Good morning, Lord Jesus. In Your grace and from Your embrace, I seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness, as I begin my day in the intimacy of Your Presence - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God.
"Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue ... and others from Cilicia and Asia, stood up and argued with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke" (Acts 6:8-9).
I love the story of Stephen because he was like you and me and we can be encouraged from him. Stephen was not one of the 12 apostles; he was simply like you and I, a servant of Jesus. He was not a learned scholar; he was a student of the faith. He was just a person who sought to live his life in "good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom ... a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit" (v. 6:3-5). Yet the Holy Spirit anointed him and empowered him, and did "great wonders and signs" through him. And the Holy Spirit desires to do the same through every one of us in the authority of the name of Jesus and the power of the Spirit -- "through those who believe" (Mark 16:17-18).
Father God, lay Your hands upon me today. Fill me afresh with Your Holy Spirit today. With the authority of the name of Jesus in my words and the nature of Jesus growing in my heart, do great wonders and signs of Your love and grace through my life. Just like Stephen, I'm Your servant and I'm Your son -- a child of God, being filled up to overflowing with the same power and the same nature that raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 8:11). Display the glory of Your power and love, Your wisdom and grace, through me today -- "Christ in (me), the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
My family, I pray this morning as a new week begins you will ask the Holy Spirit to be filled afresh with his Spirit, full of Jesus’ love, full of God's grace and power so you can be used by the Father to display His glory, His great wonders and signs, through your life today, in Jesus' name! Please pray the same of 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
Help us continue our ministries to those “no one else wants” in our community by giving a one-time gift or monthly financial gift by clicking link below. Donations by checks can be made out to "ODC" and mailed to: One Direction Community, PO Box 1293 Madison, Al 35758
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Your sheep hear Your voice, so I call on Your name and listen for Your leading.
"Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distress; He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad because they had quiet, and He brought them to their desired haven" (Psalm 107:28-30).
I watched the news this morning of hurricane Milton to hit Florida yesterday. Though the hurricane has passed, the rains remains, the rivers are rising in what they're catastrophic flooding and there is major damage. Thousands are stranded and wait for rescue. A million people were without power. Thousands more now wonder how they will rebuild and move on. While I'm thankful that we were not impacted in our community, I'm moved with compassion and stirred to intercession for all who were and for all who long for this nightmare to be over.
So I join with every heart crying out to You, calling on Your name, and seeking Your help. Lord, dry up the rains, push back the clouds, clear up the skies, and send forth Your word. Bring provision and protection for all who are in need. Send out Your angels and send out Your servants to be Your hands and Your heart.
You've stilled the storm and hushed the waves, now be our Rescue and our Refuge for all who are crying out in distress. We need You now in our hour of need. And we thank You now for every way we will see You come through and bring each soul "to their desired haven.
We set aside our pride and humble our hearts to be desperately dependent upon You alone. You are our Rock and our Refuge. Be our Strong Tower, our Mighty God, as we call on Your name. "Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in You my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge, until the destroying storms pass by" (Psalm 57:1). May our prayers of urgency become prayers of consistency, as we continue to keep our hearts humble and our faith strong before the One who is our only true and lasting Hope, come hell or high water. In Jesus’ name I pray.
My family, I pray you'll be rescued and comforted if you're in distress and that you'll be moved to intercession for all who are. Please join me in prayer for all who are suffering in the wake of this hurricane. 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!
Please share your thoughts 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
Give A Gift!
I could use your 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 YouI!
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Lead my heart, renew my mind, and guide my steps in the way, the truth, and the life of Christ today.
"I waited patiently for the Lord; He inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the desolate pit, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.... Do not, O Lord, withhold Your mercy from me; let Your steadfast love and Your faithfulness keep me safe forever.... Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me; O Lord, make haste to help me.... As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God!" (Psalm 40:1-17)
O Lord, our God, hear our cry. Hear the cry of every soul whose patience is running thin and whose faith is growing weary. Reach down into their pit of despair and lift them out of the miry bog of confusion and disillusionment. Set their feet on the solid ground of the assurance of Your presence, Your protection, and Your provision. Bring order out of their chaos and hope to their hearts.
O God, hear! O God, act! O God, come in Your power and love in both Your supernatural miracles and in Your Spirit-led people, reaching out to the hurting and taking hold of the helpless, to weather this storm and rebuild their lives in You. We need Your hope! We need Your help! "You are (our) Help and (our) Deliverer; do not delay, O (our) God! (v. 17) In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
My family, I pray in agreement with you and all who are led to join us in prayer by the Holy Spirit over those affected by Hurricane Helene and those who now find themselves in the path of Hurricane Milton in Florid.. Many of us have vacationed along these beautiful coasts and have family memories that were made on their beaches. Let’s together pray for all who are suffering in the wake of these storms that they 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. And may these terrible storms be turned into a great harvest. God bless you, my friends!
Please share your thoughts 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
Give A Gift!
I could use your 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 YouI!
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Lead me in the way of life in You today. ...
Last week as I sat on the shore of the ocean one morning, with the vastness of God and His presence everywhere and anywhere on earth came into my mind. Sitting on the beach, with it’s billions of grains of sand, I am in a way like one of the billions of grains of people on this planet. And even though You God have a world view of salvation, “God So loved the World” you also desire a deep personal connection with me.
The truth is: "O Lord, You have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I'm far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. You place Your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand! I can never escape from Your Spirit! I can never get away from Your Presence! If I go up to heaven, You are there; if I god down to the grave, You are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there You hand will guide me, and Your strength will support me. I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night -- but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you.... And when I wake up, You are still with me!" (Psalm 139:18 NLT)"I bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me. I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me. No wonder my heart is glad and I rejoice. My body rests in safety. For You will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your holy one to rot in the grave. You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of Your Presence the pleasures of living with You forever!" (Psalm 16:7-11)
You are "right beside me." ...
What if I were to live my life believing that was true? ...
What if I were to live this day believing that was true? ...
If I truly believed You were right beside me, would I make different choices throughout the moment of my day. Would I be more secure and confident? Would I be more careful and diligent? Would I be more honest and faithful? Would I be afraid in the fear of the Lord or would I be fearless in the certainty of my Savior?
