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Jesus Prepares His Table Just For You
JESUS KNOCKS ON THE DOOR OF YOUR HEART & CALLS YOUR NAME;
YOU OPEN THE DOOR AND JESUS COMES IN & DINES WITH YOU AT YOUR TABLE 
JESUS LEADS YOU TO HIS TABLE
WHERE YOU DINE WITH HIM FOREVER
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Communion is where The Lord
opens the eyes and ears of you Spirit
to see His glory & hear His voice 


Sal’s 70 days of CommunionFire

8/28/2014

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CommunionFire in Surfside Beach, SC at the home of Sal & Sharon DePalma
PictureSal and Sharon
June 17-August 26, 2014

In these past 70 days family and friends had a front seat to witness a remarkable event. Salvatore DePalma and his wife Sharon hosted a series of CommunionFire gatherings in their home in Surfside Beach, South Carolina. There were anywhere from 4 of us to 12 of us at any given meeting. On Tuesday nights we would sing, share scriptures and have Communion. After Communion we would share what we experienced or encountered while eating the bread and drinking the wine, blessed as the Body and Blood of Christ. The following excerpts show what was journaled about each family member who was present. During this time Sal became like the Apostle Peter when He declared his revelation when Jesus asked, "Who do men say that I am?" Peter declared, "You are the Christ! The Son of the living God!"  

Sal spoke like he was literally "declaring the Word of the Lord!". He was moved upon again and again by the Holy Spirit. He spoke with love and authority but admitted that He was speaking what the Lord 'put in his mouth' to say! After Sal went to his new address in heaven many have had reassurances from the Lord about Sal being with Him. Sal grew up Roman Catholic and shared that he had a new birth in Christ 8 years ago when having Communion by himself at Surfside Presbyterian Church and was baptized soon after that. In the past year Sal was baptized in the Holy Spirit and just over 70 days ago started having regular Communion accompanied by what we call "CommunionFire". (See John 6, 13-17; Luke 24; 1 Corinthians 11; 2 Corinthians 3:18, 4:18 and 1 John 1:1-4.) 

During this time Sal believed he was healed from Stage 4 liver cancer. In the end it was not cancer but a stroke that gave Sal his transfer to Jesus! Just a few hours before his soul took flight his grand daughter Ashley snapped a picture that showed the shadow of Sharon (his wife) on one wall and inexplicably the form of a man's shadow in front of Sharon. Was it Sal caught out of body to comfort Sharon, an angel come to comfort her or the Lord's presence in the room? One day we will all know the final chapter. Until then we know the Lord is with those who love Him.

Tuesday June 17, 2014
“The Holy Spirit is inside me doing the work.” Sal
Earlier in the week during Communion Sal said he saw “The Trinity is inside me with tools and wood rebuilding me.”

“The sun rising.” Sharon Burton DePalma
“I saw the Cross like I've never seen it before.” (Describing it overcome with tears). Pastor Wade Burton

Tuesday July 8, 2014
“I saw the Holy Spirit in my eyes and know He is babysitting me until Jesus comes back. I know Jesus every single minute of every day.” Sal

“The picture is developing” Sharon Burton DePalma
“I felt Him in my arms.” Kristen DePalma Whetsell

Tuesday July 15, 2014
“I saw Jesus standing right in front of me and He said, “Come on out and we’ll walk!” Sal

“I saw big white puffy clouds and then felt Betty touch the top of my head and felt peace fill me from my head to my toes.” Sharon Burton DePalma

Then Sal suddenly burst out with a voice of authority reaching out with his arms and smiling, “Don’t you see? It’s done! Come walk with me! Salvatore you've already come through the battle. It’s done!” Then Sal declared, “Jesus is going into Jerusalem!”  (The following week Sharon reported that Sal was constantly praying for the peace of Jerusalem and had no idea that that was scripture.)

Tuesday July 22, 2014
“Jesus is sitting with me to make sure I have the right amount. Like sitting on the front steps.” Then suddenly burst out describing what he heard when drinking the wine, “Share His love. And we CAN share His love because His Love is in us! He loves you and you and you (pointing to each person) He wants us to love others! (Smiling) Anything we touch and share His love remains in us! (As if no matter how much you share His love with others, His love remains in us.)  Sal explained, “It’s not me. It’s Jesus in me! It just comes up from here (pointing to his heart and running his hands up along his neck and out from his mouth. Jesus is giving me words to say!” He was very excited.  Sal

“I saw a ‘scribbled daisy’ when eating the bread and then when drinking the wine I saw a pair of eyes ‘winking at me’.” Sharon Burton DePalma

Tuesday August 5, 2014
Preparing for Kids CommunionFire. (The miracle of the Geese)
With Sal, Sharon, Kristen, Tiffany, Kimmy, Mary, Camille, Bob – This little light of mine! “You are the light of the world” Sal declares. “I am healed!” (He said it again and again)

Tuesday August 12, 2014
Matthew 6:33 “Seek First the Kingdom of God”
“We’re here because we need to be with Jesus. Jesus is with us always. Always.” Sal

“God came in the flesh. He died and then rose from the dead. Pastor Wade Burton
“I could picture the whole Lord’s Supper (pointing in front of her). Here’s this meal – It’s real! Jesus is real! Then I saw a stone in the shape of a heart.” Willene Burton

Tuesday August 19, 2014
A time for fellowship (Sharon, Bob and Camille) while Sal slept in his bed right next to us.

Tuesday, August 26, 2014 3:30 a.m. Sal gets a new address in heaven. He is with Jesus.

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The Overflow (Psalm 23)

August 26, Tuesday Morning Communion at our house: You can't make this stuff up!
“I Saw Jesus with His right arm around Sal and He said, “Taking care of Sal, my pal!” (Then saw eyes of a younger man and big smile – knew it was Sal.) Bob Bonnell
“I Saw Jesus with His right arm around Sal and then saw small angels all around and the Lord said, “They’re here to help!” Camille Bonnell

August 26 And Communion at the Lawrence Household:
Scott Lawrence Before communion today while Betty was praying I saw Big Sal (not as he was last night when we were with him, but Big Sal before he was sick)...During communion in the bread I saw Jesus, then an angel who turned into a peace dove flying up at about a 60 degree angle to the right. In the Cup I saw Mary Jesus' mother. This is the first time I have seen Mary in Communion Fire. Sal we are happy you are in the arms of yours and our Savior. See you soon my brother. 

