“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived! The sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, passive homosexual partners, practicing homosexuals, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, the verbally abusive, and swindlers will not inherit the kingdom of God. Some of you once lived this way. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)
The LGBT issue is a major issue in our church, country and the world today. This morning, our journey through the New Testament speaks into this issue and instead of sidestepping it, I will reflect on it as well. Since it is a major and delicate issue today in the church, my reflection today is a little longer.
The term LGBT is not in the Bible. It is a modern term, just like the term lesbian does not come up in the Bible either. And it is also true to say that the Bible does not say anything about sexual orientation. This is also a modern term, psychological way of framing a discussion on same sex activity and attitudes. So does the Bible have nothing to say on this subject? In fact it has quite allot to say about this subject as in today’s reading.
The focus of what the Bible has to say about what we today call homosexuality and lesbianism is behavior. Behavior; not inclinations, not tendencies, not orientations, not preferences, not a lifestyle, but actual behaviors.
What the Bible says bout the behavior of homosexuality and lesbianism is pretty clear it says:: Same sex activity, whether it is between two men or two women, is forbidden.
· It is forbidden in the Levitical codes of the OT and other places in the Torah
· It is clearly forbidden in the NT both directly and indirectly
· Paul clearly states this in many places like Romans 1:18-32,
· Here in 1 Cor Paul lists it in sinful behaviors that can even exclude you from the kingdom of heaven.
· There are very strong warnings throughout the Bible against this type of behavior.
Jesus indirectly addresses this issue. When asked by his disciples how they are to relate to each other, he gives us two options: Fidelity in marriage, and celibacy in singleness. Read Matthew 19, it is pretty clear.
The only option to monogamy, sex between a man and a woman in marriage in God, is singleness, celibacy for the sake of the kingdom. Jesus is so emphatic on this singleness that he calls it being a “eunuch for God. “ Everybody in Jesus’ day knew perfectly well what eunuchs were. They were incapable of being with another human being because they had been rendered that way. Jesus even use the technical terms: There are some that are born eunuchs, some that were made eunuchs by other people, and some who made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of God. Jesus essentially and clearly ruled out any form of sexual activity outside of monogamy in marriage between a man and a woman. This should not be surprising to us, it is a common point of view of the Jews, common of early Christians.
What is the fallout from these facts as to how we read the Bible? Lets look at several things. What we all “homophobia” today, the singling out. the stigmatizing, name calling and out casting of homosexuals simply because of their gender orientation I see as a sin. God loves everybody, he just does not love their sin. And one sin a person can commit is treating one group of sinners as somehow worse than everybody else. This is morally wrong and it is a sin to treat Gay and lesbian people as if they are some type of lepars.
Anyone who knows my heart knows that I have a radical approach to “church” that includes radical hospitality of all and everyone. I also have an orthodox understanding of scripture. Like Jesus I try to display extravagant grace, while presenting complete truth in all situations as Jesus did with the women in John 8 caught in adultery. If approached by a LGBTQ individual or couple how would I respond? First, I would let them know I do not judge them. As one saved by grace I look at them with love and not judgement. My story of past sins I committed before coming to Christ is far worse than sleeping with a man. Secondly, As a representative of the church, I would say to them if you have ever been hurt by the church through any form of hate, prejudice, condemnation, or judgement by the church, I am sorry. That is not what the church is called to offer the world, it is a sin, I am sorry and it is not what I am offering you.
Thirdly, I love you and you are welcomed to come and be part of Toney UMC, ODC, and worship in my home. Fourthly, though you are graciously welcomed into the family of God to come just as you are, you, however, just as I and anyone who seeks Christ, you are not allowed to remain as you are. All of us have to repent of our sins. When we call Jesus Lord, we surrender our image of ourselves to the workings of the Holy Spirit to conform us into not our image, but the image of Jesus. I am not going to “call you out”, I am not going to call anyone out. But you, I, we; are all called to repentance, and should be called to repentance. The church was designed to be an equal opportunity critiquer of all behaviors and lifestyles that the Bible says are inappropriate. The Holy Spirit is an equal-opportunity critiquer and confronter of all human sin.
So come as you are, you are welcomed as you are, however all of us are called to repentance and should be called to repentance. And if there is a behavior, or lifestyle anyone is refusing to surrender to God, then it becomes not a behavior issue, but an obedience issue. In the Bible, inappropriate behavior is where the rubber meet the road; Not inclinations or tendencies; as all of us have inclinations: some that are healthy, and some that are unhealthy and sinfull. That is not where the real issue lies, The issue in the Bible focus on behavior. We are all fallen individuals. All of us have tendencies and inclinations that we are not sure are behaviors derived more from nature or nurture. But what we can be sure of is what kind of behaviors are said to please God, and when it comes to sexual behaviors, what behaviors do not please God.
Here is what else I would want to say most. Within my own, our own Methodist tradition, if we did not ordain sinners, including myself, we would not have any ordained ministers of any kind. If we did not accept members into our churches who were sinners, our churches would be empty. So if any person, no matter what orientation they are sexually; heterosexual, homosexual, LGBT, is prepared to be chased in celibacy singleness, or be faithful in heterosexual sexual relationship in monogamy of marriage, then they can be candidates for ministry. We will not rule them out just because their inclinations are different from mine or someone else. I think that is gracious, I think that is fair. I think that is where the church should stand. I think that is what the Bible allows us to say.
My family, as we journey through the reading the Bible together it is going to speak into the issues and behaviors of our lives and the life of the church. That is what God’s word is designed to do. I pray as you read through it this morning you will not be drawn to reflect on the behaviors of others, but the behaviors of the person you see in the mirror and ask the Holy Spirit to remove or add behaviors to transform you more into the image of Jesus, in Jesus’ name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you my frinds!!!
I would love for you to share your reflections and prayers with us on this blog in the comment box below.
Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
One Direction Community
Email: garyl@onedirection.community
Website:https://www.onedirection.community
Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC
Help Us Help Them
I could use you’re the gift of your financial support for my family and those on the margins God has placed in my path I refuse to walk around. Please partner and support my family and ministries through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, 102 Champions Green Drive, Madison, Al 35758.
Thank You!
Order my steps today Lord, please order my steps..
