Good morning, Lord Jesus. Help me hear Your voice in my heart, as I seek Your face in the heavens. ...
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go" (Joshua 1:9).
You need to command us to "be strong and courageous" because we have a choice. We have the freedom choose to be weak and cowardly or strong and courageous. You need to command us to "not be frightened or dismayed" because we have a choice. We have the freedom to choose to be frightened or dismayed or to be bold and expectant of good things to come according to Your promises of the good things You have said.
You never promise us that what we will face will be easy or comfortable or without challenges. But You do promise us You will be with us. Wherever we go, whatever we do, whoever we face, we will overcome and come through, with You by our side and with You in our hearts.
Along the way, we will learn obedience through suffering (Hebrews 5:8); and we will learn our identity through discipline (Hebrews 12:7). We will learn You're always with us by Your ever-abiding Presence. "For God has said: 'Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.' So we say with confidence: 'The Lord is my Helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?'" (Hebrews 13:5-6)
So by the power of Your grace at work within us to choose well, may we take hold of Your Word: "Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let (our) hearts take courage!" (Psalm 27:14). As You command, let us obey: "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might" (Ephesians 6:10-18). As You encourage us, let us take courage in You: "I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).
Because You have overcome, because You come alongside us and abide within us, we can overcome in Your courage and strength wherever we go, whatever we do, whoever we face. So by the power of Your grace, I choose to be strong and courageous, neither frightened nor dismayed, in You today. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
My family, I pray you choose well to be strong and courageous, neither frightened nor dismayed, in whatever you face, by the power and the presence of the Lord who is with us and abiding within 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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I received a newsletter from Make Way Partners. http://www.makewaypartners.org They are the mission group with whom I went to Southern Darfur, Sudan. MWP has constructed schools, a church, and dormitories for the orphans there In one of the most hostile, lawless, evil, unreached places on the planet. The orphanage they built in South Sudan is now near the boundary line between North and South Sudan. Fighting and shelling is happening a mile and a half from them. While all the villages around them are fleeing. They are staying. Where can they go with these children that will be safe? No where. Kimberly Smith is the director and founder of MWP. In the newsletter she writes.
"We are not people of a Pollyanna faith; rather we are a people called to run straight into the Darkness so that we might be the Light in the moment of despair. We are a people appointed to call out the names of Darkness so that those held in its grip might be set free. Christianity is not for the faint of heart, nor for the political aspirant—as sometimes the things we hold near and dear are the very entities, which we must confront for the Greater Good. Sometimes, in this naming of what is good for me and mine, we may even find the stain of ink bearing those names of innocents upon our own hands—as in how we as a nation may also profit from such wars. Still, we must boldly name, forge a new path, and rescue those who suffer the consequences of our profit and “security." Kimberly Smith
There is so much in that one paragraph to try to unpack. It may take me a couple days. One sentence says, “Christianity is not for the faint of heart.” Christianity was born out of a bold, powerful, violent, earthshaking, cataclysmic, paradigm-changing event, The Resurrection of Jesus, that shook and effected all created elements that exist. Resurrection is not for the faint of heart.
Christianity was born out of an all-consuming, at all-cost, all-in, all -forsaking act of true love. True love is not for the faint of heart.
Christianity was never intended to be something you enter into “lightly.” When it is convenient and all the world is “safe.” Christianity is something each of us and our communities are confronted with “in our face” that we must reject outright or that, if we accept it, will demand the remaking of our complete worldview. This remaking is not for the faint in heart.
The magnitude of stepping into Christianity, is in and through Jesus you are not simply entering into a new religion, not simply entering into a new form of ethics or new way of salvation, you are stepping into a new creation. Stepping into new creation is not for the faint of heart.
We are in the season we find ourselves putting up boundaries, find the church putting up boundaries. I want to remind you that Jesus’ resurrection both burst through the boundaries of our present history and remains and impacts all within history. In Jesus’ resurrection, the faint of heart could cope with His resurrectiin and being a Christian if Jesus ultimately remains a wonderful and nice idea inside their minds and hearts, proclaimed for one hour on Sundays, and tucked away in stories in Scripture. However, to grasp and enter into the truth of Jesus, the truth of his resurrection that Jesus is the one who comes out of the tomb, who inaugurates God’s new creation in the world today is not for the faint of heart.
