Ask Me How We Arrived, Three Little Birds, on a Prince's Porch.

I've walked with Jesus since I was Seventeen.
In the course of the journey.....

I've learned... 

Things happen 

that completely change 

the way I see 

EVERYTHING.

I had such an experience in Bali in June 2018.  


On June 19, 2018, I was in Ubud with our Bali Mission Team of 10.  We were walking in the Spirit in some highly charged supernatural days.  Dreams, divine appointments, prophecies and walking into them in real-time.  A highly charged spiritual environment, Ubud is certainly one of the New Age capitals of the World.  

I was leading a focused and deeply committed team of Saints in the day to day motions of walking in the Spirit, following the leading and promptings of the Spirit and going into every open door and welcome we received.  

We diligently attempted to stewarded everything the Holy Spirit was speaking and revealing.  

Flowing in a continuous "walk in the Spirit", the day was surrounded with Day and Night prayer and continuous awareness of our co-laboring mission we were in with Jesus.  We were sent by the Spirit into Ubud for a few days.  Now those days were unfolding "in the Spirit".  

One afternoon, we had a few open hours.  I had in my mind to follow the full circles of the previous trip to Bali and Ubud (2015) and go back to the home we stayed in.  The house was in a small town called Tampaksiring.  The missionary we came to visit, support, and encourage lived there.  We stayed there praying day and night and walking in the Spirit.  



As with this current trip (2018), we met key people, wandered into divine appointments as well as seeing prayers answered within hours.  I also experienced the voice of God in supernatural ways that translated right into the very moment I was living in.   

We did not receive a warm welcome throughout much of our previous trip.  This frontier venture moved in the ways of a few open gates and limited welcome.  Yet all who welcomed us were encouraged and blessed and awakened.  Of course, that was fun to see the Spirit moving even in such a warfare prayer based frontier mission.  


During this 2018 trip, the condition and status of the property in Tampaksiring was not fully known to me.  We had lost touch with our missionary friend and did not know what eventually happened.  We anticipated the previous missionary not being there as he communicated the intention of leaving the work behind and moving back to the USA.  The lingering sadness of seeing such a supernatural work left behind and the lack of finality in knowing the current status called my heart to "go and see".   

So, I asked my team mates about my impression to go and visit the house in Tampaksiring and bring things full circle.  We in turn asked the Holy Spirit if we should go.  We felt an agreed "yes, go".  

Water Temple - Tampaksiring

This venture was important to me.  I longed to get a clearer picture of the current state of things.  The Holy Spirit had connected us to a mission that he orchestrated through our friend, by giving him the oversight of this particular property through supernatural means and then calling us to come and encourage and support him.  




Jesus planted the ministry there in the ancients fields of 1000-year-old temples, a presidential palace, stronghold understandings, a royal family and captivities of life and faith.  It was a piece of ground given over to Christ.  But a piece of ground highly contested by principalities and powers.  The supernatural components of this location and the divine story behind it are remarkable.  Equally remarkable is the disappointment and lingering confusion of the abandoning of such a clearly supernatural mission base.  



So we booked a car and headed out.  Daniel, my friend, and amazing mission leading partner didn't think I could find the place.  It was about 4o minutes drive from Ubud.  The driver actually went the way I knew and traveled on a scooter a number of times.  All things looked familiar and we were on the way.  

In Tampaksiring I identified the critical turn after passing it and trusting my gut to go back a little way.  Sure enough, we were now heading down the jungle path in very familiar places.  The guys were happy and celebrated with me; I did know how to find the place after all this time.  We wound our way past the cemetery, that fearful place for our Hindu friends, and pulled up in the driveway of the house.  





My emotions were running deep and my memories churned up inside me.  We stepped out and knocked on the outer Gate door.  No answer.  But it was open.  We pushed it open a bit and called out for anyone who might be there.  No one answered.  There were signs of someone being present but our continued calling out did not rouse anyone.  








