As a member of the Lamb of God (Ecumenical) Community and Co-Pastor of the (In Community) Free Church Fellowship with Pastor Fred Lessons in 1981 I also had the privilege to share a Radio Broadcast with George Misulia, a very talented Songwriter, Worship Leader and Member of Crossroads Music Group. George and I Co-hosted a radio program called "Common Ground". George and I would dialog from his Roman Catholic background and my Evangelical background. We shared not only the Common Ground of our Salvation in Jesus Christ and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit but we were sharing our lives as members of the same ecumenical covenant community. The Lord gave us much joy and grace as He revealed our Common Ground in Jesus Christ ("Communion Ground" if you will). About that time we also worked with many others in the community who shared the vision. The following was produced from that precious time of fellowship and passion we had for seeing Jesus lifted up by all branches of Christendom. 

So, in light of all that has been taking place in 2014 called "The Miracle of Unity" from Tony Palmer, The Ark Community (Anglican) to Kenneth Copeland, James and Betty Robison and Pope Francis this spring - to the Apostolic meetings in Jerusalem by Pope Francis this summer and then this past week-end's Apostolic meetings in Istanbul with the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, the leaders of the Coptic, Syrian and other Middle East Orthodox leaders - This little prayer tract came back to memory from Susan D'Ambrosio - who remembered praying this prayer back in 1981. We had no idea how important the effect of martyrdom would be in the past several years - but part of this prayer included prayer for the persecuted, martyrs and their families. At Susan's request I am placing the entire text for you to embrace and if the Lord leads, to employ. How wonderful it is Susan - to be reminded of the ways the Lord hears and responds to the cry of His people. As Jesus encouraged us to do, "Pray always" Luke 21:36.

If possible to be followed by a time of spontaneous prayer 
or an appropriate Psalm, such as: Psalm 74,79, 80, 81, 85, 90.

Back Cover

Some Guidelines for Praying:

1. The aim is to pray this prayer at noon each day, or at least one time per day.

2. If alone go through the prayer, praying and reading both parts.

3. With someone else or in larger groups, let one person lead and the rest respond.

4. At minimum, pray the prayer through all the way in faith and conviction at each point.

5. Beyond the minimum, it is suggested that at each asterisk and point, that there be a momentary pause for spontaneous additional prayer concerning each step of the prayer.

6. If possible commit the entire prayer to memory.

7. Beyond prayer, study the scriptures about related areas, and allow for god's conviction to settle upon you that you might become a fuller instrument to effect his response to our cry.

My opinion: What has happened in 2014 may be regarded in Salvation History as one of the most powerful in answering this prayer. As youthful visionaries we were gripped by the love Jesus gave us for each other without regard for our backgrounds. As an old man my dreams turn to heaven looking for the Full Communion of the Universal Body of Christ - "The Church Catholic" - sharing the Table of the Lord Jesus to feast upon all that He has provided and where we will soon feast together forever with Him face to face! I think because of this we will see the glory of the Lord cover the earth as the waters cover the seas in 2015. The Pontiff's theme is Consecration for 2015 and ours is Daily RevivalFire from CommunionFire! (Where consecration is renewed day by day!) Psalm 133... Susan, George, Marcellino - I still sing Jon Polce's version of Psalm 133 (Since I couldn't find it on You Tube I am posting his rendering of Psalm 23 - The Song of the Lord's Table and a Good Benediction for the Intercessory Prayer for God's People)

By confession I am by "tag" Anabaptist Evangelical Charismatic. Communion has miraculously changed my interior. I am now a convergent non-protesting catholic sinner saved by grace! If nothing I am an invited guest to the Table of the Good Shepherd and Bishop of my soul, Jesus Christ. After 42 years of following Him in my own strength I am now His friend and trust Him to "do" everything. In my second encounter  the Lord Jesus looked at me and said, "Follow Me." Until that moment I never had His power to follow Him. He ended 42 years trying to do it in my own strength and now I have His strength. I am an ardent and devoted Eucharistic enthusiast or communionist. (Make sure you read that the right way!) I have experienced what we call the Miracle of CommunionFire - what happens when we sit at the Lord's Table and feast on His glorious presence by doing as He asked, "to eat His flesh and drink His blood" as we present the bread and wine to Jesus with thanksgiving and prayer... every day! I am dancing and leaping and praising God for what we have just witnessed in Istanbul. Part of "Following Him" has led me around the world by His Spirit in prayer and observation given by the Holy Spirit. He is showing me the news according to His heartbeat. Nothing has pounded with more strength than the past two days in Istanbul.

The Miracle of CommunionFire is that we actually "behold His glory (full of grace and truth) as in a mirror and are being transformed by His image from glory to glory by the Spirit who is The Lord!" We pray this is your reality and that it reveals to you how God is about answering Jesus' prayer in John 17. Communion leads to CommunionFire with Jesus (His presence) from His presence we carry that which He shares with us. When we share our witness to our first hand experience, it is His story that unfolds before our eyes and the whole world! 

Today Patriarch Bartholomew I declared, "We are on the road of Emmaus where the Lord is opening our eyes!" An historic two days of dialog, communion and friendship unfolded before our eyes to see something that helps connect the dots between this meeting and Jesus prayer for our Communion in John 17. CommunionFire Ministries and Community are thrilled to see how Jesus is demonstrating His Lordship and His commitment to build His Church in the events of Istanbul with today's "Peter and Andrew". The following are the various messages given by each Man of God. In my opinion they are, on this first day of Advent and new Church Year among many Christians, "Preparing the way of the Lord for His Second Coming!" You may or may not share that - but I think we are seeing one of the great signs and wonders of the last days by seeing Jesus knitting the hearts of the "Sister Churches" through Faith, Confession and Action. In this case I believe that whatsoever you ask for in prayer you receive. In effect "Done deal!" Now come the quickening of the Holy Spirit! The coming days, months and year are sure to fill the earth with the Glory of the Lord as the waters cove the sea! This is a time of extreme joy and peace in the Kingdom of God! The Lord is coming soon and my heart is pounding with excitement. I hope and pray as you read the Spirit directed words as reported from Vatican Radio all our hearts will beat with the hearts of heaven as we see in the natural just a hint of what's going on in heaven! We say, "Yes Lord, on earth as it is in heaven - let us feast on the presence of your glory through the meal you provide for us at your Table. Open all our eyes to recognize you that we might taste and see your goodness!" Alleluia!  

