"Seated With Christ"

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"Seated With Christ"

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Help me hear Your heart as I watch and wait for the leading of Your Spirit in our morning communion of prayer.  ... 

"But when the fullness of time had come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because (we) are children, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba! Father!' So (we) are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God" (Galatians 4:4-7).

Abba! Father! I cry out to You from my heart as a child of God, an heir of God in Jesus Christ my Lord. I cry out to You because Your Spirit moves in me to lift up my eyes to You, to open up my heart to You. And You lift me up into the heavenly realms of Your truth and Your Presence, where I know that I am in Christ and Christ is in me, where I'm seated far above everything that would try to steal my sense of identity and destiny, my hope and faith, my peace and joy, at the very right hand of God my Father.

 "But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which He loved us even when we were dead though our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace (we) have been saved--and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:4-7). 

Through the blood of Jesus, I'm forgiven and free. By the ever-abiding Presence of the Holy Spirit, I'm filled the assurance my salvation and my identity as a beloved child of God, created to live out my life now and forever in the intimate, personal relationship with the One who created me and loves me as a son of God. I'm a son, not a slave; I'm a friend of God, not merely a servant (John 15:15).

Empower me to know my identity and live out my destiny today, rejecting every false identity the world, the flesh, and the devil would try to offer me. Today and everyday, I'm a child of the one true King. Lord Jesus, You are the "King of kings and Lord of lords" (Revelation 19:16). You are my King and Lord. And I welcome You as "the King of glory" to come in to my heart today and every day (Psalm 24:7). In Jesus' name I pray.

My family, I pray that with the ever-abiding Presence of God's Holy Spirit abiding in your heart, you cry out Abba! Father! I pray you may always know in your heart and be content in your identity as a child of the one true King. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friends!

Please share with me and others your reflections and what God is speaking to you from todays reading 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!  

 


 

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"Clothed in Christ"

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"Clothed in Christ"

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Speak into my heart; lead me in the way that leads to Life. You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. ...

“For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” (Galatians 3:26-27)

You are my "white garments." You are my "robe of righteousness" (Isaiah 61:10). Because I abide in You and You abide in me by the Spirit of Christ within me, I am clothed with Christ. In Christ, my name is in Your Book; and in Your Book it says I am one who is empowered to overcome.  

 "He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels" (Revelation 3:5).

You've called me and equipped me and empowered me to overcome. By the power of the grace of God at work within me to will what is right and to do what is right, I am an overcomer. I'm in a personal, powerful, passionate relationship with the One who has overcome the world, and so by the grace of God. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13). Thank You, Jesus! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

My family, In this time of Marvel Avenger’s movies and super heroes,  I pray you when you look at yourself in the mirror you will see that you are a “spiritual super hero.” That you are clothed in Christ, clothed in the armor of God that “the ruler of the world” and those entities aligned against God see and fear. I pray you may know and experience the power of God within you to overcome all that may ever come against you. You are more than a conqueror in Christ (Romans 8:37). 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

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!  

 

 

 

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"Christ Lives In Me"

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"Christ Lives In Me"

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Abide in me, as I abide in You; come into my heart, as I give my heart to You; be Lord of my life, as I acknowledge You as Lord of all.  ...

"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Galatians 2:19-21).

Live in me today, Lord Jesus. Keep forming me into Your image; keep conforming me into Your character; keep transforming me into Your nature. 

It is the desire of the whole triune of God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit that to transform mr completely into the image of Jesus the Christ. To completely transform my mind, heart, will and emotions and my very soul into the fourth member of the trinity. The Bible is full verses that state this desire and hope. Through your Holy Spirit living ing me You're changing me from the inside out to have "the mind of Christ" (1 Corinthians 2:16), to "bear the name of Christ" (Mark 9:41), to be filled with "the Spirit of Christ" (Romans 8:9), "sharing in the blood of Christ (1 Corinthians 10:16), "sharing in the body of Christ" (1 Corinthians 10:16), releasing the "aroma of Christ" (2 Corinthians 2:15), urged on by "the love of Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:14), steadfast in "the truth of Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:10), living each day in "the grace of Christ" (Galatians 1:6), sharing "the gospel of Christ" (Philippians 1:27), joining my fellow workers and servants as "partners of Christ" (Hebrews 3:14), seeking to be "a faithful minister of Christ" (Colossians 1:7), letting the "peace of Christ" dwell in my heart (Colossians 3:15) and the "word of Christ" dwell in my spirit (Colossians 3:16), empowering me to be "crucified with Christ" so I can live my "life in Christ" more and more each day (1 Corinthians 1:30). As You are, so I am to be in my world (1 John 4:17). And I could go on and on.

I was created for this and called to this, you were created and called for this -- to be "conformed to the image of (Jesus Christ)" (Romans 8:29). Everything I do, everything I encounter, everything I overcome, and everything I become is for this purpose -- for You to make me more like You each day. Every choice and challengeAs I begin this new week and throughout every moment of my day is an opportunity for me to grow "to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ" as I "grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ" (Ephesians 4:11-16). I can't do this, but "the One who calls (me) is faithful, and He will do this" (1 Thessalonians 5:24). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

My family, I pray you begin this day and week with the complete understanding of what the love and grace of the The Father, Son and Holy Spirit desires you to became and wants to help you become. I pray you prioritize and set aside time daily for to spend in your Bible, on your knees in prayer, and in accountability with others more and more every day, growing up into Christ, into the full measure of the stature of Christ, I pray you desire that it is no longer you who live but Christ who lives in you, in Jesus' name! 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!  

