Digesting Jesus

Digesting Jesus
Written by: Kris Vallotton
[Originally posted here.]

When Jesus said we must eat His flesh and drink his blood, he wasn’t talking about cannibalism, but he was referring to ingestion that leads to incarnation. Christ was the Word that became flesh. It is important that we ingest the Word of God in a way that causes us to digest His life until Christ is literally formed in us. Ingestion without digestion will lead to feeling full but not being transformed. Digestion is more than just a taste test, it is the full meal of His presence that conforms us to His image. There is an old saying that is true in this case, “You are what you eat!”

Many people ingest the Bible but they don’t digest the living, active Word of God. Religion fills their souls but never satisfies their longing for real life. Digestion requires assimilation, not just consumption. Truth was never meant to just be recounted, it was intended to be experienced. When we exchange the communion meal for a dinner commentary or a cookbook, we deprive ourselves of the privilege of abundant life, and relegate ourselves to a meager existence in the Kingdom.

Jesus never intended for us to be full of religion, but He desired us to be filled with His Spirit. Christ is the ultimate happy meal, and as we digest Him, we become one flesh with him. That is why Jesus prayed that, “We may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me…The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.”

Christ is not talking about His disciples getting along with each other here. He was describing the unity between the babe and the Bridegroom, where the intimacy of intercourse assimilates us into one flesh. When we come to the communion table and eat the flesh of our King, we become an inseparable unity that causes the world to experience His presence every time they encounter us. In other words, when they see us, they have seen the Father.

We are Christ to the world. I don’t mean that we just preach Christ to the world. I mean people should experience Christ when they meet us because it is Jesus who is being formed in us. As a matter of fact, it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.

When people experience us preaching the Word without us becoming the Word, the gospel gets reduced to a mere philosophy–principles to be argued and words that can be wrangled over. But when the Word becomes flesh and dwells among them, they find themselves pierced to the heart and convicted in the depths of their very souls. It is incumbent upon us as the people of God to preach Christ wherever we go and, only if necessary, use words!

Disagreeing Honorably

A blog from Danny Silk’s Loving on Purpose
Originally posted here.

“How can two people disagree honorably? Is there such a thing? Danny brings this question t to the surface and explains that, in a culture of honor, both people in the conversation matter; therefore,we don’t have to agree. It’s our job to listen and our goal to understand. This can be seen between spouses, between parent and child, and even between our spiritual leaders and us. When you don’t do what I want you to do, and my response is to be punishing or to withhold my love from you, this is dishonoring. In essence, when we respond like this, we are saying, ‘I want control – you should only do what I want you to do,’ because we don’t trust them to make their own choices.

Dishonor says, ‘I have the power – you have no power.’ Somehow, people can often bring a lie into their marriages, which is one of us gets to have the most power. You can control yourself and yourself alone. You don’t have all the power, but you are also not powerless. So when we disagree, becoming a T-Rex (pretending you have all the power) or a victim (pretending you have no power) is not the answer. To honor each other in disagreement, we must both realize that there are two powerful people in this conversation. Our goal is to UNDERSTAND, not to agree! Making ‘agreement’ the goal, is when it gets ugly. Negotiate, keep communication open, and make connection your goal above this issue!

When you’re disconnected is NOT the time to solve a problem. I wouldn’t talk to a drunk person on the street about the fact that they need life skills, would I? In the same way, we don’t want to be trying to solve our problems when we’re EMOTIONALLY intoxicated. Don’t try to work on an issue when someone’s emotions are running rampant.

In a disagreement or conflict, the way we talk and the motives we assign to the other person will be according to either our connection or our issue. This is why making connection the goal, even in the midst of conflict, is so important. If distance is my goal, I can’t see you doing anything right! But if my goal is love and connection, it doesn’t matter what you do.

The number one tool for changing a lousy marriage is to change your goal back to a good connection. Honoring each other in disagreement is a practiced skill, so it will take time and patience. It comes with having the right goal, listening well, and respecting each other’s differences. By remembering that there is more than one way to see everything, you’ll keep honor alive even in the most adverse situations.”

For more information on honor, resolving conflict, and healthy relationships,check out Danny & Sheri’s vast number of resources at lovingonpurpose.com

Humility and Greatness

A blog from Kris Vallotton Ministries
Originally posted here.

An excerpt from Kris Vallotton’s upcoming book, Heavy Rain.

“False humility is largely to blame for the Church’s Tall Poppy Syndrome. In my first book, The Supernatural Ways of Royalty, I investigated the serious misunderstanding I regularly encounter among Christians about what humility really is. At the risk of being redundant, I want to briefly review one biblical example that shows how true humility is entirely compatible with confidence, strength, and every other aspect of greatness.