The following begins with Day 2 (today) the final meeting and contents of the Declaration of Communion and ends with the words of Day 1 (Click on the link to the original online report from Vatican Radio by clicking on each picture)

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis and the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, spiritual leader of the Orthodox world, on Sunday signed a Joint Declaration reaffirming their desire to overcome the obstacles dividing their two Churches. The two leaders also deplored the terrible situation facing Christians and all who are suffering in the Middle East and called for an appropriate response from the international community.

Please find below the full text of the Joint Declaration:



JOINT  DECLARATION

We, Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, express our profound gratitude to God for the gift of this new encounter enabling us, in the presence of the members of the Holy Synod, the clergy and the faithful of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, to celebrate together the feast of Saint Andrew, the first–called and brother of the Apostle Peter. Our remembrance of the Apostles, who proclaimed the good news of the Gospel to the world through their preaching and their witness of martyrdom, strengthens in us the aspiration to continue to walk together in order to overcome, in love and in truth, the obstacles that divide us.

On the occasion of our meeting in Jerusalem last May, in which we remembered the historical embrace of our venerable predecessors Pope Paul VI and the Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras, we signed a joint declaration. Today on the happy occasion of this further fraternal encounter, we wish to re–affirm together our shared intentions and concerns.

We express our sincere and firm resolution, in obedience to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, to intensify our efforts to promote the full unity of all Christians, and above all between Catholics and Orthodox. As well, we intend to support the theological dialogue promoted by the Joint International Commission, instituted exactly thirty–five years ago by the Ecumenical Patriarch Dimitrios and Pope John Paul II here at the Phanar, and which is currently dealing with the most difficult questions that have marked the history of our division and that require careful and detailed study. To this end, we offer the assurance of our fervent prayer as Pastors of the Church, asking our faithful to join us in praying “that all may be one, that the world may believe” (Jn 17:21).

We express our common concern for the current situation in Iraq, Syria and the whole Middle East. We are united in the desire for peace and stability and in the will to promote the resolution of conflicts through dialogue and reconciliation. While recognizing the efforts already being made to offer assistance to the region, at the same time, we call on all those who bear responsibility for the destiny of peoples to deepen their commitment to suffering communities, and to enable them, including the Christian ones, to remain in their native land. We cannot resign ourselves to a Middle East without Christians, who have professed the name of Jesus there for two thousand years. Many of our brothers and sisters are being persecuted and have been forced violently from their homes. It even seems that the value of human life has been lost, that the human person no longer matters and may be sacrificed to other interests. And, tragically, all this is met by the indifference of many.  As Saint Paul reminds us, “If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honoured, all rejoice together” (1 Cor 12:26). This is the law of the Christian life, and in this sense we can say that there is also an ecumenism of suffering. Just as the blood of the martyrs was a seed of strength and fertility for the Church, so too the sharing of daily sufferings can become an effective instrument of unity. The terrible situation of Christians and all those who are suffering in the Middle East calls not only for our constant prayer, but also for an appropriate response on the part of the international community.

The grave challenges facing the world in the present situation require the solidarity of all people of good will, and so we also recognize the importance of promoting a constructive dialogue with Islam based on mutual respect and friendship. Inspired by common values and strengthened by genuine fraternal sentiments, Muslims and Christians are called to work together for the sake of justice, peace and respect for the dignity and rights of every person, especially in those regions where they once lived for centuries in peaceful coexistence and now tragically suffer together the horrors of war. Moreover, as Christian leaders, we call on all religious leaders to pursue and to strengthen inter-religious dialogue and to make every effort to build a culture of peace and solidarity between persons and between peoples. We also remember all the people who experience the sufferings of war. In particular, we pray for peace in Ukraine, a country of ancient Christian tradition, while we call upon all parties involved to pursue the path of dialogue and of respect for international law in order to bring an end to the conflict and allow all Ukrainians to live in harmony.

Our thoughts turn to all the faithful of our Churches throughout the world, whom we greet, entrusting them to Christ our Saviour, that they may be untiring witnesses to the love of God. We raise our fervent prayer that the Lord may grant the gift of peace in love and unity to the entire human family.

“May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you” (2 Thess 3:16).

From the Phanar, 30 November 2014

2014-11-30 Vatican Radio

Calling Pope Francis his “beloved brother in Christ,” the head of the Orthodox Church, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I on Sunday recalled their gathering last May at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem on the fiftieth anniversary of the historic ecumenical meeting of their predecessors, Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras.


Welcoming the Pope after a celebration of the Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Church of St. George in Istanbul, Patriarch Bartholomew said “the path toward unity is more urgent than ever for those who invoke the name of the great Peacemaker.”

Citing the “diverse divisions, conflicts and animosities, frequently even in the name of God,” the Patriarch said Christians have a “great” responsibility “before God, humankind and history.”  

He noted that the Orthodox Church is preparing for its Great Council planned for 2016  and asked Pope Francis to pray for its success.  The Patriarch expressed satisfaction that members of both Churches are present as observers in each other’s synodal life and said he hoped that once full communion is restored, “the significant and special day” of holding a joint Great Ecumenical Council will “not be prolonged.”

In concluding, the Patriarch said “the challenges presented to our Churches by today’s historical circumstances oblige us to transcend our introversion in order to meet them with the greatest degree of collaboration.  We no longer have the luxury of isolated action.  The modern persecutors of Christians do not ask which Church their victims belong to.  The unity that concerns us is regrettably already occurring in certain regions of the world through the blood of martyrdom.”

Below, please find the complete text of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I’s 
address to Pope Francis:

Your Holiness Pope Francis, beloved brother in Christ, bishop of Senior Rome,

We offer glory and praise to our God in Trinity for deeming us worthy of the ineffable joy and special honor of the personal presence here of Your Holiness on the occasion of this year's celebration of the sacred memory of the First-called Apostle Andrew, who founded our Church through his preaching. We are profoundly grateful to Your Holiness for the precious gift of Your blessed presence among us, together with Your honorable entourage. We embrace you wholeheartedly and honorably, addressing you fervently with a greeting of peace and love: "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. 1.7). "For the love of Christ controls us" (2 Cor. 5.14).

We still vividly preserve in our heart the recollection of our encounter with Your Holiness in the Holy Land for a joint pious pilgrimage in the place where the pioneer of our faith was once born, lived, taught, suffered, was risen and ascended as well as for a thankful remembrance of the historical event of the meeting there by our predecessors, the late Pope Paul VI and Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras. As a result of their meeting in the Holy City fifty years ago, the flow of history has literally changed direction: the parallel and occasionally conflicting journeys of our Churches have coincided in the common vision of restoring our lost unity; the cold love between us has been rekindled, while our desire to do everything in our capacity so that our communion in the same faith and the same chalice may once again emerge has been galvanized. Thenceforth, the road to Emmaus has opened up before us – a road that, while perhaps lengthy and sometimes even rugged, is nonetheless irreversible – with the Lord as our companion, until He is revealed to us "in the breaking of the bread" (Luke 24.35).

