Release From Disabling Roots - Becky Maisenbacher

Transition, coupled with God's divine work of transformation and renewal, can sometimes leave one wondering where they are in their life journey. We may try to figure out what God is saying or try to understand the focus of His work in us. When we ask, He is so faithful to reveal His plans and His focal point to guide and encourage us. A dream is one way He speaks to give us guidance and understanding.

In a recent dream Richard and I were in our home, when the doorbell rang. As we opened the door a young couple greeted us with their children, bringing some sweets they had baked to share. We then went outside and joined others who were standing beside a large tree and John Deere Gator utility vehicle. We could immediately observe that the large base roots of the tree had grown around and entwined themselves into and through the bed of the utility vehicle. It was immobile. The only thing holding it back from functioning, as it was designed, were the large roots. Without saying a word, we all knew it was important to pull the roots out that had disabled the vehicle so it could once again function at capacity. As we together began to pull out the roots, we were pleasantly surprised to see how quickly our efforts resulted in the each root relinquishing its hold. As we continued, the roots flew through the air and landed at the base roots of other trees. We knew once the roots were removed they would no longer detain the vehicle or hold it powerless.

Though the Body of Christ has been in a long season of surgery and transition, with God pruning branches to bring new growth and fruit, it is now time to look for the larger deep roots that God is exposing. As we acknowledge them, take time to work on them by pulling them out and removing them, we will be freed from those things that have been holding us down and hindering our forward movement. For some these roots have completely disabled them, where they have become immobile and unusable, causing discouragement and for some despair. For those who will allow God to expose the deep roots hindering them and actively work to remove them, they will begin to experience life and the ability to once again become active and fully alive. They will move forward with great mobility and rock solid stability, smoothly steering with great maneuverability and ground clearance, to ride over bumpy terrain with strength and power. They will have the ability to carry heavy loads while being equipped with the tools and supplies needed to be productive and accomplish all they have been called to, arriving safely at their destination. What may look overwhelming will become very sweet.

Father, thank you that you love us so much that you reveal yourself and your truth to us. You desire to guide and direct us so we may live well and prosper. Now, please show us the roots that may hinder us from moving forward in you. Thank you for strengthening us and giving us the ability to remove all that hinders us from walking in your fullness of life. Thank you Lord!

"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." (Hebrews 12:1)

In His love - 

I'm Desiring A New Move - Becky Maisenbacher

During our Wednesday night Hearing God class on March 3, 2017 at The Covenant Center, Don Franklin released the following word. God is speaking and desiring to reveal Himself to you; and I pray He will give you eyes to see and ears to hear His desires for this time and season in the earth. Love and blessings to you - Becky

"I'm going to give it to the meek and lowly at heart, to those who are on their faces before Me crying out for what I want. There are preconceived ideas in other groups that are not in line with what I want. And the Lord said, I will not once again hand over the power and anointing of God to a group that's going to take it astray. I am looking for a people that will listen to Me, walk with Me, and do it the way that I want it done.

And God says, stand up if you want to be counted. Stand up in the Spirit. Stand up and call upon Me. I am a fair and equal opportunity employer. Say not I am small; I am too weak; I don't have this; I don't have that. You have Me. And My Spirit is hovering over this city and I am testing men and women. And I am checking out hearts and I am looking for those who will come strong after Me, and will obey Me and listen to Me. The Lord said, this thing is not settled yet.

Call on Me. I will show you great and mighty things that you know not of. I'm sifting out the hearts of men before My judgement seat. Oh, be swift my soul to answer Him; be jubilant my feet. I'm calling and an knocking; I am seeking; I am walking the streets of this city looking for men and women who will obey Me and listen to Me and do it the way I want it done.

I am looking to nest. I am looking for a home. I'm looking for a place to land, and to tabernacle and to abide, and to nurture. I am looking for a hospital; I'm looking for a place to bring the sick and the wounded - those that need the grace, and the mercy, and the hand of God. I'm looking for a place to tabernacle where My Spirit can have free rein. It's not over yet.

Was not My Son born in Bethlehem? He did not come out of Jerusalem. He came out of a manger, in a small place. Do I not love the meek and the lowly? Have I not said that I Am the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose Name is Holy and I dwell with those who have a meek and a contrite heart? Am I not attracted to the smallest one in the family - a little boy named David?

There's a humility that resides within the Godhead that the church does not understand. I am not arrogant; I am not proud; I am not looking to show off. In fact, the other attributes are exactly what I am. I am meek and lowly of heart. Jesus said, if you've seen Me, you've seen the Father. He did not boast; He did not brag; He did not show off. He was not trying to prove anything to anyone. He was simply being the manifestation of God.

So, know this, the meeker you are, the lowlier you are, the kinder you are, the more you attract the power, the anointing, the angelic realm of God. The Lord said, I'm looking for another manger. I'm looking for a Bethlehem. I've had my fill of Jerusalem. Come unto Me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly of heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Competition is of the enemy. This is not a competition, although many have turned it into a competition - a boasting and bragging love fest. Who has the most of this? Who has that? How many did it seat? How many are there, and on and on it goes. It has nothing to do with My kingdom and that's why My moving in those places is limited. They limit the Holy One of Israel; they limit the Holy One of Israel all the time thinking they are doing Me a favor, when they are actually, blocking what I really want to do. That's why I don't move; that's why I'm not flowing.

I'm looking for the right place - the right manger, the right people. Heaven desires to move; heaven is hungry to touch, heal, to bring in. It is man that binds the hand of the Lord. When the Lord went into His hometown, He could not heal. It was man that blocked what He wanted to do. And again, and again, and again I have been blocked when I wanted to move in certain places, and I continue to be blocked. But the Lord said, I am going to open up portals and places where there are mangers and where there are those who have learned to walk in meekness and the holiness and the submission to God.

So, know this - it's wide-open; it's wide-open; it's wide-open. Many places have formalized and crystalized in their structure and i will not be able to move like this through them. I will move to the limit that they let Me move. But I have laws that limit Me from moving through denominations and congregations, even free flowing places that think they are moving in a direction that will be pleasing to Me. I cannot move because of inborn attitudes and "What will happen down the road if I do?" Therefore, I hold back no matter how many times they cut themselves, cry, and fall, and pray. The Lord says, I am hindered by their very inner attitudes.

Look deep into the heart of the scriptures and see what Bethlehem was like, what David was like, what the Lord Himself was like. This is where you'll fine Me flowing. The Syrophoenician woman is the key; when she was insulted, she ducked under and humbled herself. Humble yourself in front of the Almighty and I will answer with fire upon your altar.

I am desiring to move in this House; I'm desiring to move among you; I am desiring to pour out My Spirit on this group. Just humble yourselves before Me and call on Me; call on Me; call on Me. As you go through your days, call on Me from the inner spirit of your heart. Hannah never said a word out loud and I gave Samuel. You don't have to get bold; you don't have to get loud.

I will raise up those who have an anointing for this, but it is not for everyone. Call on Me night and day from your heart, and the Lord says, I will answer with fire - first in your heart and then in a congregational setting. I'm desiring to move; I'm desiring to move; I'm desiring a new move, a new structure, a new way of presenting even the Gospel, not only to this city, but to the globe. You are already in the future.

Let those that have what they have, go with what they have. But look to Me, saith God; it's a new thing that I am doing, and yet it's as old as the hills of Jerusalem. Well done, My good and faithful servants; enter thou into the joy of the Lord and find the Kingdom of God as it was intended to be lived and preached. Angels are hovering over this place, waiting, waiting, waiting. Don Franklin

He Is Looking For A People....Richard Maisenbacher

This past Sunday, April 2, 2017, Becky Maisenbacher delivered a word of the Lord emphasizing the Lord's desire for us to seek Him and His presence. The word was also a challenge for us to lay down competition and any program that would stand in the way of what He wants to do as He knits us together as a body. Be blessed and encouraged by the following word. - Richard

"Holy Spirit, we just thank You for coming here today. We just ask You to speak. What would You say to Your people today? What would You desire for us to hear, Lord? You've come with Your precious presence and we thank You. We thank You that You choose to abide with us, that we may learn to be a habitation for You.

