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Tuesday, January 24, 2017

I Wanted to Learn the Ways of Those who Make Jesus their Everything.

I don't remember how it happened. 

 

 

Somehow I latched on to Psalm 144.  I felt the Holy Spirit affirming and calling my focus into the reality of the Psalm.  



At first it was wonder and new insights. 
Then it turned to praying as battle and overcoming endurance.  

In it all my heart had to be shored up with "don't lose heart" and some healing.  The refining fires of grace and love were stirring up things.  Dross was rising to the top I needed freedom to continue on in the paths he opened before me.  And he healed my heart at each required step. 


I discovered He wanted to write on my life a whole new understanding of prayer.  


 

Backdrop

I've been exploring prayer all my disciple life.  Literally and with intention and purpose, I've explored prayer, devotion, grace and overcoming in the secret place for 40 years. 


Prayer is truly the most exciting reality of my walk with Jesus.  

I've had countless beautiful and impacting encounters with Jesus in prayer.  


Over and over and over again, I've found wells deepening and so deep that my wonder and hunger regularly expand and vibrantly morph. 


New insights into the Word of Scripture and the Word of Life spring up and open whole new understanding of Jesus.  Prayer consistently brings me into the presence of God and the abundance of his way. 

As I look back I realize, I've had many more significant experiences with the Lord Jesus in personal prayer than in any revival meetings or gatherings I've been in, all told all counted. 

I'm committed to the ministry of the Holy Spirit, to mission, and to being with the Saints in Sunday celebrations and other meetings.  I've been in many very impacting and significant gatherings when the Holy Spirit is moving remarkably.  All told they cannot come close to the consistent and deep waters of my walk with Jesus in prayer.  

I have a log of dreams I am unpacking.  I have a book of prophetic grace I am praying over and through.  I have a whole exciting remarkable plate of Kingdom opportunities to share, the love of Jesus and the Gospel, and none compares to the riches and rooted-ness of finding myself abiding in prayer with Jesus.  



My personal sojourn in prayer is more impacting for my walk with Jesus than....anything else I do.   



Now, having said that, you need to understand my prayer life is more like an ocean than a lake or stream. 
I do all kinds of things in prayer and allow it to encompass a wide and diverse flow of so many things it never dries up.  Worship, Scripture, Devotion, Waiting, Listening, Resting, HOPEing, praying, interceding, supplicating, abiding, on and on the list goes and so also on and on the open doors to eternal life knowing the Father, the Son and the Spirit.  (John 17:3)

I change locations.  I change approaches to Scripture.  I pray in season, doing different things in different times as required to advance. 



I guess, the most important thing I have ever learned in walking with Jesus is to pray.




 
One hour flies by.  I've been leading 24 hr prayer events for 5 years now.  We partner with 10-20 churches and worship and pray for 24 hrs straight.  The flood gates of blessing and favor of unity and partnership have deepened with each event.  The wells of grace and joy in each one of these 24 hrs increases desire and hunger for all that prayer opens.  Many worship leaders, intercessors and praying pastors help out and attend.  

 
I've also noticed a trend in these prayer burns, prayer gatherings and meetings.  The leaders are there.  But the people are not.  


In general, in our region about the same number of people are part of a large church prayer gathering as a small church prayer gathering.  Large churches and small, the numbers appear to be about the same for prayer houses, prayer meetings, city meetings and 24hr burns.  



 Conclusion, the prayer movement is not connecting with the average believer.


 

Recently my friend from Uganda, Anthony Kinalwa, was with me in Redmond OR.  He lives and breathes an overcoming prayer life.  As we talked, he described the missional realities he and his team exercise in prayer.  I realized we cannot keep plowing forward with all our prayer events, gatherings, initiatives without some serious regrouping.  






We need the people involved in prayer.  We need to go back and gather up the prayer lives of the average disciple and re-light it with the wonder and awe of abiding in Jesus and overcoming the world.


 

 To see the prayer movement expand into even more glorious grace and consistency, we need to equip the people again in prayer. 





I remember getting the message loud and clear as a young new disciple.  The youth leaders called us out to early morning prayer.  Cold, crisp mornings, while it was still dark, we gathered and pursued Jesus.  Early and at the start of the day we read out Psalm 5.  Give ear to my word oh Lord.  We wanted Jesus.  We wanted to learn the ways of those who make him their everything. 




But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.  Matthew 6:6



Total assumption.  Disciples will be praying.  Totally assumed in the life of Jesus, prayer is the avenue of habitation and overcoming victory.  Hebrews 5:7-9  I received the message through the many faithful and blessed Saints of my early days in Christ.  They drove home the secret place, prayer, scripture, and devotions.  Everyday dining on the wonders of Christ, the door was open.  The invitation to his presence was set forever.   The deeper reality of the need to be in vital in "all the time prayer connection" with Jesus was drilled home.  (John 15)   I am grateful they faithfully deposited in me the heart of discovery and the conviction of the path of prayer. 


