Come Holy Spirit and fill the hearts of your faithful…
One of the passages of Scripture for today as we look at call and commissioning is Mathew 28:18-20, “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
In this popular passage of Scripture, Jesus commissions everyone there in hearing of his voice to go and make disciples of the nations, and he promises them through the presence of the Holy Spirit, that he will always be withthem. All who hear his voice today are called to the same commission, to go and make disciples of the nations by and in the same continuous power and presence of the same Holy Spirit. I believe this calling has been neutered by the domesticated and “suburbanized” lenses through which I would guess almost all who have opened this link, read Scripture.
I love good coffee and I have become a sort of “coffee snob.” One morning a few months ago I was getting my Chemex glass pour-over coffee maker (like the one in the picture on this blog home page) down off the top of my stainless steel refrigerator to brew the perfect cup of coffee. It slipped out of my hands and fell on my travertine tile kitchen floor and shattered. What did I do? Why I took a picture of it of course and posted it on Facebook to let everyone know of the tragedy that had just happened in my life. One of my “compassionate” friends posted a comment, “Sounds like a middle-class, suburban, white–boy problem.” I think we all, I know I do, suffer from the problem of filtering what we read in Scripture and what the Holy Spirit is speaking to us through our middle-class, urban, western value lenses.
Frances Chan also deals with this problem in the short 10 minute video on the alling of the Holy Spirit. Take some time now to watch it. Then read Acts 1:4-8, Matt. 28:18-20; John 20:21-22. Please post your comments and reflections from my blog, the video, or the Scripture readings below.
Much love,
Gary
Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
One Direction Community/Toney UMC
Email: garyl@onedirection.community
Website: https://www.onedirection.community
Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC
In July I will step out of pastoring Toney UMC and pour completely into planting and growing simple house churches in our neighborhoods. Please partner and support myself and One Direction community through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, PO Box 1293 Madison, Al 35758. Thank You!
Good morning Jesus. I simply hank you this morning that you love me.
Power, confidence, helper, strength:
John Wesley, the founder of Methodists states as he looked into the future of the growing denomination, “I am not afraid that the people called Methodists should ever cease to exist either in Europe or America. But I am afraid lest they should only exist as a dead sect, having the form of religion without the power. And this undoubtedly will be the case unless they hold fast both the doctrine, spirit, and discipline with which they first set out.”
This passage is one that haunts me, and is why we are spending the 24 days leading up to Pentecost pressing into the Holy Spirit. Wesley’s quote applies not just to Methodism, but to all denominations, non-denominations, and The Church as a whole in the world.. It should challenge all who call themselves Christians if they have the zeal to “spread Scriptural holiness” that the early Methodists had, and the first church found in the Book Acts of the Apostles. I can’t read this quote without asking myself the obvious question: Is the Church in America a dead sect, does it have the form or religion without the power? Or have we held fast to the doctrine, spirit, and discipline with which we first set out?
If I were to stand up in a church and ask, “How many people believe Jesus can raise dead?” Many, hopefully all hands would raise up. If I asked again, “How many people believe Jesus is today raising the dead?” How many hands would raise? Believing that The Holy Spirit can raise the dead is different from believing that the Holy Spirit is raising the dead. The first belief contains past nostalgia and reminiscence, the second belief contains power for today.
In talking to and my experience with many churches and Christens there is a real lack of expectancy and power in their faith. A lack of expectancy that the power of God is going to do very much at all. Do you really think your prayers for somebody has the power to see the sick healed? Or the whole time you are praying for their healing you are thinking in your head they better go see a doctor. Now this is opening up a can of worms I know. It is really not an either/ or. But do we really believe we will see the power of God at work? Do we really believe we will see the kingdom come in the world around us? When was the last time if ever you have laid hands on a person who is sick and anointed them with oil in prayer? Do you expect the most deprived neighborhoods in Madison or Huntsville or your neighborhoods to come to Christ, become free of their addictions, have their lives be filled with love and turned around? If so when was the last time you prayer walked a neighborhood praying over that community? Do you when you walk out your door in the morning really expect for God to do amazing things so that by the end of the day or the end of the week you will have amazing stories to tell about the power of God and what he is doing? Because He Is! And you have been invited to be part of it!! I believe we are not seeing miracles, signs and wonders today because those in the church are not actively in faith seeking the performance of them.“ Jesus told You, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find;” (Matt 7:7). Are you seeking miracles in peoples lives? You have the indwelling of the power of the Holy Spirit to complete them. What is ministry except a day by day, moment by moment invitation to step into something that God wants to do in somebody’s life and have the privilege of seeing it happen. Do we embrace the power of God enough and expect it in our own lives enough to be able expect it anywhere else?
My family, I pray today you Read Acts1:4-8, 4::29-33, Rom. 8:26-27; Eph. 3:14-21. Then reflect on the power, confidence, and strength of your faith and ministry through the Holy Spirit, in Jesus’ name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you my friends.
Please post a comment below. I do not want this to be a "dead sect" 24 days. I want this to be full of testimonies and relevant prayers. So post as a comment below any prayers requests for power in your life or ministry so we can pray the power of the Holy Spirit over it. Share an example to encourage us of how you have seen the power of God recently in you ministry.
Much love,
Gary
Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
One Direction Community/ Toney UMC
Email: garyl@onedirection.community
Website: https://www.onedirection.community
Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC
You Can Help!
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!
I was in a discussion with the Sunday morning worship leaders of a large church one Monday morning and the discussion turned to the worship services the day before. The church they led worship in was a very large church. It was blessed to have very talented and gifted musicians and singers leading its worship. The church also had state of the art sound systems, lighting, video projectors, stage effects and stage backdrops. They could put on a show! In the discussion, one of the worship leaders commented on how smooth worship went yesterday. None of the musicians or singer missed a beat, the visual presentations were “spot-on” and the pastor, who is a good orator, presented his message well. Everything “clicked” and fell together perfectly. The worship leader then said something that stuck in my mind and troubled me. He said, “That would have been a powerful worship service whether God showed up or not.”