My family, open up your Bible to the Gospels, then flip to any page and put your finger down on a verse. Your finger will never touch a verse that supports Christianity is something "nice" or “safe” to be entered into lightly or for the faint of heart. I pray you will pray and reflect on your heart. Your heart towards Jesus, and your heart towards belonging in Christianity, in Jesus’ name. Please pray for me as well. (Though you realize that praying “in Jesus’ name”, means you are removing all the barriers and inviting, invoking, claiming and accepting all of the suffering, the cross, and resurrection of Jesus’ life over your life, is not for the faint of heart.) God bless you my friends!
Please share your thoughts and comments below.
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Put Your thoughts in my mind and Your desires in my heart to lead me in Your ways and make me more like You today. ...
"Thus says the Lord: Stand at the crossroads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way lies; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls" (Jeremiah 6:16).
Truly it seems we stand at the crossroads of our times. Truly the choices we are making now will determine our destinies -- personally and as a people, in our individual faiths and our churches, in our communities and in our nations.
Will we rush headlong on the path of self-destruction, divided and devoured from enemies without and within, blinded by rage and paralyzed in fear, hardened in bitterness and burning with vengeance? Or will we choose to "look" to the Lord our God in listening prayer, to "ask" for the ancient paths in humble trust, and to "walk" in the ways You set before us? Will we "find" rest for our souls or find out there's no rest for the wicked, no peace for the prideful and arrogant, and no place that is safe apart from obedience to Your will and trusting in Your ways?
Let us choose well. Let us choose this day whom we will serve. Let us choose what path we will take, with all of its consequences for our lives and our world.
So what are "the ancient paths, where the good way lies"? ...
As I wait and listen, it seems I hear You speaking in my heart: "The ancient paths are My eternal ways I have revealed to you in My Word and revealed to you in the ways of My Son who walked out My will as He walked on this earth for all to see My heart and know My ways and walk in them after Him." ...
Yes, Father. As I think on the life of the Son of God, the Word of God made Flesh to live and walk among us, I think of the good ways He revealed: To love God and love one another. Respect. Honor. The fear of the Lord. Kindness. Compassion. Mercy. Encouragement. Empowerment. Speaking words of spirit and life, blessing and peace wisdom and truth. Confronting evil with good, hate with love. Overcoming darkness with light. Obedient to the Father while growing in wisdom and stature and favor with God and with man. Self-sacrificing. Secure in His identity and fulfilling His destiny in trusting surrender, obedient faith, and expectant hope. Standing up for the downtrodden, speaking up for voiceless, while reaching up to the Father in prayer to be filled up with the Holy Spirt in power to live out a life that honored You and revealed Your Father heart to us.
Yes, Father. These are "the ancient paths, where the good way lies." As we stand at the crossroads -- as I stand at my own crossroads that confront me in every decision I'll make throughout the moments of my day -- may You give us the humility and wisdom to look up to You and ask for Your ways, along with the courage and grace we need to faithfully walk in them. As we do, we will find rest for our souls.
Lord, let it be so in me and in the hearts of Your people who are called by Your name in every tongue and tribe and nation of our world. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
My family, I pray you may find rest for your soul and seek out the Holy Spirit and ask for the ancients paths, where the good way lies to walk in the ways of the Lord today, 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, you are my way, truth and life. so I come to you this morning.
Jesus tells us, “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)
We break down prayer into various descriptions: petition, intercession, thanksgiving…ect. Yet prayer is not fundamentally about these. It is not fundamentally about waiting around to hear God speak to us. Fundamentally prayer is the breath of Christian life. And the funny thing about breathing is if you do not breathe, you die. Breathe or die. Pray or die. Abide or perish. And this pertains to the body of Christ; to your personal Christian life, that of your church, and the church universal. The whole point of entering into prayer is it allows us to enter into God’s embrace and fill us with Hs breath of abundant life and joy. Jesus said he came to bring us life and life abundantly. (John 10:10) We breath in that life through prayer.