August 27 At CommunionFire Gathering at the Murrells Inlet Gathering Wednesday Evening:
Pastor Betty Lawrence While we were looking at CommunionFire in 1 Corinthians 15:35-58 (Please read this) we all realized that Sal is the FIRST among us to BE raised in heaven as part of the Communion Fire Family! WOW WHAT A DISTINCTION.....WE MISS YOU Here Sal BUT I SEE NOW THE FULFILLMENT OF THE PROPHECY OF "YOU MIGHTY MAN OF GOD!" The first Heavenly CommunionFire Member serving at the Lords table! Sharon, I hope this brings you the joy it has brought to me to read these verses and think on this!

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CommunionFire in Baltimore MD

8/24/2014

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From our dear brother in the Lord, Bob Taylor: He shares his thoughts about the recent "Olatry" series. Bob and I go back to the 1970's and for several years had the pleasure of praying and worshiping together. He is a brilliant guitar player and inspired song writer and we hope to feature some of his work in the near future. He is surrounded by his beautiful wife and family and his mother Madeleine was one of my very early pillars of support and a constant source of inspiration. 

Thanks for sharing Bob! 

"I read just the beginning of this post earlier today and got excited - I couldn't wait to read the rest of it. This so nails it! In reading your descriptions of Bibliolatry and Ritualolatry, I had to laugh. I have seen people immerse themselves in the study of the Bible to the point that you had to wonder if, after all their reading, anything had actually sunk in. In fact, a lot of times its just head knowledge. Same with people who strictly adhere to rituals as if it buys them a seat of favor. 
I remember as a young Christian, studying fervently all the types, signs, and allegories of the old testament in foreshadowing Jesus. Then I was reading the scriptures one day through 1 Corinthians 13 and the book of Hebrews and it hit me square in the face that Jesus was the end of all the foreshadowing, the temple, the types, the descriptions in the old testament. All these things stood with a hand outstretched pointing toward the coming of Jesus. We don't need them anymore, the REAL thing has arrived and made Himself available to us through His Blood. When He came, there was no more need for those "childish" things because we have the better covenant - direct face to face relationship with God himself!

The bigger question is, why don't we enter in? Well that was answered back in John 3:18-20 when it was stated that...

"And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that does evil hates the light, neither comes to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that does truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." 


Back in the Garden, Adam and Eve hid themselves, the people of Israel shunned Moses when he came off the mountain with the glory of God on his face and told him "Moses, you go talk to God for us", they begged Samuel for a King rather than let God lead and guide them. Bottom line, they loved the control of their own lives and didn't want to have to deal with God. By the time Jesus came to round up His people, the Pharisees and Saducees had the game all rigged and they were going to let no one mess that up. 

But this is the gospel. God restoring man into a one on one relationship with Himself - face to face. Our nature apart from God is to run away because it is not born of Him. So we build "Olatries" as walls to hide behind. In the end, it is not the (*power mongers" I call them) healers of the sick, those who cast out demons, the miracle workers who will find peace with God (Matthew 7:23) but rather only "those that He knows." All that He accomplished was for relationship. Nothing else matters. If we don't avail ourselves of that, then we squandered the gift of eternity. If you are looking for something OTHER than that, they you have missed it. We have yet to scratch the surface of the fullness of God. 

* Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. (THAT YOU HAVE RELATIONSHIP WITH ME - RIGHT FOCUS) ...every communion fire is a feast!
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CommunionFire This Morning In Our Livingroom

8/22/2014

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Camille and I have coffee. We wake up these days with the Holy Spirit flooding our thinking about having Communion with Jesus and invariably our hearts are pumping even before we actually break the bread. We didn't always start our days this way but since we started having Communion every morning over the past two years we now wake up with the Lord igniting our day. So we usually have a cup of coffee first and discuss Kingdom things.

This morning was no different. 

Camille started the heavenly dialog. "Last night when Ronnie shared that Jesus know each one of us it aalmost made me cry and I don't cry that much. It touched me that the Lord was letting us know that He called us 'CommunionFire people'! A relationship is between 2 people. Jesus sees us and knows us. In Communion when He sees us and we see Him something happens. Our relationship with Him grows stronger. Now that we spend time at His Table I can't imagine ever trying to relate to Him 2nd or 3rd hand!" 

Her comments were like raindrops that refreshed my heart. The Lord again was confirming His love for us and that we share His love with each other. Added to that we like each other too! "Not bad!" I thought. Lord you  are amazing. Camille continued her outpouring of Holy Spirit insight.

"You know, some Egyptians asked for sanctuary on Passover. They ate the lamb and found safety with the Jewish slaves. No doubt some intermarried. A million people "house to house" followed the Lord's command. They broke bread and ate the lamb with gladness and singleness of heart (as in Acts 2). God knew each person in each house. All were healed if sick and all disease disappeared because God had them ready, standing while they ate, to receive freedom by the hand of God. All in each house were delivered meaning there must have been some Egyptians among them!"

She was on fire.

The Table was prepared (its a step ladder about 3 feet high where I prepared a few sips of wine in a Lenox egg cup and small wedge of bread on a side plate and covered with a small glass dome to keep the bread fresh.) This has become our custom - our lifestyle. It is a daily event. For us it is like anticipating Christmas every morning. Jesus always has something to share with us. Its never what we anticipate or expect. It is always simple but profound. Sometimes our encounters are miraculously alike but usually are two totally individualized experiences that speak to us personally. We also share our experiences when our Communion time with Jesus is complete. It doesn't usually last much longer than five minutes. For us it is the most powerful five minutes on the planet. Its when Jesus shares His life with us. It nourishes our spirit in such a way that it effects every aspect of our life, physically and spiritually. 
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We began.

I lifted the glass dome and picked up the small piece of bread. "Lord, we ask you to bless this bread as your body. We do this to remember you." 