 


 

 

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"Are You Being Deceived?"

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"Are You Being Deceived?"

Good morning Jesus, my rock and my redeemer.  I come to you this morning in a heart posture of worship.

“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are following a different gospel - not that there really is another gospel, but there are some who are disturbing you and wanting to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we (or an angel from heaven) should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be condemned to hell! As we have said before, and now I say again, if any one is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let him be condemned to hell!” (Galatians 1:6-10)

The apostle solemnly denounces, as accursed, every one who attempts to lay so false a foundation. All other gospels other than that of the grace of Christ, whether more flattering to self-righteous pride, more favorable to worldly lusts, more preferable to current lifestyles, or simply based on religious traditions are devices of Satan. Even if from an Angel whose authority is the highest possible next to that of God and Christ. A new revelation, even though seemingly accompanied by miracles, is not to be received if it contradict the already existing revelation. For God cannot contradict Himself

“The arrival of the lawless one will be by Satanʼs working with all kinds of miracles and signs and false wonders, and with every kind of evil deception directed against those who are perishing, because they found no place in their hearts for the truth so as to be saved“ (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10).  “For false messiahs and false prophets more preferable to will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect” (Mat 24:24)  “Suppose a prophet or one who foretells by dreams should appear among you and show you a sign or wonder, and the sign or wonder should come to pass concerning what he said to you, namely, “Let us follow other gods” - gods whom you have not previously known - “and let us serve them.” You must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer, for the Lord your God will be testing you to see if you love him with all your mind and being.” (Deuteronomy 13:1-3)

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the foundation on which your salvation and faith is built upon.  Knowing this Gospel, Understanding this Gospel, and being able to share this gospel is a basic necessity of all who call themselves Christians.   Yet I am amazed at how many Christians I encounter, Christians who have attended churches for 5, 10, 20 years or more that can’t do this basic necessity of their faith, share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Believers that when asked to share the Gospel that they supposedly believe in, get “deer in the headlight” expressions on their face! The Gospel is what saved them, redeemed them ,and is at the very core of their faith and something they should be able to share within the first week or so of coming to Christ! If Christians can not share this basic Gospel with others, then obviously they will not be sharing it with others, and I believe it is major reason why our churches are declining. Churches do not grow by pastors sharing the Gospel from pulpits on Sunday mornings. Churches grow by its members sharing the Gospel at their place of employment, to their classmates, neighbors and friends Monday-Saturday.

Do you know the Gospel of Jesus Christ?  If someone were to ask you to explain to them the basic Gospel of your faith from creation through the resurrection are you comfortable, confident and excited to do it?  As importantly, if someone where to share with you a gospel, even if it were accompanied by a miraculous act, could you discern if it was a false gospel? Have you asked of them and do you know the gospel being taught by your church, its leaders and your pastor?  Is it the Gospel of the grace of Christ? 

My family, the Gospel of grace in Jesus Christ is at the core of your salvation and faith.  I pray you commit time in your Bible, in prayer, and in study to come to a solid understanding of the Gospel so you have a true foundation on which both to build your faith, and from which to share your faith with those around you, and not be false prophets and Satan’s workings, 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

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!  

 


 

 

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Communion With the Spirit

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Communion With the Spirit


Good morning, Lord Jesus. Put Your thoughts in my mind and Your desires in my heart. Make me more like You today.  

"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you" (2 Corinthians 13:13).

Lord, out of Your grace and Your love, help me learn to live more deeply in the communion of Your Spirit. Help me truly trust You to be alive and at work within me, to guide me and empower me in the ways that lead to life throughout the moments of my day. "For it is God who is at work in (me), enabling (me) both to will and to work for His good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13).

So come, Holy Spirit. You are welcome in this place; You are welcome within me. Come commune with me, come fellowship with me. Come be at work within me to will what is right and to do what is right, by the power of Your grace and Your love at work within me, O Lord, my God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

My family, I pray you will deeply surrender and abide in the communion of the Holy Spirit through the grace and love of God, allowing the Lord to empower You from the inside out to will what is right and to do what is right, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friends!

Please share your reflections and prayers in the comment box below.

Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower

One Direction Community

Email: garyl@onedirection.community

Website: https://www.onedirection.community

Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC

Please begin 2020 by a commitment to partner and support myself and One Direction community through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, PO Box 1293 Madison, Al 35758.   

Thank You!


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"Healed and Free"

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"Healed and Free"

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Help me start my day embraced by my Father, centered in Christ, and filled with Your Holy Spirit.  ...

"He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.' So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

I have had many request for prayer this weak for various illnesses, anxieties, spousal issues, cancer and others.  Jesus, whenever we feel sick, You are our Healer. Whenever we feel discouraged, You are our Encourager. Whenever we feel attacked, You are our Defender. Whenever  we feel weary, You are our Strength. You're with us through it all and none of that will have the last word over us.  The power of Your Presence dwelling in us is all we need to endure until we overcome in Your all-sufficient grace.

