God's Lovingkindness and Compassion by Richard Maisenbacher

Richard Maisenbacher

God’s Lovingkindness and Compassion

David begins to list some of God’s benefits, beginning in Psalm 103:4 with “Who redeems your life from the pit; Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion.” Many believers agree that the Lord has redeemed us from the pit, however there may be some hesitation to say that He is crowning us with lovingkindness and compassion. Many have been discouraged in the last few years with how people have been communicating in the media, the government, education, religion, family, friends, and business relationships. Trust has been challenging not only with people and organizations, but many have had their faith with God stretched to new levels, including me.

In order to receive some peace and joy I have had go back to the Scriptures and renew understanding of my covenant relationship with God. In the Hebrew, the word covenant is berith, which literally means “to bind or to fetter: a binding obligation.” It is the ultimate expression of committed love and trust and was usually made to define, confirm, establish, or make binding a relationship that had been in the making for some time. From God’s viewpoint this relationship begins when He created us.

The word hesed found in Psalm 103:4, is translated lovingkindness in the English translation. It is defined as a benevolent action on behalf of another, promoting and preserving life through relationships and faithful commitment.

Compassion is a deep emotional response on behalf of someone else. It is a response that finds its ultimate origination in the heart of God. He does not just show kindness to people He is in covenant with; however, He loves His own creation regardless of our rebellion. He still loves us because that is His heart.

As believers it is a wonderful reminder that God crowns us with hesed (lovingkindness) and compassion. Even though we may not understand or agree with what God may be doing in the world, knowing that He loves and obligates Himself to us will bring peace in a turbulent environment. His written Word also will bring comfort, even though it speaks of the good fight of faith, wrestling against the enemy, and the war of denying self.

You may run into non-believers or those who are discouraged to the point they just do whatever they want to. An explanation of what Jesus did on the cross and that God has desired a covenant love relationship with them from birth may make a difference. He not only created us to love, but He obligates Himself to continually seek us even when we do not reciprocate our love to Him.

Whenever my negative emotions take over my opinion of the world around me, I choose to have faith that our God who not only redeemed us but crowns us with hesed and compassion is in charge…even if I don’t understand His ways. I choose to trust Him!

In His Covenant Love,

Richard Maisenbacher

info@thecovenantcenter.com
www.thecovenantcenter.com

Richard and his wife Becky have been in ministry for over 45 years. Pastors and founders of The Covenant Center, they have also served as elders and board members of various churches, as well as facilitated numerous home groups and classes.

They are dedicated to bringing freedom and wholeness to the wounded and captive through covenant understanding, healing, transformation, restoration, and reconciliation. They desire to see each person trained, equipped, and activated to serve in the Kingdom as they walk in their identity in Christ, being strengthened in their gifts, fulfilling their destiny.  Richard and Becky encourage and support individuals to grow in relationship with the Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit, maturing in wisdom, holiness, character, and the prophetic.

An Update For Our TCC Family by Richard Maisenbacher

Richard Maisenbacher

Dear Covenant Center Family,

Just an update for everyone. I know the closing was abrupt as we are also witnessing businesses, restaurants, even educational institutions and other churches closing. These are unprecedented times, and I know for many of you it has been difficult and some of you have shared the depth of your grief in the closing of our gathering place. We identify with you. This has been tough! However, God has built us all to be overcomers. He has imparted in each of us the ability to endure and persevere in difficult times.

During prayer, the Lord has been reminding me today of Moses in the desert with a vision of the Israelites circling round and round, only getting mana waiting on the Lord’s direction. As they hoped to get guidance and direction, they looked to Moses asking what are we doing out here? Holy spirit spoke to me, “Little did they know through their stress and uncertainty, I was teaching them to not look to man nor look to food or drink or clothing but to look to Me.” This is a deep to deep moment.

As a prophetic community it’s not unusual for God to use the experiences we walk through as a message to others who can see and hear His messages.  I think it’s important to learn from our forefathers during this time of waiting for the Lord, to be careful of what we speak or think. Even this morning Becky came to me and shared that the Lord opened her ears to hear the demons and what they were saying.

In this uncertain time of transition, not only for us, but also for the world, they are strategizing to entice the Body of Christ to become critical, judgmental, fearful, disillusioned with one another, to cause us to open the door to the destroyers. This is a serious thing.

1 Corinthians 10:10 – “Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer.” Verse 11, “Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.”

In uncertain times, in our humanity, it is easy to become fearful, critical, judgmental, even murmur or complain. This is an important scripture that I have referred to in our meetings, because I do not want you or myself to be destroyed. We know from our training that these choices open the door for the enemy to attack. We’ve come too far individually and as a community. We know too much of his ways to engage in fear, murmuring, or disillusionment.