How do you know when the Holy Spirit is present at a church worship service? In the midst of the audio and video effects on your senses of a contemporary service, or the ceremony and tradition of a traditional service, can you tell? If “God did not show up” would you notice? Do you intentionally seek the presence of the Holy Spirit in your personal prayer time? How do you know when the Holy Spirit is present? What signs of his presence and power are their in your daily lives? Jesus tells us in John 4:23, "But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers.” God seeks out worshippers who worship him in and through the Holy Spirit.
When Jesus said in John 4:23 that the hour is coming, that hour is now, today, that true worship of the Father will revolve around two things: Spirit and Truth. In Johannian writings, (the books in the Bible who’s authorship is accredited to the apostle John) “truth” is a word John uses that refers to Jesus (Jn.14:6) and the word or will of God (Jn. 8:40). Worship in most churches focuses on Jesus and the truth of God in Scripture, but the focus and reliance on the Holy Spirit in a church’s worship is often lacking or simply misunderstood. As a result, many of our personal prayer lives lack an understanding of and focus on the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Starting this week and for the ext few weeks leading to Pentecost Sunday, I am going to center my weekday morning devotion time on the Holy Spirit. My goal is to use this study, reflections, and time together to help instill in the DNA of our lives and church the absolute necessity of reliance and guidance by the Holy Spirit. It needs to be manifested in all areas of our life including both our personal and corporate worship, so the power of the Holy Spirit can be manifested in our daily lives.
Holy Spirit Study Outline
Below is the reading outline for our time looking at the Holy Spirit and the readings for each weekday. I am posting this in advance to allow you to prepare yourself. I will still send out a daily reflection each day with a short video and my reflections, and various activities from time to time to do.
We are seeking revelation of the Holy Spirit TOGETHER. So PLEASE post comments below throughout this time of your reflection and revelations to encourage us in this time together.
Holy Spirit’s attributes from the Scriptures
I spent many hours in the Bible preparing for this study seeking verses on the Holy Spirit and what attributes of the Spirit they reveal. I came up with 23 attributes of the Holy Spirit. This is my personal list I came up with and I am not not presenting it as the “correct” or total list. I assigned one attribute to each of the next 23 days weekdays. You can use this timed outline in your small groups. Here is the outline for this time.
DailyScriptures Reading Schedule Beginning Today
Dates in May
3. Power, confidence, helper, strength: Acts1:4-8, 4:29-33, Rom. 8:26-27; Eph. 3:14-21
4. Call, commissioning: Acts 1:4-8, Matt. 28:18-20; John 20:21-22
5 Anointing: Acts 2:1-13, Joel 2:28-32
6 Guiding prayer, visions and speaking: Acts 2:1-13; Rom 8:26-27
9. Gifting: Joel 2:28-32
10. Sign bearing: Joel 2:28-32, Acts 4:29-33
11. Unity in the body: Acts 4:29-33, 1 Cor. 12:12-14; Ezekiel 11:17-20
12. Healing: Acts 4:29-33
13. Witnesses, convicts: Acts 5:29-32, Gal. 5:16-25; 1 John 4:13; Exodus 24:16
16. God is source: Acts 5:29-32, Rom. 8:26-27; 1 John 4:13; Exodus 24:16; Ezekiel 11:17-20
17. Jesus is source: 2 Cor. 3:17-18, John 4:14, 20:21-22
18. Source of belonging and adoption: Rom. 8:1-17
19. Ash Wednesday, beginning to Lent. Reflection this morning will be on this season in the church.
20. Indwelling in us, source of holiness: Rom 8:1-17, 15:13; 1 Cor. 3:16-17, 1 Cor. 6:9-11; 2 Cor. 3:17-18; Eph. 3:14-21; 1 John 4:13
23. Opposes the flesh: Rom 8:17; Gal. 5:16-25
24 Fruits of the Spirit: Rom. 15:13, Gal. 5:16-25
25. Teacher, revealer, gives us knowledge of God, Jesus: 1 Cor. 2:9-16, Eph. 3:14-21
26. Washes, cleanses, sanctifies, baptizes, transforms: 1 Cor. 6:9-11, 12:12-14, 2 Cor. 3:17-18; Matt. 28:18-20
27. Source of spiritual gifts: 1 Cor. 12:5-11
30. Source of eternal life, salvation: Romans 8:1-17, John 4:14, Joel 2:28-32
31 Freedom from the Law: Gal. 4:3-7
June
1. Adoption: Gal. 4:3-7; Rom. 8:1-17, Ezekiel 11:17-20
2. Part of the Triune of God: Matt. 28:18-20
3. Needed for true worship: John: 22:23
Here is a short 2 minutes video by Francis Chan on the Holy Spirit. He uses the video to present his book "The Forgotten God" which is a great book to read on the Holy Spirit. The video also works well to prepare us for our upcoming time together starting next week.
Please share your thoughts and comments
Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
One Direction Community/ Toney UMC
Email: garyl@onedirection.community
Website: https://www.onedirection.community
Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC
You Can Help!
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!
“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to Act” Deitrich Bonhoeffer
“To ignore evil is to become accomplice to it.” Martin Luther King Jr.
“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” Edmund Burke
“The world is a dangerous place to live, not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don’t do anything about it.” Albert Einstein
Lord Jesus. I speak out Your name and listen for Your voice and wait for Your leading.
"And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:1-7).
There is a so-called "prince of the power of the air" who is a "spirit;" an evil and destructive spirit (Ephesians 2:2). It's the same spirit who is "the thief" who "comes only to steal and kill and destroy" (John 10:10). It's the same spirit Jesus called "the ruler of this world" (John 12:31). And it's the spirit of destruction and death at work in our world, seeking to destroy and defile God’s creation by every means possible and at every opportunity available. "We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now" longing to be "set free from its bondage to decay" (Romans 8:19-23)
The past two weeks have been an intense battle. My daughter was in a car accident that totaled her car. Easter Sunday a guest at my house received a call his room mate committed suicide. Before our House Church Tuesday a member received a call they found his brother dead in his home and he had been dead for several days. I received a call from a family member of mine that the lump in his throat the he had removed is cancer that had metastiaticiezed. A “Godly” couple that are friends are getting a divorce. People have reached out to me and requested prayers over attacks from past addictions, attacks from current addictions, attacks on their marriage, attacks of life long friendships, attacks on their health, and attacks of depression on their minds.