And I hear the Spirit of the Lord saying, I am looking for a people. I am looking for a place. I am searching for a family where I may rest. I am searching for a people who desire for Me and My presence, where they would allow Me to move without pretense, without marketing, without false celebration of what I am doing. I desire to have a place that My Spirit is free to reign without the pretense of competition, without the disappointment for the lack of a program. Could you be that place? Could you give up your desires or your expectations of who I am, and let Me be? Let Me be? For I have searched far and wide, and yes, there were places that I began to manifest My presence and what I desired to do. And at first I was celebrated, and then they took their eyes off of Me and they began to declare, "Look at me! Look at us! Look at who we are! Look how great we are! Look at what we have become!" And once again I was lost in the equation of what man thinks I am and who they must be. But I continued to search the earth for that family, that place, that people, that individual who will let Me be. And it will not be for personal gain. It will not be for personal glory. It will be a place to simply let Me be. Could you be that place? Could you be that people? Could you be that family that will come and celebrate with Me and let Me be? Could you let Me have my way and continue to point toward Me in the heavens? Could you lay down the need to be seen, to be exalted?

I come to you today with these questions. For even as the activity of My hosts, My heavenly hosts are here today in their anticipation and excitement, I anticipate that with you. Could you lay down everything of what you think I am and every expectation of how I am to perform for you, and let Me be? For I desire to show you My glory, My greatness. But in My mercy, when the celebration becomes about you, I must remove Myself so that you are not destroyed. So could you come, let Me have My way, and sacrifice your own needs so that I may thrive?

I love you. I love you! And I know your plans and purposes are good. And I know you desire to celebrate Me as a child celebrates and loves his mother and father. But I tell you, if you can do this thing with Me, you will be amazed at the works that I will do in you, in this family, in this place, if you choose to allow me to truly reign.

I love you, My beloved. I love you, My beloved. Thank you for choosing to let Me reign. Thank you for choosing to let Me have My way. Thank you for letting Me be who I am. I Am! Thank you. Thank you for laying down all your own needs or desires. Even that competition. Even that competition that can be so - so, in the world's hands, so celebratory, but in Mine, in My world, it is distasteful, because I love you all and I desire to touch you all with My loving hand. No one is greater, no one is less. Just let Me be who I am. Let Me be who I am."

Becky then continued with some further insight - The angels are ministering right now. Thank you. The Lord has come with questions for not only us individually, but as a body. This is truly a holy moment. This is a moment to decide with the angels and Holy Spirit, what are we able to do? What are we able to do for Him in removing ourselves and not touching Him in His glory. I don't think we'll be able to decide this today, but it is a sobering request. And as I'm sitting here I'm reminded of a word that was prophetically given to our community several years ago, and it's just now becoming real to me; which was the Lord asking if we could make this a habitation of His presence, and that He had things that He wanted to do here with us and through us to touch the world in His name. But there was a condition in the word, and the condition was when people came and said, 'Oh, look what you are doing!,' and the excitement over His presence and visitation and you know, whether we like it or not as humans we start to go, 'Wow, I'm pretty good. He's come sitting with me!' But the condition that prophet spoke was , when He moves and people come, can we just say, yes, it's just family. It's part of the family, and remove ourselves from any pretense, you know, that anything came from us, but it was all from Him. 

So, I submit this to you today. Thank you Lord. We just ask You to come and minister to each person here today and too all of us as a family, as a Covenant family You divinely have brought together. We know You have spoken and You have strategically placed us together and we don't really understand that, Lord, or what it looks like, or what the purpose is. But I thank you we can all learn to just be family. You've been knitting us together as a family, celebrating one another and not competing. Not even competing with Your other families that You've created, Lord. We're just The Covenant Center family, and You are our Lord. - Becky Maisenbacher

Eating Healthy - Richard Maisenbacher

Many believers in the United States are wondering: "If God is in charge why do we have so much strife going on right now?" I believe this article found below by Skip Moen offers an answer to this question. Certainly food for thought...Richard

EATING HEALTHY by Skip Moen, D. Phil.

I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? 1 Corinthians 3:2-3 NASB

Still not ready - We all want the healthy stuff, right? We want the full meal, the meat and potatoes, the diet that gives us spiritual strength and insight. But are we ready? Unfortunately, it doesn't appear that we are. Notice what Paul says about those who are still on baby food. They aren't ready because they don't follow the same rituals? Oh, wrong again. They aren't ready because they attend that other assembly. No, again. Paul's entry requirement to the banquet hall is rather startling. The reason for a continual diet of baby food is jealousy and arguing. Until we get over the ego issues, we can't get to the adult's table.

If what Paul says is true, then you and I are surrounded by a world of babies. Everywhere I go there is jealousy and arguing. The Greek terms help us see the bigger problem. Zelos (jealousy) is that fervent desire to have it my way. In the early Church fathers, this Greek word is used in the sense of envy, to have what is yours simply because I want it. This attitude is competitive and aggressive. It is the, "You're wrong, I'm right. Shut up!" environment. Of course, we can be jealous with civility. We just dismiss the actions and thoughts of others. "It's too bad that they don't get it, but isn't it nice that we have the truth." According to Paul, this life style keeps us on strained peas.

"Quarreling" is the Greek term eris. It is strife, contention, intransigent debate. You and I have seen plenty of this in religious circles. We don't discuss anymore. We argue. We fight to claim we are right. And most of all, we act as though we have nothing more to learn. We are the guardians of the true gospel and anyone who questions us is anathema. Between 303 CE and 428 CE the whole Christian world was caught up in this kind of attitude. As a result, the Church murdered its own, claiming that God demanded the removal of those who did not agree. Instead of killing each other, we just start a new assembly. That way we don't have to repent over the graves we left behind.

Paul's assessment?  "Are you not acting in typical human ways." The NASB adds "merely," but the message is pretty clear. You will not eat at God's table until you give up your need to be right. If jealousy, envy and strife are present, don't expect to grow. In fact, Paul might even call you sinners. Perhaps the first step we need to take in this spiritual diet is a trip to the mirror. If you discover that the person staring back at you has to be right, rejects any alternative, competes for prominence and won't budge an inch, you might notice a severe malnutrition is setting in.

Skip Moen; www.skipmoen.com

Your Healing Journey - Becky Maisenbacher

Do you know God knew you before He formed the World? Jeremiah 5:1 tells us before the foundations of the earth were laid He knew you! Before you even entered your mother's womb He knew you and had a plan for your life. This is how important you are to Him and how much He cares about you. God chose you to be here and it is His desire to prosper you. Read and pray 3 John 1:2 over you today and let your heart receive His love and desire for you: "Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers." Well, you may say, "Yes, but you don't know what it's been like. You don't understand." Beloved, I may not, but He knows you, and He is with you and does understand.

When illness of any kind appears, God in His love has a plan and He has a prescription of healing made out just for you. God's plan for health and life culminated at the cross by Jesus. He bore the sickness and pain for all and released His healing power into the earth (1 Peter 2:24) flowing through two main streams. One is the natural stream, which is good and at times very necessary. God may direct you toward healing through, physicians, medication, surgery, vitamins, physical therapy, nutritional and diet changes and more; and all this has been provided for you through His hands of provision. He is the Creator of all things so it is good to receive from this important medical stream. We are so fortunate to live in a country with some of the best medical assistance available in the world. However, there is also a supernatural side to healing that we sometimes forget to seek out, and that is Jesus, who is our healer. His name, Jehovah Rapha, declares He is our health. He is your health! This second stream of healing includes prayer, laying on of hands by the elders, anointing with oil, taking communion, and angelic visitations. Jesus used many different methods of healing including, prayer, mud, spit, a touch, angels and more. Some received spontaneous healing or miracles, while others languished for years, like the cripple who waited 38 years and the woman with the curved spine who bore pain for 18 years before complete restoration arrived. It is never too late. No matter how long you have been waiting. Nothing is impossible for Him and for those who believe. There are no limits to how He may touch you and bring wholeness to you.