"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us" (Romans 8:36). "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13). "Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!" (1 Corinthians 15:57)

Lord, as You know, I have been praying for friends and loved ones who have not felt well or or are under some kind of attach in recent days. But You've been with them through it all, you have been standing by their side and abiding in their heart. I pray Lord You're already taken upon Yourself everything that would try to take hold of them, that they could be healed and whole and free (Isaiah 53:4-6 fulfilled by Christ in Matthew 8:17). So by the power of Your grace at work within them, I come into agreement and alignment with Your Word that will not return void and will accomplish Your good will for them. (Isaiah 55:11). Your will and Your plans for us are always good (Jeremiah 29:11). So I thank You now for what You've already done and all these good things of Your good will that we will see come to pass (Mark 11:24). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

My family, I earnestly pray this morning you are strengthened and encouraged, healed and free, thanking God now for all He has done and will help you to see and embrace in His good will for you, in Jesus' name! Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friends! 

 

Please share your thoughts and reflections in the comment box below.

Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower

One Direction Community

Email: garyl@onedirection.community

Website: https://www.onedirection.community

Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC 

 

I could use your financial support for One Direction Community, my family, and those on the margins God has placed in my path I refuse to walk around.  Please 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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"Let's Wage War"

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"Let's Wage War"

Good morning, Lord Jesus. You are One with the Father and One with the Holy Spirit. And by the grace of God and the mystery of faith, You desire to be One within me (John 17:21). I wait now for Your leading in these morning moments of communion in prayer.   

"Indeed, we live as human beings, but we do not wage war according to human standards; for the weapons of our warfare are not merely human, but they have power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every proud obstacle raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).

 As I read this passage I was reminded of the movie, “War Room.” It wasn't about wars fought with rifles and tanks in foreign lands. No, it was about the war we fight much closer to home for hearts and souls, including our own, in the spiritual realm interwoven with our lives every day. We don't fight this war in the air, land, and sea. We fight this war on our knees. We fight this war in prayer.

And whether our "war room" is in a closet or on a tractor or behind a desk or walking down the sidewalk or in our favorite prayer chair where we seem to hear You the best, we wage our war in the heavenly dimensions of the spiritual realm. "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12 NKJV). This is "the good fight of the faith" (1 Timothy 6:12). This faith is in You with faith to believe that in whatever battle we face for ourselves for others, the victory is won through the cross and the blood of Christ (Colossians 2:15). 

This morning I sit in my living room, war room spending time inThe Bible prayers writing this devotion. Here, In my war room of intimacy and worship and prayer, I seek Your face and listen for Your voice, to seek to see what You're doing and hear what You're saying, so I can agree in prayer according to Your divine strategies and Your Father’s heart (John 5:19). In this place, Your Holy Spirit helps me hear and obey the battle plans and high commands of "the Commander of the army of the Lord" (Joshua 5:15).

In the war room of the Spirit, teach me and empower me to fight and to win, to come into agreement with the victory You've already won.  Empower me as I fight for my marriage, the souls of my children, my family and my domain. Empower me to fight for my community and nation, for my identity and destiny, for my church and The Church, and for all Your Spirit moves in my spirit to pray according the will of God (Romans 8:26-27). From this place in You, I cry out like David, "Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle; my rock and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me!" (Psalm 144:1-2) And from this place in You, I embrace Your promise and proclaim Your victory over my spiritual enemy:  "The God of peace will shortly crush Satan under (my) feet!" (Romans 16:20) In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

My family, I pray you will prioritize time spent in your war room of intimacy and worship and prayer in the Spirit so you may see mighty victories in the mighty name of Jesus from, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friends!

Please share with me and others your reflections and what God is speaking to you from todays reading 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!  

 


 

 

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"Overflowing Grace"

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"Overflowing Grace"

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.  ...

Yesterday God directed my reflection towards being generous.  This morning He directed my reflection towards generosity again.  God is really wants to impress this into my heart.

“And God is able to make all grace overflow to you so that because you have enough of everything in every way at all times, you will overflow in every good work. Just as it is written, “He has scattered widely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness remains forever.” Now God who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your supply of seed and will cause the harvest of your righteousness to grow” (2 Corinthians 9:8-10)

"No good thing does the Lord withhold from those who walk uprightly" (Psalm 85:11). 

You are not stingy. You are not controlling or distant in Your compassion and care. You are not cheap or manipulative with Your blessings of grace and lavishing of love. It's not in Your heart to hold back or withhold any of Your good things. You are a good and generous Father who loves to "give good gifts" to Your children (Matthew 7:11).

You are a "God (who) is able to provide (us) with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, (we) may share abundantly in every good work.... He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply (our) seed for sowing and increase the harvest of (our) righteousness" (2 Corinthians 9:8-10).

Lord, make me more generous like You. Give me the grace of "great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God" (2 Corinthians 9:11). Make me "a cheerful giver" -- full of joy in receiving and full of joy in giving (2 Corinthians 9:7). 

