Then Jesus called the crowd, along with his disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wants to become my follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me…. For what benefit is it for a person to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his life? (Mark 8:34-36)
“For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;” (Romans 3:23)
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, a retirement account and a week or two vacation a year in paradise with people serving them. 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 8:34)
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 and comfort in life. He did not come so we could feel we earned or are entitled to anything. He did not preach a prosperity, a health and wealth Gospel, He did not come for that, he was never about that, and that was never part of his identity. (Reflecting back to “Who do you say I am?) But that will preach well in America and post well on social media. 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, entitled, 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
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“Then Jesus called the crowd, along with his disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wants to become my follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and for the gospel will save it. For what benefit is it for a person to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his life? (Mark 8:34-37)
For the past three days I have been looking at Mark 8 and reflecting about Jesus’ model of discipleship which is based on two things: invitation and challenge. In these verses Jesus distills this down to its core essence. His invitation: follow me. His challenge: the cross.
Jesus’ invitation: Follow me. Christianity and discipleship is not an invitation into following and imitating a religion, but following and imitating a person, namely Jesus Christ. Your life is not called to try to conform to and imitate current church models, but it is called to conform to and imitate the life of Jesus Christ.
Jesus challenge: The cross. To bear the cross means rejection of the world’s narcissism, pride and self reliance and turning to Jesus and following him. Discipleship involves a death that is like a crucifixion. The point of the saying "whoever wants to save his life will lose it" is that if one comes to Jesus then rejection by many will certainly follow. If self-protection is a key motivation, then one will not respond to Jesus and will not be saved. One who is willing to risk rejection will respond and find true life.
Jesus’s message today is short and simple, so is my reflection.
My family, I pray you will also read: Matthew 16:13-26; Galatians 6:12-18; 1 Corinthians 1:18-25; Hebrews 12:1-2 Then take time a look at who and what are you following. Is it Jesus plus nothing? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal anything you added and to help you remove it. What is challenging you? Is it simply the cross? Have you added any unnecessary challenges and are trying to conform to things based on religion, tradition, habit, or culture? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal these to you and help you remove them, in Jesus name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you my friends!
Please post and share your thoughts, reflections, questions, or prayers with us in the comment box below.
Tomorrow (Thurs) through Sunday I will be serving on the Kairos Prison Ministry Team going into Limestone Prison to share the love, grace and mercy of Jesus Christ that I have received with the inmates inside the prison. Friends of mine are serving on the Kairos team going into St. Clair Prison this weekend as well. I may not be able to post a reflection the rest of this week. Please pray of our teams and the men we will be ministering to inside the prison.
Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
One Direction Community
Email: garyl@onedirection.community
Website: https://www.onedirection.community
Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC
Please support and partner with my self and my family as we serve those God crosses our path with in our community with your one-time or monthly financial gift by clicking link below.Become our partner and support us in our ministries by becoming supporting us monthly or with a one-time gift. Thank you!
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We read in The Gospel of Mark in 8:29 where Jesus asks his disciples a question about his identity. “He (Jesus) asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” Peter responded correctly, declaring Jesus was the anointed one, The Christ, The Messiah. However, in declaring that, Peter had his own understanding, description, metrics, and rules defining “The Christ” and how he was supposed to operate and act. Peter had constructed his own “little “box” the Messiah is supposed to fit into.
Just two verses later Peter’s “little Box” was exposed when Jesus operated and acted outside of Peter’s rules and expectation of Him.
“Then Jesus began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and experts in the law, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He spoke openly about this. So Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But after turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan. You are not setting your mind on Godʼs interests, but on manʼs.”
“Satan” means adversary. Peter in just a matter of a few minutes went from being a disciple of Jesus following him, to an adversary of Jesus rebuking, defying and trying to change and control the plans of Jesus. Peter was trying to force Jesus back into his “little box.”
As I read this, thoughts condemnation against Peter should not come to my mind, but thoughts of correction on my own understanding, description, metrics, and rules defining “The Christ” and how he is supposed to operate and act. How have I constructed my own “little “box” the Messiah is supposed to fit into.
If someone were to ask me, “Who is Jesus?” I would answer correctly as Peter did. “He is Jesus Christ, the Messiah.” But does my declaration of who he is really line up in my heart, my obedience, my lifestyle, the way I love, the way I forgive…ect, with who he really is?
In what areas of my life of following and understanding of Jesus would he praise me for? In what areas of my life supposedly following him and wrongly understanding of him would he openly rebuke me? In what ways if Jesus revealing himself to me that I do not like or want to deny is true and try to push back into my nice “little box” so I can comfortably believe in Jesus and pretend I am actually following Him.
Jesus is so for outside any box we can try to put him inside. Jesus and the cross can never be domesticated, in Jesus name.
My family, I pray as you read these passages in Mark that you will have the courage to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the “little box” you have put Jesus in and pray for a newer, truer, awakening and insight into who Jesus really is. Please pray the same for me. God bless you my friends!
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Good morning Lord Jesus, through your Holy Spirit I place myself in the throne room of the Father and bow and worship you.
“Then Jesus began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and experts in the law, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He spoke openly about this. So Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But after turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan. You are not setting your mind on Godʼs interests, but on manʼs.” Jesus’ model of discipleship of invitation and challenge repeats again here. Jesus gives Peter a new kingdom name and invites him into the same intimate relationship and covenant he had with Abraham. Peter in Greek means “Little Rock.” He is now a co-heir in the kingdom, he has the power of those in the kingdom. (Mark 8:31-33)
On one side of this covenant relationship is invitation, where we get the cupboards of heaven. On the other side is Challenge. We need to take on ownership of these gifts and power in a more and more responsible manner.