Then I break it in half (this morning is wheat bread) and give Camille half. We eat. Our eyes are closed and we have learned to 'rest' - be anxious for nothing as much as we are able. Somehow, every morning and whenever we eat the bread of His flesh He is immediately there. Its as though he is waiting for us. Its like He sees us coming and can't wait to see us. Jesus loves us so much. He loves to smile and approach us open armed. Communion pulls back the veil of this world (like the parting of the broken bread) to reveal His eternal presence. Its just like the scriptures say, "what we see naturally is the temporary, what is not seen is what He opens our eyes to (spiritually) is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:18 

This morning Camille later shared with me (as we always try to do) that she immediately heard the old chorus, "We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord, we are one in the Spirit we are one in the Lord and we pray that our unity may this day be restored and they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love! Yes! They'll know we are Christians by our love." While hearing this she became aware of the reality of the bread that brings us healing from Jesus.

Then I held up the egg cup, I thanked the Lord for this cup of salvation and asked His blessing on the the wine of His blood and declared that we do this to remember you.

We drink, first I hand the cup to Camille whispering, "The blood of Jesus shed for you" and then she hands it back to me. I drink and we close our eyes again. The same thing. Something happens immediately. We realize something, hear His voice, encounter His presence in some definable way. 

This morning Camille said that when she drank the wine she had the realization that when we drink from this cup it is the wine of blessing and anointing. The bread is for healing this morning and the wine is for the Lord's blessing. She grinned when she shared this. Like a little child who is given a cookie, she was grinning as if she had received something very good! She went on to say, "I am never alone. He is always with me. I love this! He sees me and loves me for who I am. Its how He made me. Then she looked at me and quietly said, "He sees you!"

So I told her what I had experienced in my encounter. We call this encounter the CommunionFire. (Like           2 Corinthians 3:18 When our eyes are opened to recognize His glory as in the reflection of a mirror - the image we see transforms us from one degree of glory to another.")

I said I was on the beach by the pier (a place I meet with Jesus often) walking toward the water and instead of seeing Jesus coming towards me - this time He came up behind me like a friend. I turned to see Him and He was already looking at me.When I first looked at Him His face had the appearance of the Lord in the movie, "Jesus of Nazareth". I looked again and His face looked like the Lord in the Prince of Peace painting done by Akiane Kramarik. 

When I drank the wine I saw a huge storm, dark clouds and lightening. It was fearful and would be terrifying to a child and then I saw Jesus handing a flower to a little girl and as He did the storm had already gone away and there was a heavenly light filling the sky. (Hebrews 12:18-28) 

When Camille and I had exchanged our experiences (keep in mind that this all occurred in the space of no more than five minutes or so) we were charged with electricity from heaven. We had met with the Lord. He shared His life with us. We talked about what we saw and heard as if exchanging the bread and cup again. What we now call the "overflow" always produces something new and wonderful. This morning for me, it was about the word, "Remembrance" as it applies to Communion. We talked about how Jesus says, "Do this in remembrance OF ME". That was an emphasis we had never talked about before. (Its like He anoints our head with the 'oil of revelation'! Then our cup overflows!) When we have a relationship with someone we love don't we often say, "I remember when..." as a kind of cement to the relationship? Our shared experiences is what enriches and deepens our relationship with one another.

What a powerful way of looking at our relationship with Jesus! He wants us to share personally with us in ways that will build a memory base for our relationship. He gives us: promises, love, joy, peace, revelation, words, pictures, videos and encounters more brilliant than the writings of CS Lewis! Jesus shares His life with us as though He spent all night with our Father and the Holy Spirit creating the script and the B-roll. When He shares with us at His Table it is always a full blown production as wonderful as the skies He paints moment by moment with love, purity, gentleness and power. His glory changes us. His presence is where His glory is. He prepares the Table for you and invites you to sit down and have a simple meal. A piece of bread as His body and a sip of wine as His blood. When we do, we consume Jesus. He feeds us with His life and presence and we are changed.
 

 
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CommunionFire is God's Solution To Any "Olatry"

8/21/2014

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Can You Identify Your Golden Calves? What Keeps You From The Table of Communion with the Lord?
We ALL have "Olatries"! You, me and everyone in between. What's yours? What keeps you away from your relationship with Jesus? What keeps you from having deepening Communion on a regular basis? What hinders you from responding to His invitation to "Do this"? He is waiting at a Table He has prepared just for you so that He can pour out His love and life to you! 

Bibliolatry: 
When written Scripture becomes more important than your relationship (Communion) with Jesus the Logos/living Word of God. As in Bible study, teaching, preaching, memorization of God's written Word replaces a Communion-centric/Christ-centered, life of faith. In other words: Is Communion with Jesus the hub of all aspects of your Christian devotion.

Ritualolatry: When function of ritual distracts from the real relationship/presence of the Lord in Communion. As in going through the motions without an active Communion with the Lord and the Holy Spirit. In other words - have you lost your passion for Communion with the Lord?  

It is just like Addiction-olatry, Success-olatry, Money-olatry, Greed-olatry, Sin-olatry, Vanity-olatry are tactics used by evil to keep you from knowing the love of Jesus and His power to give you new life. 

For the believer we encounter Bibli-olatry, Ritual-olatry, Prayer-olatry, Self-olatry, Worship-olatry, Discipleship-olatry, Media-olatry and the list is never ending. 

Well-intentioned, religious 'practices', anything that you feel you must be self-employed to do to "have Communion with the Lord" is an "Olatry" - as in "id-olatry". We simply cannot work our way into the presence of the Lord. We cannot study our way into the presence of the Lord. We cannot pray our way into the presence of the Lord. We cannot mission our way into the presence of the Lord. We don't "make the presence of the Lord happen by our will, determination and strength"

The glory and presence of the Lord through Communion, like His all-sufficient gift of grace 
and the gift of the Holy Spirit is a gift  of heaven to each of us as well! 
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Communion Opens Our Eyes to Recognize Jesus and Prepare Us for the Wedding Feast of the Lamb
God does not hold a report card on you when it comes to having enough merit badges to get a pass into His presence. It is the gift of God lest any man should boast. He invites us to His Table. In fact He invites all who will come! In the end of days He sends His friends out to "Compel them" to come!" He wants every seat filled. He said the religious would be "too busy" with the rewards of their 'self-effort' to come. Jesus said the King sent those already at His Table to go and get the halt, the blind, the lame and bring them to my Table. He was speaking of those who could not get there on their own. He invites - the children and says do not prevent them, those who have no money - those who are hungry and thirsty - all who labor and are overburdened. Labor to enter the rest of the Lord! "If we rest, He works" - perhaps then if "we work, He rests". Then the people say, 'Lord we have done s you have asked but there are still more empty seats!" The King tells them to go into the highways and byways and "compel them" to come! I want my house to be full!"  Luke 14:15-24, Matthew 22:1-14, Matthew 13:24-29, 36-43, 25:1-13

In and of "our own strength" is part of the strategy of evil to dissuade us from knowing the power of Communion with the Lord. Gifts are given to receive! You can't earn them!