The truth is You are right beside me. Always (Matthew 28:20). You never leave me (Hebrews 13:5). In fact, You are within me by the indwelling of Your very Spirit (Colossians 1:27; 1 Corinthians 3:16). You always know every thought in my mind and every desire in my heart. I couldn't hide from You if I tried. They don't make fig leaves that big anymore!
So no matter how it makes me feel or act, You are "right beside me" regardless. And in the light of that eternal truth, give me grace to live my life each day with a deeper awareness of that truth and Your Presence. It's a good thing. No, it's a great thing. In fact, it's a grace thing that I could never earn and never deserve, but only receive as the great gift of God that it is -- the gift of the ever-abiding Presence of my God who loves me and likes being with me!
Thank You, Lord! Help me learn to appreciate You and Your Presence more. Thank You for being "right beside me" every moment of my life forever. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
My family, I pray you live this day and every day in the growing awareness of the ever-abiding Presence of God who loves you and likes being with 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
Give A Gift!
I could use your 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 YouI!
Good morning Lord Jesus, Set me free today from anything that would bind me from laughing and running through the fields of life with you today…..
“On that day, when evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Letʼs go across to the other side of the lake.” So after leaving the crowd, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat, and other boats were with him. Now a great windstorm developed and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was nearly swamped. But he was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. They woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, donʼt you care that we are about to die?” So he got up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Be quiet! Calm down!” Then the wind stopped, and it was dead calm. And he said to them, “Why are you cowardly? Do you still not have faith?” They were overwhelmed by fear and said to one another, “Who then is this? Even the wind and sea obey him!” “So they came to the other side of the lake, to the region of the Gerasenes. Just as Jesus was getting out of the boat, a man with an unclean spirit came from the tombs and met him.” (Mark 4:35-44, 5:1-2)
The photo above is was taken the last day of our trip. The owner of the resort out of his generasity, allowed us for free to take a 45 minute trip on his yacht that ended literally 30 minutes before we jumped in the van that took us to the airport. This wonderful, short post ride on the sea inspired me to read a story in the Bible of Jesus and his disciples boat ride on the sea. In the story from Mark, Jesus asks His disciples to go for a boat ride with Him. And they all said yes. I mean who would not want to take a cruise on a boat with Jesus!!!! As wonderful as our ride was in the photo above, a boat ride with Jesus would have to be 100 times more amazing! I am sure the disciples imagined this boat ride would be absolutely wonderful! It would be like a scene of The Little Mermaid with fish jumping all around them, dolphins spraying water around the boat and birds swooping around in the sky singing to them. This is Jesus after all! However, instead Jesus headed the boat straight into a storm in life. The winds and rain pounded the boat, the waves were swamping it, the disciples were afraid and cried out to Jesus. They thought he may be able to help by maybe miraculously producing buckets for bailing the water or something like that. But what Jesus did was far beyond anything they imagined. Jesus said to words, and In an instant the chaotic and powerful storm with huge waves, strong wind, thunder, lightning and rain stopped. All became calm and quiet, and a smooth slick came over the ocean like glass. The disciples were afraid when they found themselves in the storm, however when Jesus calmed the storm they were even more terrified than in the storm, and asked “WHO IS THIS THAT IS IN OUR BOAT?”
And after they got through the storm, and their fears had begun to subside some, I am sure they figured this boat trip with Jesus could not get any worse and they would head back to a safe familiar harbor. No, instead Jesus sailed the boat to an unsafe, unknown beach where lived scary, un-clean people. When they landed on the shore they were immediately met my a maniac who lived in the tombs. Jesus got out of the boat, but the disciples looked at the scene and said, “No, way in hell” and they remained cowering in the boat and did not follow Jesus. When this new challenge in life came up they so quickly forgot “Who was in their boat”, abandoned Jesus and did not trust Him enough to follow Him.
Each morning, including this morning, Jesus is asking you and me to “get into the boat” with Him. And He asks us to trust Him enough to sail with Him out of our comfort zone into places that are strange to us and to people who our foreign, maybe even a little scary to us. Why? Because that is where we will find the people who are “living and trapped in the tombs” of this worlds evil and chaos without Jesus. That is where we will find people who are desperate for us to help them break loose from their chains of sin. That is where we will find Jesus.
My family, do you really believe Jesus is calling us to follow Him into sanctuaries and sit in pews? Or wants us to stay in our comfortable, safe crowds who drink Starbucks and listen to Casting Crowns:? No, He is calling us into a “holy fear” where we remember not just “Who is in our boat”, but “Who is actually in us” through His Holy Spirit breathed into each of us in our baptism. My family, I pray you choose to follow Jesus, and pick up your cross and plant it as the mast in your rescue boat, and sail out into the storms of your communities, 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
Help Us Help Them!
I could use your 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.G
TO GIVE CLICK HERE
ThankYou!
Good morning, Lord Jesus. All that I have and all that I am, I entrust to You today.
I was so blessed that the picture above was the view from my chair in the Dominican Republic as I was sitting looking at the vastness of the ocean and hearing the endless crashing of the waves,. I opened my Bible on my phone and turned to one of my favorite “Beach” scenes. Here are my reflections and prayers The Holy Spirit gave me from this time with Him.
"Simon Peter said to them, 'I am going fishing.'... They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, 'Children, you have no fish, have you?' Then answered Him, 'No.' He said to them, 'Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you fill find some... When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea" (John 21:3-7).
In the face of persecution and out fear of crucifixion, Peter denied Jesus three times after vowing he would never denyJesus. Naked and ashamed, stripped of his pride and still hurting inside, he went back to fishing along with Thomas and the other disciples. I'm sure he still wrestled with forgiving himself for failing You. And in the dark night of his soul, he caught nothing.
But "just after daybreak," he heard Your voice again. Like the dawn of a new day, Your voice broke into the darkness of his soul. He remembered Your voice and remembered his past when he'd heard You call him to cast his nets on the other side of the boat before. He knew it was You. And though he had failed You, You had never forgotten him. So he jumped into sea and swam out of his self-pity to the shores of Your grace. And there by the warm fire of Your tender mercies and unfailing love, You restored his identity and released him into his destiny (v. 15-19).