So this morning I say enough is enough! I am shouting at the devil! I am pushing back and calling out in prayer and the name of Jesus and calling out to you to also push back in prayer, in the laying of hands and anointing of oil and call out and push back against "the prince of the power of the air." To call out and push back against "the thief who comes to steal and kill and to destroy." To call out to and turn our hearts and our prayers and our hope to the One who says "I came that (you) may have life, and have it abundantly" (John 10:10). To call out and claim over our lives the One who is "rich in mercy," who reaches out to us in our distress. Who wars with us even in our sins, even in the places our own destructive acts, even where we have opened the door to destruction in our hearts or in our land throughout our generations to the accusing enemy of our souls and of Your creation. This morning we call and claim and invite and call on the God of angel armies to battle and push back against the darkness! (Ephesians 2:4).
O God, hear our prayer. Crush "the prince of the power of the air!" Grant us mercy in the face of its attempt to destroy. Stir in the hearts and prayers and proclamations of Your people who are called by Your name to take a stand in faith to speak against mountains of destruction, even as we humble ourselves to be desperately dependent upon You alone. “And Jesus answered saying to them, “Have faith in God. Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him. Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you.” Mark 11:22-25).
And as You bring us through no matter what we may endure, as we groan with all Your creation for the redemption of our broken, fallen world, may we continue to turn to You to be our Hope and our Help. "Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth" (Psalm 124:7). May You continue to fulfill Your Word through these days of what seems like unrelenting catastrophes: "The God of peace will shortly crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with (us)" (Romans 16:20). In Jesus' name we pray.
My family, I pray in faith in agreement with you that our God who is rich in mercy will give faith and grace to all to endure and overcome the "prince of the power of the air" and its destructive forces, in Jesus' name! And I join with you in prayer that lives would be restored and those caught in the storms of this season would experience the protection and provision of our God, in Jesus' name! May the presence of God in His mercy and love and through His people be evident in the midst of it all. God bless you my friends!
Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
One Direction Community
Please share your reflections in the comment box below.
Partner in prayer and support us as we speak against the mountains of destruction in our communities.
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Be at the center of my heart and every moment of my day. ...
This morning I’m reflecting on the presence of God and the closeness of Your love available to us in the resurrected Jesus as declared from Romans Chapter 8 in The Message Version of the Bible:
“So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing Himself to the worst by sending His own Son, is there anything else He wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us--who was raised to life for us!--is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture: They kill us in cold blood because they hate you. We’re sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one. None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing--nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable--absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us” (Romans 8:31-39 MSG).
Yes, Lord. With God on our side, how can we lose! “In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us!” (Romans 8:37).
And that gives me courage. That gives me confidence. That fills my heart with joy, fills my eyes with tears, and fills my mouth with praise! In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
My family, I pray as you begin your week that you may be filled with ressurection joy in your heart, tears of joy in your eyes, and the praises of God in your mouth, as you know His powerful, unending love for you, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!
Please share you reflections 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!
TO GIVE CLICK HERE
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Put Your thoughts in my mind and Your desires in my heart, as I begin my day centered in You. ...
"So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word" (Matthew 28:8).
At the empty tomb, the angel spoke to the women seeking Jesus, "Do not be afraid" (v. 5). He declared those famous words to them, "He is not here; for He is risen!" (v. 5). And he invited them to come and see for themselves the empty tomb of Jesus (v. 6). Then he spoke to them the words You gave him to speak to their hearts about what was to come next (v. 7).
Surely they were so excited and so expectant of all that God had done and all that God was about to do. Surely they were filled with great joy! And they were. But at the same time, Your Word says they left the empty tomb that day "with fear and great joy" even as they "ran to bring (Your) disciples word" of this great news (v. 8).
What about us? In these days of great joy as we continue in celebrating Your resurrection, and we have great joy in knowing Your Word will not fail and You're at work in whatever we face, can we also struggle with fear at the same time? Absolutely.
What we need to remember is the joy is from You, but the fear is not. "My heart is glad and my soul rejoices; my body also rests secure.... You show me the path of life. In Your Presence there is fullness of joy!" (Psalm 16:0-11) "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" (1 Timothy 1:7). But even if we feel afraid in the face of all the chaos, wars, inflation, and challenges shock and awe of what's going on around us, even in the face of the unknown of what will come next, the fear doesn't have to steal our joy. We can fully acknowledge both our struggles with fear and our exuberance of joy, for You are with us through it all, for Your resurrection power is real!
The promises and the power of the Word of God never grow old: "If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you" (Romans 8:11). "For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry, 'Abba, Father! The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs -- heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together!" (Romans 8:15-17).
As we "run" with the word of Your good news in the joy of the resurrection of Jesus, we cry out "Abba, Father!" as we remember we are children of God. By the power of Your grace, fear will not steel our joy and not knowing all the details about what lies ahead and what You're about to do will not keep us from trusting in the One who already sees every day to come. As children of God, filled with the Spirt of God, we're excited and expectant to look and see what You will do! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
My family, I pray you may be filled with great joy, even as you face any struggles with feelings of fear in all the uncertainty that surrounds us because the One who surrounds you with His Presence holds your days in His hands and holds you in His heart, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friends!
Please share you reflections 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!
TO GIVE CLICK HERE
Good morning, Lord Jesus. I love You, Lord, and listen for Your leading -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God. ...
"But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, 'Woman, why are you weeping?' She said to them, 'They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.' When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, 'Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?' Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, 'Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away.' Jesus said her, 'Mary!' She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, 'Rabbouni" (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, 'Do not hold on to Me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to My brothers and say to them, 'I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.'' Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, 'I have seen the Lord!'; and she told them that He had said these things to her" (John 20:11-18).
Even after the resurrection, Mary Magdalene was still confused about all that was happening. Even after seeing with her eyes and knowing in her heart that the tomb was empty, she still had questions about what was taking place.
She wept and she wondered. She tried to fit the pieces together in a way that made sense in her mind, but she didn't yet see the bigger picture from heaven's perspective. She needed a personal encounter with the risen Lord. She needed to turn around and look to You. She needed to hear Your voice. She needed to hear You call her by name.
