit in 2020 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.
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Good morning, Lord Jesus. I welcome You here in my heart and every moment of my day -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God. ...
"When (Jesus) entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, 'Who is this?' The crowds were saying, 'This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee'" (Matthew 21:10-11).
Our cities may be in turmoil, but the City of God is never in turmoil. The kings and kingdoms of this world may be shaken, but the Kingdom of God is never shaken.
All the turmoil, all the shaking, is all an invitation to turn to You. And in the midst of the crowds and the clamoring, in the midst of the turmoil and the shaking, we're all invited to look to the One who is steady and firm in the midst of it all.
"I AM. I AM He. I AM the Everlasting One, the Unfailing One, and I AM here with you to be Your Stability and Strength. I AM here with you that you may stand firm in Me with all who call upon My name." ...
Let all troubled hearts find refuge within the walls of the City of God. As You said long ago, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me" (John 14:1).
Trusting in You, You will steady our troubled hearts. You will even use the turmoil to turn it all around to good (Romans 8:28; Genesis 50:20). Even the turmoil in our cities, across our land, and throughout our world, You will use to shake what needs to be shaken, to change what needs to be changed, to establish what needs to be established (Hebrews 12:27). And through it all -- You will draw all people closer to You than ever before (John 12:32).
We stand on the promise of Your Word: "My Spirit abides among you; do not fear. For thus says the Lord of hosts: Once again, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land; and I will shake all the nations, so that the Treasure of all nations shall come, and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts..." (Haggai 2:5-7).
Treasure of all nations, Treasure of Heaven, come fill our hearts and our land with Your glory! As our cities and our hearts turn to You and ask, "Who is this?" we will hear from Heaven and hear in our hearts, "This is the King of Glory! Lift up your heads and open up your gates, that the King of Glory may come in! Who is this King of Glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, He is the King of Glory!" (from Psalm 24:7-10) In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
My family, I pray you seek to stand steady and firm in One who is unshakable, steadfast, and true through it all, secure in the Treasure of Heaven, in the King of Glory, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. May we join together in our prayers for America and the nations of our world to experience God's Spirit and power and love, in His righteousness and justice, and even in great revival and awakening in these days. God bless you, my friends!
Please share with us your thoughts and reflections with us this morning in the comment box below.
Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
One Direction Community/Toney UMC
Email: garyl@onedirection.community
Website: https://www.onedirection.community
Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC
I could use your financial support for myself, my family, and those on the margins God has placed in my path I refuse to walk around. Please commit in 2020 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.
TO GIVE, CLICK HERE