With all the wonderful modern medicine and technology, the first place we usually look for help is the medical field, and again that is good. I support God using the various streams of medicine to diagnose and heal, and have been healed many times through their knowledge and skill. However, in our need for relief, we may forget and leave Jesus out of the healing equation. He is still in the miracle healing business and personally I believe every healing no matter how it is attained is a miracle. How beautifully and wonderfully made we are that God has built into our bodies the ability to heal and be resilient. Even if your healing comes through a process that takes time and medical support you can still actively participate with Him in your healing journey. First, remember how important you are to God and know that it His desire to be there with you - to love you and heal you! Ask Him into your situation. Tell Him how much you need Him. What good and loving Father will not respond to the need of His child? Ask Him: "Jesus, please come into this situation. I need You. I need Your healing touch. I need You to help me. Please help me through this healing journey. Please come with Your health and life. I trust You. I believe in You and that You want to heal me. I receive Your life and healing touch. Thank You Jesus. Thank You for healing me and bringing wholeness to me." Make this one of your meditations and tell Him often how much you need Him. Whisper or declare His name - "Jesus!" His name is above all names and just mentioning it changes the dynamics and atmosphere around you when you are in covenant with Him. "Jesus! Jesus, I need You and love You. Please help me. Thank You Jesus."

Also, consider listening to streaming worship music or healing scriptures to feed your soul and spirit. Take a few moments each day to read His word, especially Matthew through John, which teach on the various ways Jesus brought healing to those in need. Ask someone who is in relationship with God to pray for you and if you are able to attend church, ask an elder to pray or anoint you with oil. If you're unable to connect with others, search for a radio or television program with sound biblical teaching that will encourage and feed you. Devotionals, internet, emails and phone calls are other ways to align with those who will pray and believe with you for your recovery. Keep knocking on various doors of healing and seeking Him. Though discouragement or despair may stalk you, keep your eyes on His beautiful face, thanking Him for His grace to heal. I pray that Jesus would bring you comfort and peace, and that He becomes more real to you than ever before as He walks with you through your healing journey where His light of love breaks forth with new life.

"Precious Jesus, please come with Your healing touch to Your people. Heal the broken hearted, those rejected or experiencing loneliness, those living with shame or guilt, those fighting disease or sickness, arthritis and pain, or financial distress. I speak Your wondrous name over them - 'Jesus,' and I thank You for bringing relief, health, and life to their situation. Guide them through their healing journey. I praise and thank You Father."

What Is Covenant Faith? - Richard Maisenbacher

In Romans 1:17 Paul says, ".....the righteous man shall live by faith." In the New Testament Paul was quoting from Habakkuk 2:4. However, when we look at Habakkuk it actually says, ".....but the righteous will live by his faith." That sounds a little more like the responsibility falls on me! We know according to Romans 14:23 that "whatever is not from faith is sin." I then begin to question myself, "How do I acquire faith to please Him?"

In the church we have made statements like: God will solve almost all your problems if you just have enough faith; Well, to be healed all you need is a little more faith; You need more faith for that miracle; or She had great faith therefore God answered her prayer. It might behoove us to define what is faith?

According to Hebrews 11:1, "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." In Romans 10:17 Scripture states: "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." The Greek translation of the word (of Christ) is "Rhema" defined as "that which is uttered by the living voice," implying a relationship with Christ. Another way of defining faith would be, "hearing, believing, speaking and obedience or simply, trust in and obedience to." Randi Lechner has taught us that faith has been used as a noun, because "faithing" as a verb does not translate in our English language. However faith is a verb with action. "Faithing" probably explains the relational process better. Skip Moen also states that "Faith is my active attitude and behavioral reliance on His trustworthiness. My action is putting myself in His care regardless of the circumstances I see. I may declare or recite written Scriptures, but without relationship, there is no faith."

When I came to Christ as a believer I entered a covenant relationship with Him. I just did not realize the depth of what the relationship really meant. In a covenant made with God, there is an exchange process that continually takes place. The stronger party exchanges with the weaker one in the covenant. Guess who the stronger party is in this relationship? There is an exchange of names, position, character, nature and responsibility. In this relationship I choose to trust Him or not trust Him. In a relationship we do not just "think" about the person, but we engage and participate with the person. Faith is received in an exchange; a covenant exchange. I do not have to work to receive it. I receive in a relationship of trust. I rely on God's faithfulness.

Jesus is the model of intimacy. He spent hours in prayer with His Father, so He could be connected to the Source of Life. I do not think He was begging for blessings and power. He was enjoying what it meant to be human and  one with the Father as He entered in to the covenant. The Father imparted all HIs life and character to Jesus, just like He is doing with us today.

So yes, faith comes by hearing, but it comes from an intimate rhema word, an intimate word from prayer and God imparting His voice to us. Then, we choose to believe we have heard from Him in our covenant relationship, and we begin to line up our communication with what we have heard and then we obey. We can trust Him because He is trustworthy! Therefore, we can be content and joyful in our relationship of covenant faith with Him, not necessarily looking at our current circumstances. I'll share more with you in my next writing. Until then, may you enjoy receiving more faith in this beautiful covenant relationship designed by Him.

It's A New Day - A Time to Reap! - Becky Maisenbacher

What are you doing Lord? What are you doing? "I am building a people, training a people, speaking to a people, loving a people, providing for a people. Has it not been so?" But oh God, for me, it has been so hard! What have I done to make it so hard? "What have you done My beloved? You let Me take you into My breast and hold you in My arms. You gave your life to Me and allowed Me to come into your heart and change who you were. You allowed Me to take away the dross and fill you with My glory. Great feats take deep training. How deep are you willing to go? For what feats are you willing to do with Me? For I continue to look throughout the earth for those who will surrender and say, 'Not my will but Yours be done Lord.' And what joy that brings to Me when a vessel surrenders themselves and opens their heart to the things of My kingdom and not of this earth. For yes, you look around and say, 'Oh they are blessed and they are blessed - what's wrong with me?' "Who is the one who is blessed? Who is the one who is blessed? The one who carries My presence! The one who carries My glory! The one who has gone through the fire of transformation and who has allowed Me to change their heart! The one who I have shared My glory with, where they can reach out and touch and heal and change a heart and bring life. Those are the blessed. And so it has been in this house."

"Those of you who have been willing to walk through the fire and say, 'Yes, Lord I surrender myself to You.' "Even when it was hard, and even when you were close to giving up, you would dig down deep to the river of faith that I had placed within you, and you chose to stand. Morning by morning, My grace was sufficient for you. So for those who have surrendered and have allowed My process for development and transformation, I say to you, what you have heard on the waves, what you've heard on the radio and what you've heard on the TV - This is a new day! This is a new day! Though there are days when it's hard to believe and though you may not see it in the natural yet, look with your spirit eyes. Now, I say look with your spirit eyes. Listen to the sounds of heaven. Record your dreams and see as I visit you what I am going to do for you. For now is the time of great reaping. For has it not been said, and is it not a statute and principle in My kingdom that what you sow you reap? And you will go out with joy and so you shall see a time of reaping. A time of reaping!"

What shall I reap Lord? What will I reap? I've lost everything. I have lost everything Lord. "Ah, beloved, remember My promises. Remember My words to you. Remember My life to you. Remember when we dreamed. Remember when we dreamed? But the interruption came when I stopped to give you the process of transformation and to say, oh by My mercy, I cannot take you any further yet for what I have for your destiny, until I change you. For it is My mercy that comes. How many times have you thought it was the enemy coming to halt those things? It was not the enemy. It was Me. For in My mercy I train and I train and I teach and I mature and I prepare those who I am about to send forth. Would a father send a child into the fire? I have equipped you. I have trained you. I have tested you. I have challenged you. I have waited even to see what you would do. I have refined you. I continue to mature you."