Thank You Jesus, that through my thoughts, actions and words in life I have denied you way more than 3 times. I also have wallowed in self pity. Yet You've never given up on me. Thank You for the dawning of every new day, when You remind me of Your faithfulness in the past and encourage me with Your faithfulness forever. Your love never fails and Your mercies are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness! Great is Your love! Great is Your power to redeem and restore! In the fire of Your spirit You confirm my identity as a child of God and release me into my destiny as disciple of Christ. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
My Family, with tears in my eyes as God is wrecking me right now, I pray you may experience the dawn of a new day, remembering the faithfulness of Jesus whenever you may struggle with failure or lack of faith. I pray you may hear the voice of Jesus calling you back to the shore of His grace, experience the endless waves of His mercies, soak in the oceans of His loving embrace, and emerge dripping in the water of life, redeemed and restored. 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!
Please partner and support myself and One Direction community in reaching out into our community with the saving grace of Jesus 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 YouI!
TO GIVE , CLICK HERE
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Help me begin my day embraced by my Father, centered in Christ, and filled with Your Holy Spirit. ...
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful” (John 14:26-28)
The divorce rate among marriages of active protestant church attenders is around 28%. I wonder what the “peace” rate is among us in the church. Wednesday night at our house church people requested prayers over health, financial, marital and others issues that were affecting their faith and their peace. Things that “the world” gives them. Through our worship, Scriptures discussion, and prayers we tried to reconnect each other to the Peace not of this world.
God, there's no need for troubled hearts here; here in Your peace, here in Your presence, here in the grip of Your grace. I'm reminded of what David came to know in his life-long journey with You through every hardship and injustice, through every heart-breaking disappointment, whether in himself or the world around him or even in You at times. Through it all, his heart continued to turn to You in trusting faith and the steadfast peace that only You can provide, saying for all to hear throughout all generations, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.... Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me" (Psalm 23:1-4).
Thank You for Your Holy Spirit, the One who comes from our Father in the power and the presence of Your name to help us and comfort us and remind us that You're always with us. You never leave us nor forsake us, so we never have to be afraid. You keep filling us with Your peace, and Your perfect love keeps casting out all fear (1 John 4:18).
Lord, through it all, let it be so. Let it be well with my soul. As You keep me close and steady in Your peace. "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You" (Isaiah 26:3 ). There's no need for troubled hearts here. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
My Family, I pray your heart is not troubled through whatever valley or struggle you or those you love may be going through, as you keep trusting in the One who is always with you with His peace and comfort and help. !
I'm joining with you in the agreement of prayer for all who are affected by the hurricane Helene. Also those around the world effected by earthquakes, wildfires, along with every storm and every shaking any of us are facing in our lives or in our land. May hope in our God abound, and may His love and grace be evident to all through His people who are there to pray and to help as the heart and hands of Jesus Christ. God bless you my friends!
Please share any reflections from this blog 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 your 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.G
Father, Son and Spirit, I begin my day in desperate need of complete communion with you. Yesterday morning I had a great converstation at the Waffle House low bar with a couple regular customers. We talked about our faith, church attendance, and then then one of them brought up tithing. How his church struggles to get people to tithe. I shared with them one of my most powerful experiences on tithing.
“When David went home to pronounce a blessing on his own house, Michal, Saulʼs daughter, came out to meet him. She said, “How the king of Israel has distinguished himself this day! He has exposed himself today before his servantsʼ slave girls the way a vulgar fool might do!”
David replied to Michal, “It was before the Lord! I was celebrating before the Lord, who chose me over your father and his entire family and appointed me as leader over the Lordʼs people Israel. I am willing to shame and humiliate myself even more than this! But with the slave girls whom you mentioned let me be distinguished!” (2 Samuel 6:20-22)
Several years back I went on a mission trip for a month to Southern Darfur, Sudan. The area has been ravaged by years of civil war as the Muslims of Northern Sudan continue military attacks and raids of kidnapping and rape against the indigenousChristians of Southern Sudan. There are thousands of orphans in Southern Sudan. The Muslins would raid the villages andkidnap the women and carry them off to the north for forced marriages/sex slaves. The men in the village they would either kill or carry off as well for slave laborers. The children of the villages would flee and run off into the bush and hide, and come back out after the Muslim raiders left, now orphans.
These children are poor of the poor. Each child has only one outfit of clothing, and their only possessions are a small plastic bowl and a spoon, which they hold onto for dear life as it is the only way they receive food. If there ever was a group who’s life and childhood experiences could cause them to take on a “victim mentality” it would be there children. However they are not depressed or seeking pity. Instead, every morning they would line up at 8:00am. And they would sing! Out of their hearts in a body of absolute physical poverty would come the most amazing joy filled worship! They would sing of their love for Jesus and thank him for all the blessings they receive from Him.
During my month there, I attended and helped lead the Sunday church gatherings held in a large grass roofed hut. When it came time for the offering, those attending the service had absolutely nothing of any monetary value to offer up, tithe, or put in a passing plate. So they offered up and tithed themselves and put themselves into God’s hands. As the time in the service for the offertory began, the ushers would move down the pews stating in the front and people would leave their pews, walk down the side aisles to the back of the church and line up. Then as the drums beat and the congregation sang, each person would offer them selves up to the Lord in a dance. They would dance down the isle spinning, and leaping in front of God in an offering dance of all they are. When they got to the altar in front they would drop to their knees and bow in complete surrender and then return to their pew. This continued until the whole church did an offering dance. The followings Sundays I was there, I as well joined in and danced down the aisle in offering myself to God.
In the USA churches struggle to get people to tithe 10%. And what ever amount people put in the passing plate they feel justified from their giving. I just sit here and try to imagine how different our churches would be if every member, every Sunday danced down the isle and offered all that they are to God. How different every marriage and family would be if families together led by their parents would dance down the aisle and surrender themselves together as a family to God. How different our communities would be if we un-shamefully danced together in front of the Lord and gave him all we are. How different our governments and nation would be if our leaders would say like David, “I am willing to shame and humiliate myself even more than this!” and dance and surrender their potion of leadership to Jesus.
My family, I pray today during your time of devotion you will get up in you living room, kitchen, go out in your yard or go someplace, and simply but powerfully dance before the Lord and offer all you are up to him. It would be the most fragrant gift pleasing to him you could ever offer. And I pray your dance of offering would continue throughout your day. Please pray the same for me. God bless you my friends!
Please share any reflections from this blog 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.Gary Liederbach-Lead Follower
THANK YOU!