So, where have these voices gone?  How do we re-capture the compelling truths of prayer, presence and power?


Psalms 144 was not the first venture into a season of learning about prayer and deeper links to life in Jesus.  It did open my eyes fresh and new.  It carried me into a whole new path of discovery.  

A path of intimate and perfect love through and in warring for the grace and overcoming victory in promise. The good fight of advancing the kingdom.  


How's your 24?  
How's your prayer walk?  
Sowing into prayer is the greatest avenue for consistent joy in Jesus than any other thing out there.   

Take a new step into the depths and riches of knowing Jesus.  Pray. 

Start today.  5 mins listening to or reading the Scripture and Psalm 27:14 wait for the Lord. 
Grab some time and steal away with Jesus.  
He is remarkable to be around.  
You will tap into the grace of God.
The Father sent Jesus to restore us to him and he is longing to know us in Christ.  (John 17:3)


1. 10 Keys to Praying with Power
http://jeffreynoldsonedesire.blogspot.com/2014/11/10-keys-to-praying-with-power-moving.html

2. 10 Keys to Sustaining Supernatural Life
 http://jeffreynoldsonedesire.blogspot.com/2014/12/10-keys-to-sustaining-life-in.html

3. Why is the Prayer House Empty?
http://jeffreynoldsonedesire.blogspot.com/2014/11/why-is-prayer-house-empty-or-is-it.html

4. Intimacy with Jesus Beyond Religion?




Feedback?  Ideas?  


I would love to dialogue with you. 


Share your comments.  





2017 
Transfiguration! 


Look forward, eyes filled with Abundance, Boundless, Victorious vision in Jesus.  

 Get a copy of my Prophetic Review 2016 - Salvation's Mountain Erupting with Open Doors, Shifts and Invitation.   Encouragement, focus, wisdom and insight into the prophetic seasons of the new year.  
www.jeffreynoldsministries.com 







 


Thanks for Reading!   



I love your comments. Ideas and thoughts.
Please share em.
Re-shares are great. thank U.

The dialogue is awesome.  Thank you. Testimonies?  Share em with me.   

Re-Shares lov em.  Thank you! With much love in Jesus 

You can do this thing!  He's got you. 






Jeff Reynolds   --- 

Brother Jeff

Jeff Reynolds Sr. Leader Capstone Christian Fellowship jeff@jeffreynoldsministries.com jreynolds@mycapstone.org

Thursday, January 19, 2017

3 Things That Can Mess Up YOUR GRACE RACE.

Draw near and run your race. 

Sounds easy enough.  Right?  


Well, if you've been walking in faith and in the grace of God you know there can be a mix of challenges.  

Along with a whole lot of beautiful God stuff, challenging things get thrown in .  

REMEMBER 
So, it's always good to be reminded of the basics. 



"Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent."  John 17:3  


The goal of our faith is knowing and loving God. 
Jesus made the new and living way.  
That road leads us along with the power and love to know God like he does.  
This the goal of our faith, knowing him. 
The ultimate reality is his ways lead in knowing him. 
Obedience charts a course of boundless grace. 





"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."  James 4:8 



All the promises are Yes and AMEN in Jesus.  
Keep moving toward God and you will find him.   
A good friend reminded me Sunday, "say yes, and then say yes again."  
We need to develop a yes toward the Father in the grace of Jesus through the power of the Spirit.  Say yes.  Right now.  And then again and again.  
This is the obedience road.  



Three things will always stumble you in the way of God.   

Three things that can mess up your Grace Race.


Comparing 


It is unwise to compare ourselves with other disciples or ministries.  
"We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. 13We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the sphere of service God himself has assigned to us, a sphere that also includes you."  
2 Cor 10:12-13 

Everyone in the Kingdom is given a measure of grace from the Lord (Ephesians 4:7).  
The focus of our salvation is grace.  We walk in the Spirit moving with the Lord in the grace we've been given.  This is done by faith.  We all carry a unique anointing and blessing to participate in the Kingdom by faith through the grace imparted to us.  Don't get side tracked.  Use your grace in faith.  

We show ourselves to be friends with Jesus when we keep his commands.  
Take every talent and opportunity you have and let the grace of God shine through faith.  Use your talents for the Kingdom and watch the unique grace you possess change lives around you. Everyone has been give grace from the Lord (Eph 4:7) When we mix it with faith the glory and Kingdom come forth.  Get your grace in motion.
Matthew 25:



Competing 

There is no such thing as competition in the Kingdom of God.  If we desire competition then we should focus our worship and obedience onto Jesus and see how we compare? Expressing competition among churches or ministries or disciples is to stumble into James 3:14-18 and land in the earthly and un-spiritual.  