The challenge begins in the reality of the cross that is at the center of our covenant relationship. with Jesus v.21:
Peter struggles with the reality and challenge of the cross and rebukes Jesus v.22
Jesus name for Peter changes from Peter, “Little Rock”, to Satan “Adversary”. v.23 Jesus tells him earlier you had your mind on the will of the Father, now you have your mind on your will. That change in mindset changes our identity.
We were called to be fruitful and multiply, but also to rule. To take responsibility. Jesus is saying, I am inviting, entrusting you with all my power and authority, but I am challenging you, I need you to become the kind of person who can wield that type of power in obdeience. You don’t give your child the keys to your car if they are not capable and will obey traffic laws.
What feels like a harsh rebuke is a kind action. Jesus is telling him, and telling us, your place of power is not in front of me trying to lead me but walking behind me.(get behind me), I need you walking behind me, follow me in everything:
The way you talk to your children.
The way you talk to your spouse.
The way you treat your co-workers
The way you manage your finances.
The way you prioritize your time.
The way you take care of your health.
The way you___________________ (Fill in the blank with what the Holy Spirit brings to your mind).
Read: Matthew 16:13-26, Genesis 17:1-9
My family, I pray you take some time in prayer with the Holy Spirit. Jesus has a kingdom name for you, reflect on what it may be. In what areas of your life do you find it easy to accept the invitation of Jesus to pick up your cross and walk behind him in the strength of that name? In what areas of your life do you struggle with his challenge and step out in front of Jesus? in Jesus name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you my friends!
Please post and share your thoughts, reflections, questions, or prayers with us in the comment box below.
Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
One Direction Community
Email: garyl@onedirection.community
Website: https://www.onedirection.community
Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC
Please support and partner with my self and my family as we serve those God crosses our path with in our community with your one-time or monthly financial gift by clicking link below.Become our partner and support us in our ministries by becoming supporting us monthly or with a one-time gift. Thank you!
CLICK HERE TO GIVE
“Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” He *said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
When I read this a question comes into my mind, “Why did Jesus take them across the Sea of Galilee and into a Gentile city to reveal who he was?”
Caesarea Philippi wss named after Caesar Augusta, Phillip II. It was a city that was built to honor Caesar, It is the city where many scholars believe was the birthplace of the emperors cult: the worship of Caesar as God, of being divine.
Before the city’s name was changed to the name of the city to Caesarea Philippi, it was originally named Panias. It was named after the god Pan. When Phillip renovated the city he changed the name.
In a cliff in Panias, (Caesarea Philippi) was a cave with a spring running out of it. The cave was called “The Gate to Hell.” It was believed to be the entrance or access or gate to the underworld. The access to the gods. Pan was the Fertility god and you could access him and others at this cave. So the city and especially the area around the cave was a brothel of worship to various gods. Statues and idols of all the gods were found here. There were many stores and stands all around selling trinkets, small idols, potions, images and other religious items honoring these gods, They did despicable religious acts and sacrifices here in around the cave. Temple prostitutes were purchased, sex with goats, sacrificing babies and other vial acts were committed. It was the red light district of idols and Gods.
When Jesus actually brought his disciples there they would have been shocked! No jew would ever go there! They would absolutely avoid it. Being there would make them un-clean, It was a city where people were eagerly knocking on the door to hell.
Yet Jesus took them there, and middle of all these despicable things, in front of this “Gate To Hell”with all these tall statues of gods around the cave and them as a backdrop, and he asked them. “Who do you say I am?”
And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.
Jesus took them there, in the middle of all these false gods and their worshipers to declare to them I am not just another god. I am not simply the Jewish messiah and deliver, Lord of the Jewish people. I am the Lord over all the world, over all these gods. And none of these Gods or these gates of hell will prevail against me. I am the way, the truth, and the life of not just the Jews, but of the world.
And that truth still remains today as walk walk through life with all the gods and false idols that surround us and ask for our devotion. We live in a pluralistic society and when Jesus states I alone am the way, we do not like that. We want options. We lives in a world of options. What do you mean the only side that comes with that dish is asparagus? What do you mean there is only one model of car to choose from? What do you mean there is only one way of doing something? My way of the highway. We live in a world we created of options and choices. Options and choices of right behaviors, right lifestyles, right spirituality, and saviors.
And Jesus pushes back into the lives of those who want to be his disciples, both past nd present, and says “No!” There is only one option. I am the only option. ” I am the way, the truth, and the life.”
My family, I pray today in the middle of all the false gods and idols tht surround you asking for your devotion, you will fall on your knees and declare that Jesus you are the only way, the only truth, and the only source of life. Please pray the same for me.. God bless you my friends!
Please share your thoughts and reflections in the comments box below.
Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
Email: garyl@onedirection.community
Website: https://www.onedirection.community
Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC
Please support and partner with my self and my family as we serve those God crosses our path with in our community with your one-time or monthly financial gift by clicking link below.Become our partner and support us in our ministries by becoming supporting us monthly or with a one-time gift. Thank you!
CLICK HERE TO GIVE
"Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven." Mathew 16:13-17
I believe Jesus' main goal with walking with his disciples, mentoring them, discipling them was to get them to a place where they could hear from the Father. Hear God's voice speak to them so the could listen to his voice and obey what he is saying to them. The simplest definition of a disciple is someone who listens to what God is saying to them, and the does it. Hearing and then obeying.
Can you hear from God? And as importantly, if our goal is to make disciples who make disciples; Are you comfortable training others to hear from God? I want to introduce you to a tool called "the Learning Circle." It is a tool that can help you here from God
Above is a diagram of a learning circle . I will break it down to you.
Kairos event: you are traveling in life and a kairos moment happens. This can be a blessing or a speed bump. A dream at night. A change in a job. An argument with your wife. An unexplained blessing. A family or personal situation. Or something that happens to a friend they come asking you for advice.
If Someone comes to me with a kairos event and I want them to hear what God says to them about the event.