“For, I think, God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to die, because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to people. We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, we are dishonored! To the present hour we are hungry and thirsty, poorly clothed, brutally treated, and without a roof over our heads. We do hard work, toiling with our own hands. When we are verbally abused, we respond with a blessing, when persecuted, we endure, when people lie about us, we answer in a friendly manner. We are the worldʼs dirt and scum, even now. “1Corinthians 4:9-13.”
We have no reason to be proud; all we have, or are, or do is owed to the free grace of God. “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) As a sinner snatched from destruction by sovereign grace of God alone, it would be very absurd and inconsistent, if I took personal pride in my salvation and all of the free gifts of God.
And we must remember that there is not a “normal Church” and a “persecuted church”, referring to Christians in foreign countries who’s faith is under constant attack, there is just The Church. Though some Christians in their lives will face greater persecutions and hardships in their life, we all are called in to suffering and sacrifice. As we read through the New Testament we are reminded that Jesus himself suffered from poverty, hate, verbal and physical abuse, by those around him and was treated like dirt, looked at like scum, and killed in the most hideous way. His apostles were treated in the same way. And all of us who by our claiming Jesus as our Lord and called to imitate Him must be prepared to sacrifice, suffer poverty, contempt, and abuse for our faith as well.
Satan and his demons, the ruler of this world, sees us in Christ, sees Christ’s face when he looks at us, and with rage desires to insight every form of violence and affliction on and against us. “For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,” (Philippians 1:29). Yet it is better to be rejected, despised and abused by the world as outcasts, knowing we are precious in God’s sight and in His Kingdom and that He will gather us outcasts, us scum to the world together in His loving hands and place us in His throne room.
My family, I pray today you allow yourself in meditation over these Scripture and with the Holy Spirit to reveal where you are avoiding Spiritual growth in Christ by an unwillingness to accept the sacrifice involved, the unpopularity it will cause you, or any suffering or persecution that will result. In Jesus’ name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you my friends!
I would love for you to share your reflections and prayers with us on this blog 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
Help Us Help Them
I could use you’re the gift of your financial support for my family and those on the margins God has placed in my path I refuse to walk around. Please partner and support my family and ministries through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, 102 Champions Green Drive, Madison, Al 35758.
Thank You!
At the beginning of my day, I seek your strength in all that I am weak.
“So neither the one who plants counts for anything, nor the one who waters, but God who causes the growth. The one who plants and the one who waters work as one, but each will receive his reward according to his work. We are coworkers belonging to God.” (1 Corinthians 3:7-9)
I took some people prayer walking into our neighborhoods. The people were a little fearful and had some anxieties. Though some had been in church for many years, many had never gone out and walked their neighborhood and prayed over it and those who live there, and shared the Gospel with their neighbors. They were worried if they would get it right or be able to convince people about Jesus. However, our role is not to be right. We do not go out needing to convince people. Our role is to simply share the hope of Gospel, our love for Jesus, and pray and speak Jesus over them. If a seed is planted and growth is to occur leading to initial salvation in a person or rekindling of faith, God is the only one who can do that. It is His Lordship and His Kingdom, we are to simply, yet powerfully out of love to share the Gospel of the grace of Jesus. Only God through the Holy Spirit can “flip the switch” on of faith in an individual.
As Peter stated of concerning Jesus, “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among people by which we must be saved.”” (Acts 4:12) “Name given among people” declares we are to give and to to share the name of Jesus with people. “Salvation in no one else” declares Jesus is the one who convinces and saves. Remember what we read in our last book of the Bible, Romans, Paul’s words, “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17).
My family, I pray this morning you pray over and resolve, without worrying or anxiety about “getting it right” or trying to convincing someone, to share the name of Jesus with at least one person everyday, including today. In Jesus’ name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you my friends!
I would love for you to share your reflections and prayers with us on this blog 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
Help Us Help Them
I could use you’re the gift of your financial support for my family and those on the margins God has placed in my path I refuse to walk around. Please partner and support my family and ministries through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, 102 Champions Green Drive, Madison, Al 35758.
Thank You!
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Come into my heart and every moment of my day. ...
"When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come proclaiming the mystery of God to you in lofty words or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. And I came to you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. My speech and my proclamation were not with plausible words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that you fight might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God" (1 Corinthians 2:1-5).
Come, Holy Spirit. Demonstrate the power of God through my life today. Demonstrate the power of Your love, the power of Your joy, the power of Your peace. Demonstrate the power of Your Word, the power of healing, the power of Your freedom. Demonstrate the power of the name and the blood of Jesus. Demonstrate the power of Your all-consuming fire and Your ever-abiding presence.
Your power confirms Your word (Hebrews 2:4). And Your power expresses Your heart. Give me Your heart, give me Your words today. Not merely my words or human wisdom or soulful desires, but instead, put Your thoughts in my mind and Your desires in my heart. Guide my steps by the leading of Your Spirit to demonstrate more of Your power through my life today. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
My family, I pray you will press into the Holy Spirit and expect and experience more demonstrations of God's Spirit and power through your life every day, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!
I would love for you to share your reflections and prayers with us on this blog in the comment box below.
Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
One Direction Community
Email: garyl@onedirection.community
Website:https://www.onedirection.community
Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC
Help Us Help Them
I could use you’re the gift of your financial support for my family and those on the margins God has placed in my path I refuse to walk around. Please partner and support my family and ministries through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, 102 Champions Green Drive, Madison, Al 35758.
Thank You!
http://www.easytithe.com/dl/?uid=onepob279
“The leg does not feel the chain when the mind is in the heavens.” Tertullian.
“And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened.” Act 16:23-26
Today we are on Acts chapter 16. In it we read where Paul and Silas were arrested, beaten and scourged for their faith and sharing of the Gospel. Being a Christian for Paul, Silas, and almost anyone else was not easy. They lived in a time of hostility towards those who proclaimed Christ. Christianity was not a comfortable practice of getting up on Sunday mornings, getting dressed in nice cloths, being greeted at a door and given a bulletin, fixing a cup of coffee in the fellowship area, sitting in a nice chair or pew for an hour in a room the thermostat has been set to keep you comfortable, then going to get a nice lunch. There was an actual cost and commitment involved. There was an actual cross involved.
Yet as the passage in Acts 16:23-26 reveals, no matter what trials, no matter what prisons, no matter what persecution the early Christians found themselves in, they rejoiced in praise. Today I am going to let Tertullian speak to you in this blog. He was an early founder of the faith and theologian who lived only a little over 100 years after the resurrection of Jesus in 155-240 AD. The excerpts below are taken from a letter of his “To the Martyrs.”