This way has since been followed – and is still being followed – by all of the successors of those inspired leaders, in turn establishing, dedicating and endorsing the dialogue of love and truth between our Churches in order to lift a millennium of burdens amassed in our relations. This dialogue is one that befits friends and not, as in former times, adversaries, inasmuch as sincerely seek to be rightly dividing the word of truth and respect one another as brothers.

In such an atmosphere fashioned by our aforementioned predecessors with respect to our common journey, we too fraternally welcome Your Holiness as bearing the love of St. Peter to his brother, St. Andrew, whose sacred feast we celebrate today. In accordance with a holy custom established and observed for decades now by the Churches of Senior and New Rome, official delegations exchange visits on the occasion of their respective patronal feasts in order to demonstrate by this manner as well the fraternal bond between the two chief Apostles, who together came to know Jesus Christ and to believe in Him as God and Savior. These Apostles transmitted this common faith to the Churches founded by their preaching and sanctified by their martyrdom. This faith was also jointly experienced and articulated into doctrine by our Church Fathers, who assembled from East and West in ecumenical councils, bequeathing it to our Churches as an unshakable foundation of our unity. It is this same faith, which we have together preserved in both East and West for an entire millennium, that we are once again called to deposit as the basis of our unity in order that, "being in full accord and of one mind" (Phil. 2.2), we may press on with Paul "forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead" (Phil. 3.13).

After all, Your Holiness and dear Brother, our obligation is surely not exhausted in the past but primarily extends to the future, especially in our times. For what is the value of our fidelity to the past unless this denotes something for the future? What is the benefit of boasting for what we have received unless these translate into life for humanity and our world both today and tomorrow? "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and to the ages" (Heb. 13.8). And His Church is called to keep its sight fixed not so much on yesterday as on today and tomorrow. The Church exists not for itself, but for the world and for humanity.

Therefore, in directing our sight toward today, we cannot avoid being anxious also for tomorrow. "There is fighting without and fear within" (2 Cor. 7.5) – This recognition of the Apostle Paul about his age is indisputably valid also for us today. Indeed, even as we are preoccupied with our own contentions, the world experiences the fear of survival, the concern for tomorrow. How can humanity survive tomorrow when it is severed today by diverse divisions, conflicts and animosities, frequently even in the name of God? How will the earth's wealth be distributed more equitably in order for humanity tomorrow to avoid the most heinous slavery ever known in history? What sort of planet will future generations inherit when modern man is destroying it so mercilessly and irrevocably through greed?

Nowadays many people place their hope on science; others on politics; still others in technology. Yet none of these can guarantee the future, unless humanity espouses the message of reconciliation, love and justice; the mission of embracing the other, the stranger, and even the enemy. The Church of Christ, who first proclaimed and practiced this teaching, is compelled to be the first to apply this teaching "so that the world may believe" (John 17.21). This is precisely why the path toward unity is more urgent than ever for those who invoke the name of the great Peacemaker. This is precisely why our responsibility as Christians is so great before God, humankind and history.

Your Holiness,

Your hitherto brief tenure at the helm of Your Church has already manifested You in people's conscience today as a herald of love, peace and reconciliation. You preach with words, but above and beyond all with the simplicity, humility and love toward everyone that you exercise your high ministry. You inspire trust in those who doubt, hope in those who despair, anticipation in those who expect a Church that nurtures all people. Moreover, You offer to Your Orthodox brothers and sisters the aspiration that during Your tenure the rapprochement of our two great ancient Churches will continue to be established on the solid foundations of our common tradition, which always preserved and acknowledged in the constitution of the Church a primacy of love, honor and service within the framework of collegiality, in order that "with one mouth and one heart" we may confess the Trinitarian God and that His love may be poured out upon the world.

Your Holiness,

The Church of Constantinople, which today for the first time receives You with fervent love and honor as well as with heartfelt gratitude, bears upon its shoulders a heavy legacy, but also a responsibility for the present and the future. In this Church, through the order instituted by the holy Ecumenical Councils, divine providence has assigned the responsibility of coordinating and expressing the unanimity of the most holy local Orthodox Churches. In the context of this responsibility, we are already working very assiduously for the preparation of the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church, which – as decided – will convene here, God willing, in 2016. At this time, the appropriate committees are laboring feverishly to prepare this great event in the history of the Orthodox Church, for whose success we also implore Your prayers. Unfortunately, the Eucharistic communion of our Churches that was interrupted one thousand years ago does not yet permit the convocation of a joint Great Ecumenical Council. Let us pray that, once full communion is restored, this significant and special day will also not be prolonged. However, until that blessed day, the participation in one another's synodal life will be expressed through the involvement of observers, as we observe now, with Your gracious invitation to attend Synods of Your Church, just as we hope will also occur when, with God's grace, our Holy and Great Council becomes reality.

Your Holiness,

The challenges presented to our Churches by today's historical circumstances oblige us to transcend our introversion in order to meet them with the greatest degree of collaboration. We no longer have the luxury of isolated action. The modern persecutors of Christians do not ask which Church their victims belong to. The unity that concerns us is regrettably already occurring in certain regions of the world through the blood of martyrdom. Together let us extend our hand to people of our time; together let us extend the hand of Him, who alone can save humankind through His Cross and Resurrection.

With these thoughts and sentiments, once again we express our joy and thanks at the presence here of Your Holiness, even as we pray that the Lord – through the intercessions of the one we celebrate today, the First-called Apostle and brother of the Chief of the Apostles Peter – may protect His Church and direct it to the fulfillment of His sacred will.

Welcome among us, dearly beloved brother!

Pope, Orthodox leader pray for peace in Ukraine amid new battle
2014-11-30 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis and the spiritual leader of the world's 300 million Orthodox Christians have called for peace in Ukraine and urged all sides to seek dialogue based on international law to resolve the conflict.

The pope and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I made their appeal as Ukraine's government accused Russia of sending over 100 vehicles with mainly weapons and ammunition to pro-Russian separatists in the east amid renewed fighting there.    
Listen to the report by Stefan Bos:    

The Ukrainian military said a convoy of 106 vehicles entered eastern Ukraine from neighboring Russia without Kiev's permission. Moscow has claimed it only provides humanitarian support to the many Russian speakers in eastern Ukraine. 

Yet, Kiev maintained the lion's share of the latest aid is for pro-Russian separatists and that only some of it is food. Most of the supplies, officials said, are weapons, ammunition, and other equipment used in combat operations. 