"This is a new day! And to those of you who have had the promises, you've had the promises, it is time to reap. It is time to reap! So take this today My beloved for I release the finances to you. I release My glory to you. I release My healing to you. I release My life to you. I'm bringing My hope to you. I say to you, 'Arise.' To my beloved, it is time to dream again! It is time My beloved to carry you away and take you to the places that we've talked about. It is now time. It is now time. Remember My release today. Look for it. Look for it. For it shall surely come. I celebrate it! I'm so pleased with you. I'm so pleased you have allowed Me - that you have made a habitation for Me to come and visit with you. That I may come and live with you. That I may come and reside with you. I am so pleased. I love you. I rejoice in you. And by My grace and by My breath we will go forward with the plans and destiny. I will now give this to you. Believe! Believe! My beloved, it is time again to believe!"

May this word encourage and strengthen you,

Believe! - Becky Maisenbacher

While shopping the after Christmas holiday sale in a local hobby store in January of this year, I was scanning the available items when my eyes focused on a pure white rectangular throw pillow with cursive script boldly declaring "Believe," followed by a swirling line of silver ending with one delicate glittering silver star. This may seem a bit strange, but I have not been able to get the image of that succinct and concise script expressed on a simple pillow. Believe! What a simple message and yet so profound. My thoughts traveled back to our forefathers - far back to Abraham and Sarah, to David, Solomon and especially Mary and Joseph as the shimmering star hung in the heavens showing the way to the wisemen, marking the Lord's birth and declaring to all that night to "Believe." Everyone at some time in life must choose to believe, even when the signs are not there and hope seems like a vapor. God has given His grace, faith and strength to us to choose to believe. Sometimes circumstances and obstacles seem so overwhelming, but God uses these very moments to teach us to persevere, endure and to nurture hope and trust.

I don't know about you, but the past ten years were challenging. There were moments when I wanted to give up and yet my heart would not allow it. You see, we often blame the enemy for our challenges when God is actually performing heart and soul surgery on us. This is the work of the Cross which includes the path of brokenness. Some call this work the process of transformation while others refer to it as the PIT - Person In Training. We essentially learn He is strong and we are weak. We learn to look outward to service instead of inward to our own wants and desires. We are taught to wait on God for promotion instead of promoting ourselves. We learn to be content in Him and what He has provided, instead of wishing or even pouting that we lived in someone else's shoes. We learn that time is not particularly important to God and that he is interested in our personal development, including character, gifts and integrity. We also learn He trains and teaches, and the lesson may be followed by a test, allowing us to see the progress in our growth and development. In the process of transformation He will dismantle all that we are, so He can fill us with all that He is. Transformation is a covenant exchange.

How often we encounter the challenges of life and immediately blame the enemy or someone else. Yes, sometimes we open doors for attack through our own poor choices, but most of the time the circumstances are staged for God to work deeply within us. I spent too many moments moaning and whining to God, even begging Him to deliver me from harsh situations, until I finally realized my circumstances were being orchestrated by Him. He used each situation to destroy unbiblical belief systems, and unhealthy mental structures I developed while in the world. As He demolished the old systems in me, He renewed my mind and taught me to lean on Him. He rebuilt kingdom structures and taught me to serve. He strengthened me to stand, to endure and persevere when waves of adversity flow, and He grounded me in His promises teaching me to trust. He continues to develop obedience and the understanding of sacrifice.

You may ask, "How long does this covenant exchange process take?" It simply takes as long as it takes for you to surrender to His divine work and plan for your life. To allow Him to teach and train you, mature and transform you into the vessel He desires you to be, so you can accomplish the work He places before you. If you have given your life to God, He will wield His scalpel and reshape your character. Often through adversity He changes us from the inside out. It is His mercy that guides and transforms a surrendered heart, because He wants you to succeed. He loves you and one of His greatest desires is to have relationship with you and bless you. And like a good Father, he desires to prepare you and equip you to touch a world in His name. So as you yield and allow Him to change you more into His character and image, He will provide all that He has laid up for you. He will release your inheritance and you will know the reward of His joy and peace, contentment and life as He comes to you with His presence.

The Meaning of LIfe - Becky Maisenbacher

Well, here we go with another year. As the clock strikes twelve and we celebrate another year, you may pause, like me, and ask, "What will this new year bring? What is my life all about?" We make resolutions, lay out strategies to instill vitality and hope, while attempting to pump up our endorphins and dopamine levels to feel better about life and to simply help us make it through another year. We look to prophetic voices hoping they will declare a word of encouragement and promise that this will be a terrific year and all will go well. I've certainly entertained these strategies myself, and at times they have brought encouragement, especially when I experienced deep loss and needed strengthening. But in truth, even though we may declare and make resolutions for adventure and happiness believing our dreams will be fulfilled, life will undoubtedly throw us a challenge, disappointment, sorrow, sadness or loss. So right now you may be thinking with a little sarcasm, "Great message Becky!"

You know I'm not here to pop bubbles, but if you read and study scripture it doesn't take long to understand that life is beautiful but also teeming with challenges. If we gain wisdom through our life experiences as some suggest, then we can identify with the words spoken in Ecclesiastes by the author, whom scholars believe to be Solomon. He speaks in chapter one not only of the vanity and striving in life, but he ponders the futility of all endeavors while touching on life's sadness or pain. He found in his experience with much wisdom there was much grief and that increasing knowledge resulted in increasing pain (1:18). He also concluded that all his labor was only vanity and striving after the wind - all without profit (2:11).

Have you ever felt defeated in life like the author? I've certainly had moments of distress. Your journey may sometimes feel like a large slinky, stretch and spiraling round and round with a rhythmic pattern of rotations. Year after year cycling through this magnificent and yet perplexing journey called Life; filled with daily chores, household and work schedules, play schedules and appointments, while attempting to sprinkle a few plans for fun, refreshing, vacations, holidays or celebrations. "If I only had ......"

You see, the author tried all forms of worldly pleasure to attain wisdom and understanding to the meaning of life; including human achievement with the aspiration of greatness, as well as wealth, recognition or making an impact in the world. But he pessimistically concluded that all was emptiness, it was all vanity, as he scanned his works while observing the injustice in the world. We would probably diagnose him today as extremely depressed with an anxiety disorder as he shares his thoughts and wonderings, touching on the grave, while wrestling with his conclusion whether man is rich or poor, he ends up as dust. How easy it is to become cynical and discouraged when we try to write out our own story, dreaming and pursuing happiness greatness, only to find it can not fill the hole in our heart. We attempt to do all the right things and yet in one unsettling moment everything we have worked for evaporates and we, like Solomon, find our paradigms challenged. Even David cried out as found in the Psalms, in moments of conflict and despair, "God why do good men suffer and the wicked seem to prosper?"

Fortunately as we read on in this book there is good news! For after his search for life and working to attain pleasure through every form known to man, the author states his conclusion and his revelation to the real meaning of life - reverence and relationship with God (Ecc. 12:13-14). How profound and yet so simple. He states: "The conclusion, when all has been heard is fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil."

The author recognized that without God in the equation, all happiness is meaningless. He recognized how life can seem unjust and hopeless without a relationship with God. Through his wandering and wondering, Solomon found a great key to understanding. When God is at the center of your life, you will align with heaven and be guided and secure in His divine purpose. You will also find comfort and peace as you grow in understanding and wisdom, gaining the revelation that the treasures of this world are but a vapor, compared to a life centered in God which holds for you an eternal treasure.

What great wisdom and resolution the author of Ecclesiastes presents to us today as we begin this New Year 2017. Recognizing and returning to the only One who can truly fill the ache, the longing and emptiness in our hearts - our Father. He is softly and tenderly, waiting and watching, calling His people to come home to Him. Whether you are weary, discouraged, disappointed, lacking understanding or wisdom, fearful or just plain without vision, He is there waiting for you. Come home. Spend time with Him. He has wonderful plans for you and your life. Let Him walk with you an guide you through this exciting New Year and let Him reveal to you personally, the true meaning of your life.