Just like Mary, we can all find ourselves in that place at times. We've been walking with You in a personal relationship with You as Your disciple. We believe the cross and the empty tomb are real and true. So it's not a matter of faith. But somehow in all the chaos and confusion of not understanding all that's going on and not knowing yet what it all means and worrying about all that will happen next, we can have questions.
Mary expressed her thoughts and asked her questions. The angels didn't rebuke her and You didn't rebuke her. Instead, You come near to her and spoke to her. At first, she didn't recognize Your voice. At first, she didn't even turn to You to acknowledge You -- still overwhelmed in her grief and consumed in her questions.
But then she heard You speak her name! Then she turned to You and called out to You! Then everything in her wanted to take hold of You and never let You go!
When she heard Your voice, when she turned to You to speak to You face to face, everything became much more clear. There was still so much she didn't know, so much she didn't yet need to know, about all that would happen and all that was to come. She didn't yet fully grasp how things would never be the same -- or what a good thing that would be, even though there would be plenty of hard days ahead. But one thing is clear -- she couldn't wait to go share the good news! She couldn't wait to go encourage Your other disciples with the great joy that filled her heart!
Father, send Your Holy Spirit to make us more sensitive to the voice of Jesus. Even in the midst of all our questions and concerns about the coronavirus and what's going on in our world and what's to come, help us to see from heaven's perspective and listen for the voice of Jesus in the midst of all we're experiencing and all we're about to go through.
Lord Jesus, we believe in the victory of the cross and joy of the empty tomb. We praise You for all that You done and all You're going to do. And at the same time, we need a fresh and deep and intimately personal encounter with You.
So Lord, let us hear Your voice. Let us hear You call us by name. And let us turn to You to encounter You face to face. Give us a deeper desire to take hold of You and never let You go. And fill us with a joy to go share the good news with others, even more so in this time of “bad news,” with all who so desperately need to hear it! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
My family, I pray you may be free to ask your questions and express your concerns to God, along with a growing desire to turn to Jesus and hear His voice and be filled with His joy to go share His good news, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friends!
Please share you reflections on this post with 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
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!
TO GIVE CLICK HERE
Tho Lord has risen indeed! Alleluia!
As we begin the first day after Easter I wanted to share with you the first sermon (outside of Scripture) we have on record. It is called On Pascha and was preached by Melito, Bishop of Sardis, who was a prominent figure of second-century Christianity. The present text (excerpted for length) was written in 167 AD, and is the earliest Christian sermon that has survived from the early history of the church. It has been preached over the centuries, often at Easter.
This is the one who comes from heaven onto
the earth for us suffering ones,
and wraps himself in the suffering one
through a virgin womb
and comes as a human.
He accepted the suffering of us suffering ones,
through suffering in a body which could suffer,
and set free the flesh from suffering.
Through the spirit which cannot die
he slew the human-slayer death.
He is the one led like a lamb
and slaughtered like a sheep;
he ransomed us from the worship of the world
as from the land of Egypt,
and he set us free from the slavery of the devil
as from the hand of Pharaoh,
and sealed our souls with his own spirit,
and the members of our body with his blood.
This is the one who clad death in shame
and, as Moses did to Pharaoh,
made the devil grieve.
This is the one who struck down lawlessness
and made injustice childless,
as Moses did in Egypt,
This is the one who delivered us from slavery to freedom,
from darkness into light,
from death into life,
from tyranny into an eternal Kingdom,
and made us a new priesthood,
and a people everlasting for himself.
This is the Pascha of our salvation:
this is the one who in many people endured many things.
This is the one who was murdered in Abel,
tied up in Isaac,
exiled in Jacob,
sold in Joseph,
exposed in Moses,
slaughtered in the lamb,
hunted down in David,
dishonored in the prophets.
This is the one made flesh in a virgin
who was hanged on a tree,
who was buried in the earth,
who was raised from the dead,
who was exalted to the heights of heaven.
This is the lamb slain,
this is the speechless lamb,
this is the one born of Mary the fair ewe,
this is the one taken from the flock,
and led to slaughter.
Who was sacrificed in the evening,
and buried at night;
who was not broken on the tree,
who was not undone in the earth,
who rose from the dead and resurrected humankind from the grave below.
O mystifying murder! O mystifying injustice!
The master is obscured by his body exposed,
and is not held worthy of a veil to shield him from view.
For this reason the great lights turned away,
and the day was turned to darkness;
to hid the one denuded on the tree,
obscuring not the body of the Lord but human eyes.
For when the people did not tremble, the earth shook.
When the people did not fear, the heavens were afraid.
When the people did not rend their garments, the angel rent his own.
When the people did not lament, the Lord thundered from heaven,
and the most high gave voice.
“Who takes issue with me? Let him stand before me.
I set free the condemned.
I gave life to the dead.
I raise up the entombed.
Who will contradict me?
“It is I,” says the Christ,
“I am he who destroys death
and triumphs over the enemy,
and crushes Hades,
and binds the strong man,
and bears humanity off to the heavenly heights.”
“It is I,” says the Christ,
“So come all families of people,
adulterated with sin,
and receive forgiveness of sins.
For I am your freedom.
I am the Passover of salvation,
I am the Lamb slaughtered for you,
I am your ransom,
I am your life,
I am your light,
I am your salvation,
I am your resurrection,
I am your Kings.
I shall raise you up by my right hand,
I will lead you to the heights of heaven,
There shall I show you the everlasting Father.”
He it is who made the heaven and the earth,
and formed humanity in the beginning,
who was proclaimed through the law and the prophets,
who took flesh from a virgin,
who was hung on a tree,
who was buried in earth,
who was raised from the dead,
and ascended to the heights of heaven,
who sits at the right hand of the Father,
who has the power to save all things,
through whom the Father acted from the beginning and forever.
This is the alpha and omega,
this is the beginning and the incomprehensible end.
This is the Christ,
this is the King,
this is Jesus,
this is the commander,
this is the Lord,
this is he who rose from the dead,
this is he who sits at the right hand of the father,
he bears the father and is borne by him.