POROSHENKO WARNING

Speaking at Ukraine's newly elected Parliament, President Petro Poroshenko, already warned legislators of a difficult time ahead in eastern Ukraine.  

"Looking to the future, we can clearly see that establishing peace in 'Donbass' [region] will not prevent danger from the east,” he said. “Unfortunately this danger will remain. It will require lots of our efforts and resources.”

That became clear Sunday when fighting intensified between government forces and pro-Russian separatists around the key airport of the rebel-held city of Donetsk. 

Local authorities said shelling and a rocket attack in recent days killed several people in the area, including a 12-year old boy and 55-year old woman. Fighting in eastern Ukraine over the weekend reportedly also killed another 82-year old civilian and three Ukrainian soldiers.

LEADERS PRAY 

Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I have been closely monitoring the battle in eastern Ukraine, which has killed more than 4,000 people. 

Both Christian leaders said they were praying for peace in Ukraine. 

They urged all parties involved to in their words "pursue the path of dialogue and of respect for international law in order to bring an end to the conflict and allow all Ukrainians to live in harmony."

The two leaders issued the statement Sunday in Istanbul, Turkey, at the end of a liturgy to mark the feast of St. Andrew, an important feast in the Orthodox Church. That celebration was one of the concluding events of Pope Francis' three-day apostolic journey to Turkey.

(from Vatican Radio)

2014-11-29 Vatican Radio
Pope Francis celebrated Mass on Saturday at Istanbul’s Cathedral of the Holy Spirit and in his homily reflected on the need for Christians to be guided by the Holy Spirit who is able to kindle diversity, multiplicity and, at the same time, bring about unity.  He warned that the temptation is always within us to resist the Holy Spirit because he takes us out of our comfort zone and unsettles us.  We must throw off our defensiveness, the Pope said, not remain entrenched within our ideas and unchanging ways and allow ourselves to be led by the Spirit. 

Please see below an English translation of the full text of Pope Francis’ homily:
Homily of His Holiness Pope Francis
Holy Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit
Istanbul, 29 November 2014

In the Gospel, Jesus shows himself to be the font from which those who thirst for salvation draw upon, as the Rock from whom the Father brings forth living waters for all who believe in him (cf. Jn 7:38).  In openly proclaiming this prophecy in Jerusalem, Jesus heralds the gift of the Holy Spirit whom the disciples will receive after his glorification, that is, after his death and resurrection (cf. v. 39).

The Holy Spirit is the soul of the Church.  He gives life, he brings forth different charisms which enrich the people of God and, above all, he creates unity among believers: from the many he makes one body, the Body of Christ.  The Church’s whole life and mission depend on the Holy Spirit; he fulfils all things.

The profession of faith itself, as Saint Paul reminds us in today’s first reading, is only possible because it is prompted by the Holy Spirit: “No one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except by the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor 12:3b).  When we pray, it is because the Holy Spirit inspires prayer in our heart.  When we break the cycle of our self-centredness, and move beyond ourselves and go out to encounter others, to listen to them and help them, it is the Spirit of God who impels us to do so.  When we find within a hitherto unknown ability to forgive, to love someone who doesn’t love us in return, it is the Spirit who has taken hold of us.  When we move beyond mere self-serving words and turn to our brothers and sisters with that tenderness which warms the heart, we have indeed been touched by the Holy Spirit.

It is true that the Holy Spirit brings forth different charisms in the Church, which at first glance, may seem to create disorder.  Under his guidance, however, they constitute an immense richness, because the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of unity, which is not the same thing as uniformity.  Only the Holy Spirit is able to kindle diversity, multiplicity and, at the same time, bring about unity.  When we try to create diversity, but are closed within our own particular and exclusive ways of seeing things, we create division.  When we try to create unity through our own human designs, we end up with uniformity and homogenization.  If we let ourselves be led by the Spirit, however, richness, variety and diversity will never create conflict, because the Spirit spurs us to experience variety in the communion of the Church.

The diversity of members and charisms is harmonized in the Spirit of Christ, whom the Father sent and whom he continues to send, in order to achieve unity among believers.  The Holy Spirit brings unity to the Church: unity in faith, unity in love, unity in interior life.  The Church and other Churches and ecclesial communities are called to let themselves be guided by the Holy Spirit, and to remain always open, docile and obedient.

Ours is a hopeful perspective, but one which is also demanding.  The temptation is always within us to resist the Holy Spirit, because he takes us out of our comfort zone and unsettles us; he makes us get up and drives the Church forward.  It is always easier and more comfortable to settle in our sedentary and unchanging ways.  In truth, the Church shows her fidelity to the Holy Spirit in as much as she does not try to control or tame him.  We Christians become true missionary disciples, able to challenge consciences, when we throw off our defensiveness and allow ourselves to be led by the Spirit.  He is freshness, imagination and newness. 

Our defensiveness is evident when we are entrenched within our ideas and our own strengths – in which case we slip into Pelagianism – or when we are ambitious or vain.  These defensive mechanisms prevent us from truly understanding other people and from opening ourselves to a sincere dialogue with them.  But the Church, flowing from Pentecost, is given the fire of the Holy Spirit, which does not so much fill the mind with ideas, but enflames the heart; she is moved by the breath of the Spirit which does not transmit a power, but rather an ability to serve in love, a language which everyone is able to understand.

In our journey of faith and fraternal living, the more we allow ourselves to be humbly guided by the Spirit of the Lord, the more we will overcome misunderstandings, divisions, and disagreements and be a credible sign of unity and peace. 

With this joyful conviction, I embrace all of you, dear brothers and sisters: the Syro-Catholic Patriarch, the President of the Bishops’ Conference, the Apostolic Vicar Monsignor Pelȃtre, the Bishops and Eparchs, the priests and deacons, religious, lay faithful, and believers from other communities and various rites of the Catholic Church.  I wish to greet with fraternal affection the Patriarch of Constantinople, His Holiness Bartholomew I, the Syro-Orthodox Metropolitan and the Armenian Apostolic Patriarchal Vicar, as well as the representatives of the Protestant communities, who have joined us in prayer for this celebration.  I extend to them my gratitude for this fraternal gesture.  I wish also to express my affection to the Armenian Patriarch, His Beatitude Mesrob II, assuring him of my prayers.

Brothers and sisters, let us turn our thoughts to the Virgin Mary, Mother of God.  With her, who prayed with the Apostles in the Upper Room as they awaited Pentecost, let us pray to the Lord asking him to send his Holy Spirit into our hearts and to make us witnesses of his Gospel in all the world.  Amen!