Please know you are remembered in prayer and cherished as part of our Covenant family. I thank God for you and trust our Father will bless and keep you and your family throughout this coming year! In His love -

Encouragement for 2017 - Richard Maisenbacher

After spending time alone with the Lord during Christmas break, I sensed Him speaking to me about the Body of Christ, what He is doing within our community at The Covenant Center, and a few other items which were more global.

He reminded me the enemy or the anti-Christ spirit's goal is to over burden and wear out the Saints. This year the enemy will attempt to keep you busy focusing on yourself to discouraged and drain you of energy and vitality. Many in the Body are able to carry other's burdens, intercede for them and become incredible strength, support and encouragement. It will be important to recognize the season you are in, whether you are to stand and assist or rest. There will be others who will get caught in backbiting and consistent resistance. They will carry false burdens, stress out trying to assist and eventually burn out. The obvious warning is to be careful not to carry more than God has required of you, so you will not become overwhelmed. Remember to intercede and then cast your burden on the Lord. (Psalm 55:22)

Hitting the mark is being able to apply the Scriptures to your life. Missing the mark is sin, meaning we try to hit the mark, but we simply miss it. Personal prophetic words received may help give you a road map or goal to move toward. We are to be aggressive in our pursuit toward the Word, understanding what preparation is necessary, what action we need to take and how much time it may take in our life before the word fully comes to pass. It also takes wisdom to know when to share a word and when to remain silent and protect it. This all will take place as you work with the Lord allowing Him to direct and transform you.

The Lord enjoys your time of fellowship, prayer and intimacy with Him. For some, this is the year He will move prayer and intercession from an obligation to a time of peace and intense desire. The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord, searching the heart, seeking truth, light and revelation. Holy Spirit will be shinning light upon the earth, in your heart, His word, the Church and the world. Some will have the courage to stand in the gap for those who struggle with fear or depression. God will also release wisdom to know how to give help and support.

The Lord will direct your path at all times, enabling you to be free from care, engaging in the joy of life and functioning in child like faith. However, there may be other moments when you feel out of control. Understand He is still with you and directing your path. You will walk and experience a new path of peace and protection finding joy in relationships, helping you to reach new levels of compassion and humility.

The Lord will be helping many Saints to break through where new spiritual fruit will be available to eat and share with others. There will be an explosion in the spirit realm by Thanksgiving 2017 that will culminate in many blessings and promises that are part of the restoration of the Lord.

Many believers have worked with the Lord to build a strong foundation in Him. Some have experienced pain and rejection leaving scars. What you have experienced and walked through will be used to build your spiritual house this year. Some houses will be finished and ready for ministry while others will continue being constructed one room at a time.

Holy Spirit is going to visit the young people and youth. During this time they will need strong parents and adults to teach, mentor, love and encourage in biblical truths, the gifts of the Spirit, dreams and emotional healing. 

This will be the year The Covenant Center will experience an increase in spontaneous prophetic flow of worship. There will also be a prophetic flow of previously written songs and choreographed dance, blending the two together.

There has been a season of walking gingerly to not offend certain groups or peoples. Now, a new vigor and enthusiasm for sharing truth will manifest without apology.

Technology will grow exponentially creating ease for business and information, which unfortunately will also create additional abuse in this area.

God is shining His light on you and your family. He will be highlighting areas of increase and favor as well as areas needing attention to address and change.

God will make His stand with Israel very clear this year. You will see many people coming back spiritually and physically to Israel as His truths prevail.

In Jeremiah 21:12 we find two tasks God desired for Israel to accomplish to keep from falling. I believe the same challenge given to them is now directed at the United States: 1) Administer justice and 2) Deliver those people who have been robbed from the power of the oppressor.

Holy Spirit spoke this very clearly to me: "By My grace I will give My Body the opportunity to walk in purity." Be encouraged when God deals with your heart, for His desire is to move you into a higher level of integrity, honor and virtue.

For those called to write, God will impart a divine motivation, so you may proceed and complete your assignments.

Many will experience mixture in ministry dealing with highs and lows in their personal life. Be prepared to recover quickly from the lows, enjoy the highs and embrace the accelerated ride.

I heard Holy Spirit declare: "I will put My hand on this ministry, as I will several others, and cause it to grow. The spiritual and natural house will be prepared for ministry as well as battle. I am causing a great shaking in the earth which will release signs, healing and miracles."

Be encouraged, God is on the move! He is not caught unaware of your circumstances and is with you in your victory as well as your sorrow. Becky and I pray that your New Year will be filled with His love and presence. We thank God for you!

What A Great Trip to Israel! - Richard Maisenbacher

Even though the flight from Newark, New Jersey to Tel Aviv, Israel was long, it was worth the wait. Our incredible tour guide Stan Goodenough has a great website where as a journalist he keeps the world updated on current events regarding Israel. You may want to check him out at jerusalemwatchman.org. From South Africa, Stan has lived half of his life in Israel and exudes an obvious love for the God of Israel, the land, and its people. Stan is a journalist by occupation with not only a wealth of knowledge about the sites in Israel, but also an understanding of its politics, history, religion and current tensions. He has a way of challenging traditional Christian thoughts, which have no substance in the Bible, Old or New Testament. He helps those participants during his tour to begin to understand the persecution and difficulty the Jewish people have gone through and are presently experiencing.

Obviously visiting the places where Jesus, Abraham, David and the prophets lived their lives is naturally exhilarating; however, Stan brings a depth to education and history at the sites that awakens one's soul. You come away with a one-week historical tour, which can't be experienced in any college course. His presentation ignites a love for the land and its people. After all, the earth is groaning with earthquakes, fires, winds and other natural phenomenon preparing for Jesus' return.

Stan encourages us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and the State of Israel. There has never been a country in which so many others in history have desired the land for themselves. Even though they became their own nation again in 1948, many countries today still want to divide the land and give away the West Bank, with the United States leading the charge. God said He would bless those who bless Israel. My vote is to keep it the way it is. Israel is extremely tolerant to other people and religious groups as long as they are not threatened. But know - Israel will defend itself!

In Romans 11 Paul reminds us that some of the branches were broken off the olive tree which represented Israel, and we being a wild olive shoot were grafted in among them and became a partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree. So instead of being arrogant believing we have now replaced Israel, we should be joyous, that the gentiles (as devoted Christians by faith) are included in the covenant of promise! We look forward to the return of Jesus to the Mount of Olives where He will take His throne in Jerusalem and we will live with Him on earth. What exciting times are coming!

Thanks to Stan Goodenough for the tour, Moti the driver for safe passage, Zach Maisenbacher, organizer of the trip, and Daniel Decker, Director of JET (Jerusalem Eternal Tours), and those we toured with. What a wonderful time of fellowship and intimacy we shared. Zach will be planning another tour soon, giving everyone time to save up and prepare. My personal highlight was sharing this trip with my wife Becky, and of course watching the shock on the faces of those baptized as they entered the frigid River Jordan. Priceless!

Israel Is Forever! - Becky Maisenbacher

The first time I heard this declaration was several years ago by Kim Clement. It was again proclaimed recently by Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a national broadcast as he stood before Israel's governing body, the Knesset, that "Israel is forever!" What a powerful statement to speak over this beautiful nation and people. And as one reads Scripture it is very apparent God has every intention of His land being preserved forever.

A tour group from The Covenant Center journeyed together a few weeks ago for nine days to Israel and learned for ourselves how very special this land truly is. With a skilled and articulate journalist as our guide, we not only visited many sites and ruins that were nationally certified and documented for the historical events that took place; but we were given the opportunity to observe the people, their commerce, museums of archeological and historical importance, as well as the museum of the documented atrocities perpetrated upon them through the ages.

As we landed in Tel Aviv, I immediately sensed the weighted presence of God. His peace and presence continued with me throughout the trip. History is found everywhere you look and everywhere you walk. I was deeply awakened to how small my personal world has been. Even with the years of reading about Israel and studying the Scriptures, actually planting my feet on the ground of this Holy Land, was life changing.