The fourth chapter of Daniel records the testimony of King Nebuchadnezzar, who had a dream about a huge tree that covered the earth and became shade for the animals, birds, and creatures of the planet. In the midst of this amazing vision, the king heard a voice shout:

Chop down the tree and cut off its branches, strip off its foliage and scatter its fruit; let the beasts flee from under it and the birds from its branches. Yet leave the stump with its roots in the ground, but with a band of iron and bronze around it in the new grass of the field; and let him be drenched with the dew of heaven, and let him share with the beasts in the grass of the earth. Let his mind be changed from that of a man and let a beast’s mind be given to him, and let seven periods of time pass over him. (Daniel 4:14-16)

The king was understandably freaked out by the dream and called in his top spiritual consultants to interpret it. Just as the magicians, conjurers, and diviners were communicating to the king that they couldn’t translate the dream, Daniel walked in the room. (I love this guy’s timing; he always seemed to be just a little bit late everywhere he went.) Nebuchadnezzar related the dream to Daniel, who immediately got the interpretation from God.

What Daniel did next may be a little off the subject of humility, but it is still worth commenting on. Before he explained the meaning of the dream, Daniel said to the king, ‘My lord, if only the dream applied to those who hate you and its interpretation to your adversaries!’ (Daniel 4:19). Daniel truly loved the kings he served in spite of the fact that they destroyed his country, probably killed his family, and took him captive to serve at their will. Nebuchadnezzar was so wicked that he probably would have made Adolph Hitler look like a common street thug. But there is a powerful lesson imbedded in this story. If we are ever going to be invited into the chambers of kings to mentor the nations, we better figure out how to love our enemies and help leaders we don’t agree with.

Now back to the story. Daniel told the king that the tree the angel chopped down in the dream actually represented him! Apparently, the king’s destructive behavior, arrogance, and pride had finally gotten him in hot water with God, and the Lord of Heaven was about to severely discipline him. Daniel went on to counsel Nebuchadnezzar to try to avoid this calamity by humbling himself. But the hardheaded king didn’t listen, and a year later his world came crashing in on him. Here is the account of his demise:

He was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon. The king reflected and said, ‘Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?’ While the word was in the king’s mouth, a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared: sovereignty has been removed from you, and you will be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling place will be with the beasts of the field. You will be given grass to eat like cattle, and seven periods of time will pass over you until you recognize that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and bestows it on whomever He wishes.’ Immediately the word concerning Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled; and he was driven away from mankind and began eating grass like cattle, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws. (Daniel 4:29-33)

The insane King lived in exile for seven years. Finally that terrible season came to an end and God restored him. Evidently, Nebuchadnezzar kept a journal of his restoration because his thoughts and reflections became part of the book of Daniel. King Nebuchadnezzar wrote:

At that time my reason returned to me. And my majesty and splendor were restored to me for the glory of my kingdom, and my counselors and my nobles began seeking me out; so I was reestablished in my sovereignty, and surpassing greatness was added to me. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are true and His ways just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride. (Daniel 4:36-37)

God removed the king because of his arrogance and self-absorbed lifestyle. But when the Almighty restored Nebuchadnezzar’s mind, the king said humbly that he had majesty, splendor, glory, sovereignty and surpassing greatness! The obvious point here is that humility isn’t feeling bad about yourself or thinking you are little, insignificant, or anything else demeaning. True humility is actually just remembering the source of your greatness. The truth of God’s grace humbles a man without degrading him and exalts a man without inflating him!

Mercy Triumphs Over Judgement.

A Blog by Kris Vallotton
Visit his blog here.

“It’s been said that God does nothing in the affairs of men except they pray. Prayer is the catalyst for worldwide transformation. Prayer incites the angels, restrains darkness, and releases nations into their destiny. Prayer is the key to revival, building bridges between what should be and what will be.

The devil also knows the power of prayer and he understands that he can’t stop us from praying. But he is the master of deception and he tries to convince us that his destructive schemes are ‘acts of God’ so Believers will not release the arsenal of Heaven against him! Unfortunately, satan has been more successful at deceiving the saints recently than he has for decades. One of the ways he has shrewdly crept into our society is by convincing the Church that it is our responsibility to release the wrath of God against sinners. This authorizes the dethroned prince of darkness to kill, steal and destroy while we stand aside applauding the demise of these ravaged people. To make matters worse, this evil prince frames the Lord of Redemption for his crimes, poisoning the people of His passion, which causes many of them to reject His wedding invitation. Meanwhile, those who have been empowered to police this property lack discernment and assist these angels of light in their killing spree.

The Reemerging Of The Doomsday Prophets

In the last decade the ‘Doomsday’ prophets seemed to have come out of hibernation…”

Continued here…

Resurrecting Dreams!