It is hard to believe it has been 7 years since a good friend of mine, a brother in Christ lost his long battle with cancer. His life and death have been the thoughts of my mind and reflection my soul. We met for 2 1/2 years every Friday at the WH where he encouraged, motivated, prayed over me and held me accountable. He was a tangible example of God’s grace to me, an undeserved gift. He was a sound board onto which I would bounce my visions and ministry directions onto and off of for reflection.
A few weeks before he died, I asked Larry and others in ODC to respond to four questions to assist me in gauging how effective my leadership in ODC has been in making disciples and as a church in the eyes of those who are members. Here is Larry’s response to those questions. As you read them, you will understand why I miss my Friday mornings with him.
What has happened at your Church since last year?
The house church is operating effectively and determinedly as one; tested by fire. A discussion of metrics such as membership numbers and finances is probably in order, but I can't help with that. I can say however, that people in the margins, whom Jesus called "the least of these" are hearing the Gospel. They respond to the Good News because it is the power unto the salvation they desperately need, rejecting addictions and personal failures and sorrows. I have observed that a cross dresser or a drug addict will get the same love, spiritual care, and plain spoken truth as a retired Service member, an insurance agent, or a housewife. People from all walks are also responding to Monday night community meals at Terranova's Italian Restaurant, and coming to house churches with stories of how they have been hurt or ignored in traditional churches.
I have fewer insights (or desire to access any that may be available) with regard to specific demographics for growth, dollars, baptisms, etc. than Gary may be able to reveal in pastoral consultation. Instead, I can offer an observation that reflects the words of our Lord, who told us that the world will know us in that we love one another. The following metrics are transparently observable:
* Grace, peace, and forgiveness readily replace obligation, guilt, or religious demands
* Sacrifices are voluntary
* People are submitting to one another in love
* The community is being served in love with evangelism, meals, prayer and developing friendships
* Blessing and care for one another is passionate among the brethren
* Jesus is glorified in every situation; even in our failures and befuddlements
* The equipping of the saints is ongoing. Evangelism, spiritual gifts, and healing, are sought with new zeal and supported with prayer and study of the Word
Where are you now as a member and a church?
As a member, I'm a wide eyed observer who loves the grace and love that we all enjoy. Before God, I must state that my most important role is to be a friend to Gary; to pray for him, speak the truth candidly, support his efforts when he is on track and kick him a little when he is off track or when he's consumed by any anxiety or non-productive emotion. So far, my kicking skills are diminishing from disuse. I have also begun to disciple a few men in the fellowship whom the Lord has pointed out to me; an act of mutual submission and encouragement to good works. Normal Christian stuff.
House church is alive and well. The numbers fluctuate, but they are all but inconsequential for the discipleship training that is central to the work that Gary is doing (discipleship is for the willing, not the gold star earners). Some new converts fall away from fellowship to the allure of their old sins. Many return, some don't - or haven't. Some will come back with new strength; new resolve but under the threat of scolding or shunning. Mature Christians are welcome and valued for their insights. So far, the wolves have been kept at bay. It is a time of peace and personal growth with a focus on our Lord Jesus alone.
Where do you want to be?
I want to see what we are already doing to increase under the influence of the Holy Spirit, continuing to trust less in our plans, preparations and expectations than in what He produces. I believe that this is a season of equipping, but we dare not stop as equipped people to rest in our laurels. Instead, having freely received, we must continue to freely give of our gifts, inner healings, and insights to a hurting community.
What is holding you back from reaching your goals?
The work is not ours, but Christ's, so what would hold us back? Could we fail? Of course we could. All it takes is sin, lies, bitterness, backbiting, wolves with false doctrine creeping in as brothers, or any number of things that the scriptures warn us of.
We could also find ourselves 'held back' by our own anticipations. If our goal is numbers, we will find disappointment at the door often enough. If our goal is to honest, pure time before our Lord Jesus, empowered by His presence where two or more are gathered, we do not fail, but rather participate in and yes, rejoice in low numbers as part of Gods design on any given week. We are the servants that sow, but God forbid that clever speech should bring the increase.
The thing I fear most is trying to act or perform like a "church" instead of HIS church, the body of Christ, made up of those whom He has called out loudly.
On the other hand, the implied question appears to be, "What could be done to help?" Resources are always needed by Gary for his ministry and it hurts me to see his struggle from lack of financial support and other resources. It should flow down in support this GOSPEL INSPIRED, FIRST CENTURY MODEL of ministry that is still as much on the fringes of the American church experience as the desperate people it so often ministers to.
Larry
Again, I will miss our discussions and his encouragement. It was a tangible example of God’s grace. Take time to reflect and prayer over this: To whom are you an encourager and a tangible sign of God’s grace? Many of you reading these blogs do not attend ODC. You all have pastors, priests, mentors, ministry leaders, friends, family who need ‘Larrys” in their life. Who are the people you can fill in the blanks for which you can say, “Before God, I must state that my most important role is to be a friend to ______; to pray for him/her, speak the truth candidly, support his efforts when he is on track and kick him a little when he is off track or when he's consumed by any anxiety or non-productive emotion.”
Please share any reflections from this blog 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.
CLICK HERE TO GIVE
“For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;” (Romans 3:23)
All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. What happened to Adam and Eve in the Garden? When they ate that apple. What happened? Adam said to God, “I heard you in the garden, and I was naked and I was afraid so I hid.” You know what this is the story of ? The beginning not of just self-awareness but self-centeredness. The beginning of narcissism. The primal sin is not pride, but narcissism. And America is one of the top 5 narcissism counties in all of human history.
It is all about me, myself and I. All about me. Americans believe they are entitled to two chickens in every pot, two cars in every garage, a brick house, granite countertops, a pension plan, retirement account and a week or two vacation a year in paradise. I have news for you, none of us our entitled to any of this. It is all grace.
If narcissism is the most primal of sin, then what is salvation?
“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone wants to become my follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” (Mark 16:24)
If anyone wished to follow me he must deny HIMSELF. and follow me. Not deny themselves of something, give up something, like we do during lent But deny yourself, your selfish self. Jesus did not come so we could become more self-centered. Jesus did not come so we could focus more on our individual success in life. He did not preach a prosperity, a health and wealth Gospel, He did not come for that, but that will preach well in America. If anyone wants to follow me, they must deny themselves, conform themselves to the image of the Son, Jesus. Salvation is the beginning of your true self.