“Though the body is shut in, though the flesh is confined, all things are open to the spirit. In spirit, then, roam abroad; in spirit walk about, not setting before you shady paths or long colonnades, but the way which leads to God. As often as in spirit your footsteps are there, so often you will not be in bonds. The leg does not feel the chain when the mind is in the heavens. The mind compasses the whole man about, and whither it wills it carries him. But where your heart shall be, there shall be your treasure…
Grant now, O blessed, that even to Christians the prison is unpleasant; yet we were called to the warfare of the living God in our very response to the sacramental words. Well, no soldier comes out to the campaign laden with luxuries, nor does he go to action from his comfortable chamber, but from the light and narrow tent, where every kind of hardness, roughness and unpleasantness must be put up with. Even in peace soldiers endure themselves to war by toils and inconveniences— marching in arms, running over the plain, working at the ditch, and engaging in many arduous labors. The sweat of the brow is on everything, that bodies and minds may not shrink at having to pass from shade to sunshine, from sunshine to icy cold, from the robe of peace to the coat of mail, from silence to clamor, from quiet to tumult. In like manner, O blessed ones, count whatever is hard in this lot of yours as a discipline of your powers of mind and body. You are about to pass through a noble struggle, in which the living God acts the part of superintendent, in which the Holy Ghost is your trainer, in which the prize is an eternal crown of angelic essence, citizenship in the heavens, glory everlasting. Therefore your Master Jesus Christ, who has anointed you with His Spirit, and led you forth to the arena, has seen it good, before the day of conflict, to take you from a condition more pleasant in itself, and has imposed on you a harder treatment, that your strength might be the greater…
Let the spirit hold convene with the flesh about the common salvation, thinking no longer of the troubles of the prison but of the wrestle and conflict for which they are the preparation. The flesh, perhaps, will dread the merciless sword, and the lofty cross, and the rage of the wild beasts, and that punishment of the flames, of all most terrible, and all the skill of the executioner in torture. But, on the other side, let the spirit set clearly before both itself and the flesh, how these things, though exceeding painful, have yet been calmly endured by many,—and, have even been eagerly desired for the sake of fame and glory; and this not only in the case of men, but of women too, that you, O holy women, may be worthy of your sex.”
Read and pray over these Scriptures.
“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:3-7)
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4)
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1Peter 5:6-11)
My family, pray over how these readings bring light and revelation to the trials and “prisons” you may have found yourself in in the past, that you may find yourself in in the present, or you may find yourself in in the future. Pray over our ministries together as a church and your personal ministries and calling that you may remain “firm in your faith” and obedient to the Spirit and embrace your call and our call collectively to spread the gospel and make disciples. Pray over those around the world and the kinds of suffering that are being experienced by your brothers and sister in the faith throughout the world.
Please share your own personal reflections from Acts 16 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
Begin The Year With A Gift!
I could use you’re the gift of your financial support for my family and those on the margins God has placed in my path I refuse to walk around. Please partner and support my family and ministries through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, 102 Champions Green Drive, Madison, Al 35758.
Thank You!
Acts14
Father, Son, and Spirit, I place myself in the middle of your union seeking your embrace and encouragement as I begin my day.
" After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, and to Iconium, and to Antioch. Strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." (Acts 14:.21-22)
“But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers” v.2
“When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, they learned of it and fled…” v.5
“They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead…” v.19
In our reading today Paul and Barnabas went to different cities to the strengthened and encouraged the young churches so recently planted there. The members of those churches needed to be encouraged as they had seen Paul and Barnabas violently assaulted and driven out of towns. . They had seen Paul stoned presumably to death. And he was their leader who was asking them to follow him in his same path. The members of these churches themselves had certainly had to endure some measure of persecution. It is almost taken for granted throughout the New Testament during the times it was written that tribulation is the normal experience of Christians and the normal experience of the church. it is those who suffer for and with Christ who will now share in his glory. "No cross, no crown" (Rom 8:17, 2Tim. 2:12).
In Acts 14 Luke indeed records the irresistible progress of the gospel, but he does not do so in triumphant spirit. In K.C. Barrett's words, "Luke make it clear that the road his heroes were traveling was the way of the cross."
My brothers and sisters understand this, that we are called to walk this same road, that leads in one direction, the cross. That is why we named the church I planted “One Direction Community.” Other you are a member of ODC, Toney UMC, or whatever church you attend, we are all called to be a community walking together in one direction that leads to the cross. We must remember who we are, we are cross bearers of Christ. We need to press into becoming true disciples of Jesus. As Jesus tells us, “And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” (Matthew 10:38.) Cross bearing and being a Christian are in-separatable.
My family, pray:
The NT reveals that Christians and the church understood that tribulation is the normal experience for them and they completely realized, and accepted with joy, where the road they were walking down would lead them. Pray that we can come to understand this as well. Pray for us a realization, acceptance, and joy in our calling to suffer for and with Christ. To be cross bearers.
Pray thanksgiving to God for those who's willingness to bear Christ's cross in the past and in the present have witnessed to you and strengthened you like a Paul and Barnabas did for the early church. Those that brought you to this place where you now find yourself walking the same road with them.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to bring to mind those you know that are going through suffering and tribulation now and pray for them. Give them a phone call, text or email of encouragement. Go visit them. Be a source of strength and encouragement in your family, workplace, circle of friends and those around you will witness to today.
Pray that The Holy Spirit will raise up cross bearers to walk the road with us the one direction that leads to the cross.
In Jesus’ name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you my friends!
Please share your reflections on Acts 14 with me and others 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
Give A Gift!
I could use you’re the gift of your financial support for my family and those on the margins God has placed in my path I refuse to walk around. Please partner and support my family and ministries through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, 102 Champions Green Drive, Madison, Al 35758.
Thank You!
Jesus, you are my everything, and everything in my day is yours.
“While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.” (Acts 13:2-3)
The church in Antioch was planted by believers who fled the persecution of the Jews following the stoning of Stephen which we read about in chapter 7. Paul (Saul) approved of and participated in the stoning of Stephen. Now, Antioch, the same church that was formed out of Paul’s arresting and persecution of Christians, the same Christian church he hated and tried to stop from ever coming into existence, is the same church that lays hands on Paul, commissions him as a Christian, fills him with the Holy Spirit, and sent him out unto the nations to build up, plant, and launch even more of the same churches he tried to destroy! God is so awesome!!! Satan is such a loser!!! What and who Satan tried to use for evil, God redeemed for good and used for good.