2014-11-29 Vatican Radio
Ahead of Pope Francis’ Apostolic Voyage, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople has issued the following statement:

His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, spiritual leader of over 300 million Orthodox faithful worldwide, will receive Pope Francis on November 29-30, 2014, at the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul.


Pope Francis' visit to Istanbul comes at the personal invitation of the Ecumenical Patriarch on the occasion of the feast day of St. Andrew the Apostle, the older brother of Saint Peter. St. Andrew is considered the first-century founder of the Church of Constantinople, the former name for present-day Istanbul. The invitation was originally extended by Patriarch Bartholomew to Pope Francis at the papal inaugural Mass on March 19, 2013. Both prelates are noted throughout the world as peacemakers and bridge-builders of truth and love across religious, cultural and ethnic divides.

"We are eagerly awaiting the visit of our brother, Pope Francis," said Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. "It will be yet another significant step in our positive relations as sister Churches."

On Saturday afternoon, November 29th, Pope Francis will arrive at the Phanar and be received by His All-Holiness in order to participate in a Doxology of peace and thanksgiving at the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. George. The prayer service will be followed by a private meeting between the two Church leaders. Prior to this event, His All-Holiness will attend Mass at the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Spirit in Istanbul.

On Sunday morning, November 30th, Pope Francis will attend the Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Cathedral, where both prelates will deliver official addresses, exchange the kiss of peace and together bless the faithful. After the Divine Liturgy, a joint declaration will be signed and the Patriarch will host a luncheon for the Pope at the Patriarchate.

His All-Holiness Bartholomew is the Archbishop of Constantinople-New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch. He is the 269th successor of the 2,000-year old local Christian Church founded by St. Andrew. As a citizen of Turkey, His All-Holiness's personal experience offers a unique perspective on the vital dialogue among Jews, Christians and Muslims. For his inspiring efforts on behalf of religious freedom and human rights, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was awarded the United States Congressional Gold Medal in 1997.

Francis decries forced uniformity, receives blessing from Patriarch Bartholomew

The Gospel in the first Mass of the Apostolic Visit in The Cathedral of the Holy Spirit:John 7:37-39

Jesus heralds the Gift of the Holy Spirit the soul of the Church, the charisms of heaven... no one can call Jesus Lord but by the Holy Spirit... He compels us to share the love  He gives us it is because the Spirit has taken hold of us. We cannot create unity only the Holy Spirit through richness, variety and diversity brought by faith, love and the interior life. (Communion) Be open docile and obedient to the Holy Spirit. As said by St. Basil, "He Himself is harmony". We do not try to control or try to tame the Holy Spirit but we cast aside our ambitions and defenses to allow us to open ourselves to Him, born from Pentecost, inflaming the heart with a language of love and faith. He makes us one to become a sign of the certainty of Jesus Christ. Let us pray to the Lord to send his Holy Spirit that we might be witnesses to the whole world. Amen ~  Summary of my notes of Homily from Pope Francis

Thus Says The Lord Jesus
"On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, 
“If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 
‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” 
Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, 
for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified."

Camille and I received Communion this morning with thanksgiving and prayer. Beforehand we talked some about the blessings of Psalm 91 we had been hearing Pastor Joseph Prince speaking about. Then when I broke the bread of JESUS' Body Camille's piece was a larger portion than usual. Just before she ate it she whispered, "Oh my!". Then with thanks and prayer we drank in the life blood of the Lord. Here is what was journaled from this morning's encounter in CommunionFire.

As if: My encounter left me with a sense that the Lord is in charge. We can trust Him as a happy, kind, loving King. When we do His blessings are poured out upon us 24/7 seven days a week from the ledges of heaven!

Camille was shown that the Blood of Jesus is what is protecting us. One drop of His blood and the serpent, Satan has no power! She has power to tread on fierce serpents! She will bruise Him when walking in the Spirit. Communion reveals God's love, provision, protection and life. We feed on His presence and His presence brings us life! As she drank from the river of His Precious Blood She shared that she saw herself with His blood on her lips! It was as though the Lord was giving her His ability to speak rightly.

Then I took Camille to Old Blue Chair Consignment Shop, helped her carry in her coffee and then got in the car. I decided to honk to get her attention. (I never do that). She cam out and i motioned for her to come and give me a kiss. She did and we exchanged our mutual blessings on each other. I pulled out to make a left onto Highway 17 Business in Surfside. I drove to the medium when traffic permitted, I watch in horror as a car (we found out later) driven by a man who was having a seizure crossed into oncoming traffic (right where i might have been if we didn't take an extra moment to kiss and bless each other. he car veered off to the left crashing through highway electronics, miraculously went between a telephone pole and restaurant sign pole then headed toward a new NAPA store but instead of crashing into certain death into the wall struck 1 parked car and 2 parked trucks. At no time were brakes applied and some thought his foot might have been on the accelerator.

I went back to see Camille and found out she had watched the whole thing herself. I said, "Well I now know that in the Psalm 91 blessing, JESUS IS KING of the Forest." Camille said, "And that the fierce snake will disintegrate when touched by the blood of Jesus. The enemy meant to destroy me and hurt her but the Lord wanted to demonstrate the power of Psalm 91, If the impulse from the Lord is to pull back, park and get a kiss from your spouse - then do it. Its the little impulses we learn about in CommunionFire. Lions and tigers, bears and fierce looking snakes have no place in attacking those who love the Lord. Perhaps the most powerful thing we said to each other today was "KISS"! 

CommunionFire Blog Notes for today's post http://www.communionfire.com/communionfire-blog-notes/3-chosen-blessed-women-bruised-the-head-of-the-enemy

The Torah/Law was GIVEN to us by Moses but Grace & Truth CAME to us in person from Melchizedek/Yehoshua = Jesus Christ! John 1:17 (See Hebrews 5:6-10, 6:20, 7:1-17, Psalm 110:4) 

Then Melchizedek Brought Out Bread & Wine
First Mention of Melchizedek (Chief Ruler of Righteousness) King of Salem (Chief Ruler of City of Peace)
First Mention of bread and wine together (type and shadow of Communion) in the Meeting of the Kings
King of Righteousness Ruler Over Peace Meets Exalted Father of Nations King
First Mention of The Lord on High EL ELYON in the Blessing from Melchizedek confirming righteousness
First Mention of Tithing Abram's Response Response to the Blessing in Communion
Instant Tithe of All the Spoils of War

Locations involved: Syria and Israel (Middle East)
The lands of Ham (Curse of Canaan) and Shem (Noah's sons); 
Note: Noah's son Japheth went west and populated Greece to Europe)
These are the kings in Abram's territory who battled.