Recently, as I was reading the story of Lazarus in John 11, the Holy Spirit spoke to me that He is resurrecting dead dreams. And it began a journey of realizing what a major mass murderer of dreams offense and unforgiveness can be in the church!

Many of us can think that we have lost our passion for Jesus, but what has happened is that our passion and dreams get buried under some hurt, pain, and offense. I know in my own life, as the Lord has been walking me through a journey of restoration, I have found that the more I forgive and the more I release offense, the more my heart comes alive. I once heard someone say that the Christian life is 95% heart, 5% gifting. I believe that. God is passionate about our hearts!

You see, God not only wants to heal the pain in our hearts brought through hard circumstances, hurts and offenses, but He wants to completely restore us into sonship. A place of confidence of knowing who we are and who’s we are. The Father is restoring our identity, resurrecting our dreams passions. The Father’s idea of restoration is not restoring you to the way things were, the ‘good ole days’, but better than ever. He is taking us to place that is beyond were we have been, beyond what we could think or imagine. Don’t allow the enemy to keep your dreams, destiny, and heart buried under unforgiveness and offense.

Get passionate about walking in wholeness! Release it all! And I know as you do Jesus will open His mouth, and with a roar of power, passion,and authority, call you, your dreams and destiny out of the grave and into life!

Written by: Michael Peters

I have a log in my eye!

I believe God has a dream and a passion for His Family to be functioning and healthy. “Family” being the church or body of Christ.

Don’t get me wrong here, no no no, I am not pointing my finger or looking at the “specks” in anyone’s eyes. For I, myself, have experienced “logitis” (log-eye-tis) far too many times. And occasionally I become aware of “symptoms” that help me realize I have  “logitis”. You know what I mean: blurred vision, bumping into things, I hurt people, I hurt myself.

Of course I am referring to Matt 7:1-5 in which Jesus addresses the issue of judging. He uses the analogy of one judging someone else by seeing a “speck” in their eye while not even noticing the “log” in your own eye. Sometimes I have to wonder if people have looked at me as if I look like a rhino; with a “log” sticking straight out! Or maybe I look at times like a hammer head shark, with the log perpendicular, inadvertently smashing things on my peripherals. Regardless, I know it’s not a pretty sight at times, and, frankly, I myself been in the path of a few of these rouge logs.

Back to what I believe to be God’s dream and passion [“back to me – I am on a white horse” ;)]. Simply, my perspective (my vision is okay today, no protruding logs) is that God’s family can be dysfunctional at times, and needs a lot of inner healing. Just the same as our earthly families… My personal family needs it, I need it, my wife needs it, etc. Inner healing referring to Father wounds, trauma, offense, unforgiveness, etc. There are some great ministries that can facilitate this – we use SOZO which is the Greek word for salvation, healing & deliverance. It must become a lifestyle to walk through inner healing and keep our selves “clean” for the rest of our lives. In other words, we continue to move forward with the Gospel – yet we cut way back on our “logitis”.

Just recently some of our staff graciously, lovingly and assertively encouraged me to go for a SOZO. I guess, like all of us, there were some “effects” that I wasn’t even aware of, stemming from my own “logitis.” Behaviors that weren’t in line with my heart, results of that log sticking out of my eye. The SOZO was amazing, and next time I won’t wait so long for this type of ministry.

[Written by: Brian Olynick]
also posted here.

Have you ever had…

Have you ever had…just one of those days?

You know the ones don’t you?  It’s that day that you’ve got to face your in-laws because of something you inadvertently blurted out, and now you’re getting called on it.  Or maybe it’s a huge exam that you have to take because you want to advance your career and you know you should have put more time into your studies, but alas, the day of reckoning is here.  This is the day of the exam!  You get the idea.

I had one of those days today.  There was something that needed my attention and I wasn’t looking forward to dealing with it.  To me it was sort of like looking forward to a root canal…without anesthetic.  Do you know what I mean?

It wasn’t so much about what was the issue was that was begging for my attention NOW, as realizing that I wasn’t alone.  I really wasn’t.

I not only had people who supported me through this “testing of my heart” time, but I knew deep down that Papa God would be there.  Hebrews 13:5  Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (NKJ)

I also realized that I can’t really trust my feelings all the time.  I learned a long time ago that “Feelings are neither right nor wrong.  They just are.”  Or somebody else (famous I’m sure) said…“Feel the fear and do it anyway!”

And now in retrospect, I so realize that He was in the midst of what was happening. And I learned something new (again) today.  And yes it comes right from scripture.  I chose the Message this time.

Romans 31 – 39…”So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture.”

And so it wasn’t about other people as it was about my relationship with the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.  And yes, keep me teachable.  Thank you Papa.