The property was definitely in a state of disrepair.  The roof covered with a ripped tarp was decaying.  The general state of the property unkempt.  Disappointing.  The promises and vision rang out in my mind.  "Barefoot on God's given land, you will find it."  That's how this place was discovered.  Now it was wasting away.  

An old man was walking along the path just outside the driveway.  I thought we should talk to him and gain any information he had.  He answered our questions but offered little more.   We walked around the perimeter and prayed.  Took some photos.  Wondered.  Eventually, we all gathered back at the car and agreed we were done for now.  So we loaded up the car to head back to Ubud.  

On the jungle path on the drive out, the old man was walking toward us.  I asked the driver to stop the car.  To the driver, I said, "Please, ask him who owns the property?".   The driver and he conversed and he acted like he knew.  So we asked him to write the name down in Bryan's journal.  We thanked him and gave him a small Rupia thank you.  He smiled and walked off.  We asked the driver if we could go see the person, the name now written in the journal.  The driver showed visible signs of being uncomfortable with the request.  So we pressed in and asked again.  

His response was, "He is the richest man in Ubud."  Undaunted by this response, I asked the Holy Spirit if we should go see this person.  My gut feeling was yes.  "Go visit him".  I asked the guys what they thought.  They were in agreement that going to visit the person was a "yes" from the Spirit.   

 Ok. So how do we find a person we have no contact information for?  No phone number.  No address.  No specific location?  Just his name and some stories?  
Remember my lead off.  
Sometimes things happen that change your whole perspective.  

Jesus is a living God. He speaks and leads us today.  Not and idol or piece of stone. 

So, I asked the driver if he knew where we could find this person.  Visibly unnerved, he replied, "He has nine palaces.  I don't know where he maybe."  Undaunted, I said, "Can you take us to one of them?"  He said, "yes, with hesitation".  

I looked at the guys for final agreement to go and they nodded.  We were off to find this man and meet with him. By the leading of the Holy Spirit and following the full circle of the house in Tampaksiring, our missionary friend and all the gaps and stories in between, we headed out.  

We drover for 40 minutes down into Ubud.  I recognized different streets and sights.  The driver intended to take us to the main royal palace complex, we did not know this until later as we knew nothing about the Royal Family of Ubud or the prince who owned the property.  We came to the main street to go into the palace complex and could not enter.  It was barricaded and police were directing traffic away.  Later we found out the President of Indonesia was visiting.  Huh. Turned away to...

So turning right we headed down the street and drove along.  We had no new directives, no clear direction.  We drove on as we sorted this out.  As we drove, possibly a few miles, I was looking out the window and saw what looked like a royal emblem on the face of an office complex.  We continued driving and it welled up in me that we should check that place out.  I told the guys and we asked the driver to pull over.  In a very busy intersection, the driver pulled over.  He said he would wait there for us. We said we would possibly be a while. We got out, crossed the maze of traffic and headed toward the princely seal.  

Arriving in the parking lot we spotted an open temple area to our left and decided to ask the older man attending there if he knew where we could find the person listed on the journal, the prince.   He spoke little English and we struggled to explain our purpose.  He pointed toward the palace complex and said we should go there.  The one we could not enter.  We felt we hit a dead end.  So we walked across the street to the office complex with the princely seal out front.  It looked empty.  We googled the names on the sign and found them to be offices of non-profits and random service agencies.  Now we were really stumped.  Was this a dead lead?  Were we done with the search?  

Then Daniel said, "I think we should tour the temple back where the older man was."  We looked at each other and internally sought the Spirit's lead and all agreed we should do it.  So we headed back to the entrance of the temple with the Old man and went in.  We let them know we wanted to "do the tour" and they began getting us into the proper attire.  