Give me the grace to think rightly and "walk uprightly" with You. Line up my thoughts with Your thoughts, my heart with Your heart, and my nature with Your nature (Romans 8:29). Set me free from every fear of not having enough. Release me from any hoarding mentality that I need more of anything but you.  Deliver me from every doubt about Your great generosity and covenant commitment to provide abundantly for all I need. And give me greater faith to believe "My God will supply every need of (mine) according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19).

"Now to Him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever!" (Ephesians 3:20) In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

My family, I pray you grow in the grace of knowing the heart of our God who withholds no good thing from us to give us great joy in receiving and then not with holding anything or being stingy live life in the great joy in giving, in Jesus' name! Please pray the same for me! God bless you, my friends

Please share with me and others your reflections and what God is speaking to you from todays reading 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!  

 

 

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"By Your Poverty I became Rich"

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"By Your Poverty I became Rich"

 

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that although he was rich, he became poor for your sakes, so that you by his poverty could become rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:9) 

I was at the Waffle House (WH) talking to a waitress yesterday, I will call her Anna as not to use her real name.  Anna is a good mom to her children.  She shows up to the WH every shift on time, works hard, and cares about her customers.  However, as a single mom raising 3 children, she struggles financially making ends meet, and lives paycheck to paycheck.  Anna needs allot of dental work.  Dentists hove told her she needs close to $10,000 worth of work which she does not have.  Most of her teeth have some sort of decay, and she is constant pain.  A month or so ago as we talked she told me about a program she found that helps people who need major dental work.  They help pay for some on the cost, and then set up a payment plan for the balance.  Anna applied for this program and was excited as she talked and though all the dental work would also be painful, she was so looking forward to have her teeth fixed and not be in constant pain anymore.

When I talked with Anna this morning I could tell something was wrong with her.  She told me that her application for the program for some reason was denied.  She was not sure why, but they would not help her.  I reached out across the counter and held her hands and told her I loved her and how sorry I was.  With sadness on her face and tears in her eyes Anna said thank you, and that she did not know what to do now.     

That night before I went to bed as I brushed my teeth and looked at them, I thought of Anna. And I was saddened.  We live in one of the richest countries in the world, we have to many resources,  we are blessed with the ability to purchase so many things and live comfortably, yet we, including myself do such a terrible job of being generous and distributing this wealth.

Jesus,  You Word tells me about your heart and your generosity with your resources and wealth.  It tells me “I should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had,

who though he existed in the form of God did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped, but emptied himself by taking on the form of a slave,” 9Philippians 2:5-7)

If anyone could have an “entitlement attitude” that I work hard, I earned this, I deserve this, I am entitled to this and this is mine, it is you Jesus.  For you are worthy of it all.  But you did not.  You resisted the temptation of comfort and entitlement, you became a slave, gave all and emptied yourself out of love for others, including me. Jesus, you modeled for me and gave me a tangible example that I am to deny the temptation that I am entitled to anything, and love and give with extreme generosity.  If I claim to be your disciple, and to want to follow you and model my life after you, help me Lord to empty myself and my feelings of entitlement and love and be generous as you are.

My family, I pray today you will join me and reflect on your level of gratitude, feelings of entitlement and amount of generosity, in Jesus’ name.  Please pray the same for me.  God HAS blessed you my friends!

    

 Please share with me and others your reflections and what God is speaking to you from todays reading 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!  

CLICK HER TO GIVE

 

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"The Church"

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"The Church"

Lord I seek you this morning as my source of love, grace and mercy.

 “I am overflowing with joy in the midst of all our suffering. For even when we came into Macedonia, our body had no rest at all, but we were troubled in every way - struggles from the outside, fears from within.” (2 Corinthians 7:4-5) 

Last year, 54 nations scored high enough to register “very high” persecution levels on Open Doors’s 84-question matrix. This year, for the first time in over 30 years of tracking, over 60 nations qualified. The listed nations contain over 360 million Christians living in places with very high or extreme levels of persecution, up from 340 million in last year’s list. Every day, 12 churches or Christian buildings are attacked. And every day, 12 Christians are unjustly arrested or imprisoned, and another 5 are abducted. And these Christians are all sons and daughters, grandparents and grandchildren, spouses and friends, neighbors and co-workers, just like you and me..  Jesus, you remind me this morning that there is not the “persecuted” church over seas and the “un persecuted” church over here, there is just The Church.   Your prayer to the Father for us as the church and the family of God was, “So that they may be one just as we are one.” (John 17:11).  This, morning, I fall back down on my knees in prayer and mourning with my family members who are being persecuted for their faith.  Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy.  

Jesus, you remind me as I watch the news that we are all connected.  Remind me that there is not a “persecuted church” and “the church”, there is just one church and body. Your salvation was not simply focused on me and love for me, but was one of global focus and love, “For this is the way God loved the world” (John 3:16). You remind me that my salvation I live out today, my holiness is a social holiness, that we are connected, and I cant rejoice completely in my salvation while my brothers and sisters are suffering around the world, and in my communities.  Lord help strive to restore and live out the complete joy of my salvation by helping those who are suffering in theirs, or have not yet entered into a saving relationship with Christ. 