Note to Self:  The next time you’ve got something big to handle…read the above.

[Written by: John Lowe]
Also posted here.

I Can Hardly Wait…

I guess that kind of runs against the thinking of those who say,  “I want it now!”

There was a book that I read a few years ago and, although most of what I recall is fuzzy, this I do remember: If you want to gauge the emotional maturity of someone, see if they can delay gratification.

Let me give you an idea of what I mean.  Let’s say that I give my children (of which I have two) seven chocolates each and instruct them to only allow themselves one a day so that by weeks end, they’ll be enjoying the very last delicacy.  My children are very different from each other and shall remain nameless, but one of them would do their level best to resist temptation, but, alas, would have consumed all seven chocolates before noon. While the other one would carefully meter out the one chocolate for the day and so would have something to look forward to each day.

It’s sort of like opening all your Christmas presents on Christmas Eve and then bemoan the fact that there were no surprises left for Christmas day.

And so for me there is much to be learned in “the waiting time.” Yes I would like things right away.  And I know that my heavenly Father has good things in store for me.  After all, scripture does say…  Matthew 7:11 “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”

But it often comes down to timing doesn’t it?  And to be more specific, it’s about His timing.  It always has been that and I have to confess, I don’t always understand it.  I have to trust in the fact that His ways are higher than my ways.

And when I approach the Throne of Grace and ask, sometimes what appears to be a “No” in fact is a “John, not just yet”.  He’s not denying me (if what I’ve requested is Father’s will).  He’s giving me an opportunity to build my character and to be in that place of developing a right heart within me.

For there is much to be learned in the time of waiting.  And so the lesson becomes one of knowing that He has heard, but also, what am I doing during my time of anticipation?  How is my heart attitude during this time of what seems like delay?  It is during that time of waiting for “His presence” that I make my heart ready for His gift.  Why, so I can approach the throne yet again tomorrow with a right heart and cry out Abba Father.  Thanks Papa.

John Lowe

Rewards – Who doesn’t like ’em?!

Rewards.  Who doesn’t like them, look forward to them, want or need them?  It is often what motivates children and adults alike.  Whether we reward ourselves after a long hard work-week with a dinner & movie or take the family on vacation in summertime, rewards are part of our make up, built in so to speak .

Rewards are a big deal to our Heavenly Daddy who shares in Ruth 2:12, “ A full reward be given you by the Lord.”  And in Psalm 103:2, we are encouraged or maybe even implored to “Forget not all His benefits/rewards.”

God is really big on rewards!!  I believe He is reminding us today of all His rewards for us!  We can’t pay a price in God that we don’t get greater back!  Greater faith, greater hope, greater joy, greater love, greater strength, wisdom, friendship, healing, & wholeness………greater!!!

Bill Johnson says, “If we forget the rewards, we’ll exalt the cost.”  Let’s deemphasize the price or cost and emphasize the prize, the reward, the hope!  And hope is the confident expectation of good coming!  Let’s wake up hope that is within us !!  And we do so by believing in the promises of our reward giving God!

[Written by: Kristen Olynick]
Also appears here.

From Occupation to Expansion

Living a Life of Passion
By: Bill Johnson

One of the warriors of old made this statement: “The purpose of war is victory, and the purpose of victory is occupation.” In the Kingdom, we add one more step to the process: The purpose of occupation is expansion.

The Lord would not give the Promised Land to Israel all at once because they did not have the ability to occupy all of the territory. By only giving them the amount of land they could occupy, He positioned them for expansion. Expansion is vital to advancing the Kingdom of Heaven. The man who was given the one talent and buried it simply occupied and protected that accomplishment but suffered tremendously because he did not take what he had and position it for increase (Matthew 25:15-28).

It’s important that we view life with the perspective of expansion and forward motion. When we think this way, we are positioning ourselves for increase and promotion. It’s not healthy to simply find a place you want to stay in and occupy. The moment you have found a leveling-off place is the moment you begin backsliding.

When your passion begins to decline, you already start to die. You were born to burn. Elisha came to the king and said, “Please strike the ground with these arrows.” And he struck the ground three times. The prophet became furious at the king and said, “If only you had struck the ground five or six times you would have annihilated the enemy, but now you’re only going to have three temporary victories.” Because the king did not live out of passion, he couldn’t carry the anointing that God wanted to give him, and it cost the nation. When leaders don’t have passion, it costs everyone who follows.

Passion and the anointing run in parallel courses. A person with passion will take risks. Everything you want in the realm of the Kingdom is found through this veil of difficulty by stepping into the realm of inconvenience. You don’t get it by coasting on yesterday’s breakthrough. You were born for expansion.

[Written by: Bill Johnson]
Originally posted here:
www.bjm.org