Observe: Spend time observing what actually happened, who was involved, what was said, what was done. Where it occurred. Look event from all angles
Reflect: on Their observations: Why do you think it happened? What did that mean to you? How did you feel? What were your motives?
Discuss: For the first two I am mainly listening. I then discuss with them. I use the Three "Ts"
Testimony: a personal story of something similar that happened in my life or one that I know of.
Teaching: Is there a teaching from a book, video, article that relates.
Testament: Is there a passage of Scripture that relates or addresses aspects of the event.
These three steps: Observe, Reflect, and Discuss all occur on the repent and hear side of the circle. This is where we observe and reflect on what happened. We repent where needed on our participation in the event. And through the discussion, three "Ts" and prayer we listen and try to discern what God is saying to us. What is God saying?
Next we move to the believe and obey side of the circle. One this side is where we believe in what God has spoken to us and how we are called to obey it.
Plan: We Observed, Reflected and Discussed the Kairos moment. We have discerned God's voice. Next then is forming a plan. Depending on the Kairos event, it could be: If a negative event. “How am I going to prevent this from happening again?” If a positive event, “How am I going allow this to happen more often?” And “How am I going to obey what I heard God telling me to do?”
Accountability: What form of accountability, metrics, or other means is going to be put in place to make sure that the plan is carried out.
Act: Set starting time for plan and begin acting on it.
Allot of this we do intuitively. This tool simply puts it down in an outline form. So often we in the church when asked about something we reply with "generic" responses. "Just spend time in the word", "Pray on it." "Spend time hearing what God is saying to you." If the person heard that last reply, they probable walked away saying to themselves. "Ok, but how do I go about hearing from God?" Also, if someone comes up to you and says a kairos moment has happened to them and asks for you to help them determine what God is saying to them, you have this tool to help you.
My family, I pray you think about a recent Kairos event in your life. Spend time going through it using the Learning Circle. Get together with your spouse a good friend, your Band Group, and tell them about the learning circle. Have each of you think of a kairos moment and take turns leading each other through the learning circle, In Jesus name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you my friends!
Please share your thoughts and reflections in the comments box below.
As we read through the Gospel of Mark, I can not post a reflection on an entire chapter, but what verses stood out to me. I would love for you to post what stood out to you or your thoughts/reflections from the days chapter reading with myself or others using the comment box below. Thank you!
Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
Email: garyl@onedirection.community
Website: https://www.onedirection.community
Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC
Please support and partner with my self and my family as we serve those God crosses our path with in our community with your one-time or monthly financial gift by clicking link below.Become our partner and support us in our ministries by becoming supporting us monthly or with a one-time gift. Thank you!
CLICK HERE TO GIVE
Good morning Lord Jesus, I want to be with you, so I am beginning my day intentionally setting aside time to be with you.
“Then Jesus and his disciples went to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” They said, “John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and still others, one of the prophets.” He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him.“ (Mark 8:27-30)
With all the invitations and challenges that are being presented in the messages we hear on the news and social media, I have been wrestling for some time now in these verses in Mark. This same story is given in Mathew with more details given. My morning reflections will be coming from the words of Jesus and His encounter with the disciples in this passage and His invitation and challenges to them.
“Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.”
From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” Matthew 16:13-26
Jesus was always calibrating invitation and challenge with all those He encountered.. He was open and inviting to all who honestly sought him, but once they were in his presence, he then challenged them with himself, His life, His love, and His truth. In this passage of Scripture, Jesus invited the disciples into a discussion with him by asking them the simple question, “Who do people say that I am?” He then challenged them by exposing their own motives and agenda which were a hinderance to His agenda to which He replied, “get behind me Satan”, As His agenda was “Pick up you cross and follow me.” Jesus was always safe place with barriers or prejudices to enter, however He was always a place where you heard a dangerous message.
In my ministry and churches I am called to lead I try to model it after this example of Jesus as being a safe place with dangerous message. To set this as an example to be modeled by those who come so they individually are a safe place with a dangerous message. To honor both grace and truth.
Some churches are a dangerous place with a dangerous message. They have an extreme fundamentalism culture (dangerous) where if you don not look like them or act like them or believe like them your are not welcomed, but they have a dangerous message, that is usually laced with their bias and prejudice. Some churches are safe place with a safe message. They are inviting and open, and anyone is welcomed to come as you are. However, their message is safe as well. Everyone is free and welcomed to remain as you are: no transformation, all life styles, all behaviors, all saviors, all love is all right.
I try to model Jesus and be a safe place, with a dangerous message. To be inviting and open, and anyone is welcomed to come as you are, and to enter just as a child with no fear. However, one where you hear the dangerous, challenging message of Jesus. All are welcome to come as they are, but no one is allowed to stay as they are. That was the message of Jesus. That is the message of the cross. To die to yourself. Before the Holy Spirit is the “Holy Comforter”, He is the Holy Critiquer”. The Holy Spirit is an equal opportunity critiquer of all persons and all sin. To be “saved” requires change, it requires you to be saved from something that you were-to something else, or you would not need saving.
In this cultural climate of tolerance, fairness, and political correctness (of which Jesus was neither) and social agendas, what are presented as publicly correct are often not Biblically correct.
My family, I pray you will pick up your Bible and read the Gospels and encounters Jesus had with people: Matthew 19:16-21; Luke 9:1-10; John 4:1-42, 6:60-68, 8:1-11. Then spend time in prayer and ask the Holy Spirit two personal questions about your life as compared to Jesus’ life and reflect on them. Ask yourself:
Am I safe? Am I welcoming and inviting to all people of all colors, cultures, and life styles with out prejudice or pre-requirements?
Do I have a dangerous message? To those that I do form relationships with and gain influence with them, do I with grace challenge them in the areas of sin in their lives or do I keep my message on a safe, superficial, comfort level? In Jesus’ name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you my friends!