My family, I pray today the global implications of “For God so loved the world” reminds you of your connectedness with your brothers and sisters in Christ around the world and in your community.  I pray your prayers expand today with a global perspective for The Church to which we are all called to be one with, In Jesus’ name.  Please pray the same for me.  God Bless you my friends!

Please share with me and others your reflections and what God is speaking to you from todays reading 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.

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"The Now of My Salvation"

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"The Now of My Salvation"

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I speak out Your name and listen for Your voice, my Good Shepherd.  

"As we work together with Him, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. For He says, 'At an acceptable time I have listened to you, and on a day of salvation I have helped you.' See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation!" (2 Corinthians 6:1-2)

Teach me how to live more fully into the "now" of my salvation and into the "now" of time. Help me "see" and believe and embrace that "now is the acceptable time" and "now is the day of salvation."

If I'm focusing too much on my past -- whether my past failures or my past successes -- I'm not fully living into the "now" of my salvation. If I'm focusing too much on my future -- whether the fears of what is to come or the anticipation of what I hope to come -- I'm not fully living into the "now" of my salvation. 

Of course, there of things of my past that make me who I am and give me a testimony of Your grace in my life, but I'm not to overly dwellon my past. And of course, there are things yet to come where I do need to plan and anticipate and even dream about with expectant faith, but I'm not to overly dwellon my future either. If I do, I'm in danger of missing out on all that You have for me "now" and all that You have for those to be influenced by You through my life "now."

  Yes, Your promises are Yes and Amen today and every day forever (2 Corinthians 1:20). And Yes, You provide all that I need by the power of Your grace for me to fully live into all You've ordained for me each day, while it is still called "Today" in the "now" of my salvation. "Today (I) have obtained the Lord's agreement:  to be (my) God; and for (me) to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, and His ordinances, and to obey Him. Today the Lord has obtained (my) agreement:  to be (part of) His treasured people, as He promised (me), and to keep His commandments: for Him to set (me) high above all nations that He has made in praise and in fame and in honor; and for (me) to be (part of) a people holy to the Lord (my) God, as He promised" (Deuteronomy 26:17-19).

Lord, I thank You for my past and for my future, for all You've done and all You're going to do. And at the same time, I thank You for the power of Your grace to more fully live into the "now" of my salvation today -- not missing out on anything You have for me by overly dwelling on the my past or my future, but living fully "alive in Christ" each day (1 Corinthians 15:22). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

My family, I pray you live more fully into the "now" of your salvation each day, including today, in the power God's grace at work and alive in you, in Jesus' name! Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friends!

Please share your thoughts and reflections in the comment box below.

 

Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower

One Direction Community

Email: garyl@onedirection.community

Website:https://www.onedirection.community

Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC 

I could use your financial support for One Direction Community, my family, and those on the margins God has placed in my path I refuse to walk around. Please partner and support myself and One Direction community through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, PO Box 1293 Madison, Al 35758.  

Thank You!

 

 

 

 

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"Well Known To God"

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"Well Known To God"

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Be at the center of my heart and every moment of my day.  ...

"Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we try to persuade others; but we ourselves are well known to God, and I hope that we are also well known to your consciences.... For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. And He died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died and was raised for them" (2 Corinthians 5:11-15).

We are "well known to God." And You know well the plans You have for me and each one of Your children (Jeremiah 29:11).  ...

My Father, You know all about me. You've created me and saved me. You've loved me and corrected me. You've called me and anointed me, encouraged me and inspired me, equipped me and empowered me. You always go before me and You're always with me. You know every hair on my head and every hurt in my heart. You know every step that I'll take and every misstep I've taken. And yet You love me with "an everlasting love" (Isaiah 54:8).

The Bible says there came a time when "the Lord was sorry that He had made humankind on the earth, and it grieved Him to His heart" (Genesis 6:6). I know I've grieved You to Your heart at times. I wonder if You were ever sorry You made me.  ...

But even as I write those words here in my devotion, I immediately hear You speaking to my heart. It seems I hear You saying: "No, My son. I chose to create you and never forsake you, even as I have chosen each one of My children. You are created in My image, but destined to struggle through your issues on your spiritual journey to maturity in Me. When you stumble and fall, when you falter or fail, I still love you and help you and even cause you to become more desperately dependent upon Me so that I can display My glory more completely through you. This is My way. This is My will -- that My children learn to trust Me and love Me and know My love for them on their journey to learn to love in the time they have on this earth."

Yes, Lord. "For this is the will of God, (my) sanctification" (1 Thessalonians 4:3). You desire that I would "not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of (my) mind, so that (I) may discern what is the will of God -- what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Romans 12:2). 

Though humankind grieved You, at the same time "Noah found favor in the sight of the Lord" (Genesis 6:8). And by the power of Your grace through sacrifice of Christ, we are Your children who find favor in Your sight, despite all our sins and failures and all that grieves Your heart with us. "If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation:  everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ, and has given us this ministry  of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us" (2 Corinthians 5:17-19). In Christ, we are the message -- through our changes hearts and changed lives by the power of the grace of God at work within us! "So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making Hi appeal through us" (2 Corinthians 5:20).