To him be the glory and the might forever.
Amen.
My family, I pray that the complete joy and freedom of Easter permeates your soul as you begin your morning. I pray you walk out your door with a song of praise in your heart for our savior Jesus Christ and eager to share the source of your joy with those you meet in your workplace, schools, stores and wherever your path leads today, in Jesus’ name. Please pray the same for me.
God bless you my friends!
Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
One Direction Community/Toney UMC
Email: garyl@onedirection.community
Website: https://www.onedirection.community
Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC
I could use your financial support for One Direction Community, my family, and those on the margins God has placed in my path I refuse to walk around. Please partner and support myself and One Direction community through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, PO Box 1293 Madison, Al 35758.
Thank You!
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Fill me with Your Spirit and set my heart ablaze with Your Fire. Let me be a torchbearer and Fire-carrier everywhere You send me today. ...
"I am not asking You to take them out of the world, but I ask You to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. As You have sent Me into the world, so I have sent them into the world" (John 17:15-18).
You never called us to huddle up and hide out. You never intended to tuck us away in some tower of tranquility. You did not create our hands to ring church bells and enter into sanctuaries, but door bells and enter stranger’s homes. Your “Church” You created was not intended to be a building dedicated to God for Christians to walk into, but a movement of God Christians are called to enter into and spread throughout our communities. You gave us a revelation of you to be part of a revolution for you. You sent us into the world, even knowing the challenges we'd face (yes, even Covid) and the temptations we’d encounter and even the persecutions we'd endure (v. 14). Yes, a ship is safest resting nice and comfortably in a harbor, but that is not what a ship was created for. Yes, we are safest and most comfortable resting on a church pew, but we weren’t created for that either. Jesus would much rather walk into your church sanctuary on Sunday morning and find it is empty because the congregation is truly obeying his words “As You have sent Me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.” Because the congregation is intentionally participating together in the mission of God by spending the day out in their community seeking the lost, addicted, outcast, and orphaned. And the Father would as well.
Jesus, your prayer to the Father was “As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.” (v.18). You send us into the world because you want us to become more like You, to imitate You and the “sentness” of Your heart. You send us into the world because You love the world (v. 3:16). You're not willing that any should perish, but that all would have life in You. You desire all to know the joy of Easter. So You send us out to be the expression of Your love for them. Just as the Father sent the Son, so the Son sends us in the power and love of the Spirit of God living in us (v. 20:21-23). You were a sent one, and You created us in your image to be sent ones as well.
"Here I am, Lord. Send me" (Isaiah 6:8). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
My family, I pray the truth of these Scriptures plant deeply in your heart. I pray the Spirit of God fills your sails today, that you leave the comfort and safety of any harbor your are resting in because you were not created for that purpose. I pray out of love for God and neighbor you listen to Jesus as He sends you into the world to express the Father's heart of love for everyone you encounter. I pray this is the adventure you actually plan and center your upcoming Easter weekend around. What other way would Jesus desire you to spend it and would bring Him the most joy? 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!
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Put Your thoughts in my mind and Your desires in my heart. Make me more like You today. ...
"They who have My commandments and keep them are those who love Me; and those who love Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love them and reveal Myself to them" (John 14:21).
Spirit of Truth, Spirit of the One who is the Truth, as I draw close to you and close to The Cross in this season of Lent, set me free from deception and confusion, from complacency and compromise. Re-sensitize my spirit and my discernment of conscience to Your conviction of what is true and what is false, what is right and what is wrong, what is holy and what is profane, what is good and what is evil so I can hear Your voice and obey You.
My obedience is an expression of my love. And because I love You, I want to obey You. I want to honor You with my obedience -- not so that You'll love me, but because I love You.
Some imply that loving God doesn't require obeying God, that the grace of God has replaced the commandments of God. But that's not what You taught. In fact, You said, "Those who love Me will keep My word, and My Father will love them, and We will come and make Our home with them. Whoever does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word that you hear is not Mind, but is from the Father who sent Me" (John 14:23-24).
Lord, I need Your grace and I'm thankful for Your love and mercy. You are "merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love" (Psalm 103:8). And I need You to abide in Me, giving me the desire and the power to obey Your word and live into Your will to that my life will be fulfilled.
You continue to encourage us to live our lives trusting You know best what we need most: If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. I have said these things to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete" (John 15:10-11).
So by the power of Your grace at work within me by Your Spirit, I choose today to obey everything you speak into my mind and heart. I choose You -- the One who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. "I am confident of this, that the One who began a good work (within me) will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6). "
I want my joy to be complete and my life to be fulfilled. So help me trust You and obey You and I live and learn to abide in Your love. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
My family, may the Holy Spirit in your reflections on this chapter instill in you the desire to completely surrender, completely trust, completely love, and completely obey our Lord who loves us so, that your joy may be complete and your life may be fulfilled. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!
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!
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Through Your Body and Your Blood, make me one with You, one with Your Body of Christ, and one in ministry to all the world until I feast with You at Your heavenly banquet in final victory.
"Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that His hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.... Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off His outer robe, and tied a towel around Himself. Then He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around Him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to Him, 'Lord, are You going to wash my feet?' Jesus answered, 'You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.' Peter said to Him, 'You will never wash my feet.' Jesus answered, 'Unless I wash you, you have no share with Me.' Simon Peter said to Him, 'Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!' Jesus said to him, 'One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.' For He knew who was to betray Him; for this reason He said, 'Not all of you are clean' " (John 13:1-11).
Lord Jesus, though You are One with Father and One with the Holy Spirit, You set aside the glory of Heaven to humble Yourself in the likeness of human flesh and blood. And before You humbled Yourself to be betrayed and rejected and crucified by the human flesh and blood You created, You humbled Yourself to wash the dirty, smelly, unclean feet of Your disciples. No wonder Peter could hardly bear the thought of his Messiah, the Son of God, down on His knees washing his feet.
Lord Jesus, help me grasp the humility of Your nature. Though You are the Creator of Heaven and Earth, the exact image and very Word of God, with all power and authority in Your hands, You would humble Yourself with Your holy hands to wash the dirty feet of human flesh.