Once in Communion I saw the Lord sitting at a garden on a beautiful day with a 4 year old friend named Anna. A Bunny hopped past them and then a frog. Jesus was smiling as was Anna. Then I saw my youngest grand daughter walk up and she looked at me and said, "I want to be with Jesus like Anna!" I said, "You go ahead and sit down and look at how happy Jesus is to see you too!" The Holy Spirit then whispered in the cup, "His yoke is easy and His burden is light." With that i understood that the yoke was to sit down at the Garden with them and the burden was to just enjoy the moment! That's how it is in Communion. We eat and He shares His life and happiness with us. If we are not sitting down at the Lord's Table to enjoy the life He wants to share with us then something is an "Olatry" in our lives! Communion with Him is why He came, lived among us, suffered, died, rose and ascended! He wants to share His life with you! Not just the moment you ask Him into your heart but every day! He provides the means through Communion to see you! When He sees you and you see Him Communion happens! His presence transforms our life! 
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How to be set free from ANY OLATRY in your life: 

Take a piece of bread and a sip of wine and 
ask the Lord to bless it as His Body and His Blood. 
Eat the Bread of Life and see Him - eyes closed - lets you see with the eyes of the spirit. 
Drink the Cup of Salvation and hear Him - eyes closed - lets you hear with the ears of your spirit.

Write down or think about what He shared with you in those few quiet moments. 

If not alone share with each other what you encountered. What you saw, heard, sensed or felt. When you do you have become a witness to the Testimony of Jesus.

When you do this all your Olatries will immediately disappear as the glory of the Lord quickly comes into your heart and mind. The "olatries" lose their grip. The power of the presence of the Lord will cause the enemy to scatter like darkness by the light or death and sickness by His life. Those who the Son sets free are free indeed. Our relationship with Him through His gift of the Eucharist to bring us into Communion with Him reveals His glory! When we encounter Him we are transformed from glory to glory!

Remember, He prepares His Table for you in the presence of your enemies. When you feast on His presence He anoints your head with the oil of gladness and revelation. As you drink from the never ending well of His salvation you are made new all over again. Every day with Jesus is better than the day before. Its that simple and that wonderful. Come to the Table. Sit down and eat and feast on His presence right there where you are. He comes to you to share something. Whatever He shares it is the sharing of His life with you. Jesus becomes your story. Drink in His salvation and realize you are clean through His blood of all sin, guilt, shame and condemnation. The law of the Spirit of life has set you free from the law of sin and death. It IS no longer you who lives, but Jesus who lives in you! When you drink from the cup of the new and everlasting covenant it causes a wellspring of life to overflow like a river in you and through you. 

"My the glory of the Lord cover your life as the waters cover the sea!" The peace of the Lord be with you!
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CommunionFire Vs. Ritualolatry

8/20/2014

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We behold His glory as the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth
INTRODUCTION

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."
 John 1:14

We are branches grafted into the life-source of Jesus when we Commune with Him. We present ourselves at the Lord's Table as a living sacrifice. We bring nothing of any merit to the Table except what the Lord has already given us. We have received His life full of grace and truth and we have received the Holy Spirit given to lead us into His presence and bring all things to our remembrance. (Romans 11-12)

Bibliolatry: Placing the written Scriptures, "the 'graphe' Word of God" above the place of your personal relationship with the 'Logos Word of God" JESUS.

Ritualolatry: Allowing our activity of Christian faith to become empty ritual (as in 'taking the Eucharist') replacing the Lord's intention to bring us into deeper personal Communion with Him by 'receiving Communion' from Him. 

Does this really happen? 

Yesterday I blogged about "Bibliolatry" - a profound distraction from having an ongoing personal relationship with the Lord Jesus and understanding the operation of the Holy Spirit in that relationship through Communion. Please understand that after more than 40 years of Bible Study, Bible School, Membership classes, teaching and preaching ministries and more Bible than any one person deserves I am not selling out on the need for the Bible. What I am calling for and believe the Lord is crying out for is for His people to return to Him! He is the Word. He is the reason for faith. Because of Him we have the gift of eternal life but He wants to share that life with you here and now. Jesus has prepared His Table and is waiting to see you. He has much to share and so few who want to receive what He has. Mostly He just wants to share the reality of His love for you. There is another distraction and it is less obvious but as much a deterrent to our relationship with the Lord as Bibliolatry. 

Let me ask another question. How many Christians are involved in having daily Communion or who daily partake of the Eucharist? For non-Catholics I would venture a guess that 99% are not having Communion Daily and among Catholics (Roman or Orthodox) I would venture that on a good day, daily Communion might be 10% of the membership of each Parish. I know this because when visiting these churches I would get in line to be blessed during the Mass and noticed that less than 10% of the membership actually showed up daily. Having been a non-Catholic pastor I never knew anyone in 40 years who had Communion daily outside of the faithful few who would attend Mass each day at lest in the western Church. Then of those who do faithfully 'take Communion' how many actually 'receive Communion'? One is bread and wine the other is the Body and Blood of Jesus. When it is the Flesh, the Living Bread of Christ, and the Blood or life quickening agency of the Holy Spirit, then we truly encounter Jesus while consuming the Holy Meal that He gives to us. We either come to a table in the Church (an alter) or we join the Lord t His Table. It is the difference between 'doing something' and 'experiencing something'. It is the difference between formality and obedience versus encountering and experiencing a living, day-to-day, personal relationship with Jesus. 