Conquered by Abram and the 318
4 Evil Allied Kings (Worldliness, Idol Worship, Merciless Deception & Fear)
King 1) Unity king of worldliness
King 2) False worshiper king of eastern heap
King 3) Merciless king of deception
King 4) Fearful king of nations
(These 4 conquered the following 5 before Abram conquered them)

Redeemed by Abram and the 318
5 Rebel Allied Kings (Burning Sin, Violence, Adamic Nature, Shame & Gluttony)
King 5) Burned up king of evil gift
King 6) Perfumed king of violent tyranny
King 7) Disloyal king of Adamic nature
King 8) Conspicuous shame ruling beauty
King 9) Gluttony ruling growing insignificance

12 = authority (two - repeat)
13 = judgment (three - triad)
14 = earth (four - square, four sided)
318 = The Cross of JESUS

ABRAM: Exalted Father (whose faith counted him to be righteous)

Abram's 318 Private Army including Allies: 318 = The Cross of JESUS (Guaranteed Victory!)
Our Chief Allies: The Body of JESUS and The Blood of JESUS gives us the awareness that in Him we see all enemies must lay down their weapons and surrender to Him. JESUS WINS every time.
The names of Abram's Allies:
MAMRE: Wing-Lifted (Angel) The Bread lifts us into His Presence
ESHKOL: Grape Cluster The Wine is poured down into us that we might hear His Voice.
ANER: Young Servant: Communion is served to us, given to us by JESUS - we don't "take" communion we "RECEIVE COMMUNION." (John 13)

The 318 WON the final battle and control of the nine kings and kingdoms because God was with them by "the Cross of Jesus" ("as often as we do this we do show the Lord's death til He comes") 

Then Melchizzadek, King of Salem brought Abram bread and wine (Communion). 

(With the above notes in mind - now read the account)

1 At the time when Amraphel (unifyer) was king of Shinar (babylonian/worldly) , Arioch (looks to moon god for mercy) king of Ellasar (eastern heap) , Kedorlaomer (servant of no mercy) king of Elam (hidden, conceal)  and Tidal (fearful) king of Goyim (nations), 2 these kings went to war against Bera (son of evil gift)  king of Sodom (scorched, burned), Birsha (sweet odour) king of Gomorrah (tyrannically violent), Shinab (change chief, father) king of Admah (adamic), Shemeber (conspicuous, shame name) king of Zeboyim (beauty, gazelle), and the king of Bela (devour food/glutton) (that is, Zoar: to become insignificant)). 3 All these latter kings joined forces in the Valley of Siddim (battleground)  (that is, the Dead Sea Valley: noisy, roar, of the sea). 4 For twelve years (authority/governance) they had been subject to Kedorlaomer (merciless concealer - deceiver), but in the thirteenth year (judgment) they rebelled.

5 In the fourteenth (4 sided, square) year, Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him went out and defeated the Rephaites (fail to heal) in Ashteroth-Karnaim (female idol with 2 horns), the Zuzites (wild beast) in Ham (Hot: youngest son of Noah - cursed by Noah, grandfather of wicked king Nimrod of Babylonia), the Emites (terror/terrorists) in Shaveh Kiriathaim (equalize a city)  6 and the Horites (trogladite, cave dweller) in the hill country of Seir (dishevled, rough), as far as El Paran (glorified oak - false strength) near the desert. 7 Then they turned back and went to En Mishpat (fountain, place of judgment) (that is, Kadesh: sacred place in the desert), and they conquered the whole territory of the Amalekites (severe work/works), as well as the Amorites (boast verbally) who were living in Hazezon-Tamar (pierced tree).

8 Then the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboyim and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) marched out and drew up their battle lines in the Valley of Siddim (wild soil, field) 9 against Kedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goyim, Amraphel king of Shinar and Arioch king of Ellasar—four kings against five. 10 Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and when the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some of the men fell into them and the rest fled to the hills.11 The four kings seized all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food; then they went away. 12 They also carried off Abram’s nephew Lot (covering as a veil) and his possessions, since he was living in Sodom.

13 A man who had escaped came and reported this to Abram the Hebrew. Now Abram was living near the great trees of Mamre (wing-lifted) the Amorite (boast, tell), a brother of Eshkol (Cluster of grapes) and Aner (young servant), all of whom were allied with Abram (exalted father). 14 When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he called out the 318 (The Cross of Jesus, click this link) trained men born in his household and went in pursuit as far as Dan (judge). 15 During the night Abram divided his men to attack them and he routed them, pursuing them as far as Hobah (hiding place of guilt), north of Damascus (blood-filled, similitude of burning). 16 He recovered all the goods and brought back his relative Lot and his possessions, together with the women and the other people.

17 After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley).

18 Then Melchizedek (king/ruler of righteousness) king of Salem (whole, complete, peaceful, safe, friendly - Salem became Jerusalem) brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High (El Elyone: Almighty One, Ascend, cause to rise up), 19 and he blessed Abram, saying:

“Blessed be Abram by God Most High (El Elyone), Creator (tall, buyer, purchaser, procurer, redeemer) of heaven and earth. 20 And praise be to God Most High (El Elyone), who delivered your enemies into your hand.”

Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
[Then Abram instantly, without hesitation, spontaneously gave him a tenth (literally 'tithe') of everything (all the spoils of war). Act of faith not law.]

21 The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself.”

22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “With raised hand I have sworn an oath to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, 23 that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the strap of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, ‘I made Abram rich.’ 24 I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share that belongs to the men who went with me—to Aner, Eshkol and Mamre. Let them have their share.”

He tithed to Melchizedek and gave reward to his allies and gave the rest back because he only wanted the reputation of wealth to be credited to God's increase, not on the backs of others.

Communion reveals the CommunionFire. In this case The face of Jesus Christ was in the face of Melchizedek! This visit establishes Communion as The Meeting place With Jesus "His Table, His Flesh, His Blood" is established in the eyes of Abram before the Law, Prophets, Psalms and New Testament peoples. From here we should look for every rivulet of Communion with Jesus evidenced throughout all of Scripture. More important we should have Communion and encounter the risen Lord Jesus where He will feed us on the bread of Life of His actual presence and give us drink to refresh our body, soul and spirit. 

Without RevivalFire from CommunionFire everyday you make yourself the target of SinFire - revived by the Law of sin and death. Both are constant and you have the choice to live by the faith of the Son of God who died and gave Himself for you that you might live as the righteousness of god in Christ or you will be ignited by the fires of lust, sin and death. You will have revival one way or other - which you choose depends on whether or not you come to the Table of the Lord to feed upon His presence where: "The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead quickens your mortal body!" 