Paul Says, If anyone comes to Christ, they are a new creature. Behold the old has passed away. This morning I ask, “Do you believe that?” That God has enough power to change you from a self-centered, narcissist person to a selfless, other- directed and other-loving person?
My family, I pray this morning you reflect on and understand that when you were “saved,” you were actually saved from something to something. From being condemned living life as a self-centered, narcissist person; to living a life as your true self was created to be, a selfless, other-directed, other loving person. 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
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.
CLICK HERE TO GIVE
There are more people in prison in the USA than any other country.
· 2.4 Million people, 6.8%,
· China, 1.6 million, 1.1%
· 1,719 state prisons, 109 federal prisons, 1,772 juvenile correctional facilities, 3,163 local jails, and 80 Indian Country jails as well as in military prisons, immigration detention facilities, civil commitment centers, state psychiatric hospitals,
· Every year 600,000 people enter prison gates, 10.6 million people go to jail
23% of people illiterate
· 32 million adults can’t read in the US, 14% of our population
· 22% read below 5th grade level
· 19% of high school graduates can’t read
· 85% of juveniles who interact with the juvenile court system are considered functionaly illiterate
· 70% of inmates in US prisons can not read above the 4th grade level.
Gun deaths from mass shootings, suicides and murders in the US
· suicides account for 60% of gun deaths in US in 2017
· murders 37%
· other 7%
· Mass shootings 165
· Other countries higher because of war, military, Government
· Not number of Guns, Switzerland, all have guns.
· We are not the only country that has guns, but we are the country that people are using them to kill each other.
· Almost 18,000 murders last year
· Nearly 45,000 suicides
Opioids addiction, prescription, heroin,
· 40% of OD prescription
· 2007 doubled
· 2017 tripled
· more than 72,000 people were killed by drug overdose in US in 2018
Church attendance falling
· in 1948 only 2% of population considered themselves to be non religious
· it did not hit double digits, 10% until 2002, 54 years went up only 7%
· from 2002-2018, 16 years it has doubled to 20%
Love of God is diminishing
But there is always Hope in darkness
In the 18 century there was Hope in darkness
1/4 women were prostitutes
Slavery was legal and the norm. Not only slaves imported from Africa, also People who could not pay debts.
· Meal consisted of bread and potatoes
· For every 1,000 children born in early-18th-century London, almost 500 died before they were 2, generally due to malnutrition, bad water, dirty food, and poor hygiene.
· Orphans roamed the streets; because they didn’t attend school, they had little chance of improving their situation.
· England suffered from gin drinking. It was cheap and it was sold everywhere as you did not need a license to sell it. Many people ruined their health by drinking gin. Sadly for many poor people drinking gin was their only comfort.
· Smallpox was a plague.. Even if it did not kill you it would leave you scarred with pox marks.
· Cruel Sports like cockfighting and Bull baiting
The early 18th century was noted for its lack of religious enthusiasm and vigor.
· The churches in England were declining, loosing their influences on society, attendance was dropping
· The love of God was diminishing.
Where was the hope in this darkness?
The great evangelist George Whitfield began preaching and
two brothers, John and Charles Wesley, God called them out
· John Wesley traveled all over the country, often preaching in open spaces, markets, in bars, in work places.
· Charles Wesley, who wrote hymns, took the melody of Tavern songs and put them to Christian lyrics.
· People jeered at John’s meetings and threw stones at him.
· John Wesley said that after preaching in a town if he was not driven out of the town, spat upon and had items thrown at him, He wondered if he had preached the Gospel
· Wesley persevered. He never intended to form another religion (The Methodist Churxh) or separate from the Church of England. He died and Anglican Priest.
· He wanted hope in the darkness, He wanted to stop the diminishing love of God in the church and stir people’s hearts to increase their love of God.! He wanted a revival! To see a movement of God. And that is what he started with his desire for social holiness and montra of Sola Scriptura, only Scripture, one book for all people.
The revival and movement of God then swept into Wales and Scotland
Then , a New Era, the Victorian Era was ushered in.
The revival then swept across the Atlantic to America.
· Where Most people in North America lived by back breaking work and usually lasted from dawn to dusk.
· Rum drinking became an epidemic as well as beer.
· Church was declining. Love of God was diminishing.
A great religious revival began in the North American colonies.
· Later it was given the name 'The Great Awakening'.
· It was aided by William Tennant, a Presbyterian preacher
· Jonathan Edwards, and Francis Asbury, who trained under Wesley started circuit riders sent out them out into towns.
· They started holding Camp Meetings, where people from surrounding towns would gather in a field or open space to hear the Gospel, sing hymns, hear testimonies.
· They started a Revival!
We stand on the precipas of a new era. We are now “the hope in the darkness”
· We stand in the same place, in a land where the Love of God is diminishing
· We live in a same time where people are looking for hope in darkness.
· We serve the same Lord Jesus, as we read in Revelations 4 of the Lamb who conquers.
· The same Lord who sits in the throne room of God that Wesley, Whitclif, Asbury and the others served.
· We have the same presence, power and fire of the Holy Spirit in each of us that rested on the original disciples at Pentecost, was the source of the earlier revivals that brought to life the preaching of the Gospel with power, put boldness in hearts to share it, convicted those who heard it, and transformed communities.
· We have in us the DNA of a revival. The DNA of revival is in each one of you. Do you realize that? In you is the DNA of a revival!
· The DNA of a revival is in each one of you.
o Not just to be saved
o Not just to serve at House Of The Harvest or Manna House.
o Not just to start or be part of a Band or accountability group.
o Not just to open your home to others to start a house church or other gathering
o Not just to be a light of Christ in your workplace
o But to set fire to your community and begin a revival of God.
Read, The Revelation of Jesus Christ (found in The Book Of Revelation). If you want to summarize John’s vision in 25 words or less, it is:
A call to radical discipleship as a faithful citizen of God’s new Jerusalem in the midst of a fallen Babylon world.
Jesus speaks to the seven churches, Where in each of them in some way their love of God is diminishing, and he ends his message to all of them the same way. “To the one who conquers”
Ephesus: To the one who conquers, I will permit him to eat from the tree of life that is in the paradise of God.ʼ
Smyrna: The one who conquers will in no way be harmed by the second death.ʼ
Pergamum: To the one who conquers, I will give him some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and on that stone will be written a new name that no one can understand except the one who receives it.ʼ
Thyatira: to the one who conquers and who continues in my deeds until the end, I will give him authority over the nations –
Sardis: The one who conquers will be dressed like them in white clothing, and I will never erase his name from the book of life, but will declare his name before my Father and before his angels.