As we read through the Gospel of Mark, I can not post a reflection on an entire chapter, but what verses stood out to me. I would love for you to post what stood out to you or your thoughts/reflections from the days chapter reading with myself or others using the comment box below. Thank you!
Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
Email: garyl@onedirection.community
Website: https://www.onedirection.community
Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC
Please support and partner with my self and my family as we serve those God crosses our path with in our community with your one-time or monthly financial gift by clicking link below.Become our partner and support us in our ministries by becoming supporting us monthly or with a one-time gift. Thank you!
CLICK HERE TO GIVE
Good morning Lord Jesus, with all that I am I seek all that you are.
Then Jesus and his disciples went to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” They said, “John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and still others, one of the prophets.” He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him. ( Mark 8:27-30)
Jesus’ method of making disciples was one of invitation and challenge. Jesus invited his disciple into His life, exposed them to it, and challenged them by it. He then walked with them through the challenge. Jesus was always looking for an indication of growth in them. Then He would invite them deeper into Him, expose more of himself and his ways to them. It would challenge them, He would help them through it, then looked for indications of growth, and then repeated this process. A constant process of challenging them to die more to themselves, so they could live more in Him.
Jesus challenged his disciples and asked them “Who do the people say I am?” (v.13) His challenge went deeper still when he then asked, “Who do you say that I am?” (v.15) In Peter’s response Jesus saw real spiritual growth and real growth as a disciple. Jesus praised Peter because his response is not something you can discern from reading a book, from listening to a sermon, or attending seminary. This is only something that is revealed from the Father. Before it could be revealed to Peter by the Father, Peter had to first develop and come to the place where he could hear and discern the Fathers voice. This was developed in Peter through the hours, days, years of watching Jesus, being invited into His life, His rhythms of prayer, and the challenges Jesus presented Peter and allowed him to go through. Jesus was mentoring and discipling Peter and the other the disciples to hear from the Father and be lead by the Father just like He is before he leaves the earth. In Peter’s affirmation that “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus probably said to himself, “Yes! You are hearing the revelations of the Father!” His is the voice Jesus had been patiently, discipling these men to hear! I believe this was one of the reasons why earlier in the Gospels when people tried to seize him and kill and they failed. The reason why was said, “Because his time had not yet come.” Jesus had not yet mentored and discipled His disciples to the point that they heard from the Father, to the point they were being led by Him. He needed to accomplish this before the cross.
Jesus spent years discipling 12 men to get them to a place and level of spiritual maturity that they could hear the revelation of the Father, be lead by him and obey Him. He wanted them to become imitators of Him, disciples that are conformed to His image. And at the central core of being a disciple of Christ, is the ability hear the revelations of the father. To be one with the Father. “That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:21)
If someone asked you, “Are you a Christian?” You would answer “Yes.” What defines you as a Christian is not what church you attend, your church attendance, whether your parents where Christians, the traditions or religious acts you practice or religion you follow. What defines you as a Christian is if you are a follower, a disciple of Jesus. If someone asked. “Are you a disciple of Jesus?, would you answer “Yes?” You want to be a disciple of Jesus. Jesus invited and challenged His disciples, and He also invites and challenges you to achieve real spiritual growth and real growth as a disciple. His goal for you is also something you can not discern in your flesh, from reading a book, from listening to a sermon, or attending seminary. This goal is for you o be able to hear and receive revelations from the Father and to be lead and obedient to that revelation.
If you are able to hear the revelations of the Father and allow Him to lead you, ask the Holy Spirit who are those you need to be discipling in this area? Who do you need to invite into and give real access to your life, your day, your rhythms, and let your life challenge them to achieve growth? They don’t need you to simply give them a book to read, invite them to your church to meet your pastor and and listen to a sermon, or attend a class. They need you to give them access to your life and disciple them like Jesus did, and like His disciples did, and you are called to do. If Peter and the other disciples after their time together, their “church gathering”, where they declared and came to the decision and conclusion that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, afterwards went out to lunch and simply went home and did not share, mentor, or disciple anyone, like most people who attend church do today, there would be no churches today, none of you would know of Jesus, and I would not be writing this post.
My family, I pray you spend time in prayer with the Holy Spirit and ask to hear and receive from the Father. It is impossible to become a disciple of Jesus if you can’t. What is hindering, distracting, clouding, or stopping you from His revelation in your life? What invitation and challenge of Jesus are you resisting? Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal those people, processes, and tools you need to intentionally and actively seek out that will assist in discipling and can walk with you in this challenge. Pray for the Holy Spirit to lead you to the persons you need to start discipling and to connect you with them to begin before the end of this week, in Jesus’ name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you my friends!
Please post and share your thoughts, reflections, questions, or prayers with us in the comment box below.
Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
One Direction Community
Email: garyl@onedirection.community
Website: https://www.onedirection.community
Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC
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Good morning, Lord Jesus. I speak out Your name and listen for Your voice, as I watch and wait for Your leading in deep communion with You -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God. ...
"The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit" (John 3:8)..
I spent last Wednesday-Friday attending the New Room Conference. It was a wonderful and much needed time of soaking in prayer and worship, and seeking renewal and revival in my life and the life of the church, We all have such great expectancy to see what Your Spirit will do in these days, as You continue to lead Your people to humble themselves and pray for our nation and our world. We desperately need You to move in our hearts and in our days, for only You can save us from our destruction, forgive us of our sins, heal us of our wounds, free us from our bondage, and restore us to our identity and destiny as one nation under God. But we believe. And we pray. According to Your Promises and great Covenant of Revival: "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Your Word to the Prophet Ezekiel comes to my mind as he looked out on the valley of dry bones about to be filled with the Breath of Your Spirit, as You invited him to believe what was hard to imagine: "Son of man, can these bones live?" (Ezekiel 37:3)
Come, Holy Spirit. Come, like a Mighty Rushing Wind (Acts 2:2). Come breath Your Spirit and Your Life into our hearts and our land in a great awakening and rejuvenating revival for the great harvest of You've promised in Your Word at the end of the age (Matthew 13:29). Lord, let these bones live! Lord, let the bones of this nation arise and come alive to be all You've created us and called us to be for the glory of Your name, for You alone are the Hope for our nation and the Savior of our world!