I thank God for all the ways He has redeemed things in my past and in me for his good: All the things that Satan has led me into and I allowed myself to participate in. All the stones I have thrown at people out of hate, prejudice, and pride. Yet praise God that Jesus has covered them all under his blood. And he continues to do so today when I confess my sins and repent. Just like Jesus changed Saul’s identity to Paul when he encountered him, Jesus changed my identity when I encountered him as well. So that now I can be a source from which his church will be birthed. God is so awesome!!! Praise God! Satan is such a loser!!
What was the source of the church of Antioch’s missionary outreach plan for it’s neighbors? Was it a study of Acts or one of the four Gospels? No, as they were not even written yet. Was it a 12 step program on Evangelism, a sermon series, or a mission training? Nope. Its source was fasting, praying, and the laying of hands. As Pentecost Sunday reminded us yesterday they were sent out in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. (13:2-3) They were sent out and commissioned as we need to sent out and commissioned today, "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit says The Lord of Hosts" (Zech. 4:6) They were sent out by the Holy Spirit. (13:4)
And what was Paul and Barnabas's missionary strategy? Preach Christ crucified, (13:28,29) Christ risen (13:33) and the forgiveness of sins (13:38). With all the books, trainings and conferences out there today on church planting, discipleship and growing a church, Paul’s and Barnabas’s strategy sounds pretty basic and simple. Go out and preach Christ crucified, Christ risen, and the forgiveness of sins. Simply give them Jesus. I think we need to remember our first love (Rev 2:4) and get back to Christ Crucified, Christ risen, forgiveness of sins, and simply giving people Jesus. That was all Paul and Barnabas relied on:
and the church multiplied so walls could not contain it,
and disciples made disciples who made disciples,
and the gates of hell could not prevail against them,
and the enemy’s stoning of Stephen only fanned the flames of the church and it spread.
And Satan was such a loser!
Read Acts 13, then reflect on all the ways Satan deceived you and used you in the past and the ways that Christ has redeemed you and is now using you for his good. Look at all the ways he has changed your identity, and is changing your identity since you have encountered him. Take a few minutes to thank Him.
Pray that your ministry, pray for our church's ministries we serve in together, that what ever they are unto, will be founded in prayer and fasting and a sending by the Holy Spirit, founded in a return to our first love, simply Jesus.
My family, I pray you claim Christ crucified, Christ risen, and the forgiveness of sins over your life. Then I pray that the Holy Spirit will lead one person into your path today that you can share this simple message with them. And that Satan is such a loser! In Jesus’ mighty name! Please pray the same for me. God bless you my friends!
Please share your thoughts, comments and verses that spoke to you in your time in chapter 13 in the comments box below.
Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
One Direction Community
Email: garyl@onedirection.community
Website:https://www.onedirection.community
Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC
Give A Gift!
I could use you’re the gift of your financial support for my family and those on the margins God has placed in my path I refuse to walk around. Please partner and support my family and ministries through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, 102 Champions Green Drive, Madison, Al 35758.
Thank You! a
Good morning Jesus, I’m starting my day in you so I can look back on my day tonight and see where I was led by you.
"Now on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were forced to scatter throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria......Now those who had been forced to scatter went around proclaiming the good news of the word." vs.1, 4.
The early church in Jerusalem, was forced to scatter, to leave their home “church” the attended, the only church they knew. This scattering, led them to share and tell the Gospel to new people, new neighbors, and plant new churches. Today in chapter 11 we read:
"Now those who had been scattered because of the persecution that took place over Stephen went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch" (11:19)
Those early disciples were forced to leave their "first church", This lead to planting of other churches, including the great church in Antioch! The persecution and scattering the enemy meant to destroy the church, God used it to grow and further establish his church. The church was designed to be a movement. To scatter then gather, scatter then gather again. When the church ifs forced to leave its building and takes with it nothing but Jesus is when it is most effective.
I am learning that the church is at its best when it is fluid, underground, subversive, and countercultural. It is the unknown, quiet, humble stealth acts that the church changes things.
Pray over your life, the life of our church and the life of your ministries. Have you been stuck, complacent, or comfortable in a season of “gathering”? Has cover put your in a mindset of isolation? Pray that the Holy Spirit will motivate you and guides you into a new season of scattering. Pray God leads you, leads us as a church and reveals to us our new “Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antiochs in which to share our stories of Jesus with, start new ministries and maybe even start new churches out of homes.
As you start to fulfill your plans you have made for this week, remember God has set his plans He has made for you and needs you to fulfill as well. His plan is to release you and I, ordinary people in the church out into our communities to do extraordinary things in the kingdom. Just like in Acts 8:1. It was ordinary, un-named Jews, just some people, that scattered and spread the Gospel, lead others into salvation, made disciples, and grew churches.
God’s plan this week includes the scattering and sending of you and I. People are saved, disciples are made, lives are restored and churches grow not through programs, but through ordinary people spreading the Gospel. Spreading and sharing the Gospel is not about bringing people into a building to hear someone speak, but sending people out of a building to speak it into the world. Armies of ordinary people in the church, empowered by the extraordinary power and presence of the Holy Spirit, speaking life, truth, and transformation to those they encounter in their day.
Lets all commit to get rid of any spectator mentality we may possess about our role in Christ’s church. A church after the heart of God does not simply focus on its seating capacity, but its sending capacity. Because I believe at the end of the day that is how God is going to judge the church.
A change in spectator mentality won’t happen accidently. Just like setting aside and scheduling time in your day and calendar is required to fulfill your other plans for the week, setting aside time and creating margins in your day and calendar is required to fulfill God’s plan for you to do extraordinary things for his kingdom. It requires intentionality.
My family, I pray and challenge you to open your calendar for the week and look at where you have scheduled times to release yourself in your community and spread the Gospel. Not scheduled times in a Bible study, prayer gathering, church meeting, or small group (though these are good), but intentional times of release, sentness into an area of your community with no prescript expectation or outcome but sharing your testimony and the Gospel. If you do not have times set aside and scheduled for this, for fulfilling God’s plan for you, it won’t happen. Luther said, “Delay is the sharpest arrow in the enemies quiver.” Don’t delay.
Please share your reflections and prayers with us on this blog 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
Give A Gift!