Philadelphia: The one who conquers I will make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will never depart from it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God .. and my new name as well.
Laodicea: I will grant the one who conquers permission to sit with me on my throne, just as I too conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.
“Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy aloud, and blessed are those who hear and obey the things written in it,” (Rev. 1:3)
What does it mean to Conquer? The above “Conquer” is in the Aortist tense in Greek, which translated means not just has conquered but is conquering. Like being Potty trained. Once you are potty trained, you do not stop, but continue daily in that training.
The tense is single, “the one” who has conquered. So it is addressing not only the church collectively, but each one of us individually. Each of us with the DNA for revival.
Who is the one who conquers? The one who lives out radical discipleship as a faithful citizen of God’s new Jerusalem in the midst of a fallen Babylon world. You receive all the promises today!
We stand on the edge of a new era.
We stand on the edge of a new era with a powder keg, a powder keg of love!
We sing the song, “It may look like I’m surrounded but I’m surrounded by you. This is how I fight my battles! This is how I become one that conquers!
This is how we stand on the edge, become hope in darkness and usher in a new era of revival!
My family, I pray this morning as you walk out your door to begin a new week, you understand and embrace the reality that you are the hope in the darkness to the current world you are walking out into. And you are the one who conquers, 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
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!
"I lift up my eyes to the hills -- from where will my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.... The Lord will keep you from all evil; He will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore" (Psalm 121:1-8).
Yesterday, I reflected on the absolute fact that there is an enemy who hates you, hates your spouse, and hates your children, and the absolute necessity of you reading God’s Word in your Bible to equip yourself with the “Sword of the Spirit, which is The Word of God” to defeat this enemy.
I asked you to read Ephesians 6 and the full armor of God and I am asking you to do so again this morning and this weekend. God supplies you with the armor and the weapons to fight the enemy, but you have to daily pick them up and put them on.
Another weapon that God gives us is Prayer. Prayer is not last recourse of desperation in a struggle or battle after you have tried everything else. Prayer is where all battles must begin as you raise your eye and heart to God and call upon his name to come to your defense.
“With every prayer and petition, pray at all times in the Spirit, and to this end be alert, with all perseverance and requests for all the saints.” (Ephesians 6:18)
The Psalmist in Psalm 121 cries out in desperation, “I lift up my eyes to the hills -- from where will my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”
“The Hills” when this psalm was written were not a good place. “The Hills” were the wilderness. They were dangerous and contained the paths need to travel where bandits and robbers lurked. And on the top of all the hills, because pagans viewed them as the place closest to the heavens and the Gods, were placed all the altars and places of worship to the many false Gods. Looking up at the hill tops one would see the Asherah poles, altars to Baal, and other Gods.
The psalmist, who is struggling, battling the evil in his day, in desperate need of help looks up at the hills around him with its danger, and looks up at all the Idols and temples of false Gods on the hill tops and declares, where does my help come from? And he declares it is from none of these. “My help comes from the Lord who made the Heavens and the earth.” The God who made the hills the altars are located on.
It is God’s part to deliver me, It is my part is to lift up my eyes above “the hills”, above the false God’s and idols of this world, and focus my eyes on You. I enter inter my baptismal promise to look up to you, while You promise Your part is to look out for me. So this morning remind me to do my part; and remind me that You're always doing Your part. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
My family, I pray you may always know deep in your heart that Your God is Your help and He will bring you through every battle you face, making you more like Him as you keeping looking up to Him. 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
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!
“For though we live as human beings, we do not wage war according to human standards, for the weapons of our warfare are not human weapons, but are made powerful by God for tearing down strongholds. We tear down arguments and every arrogant obstacle that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to make it obey Christ.” (2 Cor 10:3-5)
My morning reflectio, like many others, flows out of a conversation I had at the Waffle House. I was seated at the low bar talking with a 4 men who are regular customers. One of them brought up the pagers that are exploding in Lebanon and the whole conversation turned to examples of how the world now is a more evil place. One man said he feels like his marriage is under attack, and another how his kids are being misled in school and they are becoming more and more disrespectful at home. I know these men and they all claim to be Christians. So I asked them, what is the Bible telling you in your time in God’s Word. Their tone changed and they became defensive saying they do not read their Bible daily, and my reading the Bible daily does not change the situation of the world. Inside I wanted to explode and push back but I did not, instead I came home and wrote.
You have an enemy who hates you, hates your spouse, hates your children, hates your family. He despises the Christ that is in you and that you also claim over your family, and the enemy will uses any and all resources at his disposal: any weapons, all the demon minions, incantations, to bring down, kill and destroy you. You know you live every day in the midst of a broken, fallen world, where evil is real. Just look around! Look at the news! And that evil you see out there is out to get you.
(1 Peter 5:8) “Be sober and alert. Your enemy the devil, like a roaring lion, is on the prowl looking for someone to devour”
What are you going to fight him with? What are you going to punch him in the face with? What weapons are you going use to not just defend, but push back the literal hell that He wants to bring down on you?
Are you going to Throw money at him? Are you going to try to work harder, get a promotion, better job, better pay, gain more power and prestige, earn more so you can throw more money at him and buy him out? He is the “ruler of this world.” He has more wealth and is richer and has more power than you can ever dream of achieving.
Are you going to retreat into your fortress, your castle, the nice home with the crucifix hanging somewhere in it on some wall and then puch your garage door button, close garage door and keep him out?
Are you going to try to use logic or reason with him? Do you really think you can outsmart Satan who has been here deciding and destroying humanity since the beginning of creation?
Do you think if you exercise tolerance, political correctness and be passive he will just leave you and your family alone? It is not going to happen! You have no hope and there is nothing humanly possible to distract or deter you enemy, stop him from hating you, hating your spouse, hating your children and wanting to destroy you.
Nothing humanly possible, however with the weapons of God it is more than possible. The passage of scripture above tells us:
“For though we live as human beings, we do not wage war according to human standards, for the weapons of our warfare are not human weapons, but are made powerful by God for tearing down strongholds.”
Read Ephesians 6 and the full armor of God.
God supplies you with the armor and the weapons you need to fight and conquer the enemy, but you have to put them on and pick them up.