So, I encourage you to hold fast to what is set before you. We need to be looking to the Lord and listening for His direction. He has actually given us all time to slow down, take time to be with Him and hear from Him as we prepare for the new year. In the coming days things will become clearer. But for now, as the Lord has spoken to me before in prayer, “Do what you know to do until I give you specific directions.”

We have been busy these past 3 weeks, organizing, storing, purging, packing, materials and closing out our building location. We received unexpected, specific contributions to pay for our monthly storage units and a contribution to help pay for the moving expenses. These were God gifts. Thank you and thank you Lord for all contributions.

For those who feel led to continue to contribute to Covenant Outreach Ministries, Inc. we appreciate it very much! We still will maintain our website with news, message posts, and Covenant U classes to help those licensed and ordained ministers and others to move out in whatever ministry God has led them to at this time. Or you may want to take a class to simply enjoy and grow in understanding of topics that may interest you. To have technology is to invest in technicians and we are thankful for ours. As much as our technicians generously give of their time, this is also their business. This will still take time and finances to continue our communication and training. Thank you all for your continued giving and investing in future kingdom builders!

LIdy and Susan will continue overseeing administrative communication, like info@thecovenantcenter.com, emails, prayer, counseling, accounting and finances. I will continue engaging with our Covenant U students, other ministry consultations, home groups and of course prayer.

I am personally waiting for specific directions for Covenant Outreach Ministries, Inc. We know retirement is not in God’s vocabulary, so we will be refreshed by this break, and even though transition is messy, we look forward to this New Year and His continued guidance and provision.

I thank God for you! Your love, support and dedication to His kingdom continues to be a great gift. Shana Tova and a sweet Rosh Hashanah to you and family!

Richard
info@thecovenantcenter.com

Here Comes the Fall Feasts of the Lord - Richard Maisenbacher

Richard Maisenbacher

Here Come the Fall Feasts

We find described in Leviticus 23, God's feasts or His appointed times of celebration and consecration. The Fall Feasts are a time when God wants His people to learn to rest in Him. Let’s review first: The Feast of Passover teaches about God's peace. The Feast of Pentecost instructs us on God's power and the Fall Feasts give understanding about God's rest.

Even though the 30 days (Days of Elul) before the Feast of Tabernacles were a time of repentance and reflection, they celebrated the final ingathering of the harvest whereby God blessed the people for the year. The fruit of the land had been harvested, so the people could now rest from their labors. It was a time of great rejoicing! They would celebrate and thank God in advance for the next harvest.

The Fall Feasts emphasized a rest with the Lord; however it did not necessarily mean to literally lay down and do nothing. Rest meant to continue to be intimate with Him, staying involved in the normal work of the Kingdom, while continuing with their occupation, family, study, prayer and ministry.

The dates for this year’s Fall Feasts 2024 are: 

Rosh Hashanah (Feast of Trumpets) Beginning of the New Year - October 2-4th (Weds. - Friday)

Days of Awe -Include the 10 days from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur October 2- 11th (Weds. - Friday)

Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) A Day of Fasting October 11-12th (Friday-Saturday)

Sukkot or Feast of Tabernacles/Booths – October 16- October 23rd -(Weds. to Weds.)

God is working behind the scenes during this time of transition, restoration and reformation. I know during this Fall season God is going to move in a great way, increasing His harvest by transforming His people. This will also automatically have an impact on the seven mountains. I do not know how it will play out, but I still believe there is a correction coming to level out the playing field and begin to restore what has been stolen from His people.

We find in John 7:37-38 the words of Jesus included in John’s letter: “Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.’”

Enjoy the Feasts of the Lord and look forward to this New Year! “Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,” we thank you Lord! (Eph. 3 :20)

In His Covenant Love,

Richard
info@thecovenantcenter.com

Hope Does Not Disappoint - Richard Maisenbacher

Richard Maisenbacher

God, in His covenant with us is much more intimately involved in life, not just thoughts. He acts, feels, and speaks. The Hebraic worldview is more doing as opposed to the Greek way of just thinking. To meditate in the Hebrew is not just to sit quietly and focus on things. It is to interact with the Holy Spirit and the community and bring those thoughts into reality. It then becomes relational. This has become a challenge for me and especially for my wife Becky because I like to be quiet and listen more than verbalize. It has been exceptionally challenging for her since one of her love languages is verbal connection. Consequently, I am continually working on that!

I asked the Lord recently if there was anything He would like for me to share about and I heard Him say, “disappointment.” Then the first scripture I was led to was Romans 5:5, “…and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out with in our hearts through the Holy Spirit wo was given to us.”

The beginning of that verse, “…and hope does not disappoint…” It seems I may need to understand hope a little also, so I do not get into too much disappointment. On the drop-down blog posts on www.thecovenantcenter.com Elizabeth Weber wrote a great blog post entitled “Hope.” I encourage you to read it! Her condensed version of hope is “waiting well.” Therefore, Hope… waiting well does not disappoint.