While the guys got outfitted, I talked with a woman Bryan was conversing with.  He was sharing the story and our search and showing her the name written in the journal; pressing into the Spirit's lead with boldness and tenacity.  I joined in and told some specific stories of our missionary friend and the connection with the Royal Families history, about the house and our desire to learn what happened.  I gave her my card with our friends' name written on it.  She gave me her card and said, "Please next time you are in Bali come and visit us and we can talk more about these stories."  Jasmine is a lovely person but again, it looked like we had reached a dead end.   I shared some more compelling information and stories and asked if she would share my card, stories and asked if we might see the Prince?  That is if she had any way to connect with him or share the information.  She appeared to have some connection to the Royal Family but was essentially putting off any requests.  She said nothing more and we went on the tour.  

Here are some photos from the tour. 
 Amazing place.  

Overwhelming beauty.  
We were in awe.  
And we felt we were close to our goal of meeting the Prince.  
This was a reception area for Royal activities.  
I've never been to a place like this.  
We were a bit taken back.  

The Spirit had directed our path to what appeared to be a Royal Family compound of some kind. 

We went in.  

When we came out after the tour, the guys were giving back the clothes we were required to wear and Jasmine said something like,
"The Prince will see you now."  

I heard the words, but they bounced around in my mind and soul for a minute before landing.  I asked the guys, "Did I hear that correctly? What did she say?"

Calm cool and collected Daniel said, "I guess we are going to see the Prince now."  

In truth, I wasn't really ready to see a Prince.  Though I had a prophetic word pointing to such things.  I never really counted it to happen.  Yea. Definitely, I had not prepared myself in prayer as if it would.  And so even though I was bold in the search, I now was fearful in the actual happening.  As we walked down the stairs and into the Royal Family compound, down along the long pathway being led along by the old man, I ran through my mind the question, "Now What? How do I meet a Prince? and what does God have in mind for this meeting?"  

Now, if the story ended here, I think it would still be remarkable.  But it doesn't.  

We were ushered back into the family compound and to the door of the Prince.  He came out and greeted us and shared welcomes and greetings.  We all sat down on the porch outside his door.  He asked us questions politely and sought to understand our connection to our missionary friend, to Tampaksiring.  We asked questions and sought to know anything he knew about our friend and his leaving and wear abouts.  He expressed his own concern about our friend and that he did not have much in the way of information on him.  

He was warm, happy and welcoming and we made it past the initial concerns of who we were and what our intentions were.  As we continued talking he told a few stories.  We told some of our own.  We all laughed as we were reminded of the uniqueness and creativity of our missionary friend.  His wild story and the supernatural connection he had too many in Bali, sheer joy.  The Prince laughed along with us.  Deep and joyful we remembered our friend.  And sadly we missed him along with the Prince.  

There was a guitar sitting up against the wall.  I asked if the Prince played.  He happily said he did and recounted some jamming sessions and his love of playing music.  He grabbed the guitar and handed it to me.  I don't know why but I handed it on to Daniel who oversaw all the prayer and worship on the trip.  He grabbed it up and then sat thinking about what to play.  Then he started in......"Don't worry about a thing, 'cause every little thing gonna be all right.....

Rise up this mornin',
Smile with the risin' sun,
Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singin' sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true,
Sayin', ("This is my message to you-ou-ou: ")

"Three Little Birds"

"Don't worry about a thing,
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right.
Singin': "Don't worry about a thing,
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right! "

Rise up this mornin',
Smile with the risin' sun,
Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singin' sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true,
Sayin', ("This is my message to you-ou-ou: ")

Singin': "Don't worry 'bout a thing,
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right."
Singin': "Don't worry (don't worry) 'bout a thing,
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right! "

Rise up this mornin',
Smiled with the risin' sun,
Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singin' sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true,
Sayin', "This is my message to you-ou-ou: "

Singin': "Don't worry about a thing, worry about a thing, oh!
Every little thing gonna be all right. Don't worry! "
Singin': "Don't worry about a thing" - I won't worry!
"'Cause every little thing gonna be all right."

Ok. Still awesome.  But it gets better.  
Daniel is a prayer house worship leader.  He felt the Holy Spirit prompt him to learn one song that was not a worship song prior to our Bali Team Mission.  It was this one.  
As he sat there debating what to play, this one song came to mind.  