Your disciples couldn't fully understand what we still have trouble fully understanding as Your disciples today that You are our example in every way. Just as You laid down Your life for Your friends as an example of Your love, we are to lay down our lives in sacrificial love for one another. Just as You washed their feet as an example of Your humility, we "ought to wash one another's feet" (v. 14). "Servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If (we) know these things, (we) are blessed if (we) do them" (v. 16).
Lord, help me learn and embrace Your example. You are my "Teacher and Lord" (v. 13). Help me learn to follow in Your steps as Your disciple. Though You've made me clean though Your sacrifice on the cross, you created my hands to get dirty, as I continue Your ministry of humility and love. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
My family, I pray you will be filled with the humility and love of Jesus today, as you follow Him as your example. I pray that you will intentionally set aside a time this weekend to get your “hands dirty” in ministry through real contact in the real lives of people around you. 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.
Holy Week Services
Here is the list of Holy Week Services I will be leading if your church does not have these services..
Sunday, April 10th, 10:00am: Palm Sunday Service iat Toney UMC, 5465 Old Railroad Bed Rd, Toney, AL 35773
Thursday, April 14, 6:30pm: Maundy Thursday Service, Toney UMC 5465 Old Railroad Bed Rd, Toney, AL 35773
Friday, April 15th, 6:00pm: Good Friday Service and Stations of the Cross
Indian Creek Greenway Park off Slaughter Road. 392 Harvestwood Ct Madison, AL 3575
Sunday, April 17th, 10:00am: Easter Sunday Service Toney UMC 5465 Old Railroad Bed Rd, Toney, AL 35773
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 Father, Son, and Spirit, I begin my day receiving you love, grace and mercy.
Early in the morning, after forming a plan, the chief priests with the elders and the experts in the law and the whole Sanhedrin tied Jesus up, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate… So Pilate spoke to them (crowds) again, “Then what do you want me to do with the one you call king of the Jews?” They shouted back, “Crucify him!...” So the soldiers led him into the palace….Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him.… Those who passed by defamed him, (Mark15:1, 12, 16,19, 29)
Jesus, as I read this passage this morning it hits my heart and saddens me how completely alone and abandoned You were in your suffering. The chapter before tells us that when You were arrested, “all the disciples left him and fled.” (Mark 14:50) In this passage everyone else rallies together against you: Chief priests, Elders, experts in the law, the crowds, Pilot, soldiers, passers by, all wanted to humiliate and hurt You, You were completely alone.
All except one man, Simon of Cyrene. “The soldiers forced a passerby to carry his cross, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country” (Mark 15:21) One man stepped out, embraced your cross, entered into your suffering, and walked with you. The passage said he was forced, but he still did it.
Lord help me be Simon today and everyday of my life. Carrying your cross is not be the popular thing to do. Those in the crowd around me (my co-workers, classmates, family, friends neighbors) may ridicule me. Like Simon, honestly in my flesh it may not be what I want to do and it may be way beyond my comfort zone. Walking close with You, I will receive the brunt of people’s anger and get hit in the face by the spit that is intended for You. However today I have to make a choice; will I be like Simon, or will I be like the rest of the crowd. Holy Spirit give me the strength, fill me with love for Jesus and my neighbors, and instill in me a heart of worship to embrace Jesus, embrace His cross, and carry it into a a desperate world that needs its love and redemption.
My family, I pray today you choose to be like Simon and not like the crowds around him or the crowds around you. I pray you step out of your comfort zone, embrace Jesus, carry your cross, and speak the love of Jesus into the crowds today, in Jesus’ name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you my friends!!
Please share your reflections and prayers on my post in the comment box below.
Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
One Direction Community/Toney UMC
Email: garyl@onedirection.community
Website:https://www.onedirection.community
Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC
I could use your financial support as I relationally share the Gospel tothose on the margins God has placed in my path I refuse to walk around. Please partner and support myself and One Direction community through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, PO Box 1293 Madison, Al 35758.
Thank You!
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Be high and lifted up, here in my heart and every moment of my day. ..
"Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, 'Have You no answer? What is it that they testify against You?' But He was silent and did not answer. Again the high priest asked Him, 'Are You the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?' Jesus said, 'I AM; and 'you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power,' and 'coming with the clouds of heaven'" (Mark 14:60-62)
You are the Messiah, the Christ, the Word of God made human flesh like us, to walk among us and willingly lay down Your perfect and sinless life for us as the atoning sacrifice for all our sins that we might know You and live with You forever in the very presence of God. You are I AM (John 8:58; Exodus 3:14).
At that divine declaration, the high priest tore his garments in fleshly exasperation because he didn't believe You. But Your Holy Spirit compels all who would hear and believe to tear our hearts in holy desperation to welcome You in as Lord and Savior. "Yet even now, says the Lord, return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord, your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing" (Joel 2:12-13).
Come into my heart, Lord Jesus! I tear it open to You today! Fill me afresh with Your Holy Spirit. Remind me of Your sacrifice that compels me in Your love. "For God in all His fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through Him God reconciled everything to Himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ's blood on the cross.... As a result, He has brought (us) into His own presence, and (we) are holy and blameless as (we) stand before Him without a single fault. But (we) must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it" (Colossians 1:19-23).
By the grace of God, I'm a child of God, forgiven and free, through all You've done for me. "For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:21). Thank You Jesus! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
My family, in this season of Lent where we set aside time to re-tune our heart to God, I pray you are moved by the Holy Spirit to ago beyond re-tuning you heart and in holy desperation tear open your heart in ever-deeper surrender to the One who loves you and laid down His life for you, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friends!
Please share your reflections and prayers with us in the comment box below.
Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
One Direction Community
Email: garyl@onedirection.community
Website:https://www.onedirection.community
Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC
I could use your financial support In reaching with the Gospel of grace those on the margins God has placed in my path I refuse to walk around. Please partner and support myself and One Direction community through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, PO Box 1293 Madison, Al 35758.
Thank You!
It’s not to late! IF YOU HAVE NOT YET, JOIN IN!!
