Following Jesus, literally, every day of our lives leads to an abundance that overwhelms.
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| Jesus is the way |
Do you follow him?
Jesus said he was the way. Literally, he is the gate, the door, the passage to eternal life. He is what God is speaking to the world (Heb 1). There is no other way to travel. Abiding is walking in the Spirit and following Jesus. Squeezing through passage ways with Jesus is normal. He leads us on a way that puts to death the old man simply by following. His yoke is easy and burden light because we are not in charge of our transformation. He is. As we walk with him grace pours in and the world fades away step by step.
But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. 14For this reason it says,
"Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you." Eph 5:14
I have always marveled at the disconnect we carry with us in regards to Jesus and following him.
The disciples literally followed him around Israel. And then they followed him around the world in the same way. There was no disconnect from Jesus. They describe this kingdom life as "walking in the Spirit" (Eph 5:15). Here is the simple math. Jesus died on the cross and defeated the powers and authorities and stripped them. He destroyed the power of sin with his own perfect offering of righteous blood. That blood cleaned the world by faith for all who will put their trust in Jesus and believe in him as the Father's Son. Then he rose from the dead three days later. He appeared to up to 500 people and then Ascended directly to heaven before the disciples eyes and sat down at the right hand of the Father. Nothing changed in the pattern and direction, character or nature of following him. Nothing. He gave us his Spirit to lead us (John 16:12-14). We are on the same journey. Walking the same pathway.
Jesus is alive. Talks. Leads and builds his ekklesia (Matt 16:8; Rev 2:13) every day.
Heaven has plans that will culminate in the Rule and Reign of Jesus Christ in the earth. Heaven is not working on time or the cycles of our day and night.
Heaven is on assignment and all the servants of heaven offer themselves as a fragrant offering and worship. Daily living sacrifices are rising up to the heavenly temple in which Jesus, our High Priest forever, intercedes for us.
Its time we thought of our lives with heaven's agenda first.
As I look back over the years there have been some particular things Jesus asked me to do that required direct obedience.
Planting churches is usually a direct obedience thing, at least in my experience. He deposits the call and vision and then we have to carry out the journey. The process leads us down many roads of discovery. Each step builds faith and vision as well as understanding for the road ahead. Traveling with Jesus affords us some amazing vantage points and experiences.
He has asked me to travel to other countries and to coffee shops in my own town. Same thing. Follow.
It is remarkable how many things open up when we respond with action in direct obedience.
There are seasons in which direct obedience is required to move into more open fields and service.
Many believers falls short of this understanding. We are raised with principles and rules instead of relationship and abiding. Let grace be your guide not principles and 10 steps to happiness. This world is fading away and so is everything that is derived from it.
Only one thing remains when we arrive in heaven.
Not our faith. We don't need it. We see it all. And his face.
Not our hope. We have arrived in it.
Love remains. And our relationship of love with Jesus explodes into eternal dwellings.
We need to live out of this place now.
Relationship and following Jesus as our abiding life, this is eternal life.
Not out of ministry. Not out of principles.
Live in Jesus. The WAY.
But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, 9and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,… Phil 3:8f
Set your heart and focus on Jesus. It makes all the difference in our world.
Spend some time on the Mountain tops of his love and grace.
Following is an easy yoke.
Love and grace in Jesus,
Brother Jeff
Jeff Reynolds Sr. Leader
Capstone Christian Fellowship
www.mycapstone.org
jeff@jeffreynoldsministries.com
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