Three little birds.  Uh. 

When Daniel started in on the song we all started singing together.  
The Prince was stoked and got very happy.  He said he used to sing this song all the time with our friend and loved it.   

The entire atmosphere changed.  We went from visitors with interesting intentions to friends invited to return any time.  

We celebrated and sang that song for a while and the three of us "little birds" marveled at our God.  We were in awe, that we actually were led to this place with no details only promptings from the Spirit. 

After finishing with the song and more details of our stay, a map to his sisters home - another palace - and an invitation to come any time, we asked if we could pray for the Prince. 

He agreed and we prayed and interceded for him, his family and for Ubud.  He gladly reached out his hands to us and we sat on his porch all bowed in prayer enjoying the wonder of God.  

Wonder and awe filled me up and I began to wonder about the future.  About what this all meant.  About the next steps in the Spirit.  About what God intended and the significance of this purely divine appointment.   

Love you guys!

I am prayerfully seeking the Lord and eagerly awaiting the next time I can sit down with the Prince.  I am hoping it is with the other two little birds as well.  I do think we will have a jam session and bring 'melodies pure and true" into Bali again.   I also know that this new relationship is forged in the mind of the Lord for his purpose.  Excited and humbled and so stoked that I walked this journey out with these two men of exceptional courage and Holy Spirit sensitivity, I saw everything new, fresh, different.  This was a team effort of discernment and very simple promptings.  Of action in the world now.  Of the signs and wonder of the Holy Spirit.  


I've been plying these roads for a few years now.  Pressing into the simplest promptings of the Spirit as I journey in specific geographic places sent by Jesus.  It is my goal to help others learn to walk in these ways.  To find the open gates.  To press into the divine appointments and story Jesus intends for us to write with him.  

Sometimes we have experiences that change the way you and I think about everything. 

Meeting Jesus Christ is the pinnacle - an experience that changes our eternal life forever.  
Walking with him continues to be the same. 

It is one thing to be blown away, encountered, seeing God on a mission and joining him.  It is just the beginning though.  The Day always flows into a WAY.   
All the mountain tops turn into highways.  Isaiah 49:11

And the world's geography is no limitation to the Kingdom of God.  We need the same purposed and powerful following in the USA.  The same step for step supernatural grace unfolding.  Yes, there are plenty of roadblocks in the WAY we do church, evangelism and conduct our ministries in the USA.  

During the trip to Bali, I had a dream.  An American was walking with me over and through and in the mission journey. Through the jungle, over the hills, on the paths, and in places with no roads.  I was on the move and he was right along with me.  But, he was asking me about every part.  Asking me about how these things were done.  Asking me to take things apart and explain how we do and did such things.   To be honest, I was stoked to even have someone ask.  Seems the appetite for the supernatural forging its way in the natural and the changes required to walk in these ways is not that popular.  So, not many questions get asked or answered.  Very Sad.  As this is such a joy for the Holy Spirit as he co-labors with us.

Of course, I welcome the opportunity.  Mainly because I believe God is looking for a new kind of missional leader.  One who simply follows the Spirit carries the Gospel of the Kingdom and moves in the power of the Spirit.  Its a way born out of assignment and being sent and definitely a way paved by faith. It is a way walked in by one who can spot the open doors the Spirit is providing, a person who can roam with purpose in the ripe fields of the world....any part of it.  

The time is upon us where these things occur in the USA.  I've been experiencing them here as well.  I also realize I have many more boundaries and limiting perspectives in my own country and culture than in another one.  

So I am equally exploring with the Holy Spirit new ways of doing the ekklesia family as well as looking for the same kind of open doors and gates to whole new streams of divine activity and salvation.  