I could use you’re the gift of your financial support for my family and those on the margins God has placed in my path I refuse to walk around. Please partner and support my family and ministries through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, 102 Champions Green Drive, Madison, Al 35758.
Thank You!
Good morning Lord Jesus, I simply want to start my day by saying I love you..
“Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” So Philip ran up to it.” (Acts 8:29-30)
Phillip was going about his day walking down the road when he came across a man sitting in his chariot. He had never met the man before, however the Holy Spirit spoke to him and told him to go talk to the man. Phillip did as the Spirit led and he entered into a conversation with the man. In His conversation he shared with the man about Jesus and the results of him sharing his faith was the man ended up getting baptized.
The same Holy Spirit who’s presence “soaks” the whole book of Acts with its leading and directing people, filling of people, shacking of buildings and situations, is still present and “soaking” every aspect of our lives today. The same Holy Spirit that spoke to Phillip and guided him as he walked out his door and entered his day is speaking to you and desires to guide you as well. And you will hear the Spirits voice if you stop and take time in prayer to ask for the Spirits guidance, and then listen.
There are people you will encounter as you go through your day who are like the man Phillip went up to and talked to. People who have heard part of the story or have some knowledge of Jesus and Christianity, that they picked up from friends, the news, or the internet. Allot of it may be misguided and they are confused as well about who really is Jesus. And they do not need you to be able to explain systematic theology to them. All they need is you to simply explain and share your love and personal story about Jesus.
Listening to hear the Holy Spirit speak to you and to guide you through your daily routines and simply sharing your love of Jesus with people you encounter is basically what all of us are called to do as Christians, followers of Jesus. It’s not complicated. It never was intended to be.
My family, I pray this morning you will simply embrace the basics of your faith and calling, and simply in prayer ask for the Holy Spirit to help you and guide you today, actively listen to what the Spirit is leading you, and share your love of Jesus with people you encounter throughout your day, in Jesus’ name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you my friends!
I would love to hear how you were affected todays reading. Please share your reflIections and prayers with us on this blog 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
Begin The Year With A Gift!
I could use you’re the gift of your financial support for my family and those on the margins God has placed in my path I refuse to walk around. Please partner and support my family and ministries through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, 102 Champions Green Drive, Madison, Al 35758.
Thank You!
Jesus,, i want to begin my day breathing in your breath of life…
“Now Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)--Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia--who began to argue with Stephen. But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.” (Acts 6:8-10)
Four words to keep in mind from this passage (at least 4). They reveal a pattern we have see as the Holy Spirit spreads.
NOW STEPHEN. . . OPPOSITION AROSE.
It’s critical to understand the bigger picture here. Were we to get a birds-eye view of the first century church, everywhere we spotted the activity of the Holy Spirit we would also witness the opposition stirring. The same remains true to the present day. We must understand the real enemy is not the Jews or any other human being. Listen to how the Apostle Paul will later describe the battle.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:10-12”
Human beings must indeed be held accountable when they serve as the willing yet often unwitting agents of darkness, but they are not ultimately responsible. Evil is real and everyone remains susceptible to being drawn into its strategies. While evil is no match for the Holy Spirit, only those who learn to “be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” have any hope of standing against and overcoming it. The Big Lesson: as much as people may willingly or unwittingly align themselves with the enemy, people are never the enemy. This is important to remember when ministering to and my prayer is "Lord, send me those no one else wants."
This core dynamic of Christian discipleship consists in the crisis and process of learning to be “strong in the Lord and in his mighty power,” who is the Holy Spirit. One more key piece of information: THE FULLNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL ALWAYS LOOK LIKE JESUS. We simply cannot learn or comprehend how the Holy Spirit works apart from keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus. And this will not happen apart from immersing ourselves in every detail we can grasp from the inspired accounts we have of his life as revealed in the four Gospels.
Remember in Luke 12 when Jesus said, "When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say."
Read the passage above again. Stephen remembered. Ending where I began this post.NOW STEPHEN. . . OPPOSITION AROSE. . . .But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke!
My family, I pray you reflect today on your reliances and equipping, and empowering by the Holy Spirit. Ask the Holy Spirit to anoint you right at this moment with his power and presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to anoint and empower our church strong in the power of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you my friends!
Please share your reflections and prayers with us on this blog 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
Begin The Year With A Gift!
I could use you’re the gift of your financial support for my family and those on the margins God has placed in my path I refuse to walk around. Please partner and support my family and ministries through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, 102 Champions Green Drive, Madison, Al 35758.
Thank You!
Good morning Father, Son and Spirit; speak to me God, your servant is listening..
“But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife's knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it.” Acts 5:1-6
“Lying is a terrible vice. It testifies that one despises God, but fears man.” Michel de Montaigne”
Acts chapter 5 begins with the story of Ananias and Sapphira. In it Peter, who had so recently experienced the forgiving and restoring grace of God after his denial of Jesus in the high priests palace, in turn speaks un-gracious words of death of the couple. Try how we may, we cannot imagine Christ acting towards sinners as Peter here is represented as doing.
The selling and giving of goods to the community of the early church was voluntary. The piece of land belonged to Ananias: he could keep it or sell it as he pleased. When he sold it the money he got from it was his to use as he chose. Ananais and Sapphira retained part of the sale price for their private use, as they had every right to do, but he lied and stated the balance he gave to the church as the total purchase price that he received from the sale. He tried to lie and deceive them into thinking he was “All in” and had done an extremely pious act. A higher standardof character and honesty must prevail among the followers of Christ. Ananais, in an effort to gain a reputation for greater generosity than he had actually earned, tried to deceive the believing community. However, in trying to deceive the community he was really trying to deceive the Holy Spirit, whose life-giving power had created, flowed through, and maintained the community. If he had told a lie told to Peter on a separate private transaction, though it would be a sin, may not have been as condemning. But this act, whether Ananias knew it or not, was a lie told to God, something prompted as Peter said, by “Satan filling his heart” and he became an adversary to God and humanity.