Something miraculous and powerful happens through Gods grace in us when we set aside a large block of time of an hour or more to pray. The enemy knows this and he will use anything from a dripping faucet to social media to interrupt it.
Some of us just have a hard time focusing on prayer for an hour and our minds drift and wonder. Don't get discouraged, keep at it! As a prayer aid I am giving you a great tool for prayer I received from Curtis Seargent, it is the Prayer Wheel. The Prayer Wheel divides on hour of prayer into twelve, 5 minute long each sections. The prayer Wheel is a wheel or pie that has 12 slices. Each “slice” is 5 minutes long. It aides you remaining focused in praying for n hour by breaking the hour down into 5 minutes sections. I have listed the 12 sections of the Prayer Wheel. Before you begin set the timer on your phone for 5 minutes or look at you clock. Then begin and spend 5 minutes in #1. Praise. After 5 minutes move to #2 Waiting. Continue praying this way through #12 and your hour of prayer will be complete. You can modify the time per section to 2 minutes each if you are at lunch or only have 30 minutes to pray, or add minutes to each section if you have more time to pray.
In this time of coronavirus with social isolation, distancing, and quarantines we find ourselves with more time on our hands. Instead of filling it by tuning in to TV, Facebook and, social media, I want to encourage you to use that time a a gift to tune your heart to God’s through prayer. Maybe your prayer life has not been what you have wanted it to be. Maybe you have found yourself short of breath.
My family, I pray you will commit to setting aside and spending one solid hour a week in prayer a week, in Jesus’ name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you my friends!
Please share your comments on prayer. I would also love to hear reflections from those who since my first post have spent an hour of time using the Prayer Wheel.
PRAYER WHEEL
1. PRAISE
Start your prayer hour by praising the Lord. Praise Him for things that are on your mind right now. Praise Him for one special thing He has done in your life in the past week. Praise Him for His goodness to your family. (Psalm 34:1)
2. WAITING
Spend this time waiting on the Lord. Let Him pull together reflections for you. Think about the hour before you and the things you want the Lord to do in your life. (Psalm 27:14)
3. CONFESSION
Ask the Holy Spirit to show you anything in your life which might be displeasing to Him. Ask Him to point out attitudes that are wrong, as well as specific acts for which you have not yet made a prayer of confession. Now confess that to the Lord and claim 1 John 1:9 so that you might be cleansed for the remainder of the hour before you, and then pick up and read the Word. (Psalm 51:1-19)
4. READ THE WORD
Spend time reading promises of God in the Psalms, in the prophets, and passages on prayer located in the New Testament. Check your concordance. (Psalm 119:97)
5. PETITION
This is general request for others, praying through the prayer list, the prayer cards, or personal prayer interest on behalf of yourself and others. (Hebrews 4:16)
6. INTERCESSION
Specific prayer on the behalf of others. Pray specifically for those requests of which you are aware. (Romans 15:30-33)
7. PRAY THE WORD
Now take the Scriptures and start praying the Scriptures as certain sections of Psalm 119 lend themselves beautifully to prayer expression. (Psalm 119:38-46)
8. THANKSGIVING
Spend these minutes giving thanks to the Lord for things in your life, things on behalf of the church, things on behalf of your family. (Philippians 4:6)
9. SINGING
Take your hymnal and sing a prayer song, sing a praise song, sing a song regarding soul winning or witnessing. Let it be a time of praise. (Psalm 59:17)
10. MEDITATE
Ask the Lord to speak back to you and keep a paper and pen handy, ready to relate the impressions that He makes upon your life. (Psalm 63)
11. LISTEN
Spend time merging the things you have read from the Word, the things you have prayed, the things you have thanked the Lord for, the things that you have been singing, and see how the Lord brings them all together to speak to you. (I Samuel 3:9-10)
12. END WITH PRAISE
Praise the Lord for the time you have had to spend with Him. Praise Him for the impressions that He has given you. Praise Him for the prayer requests He raised up in your mind. (Psalm 145:1-13)
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, As I begin my first morning reflection time in August seeking you let me hear from you in a fresh new way.
“Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:21-24
Jesus said, “… the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” V.24. Jesus tells us we must worship in two ways: Spirit and Truth.