As I unpack this way, I'm finding the normal ways of church life and how we flow with and process this Kingdom life to be bottlenecked and hindered.  I'm also finding the resistance to changing these hindrances in the hearts of many called out ones.  The personal flexibility and faith required to move in this way with the Spirit are demanding.  But more so utter joy. It moves you into the realms of wonder and awe.  The natural swept up in the spiritual. 

We need a new cup, a new mindset and a new heart to enter into these paths.  It means not knowing a whole bunch of stuff, but clearly knowing a few simple and powerful things.  It also requires courage and wisdom.  The still small voice of the Lord is to be obeyed.  

Ask me how we arrived, Three Little Birds, on a Prince's porch.  

  





Global Kingdom Harvest Ministries - is going out into the world with the Gospel of the Kingdom in the power of the Spirit.  

We are taking teams Circuit Riding in the Northwest of the USA and in Japan, Indonesia, Uganda, soon Pakistan and India.  
Saving the Lost, Reviving the Saved, Equipping Everyone we are following the Spirit to bring the Gospel to every open door and welcome.  

Visit our web site and connect if you want to join a team www.jeffreynoldsministries.com 
Find Jeff's stories and First Love encouragements at www.jeffreynoldsonedesire.blogspot.com 

Want to give to this ministry?  We live by faith and the generous gifts of the Saints.
paypal.me/GKHJeffReynolds  - Gifts are tax deductable

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. 

1.http://jeffreynoldsonedesire.blogspot.com/2015/01/7-things-enemy-devil-doesnt-want-you-to.html
 

2) http://jeffreynoldsonedesire.blogspot.com/2014/04/you-fascinate-me-jesus-so-why-are-you.html

3) http://jeffreynoldsonedesire.blogspot.com/2014/07/never-be-lacking-in-zeal-need-some.html 

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   --- Global Kingdom Harvest Ministries

Brother Jeff

www.jeffreynoldsministies.com

Are You Hungry Enough? ....To Stop Jesus in His Tracks?

The people that stop Jesus in his tracks tend to get his full attention. 

And what they ask for!

 

Blind Bartimaeus did just that.  Outside Jericho. 

Jesus – “What do you want me to do for you?”  

Our answers tells us much about our 
treasure, 
our life desires, 
our understanding of the Kingdom 
and what is first in our lives. 

This is a profound question from the Lord.   IN a nothing is impossible mindset…..What does it mean to have Jesus ask us this question?
This miracle follows the one at Bethany – Raising Lazarus.

Jesus is the one who opens the eyes of the blind. 

They see him first!

Jesus is the one who raises the dead.

They find life in him alone. 

Hunger and desperation in request of Jesus always brought a response. 
Those who stopped him in his tracks found healing, sight, deliverance.  


Are you hungry enough to stop Jesus in his tracks? 
Are you willing to interrupt him while he walks with the crowds? 

In New Testament times Jericho stood some distance to the south-east of the ancient one, and near the opening of the valley of Achor.

Promise: I will make the valley of Achor a door of hope.

"Therefore, behold, I will allure her, Bring her into the wilderness And speak kindly to her. 15"Then I will give her her vineyards from there, And the valley of Achor as a door of hope. And she will sing there as in the days of her youth, As in the day when she came up from the land of Egypt. 16"It will come about in that day," declares the LORD, "That you will call Me Ishi And will no longer call Me Baali.… Hosea 2

 Bartimaeus said, "I want to receive my sight."  

And his first sight was of Jesus.  
When Israel passes into the land of promise she will see Jesus first. 
The strongholds of Jericho will fall to his love and power in the simple requests of those who cry out to him.  
He is the Father's sight to behold. 
Hebrews 1


There is much going on these days in Christian circles. 
Hopes of Revival. 
Tons of teachings.
Worship and Prayer in many forms. 
It seems the water mark has risen since the crash of 2008. 

 

In all of the circumstances life throws our way......There is ONE Desire in the Nations that can restore our sight. Jesus Christ.  

The real question is What do you want him to do for you?

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8"For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.…   Matthew 7:7 

 

 Then Jesus said, "Receive your sight."  