 It seems important that we must confront our disappointment with God’s truth. We need beliefs that work when life doesn’t meet what we expect.

 The word disappoint in the Greek means “to make ashamed, to dishonor, or to disgrace.” In other words, what God is doing will not make us ashamed. Since we are in covenant with Him and under His direction our experiences will not disappoint us because His love carries us through. I believe God knows what He is doing with me. I may not see His plan, but I know His character and compassion, so I can say “I trust You.” You are my hope, and I am not ashamed to follow where you lead.

Disappointment does imply that I have been frustrated. I can only be disappointed if my expectation doesn’t come to pass. My emotions are dependent on His compassion, grace and mercy and the direction of the Father and Holy Spirit.

I have very high expectations of God. However, I have learned to give Him lots of time to do what He thinks is necessary. I also have pretty high expectations of others who have proven themselves as trustworthy. Having said that, I have low expectations of others. That’s way I am not angry all the time.

This era we walk in now has challenged all of us. We can rejoice in difficulties because they produce patience. We embrace patience because it produces character and is a fruit of His Spirit. We are not disappointed because God’s love is poured into our hearts through that intimate covenant relationship.

Remember, “Hope does not disappoint.” Waiting well does not make us ashamed, dishonored, or disgraced. Why…because His love envelops us and encourages us in a close covenant relationship.

In HIs Covenant Love,

Prayer and Preparation to Walk Through the Open Doors in 2024: Richard Maisenbacher

Richard Maisenbacher

As we step into 2024, the Hebraic year of “Open Doors” I believe we need to be prepared for various shifts and changes within not only our nation but the body of Christ. We have stepped into a new era of reformation. God has been telling us to set things in order, set men and prepare for this new era.

Our focus this year, more than ever, has become time with Him in prayer. I personally have been focused on listening to Holy Spirit to guide my prayers and pray what He desires, rather than petitioning Him for everything I want. Prayer is becoming a major focus for me. Rather than presuming our idea is from Him, we are consulting with our intercessors and others in our body to find out what they are “hearing” from the Lord.

Proverbs 20:18 states: “Prepare plans by consultation and make war by wise guidance.” Obviously, this is a spiritual war, as we learn to align with heaven and His angelic forces.

As we celebrated our twenty fifth anniversary of TCC last year in June, the Lord also gave us the words “preparation and expansion.” There are many impressions of what expansion can mean, but we are seeking Him to bring the reality of this word to TCC. He has spoken that it has taken twenty-five years to mature and unify us to move into this time. We have gifted and anointed people positioned in all areas or streams of The Center including, Children and Youth Teachers, Instrumental Worship, Praise and Palmistry, Dancers and Flags, Prayer and Prayer Teams, Teachers of the Word and the Prophetic, Counselors, Artists, Writer’s, Deliverance Team, Missionaries, Healing Teams, Streaming, Video and Sound Technicians, Administrator and Facilitators. Everyone has a place and position to release the gift of God within them.

I look forward to this year as we continue to assist believer’s, helping them to walk into their callings and destinies that our Father has deposited within them. Even though we can expect challenges to come, His light will continue to shine through His covenant people.

In His Covenant Love,

Wisdom in Biblical Freedom: Richard Maisenbacher

Richard Maisenbacher

Proverbs 29:18, “Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained (para), but happy is he who keeps the law.” Para (unrestrained in the Hebrew) means to let go, to loose, unruly, unbridled, undisciplined, or in another form it means to act as a leader. In other words, do what he wants to do like a pharaoh.

When we no longer think we see God move in our life we may become our own god or leader. We do not seek to please Him. We find things to please ourselves. My freedom becomes bondage to myself. I don’t fail because I don’t hear from Him. I have the Bible and other prophetic words that guide me. I just don’t see Him working the way I think He should if He really loves me. Rather than look to Him I end up taking care of my own needs. It can also become a major distraction to help someone else meet their needs.

In my prayer time several years ago, I heard the Lord say, “Don’t do things to please me…” Then there was a long pause and I thought to myself: really?! Then He said, “Find out what pleases Me and do those things.” I realized He was helping me get rid of any performance motivation. I obviously had been doing some things that I thought would make Him happy so He would bless me.

I then realized that He was pleased when I was intimate, in my covenant relationship with Him, and followed the things He though was important… like His written Word in my life. His purposes became my priority. Serving others was important.

Solomon tells us that happiness is found in keeping Torah. Happiness in not achieved by living unrestrained. Pharaoh was not happy. He was free to do what he wanted, but happiness was not the result. Being blessed or happy is a result of walking in an intimate covenant relationship of hearing and seeing what God wants us to do.

