A Season of Change - Richard Maisenbacher

When I consider the New Year in 2016 I hear the Lord saying to be open to change. For some change will be a wonderful thing to look forward to because of the challenging year they have just experienced. For others it will be difficult to look at any change because they enjoy things just as they have been and change seems unnecessary.

When I researched the word "change" in the Bible, in Jeremiah 4:27-28 concerning Israel God declares: "I will not change My mind, nor will I turn from it." However when they are considering killing Jeremiah because of his challenging messages, the Lord says: "Now therefore amend your ways and your deeds, and obey the voice of the Lord your God: and the Lord will change His mind about the misfortune which He has pronounced against you." 

Scripture encourages us in Hebrews 13:8 that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever." Even though Jesus never changes, we find seasons do change as we are reminded in Isaiah 43;19: "Behold I am doing something nene, now it will spring forth, will you not be aware of it?"

Recently in a dream I was playing tennis and my shots did not have any power or accuracy. The Lord then said, "Make a small grip change." In making the subtle grip change, I suddenly had more power, accuracy and depth on each shot. This change produced impactful shots while using less effort. I believe my experience in this dream is applicable to our Christian walk. When we make even the smallest change in our life, like deciding to align our lives with His directives and word, we increase our chances of hitting the mark. You may choose to pray, study the Bible, address negative attitudes and belief systems, make adjustments to lifestyle choices, tackle bad habits or addictions, recognize obstacles and change behaviors to overcome them. Making small changes in any of these areas can bring increase and breakthrough for you.

Small changes can make a big difference in your life as well as the Kingdom. Maybe God has already been speaking to you about some changes He may have highlighted for you. I want to encourage you that this is the season to not only make the change, but step out and watch how even a small change can make a big difference in your life!

Our Pursuit of Peace - Becky Maisenbacher

As we embark upon another year, we are usually filled with expectation, hope and desire that the coming year will be greater than our last. We make plans and write goals hoping to fill that place in our heart we often silently ignore. We search for that one item, relationship, job or destination that will finally complete us and fulfill our desires. And yet, we often finish the year, finding ourselves lacking in our quest for completion or wholeness. Scripture instructs us in 1st Timothy 6:6 that "Godliness with contentment is great gain." We may be pursuing the path of godliness, but how do we find contentment?

Looking back I see in my personal quest, the years of striving for identity, success, love, joy and most importantly that elusive place of peace. Each yearly search, like a kind and disciplined mentor, would guide me back to the truth of my inability to achieve that pinnacle of perfection I desired; as life gently and consistently assisted me in recognizing my own insufficiency. You see, through all the mixture of life - the highs and lows - I have come to understand that we have been made to be insufficient. In our failures, emptiness, our loneliness, discouragement, imperfections and unmet longings, we are given great grace to acknowledge our lack to God, so He may fill us with His bountifulness and lavishness. What remarkable and extraordinary love! Our lack for His supply is simply His stunning design process found in His covenant exchange. We give Him our neediness and deficiency and He fills us with His abundance.

Oswald Chambers in his devotional "My Utmost for His Highest" eloquently expresses the divine setups of life, which are not only used to reveal our need for God, but are often constructed to guide us to a place of surrender to His will and sovereignty. He entreats us on page one: "To shut out every other consideration and keep yourself before God for one thing - our utmost for His highest" (Phillipians 1:20). In addition, Chambers instructs his reader in the ways of God by stating: "God's order has to work up to a crisis in our lives because we will not heed the gentler way. He brings us to the place where He asks us to be our utmost for Him, and we begin to debate; then He produces a providential crisis where we have to decide - for or against, and from that point the 'great divide' begins." He concludes his devotion with this thought, which I have paraphrased and submit to you for reflection in this New Year 2016: If a challenge comes to you on any given level, consider the possibility of your insufficiency in the situation and surrender your will and lack to Him without question or doubt, that you may enter into His covenant exchange where He will take your circumstances and replace them with His inexhaustible bounty.