The supernatural breaks into our everyday life as we call out and cry out to the Lord Jesus for help, miracles, healing, hope and courageous hearts.  

What are you asking, seeking and knocking for? 

Does it require faith?   Can you see it?  

Does it originate at the Throne of the Alpha and Omega? 

I've recently wrote on.....

Giant Slaying Courage - the kind that fills the heart of Jesus for us and the Father's will.  He leads us write up to the lands filled with Giants ----So we can learn to slay them.  

We are learning to rule and reign with Jesus in the tangible realities of this life.  That's part of what he is doing in us.  We face off against life's challenges so we can appropriate the grace, freedom, power and love of God in faith filled prayer and trust.  

God is Faithful

And he is so much more.....

He is for us not against us.  
He is mighty to save
He is our deliverer
He is our fortress
He is Faith, HOPE and LOVE

As you face off against the struggles of life and the sufferings of the Gospel, 
Remember,
Jesus walked this path and won. 

He followed the Father with and 
Undivided
Unhindered
Undaunted 
Heart after God - that's where it all begins. 

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."  Phil 4:6 

 

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

  Get a copy of my Prophetic Review - Salvation's Mountain Erupting with Open Doors, Shifts and Invitation.  
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. 

1.http://jeffreynoldsonedesire.blogspot.com/2015/01/7-things-enemy-devil-doesnt-want-you-to.html
 

2) http://jeffreynoldsonedesire.blogspot.com/2014/04/you-fascinate-me-jesus-so-why-are-you.html

3) http://jeffreynoldsonedesire.blogspot.com/2014/07/never-be-lacking-in-zeal-need-some.html 

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   --- Global Kingdom Harvest Ministries

Brother Jeff

www.jeffreynoldsministies.com

Two Key Questions Faith Filled Lovers of Jesus Have to Answer.

Two key questions hungry and faith filled lovers of Jesus have to answer.  

How do I sustain and grow my faith in such a way that Christ is formed in me?

How do I accomplish what God has called me too?

Yea. Huge questions. 
Whole denominations and movements of Christians are founded and forged in the pursuit of answers to these questions of faith. 

In light of that, and not to debunk the amazing works of scholarship, devotion, mission that intricately build belief systems seeking to sustain faith momentum...
 sometimes the simple answer is the real one.  

This is eternal life.  To know the Father and Son he sent.  John 17:3

How do we do that each day in increasing measure for a lifetime? 

I propose it is simple. 
At least in words.
Jesus said, "follow me". 

These days our faith can be so conceptual, in fact down right virtual.  What I mean is it gets in our heads and in nicely fit together thoughts, but no one can follow it because of its limited expression in real time and real life.   

Yes.  I can follow you in reading the Bible or in prayer.  
But how does all this translate to my whole life?  
Where I live? 
My vocation? 
My education? 
How I live my family life?  
My leisure?

Often the 10 steps to happiness don't cut it for a real disciple of Jesus.  
We want more than ideas, doctrines and some more reading.  

Assumption #1

Jesus is alive.  
So we can follow him.

Assumption #2
Jesus is leading a worldwide Kingdom that is filled with people on assignments of grace.  
As Alpha and Omega, he is orchestrating 
"Your Kingdom Come, Your will be done, On Earth as it is in Heaven"
All who confess Christ as Lord are members of this Kingdom. 

The next question, how? 
How does this work in real time?
How do we gain a longer view or are we perpetually day to day following? 

Key to this foundation is the leading of the Holy Spirit.  
He sent the Spirit to us to lead, guide, counsel and comfort.
We walk in the Spirit.

Literally we walk and take our life steps with the leading, direction, discretion of the Holy Spirit guiding us.   

Second is coming into a fullness of understanding of our identity in Christ and our assignment in his Kingdom.    That is for another session.  

The goal most agreed upon and into which we pack these answers is "to disciple".
The meaning of such a simple phrase?  
Apparently and seemingly VAST.  