The diversity of operations and actions that the Trinity is doing in the world is beyond imagination (Eph 3:14-21).  Manifold wisdom and unity in Christ are the deep workings of the Kingdom of God (Eph 3:10; 1:9-10).  All at once God is working in manifold ways for a perfected harmonious glorious unity in Jesus (John 17:20-21). 

The grace we each have, when it's mixed with faith and action, gets dispersed in serving and loving like the Master.  Serving and loving, encouraging and freely giving as we've been freely given.  There is no practical end to the resources of the Kingdom in service and love.  

Ephesian 1:9-10 clearly paints the direction of all the works of the Father in Jesus.  Jesus' High Priestly prayer also calls for unity as a witness to the reality of his mission (John 17:20-21).  
God is not working against himself in the millions of ministries, Saints, faith ventures and grace deposits he has around the globe.  

Manifold wisdom understands this powerful perspective.  



Coercing 

Jesus was gentle.  He doesn't break the broken reed or put out the smallest flame.  He welcomes people to come to him.  The heavy laden and burdened are invited to get free and released from the yoke of slavery.  


"Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My chosen one in whom My soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations. 2"He will not cry out or raise His voice, Nor make His voice heard in the street. 3"A bruised reed He will not break And a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice.…
 Isaiah 42:2

 Sometimes our spiritual fervor and insights from God lead us to brow beating and coercive tactics when we don't see the response we want.  It is extremely difficult to build the kind of service, love and unity Jesus prays for when we look down on our brothers, sisters, churches, ministries that are not "like us".   Grace carries life and encouragement in the power of the Holy Spirit.  When we put in motion the grace of God through faith the forward point of the arrow is always love.  Anything short of love is easily detected.  And love is easy to spot and know when we've received it.   

Coercing the family of God may get some short term results.  Grace gets Kingdom results.  Grace mixed with love gets eternal results.   God is love.  If we are moving in the NAME of Jesus love is going to be a primary reality.  Being touched by love is clear, everyone knows when they got some. 

 
1 Peter 3:15 - But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

Psalms 18:35 - Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.

2 Timothy 2:24-26 - And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all [men], apt to teach, patient,
 

- gentleness, rest, patience, Jesus altered reality in a world of chaos, coercion and power.  


ASK, SEEK, KNOCK - Instead



Ask the Spirit if you are moving in any of the three above.  Repent and turn from those and ask the Spirit to impart to you insight in the Mind of Christ through Scripture to build a new mindset of redemption and love.  

Seek the opportunity to love and serve like Jesus.  Surrendering yourself to him and looking for the divine appointments of your life will produce some remarkable encouragements.  He will reveal himself.  (John 14:23)    


“Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
 
Knock on the doors in front of you.  God does not respect persons.  If we are hungry the grace and glory given to us can open wide hearts, minds, souls to the Kingdom of God.  Each one of us will be required to knock in prayer to overcome whatever is in the way of the grace imparted and informing out path.  Jesus the Master knocked with loud cries and tears.  (Hebrews 5:7-9


Feedback?  Ideas?  

I would love to dialogue with you. 

Share your comments.  





2016  
Transfiguration! 

Look forward, eyes filled with Abundance, Boundless, Victorious vision in Jesus.  

 Get a copy of my Prophetic Review 2016 - Salvation's Mountain Erupting with Open Doors, Shifts and Invitation.   Encouragement, focus, wisdom and insight into the prophetic seasons of the new year.  
www.jeffreynoldsministries.com 



 

Thanks for Reading!   


I love your comments. Ideas and thoughts.
Please share em.
Re-shares are great. thank U.

Here are some other blogs posts that may interest you.   




The dialogue is awesome.  Thank you. Testimonies?  Share em with me.   
Re-Shares lov em.  Thank you! With much love in Jesus 
You can do this thing!  He's got you. 






Jeff Reynolds   --- 
Brother Jeff
Jeff Reynolds Sr. Leader Capstone Christian Fellowship jeff@jeffreynoldsministries.com jreynolds@mycapstone.org

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Does Your Doctrine Walk?

Speak to dry bones life, abundance and love in Jesus at church

You know.
Does it cause you to go somewhere?



We are called to.....


Walk in the Spirit

Go with the gospel

Follow Jesus...

Disciple his friends 


Good doctrine causes you to move. 
Bad doctrine causes you to become passive. 
Apathetic. 
Unresponsive of heart. 