Like the moving of Your Spirit, we don't know the details -- when it comes, where it comes from, where it goes from here. But we're ready! We're hungry! We're thirsty! And we're desperately, passionately, fervently praying for You to come and pour out Your power and Your mercy upon our land! The sooner the better and just in time! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
My family, I pray the winds of revival blow in your spirit this morning and through your family and our churches in a great awakening and revival, in Jesus name. Please pray the same for me. And I join with you in repentance and prayer for our nation and the people of the earth to turn to God, that He may pour out His Spirit upon all flesh in this new day. God bless you, my friends!
Please share your reflections from reading this post with me and others and your 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
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.
“If anyone wants to become my follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and for the gospel will save it. For what benefit is it for a person to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his life?” (Mark 8:34-36)
This morning I got up and began to look at my schedule. I am leaving this afternoon at 3:00pm to attend The New Room Conference for 3 days. I began thinking of all the things I needed to get done before I leave and the things I need to get lined up before I leave. As I was looking all this over, I began to feel anxious, my stomach tightened, the wheels in my mind began to turn as it started to put in place the “hows” and “whens” of my week. I can become over whelmed when we look at the challenges, struggles, tasks, appointments, and choices facing us when we wake up in the morning. All this, all of these things diminish, my stomach stops churning and my head stops spinning when I breath and remember that there is only one priority today. There is only thing I really need to do today. And that is to follow Jesus.
When I let my life challenges become my focus, I become the choking person in Jesus’ parable. “The seed sown among thorns is the person who hears the word, but worldly cares and the seductiveness of wealth choke the word, so it produces nothing.” (Mark 13:22)
When I remember that all I have to do is follow Jesus and pray that over myself and make priorities that align my day and my heart to simply following Jesus, I experience peace, that peace that passes all understanding. I can hear Jesus speaking “Be Still” and the calming of the storms in my life. And I remember as psalm 23 speaks over me, that “Even when I must walk through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for Jesus you are with me;” and Jesus restores my soul.
My family, I pray as you walk out your door and enter into the challenges of the week and all that is on your schedule, you take a minute to breath and remember that there is only one thing you need to do, one thing you need to priorities, and that is following Jesus, in Jesus’ name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you my friends!
As i mentioned above, I will be attending The New Room Conference in Montgomery, Al Wednesday-Friday. So this will be my last post this week. Please pray over my time as I go to spend time to be renewed in Christ.
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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Good morning, Lord Jesus. Help me hear Your heart. Help me have Your heart, as I entrust my life and my day to You -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God. ...
“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:36)
I’ve had much, and I’ve had little. I’ve lived in a mansion, and I’ve lived in a cabin. I’ve tasted and seen the things of this world, and I’ve tasted and seen the things of God. I’ve passionately pursued the hopes and dreams of my culture, and I’ve come to find my peace and pleasure in the One whom my soul loves (Song of Solomon 3:4).
Thank You for taking hold of my heart and giving me a heart to take hold of You. Thank you for aligning my soul with the priorities of heaven and putting a heart for heaven in my soul.
It’s so freeing to my heart to pray, “Your kingdom come” instead of trying to build my own. It’s so restful to my soul to pray, “Your will be done” instead of insisting on my own (Matthew 6:10).
As it turns out, the kingdom that really matters, the whole world that really worth pursuing, is right here within me, as I entrust my plans, my hopes, my dreams, my priorities of my life to You. “The kingdom of God is within (me)” (Luke 17:21). “For the kingdom of God is ... righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17).
By the grace of God, by the salvation of my soul, that’s the kingdom I’m pursuing. That’s the kingdom I want to come and the will of God I want to be done -- here on earth, here in my heart, here in the priorities of my soul each and every day, as it is in heaven. For what good would it be to gain the whole world and all this broken and fallen world has to offer, but to lose my own soul? ... In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
My family, I pray you may be at rest in your soul with the priorities of heaven in your heart, in Jesus' name. God bless you, my friends!
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I could use your financial support for One Direction Community and my family to jump down into the pits and help lift up those on the margins God has placed in my path I refuse to walk around. Please commitment to partner and support myself and One Direction community through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, PO Box 1293 Madison, Al 35758. Thank You!!
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Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
One Direction Community
Email: garyl@onedirection.community
Website: https://www.onedirection.community
Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC
Good morning, Lord Jesus. I love You, Lord, and I listen for Your leading to begin my day seeking to follow You and even become more like You today -- all by Your grace at work within me and within all who open their hearts to trust in You. ...
What I hear in my heart this morning is this bold declaration -- "He who sits in the heavens laughs!" ...
Immediately Your Word comes to mind from Psalm 2:
"Why do the nations conspire,
and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the Lord and His Anointed, saying,
'Let us burst their bonds asunder
And cast their cords from us.'
He who sits in the heavens laughs!
The Lord has them in derision.
Then He will speak to them in His wrath,
and terrify them in His fury, saying,
'I have set My King on Zion, My holy hill'"
(Psalm 2:1-6).
The question comes to mind, "Lord, why are You laughing? Right now our world is full of poverty, injustice, sickness, fear, hatred, and greed. Right now there are millions of souls bound in spiritual darkness and given over to hopeless despair. I know You are good and the very essence of love. I know righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne. I know You hate evil in every form and Your heart breaks at the brokenness of our broken and fallen world. So Lord, why are You laughing?" ...
And what comes immediately to mind is the rest of the Psalm....
"I will tell of the decree of the Lord:
He said to Me, 'You are My Son;
Today I have begotten You.
Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your heritage,
and the ends of the earth Your possession.
You shall break them with a rod of iron,
and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.'
Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
be warned, O rulers of the earth.
Serve the Lord with fear,
with trembling kiss His feet,
or He will be angry, and you will perish in the way;
for His wrath is quickly kindled.
Happy are all who take refuge in Him!"
(Psalm 2:7-11).
Yes, Lord! You're not laughing at our misery; You're laughing at Your victory! You're not laughing at all we're going through; You're laughing at all You're bringing us through! You already see the day when Your Word will be fulfilled here on earth as it in heaven: "The kingdoms of this world have become the Kingdom of our God and of His Christ!" (Revelation 11:15)
You're the God who sees the end from the beginning and the beginning from the end. You're the God who already knows how it all turns out, how You turn it all around for our good and Your glory. You're the God of whom it is said "For the sake of the joy that was set before Him (He) endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2).
That's the joy that fills Your heart! That's the joy that flows out of Your belly laugh from the heavens like Rivers of Living Water washing over our world. Wicked people and evil kings of this world may laugh now. The wicked and evil "ruler of this world" and so-called "god of this age" who "knows his time is short" and goes about our world "like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" may think he's winning, as he's defying the will and breaking the heart of the Most High God. "But He who sits in the heavens laughs!" He who sits in the heavens already sees the day when all will be well and all will be right and all will be just and all will even say, "It was worth it all to receive what we have and become who we are, forever and ever and ever!"
Yes, Lord! As You said long ago through Your prophet Nehemiah to Your people so troubled by all they were going through in their world, "Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!" (Nehemiah 8:10) And in the strength of Your joy we declare: "The Lord is my Strength and my Shield; in Him my heart trusts and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him!" (Psalm 28:7) And now "May the God of hope fill (us) with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit (we) may abound in hope!" (Romans 15:13) In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
My family, may you be comforted and filled with hope, strengthened in the joy of the Lord and laughter be heard in your heart as you believe and trust in the One who is at work in our world and in our hearts in the power of His love and joy even in the midst of all we're going through, in Jesus name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!s!
Please share your reflections and prayers with us in the comment box below.
We Still Need Your Help!
I want to ask you to resolve to partnering with my wife, myself, and One Direction Community by supporting our ministries! Partner 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!
Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
One Direction Community
Email: garyl@onedirection.community
Website: https://www.onedirection.community
Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC
TO GIVE CLICK HERE
This morning I turned on the TV and on the news there was a story of a controversy over the displaying of The Ten Commandments on a public building. Listening to it the story reminded me that I had not read The Ten Commandments for awhile. When was the last time you read them? So my spirit was prompted to open up The Book of Exodus this morning. I read them as an examination of my deeds, pausing after reading each commandment and reflect on my obedience to God’s word. Here they are:
“God spoke all these words:
“I, the LORD, am your God, who brought you from the land of Egypt, from the house of slavery.
“You shall have no other gods before me.
“You shall not make for yourself a carved image or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above or that is on the earth beneath or that is in the water below. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I, the LORD, your God, am a jealous God, responding to the transgression of fathers by dealing with children to the third and fourth generations of those who reject me, and showing covenant faithfulness to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
“You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold guiltless anyone who takes his name in vain.
“Remember the Sabbath day to set it apart as holy. For six days you may labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God; on it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, or your male servant, or your female servant, or your cattle, or the resident foreigner who is in your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth and the sea and all that is in them, and he rested on the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.
“Honor your father and your mother, that you may live a long time in the land the LORD your God is giving to you.
“You shall not murder.
“You shall not commit adultery.
“You shall not steal.
“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
“You shall not covet your neighborʼs house. You shall not covet your neighborʼs wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
(Exodus 20 1-17)
My family, I pray this morning you will as you read these commandments God has given us to guide our actions, you will take time to exam how your walk with God is living out and being obedient to His words, and repent, adjust, and re-align as needed to conform to them, in Jesus’ name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you my friends!
Please share your reflections and prayers with us in the comment box below.
We Still Need Your Help!
I want to ask you to resolve to partnering with my wife, myself, and One Direction Community by supporting our ministries! Partner 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!
Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
One Direction Community
Email: garyl@onedirection.community
Website: https://www.onedirection.community
Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC
TO GIVE CLICK HERE
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Come into my heart and every moment of my day.
"(Jesus) said to them, 'Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written, 'This people honors Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship Me, teaching human percepts as doctrines.' You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition'" (Mark 7:6-8).
Jesus, I want to honor with you not only with my lips, but with my heart also; not only with this morning devotion and prayers, but with my choices throughout all the moments of my day also -- I worship You in spirit and in truth. May I be faithful and true from the inside out, rather than on the outside alone.
Uproot and remove in me all that is merely ritual, tradition and religion. Remove all the days I simply “talk the talk,” but fail to “walk the walk”. Give me a passionate desire and uncompromising hunger for an authentic and real relationship with You. May my actions and my heart be genuine expressions of my true faith in my one, true God. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
My family, I pray your actions and your heart may be a genuine expression of your true faith in our one, true God throughout your day, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friends!
Please share your reflections and prayers with us in the comment box below.
We Still Need Your Help!
I want to ask you to resolve to partnering with my wife, myself, and One Direction Community by supporting our ministries! Partner 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!
You can mail your donation to One Direction Community P.O. Box 1293 Madison, Al 35758
Would you like to receive my morning devotion blog?
Email your name and email address to garyl@onedirection.community and I will add you to my ODC Daily Message distribution list to receive an email of these reflection every weekday morning.
Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
One Direction Community
Email: garyl@onedirection.community
Website: https://www.onedirection.community
Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC
TO GIVE CLICK HERE
“I begin God today in gratitude for all the ways you have shown love to me.