This land holds a people who have suffered greatly through the centuries. They have withstood enslavement, ridicule, mockery and humiliation. They have been misrepresented, misjudged, maligned, betrayed and experienced some of the most evil and hideous acts to exterminate them as a people from the earth. And yet as we toured the land - there was evidence everywhere how God has preserved them and they have endured. What a testament to God's love and His preservation, even through diabolical times. What a revelation of His provision and goodness in sustaining His people. My heart and faith exploded within me as I observed God's divine protection and guidance for HIs children. As spoken in Psalm 91: "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, will abide in the shadow of the Almighty... It is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His pinions and under His wings you may seek refuge. HIs faithfulness is a shield and bulwark. You will not be afraid of the terror by night or of the arrow that flies by day...for He will give His angels charge concerning you to guard you in all your ways."

God chose this land and people to enter a covenant relationship with Him, and He has preserved them as a people and gathered them as a nation. One can witness everywhere the divine protection and peace, as well as the God given creativity and artistic gifting through the many advancements and discoveries in medicine, technology, agriculture, conservation, new inventions, salt-water desalination and so much more that has enhanced the quality of life for every person in the world.

I observed a people who have learned to savor the moments of joy and family. They display the ability to celebrate life, even in the midst of wars and rumors of wars, bombings and aggression by other peoples and nations encircling them. We witnessed festivities on the streets, small parties and the celebration of life with balloons and music in young men's bar mitzvahs. We also observed their cautiousness with strangers and yet their kindness and desire to compassionately love and serve others; demonstrated by the medical attention and care given to their enemies lying in their hospitals, injured on Israeli soil during premeditated attacks. Their enemies live in their land, building expansive settlements while also being given a voice in their government. Israel is a democracy. This is a people who respect the gift of life and desire to live in peace, even with those whose goal is to destroy them. And upon visiting the Western Wall, it is evident that they are a people who are devoted to God and who deeply love and honor Him.

In observing the many ruins and hearing the rich history of Israel - their struggles and disappointments as well as their victories, I found a country blessed by God's hand as they have walked through so many centuries of war and militancy from others. I observed a nation of people banded together with their face like flint and with the dignity and strength to fight for their land, as well as the national acceptance of them as a nation. Most importantly they desire to live in peace.

Even though they are a prospering nation, they too have needs. With God calling His people to return to their land, many are aged and unable to work, needing assistance with food, shelter and health care. I personally witnessed on what was a thriving street by day, several elderly women wandering alone, late in the evening, looking for food and other items. 

So as you pray for the nations, may I encourage you to remember Israel and its people in your prayers. And if you choose to visit one day, please know their economy is greatly supported by tourism. They welcome all people to come and experience the history, culture, food and beauty of this special nation. It is evident that God will continue to show His divine protection and love as well as His strong right arm over Israel, for we know He will continue to trumpet throughout the earth and declare to the nations that "Israel, truly is forever!"

Kairos - God's Appointed Time to Act! - Richard Maisenbacher

Many people know this Jewish New Year 5777 will be bringing in a great restoration of things that were lost. Some individuals believed the restoration would begin last fall in 2016. However, this past year was an intermission year, or a year of rest. So far, since October 4th, the revelation and teaching being released is helping to bring truths and clarity so that God's plan for restoration and breakthrough can be observed during this year.

The Covenant Center has been involved in a nine year litigation case involving contaminated property purchased several years ago. It has been a long, costly and sometimes discouraging journey. However, it is a pleasure to announce this lawsuit is now over, and the property was returned to the original owners by a rescission by the court. During this nine year lawsuit, I believed it might take six months or so to settle at the most. I had no idea that this much time would pass. We prayed, fasted, repented, declared, negotiated with God, received great prophecies, hired the best attorney in Polk County, Florida, and tried to be obedient to what we believed to be the guidance and direction of Holy Spirit during this season. What I forgot during the years of waiting, was the importance of God's kairos moments, which is the right or opportune moment for Him to act. This one moment takes place within our chronos time, which is our limited earthly time in which we live by minutes, hours, days and years.

I asked the Lord why this litigation was taking so long? Had I done something wrong? I reminded Him of HIs prophetic words that He would settle this suit in our favor. It was costing the church extra finances that we could use, and did He know the toll it was taking on Becky and I as well as our community. As the years past, our church body wondered if it was ever going to be over. By the way, we learned that this suit was one of Polk County's longest legal proceedings.

The only conclusion I could come to was that God was giving us the opportunity to develop one of HIs greatest fruit of the Spirit, long-suffering or perseverance with some patience mixed in! Who knew that in HIs timing the lawsuit would be officially resolved the day after we celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles. What a prophetic picture of what God desires to do in this new season. I believe it is a first fruits restoration for our local church and an example of things to come this year.

So as you step into this new season, be encouraged and don't forget about HIs kairos moments. The moment when everything aligns. It is a moment when all circumstances come together. It is God's appointed time to act. As believers we are in a season of restoration and kairos moments right now! No matter how long you have waited or how discouraging your circumstances may appear - hang in there! This is the time when many kairos moments are on the way!

The Abundance of Rain - Becky Maisenbacher

As you step into this Hebraic New Year 5777 you may find yourself preparing to close the doors to some things in your past, as God continues to move you toward the future and destiny He has planned for you. Even as we experienced exceptional amounts of rain and flooding this past summer here in Florida, God is declaring there is an abundance of rain (blessing for growth, nourishment and refreshment) flowing from His throne. He has been preparing and refining His people and His stage is being set for Him to reveal Himself afresh with His power and glory. What an amazing time we have entered! Our Covenant Center family has already experienced the first fruits of this new season with the conclusion of nine years of litigation over a contaminated property. During the Feast of Tabernacles, Richard was called into the law office to sign the forms that concluded the litigation. The day after celebrating the Feast he was asked to return once again to our attorney's office where he was gifted with a donation to The Covenant Center that restored a great part of the down-payment which we thought had been lost. This is a picture of this new season and what God desires to do for you! He will help you close doors to your past, bringing some things to conclusion and finality, and move you into His season of hope, restoration and restitution.

The following is a word of encouragement you may find of interest given at The Covenant Center on September 1, 2013 by Katherine Johnson. It seems timely and appropriate to share now. 

Blessings beyond what we can imagine - ask or think. This will be the beginning of a series of years of the supernatural. Things we cannot even imagine happening will happen. We are going to begin to learn of the truth of the Rich Mullins song, "Our God is an Awesome God." Awesome things are going to happen, often without warning or foretelling. God is going to begin raining kisses down on His children and we are going to learn first-hand that God will do what He will do and no purpose of HIs can be set back. God will send out His Word and it will accomplish its full purpose - part of which is to "blow our minds." It is time for God to begin utterly destroying the neat little boxes people have built for HIm. He has not desired, until this time, to terrify us with the extent of His power, but that stops now. He will unleash His power as He wills. At times it will bring such joy we won't be able to fully or ably articulate what He has chosen to do. At other times we will not be able to put into words the word-shaking effect of a blast of His nostrils.

People who believe they hold power are going to be brought back to a full understanding of just how human and limited they are. The world is going to begin to see the consequences of either ignoring God or of discounting His power - let alone His existence. Anyone who will not see the evidence of Him and His unlimited power are going to just look like stubborn fools. This is the beginning of the manifestation of the scripture, "The fool has said in his heart there is not God." God is going to begin showing up in global matters such as hasn't been seen since the great flood. With today's media, even they will have to begin to be "on board" or look like fools. If they want to stay "on top" of the daily world news there will be no way they will be able to deny God's power. Even secular stations will be consulting true prophets of God to be able to understand what is happening and its impact. There will still be those who "pooh-pooh" these prophets, but God will vindicate His prophets. As stated in Romans One, "Those professing to be wise will become (be thought of as) fools."