The desire to gain a higher reputation than one is due for generosity, an act of humility, service, or some other virtuous act is not so uncommon among us that anyone of us can take a self-righteous attitude toward Ananais. Instead I believe from this story, we are called to deep self-reflection on how we may have or are currently lying, deceiving or exagerating to our community of faith, or more importantly ourselves personally about our level of generosity, tithing, giving, time spent in The Word and prayer, and our surrender to Christ. What ways are we building ourselves up in our minds and the minds of others of our level of generosity and obedience. How to build up or maintain a reputation, or rationalize and say we are a Christian when it has been a long time since we attended or actively participated in the life of a church, and even longer since we shared out faith with another and led someone to Christ. In reality with are exagerating, with holding, and deceiving others, deceiving ourselves, and more importantly trying to deceive God and the Holy Spirit. Like Ananais, we say we are “al in” with Christ when in reality in our heart we know we are withholding gifts and areas of our life from God. We too are lying to God.
Satan filled Ananais’s heart with a desire to be well thought of and known, a high reputation, a person of position, and to be thought of as special and important in the great movement of the Holy Spirit and movement in the church. His deception however was one that tried to cause the movement of the Holy Spirit in the church to stumble. How often do we see a movement of the church that is growing, revival and power of God being seen and present, be hindered or derailed by pride and deceit of a member.
We are reading and praying through the New Testament now seeking direction, vision and the revival of a movement of God. Take time today to pray into the honesty of your heart. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal ways you are deceiving, others, yourself, and God. Don’t lie to yourself and take 30 seconds to glance at your soul then carry on your day and pretend you gave it your all. We are covenanting to read a chapter of Scripture each day and spend real time in prayer and reflection on the chapter over our lives and our church. Are you fully engaging in this time of the Word and prayer or are you deceiving yourself in you level of participation? If we want to see a movement of God, we need to be all in, not withholding anything. What is your true level of generosity and giving, not only financial, but time in service and opening your home to ministry.
My family, I pray this morning you take time in prayer to look at ways you are deceiving, exaggerating, and rationalizing the true level of of your obedience to Christ. I pray you will truly have a “Come to Jesus” moment of the clear assessment of your “all in,” withholding nothing in your life from the Lordship of Jesus. I pray then you will have a time of seeking forgiveness and recommitting your life to Christ and reconnecting to the life of your church, In Jesus. name.Please pray the same for me. God bless you my friends!
For those near me, I am here if you need to talk about anything in your faith. For those who are not, seek out those who will listen to you and respond in the love and truth of Christ.
Your participation these daily reflections is important to me and others who read them. As we read our daily readings together, please share your reflections to my post or others from the chapter we are reading in the comments box below to bless myself and others.
Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
One Direction Community
Email: garyl@onedirection.community
Website:https://www.onedirection.community
Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC
Give A Gift!
I could use you’re the gift of your financial support for my family and those on the margins God has placed in my path I refuse to walk around. Please partner and support my family and ministries through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, 102 Champions Green Drive, Madison, Al 35758.
Thank You!
“Peter looked directly at him (as did John) and said, “Look at us!” So the lame man paid attention to them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, stand up and walk!” Then Peter took hold of him by the right hand and raised him up, and at once the man’s feet and ankles were made strong.” (Acts 3:4-7)
This chapter contains one of the most amazing stories of healing post-ascension of Jesus to heaven. And it is followed by the amazing address by Peter to those who had witnessed the healed man.
The lame man cried out and asked Peter and John for money, and instead he received healing which source was from Jesus. I can’t blame the man for asking for money. From the day he was born he was physically lame, a cripple who lived day to day by the assistance of those who were willing to carry him and those who gave him funds for food and items to survive on.
Unfortunately many Christians when they pray their cries out to God resemble the of the lame man. We cry out for money, for things, in aid acquiring things like cars and houses, for comfort, and other “stuff.” What do you think Jesus thinks when he hears the prayers of a believer that goes something like, “Lord, if it is your will help me purchase this $250K or way more home with brick siding granite counter tops and hardwood floors.” Or,” Lord, if it is your will, please help me get a new car and afford the payments. And these prayers, these cries do not come out of a place of necessity for survival like the lame man, but out of a place of entitlement for comfort. I believe Jesus shakes his head, and His reply aligns with Peter’s, “Silver or gold or new house or cars is not what I died on the cross to give you, but what I do give you is all the life, hope, healing and peace that is available to you if you surrender all these other things, and simply seek Me.
Then we to will rise and receive as Peter declared, “The faith that is through Jesus has given him this complete health in the presence of you all.” (vs 47-49)
Jesus, forgive me when the words of Peter’s address also apply to myself and my prayers. “And now, brothers, I know you acted in ignorance,”(v 49). Forgive me when my prayers and cries to you come out of a spirit of entitlement in me, out of American capitalism, out of a desire for more things and more comfort, and not from a place of surrender and cross bearing. I have been o blessed to be born in the USA. Yet, the wealth of this nation makes It is so hard Lord for me to not get sucked up into feelings I am entitled to more comfort, and sucking you up in my prayers to provide it for me.
My family, I pray over you a hard prayer, one that I need you to please pray over myself as well. That you will be freed from the entitlement in your heart, surrender all these things that try to control your heart, surrender it all to Jesus, and seek out not silver of Gold,but what He truly wants to give you, In Jesus; name.Please pray the same for me. God bless you my friends!
Please share your reflections and prayers with us on this blog 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
Give A Gift!
I could use you’re the gift of your financial support for my family and those on the margins God has placed in my path I refuse to walk around. Please partner and support my family and ministries through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, 102 Champions Green Drive, Madison, Al 35758.
Thank You!
http://www.easytithe.com/dl/?uid=onepob279
Good morning Father, Son and Spirit, speak to me as I speak to you…
“But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and blood and water flowed out immediately. And the person who saw it has testified (and his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth), so that you also may believe. For these things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled, “Not a bone of his will be broken.” And again another scripture says, “They will look on the one whom they have pierced.” (John 19:33-37)
“They will look on the one whom they have pierced.” Here a single phrase is quoted from Zechariah 12, but the entire context is associated with the events surrounding the crucifixion. The "Spirit of grace and of supplication" is poured out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem in the first part of v. 10. A few verses later in 13:1 Yahweh says "In that day a fountain will be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for impurity." The blood which flowed from Jesus' pierced side may well be what the author saw as the connection here, since as the shedding of the blood of the sacrificial victim it represents cleansing from sin. As Jesus hung on the cross, the author may also have in mind the second coming here. The context in Zech 12-14 is certainly the second coming, so that these who crucified Jesus will look upon him in another sense when he returns in judgment.
