Good morning Lord Jesus, I simply want to thank you this morning for your unconditional love for me.
This morning I am sharing with you a reflection of a friend of mine, Matt Holiday. He shared this reflection, and when I read it this morning it became the focus of my devotion time this morning. I pray it will be something you reflect on today as well.
One of my very best friends lost his son recently. His son was 35. I attended the funeral service and heard the family preacher speak during the beginning. He spoke very honestly about how the son had battled with sin. He also spoke very honestly how he too battled with sin. He then said, if we were honest that all of us there too battle with some type of sin or addiction. I do believe that to be true.
I love this 35 year old son of my good friend. I am grateful that he knew Jesus before he started his battle, during his battle and now that he is with Jesus, that his battle is over. I am grateful that the family of this 35 year old son, brother, father, have a deep love for Jesus and that they will be carried through this time of grief. I am certain they will grow closer to the one who has paid for all of our sins, who sits at the right hand of God the Father and is our advocate before His throne of Grace. By the time this preacher had finished speaking, I felt I couldn't stay any longer because I was struggling to breathe from how hard I needed to cry. So I did leave. I hope and pray no one was offended by that. I don't breathe well and I was concerned that I might need help.
But the reason for this post is not about that. It's to reach out to whoever is reading this to say that we have a Savior who knows ALL of your struggles and sympathizes with you before you ever have them. And there isn't ANY sin that HE doesn't know about and hasn't already atoned for. And what EVER IT is, His grace is sufficient. His grace is INFINITE. His mercy is INFINITE. His forgiveness is INFINITE. His love is INFINITE. The only sin He cannot forgive, is simply rejecting Him. If you need help with your battle, He knew about it and won it for you on the cross. You are forgiven, if you have called upon His name to save you. And you are free from your battle. You are not free to sin because of His Grace, you are free from your sin because of His grace. Therefore, free to NOT keep doing whatever THAT is. FREE!
Read Romans 8:1. "Therefore, there is now NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." He said right before He died on the cross, "It is finished" for that reason. We are not saved by our good works. We are saved by His grace for HIS good works. We are free to put away whatever our battle is. He may not take away the temptation, but He is greater than ANY temptation. EVERY time. I love the peace I feel when I get to say, "Thank you Jesus that I did not do THAT today". We never have to worry about keeping it real or honest with Jesus. And He will never be anything but that with us. I love what Dana and I heard David Jeremiah say recently. It's okay to tell God about your problems, but maybe we ought to tell our problems about God. And then we'd realize how much greater He is than ANY problem we may have. INFINTELY greater. Please pray for my dear friend who I love so much as well as his family. My friend is such a truly "big hearted" man.
My family, I pray as you read this reflection you also come to the understanding that there is no condemnation at all of you by Jesus That you are free to share with Himall your struggles, as he knows them already. I pray today you take time to “ge real” with Jesus, and allow Him to be real with His love and grace with you. I pray you will seek out a trusted brother or sister and openly be real with your struggles with them, in Jesus name. Please pray the same for me.
God bless you my friends!
Please share your comments and reflections on my post in the comment box below.
Resolve to Help in 2023
I want to ask you to resolve this year in partnering with my wife, myself, and One Direction Community by supporting our ministries! We begin a new season of our ministry of pouring completely into planting and growing simple house churches in our neighborhoods, and having “boots on the ground” serving in our community.. Please pray over this. If you click on the link below you can easily set up a weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly auto donations in the amount you desire. . We would be so grateful for your help. You can also give a one-time donation on the same link. Thank you!
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Discipleship Training.
One of my passions is helping churches or small groups understand and embrace their call to be disciples of Jesus in their community. I offer and lead discipleship trainings in person and on-line. If you are interested I would love to talk to you bout it. Email me at garyl@onedirection.community.
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Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
One Direction Community
Email: garyl@onedirection.community
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