RevivalFire is every day, eternal, durable, constant and fabulous when we feed on the power of the presence of Jesus - THE CommunionFire! (Only found at His Table). Visible in Scripture, Felt in Worship, Mission and Prayer but Truth means where you are in His reality - His presence - His glory - by His Body and Blood - Christ in you the hope of glory! 


Link to CommunionFire Blog Notes for this Post
http://www.communionfire.com/communionfire-blog-notes/the-meaning-of-318-key-chiasm-of-genesis-14

Looking at those elements that are designed by God as the part and partial to partaking in Communion with Him consider the concept of the law of first mention. 

The Biblical Law of First Mention

One of the most remarkable evidences of Scriptural unity is in its internal consistency. Nowhere is this internal evidence more strikingly evident than in a phenomenon which is referred to as "The Law of First Mention," which simply means that the very first time any important word is mentioned in the Bible (often in Genesis) Scripture gives that word its most primitive, complete and accurate conceptual meaning. It serves not only as a "key" in understanding Scriptural concept, but also provides a foundation for its fuller ongoing development in Scripture and among God's people. For example:

The first time FLESH is mentioned: "The man said, "This is now bone of my bones, And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man." For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed." Genesis 2:23-25

"And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14 

"He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him." John 6:54-56

"I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one - I in them and you in me - so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." John 17:20-23

Eve is made of the substance of Adam (red clay formed and breathed into by God) taking on the (rosy) skin and blood of Him. (Female body, soul and spirit). The two become one flesh is the apt description of what Jesus prays for in the spirit of John 17. Just as two become one substance in bone, flesh and blood in creation, we become one with the Father, Son and Spirit in the New creation. The Bride of Christ is joined to the Lord by the operation of the Spirit. By Communion we consume His flesh and blood and when His Spiritual DNA becomes part of our DNA it is no longer us who live but Christ who lives in us! His love consumes us! The preparation of the Bride is the transformation that takes place in CommunionFire of His presence. We behold His glory as in a glass, full of grace and truth. We are transformed into that same image from glory to glory. That is the Miracle of CommunionFire. Just as He did it ALL for us on the Cross, He still does it ALL at His Table. His presence transforms us from glory to glory to glory to glory to glory...

The first time blood is mentioned, "And the Lord said, What have you done? the voice of your brother's blood cries to me from the ground." Genesis 4:10 

"And to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel. See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking." Hebrews 12:24-25 

Cain means: quick spear rooted in a dirge, Abel means: 'breath or vapor' from red blood in the red clay... like juice of a grape poured out, to cease to be alive. When Cain led his brother to the field where the clay for Adam was used to make him, he slew his brother Abel with a swift spear while singing a funeral song under his breath.

Though the Lord offered Cain a lamb sacrifice 'crouching at his door' to offer an acceptable sacrifice, Able chose to give into his Adamic nature of sin and death and committed murder. When God asked where his brother was, Abel responded in tight lipped sarcasm, "I don't know! Am I my brother's protector?" So Cain was banished from the place of his parents and his brother to live with others who lived without God. (Man is banished from the garden and then from his heritage because of sin's choices between good and evil. Without engaging circumstances by faith, evil always wins. When evil is committed it always drives us further away from promise, love and security. It is then we become to object of angelic care and mission workers reaching out to bring us back to Communion with the Lord.)

But Abel set the tone for the plan of God for the sacrificed Lamb on the Cross. God heard the crying or voice of Abel calling out from his spilled blood and it brought judgment of sin onto Cain. When Jesus was speared by the Centurion his Body poured out blood and water. All of His life fluids poured out as the River of Life for our redemption. When it sprinkled the earth, from which Adam was made, it was as though the grapes of wrath had been crushed releasing the flow of new wine, new life for the world. The blood of Jesus, like the blood of Cain has a voice! It speaks! It cries out before the Heavenly Father and all of heaven, "FINISHED! DONE! FORGIVEN! HEALED! LOVED! ALIVE!" When Jesus ascended to heaven He and the Father sent the Holy Spirit to those who want Him, look for Him and thirst for the wine of heaven. When we drink,, He speaks to us of all that Jesus did and said. He who knew no sin became sin for us that we might be the righteousness of God in Him!   

Looking at those elements that are designed by God as the part and partial to partaking in Communion with Him consider the concept of the law of first mention. 

The Biblical Law of First Mention

One of the most remarkable evidences of Scriptural unity is in its internal consistency. Nowhere is this internal evidence more strikingly evident than in a phenomenon which is referred to as "The Law of First Mention," which simply means that the very first time any important word is mentioned in the Bible (often in Genesis) Scripture gives that word its most primitive, complete and accurate conceptual meaning. It serves not only as a "key" in understanding Scriptural concept, but also provides a foundation for its fuller ongoing development in Scripture and among God's people. For example:

The first time bread is mentioned in the Scriptures is when God tells Adam in the garden, after the fall, that "You will eat bread by the sweat of your brow until you return to the ground" Genesis 3:19 

"Adam, the first man, was made from the dust of the earth, while Christ, the second man, came from heaven " 1 Corinthians 15:47

So man, who ate what was forbidden was cursed to labor for bread. Now we can bring that bread of the earth to our table and then, with thanksgiving and prayer, offer it as our fallen condition to the Lord. We present the bread our sweat because Adam was driven from God's presence and communion in the Garden. When we come to the Lord's Table, He supernaturally makes our table His Table, our seat on earth to become a seat in heavenly places, turning the bread we offer into the Bread of Heaven. The Bread of Life becomes His own Body and Flesh. The bread of the curse of sin upon Adam becomes the Bread of Blessing from Heaven by Jesus! The old man (our Adamic nature) is transformed in the presence of the new Adam, Jesus!

The first time wine is mentioned: After the Lord delivered Noah and all aboard the Ark, God gave him the sign of a New Covenant, a rainbow in the sky. He promised that the rainbow would be a constant reminder to all that never again would the waters become a flood to destroy all flesh. 

"Then Noah, a man of the soil, began farming and planted a vineyard. He drank of the wine and became drunk, and uncovered himself inside his tent" Genesis 9:20-21 

"Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God." Genesis 6:9  "By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith." Hebrews 11:7

Noah was an Adamic man who had faith. His faith was counted to him as righteousness. He trusted God and did exactly as God spoke to him to do. His faith came from hearing God and doing what God said. After the Flood event and Rainbow Covenant, Noah rejoiced! He made a vineyard and wine. It was a vintage banqueting wine, a wine of love for the Lord and celebration! He celebrated before the Lord and so much so, the he removed his clothes and laid down in "green pastures of God's love".There's much more to this amazing story, but for the law of first mention we need to see that the wine came from Noah's 'labor' in Adamic dust, but the Lord used it to establish His new family in the earth. The world of sin had been destroyed, the righteous had been saved and the new world had begun. 