“ On that day the Lord himself will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the weakest among them will be like mighty David, and the dynasty of David will be like God, like the angel of the Lord before them. …I will pour out on the kingship of David and the population of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication so that they will look to me, the one they have pierced. They will lament for him as one laments for an only son, and there will be a bitter cry for him like the bitter cry for a firstborn…“In that day there will be a fountain opened up for the dynasty of David and the people of Jerusalem to cleanse them from sin and impurity... (Zech 12:5-13:1)
Holy Spirit, the water of these Scriptures are very deep waters. Continue to motivate me not to stay on the surface of what I read but dive deep to discover the treasures of Your Word of Life that lay there. Continue to call me to run and jump into the fountain of life which flows from Christ where I am soaked, laughing and splashing in the waters of Grace that cleanses me of all sin, impurities, guilt, shame, and depression. As I dive into your Word and prayer I want to to washed by the the river of the water of life that flows from Your throne today!
“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.” (Revelation 22:1-4)
My family, I pray you do not just read these Scriptures daily, staying on the surface of them to simply complete their reading to put a check by them on your daily check list. I pray you do not read them as something to do, but as the source of something to become as you allow the Holy Spirit to mold you and speak to you through the Word of God you are reading. I pray you will not just receive from these daily readings but begin to share what your hear the Spirit speak to you and reveal it to others. I pray you will today dive deep into the healing waters of life that flow from your Bible,: laughing, free, and joyful like a child of God splashing in the water’s deep love and grace., In Jeus’ name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you my friends!!
Please share your reflections and prayers with us on this blog in the comment box below.
Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
One Direction Community
Email: garyl@onedirection.community
Website: https://www.onedirection.community
Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC
Give A Gift!
I could use you’re the gift of your financial support for my family and those on the margins God has placed in my path I refuse to walk around. Please partner and support my family and ministries through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, 102 Champions Green Drive, Madison, Al 35758.
Thank You!
Light of the world you stepped out into darkness, open my eye let me see today…
“So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” (John 12:35-36)
Jesus, your warning “Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you” speaks on at least two different levels. To the Jewish people in Jerusalem to whom You spoke, the warning was a reminder that there was only a little time left for them to accept You as their Messiah. To me and you, all those later individuals to whom the Gospel of John was written, and to every person since, the words of Jesus are also a warning to us that there is a finite, limited time in which each individual has opportunity to respond to you Jesus, the Light of the world; and after that comes darkness. Through belief in the light and its salvation we enter into the infinite light and love of Christ, however we all have a finite time on this earth to make that decision. One's response to the Light made in time decisively determines one's judgment for eternity.
Our decision to believe in the light makes us, "sons of light" (v.36). This means essentially "people characterized by light," that is, "people of God." The expression sons of light does not just mean people who made a one-time decision of belief, but it refers to men and women to whom the truth of God has been revealed and who are therefore living according to that truth, living as people of light, thus, living as people of God. Being a person of light in their workplace, schools, family, and neighborhood. Jesus you explained “A lamp isnʼt brought to be put under a basket or under a bed, is it? Isnʼt it to be placed on a lampstand?” (Mark 4:21) If we have received the light of Christ’s salvation, yet “Hide it under a basket” and we fail to share this light with others, our life then is one of darkness. Our life is the same as those lives who do not know or are against Jesus and walk in darkness,. Our life then offers no hope or light to those around us who without receiving this light will perish in eternal darkness. They also have a finite time to believe, and if we withhold and do not share the Light with them, we are condemning them to eternal darkness.
My family, I pray you understand you have the light of the world in you. I pray you will choose to be a person of light today, living as a person of light, and sharing your light today with persons who are still living in darkness. In Jesus’ name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you my friends!
Please share your reflections and prayers with us on this blog or what your received from reading chapter 12 in the comment box below.
Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
One Direction Community
Email: garyl@onedirection.community
Website: https://www.onedirection.community
Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC
Give A Gift!
I could use you’re the gift of your financial support for my family and those on the margins God has placed in my path I refuse to walk around. Please partner and support my family and ministries through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, 102 Champions Green Drive, Madison, Al 35758.
Thank You!
Good morning, Lord Jesus. I speak out Your name and listen for Your voice. ...
"The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.... I am the good shepherd. I know My own and My own know Me, just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father" (John 10:2-15).
I open the gate of my heart to You today. You know me and I know You. I want to hear Your voice and sense Your leading, as You go ahead of me into every moment of my day. And at the same time, You not only go ahead of me, You also go with me because You're abiding in me and I in You. "Christ in (me)" (Colossians 1:27). By "the Spirit of Christ" abiding in me, You're "with (me) always" (Romans 8:9; Matthew 28:20).
Help me test and discern every word I believe I hear in my heart. I want to follow the voice of my Savior, not the voice of the stranger. Sharpen my discernment. Sensitize my spirit. Anoint me and empower me to "test everything" and "hold fast to what is good" (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Your Word invites me to listen attentively for Your words and also commands me to test carefully the words I believe I hear. "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.... By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God" (1 John 4:1-3). ...
As I wait on You to listen for Your voice this morning, it seems I hear You saying: "My son, know My voice that always aligns with My Word, that reflects My nature, that bears good fruit, that leads you to Me. As you listen and hear, as you test and see, you grow in discernment and trust so that I can lead your heart by My Spirit."
Yes, Lord. The stranger doesn't lead me to Your Word, doesn't reflect Your nature, doesn't bear good fruit, and doesn't lead me to You. Let this test of discernment of the thoughts that come to my mind and the impulses that come to my heart be a plumb line of truth, so I can hold fast to what is true and reject what is not. Following You as we hear Your voice is one of the great blessings of the children of God. "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God" (Romans 8:14). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
My family, I pray you spend time in your Bible to know God’s Word so you have a base to test the voices you hear. I pray the Holy Spirit anoints you and empowers you to hear and discern the voice of God, holding fast to what is true in your journey with Him every day, in Jesus' name! Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friends!
Please share your reflections and prayers with us on this blog 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
Give A Gift!
I could use you’re the gift of your financial support for my family and those on the margins God has placed in my path I refuse to walk around. Please partner and support my family and ministries through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, 102 Champions Green Drive, Madison, Al 35758.
Thank You!
As a man who exists in the confines of time, I seek fellowship this morning with you, eternal triune of God that exists outside of time.