How do these two observations relate to Ritualolatry? 

Just this: If we, the Church, were spending even 'weekly' time in the presence of the Lord through the means Jesus gave us, in Communion, the scriptures and the Eucharistic experience would come alive! The Bible alone as the means to knowing the Lord will not bring transformation. Having Communion as a ritual exercise will not bring transformation, only the experience of encountering the presence of the Lord in His glory.
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Having Communion Each Morning - This morning on the Front Porch
PART TWO: RITUALOLATRY

COMMUNION is what Jesus demonstrated. He gave us something very special and even more important than the celebration of Passover.  He said 'to do this' because it is where the natural leads us into the supernatural. It is Communion, the Eucharist - the Agape Meal of the bread and the wine, where Jesus sees you and you look back at Him. He shares with you. He opens His treasures to you. He tells you His promises and comforts you. He lets you know how much He loves you personally and how much your life means to Him. So He meets you where you are, as you are for who you are. It is when we look back (eyes closed) at Him that transformation happens. Not the mechanics of the Eucharist but JESUS! It is the personal encounter and relationship with Jesus that allows for us to experience the real presence of Jesus. 

When Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life" He is saying that as the Good Shepherd He leads us to His Table. He is the way. He leads us on paths of righteousness even through the valley of the shadows. He is the truth. His glory is where we encounter the reality of His presence. He shares His glory with us and in His glory we see Him as He is in that moment. When we do we experience eternal life. We see the unseen. He opens our eyes to His reality. That is the definition of truth, The reality of Jesus presence, the Kingdom of God. In that reality He shares His life with us. Whatever happens in His presence in Communion, as brief as it may be, it is life giving and life changing. When we encounter His image "as in a mirror's reflection" it changes us from one degree of glory to another. It is our relationship with Jesus not the ritual memorial of the Eucharist. Its what happens while having the Eucharist. Its what happens as we eat the bread and drink the wine that brings transformation. Notice what Jesus says about Communion in John Six.

(1) "Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. 

(2) I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life. 

(3) I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. 

(4) This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. 

(5) Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” 
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When Camille and I have Communion each morning the presence of the Lord floods our home
Something Should Happen When You Receive the Eucharist - When You Receive Communion - The Greater Glory of the New Covenant - (Note the dynamic quality of the the glory of God)
2 Corinthians 3:7-18

"Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, transitory though it was, will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? If the ministry that brought condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. And if what was transitory came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!

Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away. But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."

We consider this in the context of Communion where we see Jesus in the glory (fire). CommunionFire is what happens when the Holy Spirit opens our eyes to recognize Jesus as we feed on His presence through the Living Bread of His Body and the Wine of Life in His Blood. (Consider Luke 24:13-49 specifically verse 30-31, 35-36; 2 Corinthians 4:13-18; 1 John 1:1-5)

Before there is Communion in the Body of Christ there must be CommunionFire between each person and the Lord. Only then will we see His glory as he intends. It is by revelation in CommunionFire that Jesus builds His Kingdom. "Upon this rock" (referring to the moment Peter sees Jesus and recognizes Him as the Christ, the Son of the Living God) Jesus says, "I will build my Church. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you but my Father who is in heaven!"

May the Lord pour out the renewal of CommunionFire as God's people receive the Eucharist; the Living Bread of His Body and the Living Wine of the Spirit in His Blood. and may we see the Scriptures in the light of His presence not just as paper and ink but as looking upon Jesus who quickens it by the Holy Spirit. Father we ask in the name of your Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, that you would pour out CommunionFire upon all who respond to your invitation to sit down at the Table of the Lord. May each of your children have their eyes open to recognize Jesus that each may feast upon His presence, life and love. Then by our communion with Him may we find our communion by Him with one another - that the world may believe that you sent Jesus. 
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Lord We Come Empty Handed to Receive The Bread of Life Your Body and The Wine of Life Your Blood
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CommunionFire Vs. Bibliolatry

8/19/2014

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Looking to Jesus Who opens the blind eyes and the deaf ears to bring understanding to our hearts...
"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14

We are branches grafted into the life-source of Jesus when we Commune with Him. We present ourselves at the Lord's Table as a living sacrifice. We bring nothing of any merit to the Table except what the Lord has already given us. We have received His life full of grace and truth and we have received the Holy Spirit given to lead us into His presence and bring all things to our remembrance. (Romans 11-12)

Bibliolatry: Placing the written Scriptures, the "graphe" Word of God above the place of your personal relationship with the 'logos" JESUS.

Does this happen? Jesus defines the problem of 'Bibliolatry'

See what Jesus says in John 5: “I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to finish—the very works that I am doing—testify that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life. I do not accept glory from human beings, but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? But do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set. If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?”

I remember back in 1976 when I sat under the wonderful ministry of Dennis and RIta Bennett for a full week at Christ for the Nations in Dallas, Texas. In one message The Rev. Dr. Dennis J. Bennett said, "Some have made a God out of the Bible and are involved in 'Bibliolatry'!" This was a new word in my theological vocabulary. It is a seed that has germinated for almost 40 years. Where do we see this today?

Let me ask you another question first. How many Christians have Bibles? How many have more than one Bible? How many Christians are involved in Bible Studies? Go to worship where the Pastor 'rightly divides' the Word of Truth? How much Christian Media is tied up in Bible reading, studies, seminars, conferences, retreat centers and campaigns? I would venture to say that about 90% of non-Catholic Christianity have their heads buried in the scriptures. How did the Church survive the first 300 years without the New Testament? How did the Church survive without personal Bibles only possible after 1440 years? It was each believer's personal relationship with the Living Jesus, the Bread of Life and the Wine of Life by the Holy Spirit! It is a relationship based on regular Communion with the Lord Jesus.

How do these two observations relate to Bibliolatry? 