“But after hearing of Him (Jesus), a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately came and fell at His feet. Now the woman was a Gentile, of the Syrophoenician race. And she kept asking Him to cast the demon out of her daughter. And He was saying to her, “Let the children be satisfied first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” But she answered and *said to Him, “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs under the table feed on the children’s crumbs.” And He said to her, “Because of this answer go; the demon has gone out of your daughter.” And going back to her home, she found the child lying on the bed, the demon having left.” (Mark 7:25-28)
To the Jews living in Israel of Jesus’s time, dogs were an “unclean” animal and viewed similar to a pig. Dogs were viewed as scavengers that ate things Jews believed defiled them, dead things and garbage and were not looked at as pets to keep in your home as a companion. Gentiles were viewed by the Jews as “unclean” as well. Jews commonly referred to themselves as the “children” of God and Gentiles as “dogs.”
God’s plan of salvation is for all the world to be saved and blessed. His saving grace was for all people. Israel does have a special place in His plan, as it is through Israel that his salvation was to flow through and to the rest of the world. As Paul states “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes (the whole world through faith), to the Jew first (Israel) and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “ But the righteous man shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:16-17). And the woman in the story agrees with this plan as she said “the dogs get the scraps from the table.” Meaning Israel received first and through them all the world will receive blessings, “Scraps” But what we must remember is that what is called “scraps” is in reality abundance and more. In the story of the feeding of the 5,000 Jewish people, all were satisfied, all were filled and not by scraps, but by a bounty and 12 baskets were left over, In the feeding of the 4,000 gentiles, all were filled, all were satisfied, and there were “Scraps”, a bounty of 7 baskets left over. The “Scraps” of Jesus is a bounty, in which he cast out a demon from the woman’s daughter from a distance and brought healing and satisfaction to her household. And in Jesus all of us whether Jew or gentile can receive a bounty of his love, grace, and mercy and be satisfied.
You in the church have “tasted and seen that the Lord is Good” (Psalm 34:8). You have experienced the love, mercy and grace of God in Jesus Christ. You are part of and have experienced the acceptance, fellowship and bounty of the body of Christ. Now who are the “dogs” you need to share the “scraps” of the bounty you have received. You in the church who hang out with other “Clean” people in the church’s hospitality center and other gatherings who look like you, dink specialty coffees, listen to Casting Crowns, use words like “Fellowship” and “discerning,” and get the first fruits of your friendships. Who are the “dogs” to you, that you personally avoid, or your church members avoid as “unclean” because of their lifestyle, the way they look, where they live, or how they are viewed in your circle of friends as someone, “not good to throw the bread of life” to them. In the passage above Jesus left Israel and went to the land occupied by the gentiles, by the “dogs” and cast out demons, heeled the deaf and dumb, fed them and loved them. Who is God calling you to leave your “Clean” little circle and enter into what you perceive as the “unclean”? They could be across the world, across the city, across the street, across the classroom sitting at a desk, or in the office cubicle next to you.
My family, I pray today that you will reflect on the bounty God in Jesus Christ has supplied and has for you and he desires to “satisfy” you with his love, grace and mercy. I pray you will also open your eyes to see beyond your circle of “Cleaness” to those you may see as unclean, and open your heart to share the “scraps” of the Gospel of the bounty of grace with them. 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 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. Thank You!
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Come into my heart and every moment of my day.
"(Jesus) said to them, 'Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written, 'This people honors Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship Me, teaching human percepts as doctrines.' You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition'" (Mark 7:6-8).
Not only with my lips, but with my heart also; not only with my morning prayers, but with my choices throughout the moments of my day also -- I worship You in spirit and in truth. May I be faithful and true from the inside out, rather than the outside alone.
Uproot and remove I me all that is merely ritual, tradition and religion. Give me a passionate desire and uncompromising hunger for an authentic and real relationship with You. May my actions and my heart be genuine expressions of my true faith in my one, true God. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
My family,may your actions and your heart be a genuine expression of your true faith in our one, true God throughout your day, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friends!
Please share your reflections and prayers with us in the comment box below.
Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
One Direction Community
Email: garyl@onedirection.community
Website:https://www.onedirection.community
Facebook: One Direction Community-ODC
I could use your financial support for One Direction Community, my family, and those on the margins God has placed in my path I refuse to walk around. Please partner and support myself and One Direction community through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, PO Box 1293 Madison, Al 35758.
Thank You!
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Align my heart with Your heart and my will with Your will, O Lord, my God -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
I am serving of the Kairos Prison Ministry team that will be going for 4 days into Limestone Prison in October. Last night at one of our team meeting leading up the Kairos weekend, I gave a devotion to the team based on Isaiah 61. . morning I read Isaiah chapter 61. Usualy I ost a few verses from a chapter I am reading that are speaking to me as I write my devotion. This morning I am posting the whole chapter. As Isaiah 61 in it’s entirety is. one of the most powerful, beautiful, amazing chapters in the whole Bible that speaks into the heart of God’s restoration and grace for all mankind.
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me,
because the Lord has chosen me.
He has commissioned me to encourage the poor,
to help the brokenhearted,
to decree the release of captives
and the freeing of prisoners,
2 to announce the year when the Lord will show his favor,
the day when our God will seek vengeance,
to console all who mourn,
3 to strengthen those who mourn in Zion
by giving them a turban, instead of ashes,
oil symbolizing joy, instead of mourning,
a garment symbolizing praise, instead of discouragement.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
trees planted by the Lord to reveal his splendor.
4 They will rebuild the perpetual ruins
and restore the places that were desolate;
they will reestablish the ruined cities,
the places that have been desolate since ancient times.
5 “Foreigners will take care of your sheep;
foreigners will work in your fields and vineyards.
6 You will be called, ‘the Lord’s priests,
servants of our God.’
You will enjoy the wealth of nations
and boast about the riches you receive from them.