Now, I've spent my life in service of the church.  I'm not sure why but lately, I am seeing things reduced down to simple math. 
Assumption - Two different math equations don't naturally produce the same answers or outcomes.  That is the very point of math, always true.  Different numbers - Different answer. 
So here is one simple math equation. 






In church, we appear to be Stage Focused.  While Jesus is action focused.
Jesus' disciple model involves us completely.  Literally the disciples walked right behind him, saw what he did and then he asked them to do it.  

The disciples followed Jesus into all kinds of ministry opportunities.  Then they were caught up in the action.  They learned to do what he was doing.  They were following him throughout the day.  Typically a super-natural day, they saw things they were in wonder and awe over regularly.  Then he asked them to do it themselves.  

Today we mostly focus on being in a certain place (Church) and while there typically watching others do ministry (organizational and worship focused).  Then we listen in a lecture format hopefully with some pazaze (hopefully).  Then we go home.  Occassionally we have ministry directly related to the topical message.  

Two different math equations.  
 Yet, if we asked, the common goal would most likely be "discipleship".

Boiling things down to the average, what we typically do in church week to week.....

We....

• We Watch a Concert - called worship (30-40 min)  Which, like a concert in presentation, we are not required to participate, most come as consumers, choosing churches based on the quality and effect personally of this music experience.  Everyone is looking for God to "show up" rather than for us to show up and give him the glory, honor and worship he deserves.   Easily and often we loose sight of the center piece of Christian life - the presence of God.  Emmanuel. God with us.  And our baseline agreement with the Father about his Son in the fullness of the Spirit.  Of course no one involved in bringing this ministry wants a concert.  Yet, the math we've set up certainly leads to people choosing to approach it like one.  And this is our "disciple" package for worship, prayer, intercession, and intimacy.  

• We Hear a Lecture - called preaching (45-1hr)  From what I recall, we are to preach the Gospel to the lost, teach the disciples to obey all Christ taught.  But we preach to people in church in hopes they will take on the faith, and often teach lecture style.  Which could be argued to be one of the poorest forms of retention.  The classroom of Jesus was real life, out in the world, touching and meeting people in their life circumstances.  Running up against of limitations and weaknesses, the disciples always found what they needed in Jesus himself.   He carried the Kingdom into contact with people with power and grace for their needs.  So do we.  Or at least that is the goal.   Typically we carry vast knowledge of the Bible with no corresponding action in the world.  Engagement in the mission of Christ with regular people, neighbors, work associates, friends, is of limited use or value to the majority of Christians.  And so the things we want to learn do not translate into taking on the mission of Christ in greater depth.   I Corinthians 2:1-5   The math is we are expecting to equip the Saints in this model but there is very limited commitment and accountability for the information going forth.   Its optional.  And so is discipleship? 

• Have relationships - in 5  min. or less   It's over.  People head right out the door. Back into their real lives.  Just the opposite of the pictures of discipleship we see in those around Jesus and the early church.  They were together both with Jesus and with the apostles.  The quality of their relationships could only be described as family.  The best among them, those who were to lead locally, were best at family.  So a bit more math.  The average attendance at church in a month from regulars may be 3 times but most likely 2 times.  So we get 15-20 minutes of relationship building time with the majority of the people in our discipleship model? 
   

I am definitely not saying this to create cynics.  Those who are giving themselves in service and love for the Church are for the greatest part some of the most valiant and loving servants of Jesus.   

I am saying, maybe the equations we have put together and called "discipleship" are not adequately providing the impact needed to form and transform us into the image and ways of Jesus Christ.   

And this "math" is believed to be the foundation for overcoming the pressure, temptation, the sheer weight of the Trillion dollar culture of consumerism, hedonism, and radical sexual brokenness readily available in our culture every day?  

In other words, we are getting maybe a couple hours of input each week to stem the tide of a daily onslaught of powerful temptation, hindrance, opposition and sheer spiritual dregs that are thrown at the average believer in every sphere of public life.  