Spirit: We must come into a state of worship where our spirit encounters the Holy Spirit. Where deep meets deep. All true worship begins and flows from the heart of God where His Spirit makes himself known to us and draws us into worship. “And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes on behalf of the saints according to Godʼs will.” (Romans 8:27) All worship flows out of God's desire to be known by us. We can’t worship what we do not know.
We also cannot manufacture worship. It does not exist out of our will, heritage, or traditions. The woman at the well claimed her worship based on her descendant’s from Jacob. Yet John tells us, “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:12-14). Worship also is not born out of our will or the manipulation of man. Worship is something we receive and enter into through belief and faith.
Truth: “ Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.“ (John 14:6). Jesus declares that he is truth. In him is found true religion, true expression of the Father, true encounter with the Father, and true worship. True worship flows out of the Spirit of God and is centered on Jesus. Note how the woman has been concerned about the location and where people ought to worship, while Jesus is concerned about in what spiritual condition are people worshipping and who people ought to worship.
Jesus said, “true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” Must worship in spirit and truth. Must worship in the Holy Spirit and Jesus. Have you ever simply yet powerfully experienced worship and prayer in the Spirit and in truth? What are your reflections of those time(s)? Worship and/or prayer times you could not explain or control?
My family, I pray as you begin your week you will honestly reflect on What do you worship in? When was the last time you let go of all formality and rituals and like a child simply yet powerfully experienced worship and prayer in the Spirit and in truth? “for the Father is seeking such people to worship Him”, I pray you seek the Father today in Worship, in Jesus’ name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you my friends!
Now take 8 minutes, click on the link below, and go back to your first love and worship.
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. Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart....
"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.... And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him" (Colossians 3:1-17).
Your Word commands us "set your hearts on things above ... set your minds on things above." To "set" our hearts and minds requires a conscious choice, a deliberate action on our part.
To "set" our hearts and minds "on things above" also requires us to consciously choose the object and target of our heart's desires and our mind's thoughts. What does that mean? What does that look like? How would my life be different if I were to obey Your command of Your Word to "set" my heart and my mind "on things above"? ...
As wait and listen, from Your Spirit to my spirit, Your words come to my heart. ...
"To look to Me is to prioritize Me in you lime and time. To set your heart on Me, to set your mind on Me, is to trust in Me, to yield to Me, to obey me, to allow Me to put My desires in your heart and My thoughts in your mind. I AM the Thing Above. My thoughts and My desires are the things above. Choose this perspective. Embrace this priority. Your part is to willingly make this choice to prioritize me in you life. My part is to enable your desire to want this and your power to do this. This is the power of My grace for you. As you do, you will be dead to the rulers of this world, with it's worldly perspectives and priorities, so that your life will be hidden with Christ in God. You'll be lifted up and alive in Christ, as Christ is lifted up and alive in you. This is the life of Christ in you, the hope of glory. This is how I empower you to do all you do in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, full of thanksgiving, full of joy, full of My presence, My love, and My power being fully expressed through your life." ...
Yes, Lord. Your written Word comes to mind to confirm this spoken word I hear in my heart: "God has chosen to make know among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27). "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God..." (Galatians 2:20-21). "For it is God who works in (me) to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose" (Philippians 2:13).
So by the power of Your grace at work within me, I willingly, consciously and deliberately choose to look up to You, to set my heart and my mind on You and on the things above, on the things of Your will and Your Kingdom, rather than merely my will and the kingdoms of this world. Jesus, put Your desires in my heart and Your thoughts in my mind, so that Your perspective and priorities become my perspective and my priorities. I can't do any of this apart from You, but by the power of Your grace at work within me, I can do all these things through Christ who strengthens and empowers me (Philippians 4:13), through Christ who abides right here, right now within me (John 15:4); through Christ in me, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
My family, I pray through this devotion blog you may be strengthened and empowered to set your heart and mind on Christ, so that your life is hidden with God in Christ and all you do, you do in the name and in the nature of the Lord Jesus, in Jesus name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friends!
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!
CLICK HERE TO GIVE
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
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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!
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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. 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
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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