7 Instead of shame, you will get a double portion;
instead of humiliation, they will rejoice over the land they receive.
Yes, they will possess a double portion in their land
and experience lasting joy.
8 For I, the Lord, love justice
and hate robbery and sin.
I will repay them because of my faithfulness;
I will make a permanent covenant with them.
9 Their descendants will be known among the nations,
their offspring among the peoples.
All who see them will recognize that
the Lord has blessed them.”
10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord;
I will be overjoyed because of my God.
For he clothes me in garments of deliverance;
he puts on me a robe symbolizing vindication.
I look like a bridegroom when he wears a turban as a priest would;
I look like a bride when she puts on her jewelry.
11 For just as the ground produces its crops
and a garden yields its produce,
so the Sovereign Lord will cause deliverance to grow
and give his people reason to praise him in the sight of all the nations.”
Isaiah 61 is such a powerful chapter on the the complete restoritive plan of God of love and grace. It is the chapter that Jesus quoted from at the start of his ministry on earth to announce his presence in the world and the promise redemption that is now fullfilled in Him.
"Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about Him spread through all the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. When He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up, He went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, as was His custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to Him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: 'The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.' He rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him. Then He began to say to them, 'Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hear'" (Luke 4:14-21).
Lord Jesus, You're still healing the brokenhearted, setting the captives free and ministering to those who mourn in the power of Your Spirit. You're still fulfilling the scroll of Scripture, the Word of God, confirming Your identity and living out Your destiny. To which I say “Praise God!”
Just as the Father sent You in the anointing and the power of the Holy Spirit, so You send us, you send me saying "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, so I send you" (John 20:21). As we abide in You and You abide in us, Your Spirit flows through us in the power of Your love and grace everywhere You send us (John 15:5).
Fill me with Your Holy Spirit today! "Here am I; send me!" (Isaiah 6:8). Send me with the character of Your nature in my heart and the authority of Your name in my words, as You make me more like You each day (Romans 8:29). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
My family, I pray you read Isaiah 61 this morning, claim it over your life, home, family, domain, and ministry, and stand in prayer and declare the Spirit of the Lord God will be upon you today and every day, as the Lord sends you to minister His love and grace with nature of Jesus in your heart and authority of His name through your words, 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
I could use your financial support reaching with the Gospel those on the margins God has placed in my path I refuse to walk around. Please partner and support myself through setting up a monthly donation or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, PO Box 1293 Madison, Al 35758.
Thank You!
Good morning, Lord Jesus. You're my Lord and Savior, and I surrender my life and every moment of my day into Your hands --You're nail-scarred hands that remind me every morning of all Your mercy and love for me. ...
"Immediately (Jesus) made His disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He dismissed the crowd. After saying farewell to them, He went up on the mountain to pray. When evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and He was alone on the land. When He saw that they were straining at the oars against an adverse wind, He came towards them early in the morning, walking on the sea. He intended to pass them by. But when they saw Him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out; for they all saw Him and were terrified. But immediately He spoke to them and said, 'Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid!' Then He got into the boat with them and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded..." (Mark 6:45-51).
Your Word says You "made" Your disciples get into the boat to "go on ahead to the other side."
You weren't being mean or controlling. You weren't forcing them to do something they didn't want to do, because each one of them already made the choice before this day to let go of the lives they had, take hold of the life You offered, and to get up and go on and follow You. This was just another step of obedience, just another step of faith, just another step of surrender to keep learning to fully trust You and fully depend upon You to lead them into all You had for them and all You would do through them. You were making disciples of them.
So sometimes in Your mercy and love You have to "make" us take the next step. It's the only way we'll ever "go on ahead" to what You have next. You know our nature. We can get too comfortable with how it's always been. We can get too secure in what we think we have now. We can get too resistant to the nudges of Your Spirit and the sensing of Your calling to get up and come on because it's time to go on ahead to the next season of the journey to maturity in Christ.
There were some "adverse winds" they were about to encounter. There was some "straining at the oars" that was set before them. There were some scary things Your disciples were about to face. But the scariest thing turned out to be You all along!
You were not a ghost coming to scare them. You were their Savior coming to get them to the other side. So in the midst of their fears and confusion, You once again spoke Your words of spirit and life into their hearts -- Spirit to spirit, Heart to heart, Deep to deep -- saying, "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid!"
There's so much in this Word You are speaking to me today. I feel like I could preach a sermon right now! But I know I'm the one who needs to hear Your sermon right now. I'm the one who needs to hear Your words of spirit and life in my heart -- Spirit to spirit, Heart to heart, Deep to deep. ...
I believe I hear You speaking in my heart, "Don't be afraid. Get in the boat. We're going to the other side. I'll be with you. I'll come and meet you were you are. And as you know by now, I'll never leave you as you are. I'm making you into a faithful disciple who will make many disciples, all in My name and all by the power of My grace." ...
Yes, Lord. Yes, my Lord and my Savior. Give me grace to hear Your voice and follow You. Give me courage and grace to get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side into all You have next. Even if You have to "make" me. Because I do trust Your mercy and love for me. And I do trust Your work within me to make me Your disciple -- step by step, morning by morning, day by day, from glory to glory in You.
I do notice, as I peak ahead just a moment, that when those disciples of Yours got to the other side, amazing things started to happen! Probably even exceedingly, abundantly more than they could ever ask or imagine!
"When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat. When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized (Jesus) and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard He was. And wherever He went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might touch even the fringe of His cloak; and all who touched it were healed!" (Mark 6:53-56)
Praise God! But that sounds like a sermon for another day. Today, just help me get into that boat. ...In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
My family, may you hear in your heart the words of spirit and life of Jesus speaking Spirit to spirit, Heart to heart, Deep to deep, to nudge you out of where you are comfortable, to give you courage to get into the boat, to follow Him, to cross over to the other side into all He has for you, 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
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.
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