You do not put on the armor daily and then you know you are battling an enemy that is armed to the teeth daily and then wonder why and complian to God why you have no peace, anxiety, depression, your family is struggling, your children are struggling, your marriage is struggling, and you have physical health issues, mental health issues
The sword with which you are able to punch Satan in the mouth with, and not just defend your family with, but drive away the enemy is The Word of God contained in that Bible on a desk somewhere or an app on your phone. “and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Eph. 6:17”
Each day you think to yourself, I do not have yo spend time in God’s word, you are basically saying you are going to face your armed enemy who hates you with nothing in your hand. And worse, you are in effect saying, your spouse and children who you probably encouraged to follow Jesus, and continue to encourage them in their faith, you are now leaving them out on their own and are not worth protecting, not worth the time spent that day in your Bible arming yourself with the Sword of the Spirit. And you are setting the disastrous example to them of how to walk into battle unarmed against an enemy who hates them.
My family, I pray today is the day you take seriously that there is an enemy out there, that once you and your family claims to be a follower of Jesus, hates you, hates your spouse and hates your children. And take seriously your absolute necessity to arm yourself with the “powerful weapons of God for tearing down strongholds,” strongholds the enemy continuously tries to raise around your family as if your life depends on it. And if your life does not matter that much to you, at least do it because the lives of your spouse and children require you to daily open your Bible, read God’s Word, and arm yourself with the “Sword of the Spirit” with which you can protect them and punch the enemy in the face, by though and in the name of Jesus. 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
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!
“You were complacent in your evil deeds; you thought, ʻNo one sees me.ʼ
Your self-professed wisdom and knowledge lead you astray,
when you say, ʻI am unique! No one can compare to me!ʼ
Disaster will overtake you; you will not know how to charm it away.
Destruction will fall on you; you will not be able to appease it. Calamity will strike you suddenly, before you recognize it. “(Isaiah 47:11-13)
.In the previous chapters Isaiah illustrated God’s sovereignty over the gods of Babylon and all nations and the only God able to deliver his people. Isaiah now looks at Babylon. He represents the empire as a beautiful and arrogant woman who is forced to abandon her proud and luxurious living and take the place of a slave. God is not a creation of humanity, he is God. And any nation or human that dares to try to rise over his place will only find themselves caught in an unequal contest, the end of which is never victory, but either ends in surrender or destruction.
The times in my life that have been the most miserable are the times I replaced God with myself as lord of my life. It always ended in some level of destruction to myself or others, and then falling on my knees and repenting and asking forgiveness from God and others. When God is the most complete Lord over me, and I am the most completely his servant, is when my life contains the most joy.
My family, I pray you today re-affirm that Jesus is the Lord over your life, surrender to His Lordship, and enter into His peace and joy that surpasses anything you in yourself can achieve, In Jesus’ name. Please pray the same over 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
Help Us Help Them!
I could use you’re the gift of your financial support for my family and those on the margins God has placed in my path I refuse to walk around. Please partner and support my family and ministries through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, 102 Champions Green Drive, Madison, Al 35758.
Thank You!
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Speak to my heart and lead me in Your ways -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God.
"For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths" (2 Timothy 4:3-4).
In these days and the days to come, just knowing the truth will not be enough. "Even the demons believe -- and shudder" (James 2:19). No, we need more. We need to "love the truth" (2 Thessalonians 2:10). We need to love the truth, just as a wise person loves correction and discipline (Proverbs 13:1). That's our antidote to the power of deception -- a love for the truth.
"The coming of the lawless one is apparent in the working of Satan, who uses all power, signs, and lying wonders, and every kind of wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved" (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10).
Come, Holy Spirit. Give me a love for the truth. You are "the Spirit of truth" who "comes (to) guide (me) into all the truth" and "glorify (Jesus)" (John 16:13).
Loving truth is different from loving what we want to hear, loving what fits our feelings, or loving what we think is right despite what You say is right. And You've already warned us that we will be tempted to give into the pressures of our world to turn from the truth in the times to come:
"The truth" is not simply a statement of faith or mental assent to accurate doctrine. The truth is a Person. You are the Truth. You are "the Way, and the Truth, and the Life" (John 15:6). You are the One we need to love. Loving You, loving the One who is Truth, is the Way You've provided to lead us through the confusion, deception, and temptation to compromise to come.
You said, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. You know Him, because He abides with you, and He will be in you" (John 14:15-17).
As I grow in my love for You, I grow in my love for Truth. May my love for You, my love for Truth, keep me from being deceived in these days I live in and and the days to come -- even by "the working of Satan, who uses all power, signs, and lying wonders, and every kind of wicked deception." In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
My family, I pray you ask the Holy Spirit, The Helper to help you discern and grow in your love of truth so you can embrace by faith the fullness of life our Father has for you, forgiven and free from bondage of lies and sin, 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!
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Lead me in the paths of righteousness for Your name's sake today and all the days of my life. I love Psalm 91 back in 2007 I went on a mission trip to Souther Darfur, Sudan for a month. I began everyday morning praying Psalm 91 over my life and the lives of those with me for protection in the war zone we found ourselves. Psalm 91 became a constant prayer my ministry. I read it over my life and my families as we begin a new week. Pick up you Bible and read it over your life this morning.
"You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust" (Psalm 91:1-2).
God, you are my Shelter and my Savior. You're my Covering and my Comforter. Secure in You, I find my safety and peace. Trusting in You, I find my certainty in Your sovereignty and my confidence in Your compassion (v. 3-8).
When I'm in You and You're in me, no mater what goes on around me, it cannot come near me to destroy me or define me. "Because I have made the Lord my refuge, the Most High my dwelling place, no evil shall befall me, no scourge come near my tent. For You will command Your angels concerning me to guard me in all my ways. On their hands they will bear me up, so that I will not dash my foot against a stone. I will tread on the lion and the adder, the young lion and the serpent I will trample under foot" (v. 9-13 personalized).
In Your goodness, You'll cause good to come out of all I endure. In Your mercy, You cause me to become more merciful out of all for which I've been forgiven. And out of Your overcoming power through the victory of Your cross and the glory of Your resurrection, You cause me to overcome every challenge that would seek to overcome me, making me stronger in Your strength and more humble in Your grace.
