Chris Bilotto, Near Death Experiences & Encounters with God – SOZO EP0009

“No one wants an argument about God, we all want an experience of God!” – Chris Bilotto

Introducing one of my brothers in Christ, Chris Bilotto! In this conversation we talk about Near Death Experiences, encounters with God, and much more.

EXPERIENCING THE SUPERNATURAL

chris billotoChris has had some very interesting experiences with the supernatural! When Chris was young his family became the target of a Satanic cult. They cursed the family and abducted and slaughtered his dogs. All because his mom Patty, who was a counselor at the time, was trying to help someone break free from the cult. Chris told me of seeing shadows and feeling a demonic presence and even how a demon tried to convince him to slice his wrists as a six-year-old.

How Chris came to faith in Jesus Christ is a very interesting and funny story! Not to mention VERY supernatural! When he prayed to receive Christ, Chris saw the glory cloud and heavenly lights and was embraced by an angel (or Jesus?). He felt the most profound love he’s ever experienced so far. He also saw a host of angels in the room.At the time Chris just accepted it all as normal or a “part of the show” at the particular event he was at. (This testimony starts after 35:00)

NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCES

Chris and I have had a shared interest in Near Death Experiences (NDE) and have talked about our research into them over the past year. In Sozo Talk Radio Episode 0002 I interviewed Howard Storm, a Near Death Experiencer, who met with Jesus and the angels. Jesus told Howard his plan to change the world is for each one of us “to love the person you are with”.

Chris talked about knowing someone who had a Near Death Experience and he shares her story. My own sister had a NDE which I will share eventually I’m sure.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING

Chris and I discuss how what we most want in church is to belong to a family who loves us. Love is FAR more important than that we all agree with each other!

I even said in this talk how I would really worry if you were to agree with me completely all the time. I don’t even agree with myself most of the time. All of us thinking the same is what cults do. It’s okay that we disagree! What is important is that we are in a growing relationship with Mr. Truth Himself, The Lord Jesus Christ.

SPIRITUAL WARFARE

The enemy is after us! We are in a very real war between good and evil, light and darkness. Thankfully we have the Truth on our side, Jesus! There is power of the Name of Jesus! The enemies of God hate his Name! It is the Name and authority of Jesus that overcomes and casts out the kingdom of darkness.

“This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: “Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it.” – Isaiah 30:15

We, as the family of God, are in the business of displacing the darkness with the Kingdom of Light and Love. My buddy Chris is a spiritual warrior of God’s love. Glad to have him for a friend.

Thank you for listening!

If you live in Northeast Wisconsin, check out our church for conferences and services here: https://www.facebook.com/elevationchurchwi

Elevation Church WI

Encountering God, Prophecy, & Awakening with Aaron Peterson – SOZO EP0008

the-seer-anointing-aaron-petersonEnjoy this interview/convo I have with Aaron Peterson about prophecy and the current Awakening that is exploding in this world. People are waking up to who Jesus really is and our brilliant new identity in him!

Aaron is the author of The Seer Anointing and one of the pastors at Elevation Church in Green Bay, WI. The Seer Anointing is an amazing book and Aaron and I plan to do another interview just about this book in the near future. (Which you can now listen to here!)

ELEVATION Church Green Bay

Elevation Church WI

Location of Elevation Church: 2605 S Oneida St Green Bay, WI 54304

Elevation Church WI Map

What is Prophecy?

As Aaron says, “Prophecy isn’t all the hooky spooky, heebie jeebie stuff you might be thinking. It’s a relationship with God that’s more than a monologue.” Prophecy is first about realizing that you already hear God better than you think. How do we then honor His voice better? How do we tune into his voice and enjoy this relationship with God like never before? Prophecy is about hearing the loving heartbeat and thoughts that God has for you and for others. It’s all about encountering and truly knowing God as a dear friend.

“But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them.” – 1 Corinthians 14:2 

“For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” NASB
“For the essence of prophecy is to give a clear witness for Jesus.” NLT – Revelation 19:10

I am really excited about what God is doing in his family in this Great Awakening we are in! Elevation Church Green Bay seems to be a hotspot for this Awakening.

Other Questions I ask Aaron:

Why are you a Christ follower?

What does Jesus mean to you?

What is one of your most wonderful encounters with Jesus you have had? (Aaron shares a really deep encounter he had with Jesus and his grandfather.)

Dealing with harassment from the enemy and SPIRITUAL WARFARE!

Is what we often call stress or anxiety actually an attack from the enemy?

How would you define sin and how does this interfere in our relationship or fellowship with God?

What is our identity in Christ.

Remaining Humble

What about confessing our faults to each other as a way of being humble? The Bible even says that Elijah was a man just like us. How do we stay small in our own eyes instead of getting an entitled mentality? How do we remain a humble servant like Jesus modeled?

Do you believe that no one is more special or important than another?

But instead of taking anyone else down a notch, doesn’t this mean that we honor one another?

Creating a culture of honor.

THE GREAT AWAKENING!

Are we in one now? Or at the beginnings of one?

From glory to ever-increasing glory in this relationship with God!

Let’s talk about the heresy of Cessationism.

“Jesus died on the cross to give us a great inheritance as the children of God.”  – Aaron

What is that inheritance? How do we partner with and align ourselves with Holy Spirit to make sure people are getting the full inheritance that he died to give us?

Encountering God

How important is it to encounter God for ourselves?

Many have linked these real encounters with God with the word mystic… do you think that is a fair assessment or use of the word?

mys·tic
ˈmistik/
noun

1. 1.
a person who seeks by contemplation and self-surrender to obtain unity with or absorption into the Deity or the absolute, or who believes in the spiritual apprehension of truths that are beyond the intellect.

The Greek word mysterion was used by Paul a great deal about our understanding of Christ. It seems it was one of his favorite words.

Our Mystic Journey with Christ

“If the things going on in the church aren’t going to freak people out, what are we doing?  What are we gathering for? To encounter God? Are you willing to accept the risks with that? Are you Okay with the consequences of a real encounter with God?” – Aaron

SCHOOL OF THE PROPHETS 2018

When and Where is this happening?

Why do you call it this?

Who is this conference for?

Do you have to be a prophet to come?

What does prophecy mean?

 

I think there are many who fear that people might be using “prophecy” in a way that is harmful, to perhaps manipulate others, as an ego trip of the prophet himself, or giving words that conflict with the revealed word of God.

What do you say to those who say that the role of prophet is not for today? That we have the complete finished Word of God so there is no need for prophets?

Finally, we talk about experiencing the Joy of the Lord – one of the three pillars of the essence Kingdom of God – “…Righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.”

So what about Holy Laughter? (btw, here is my blog I reference in the convo with Aaron: https://daniellovett.com/2015/08/03/conversion-of-charles-finney/)

P.S. I had previously interviewed Ryan Kibbe, the senior pastor of Elevation Church WI. Listen to that HERE!