We started 8 weeks ago beginning the journey of reading through the New Testament in a year and we still have 44 weeks to go! This plan has only one chapter to read each weekday. There are no assigned readings on the weekend. The plan we are using is from Bibleplan.org. Click the button below to go to the site, enter the starting date Sept. 17. 2018, enter your email, and a time you want to receive an email reminder, then click subscribe. Every weekday then you will receive an email reminder of the chapter reading for that day.
Good morning Lord Jesus, I begin my work week put my life in the hands of the one who loved me from the beginning.
Above his head they put the charge against him, which read: “This is Jesus, the king of the Jews…. If he comes down now from the cross, we will believe in him! He trusts in God - let God, if he wants to, deliver him now because he said, ʻI am Godʼs Sonʼ!” (Matthew 27:37,42-43).
There is rich irony in the statements of those who were passing by, "save yourself!" and "come down from the cross!" They wanted Jesus to come down from the cross and save His physical life, but it was indeed His staying on the cross and giving his physical life that led to the fact that they could experience a resurrection from death to life. Those passing by only believed what they saw. All of Jesus’ disciples only believed what they saw and fled and hid themselves. Jesus’ resurrection had not yet occurred in the world and they had no knowledge or faith in what happening before them and what was to come.
However, we who call ourselves “Christians“ have knowledge of the death and resurrection of Jesus and it is at the core of our faith. We also understand that it is only by dying to ourselves that we also can experience resurrection from the dead into eternal life. “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone wants to become my follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 16:24-26)
We too want Jesus to come down from the cross. Because if we truly believe that Jesus had to die on the cross, if we truly believe that it was through suffering that Jesus would redeem the world, then we must truly believe that in order to call ourselves a “Christian”, a follower and imitator of Jesus, we too must also “Trust in God,” we too must also pick up our cross, and we too must also suffer.
Jesus asked His disciples, “Are you able to drink the cup I am about to drink?” (Matthew 20:22). This morning and every morning we are blessed to wake up to be part of another day on earth, as our feet are hitting the floor next to our bed Jesus asks the same questions of us. When was the last time you picked up your cross and suffered for your faith? When was the last time you did something that made you even a little uncomfortable, especially in this Covid world we find ourselves in now, for your faith? What are your plans for cross bearing today?
My family, As we approach the Cross and near the end of season of Lent, I pray you will reflect on your call to be cross bearers and the same irony that is only by you giving giving up the safety and comfort of physical life that you and those you encounter in the world will experience a resurrection from death to life in Jesus name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you my friends!
Please share your reflections and prayers on your reflections from this mornings reading 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
I could use your financial support as I seek to relationally reach with the Gospel those on the margins God has placed in my path I refuse to walk around. Please partner and support myself and One Direction community through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, PO Box 1293 Madison, Al 35758.
Thank You!
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Good Shepherd, I'm listening. ...
"Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps" (Matthew 25:1-4).
My Father God, I thank You for Your Word. "Your Word is a Lamp to my feet and a Light to my path" (Psalm 119:105). And I thank You for the oil of Your Spirit, the Anointing of the Presence of God. "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor" (Luke 4:18; Isaiah 61:1-2). With Your Word and Your Spirit in our hearts, we are the body of Christ here in our world.
And at the same time, I want to be wise with all You've entrusted to me. I don't want to settle for the level oil of Your Holy Spirit I began with in my lamp of Your Word in my heart. I want more -- more of You, more of Your Spirit, more of Your Presence, more of Your heart, more of Your nature, more of Your anointing of Your power and Your love flowing more freely through my life. I want to be being filled with Your Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). I want "a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over!" (Luke 6:38)
So keep making me hungry and thirsty for more. More time in my Bible, more time in prayer, more time in serving others. More time sharing my testimony and Your Gospel with others. Thank You for the promise of Your Word: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" (Matthew 5:6). To be filled I have to be hungry. I want to be one who is filled -- filled up and ready for Your coming, ready to embrace You with my lamp full and my flame burning (Matthew 25:10). May You "fan into flame" the Gift of God within me (2 Timothy 1:6).
One day You'll come again in Your glory in the clouds (1Thessalonians 4:16; Acts 1:11; Revelation 19:11-16). And at the same time, I hunger and thirst for You to come in Your glory here in my heart right now and every moment between this day and that day to comeIn Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
My family, as we journey through Lent on the way to the cross, I pray you take time this morning to fill your lamp so it burns full with a burning flame of God's Word and God's Spirit. I pray you hunger and thirst for more of the anointing presence of God in your life, in Jesus' name! Please pray the same for me. God bless you my friends!
Chapter 25 is an amazing chapter of parables. As we read through these chapters together, I can only share on a verse or two that spoke to me. I pray you will participate and add to what God wants to reveal from these chapters by sharing your reflections and prayers on my 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
I could use your financial support as I relational reach out with the Gospel of grace to those on the margins God has placed in my path I refuse to walk around. Please partner and support myself and One Direction community through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, PO Box 1293 Madison, Al 35758.
Thanks You!
Good morning, Lord Jesus. I worship You and welcome You, here in my heart and every moment of my day -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God. ...
"When it was evening, He took His place with the twelve; and while they were eating, He said, 'Truly I tell you, one of you will betray Me.' And they became greatly distressed and began to say to Him one after another, 'Sure not I, Lord?' He answered, 'The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with Me will betray Me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of Him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born.' Judas, who betrayed Him, said, 'Surely not I, Rabbi?' He replied, 'You have said so'" (Matthew 26:20-25).
Sometimes I wonder what happened to Judas. Did he get too close to the money? (John 6:29) With his hand in Your bowl, did he become presumptuous of his access to Your greatness or begin to take his invitation to Your intimacy and his acceptance of Your grace for granted? Did being one of the “Big Twelve” give him the big head? Or did the seeds of sin and self-seeking sown into his fallen soul finally grow to full harvest in his heart of betrayal? In any event, somehow Satan himself entered his soul to consume his thoughts and influence his choices (Luke 22:3).
You know every choice we will ever make, seeing the end from the beginning and the beginning from the end (Isaiah 46:10). You know every heart and every motive of every choice (Acts 1:24; Jeremiah 17:10). Yet, the choices are ours in the freedom of will that a true relationship of love requires (Joshua 14:15; Deuteronomy 30:14-15; John 7:17).