This is the beginning of the time and seasons of God's revelation of Himself as Sovereign. Get ready. Get ready. Get ready. Get ready. Get ready. Get ready. Get ready. (Seven times is not by accident.) Psalm 61, "Once God has spoken, twice I have heard this; Power belongs to God." I heard "Get ready," seven times, and I hear it now again. "Get ready." (Seven times is the number of Divine Completion and eight is the number of New Beginnings. God is going to raise Himself up as the chief political influence in the world. It will not always look like it, but ultimately, that is what is the truth. God is in control and He is beginning to make that fact abundantly clear. This is the year of the beginning of God's very public and global manifestation of HImself. He's not going to be a "well-kept" secret anymore. He's not going to allow people to have mental boxes regarding His power anymore. This is the beginning of open, public and undeniable demonstrations of God revealing Himself to the earth and in the earth. People will "get on board" or they will perish. Noah's ark is being built and God is beckoning us to get on board.
Katherine Johnson 9-1-2013

And just now, as I was sitting here preparing to publish these thoughts, I received by text from my sister-in-law Katherine Kennedy this word and scripture of encouragement and reflection for these times. It seems a fitting conclusion to this post. How I love God's timing!

"Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, When I will raise up for David a righteous Branch; and He will reign as King and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In His days, Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely; and this is the name by which He shall be called: "The Lord our righteousness." Jeremiah 23: 5-6.

In The Fullness Of Time - Pat Stark

Ecclesiastes 3:1 - "There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven."

IN THE FULLNESS OF TIME, GOD BROUGHT FORTH.... Those who were looking could feel the shift in the atmosphere being released and coinciding with the Biblical New Year that began this fall. As wonderful as that was, unfortunately many of us have not felt the shift happen in every area of our lives or families. For some of us, there continue to be difficult areas in which we are still experiencing struggle and pain, without seeing any clue of breakthrough happening on the horizon. Of course we are not meant to see with our natural eyes, but with the eyes of the Spirit. However, until that breakthrough fully manifests, we can be walking blindly through what still feels like a very difficult season. We long for major change, but the shift can be very imperceptible in its beginning stages.

It has been my experience that God gets mileage out of everything! I am still walking in the midst of a very painful season in my own life right now that in the natural, shows no hint of changing. Those seasons wear on us - especially when they are prolonged, and of course the enemy whispers, "This will never change, it is going to last forever.' I always need to recognize that for what it really is - a lie from the enemy! Seasons by their very nature change. The long winter changes to the hope of spring, the horrifically hot Florida summer changes to the refreshing breezes of fall. None of it changes perfectly, but it does change. The Bible says so.

I've also learned that as much as the enemy uses the circumstances to try to destroy my tender heart, God uses them to purify my heart; to test me by using the pressure to bring up any buried fears, aspects of control, angers and silent demands. He breaks my "pictures" ( I didn't realize I even had) of how I wanted things to be. It is a season of grieving the losses that we can't seem to change. We can't even pray enough prayers to bring change. As a result we can feel helpless, powerless, often forsaken and forgotten, but the truth is that God is still in the midst of it all. He is mighty and working all things to our ultimate good if we allow him. However in that season, most of his work is being done inside us, hidden from even our own eyes. He is tearing down false survival systems, things we have built to make life work our own way.

Being in one of those painful seasons right now, a song was shared with me, sung by Kristine Dimarco called "Jesus, Your Love." It is an encouraging, heart-healing song that I've played over and over in the darkest of times as things appeared to be getting more and more devastating. I share a few lines with you to hopefully bring you the encouragement and strengthening it has brought to me.

"There is a LOVE that takes me by the hand
Guiding my heart to find its home again
And where YOU are is home to me...
So let my heart tell You again
When SEASONS CHANGE AND STORIES END
Your steady LOVE - it will sustain me through it all..."

Word of Restoration for this Coming Season - Becky Maisenbacher

Tonight, October 2, 2016 at sundown, we will enter into a new season of the Lord on His Hebraic calendar - 5777. There are many encouraging divine manifestations taking place as God ushers His people into this new time in the earth. A time of celebration as well as reflection, God is with us, Immanuel, preparing us to cross over and walk into all He has planned and prepared for this new year. I hope this word given at The Covenant Center on September 23, 2016 by Randi Lechner encourages you and strengthens you to continue in your path with Him.

Randi Lechner: By reason of discouragement - the pain and the threatenings...I've heard them cry by reason of the task masters who had no mercy and I have come down to deliver them. I've come down to set My people free. I've come down to make a way, where there is no way. I've come to remove obstacles, barriers and walls. Behold says the Lord, you've heard that the days past were days of grace, but I tell you, you have not yet seen the favor of your God. You've not yet seen the majesty of how I will do for My people what they cannot do for themselves. I have seen. I have heard, and My hand is outstretched - and I will move says the Lord.

Look at the mountain that was before you that was inexhaustible. Look at the mountain that was indomitable. Look at the thing that you tried to conquer and could not. And I tell you - you will look for it and find it no more. Because I have spoken and the earth will tremble and the mountains will fall. I will dry up the supplies of the enemy. And where there were rivers of supply that the enemy caused to happen, behold, they will be dry deserts and the enemy shall be starved out of his place. For behold I will raise up a banner and I will raise up a people who know My voice. I shall raise up a people who shall stand in the midst of what others are afraid of, who will declare the goodness of their God. I will raise up a generation - a generation of David's mighty men says the Lord, who have abandoned all to follow after the King. I shall raise up a generation who shall not fear the giants of the land. I will raise up a generation who will say: "We will conquer in the name of our God - in the name of David!"

And behold, anyone who will - I will bring. I will bring you to that place and I will use you. Look, says the Lord, at that mountain of unbelief that those that you love have built in order to have a fortress against My name and My word. Declare My name to it, and behold their fortress of reasoning and doubt and unbelief will crumble before them, and I will bring the blind by way they did not know. And I will make a way in the desert. And behold out of you I will bring fruit and the nations will eat, says the Lord.

Do you not know that these last two years have been years that are fallow? Years where the ground did not produce. Years where the plantings of yesterday did not bring a crop today. Do you not know why, says the Lord, for it was not the enemy. For I said, they are the Sabbath years. They are the years that will lay fallow. But surely says the Lord, I will bring forth a new crop, a new harvest, a new strength out of the weakness of these past two years. And I will cause you to stretch out on every side. I will cause you to afford where before you could not afford. I will cause you to break out of the sickness and into health. I will cause you to come out of the poverty and into abundance. For in these two years, in that which was laying fallow, I did a work in you and I plowed the hardness of your hearts. And I plowed the places and I cut off the branches that once produced that I might bring forth strong fruit in a new season.

God's peace and blessings to you and your family in this new year - A blessed Rosh Hashanah!

Jesus - Our Covenant Representative - Richard Maisenbacher

In my last post I discussed some of the basics of covenant understanding. The purpose of this writing is to introduce the representatives in the covenant. In the Semitic lands covenant was known by the union of nations, clans or individuals. Covenant was also observed within family units as each member was knitted one to another with covenant responsibility. Jesus, established in His blood, mediates the covenant today. He is our representative.

God invites us to enter the New Covenant with Him. He is the greater party desiring us to enter into this covenant. When two tribes decided to make covenant the superior tribe in power invited the one with lesser power. Can you guess who the lesser party might be in this New Covenant? It is a covenant sealed by the Spirit of God as He writes the law on our hearts enabling us to live out its promises.

When a group prepared to enter into covenant they selected a man to represent them. This person spoke and acted on the authority of another. This person made the covenant for them. He was the guarantor that the terms and promises were kept. For example, Goliath was the representative for the Philistines and David for Israel. It was Goliath who said: "I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man that we might fight together." Goliath was saying he represented the Philistines. He said: "Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. If he is able to fight me and kill me, then we will be your servants."

Two men settled the whole issue. David knew he was Israel's representative when he declared: "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine? You come to me with a sword, with a spear and a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel who you have defiled." David knew he was in covenant with the God of Israel and used His name as his authority. David was God's representative and Israel shared their victory as if it were their own.