You want to bring me to the place here in my heart and soul where I am free to no longer live for myself, but live for You (2 Corinthians 5:15). And in living for You and allowing You to live in me, I am becoming more like You. "Anyone united to the Lord becomes one Spirit with Him" (1 Corinthians 6:17). This is the way of life and the will of God You've chosen for me and every one of us. "God sent His only Son into the world so that we might live through Him" (1 John 4:9). "As He is, so are we in this world" (1 John 4:17). Lord, in desperate dependence upon You alone -- upon the One who knows me well -- make me more like You today, as I learn to love more like You today. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

My family, as we enter into a new week of a new month, I earnestly pray in a new deeper way, without a doubt you realize, you completely understand, and that you truly know how much God loves you and longs to live through you, making you more like Jesus as you learn to love more like Him each day, in Jesus' name! Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friends! 

Please share with me and others your reflections and what God is speaking to you from todays reading 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!  

 


 

 

1 Comment

"Faces of Light"

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"Faces of Light"

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Be at the center of my heart and the center of my day.  

"For it is the God who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us" (2 Corinthians 4:6-7).

Lord Jesus, let Your face shine through my face today!  I welcome you and your light to pierce through my darkness and push back any darkness around me today. Let Your glory overcome my simple clay and Your Spirit consume my flesh to make me more like You today. And let Your power--Your extraordinary power that comes only from You--be made perfect in my weakness, as I rest in Your grace to shine with Your glory. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

My family, I pray you let the light of Christ pierce through your darkness and allow the face of Christ shine through your face every day, in Jesus' name! Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!  

Please share your thoughts and reflections in the comment box below.

 

Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower

One Direction Community

Email: garyl@onedirection.community

Website: https://www.onedirection.community

Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC 

 

I could use your financial support for One Direction Community, my family, and those on the margins God has placed in my path I refuse to walk around.  Please partner and support myself and One Direction community through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, PO Box 1293 Madison, Al 35758.  

Thank You!

 

 

 

 

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"Remove My Veil"

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"Remove My Veil"

Good morning, Lord Jesus. I speak Your name and seek Your nature, as I begin my day embracing Your presence -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God.  ...

"We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so that people of Israel would not see the glory, even though it was destined to fade away. But the people's minds were hardened, and to this day whenever the Old Covenant is being read, the same veil covers their minds so that they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ. Yes, even today when they read Moses' Writings, their hearts are covered with that veil, and they do not understand. But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord -- who is the Spirit -- makes us more and more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image (2 Corinthians 3:13-18 NLT). 

Spirit of the living God, come fall afresh on me, come rise up within me, come awaken me to "see and reflect the glory of the Lord." Come remove the veil of everything that would keep me from seeing and hearing and sensing the presence and power of the Lord, my God. You're the One who "makes (me) more and more like Him" as I am being "changed into His glorious image" -- morning by morning and moment by moment on my daily journey of worship and prayer.

Let my heart be tender and my mind be clear to hear Your voice and sense Your leading. Where my heart has grown hardened or my mind has grown dull through complacency or compromise, through passivity or rebellion, through settling for something less than the fullness of "Christ in (me), the hope of glory," come move again with a passion to persistently pursue the presence and the glory of God (Colossians 1:27). 

May I never stop crying out from my spirit to Your Spirit, from deep to Deep -- every morning and throughout the moments of my day -- "Show me Your glory!" (Exodus 33:18; Psalm 42:7)  Open the eyes of my heart, for as I see You and pursue You, so I seek to become more like You (Ephesians 1:18). As You are, so am I to be, so am I to become -- "changed into Your glorious image" to "see and reflect the glory of the Lord" (1 John 4:17; 2 Corinthians 3:18 NLT). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

My family, As we begin read through God’s Word I pray you will not just read through these chapters and my reflections but take time to allow them to move through and in you.  I pray the Holy Spirit moves and rekindles a fire in your heart. I pray you ask the Holy Spirit to remove your veil this morning and every morning by morning and every moment of your day to passionately, persistently pursue the presence of the Lord and be changed into His image, as you see and reflect the glory of the Lord. I pray you then reject and share the Glory of God in Jesus' name! Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friends!

Please share in the comments box below your reflections from 2 Corinthians Chapter 3, prayers for removing of veils, or how else God leads you.

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!  

 


 

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"Aroma of Christ"

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"Aroma of Christ"

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Your words are spirit and life. Speak to my heart as I listen for Your leading and begin my day in the communion of prayer.  ...

"For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.... For we are not peddlers of God's word ... but in Christ we speak as persons of sincerity, as persons sent from God and standing in His presence" (2 Corinthians 2:15-17). 

Like a fresh, hot loaf of crusty, seasoned bread brought to my table at an Italian restaurant, break open my heart and dip it in the pure annointing oil of Your Holy Spirit. I want to soak in Your words and sit awhile in Your presence. I want to "taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who take refuge in Him" (Psalm 34:8). 

Then I'll be ready to carry the aroma of Christ wherever I go, out into my day. May it be the nature of Your Spirit instead of the nature of my flesh that invites my world into relationship with You -- the God whose presence smells so welcoming and whose words taste so good. "God's kindness is meant to lead (us) to repentance" (Romans 2:4).