Freedom and repentance go hand in hand. Both are important. Any person who thinks they are free but refuses to repent of harmful choices of the past is not free. However, the past can be redeemed by a new future.

We have the freedom of choice to be a volunteer servant of God. The biblical model is not based on my freedom as an individual. Freedom is not the goal. It is to be a servant to a benevolent covenant master: Shema – Hear and Obey.

I believe we are in an era where God is encouraging believers and unbelievers to seek an intimate relationship with Him. There is major healing coming… not just physical healing but healing from wounds caused by life. He is highlighting loving Him in prayer and releasing His love to others. Many will sense this time of healing and either rededicate their lives or they will understand for the first time what it is like to really believe and express His love to others.

In His Covenant Love,

Hope - Richard Maisenbacher

It sure seems like hope is something the body of Christ is challenged to activate on a spiritual and emotionally level. Most of us are familiar with 1 Corinthians 13:13, “But now faith, hope, love abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.” Therefore, our focus most of the time will be on love, which is extremely important! However, hope seems to be extremely foundational in this verse also.

Hope means to wait, look for, expect, waiting, and look for eagerly. It has to do with our future and cannot be known for sure. There is One who does know the future and is able to affect its outcome for our benefit. Otherwise, we tend to hope in our own or other’s ability or the promises of our government.

Because God is with us our hope rests in Him. This does not necessarily mean all my dreams, expectations, and hope become a reality. Even though my walk with the Lord will not be crystal clear, I am still a part of God’s plan. I hope in God’s character and His faithfulness. I trust in His covenant promises. My hope is He will deliver in His time - His way. If I trust God then I will have hope.

Psalm 119:114 declares: “You are my hiding place and my shield; I wait for your word.” Wait for means hiding place, covering, protection. If we believe the protection and security of the Lord, then behaviorally (Hebraically) we will be waiting for His word. The Hebrew word is “yahal” and means not only to wait but also to hope. It means a sense of expectant anticipation, not stagnant reclining. We don’t necessarily recline comfortably and sleep expecting the Lord to wake us up with His next word. Are we hunger and thirsting after Him? Are we on the edge of our seat straining to see or hear Him?

I cannot say that I have been this diligent to hear or see His next word or revelation for me. However, I am motivated to implement this method of seeking Him and allow hope instead of discouragement to influence me. This would probably be a great New Year’s resolution. Even though the Hebraic new year has already started back in September it’s never too late to start. So NOW is the time to hope and receive His protection by actively waiting for Him!!!

In His Covenant Love,

Paul's Method of War - Richard Maisenbacher

It may seem that Paul’s main method of warfare is in the mind! 2 Corinthians 10:5-6 says, “We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete, (from Mental Warfare? – www.skipmoen.com).

Remember the Greek focus is changing our thinking in our mind (nous). In verse 3 and 4 Paul acknowledges we are in the flesh in this world, but our battle is not of the flesh. We are to use spiritual weapons to defeat the enemy. Paul teaches against reasoning (speculations) and pride (lofty things). He can’t mean mental weapons verses mental opponents which would mean the weapons of this world.

Our war is to use the “knowledge of God.” The Greek word is (gnosis), but the Hebrew word is (yada.) Yada is intimately knowing God and his Word. Therefore, anything that opposes his Word and the living God must be destroyed because it leads to speculation and lofty things and eventually leads to lawlessness.

Paul says to take captive every thought. It literally means take prisoners of war. It does not mean to execute or erase them. It means to render them powerless. They are harmless now because they are in prison. The battle is not thinking disobedient thoughts, but not performing them. We fight with spiritual weapons, not human intervention. Paul says to employ the knowledge of God in this fight. He wants us to live his Word, God’s revelation of Himself. It means to do what God asks regardless of what I think about it. The solution to mental struggles is physical compliance.

In verse 6 Paul says to punish all disobedience which means an outward behavior that is out of alignment with a standard. Lawlessness required punishment which led to repentance, restoration, and then obedience. One major key to spiritual warfare is obedience.

I try to keep the prison door shut by praising Him and practicing what he asks of me. When I stop focusing on him and his Word and disregard his sovereignty the prison door opens. Keeping focused on worship, his Word, and yada (intimate covenant relationship) renders the enemy harmless. The enemy’s screaming, name calling, lies, and distractions cannot affect me unless I allow my focus to leave him and listen to all the garbage.

My weapons are now the Word of God which was used by Jesus in the wilderness against satan. If God’s words flow from my mouth, the prison door stays shut. So, whenever we hear the person in prison getting noisy either in our head, others, the media, or through any form of technology, let’s speak his Word and do spiritual warfare the way Paul must have done it! What are some of your favorite warfare scriptures to quote?

In His Covenant Love,