Consequently, Jesus is our representative in the New Covenant. His shed blood is His bond for life and the giving of His word is to keep the terms and commitments contained in the covenant. If the terms are not kept, life must be forfeited. (More on this will be expanded at a later time). This covenant is a serious decision, which emphasizes that those who are in covenant with each other assume responsibility for each other. In the New Covenant Jesus becomes our protection. This is not a casual relationship.

God knew the seriousness of the covenant relationship. He sacrificed His Son. His death guaranteed peace and an intimacy with the Father that had not been available since the Fall. In the next writing we will explore the benefits, promises, exchanges and responsibilities for us as covenant believers who walk by faith. This covenant relationship is not only exciting, but contains many opportunities for a sacrificial love with God the Father and others. Much more sacrificial than I anticipated!

Covenant Understanding - Richard Maisenbacher

In 1988 Becky and I decided to move to Lakeland, Florida motivated by our desire to know the Lord through covenant understanding and the prophetic movement God seemed to be emphasizing during that season. Covenant is the way God has chosen to reveal Himself to us. Covenant is also a relationship and way of life that we know little of living in a Western culture.

Even though covenant is mentioned almost as many times as love in the Bible, it remains a very foreign concept to us in the United States. In the East they know and live covenant more naturally because it is a way of life. When the scriptures were written, covenant was mentioned and covenant language was included; however, an explanation or definition was not given because everyone already understood the elements of covenant.

I believe that understanding covenant is the most important foundation in the Bible. Without understanding covenant we have a difficult time understanding our relationship with God and others. Covenant is not just a contract; it is the way God has chosen to express His love toward us.

In the next several postings I will attempt to go over some basics of covenant. A caution that I would like to express immediately is the tendency to make covenant a nice teaching which brings great knowledge and understanding, but can be set aside as more knowledge with little, if any, application. Covenant is not just a truth to keep in our notes, but a commitment of trust and love lived with God and released to others, motivated by His love.

In his covenant writings, Malcolm Smith defined covenant in this way: "Covenant is a binding obligation between two parties, sealed by blood and an oath. Each party is bound by specific undertakings on each other's behalf. The parties are under divine retribution should they later try to avoid those undertakings."

The relationship of love, trust, grace, mercy and obligation to each other forms the foundational relationship of covenant. This writing is to only discuss covenant on a very introductory level. More details of what a covenant is, who enters it, the terms, the responsibilities, the oath, blessings and curses, and the exchanges that are received and given will be discussed here; however, it may also be studied in our Covenant-U School of Ministry class - "HT 101 What Is The Hebraic Understanding of Covenant." This course can be found on our website under Covenant-U in the section titled "Hebraic Thought."

Understanding covenant is very exciting! We enter a relationship of love and commitment with Someone who not only expresses acts of lovingkindness, but lovingkindness is who He is. Understanding and living covenant will change your life. Revelation will increase and relationship will grow deeper as covenant is walked out with Christ!

The Ability to Overcome - Becky Maisenbacher

In the 80's Richard and I were introduced to "Overcomer" classes for new believers, to learn how to live victoriously. We immediately signed up for these classes, hoping they would point us to a successful life, which would include good health and prosperity. Being healthy and prospering is certainly a part of the Kingdom, but I found myself taking on the belief that if I did not attain and exemplify these two aspects of His Kingdom, I was somehow letting God down. And of course, if I was letting God down, I would not be of value to Him. The more I tried to succeed in these two areas, the more I would fail.  

What I did not realize is that I had taken the world's values of success and incorporated them into His Kingdom. I did not understand that God's ways are far different from the world's ways. For instance, if God in HIs word is telling us to overcome, it means we are going to have challenges and disappointments to overcome. When He tells us to be strong, it means we are going to experience feeling weak. When He tells us to not be weary in well doing, so we can reap, it means there are going to be times where we feel like we can't go on one more day - we are worn out, exhausted and ready to give up. 

So what is an Overcomer? Webster defines this term with these words: to defeat, conquer, vanquish, overwhelm, overpower, crucify, demolish and more. The great news is God has called us to live an overcoming life, and what He asked us to do, He will help us accomplish! Why do we need to stand with our face like flint and overcome? Because God has a reward for those who persevere to the end. He knew the fallen world we live in would be rough. He knew we would make poor choices and encounter evil. But He has given us a promise. All He is asking us to do is repent when needed, get up each day, put one foot in front of the other, try again, and hang onto Him and the horns of His altar as He supplies what we need to succeed each day. 

Let's look at John's encouragement to the church in Revelation. John wrote this at a time when the church was undergoing great persecution and difficulty, especially during the reign of Nero and Domitian. "He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My Throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne" (Rev. 3:21). And Revelations 12:11 - "And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when they faced death." This scripture always reminds me of the importance of our testimony. Now the enemy of your soul wants to come and tell you your testimony is not important. Or he wants to quiet and embarrass you -  make you fearful, so you will hide your testimony. You know the thoughts - "If anyone finds out what I did or who I really am, they may not like me", or "I might not be a good representative of Jesus." We allow our shame and past history to get in the way of sharing His good news! Your testimony is the testimony of Jesus! It contains the declarations of God's faithfulness and mercy, His goodness, strength and guidance, as well as His salvation, given to all through Jesus. Your testimony trumpets the news and truth of HIs presence and His glory. The testimony of what God has done in your life encourages others. It gives them knowledge of how He has helped you overcome hardships and maybe even despair. It instills in others a perseverance to keep going, keep believing, and keep trusting even when they feel like giving up!

We have been birthed into His Kingdom and matured by Holy Spirit's guidance and training to be able to overcome. Here are the encouraging words of Peter, spoken when he realized the need to help focus the church then, as we still need today, and declared in 1 Peter 4:12: "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you."

The truth is - we all have a journey with God that will result in some hardship and pain while here on this earth. We are not immune from challenges and pain just because we align with Christ. We are however given the promise that He will never leave us or forsake us, and even like the thief at Golgotha was assured a place in paradise, we also are assured of an amazing eternity with Him. Beloved, God has formed you to overcome! His right arm goes before you and fights for you. Know that He is with you. Be encouraged in HIm today. For whatever trial you may face, He is there, to love you, walk with you, strengthen you and guide you into His hope and victory!

Anticipating A Great Year!

Greetings Covenant Family and Friends! 

I hope you have had a refreshing summer. July was especially a great month to travel and spend some extra time with family and friends. As of August 1st, we are stepping back into our yearly schedule and anticipating a great year with lots of activities at The Center. Starting this Wednesday, August 3rd we will reconvene meeting each Wednesday with our Youth Night and three Adult Groups including: Inner-Connections, Prophetic Activation, and Hebraic Studies. We will also continue our Covenant U classes on site, beginning Monday, September 12th. Please call our office for further information regarding classes and enrollment.

I would like to remind you of our Night of the Spirit on the second, third and fourth Friday of each month. The prophetic teaching and ministry to the Body has been powerful bringing life and truth to those attending.

Our three teams of musicians continue to prepare the atmosphere for His presence by their praise and worship during our Sunday morning celebrations. We appreciate their dedication and beautiful expression of heaven. Operation Back Pack provided back packs and school supplies for forty students starting school in a few weeks. Thanks to everyone who donated and participated in preparing these supplies for distribution. We hope to make this outreach a yearly event.

You will find a few new teachers in our youth department this year. We are thankful for our education team of instructors who minister to our children each week - Toddlers to High School. We are so blessed to have creative Spirit-filled teachers who have a heart to see children develop a relationship with Jesus and His word.

We are still in a special time regarding this Jubilee year and God is moving in our midst during this season of restoration. We are experiencing healings of relationships as well as emotional and physical healings, and also financial breakthroughs. God is releasing new levels of hope and covenant blessings, and we are looking forward to celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles including Rosh Hashanah this coming October.

This is going to be an outstanding year! We have much to look forward to as we watch God move in Florida and our Nation!