Let my words and my heart, throughout the moments of my day, be an expression of Your words and Your heart that You impart to me as I first soak and rest in Your presence in these morning moments of prayer. "Thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads in every place the fragrance that comes from knowing Him!" (2 Corinthians 2:14) In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

My family, I pray the Holy Spirit will soak you in the heart and words of our Father God, then send you out into your day carrying the aroma of Christ everywhere you go, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friends! 

 

Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower

One Direction Community

Email: garyl@onedirection.community

Website:https://www.onedirection.community

Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC

 

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!  

 


 

 

 

Comment

"Stand Firm in Christ"

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"Stand Firm in Christ"

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Be at the center of my heart and the moments of my day.  ...

"It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, and He has identified us as His own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything He has promised us" (2 Corinthians 1:21-22).

Holy Spirit, enable me and empower me to stand firm for Christ today. Free me from the any paralysis of fear or anxiety from situations in the world. Awaken me from my wavering; call me out of my complacency. Set me ablaze with a fiery passion to proclaim the name of Jesus and live into this day in the nature of Jesus. "We (are to) live like Jesus here in this world" (1 John 4:17).

"The Spirit who lives in (us) is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.... We belong to God, and those who know God listen to us. If they do not belong to God, they do not listen to us. That is how we know if someone has the Spirit of truth or the spirit of deception" (1 John 4:4-6). So by the power of Your grace at work within me, the spirit of this world will not intimidate me or silence me or keep me from standing firm in Christ. 

By Your Spirit, I will stand and I will speak and I will shine with the light of Your glory in my heart. It may be through texts, emails, or online that my voice is heard but I will speak your name -- not in my power, but Yours; not in my goodness, but Yours. "For God, who said, 'Let there be light in the darkness,' has made this same light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. We now have this light shining in our hearts" (2 Corinthians 4:6-7). As You keep shining, I will keep standing -- standing firm in Christ. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

My family, I pray that in the power of the Holy Spirit you stand firm for Christ and let the light of the glory of God revealed in the face of Jesus Christ shine through you today into this world that desperately needs your light! In Jesus' name! Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friends!

I shared my insights and prayers from todays passage with you. Please share your insights and prayers with me and others 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

 

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!  

 

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"Stay Alert"

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"Stay Alert"

“Stay alert, stand firm in the faith, show courage, be strong. Everything you do should be done in love….  Greet one another with a holy kiss….The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.” (1 Corinthians 16: 13,20,23) 

This morning we read the last chapter of Paul’s first letter to the church in Corinth and his closing words of encouragement to the church.  I read his words this morning and I apply them to The Church today.  As I read them I wonder how much “staying Alert” is part of the daily life of the average church goer today as they walk out their door to begin another week.  To walk out your door “staying alert” you first have to know, understand, recognize, and watchful of the spiritual warfare and battle you are walking out into.  You have to care enough to “be alert” that you have prepared yourself by intentionally spending time reading Scriptures, in discerning prayer, claiming the presence of the Holy Spirit in you, and time spent in gatherings with other Christians equipping, strengthening, and encouraging yourself and others so you will be prepared and willing to enter into and embrace the darkness, (which is a metaphor for pain) you are alert to see and encounter. 

It is only in such preparations that you can have any chance to “stand firm in the faith.”  It is only in such preparations that you will have the and “show courage” to stand up against any evil, oppression, injustice, hate and have the courage to step out and be the extraordinary love and grace that is required.  It is only in such preparations before you step out your door, (like the required time spent in a gym to become physically strong) that you can “be strong” spiritually and in in your faith.  It is only with such preparation that you can do everything, not some things, not occasionally, but everything you do “be done in love.” 

Paul encourages us today in the church with these same words, “Stay alert, stand firm in the faith, show courage, be strong. Everything you do should be done in love.” Because the situations we see and will encounter in the world if we are “alert” to what is going on around us desperately needs a church that not only sees what’s going on and comments on it in social media posts and in pews, but is prepared and willing to enter into these situations and stand firm in the faith, show courage, be strong, and be the presence of the sacrificial love, hope, and grace of their Lord Jesus Christ whom they claim to follow.  

My family,  I pray you will meditate on and take to heart Paul’s words of encouragement before you walk out your door and begin a new week, in Jesus’ name.  Please pray the same for me.  God bless you my friends!

Please share your reflections or experiences in “saying Alert” 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

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Perishable Body Puts on Imperishability

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Perishable Body Puts on Imperishability

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -- help me sense Your presence, hear Your voice, and follow Your leading, as I begin my day seeking You.  ...

"For this perishable body must put on imperishability, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When this perishable body puts on imperishability, and this mortal body puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will be fulfilled:  'Death has been swallowed up in victory.' 'Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?' This sting of death is sin and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:54-57).

In the past years I have lost family members and dear friends of mine: my mother, my father, my brother-in- law, and some close friends. All were unexpected a few years ago. They passed on from this side of eternity to the next. And in their last breath of their last battle here on this earth, death had no victory and death had no sting. They were delivered through death into eternal life in You, the One who is "the Resurrection and the Life" (John 11:25). Truly they have "fought the good fight" and received his eternal reward in the fullness of Your presence (1 Timothy 4:7; 2 Corinthians 5:8).