“Jesus stood up straight and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” She replied, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you either. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.” (John 8:10-11)
In this scene that takes place in front of the crowd ,stand two people who could not be more different from each other. One is a woman, the other a man. One who only minutes ago had committed a terrible sin, the other was sinless. One was completely human, the other was completely the eternal Son of God. And how does Jesus speak into this woman’s life, with words that can appear to be opposites as well, words of both of grace and truth. Words of grace spoken out of deep love, “I do not condemn you either” (v.11). I am not going to demand justice for your sin, the penalty of which was death by stoning. I am going to offer you mercy. Words of truth also spoken out of deep love, “Go and sin no more” (v11).What you have done and are involved in is a sin, stop doing it,
Jesus, your Gospel is one of grace and truth and you balanced and presented both grace and truth to everyone you encountered in a remarkable way. Salvation through grace is the gift you offered, “For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace” (John 1:16). Yet, you also always presented the complete truth to everyone you encountered on any sin they were committing or was present in their lifestyle. “For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 5:18-19).
Jesus, through your Holy Spirit help me also present this same Gospel. Help me not to demand justice when I encounter sin in a person’s life but offer grace. At the same time, help me to honestly confront the truth of sin I encounter in another’s lifestyle. This balance the church has always struggled to maintain, and I struggle with it as well. Help me to always speak truth into a persons life. Yet, remind me that though what I am saying is completely right, if I say it without love I am completely wrong.
My family, I pray today that you set aside time to listen to Jesus out of a place of deep love for you, speak both the grace and truth of His Gospel into your life. I pray you will receive them both, conform your life to them both, so you can balance and speak both grace and truth into the lives of those who’s paths you will cross as you go through your day, In Jesus’ name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you my friends!!!
Please share your reflections and prayers with us on this blog 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
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I could use you’re the gift of your financial support for my family and those on the margins God has placed in my path I refuse to walk around. Please partner and support my family and ministries through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, 102 Champions Green Drive, Madison, Al 35758.
Thank You!
Speak to me Lord, your servant is listening..
“On the last day of the feast, the greatest day, Jesus stood up and shouted out, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. Just as the scripture says, ‘From within him will flow rivers of living water.’” (Now he said this about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were going to receive, for the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.)” (John 7:37-39)
Certainly Jesus picks up on the literal water used in the ceremony and uses it figuratively. But then He goes beyond that and refers it to the coming of the Holy Spirit to dwell in the believer.
When anyone comes to believe in Jesus, all the scriptures referring to the activity of the Holy Spirit in a person's life are fulfilled. When the believer comes to Christ and drinks they not only no longer thirst themselves but they receive such an abundant supply of The Holy Spirit that abundant rivers flow from them. The believer themselves becomes the source of the living water.
Jesus crying out, “From within him will flow rivers of living water” ’speaks into the water brought forth from the rock in the wilderness by Moses striking the rock in the wilderness to bring forth water. Jesus is the Rock from which the living water - the Spirit - will flow.
“For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they were all drinking from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ.” (ICor. 10:1-3)
“Jesus answered her, “If you had known the gift of God and who it is who said to you, ‘Give me some water to drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water… Jesus replied, “Everyone who drinks some of this water will be thirsty again. But whoever drinks some of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again, but the water that I will give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up to eternal life.” (John 4:10,13-14)
My family, In our belief, faith, and Baptism we now have the light of the world in us. We contain fountains of living water. Our receiving Christin our hearts was was not only to revive and bring life to our dry, parched hearts, but also to fountains that renew, restore, and refresh the dry, parched hearts of our neighbors, co-workers and the nations. I pray you will splash and drench others today, in Jesus’ name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you my friends!
Please share your reflections and prayers in the comment box below with us from todays reading.
Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
One Direction Community/Toney UMC
Email: garyl@onedirection.community
Website:https://www.onedirection.community
Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC
Help Us Help Them!
I could use you’re the gift of your financial support for my family and those on the margins God has placed in my path I refuse to walk around. Please partner and support my family and ministries through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, 102 Champions Green Drive, Madison, Al 35758.
Thank You!
Good morning Lord Jesus, as I awake physically I seek Your Spirit to awaken me spiritually so I can live out this day in Your Spirit.
If the first half of the gospel is John 3:16. We read it in today’s reading John chapter 3. It is the verse that is the most well-known, memorized and recited verse by Christians around the world. “For this is how so loved God the world: His one and only Son he gave, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life”. (John 3:16)
However, John did not end his reflections, teachings and good news of Jesus in this Gospel we are reading. The second half of his gospel is in his letters that are also found in the Bible. The author John writes in 1 John 3:16, “We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.” What if it was 1 John 3:16 and not John 3:16 that was the most well-known, memorized and recited verse by Christians around the world. How would Christians live and evangelize differently?
Then the whole gospel would be summed up in: show me, don’t tell me. John’s words would challenge us to not just know that God loves us and sent His Son to save us, but to put that knowledge into practice. John is using his authority in love to challenge us to rethink what it means to be a servant of Christ. The goal of the gospel that “So Love God the world” is to redefine our relationship to God, however also as importantly to redefine our relationship to others, and even to ourselves.
In other words: show me, don’t tell me.
Eugene Peterson says, “Every movement we make in response to God has a ripple effect, touching family, neighbors, friends, community. Belief in God alters our language. Love of God affects daily relationships… it all gets worked into local history, eventually into world history.”
Lord, as I read these words of John which are inspired by you I hear you also say to me, “I am confident as I write this letter that you will do what I ask and even more!” In other words you are saying to me as well, show me, don’t tell me. Show me in my relationship with you Jesus where I need to redefine and restore some of my personal relationships. Reveal to me where and how in my day to day life I can not only tell people Jesus loves them, but show it. Challenge me as well to rethink what it means to be a servant of Christ.
My family, I pray this morning the heavenly Father stirs up the gift of His Holy Spirit in your lives and challenges you to rethink as well what is means to be a servant of Christ, so loved by God. I pray today you will not only plan to tell people as John 3:16 states that Jesus loves them, but as 1John 3:16 states, you will show it too. In Jesus’ name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you my friends!
Please share your reflections and prayers in the comment box below with us from todays reading.
Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
One Direction Community/Toney UMC
Email: garyl@onedirection.community
Website:https://www.onedirection.community
Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC
Help Us Help Them!
I could use you’re the gift of your financial support for my family and those on the margins God has placed in my path I refuse to walk around. Please partner and support my family and ministries through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, 102 Champions Green Drive, Madison, Al 35758.
Thank You!