Just this: If we, the Church, were spending even 'weekly' time in the presence of the Lord through Communion, the means Jesus (Logos) gave us, the scriptures (graphe) would come alive (rhema)! The Bible alone as the means to knowing the Lord will not bring transformation. Only having Communion with Jesus will bring transformation, only the experience of encountering the presence of the Lord in His glory. Otherwise those experiences are rare and random. Fellowship with Jesus at His Table is where He prepares for us to meet with Him. (2 Corinthians 3:18, 4:18, Luke 24:31, 1 John 1:1, John 1:14)

A Further Look at Bibliolatry
Let's review the word, "WORD" in its three forms in the New Testament Rhema, Logos, Graphe.
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He anoints our head with the oil of revelation until the cup of our heart overflows
(1) RHEMA: What God gives us in His presence. He breathes the Logos into our lives by the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead. "Man shall not live by bread alone but by every RHEMA that is breathed into us from the mouth of God." (This does not happen through memorization, reading and studying the paper and ink) - although from time to time it may occur by His grace and sovereignty. The RHEMA is something that happens in a relationship. For example, if your wife or child tells you they love you it has a totally different meaning than a facebook message when someone you hardly know says I love you to their wife or child online. Its nice. (You may "like' it, but it is not said in the  context of a relationship with you.) 

In Communion the bread and wine have both physical and spiritual properties. When we eat the natural food it pulls back the veil to reveal Jesus and His life (the Logos) to us. We feed on His presence. We commune with Him. When we do, the Holy Spirit brings The RHEMA to our eyes, ears and hearts. It quickens our hearts and minds. The RHEMA infuses us with such revelation that we are transformed by it. It is not dead paper and ink it is the Living Bread, the Living Word it is JESUS become flesh and we feast upon Him. Our relationship is what brings us the Word of life. (Connect the dots between these three scriptures: (Luke 22:19, 1 Corinthians 11:24-25, John 14:26)
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Today the scripture is fulfilled in who you see and what you hear
(2) LOGOS: (1 John 1:1, John 1:1, John 1:14) The 'embodiment of the LOGOS' is the person of JESUS. JESUS is the Law, the Prophets, the Psalms, the Gospels, the Acts, the Epistles and Revelation made flesh who lives among us. First as the Word (LOGOS) made flesh and then as the flesh of the living bread in Communion. 

COMMUNION is what Jesus demonstrated, gave us, asked us 'to do this' because it is where the natural (the graphe can produce the RHEMA.) The LOGOS has been written down, printed, bound and shared in thousands of different languages to put man in contact with the 'readable' testimony of Jesus. Then the Holy Spirit confirms what is read. But it is Communion, the Eucharist - the Agape Meal, of the bread and the wine, where the LOGOS becomes the RHEMA and has the power to bring transformation to our lives. Not the Bible but JESUS! The Bible can change culture, influence society, inspire us and is used by the Holy Spirit to bring about conviction of sin righteousness and judgment. But it is the personal encounter and relationship with Jesus that allows for us to experience the personal life changing RHEMA of His presence. It is our relationship with Jesus not the Bible that brings transformation. Notice what Jesus says about Communion in John Six.

a) Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. 
b) For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. 
c) I am the bread of life. 
d) Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life. 
e) I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die. 
f) I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. 
g) This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. 
h) Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. 
i) For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. 
j) Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. 
k) This is the bread that came down from heaven. 
l)Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” 

Also John 6: “Does this offend you? Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The "WORDS" I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe. 'WORDS' here = RHEMA
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We are witnesses to the Testimony of Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit
(3) GRAPHE: Holy, inerrant writings of the Scripture (Includes Old Testament and New Testament). See what Jesus says just before He prophesies about the life giving power of a personal relationship with Him through Communion in John Five! He warns those who 'worship the reading, study and practice of Scripture in deference to having a Communal relationship with Him. Read this careful and then go back and read what is written above from John Six. 

The testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy. It is RHEMA from the Holy Spirit in the context of Communion. Our relationship with Jesus (LOGOS) is the center of our faith. The Scriptures (GRAPHE) are there to confirm what the Holy Spirit is speaking to us about our relationship with the Lord. Communion brings  the scriptures to life when we encounter JESUS when done in the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit it will just be a piece of bread and cup of wine. The fire is the glory. The glory is what Jesus shares in Communion. We are being changed from glory to glory as we look to the images of Jesus projected by the Holy Spirit into our hearts when His presence is shown to us. He opens our eyes and we 'recognize' Him. When we do it is this power that transforms our life. It has nothing to do with something we read, study, memorize or fill our minds with. It is by the power of the glory of God we encounter when we feed on the presence of the Lord that transformation takes place. We cannot transform ourselves. His presence alone transforms us.

Where your treasure is there will be your heart also. Spend time in Communion with the Lord before you pray! Before your study scripture! By yourself or with your family - before you go to church. Encounter the same Jesus who you gave your heart to and get to know Him at His Table. Experience His love, peace and joy as a personal experience before you go share the 'good news' with others. You must have His life to share His life. You must be in His light before you can share that light. 

When you drink from His presence -  your life flows with rivers of living water! 
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CommunionFire - Something is Supposed to Happen

8/18/2014

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The presence of the Lord is like being placed in the hot coals of eternal life where Jesus bakes His love joy and peace into us
Something IS supposed to happen! Jesus did not give the believers a memorial meal to recall the ancient rituals of the early church or to memorialize His death and that alone. Something IS supposed to happen when you have Communion.

The same faith He gave to you 'the size of a mustard seed' in order to hear Him at the doorway of your personal life was so that you could hear Him knocking, calling your name (Revelation 3:20). It is that same faith that grows as you feed upon His presence through Communion. When you asked Jesus to come into your life and you committed everything to Him it was because you sensed His love, forgiveness, healing and gentleness. He leads with grace. You want more... So,
He came in and sat down with you at your table to dine with you and you with Him!     That was an amazing moment. 

From that point you learned "it is no longer I that lives but Jesus who lives in me!"

He loved you first and wants to continue to share that miraculous love with you every moment of every day. He wants to intoxicate you with His love and the demonstration of His love by giving you every good and perfect gift. He lives to give you new promises every day! He wants to show you how He fulfills those promises so that you know what it means to share His divine nature. 
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The pages pull back and we see Jesus on every page. The gates open, we sit down at His Table, the veil is torn apart and then He anoints our head with the oil of revelation and our hearts overflow with His goodness and mercy
Something Does Happen! 