Consider this quote... 

Erwin McManus - 

"The measure of an apostolic community is not in the legends created by heroic acts but in the quality and texture of what that community consider ordinary living."  

He goes on to say it is a, "...mistake when we make heroes out of those who were simply living a normal Christian life.  We confuse the bare minimum with the extraordinary and keep lowering the bar until we clear it."

Ok. As we are possibly heading toward answers, I find a pre-supposition leaping up first. 

Blessed are the poor. Matthew 5:    Any answer to the questions above requires a level of simplicity and ease that the most broken and downtrodden can do in his easy yoke.  
For a wide part, our faith is ineffective for the poor.  Not because it is inherently so.  Rather because we have forgotten it's core realities and baseline power.  Cooped up in our middle to high class Christian settings, we rarely deal with the poor let alone realize the faith we practice has little power for them.  In typical America and or the American Church, we rarely find opportunities to even come in contact with the truly poor.  And so we rarely test our faith in the actions of compassion and mission in Jesus with real people.  Even more so, the challenge of discipleship among the most broken find little power in middle class lifestyles.  I have news to remind you of.  The Good News changes lives.  Even the most downtrodden.  Jesus' work is effective transformation.  And so the poor are blessed when they receive him and his Kingdom. 

Ok. So, this blog may get ideas churning about the topic.  
What is stirring up inside you? 
Does this make sense?  Is it getting anywhere close to some light on the topic?  

Where is this dialogue leading you?  

It's time for the church to start going with the Gospel.  Literally going out into the world, sent by Jesus and led of the Spirit to walk into the open gates of praise.

Let's go! 

Psalm 24  

When I do the things he calls out in me by faith through grace -

 I will be near him. 

I will find everything I need in Him.

I will abide as the beginning of everything. 

Abiding to the finish of his will by grace in faith. 

To know Jesus Christ.  

This the the journey that lasts forever.

John 17:3  To know the Father and the son he sent. 

The Number one and primary engagement of the Ekklesia of Jesus is to know Jesus. 

When the Father marches you up to the border of a land filled with GIANTS.....?  

Read some more....  

Church and the Fires of Faith.

You know. Does it cause you to go somewhere?

https://jeffreynoldsonedesire.blogspot.com/2018/05/church-and-fires-of-faith.html

Love for God Is A Never Ending Open Country - An Undivided Heart - Wholly Devoted - a place to follow not hide.

https://jeffreynoldsonedesire.blogspot.com/2014/03/love-for-god-is-never-ending-open.html

Undivided - Undaunted - Unhindered HEART after GOD

Love the Lord your God with all your HEART.

https://jeffreynoldsonedesire.blogspot.com/2017/02/undivided-undaunted-unhindered-heart.html

Never be lacking in zeal. Need Some Revival? To Hear God? Dial Into A New Frequency and Remember the Lord's Character

https://jeffreynoldsonedesire.blogspot.com/2014/07/never-be-lacking-in-zeal-need-some.html

Jezebel Spirit? Has the World, as Fundamentally presented in Scripture, Changed Since the Time of Jesus?

https://jeffreynoldsonedesire.blogspot.com/2014/07/jezebel-spirit-has-world-as.html

Get your Hopes UP

Get your desire for HIM awake. 

Never settle for a 

Divided

Daunted

Hindered 

HEART.  

YOU were made for something so much more amazing and free!

Some paths you can take once you step into the Sun!

Be with HIM. 

Be sent by HIM. 

These two simple foundations create a motion and reality in your walking in the Spirit that is constant and effective.  The Kingdom will begin to move in and through you by faith on a daily basis.  You will not only do great things in the power of the Spirit but you will be full of the great love of God that is steadfast and immovable.  

Get these two foundations in prayer!  

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. 

Brother Jeff

Jeff Reynolds, Founder Global Kingdom Harvest Min. 

www.jeffreynoldsministries.com