So, does your doctrine WALK IN THE SPIRIT? 

For many of the people, church appears to be a spectator sport. 
Nothing is required of us at all to "walk through church".  

We could be at a football game and express more enthusiasm and activity - cheering on our team - than happens in any average day at many churches.  


For disciples of Jesus, those walking in the Spirit,

Church is one of the GAME DAYs.  


Time to put on love
Pour out blessing
Encourage, 
Strengthen,
Comfort,
the Body of Christ.
In the victory and abundance of Jesus.  

Cheering each other on toward love and good deeds.

Putting in motion every grace gift from the Spirit to build up those around us. 

Acting and walking in the Spirit.

Moving in Faith.  

Moving in Love.

Remembering, testifying to the good things God has done. 

Praying and interceding for the Lord's hand of Kindness and power to be extended in behalf of his beloved.  



When we purpose to be encouragement the fires of faith start getting bigger and bigger


Sadly, things appear backwards. 

Ah. Chillin at the Tahiti shack of church
Somehow church has become a proving ground instead of an "everyone plays" ground.   

Show me a miracle and I'll believe kind of ground.  

Instead of where we worship, pray pursue and love the Lord with all our hearts, minds, souls and strength. 
   
So do we think church is when we find out if "it's real or not".

That seems backwards.  Isn't the church the "called out ones", the ekklesia?


Isn't church the place where we join together in love, unity, grace and faith and worship the Lord Jesus in all his wonder. 

Seems to me the compelling practice of church goes like this.   We do not possess a solid and living faith.  We go to church hoping someone there will give us enough to make it through the next 7 days so we can find out again if we have any faith.  Then we may not be at church for weeks and we do the same thing again. 

Instead of learning the ways of God in the victory of Jesus and walking in them together, 
the way we do church often teaches people that they don't need to be engaged at all and they still go to heaven. 


Part of the Problem....?????
Our doctrine does not walk when it is at church.
It does not call us into action.
It doesn't require us to abide in Jesus to succeed. 
It does not make us hungry for more of Jesus. 

A Day at church should be teaching us by practice the Way of Jesus.

A day at church should invite us into walking in the Spirit
Walking after Jesus 
Walking in love and the grace of our gifts in Christ.   
That grace in motion in us for the beloved.  
Double problem. 
The church rarely requires us to walk in the Spirit to be part of the Day. 
Churches can teach us passivity.  
Mental Assents over action orientations of faith and trust in God.   
We sit.  We may stand.  We barely engage one another.  
We worship if we feel like it and the music is good.  We hardly pray.  In fact many are terrified at the thought of praying for someone. 
Someone leads us in all of it.  We follow the steps.  
It's easy.  
No faith required.  
We don't know how to fish, walk or overcome in Christ.  
But we did church. 

If it the way we do church doesn't put in motion walking in the Spirit..... it should be left behind.  

If it doesn't call us into deeper more passionate devotion love and worship of Jesus and more fully into his mission of love for the world.......it is sub-par.  
Leave it behind. 
Pour yourself out in love for the Body of Christ



Boundless Solution
Walk together in the Spirit at Church. 
Let the Spirit lead.  
Love and encourage on the spot
Spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 
Pray.  Pray for each other.  Get real about our lives and pray for God's favor and blessing, his overcoming victory. 
Not just from the front but in everyone present.  
Every member a vital part of the family. 
Be ekklesia, the people who know the Lord at church. 
Welcome the Holy Spirit and follow his lead in everything. 
Engage God and engage everyone present in the presence. 
Put feet on everything that is taught.  
Invite the doctrines to walk!  

Then walk in them.  


That's the Kingdom.
That may be a step forward for doing church.  
 




Feedback?  Ideas?  

I would love to dialogue with you. 

Share your comments.  




2016  
Transfiguration! 

Look forward, eyes filled with Abundance, Boundless, Victorious vision in Jesus.  

 Get a copy of my Prophetic Review 2016 - Salvation's Mountain Erupting with Open Doors, Shifts and Invitation.   Encouragement, focus, wisdom and insight into the prophetic seasons of the new year.  
www.jeffreynoldsministries.com 


 

Thanks for Reading!   


I love your comments. Ideas and thoughts.
Please share em.
Re-shares are great. thank U.


Here are some other blogs posts that may interest you.   



The dialogue is awesome.  Thank you. Testimonies?  Share em with me.   
Re-Shares lov em.  Thank you! With much love in Jesus 
You can do this thing!  He's got you. 




Jeff Reynolds   --- 
Brother Jeff
Jeff Reynolds Sr. Leader
Capstone Christian Fellowship
jeff@jeffreynoldsministries.com
jreynolds@mycapstone.org