After Coming to your table and you make Him Savior and Lord then He leads you to His Table. It is all prepared for you. He leads you as a good Shepherd who cares for you and provides for you. When you arrive, the Table is set and the meal is ready. It is His Body and Blood in the form of bread and wine. When we consume them we are consumed by Him. His love, joy and peace enfold us like huge wings. His presence is real. It is tangible. You taste it, drink it and sense it. It is visible. 

We see Jesus, His face, His hands and feet. He meets us as we are where we are for who we are at that moment. It is filled with sounds from whispers of the Holy Spirit to the sounds of heaven worshiping the Lord. sometimes we hear the quiet or silence and sometimes the laughter of a babbling brook or the noise of the wind through the leaves of the trees clapping their hands in praise to God! 

When His presence happens, that's when we feed on the bread of eternal life! 
His life feeds us until we are full and we drink in His love until it overflows!

We get a glimpse of His glory by seeing a sunrise over the ocean hundreds of miles away. We get a glimpse of His glory when we see Him as the engineer of a train of salvation getting ready to pull out of the stations of the Cross! Whatever it is that He shares with us it is the very Bread of Life - the Bread and wine of His presence. 

We feed on it and we drink it in. 

It is the very water of life transformed into the wine His Blood that we drink.  We are the branches drinking new life from the vine. Thirst is replaced by the burst of His Spirit quickening our mortal bodies to become more and more the person He created us to be. What images we see in His glory (the Miracle of CommunionFire) transform us from one degree of glory to another, individually and together.

Want eternity? It begins right now. Ask Jesus to sit at your table and He will bring you to His.
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CommunionFire Morning Overflow "The Seder & The Supper"

8/17/2014

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The Passover Lamb and The Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world.
Camille and I had Communion this morning as we always do.

It is always a remarkable... in fact a miraculous time. Communion is such  wonderful gift of grace where we drink from the wells of salvation!

This morning in the bread I heard the Holy Spirit say, "He is speaking to Camille." (What that meant to me was that Jesus was sharing something with Camille that was meant for the both of us. Then in the wine I had that peace (Scott calls it the "Super Peace") that passes understanding. I just sat there enveloped by it.

Camille shared that in both the bread and the cup there was a physical manifestation like tingling on the surface of both arms. She said the Lord means for us to understand that Communion is a physical meal and that it has not just spiritual and mental benefits but also physical.

Then she began to talk by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Camille said, "Its interesting that the children of Israel had to befriend and then slay a lamb the day of Passover in each home. It was a "House to House" event! The blood had to be on the doorposts of each home and each home had to eat the whole lamb! In some cases neighbors shared a household and even Egyptians who looked for refuge were welcomed inside. There was no Rabbi. There was no synagogue or temple. 
The same was with the early Church. They met having Communion in their homes and from house to house. 

Jesus prepared the disciples in Capernaum (John 6) for what would happen years later in the Upper Room for the first Communion (Matthew 26:17-30, Mark 14:12-26 and Luke 22:7-38). There Jesus shared the last Passover and introduced the New Covenant Meal by sharing the First Communion. Then He spoke about it at length and then prayed for its fulfillment and continuance. (John 13-17). Then after the Holy Spirit was sent to the Church in that same Upper Room (Acts 1-2) the new people of God had Communion from house to house. It was a celebration of the Pascal Lamb, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. They were 'showing the Lord's death' to the rest of the world in the same way that Israel showed the blood of the lamb on their doorposts. They became "the Lord's doorposts" indicating that this is a house of refuge! This is where the blood of Jesus caused the spirit of the law and of death to pass over them while they were made alive by the bread of heaven and wine of the Holy Spirit - the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead!" 

We are learning that Communion is  best shared at home with the family like a daily Seder and then also from house to house with brothers and sisters, friends and to all invited to share the life of the Community of our faith.

Camille is on fire! The Lord is speaking through her. This went on for another hour then I took her to work. We are sharing the bread of life we were given with you. 
 
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CommunionFire - Where We Encounter Revelation 19:10

8/16/2014

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In Communion Jesus Shares His Life With Us. It Is His Story - His Testimony and We Become His Witnesses!
"We're here because we need to be with Jesus! Jesus is with us always!" Sal DePalma after Communion experiencing CommunionFire in the Surfside Beach Gathering in South Carolina last week.

We hear from people all over the world about the pressing issues that seem to coincide with the signals that indicate the Lord is coming soon. The good side of these signs is the amazing power of the Jesus being demonstrated in Communion as gifts from the Spirit. In Communion last week, for example, dear Sal (62 years old) said that when he has Communion its like there is something in His heart that needs to be said. His exact words were "Needs to come out!" with hand gestures along his neck up passed his mouth. It like a fountain bursting. "Its not my words, they come from the Lord!"

I remember back in 1973 sitting in the third pew from the front on the left at Joppa Road Baptist Church on a Sunday night when I felt like there was a burning shooting up and down in my chest that almost took my breath away. I knew this was the Holy Spirit. I felt I had to say something. I held back as long as I could but then I just burst out 'a few phrases' that sounded like Scripture to me. Afterwards several people came up to me and said how glad they were that I released the message. I tell ya it felt like a volcano had gone off inside me.

Prophecy in the Church is a gift Paul said we should all desire. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are given to build our faith and understand God's grace and love. Today it is most time "forth telling" about the Lord's story but John 14-16 explain that sometimes the Holy Spirit also shares about things to come or foretelling. Jesus loves to share His life with us. Now we know that doesn't have to be an eruption but like Sal, if it a new experience it may feel like. that at first. Jesus shares His story with us and when we share that with each other it is in the Spirit. It is the Spirit of prophecy. 

Prior to this the first time Sal spoke for the Lord he declared with some heavenly strength in his voice (like authority) "Jesus wants you to know He loves you! (Then Pointing to each person gathered at the Lord's Table) "He loves you! and You! and You!" (and he went all around the Table to each person) and then he finished by saying, "He loves you so much and wants you to really know He loves you." Simple yet profound, not because of what was said so much but because of the authority and 'otherness' of what He said. He said after He said it that He didn't know where that came from! But it was very clear what the message was.