When we who are alive "as in the days of Noah" come with our wine to a table that is consecrated through thanksgiving and prayer it becomes a celebration of faith! The Lord takes the bread and wine we bring and supernaturally transforms our Table to become His. The wine becomes his life giving blood! We drink from that heavenly fountain and we are intoxicated with the new wine of eternal life, His great love for us and the blessed hope of being raised up in the last day.

Early on when we first started sharing about The Miracle of CommunionFire someone said, "You know Bob, its not all about CommunionFire!" My response was, "For me it is all about Communion and CommunionFire!" 

Perhaps they were thinking that their observation might help to balance out my preoccupation and intense focus on encountering the Lord Jesus at His Table. 

As I observe the condition of Christianity today it seems every pulpit is talking about the need for unity in the Body of Christ, for vision, for encountering Jesus, for developing your relationship with Jesus and similar themes. But no one offers His solution! Outside of things you must do (attend church, read the scriptures, pray, do good to others, love the Lord with all your heart). On the other hand Jesus says, "Come. Sit. Dine with me." 

It's about who He is, knowing Him and what He has done. 

Its not about what we can do to help Jesus build His Kingdom, about us making ourselves holy or righteous or even making Communion with Him or each other happen. We just plain don't know how! Let's look at how this is reflected in the pages of the Holy Scriptures.

Jesus is the reason for all Holy Scripture. If you are reading or studying or memorizing the Scriptures for any other reason than to see and know Jesus - you are doing it for the wrong reason. I didn't say this - Jesus did! It is Him. He is The Word. The Scriptures are His Testimony and we are His witnesses. What is revealed in natural light and candlelight sunlight and kindle light is a manifestation of Jesus. It is the revelation of Jesus and the final exclamation point of all Scripture is a Book called The Revelation of Jesus Christ!  

That is what the scriptures are for. When did Jesus make this the clearest? 

It is the first thing Jesus did after His resurrection on the Emmaus Road. 

He opened up the Law and the Prophets about Himself to Cleopas and Mary. It caused their hearts to burn within them. Then, when He blessed and broke the bread at their house, their eyes were opened and then they recognized Jesus - and He disappeared! Then when they got back to Jerusalem, Jesus re-appeared when Cleopas and Mary shared how their eyes were opened in the breaking of the bread to recognize Him. Immediately Jesus "appeared in the midst of them". He spent all night, again, revealing Himself to the disciples through the Law, the Prophets and the Psalms. 

(Muggeridge on Emmaus confirming our thoughts about Cleopas and Mary - "the other disciple")

Each name and story in the Scriptures (graphe) reveals Jesus (The Logos) by the Holy Spirit (the breath of the Logos). The Word became flesh! Jesus said we must eat His flesh and drink His blood to have His life at work in us and around us. In effect if all of scripture is about the revelation of Jesus then all of scripture is about Communion - His Body and His Blood. For it is the Scriptures that enlighten our eyes and allow us to read about Him in this life to ourselves and our children. But it is His meal where we feast on the reality of His presence. Every time we come to His Table He now opens our eyes to recognize what is eternal. We see Him. We see His face! We see the light of His glory. We experience and encounter His real presence as a result of eating His real flesh and drinking His real blood. (Again, I didn't say it - He did!) He goes on to say that if we don't - we have no life in us. Only Jesus can reveal Himself as the Bread of Life to you. We feed on His presence. 

From the very beginning - after the fall in the garden by eating the forbidden fruit, God told Adam that from then on the Adamic nature would be bound to work by the sweat of his brow to have bread to eat. This is the first appearance of bread in the Scripture. Then God sent them away from the presence of the Lord and Communion with Him in the Garden! That bread only feeds the physical body and we have to work for it. Thats the curse of inheriting the Adamic nature. 

Even the Children of Israel in the wilderness, who survived by the miracle of the Manna from Heaven, were told by Jesus that the miracle bread was not enough to give them eternal life. 

Jesus said, "I am the bread of life, if you eat this bread you shall have eternal life!" (John 6)

Got Communion? Come to the Table of the Lord. Sit down with Him. Feast on Him with thanksgiving and drink Him in with great joy! You are the righteousness of God in Christ for He who knew no sin was made to be sin for you that you might be the righteousness of God in Him! "Do this" Jesus says and He can open your eyes to recognize Him. He is waiting just for you - to love you where you are, as you are for who you are. 

November 19 Morning Communion with Camille: I saw 3 flashes of light one at a time parallel

November 19 Morning: the 1st Light became a Door that Opened to the Light of the Holy Spirit flying in and flew right to left in front of me saying, "Jesus is moving"

November 19 Evening Communion with Murrells Inlet Gathering: Joe saw 3 flashes of light one at a time (He has no idea I had seen this same revelation that morning and described it just as I had written it in my journal. (My flashes each slanted from "2 o'clock to 7 o'clock" and Joe's all went from "10 o'clock to 5 o'clock". As if the Lord's way to confirm He was showing us something!

November 19 Evening Communion: I saw the 2nd light became a glass door with a playful monkey on the other side then saw Mexico, Brazil, South America, Africa and India - all "Monkey Countries" because there are monkeys in their mountains and jungles - Jesus like the playful monkey is "On the move" among them All!

November 20 Morning Communion with Camille: I saw the 3rd streak become a fiery droplet door that upon closer examination became "The moon rising over the Western Wall with healing in its wings". With the words, "Hear O Israel! The Lord our God is One!"

Could there be a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit? If you have not had Communion lately or ever experienced CommunionFire the answer is yes! Communion is opening windows and doors! The windows of the eyes of our spirit are opened to see and recognize Jesus in the breaking of the bread and the windows of spiritual hearing are opened as we drink the wine to hear His voice. The Doors that are opening flood us with the light of life, reveal Jesus leading the final march into eternal glory and open the eyes of all Israel to finally recognize their Savior,, King and Messiah. Could it be that the star over Bethlehem will shine yet again into the hearts of all Israel this Advent, Christmastide and Epiphany?  Is this the time of the New Israel's Awakening? (Romans 11, Isaiah 10:17, Zachariah 12:6, Zechariah 8:3, Revelation 20:9)  

Also: for your consideration CommunionFire Blog Notes - Rabbi Kaduri