I've lived long enough to know there will always be battles in this broken and fallen world, but I've also walked long enough with You to know You've already won the victory for me. "Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!" (1 Corinthians 15:57)
Neither darkness nor death, neither demons nor the disappointing or destructive choices of those who don't know any better or willingly choose to do the opposite of what brings life and peace to the world around them, nor anything else in all creation will be able to have the last word or the final say in my life (Romans 8:38-39). "No in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us" (Romans 8:27). Jesus will always have the last word. Jesus will always have the final say. And Jesus’ speaks into my battles and His words over my life are always spirit and life to me and to all who call on His name and trust in His grace (John 6:63). This is the blessing and the heritage of all "who live in the shelter of the Almighty" and "abide in the shadow of the Most High" (Psalm 91:1). Thanks be to God! Hallelujah and Amen! So let it be! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
My family, may you know in your heart and experience in your life the promises and protection of our God, finding your shelter and security in Him alone, in Jesus' name! Please pray the same of me. God bless you, my friends!
Please share your reflections and prayers in the comment box below.
Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
One Direction Community
https://www.onedirection.community
Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC
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I could use you’re the gift of your financial support for my family and those on the margins God has placed in my path I refuse to walk around. Please partner and support my family and ministries through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, 102 Champions Green Drive, Madison, Al 35758.
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“And Jesus *said to her, “Woman, what does that have to do with us? My hour has not yet come.” His mother *said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” (John 2:4-5)
There are many books and trainings out there by various authors on what it means to be a disciple. Mary, the mother of Jesus, gives us her instructions on being a disciple, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” She breaks discipleship down to its simple core, “listening and doing”. We are called to actively listen to Jesus, to seek Him out and hear His voice. “My sheep hear My voice…. and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.” (John 10:27). We seek. listen to, and hear his voice when we open our Bibles, when we bend our knees in prayer, and when we become vulnerable in accountability with other believers. And then once we hear what Jesus is telling us, we without delay obey it and do it. “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments.” (1John 5:2-3)
To call your self a Christian means you are saying you are a follower of Christ. To be a follower of someone you have to actively to listen to them, and then you have to obey what you hear from them. A simple definition of a disciple then is someone who is Listening to what Jesus is telling them to do, and then doing it. How are you daily actively listening to Jesus, seeking to hear his voice and follow Him as a Christian every day? Are you intentionally setting aside time daily to read your Bible, and pray? Are you in a Band group (accountability group) that meets weekly to help you discern, interpret and pray over what you are hearing?
Last night at our house church gathering we had a special guest, Curtis Seargent. He gave an illustration of hearing God comparing it to radio waves and a radio. He said every second of everyday we are bombarded with and surrounded by hundreds of radio waves from any different radio station and sources. Day and not these radio waves are constantly hitting us and around us. However, we cannot hear them or what they are saying. However, if we have a radio receiver, with it, we can tune in, connect to these radio waves and hear what they are playing or saying. Curtis went on to say everyday in the spiritual realm we are surrounded by spiritual “waves” from God and from the enemy. God is always trying to speak to us. And the receiver of his “waves” is our heart and soul. And we have to “tune in” our hearts to hear what He is saying. Whether we “tune in” to receive them in prayer, in a dream, through reading His Word in the Bible, from trusted others in an accountability group, we have to intentionally and actively “tune in” to God, and tune-out” the waves from sources other than Him, to be able to hear what he says to us, and to enable us to be disciples of Christ, persons “Listening to what Jesus is telling them to do, and then doing it.”
Jesus, remind me through your Holy Spirit this morning that the core of your call over my life to be a follower of you is not mainly found in the “Rs” of rituals, religion, and routines. It is found in listening to your voice and obeying what I hear. Let me hear Mary’s words above as if she is speaking only to me, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” Mary practiced what she preached, as when she heard what God was asking her to do, and her reply was, “And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38) Let me have the bold obedience of a Mary, who was just a 16 year old girl.
My family, I pray this morning you take time to actively listen to what Jesus is telling you to do. You may have already heard His voice speaking to you in your heart. And I pray you then intentionally and without delay, obey Him and do what He has told you to do. 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!
Good morning, Lord Jesus. I speak out Your name and listen for Your voice, here at the beginning of my day. .
This morning I read and meditated on Psalm 59. Psalm 59 is a psalm of deliverance where David cries out to you to be delivered from his attackers. I see it was a very challenging time of transition in David's life. He had many mixed emotions, surrounded by both friends and foes on his journey into his destiny. But through it all and in spite of it all, he turned his eyes and lifted his spirit to You, as his finished his Psalm with a flourish of heart-felt words of worship from a heart full of faith and trust and praise:
“But as for me, I shall sing of Your strength; Yes, I shall joyfully sing of Your lovingkindness in the morning, For You have been my stronghold and a refuge in the day of my distress. O my strength, I will sing praises to You; For God is my stronghold, the God who shows me lovingkindness." (Psalm 59:16-17).”
I like how he begins his final declaration of his trust in Your goodness and grace with the word "But." All that David wrote before that "But" was his reality and the reality of the world he faced in his day. He didn't have his head buried in the sand. He wasn't afraid of reading the news. He wasn't detached from the challenges of local and national politics and the turmoil in his life, nation, and the world of his time. "But" at the same time, he kept his eyes on You with his heart full of songs of praise.
In his songs, You strengthened him. In his prayers, You empowered him. And even to this day in what we now call "The Psalms" we're all encouraged by his heart of faith, despite all he went through -- both by all he brought upon himself and by all that was brought down upon him -- "But" as a man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). "When (God) had removed (Saul), He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, 'I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will" (Acts 13:22).
By the power of Your grace, I want to be a man after Your own heart like that, like David. One who will be found faithful to do all Your will no matter what. Fully aware of all that's going on in my day, in my nation and the world, and not detached from all I've been through -- no matter the source of my struggles, whether my own or otherwise. "But as for me” remind me I am always accountable to you how I live my day as a child of God. May I walk out my door trusting in You with a song in my spirit, full of faith in my heart, In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
My family, I pray you may be found faithful as one after God's own heart, with your eyes on the Lord and your heart full of praise, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. Thank you for being my friend and joining with me on this journey of faith and prayer! God bless you, my friends!
Please share with us your thoughts and reflections with us this morning 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 myself, my family, and those on the margins God has placed in my path I refuse to walk around. Please commit 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.
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