"Don't despise prophecy... Earnestly desire to prophesy" Paul says. Check out 1 Corinthians 12, 13 and 14. The key to being a used by the Holy Spirit to share the gifts of heaven is love! Jesus is love, He loved us first and we respond to His love when we sit at Table with Him. He shares His life as He is the bread of life. Then whatever He shares with us personally, we share with each other! That is how He shares His story! That is the meaning of Acts 1:8! "You shall receive power when you receive the Holy Spirit that you may become personal witnesses of the story of Jesus. When you share that witness it sounds more like its coming from Jesus because the Holy Spirit is there to confirm it to the hearers. 

"But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort... the one who prophesies edifies the church... bring revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction. Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers... But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God really is among you! What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation." 1 Corinthians 14 Again these things happen best in sharing about our encounters with the Lord when in Communion with Him. 

When we share we are all built up because we all know Him and recognize Him. It is the same Jesus we each encounter. We share our first hand experience describing where we are with Him, His clothes, voice, touch, message, scriptures or gift of peace, love or joy that fill us. It is authenticated by the Holy Spirit in each of our hearts as we share with Him and then each other.

Your bothers and sisters in Christ need to share what Jesus shares with them and you need what Jesus has shared with you. This happens best when you break bread together - or have Communion. When eating the bread His Body pay attention and when you sip the wine His Blood listen closely. Jesus is sending you a personal message or sharing something with you that is for you personally but also will benefit others. The world also hears your 'witness' as you share about your personal relationship with the Lord. Jesus story is the Gospel. When you speak about how much you know Jesus loves you and how much you love Him others will want what you have. Then Jesus will dine with them as well (Revelation 3:20) 


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That I May Know Him In CommunionFire

8/15/2014

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Philippians 3:9-11 "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, 

that: I may know Him and

a) the power of His resurrection and 
b) the fellowship of His sufferings, being 
c) conformed to His death; 

in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead."

To know Jesus on the basis of faith harnessed to His righteousness is relational. Communion with Him at His Table is where (in this life) we are in touch with the penultimate "Eternal Life that only comes from Jesus". 

He is the fountain and river of life, the bread of life, the wine and the total source of all things eternal. He wants to share His life with us. He chooses to do that through the Miracle of Communion. This meal at His Table lets us feed on what is eternal - His presence. That is all it takes. We have learned that we can't earn or muscle our way into His presence or will our way into His presence. 


We can only come to Him empty handed to His Table to eat the bread, His Body and to drink the wine His blood. When we do something happens. Our eyes are opened and we recognize Jesus! When we do, at that moment, we begin to feed on His presence. He shares His life and we are fed. When we drink our hearts begin to overflow. We become wellsprings of living water when we drink in the life in His blood. It is the quickening agent of the Holy Spirit. 

Don't live through the encounters you read about here. Come to His Table and experience this Miracle for yourself. Write down what happens when you feed on the bread of life and drink from the vine of His love. Write down what He shares with you. Write down what He shows you. Write down what He tells you. Create your own CommunionFire journal. If you can meet with others and come to His Table. After everyone has had Communion take time, as the Spirit leads, for each person to 'break the bread of life' sharing what their personal experience is. 

Your personal relationship with Jesus is the most important treasure that you will even own. He gave His life so that He can give you His life! When you feed upon His presence He nourishes the reality of sharing His love, joy and peace. He feeds us with visions of things He wants you to see. He intoxicates us with whispers that reveal His secrets to you. Jesus is not hiding from you. He can't wait to spend time with you. Don't feed on leftovers from others. Feed on what He has prepared for you each day. He is ALWAYS at the Table where He has prepared everything for you. He wants to share His love and His life with you - that's why He suffered, died, rose, ascended and sits at the right hand of the Father.

You will get to know Jesus day after day feeding on all that He has prepared for you. He has something to share with you every day. He wants to share His life and love with you right now! 

You will get to know Him in His power! You will get to know Him in His suffering. You will get to know Him in His death. You will get to see Him, hear Him, know Him, understand Him and be transformed by knowing Him. You will become the person He created you to be.
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    Bob Bonnell Communion Pastor

    We share about the Miracle we call CommunionFire

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    http://www.BobBeBold,com
    This was a Campus Crusader who wanted Early Church authenticity - I was called into the ministry under the street preaching of this wonderful Man of God in Berkeley, CA in 1971. He was a founder of God's Love household for Street Christians, the publisher of the Jesus People's Movement called "Right On" and through an amazing series of transformations throughout his ministry He was a founder of The University of Orthodox Theology (now called St. Athanasius Academy of Orthodox Theology) and oversaw the creation of The Orthodox Study Bible before the Lord moved him to his new address in heaven. Thanks Fr. Jack N. Sparks, Ph.D The Witness of Jack and his estimed Associates from Grace Haven Farms, New Covenant Apostolic Order, The Evangelical Orthodox Churches and theis eventual assimilation into the Antiochian Orthodox Church of America is truely one of the Great Church Histories of the 20th and 21st Century. 
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    CONCILIAR POST InterChristian Dialog
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    Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio One of the Best on The Subject Recomended for all generations and all denominations
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    Jess is a Wonderful Worship Leader. Here she shares how the Good Shepherd gave her direction and how her encounter with Jesus in CommunionFire impacted her life. (Note: Her CommunionFire story is told at minute 25 )
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    Luke 3:16 "He will baptize you with the Holy Ghost and fire."  Ask Jesus to baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire today.
    Another significant influence in my life is the life and ministry of Winkey Pratney. His lifelong commitment to the study and application of Revival as both an apologist and polemicist raised the bar for me and he accomplished what I only dreamed - to Produce the Revival Study Bible. He has also been an intrinsic Man of God from the days of the Jesus People Movement and a part of my experience as a visiting teacher at Christ for the Nations in Dallas in 1975 and one of the principles in Y.W.A.M. Youth With A Mission that has had a direct impact on my sister, daughters, nephews and grandchildren. Thanks Brother Winkey for the legacy you have deposited into my life and the life of so many others. 
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    "JOIN ME FOR A PILGRIMAGE of a LIFETIME" Our primary guide will be Dr. Italy., a widely respected professor of biblical interpretation and church history and a New York Times best-selling author.
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