So I join with my friend’s families, and families who have lost someone and all who love them dearly to both celebrate their victory and their life in the Spirit with Christ in heaven, even as we also mourn and grieve our loss of their lives here in the flesh with us on earth. Thank You that in You, we do not have to "grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have died" (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14). 

Through Your victory of the resurrection, we will all rejoice with You and with one another again. In that way, even through hard times like this when our hearts are both full of hope and sorrow at the same time, we hold fast to the promise of Your Word, "Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning" (Psalm 30:5). My dear family members and friends are experiencing the healing of the resurrection; and at the same time, we need the comfort of Your resurrection love here in our hearts as we celebrate their victory in You.

Holy Spirit of God, comfort us and strengthen us through the night times and hard times we endure through the battles of this world, as we look forward to that glorious morning to come. "Thank be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!" In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

My family, I pray you are strengthened and comforted through every battle you'll face through the night time, knowing joy comes with the morning in the resurrection love of God in Jesus Christ, in Jesus' name! Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friends!

I shared my insights and prayers from todays passage with you. Please share your insights and prayers with me and others 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

 

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

 

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"Pursue God"

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"Pursue God"

Good morning, Lord Jesus. In worship and prayer, I wait you're your leading as I seek Your face and listen for Your voice -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. ...

"For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known" (1 Corinthians 13:12).

I look forward to the day when I will see You "face to face." Not just a fleeting glimpse, not just a reflection in the corner of my eye, not just an indirect glance as though looking through a dark mirror dimly, but "face to face." My eyes looking directly into Your eyes and Your eyes looking directly into mine. My heart completely unveiled to Your heart and Your heart completely unveiled to mine. Nothing between us, nothing of the sin or shame, the fears or failures, the doubt or unbelief -- but fully present in Your presence. "Face to face."

That day will come. "Se we are always confident; even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord -- for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we do have confidence and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please Him. For all must appear before the judgment seat of Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:6-10).

But before that day comes, You've given us Your Spirit, who moves in our hearts to long for a deeper, more intimate experience of Your presence now. "He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee" (2 Corinthians 5:5). Your Holy Spirit stirs in our human spirits with a longing, yearning hunger for more, "longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling" as we're longing to encounter Your heavenly embrace.

You've created us to seek You, to pursue You, to be willing to settle for nothing less than You. You are drawing us near to experience You as closely as we possibly can in our hearts. Moses experienced you. "The Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to a friend" (Exodus 33:11). Abraham did. "When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said to him, 'I am God Almighty, walk before Me, and be blameless" (Genesis 17:1). Jacob did, even as he sought to wrestle You until You blessed him, saying, "I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved" (Genesis 32:30). Doubting Thomas did, as You changed his doubts into faith in his deeply personal encounter when he cried out the highest declaration of Your Deity in all the Scripture, "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28). Paul did, when You confronted his hardened heart to forever change his life on his Road to Damascus experience (Acts 9:5).

You've put it in our hearts to pursue You and seek You, even to seek Your face, even knowing "No man can see (God) and live" (Exodus 33:2). There's something in us that must die, for us to see You. And there's something You're speaking to us about pursing Your presence when You say, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God" (Matthew 5:8). "Who will ascend the hill of the Lord? And who will stand in His holy place? Those who have clean hands and pure hearts.... They will receive blessing from the Lord.... Such is the company of those who seek Him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob" (Psalm 24:3-6).

I don't yet understand how it all fits together -- how I'm stirred to seek Your face and pursue Your presence, as those before me have, while yet no one can see God and live. Right now, on the one hand, I can only know in part (1 Corinthian 13:9) and "see in a mirror, dimly" (1 Corinthians 13:12). But on the other hand, at the same time, I'm moved to passionately pursue You as deeply, as personally, as intimately as I can on this side of heaven, as with the heart of David: "One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple... I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living" (Psalm 27:4-13). By the grace of God, I will settle for nothing less. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

My family, may you settle for nothing less in your passionately pursuit of the Lord than the most intimate encounter you can have with Him on this side of heaven, in Jesus name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friends!           

Please share your reflections or experiences on silence and prayer 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

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"Gifts of God in me"

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"Gifts of God in me"

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Lead me by the heart into Your will for my life today.  

“Now you are Christʼs body, and each of you is a member of it. And God has placed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, gifts of healing, helps, gifts of leadership, different kinds of tongues” (1Corinthians 12:27-28) 

Father, You've given me the gift of Your Holy Spirit. And at the same time, along with each of Your children, You've given me spiritual gifts to express Your heart and dimensions of Your nature through my life as Your son (1 Corinthians 12:7). 

"Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders. Put these things into practice, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress" (1 Timothy 4:14-15).

Stir up Your gifts within me; fan them into flame, as You "rekindle the gift of God that is within (me)" (2 Timothy 1:6). Let them flow out of a secure and confident identity in You as a child of God, called by God and gifted by God, with Your good gifts bearing Your good fruit through my life for the glory of Your good name (John 15:5). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

My family, I pray that our great God will stir up and fan into flame His good gifts within you to display the glory of His name through your life today. 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

Email: garyl@onedirection.community

Website:https://www.onedirection.community

Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC

 

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