And what if Judas had made better choices with all that was entrusted to him? Surely Your Word was true of him as It is with us all: "For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope" (Jeremiah 29:11). "As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live" (Ezekiel 33:11).
Judas was not born a traitor, but he "became a traitor" (Luke 6:16). And by the time it was time for Judas to choose blessing or curse, life or death, "the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray (You)" (John 13:2). In the end, "Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place" (Acts 1:25).
But what if instead of becoming "the one destined to be lost," Judas would have humbled himself in repentance and faith, seeking Your healing and freedom of all that would hold him back of being a faithful follower instead of a condemned traitor (John 17:12)? His confession and repentance came too late when finally acknowledged, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood!" (Matthew 27:3) What if he could have become a son of God instead of the "son of perdition" (John 17:12)? What if he was to spill out his heart to lead others to Christ instead of spilling out his guts after hanging himself on a tree (Matthew 27:5; Acts 1:18)? What if even the Book of Jude could have been the Book of Judas, sharing words of encouragement and exhortation from a life that was changed and surrendered to God to fulfill a destiny to honor Christ (Jude 1)?
You are "longsuffering” toward us (all), not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). So before I judge Judas for the speck in his eye, give me a humble and teachable heart to see the log in my own eye (Matthew 7:5). Let me "judge not," so that by the measure I judge I will not also be judged and that very thing come up me (Matthew 7:1). Let me never take my grace for granted or presume upon my place of intimacy with You. Convict me of my sins and keep me sensitive in my heart to the leading of Your Spirit, so that it's never too late to choose well and live well in the destiny You desire for me (Ephesians 1:11). By the power of Your grace, may I grow to be much more like Jesus than Judas (Romans 8:29). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
My family, I pray you you will honestly and openly confess, repent, and be restored of any sin that is festering inside you. I pray you will seek God’s grace and forgiveness and then seek to grow in the grace of God to become more like Jesus every day, in Jesus' name! Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friends!
Please share your reflections and prayers to 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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Isaiah Chapter 33
Most scholars put this chapter in history between the time the Tribute was Sennacherib (2 kings 18:13-16) and when the final attacks on Jerusalem had begun. The leaders of Judah have tried everything to free themselves from the grip of Assyria. But everything they tried failed. Egypt has been defeated, Sennacherib has refused bribes and to be bought off; he took the money, but still remains and is now preparing for battle against them. In this moment, Hezekiah leads his people to repentance and God gives his response which Isaiah records here.
Israel found themselves caught up in a really bad situation that was threatening to destroy them. And they tried everything they could on their own, used all their own strategies, hard work, and resources to get out of it. But it was only as a last resort, after everything else failed, in desperation did they call out to God. Because of a worldly view, pride, ego, and self-reliance, the first thing they should have tried for deliverance and the first person they needed to ask for help, God, was the last thing they tried.
Sound familiar? What was true in the lives of the "church" thousands of years ago is true in the lives of Christians today. We don't like to repent, we don't like to admit we can't fix it, and only in desperation after we have completed messed everything up and find ourselves without hope do we fall on our knees and pray. Only then can we hear God's response.
Also, it took one person, Hezekiah, to stand up and be the spiritual leader and convince the people the need to repent and lead them back to God. You and I need to be that one person in our marriages, families, circle of friends, work places, neighborhoods and especially our churches. We need to be the one to help them see the error of their striving in themselves and seek God's support and direction through prayer, reading the Bible, and gathering with believers for support.
My family, I pray after you read this, you will not just click the "Like" tab on FB, and continue on in your own means, but take some time to put these reflections into action, seek God, and pray over your life. In this season of Lent, reflect on how and with what you are fighting your battles? How you are a “Hezekiah” leading and calling those you have a relationship with and influence over to turn back to God, repent and pray, in Jesus’ name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you my friends!
Please share your thoughts and experiences on fasting in the comment box below.
Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
One Direction Community/Toney UMC
Email: garyl@onedirection.community
Website: https://www.onedirection.community
Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC / Toney UMC
Please commitment to partner and support myself and One Direction community through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, PO Box 1293 Madison, Al 35758. Thank You!
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Isaiah 10
“Those who enact unjust policies are as good as dead,
those who are always instituting unfair regulations,
to keep the poor from getting fair treatment,
and to deprive the oppressed among my people of justice,
so they can steal what widows own,
and loot what belongs to orphans.
What will you do on judgment day,
when destruction arrives from a distant place?
To whom will you run for help?
Where will you leave your wealth?
You will have no place to go, except to kneel with the prisoners,
or to fall among those who have been killed.
Despite all this, his anger does not subside,
and his hand is ready to strike again. “ vs.1-4
I am not a “doom and gloom” preacher. I don’t try to scare people into falling in love with Jesus. I don’t center my messages around judgement. However, as passages like these from Isaiah remind me, there will be a final judgment They speak of a coming reality, I don’t like passages like this one. Congregations do not like passages like these. They don’t preach well and they are not easily swallowed. All things belong to and are under the hand of our creator. We are not entitled to anything. Everything is all a gift of grace. We are only stewards of these gifts for a very short time. And all of us must sooner or later give an account to the creator on how we used and shared these gifts of grace we received. Isaiah says on the “visitation” (judgement) day there will be no help or hiding. One’s position, power, status, wealth, possessions, pensions are all meaningless before the judgment of God. Especially those listed that are gained at the expense of the poor. God’s glory is ultimately for our good. But it has a standard. We either obey his standards and live in his glory, or we deny his standards and die smashing against his glory. For his glory will not me moved.
My family, “To whom much is given, much is required.” (Luke 12:48). I pray during this season of Lent you will reflect on the gifts of grace and light you have received and your heart of generosity towards them and with them. You will have to do it one day in the not so far future, why not do it today? In Jesus’ name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you my friends!
Please share your thoughts and experiences on fasting in the comment box below.
Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
One Direction Community/Toney UMC
Email: garyl@onedirection.community
Website: https://www.onedirection.community
Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC / Toney UMC
Please commitment to partner and support myself and One Direction community through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, PO Box 1293 Madison, Al 35758. Thank You!
CLICK HERE TO GIVE