As we enter this new year, may you open your heart to recognize your need for Him, as you invite Him, the Prince of Peace into your daily life. And may you be confident that in His goodness and faithfulness, He will fulfill your deepest longings, preserve you in His love and bathe you in His priceless peace.

Jesus - Our Foundation - Becky Maisenbacher

Throughout this year I personally have been hearing - "Foundations - return to My foundations." It is certainly important to have a solid footing to face life's challenges particularly with the tumultuous environment surrounding us today. There are many enlightening and foundational teachings which help us understand God and His ways including the Bible and the various reference books available on Greek and Hebraic word studies, the prophetic and supernatural nature of God and His glory, hermeneutics and other great literary text. However, even with all the the enlightening and revelatory instruction, the greatest foundational force is still Jesus and our relationship with Him.

When trials appear, Holy Spirit begins to sweetly sing this song to me, "Turn your eyes upon Jesus - look full in His wonderful face - and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, by the light of His glory and grace." He lovingly draws me back to His foundation - keeping my eyes on Him and leaning my ear toward heaven. He directs me to Jesus.

It really is so simple. It is not necessary to perform to secure a relationship with Jesus. It isn't about earning His love or what church we attend. Nor is it about how many scriptures we can recite, what song we sing or position we may hold in a church, what amazing dream we have had or what prophetic word of encouragement we share. All these experiences may be wonderful and they may be guided by heaven, but they can never take the place of knowing Jesus. He stands ready and waiting to be invited into your life to walk and talk with you - to have relationship with you every day. And the manifestations of His glory become a naturally supernatural part of you, when you choose to know Him. Jesus is saying, "Return to the foundations. Return to Me. Let Me be your first love."  

When you choose to have relationship with someone, you want to spend time with them, talk with them, find out what they enjoy and what plans they have for their life. Right? In fact, you usually can't wait to see them.Well, it's the same with Jesus. We learn about Him and His ways. We find out what brings Him joy as we choose to enter a friendship with Him. We develop a mutual trust and respect for one another as we joyfully choose to become His disciple. We delight in spending time with Him. He invites us into His garden and we share personal moments together.

The words to this song always awaken my spirit and desire to meet with Him. "I come to the garden alone, when the dew is still on the roses, and the voice I hear, falling on my ear the son of God discloses. He speaks and the sound of His voice, is so sweet,, the birds hush their singing, and the melody that He gives to me, within my heart is ringing. And He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own, and the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known." Walking and talking with Him is life changing. He teaches us to see the world through His eyes. He gives clarity and understanding as well as comfort and direction.

Jesus desires for you to be His beloved. He wants to talk and share with you - spend time with you and help guide you throughout your life. His words bring healing and life, comfort and peace. I'll leave you with the following scriptures for reflection and pray that you may choose to draw even closer to Him in 2016. He is ready and waiting! 

I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. John 6:35

I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you. Hebrews 13:5

Come unto Me, all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. John 17:3

I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven... Matthew 16:19

Merry Christmas to you and a blessed New Year!

The Lord's Prayer - Richard Maisenbacher

In the past I have used my normal busyness as a great excuse to pray throughout the day while multitasking, not taking time or disciplining myself to a specific schedule of prayer. This plan worked for many years, but I have found God calling me to a more strategic time of prayer. When I set a specific time it is usually in the early morning when things are quiet, or I pray at night with my wife Becky. Even though the advantages of the intimacy found in prayer with Him bring enlightenment, peace and joy, I still seem to need to schedule time with Him or the cares of the day burst forth becoming the priority.

Obviously Jesus would be an excellent role model to follow when it comes to prayer. During each moment of His life, He seemed to always have an ear toward heaven being keenly aware of what His Father was speaking or showing Him. The disciples recognized His skill in prayer and when they asked Him how to pray He responded and taught them with the model found in Matthew 6:9-13 better known as The Lord's Prayer. So it would seem appropriate to not only recite The Lord's Prayer, but also to search what was the significance of this prayer and how it affects our heart and relationship with Him today.

The Lord's Prayer appears to be a modified version of the 18 Benedictions or blessings the Jews were to recite three times a day. The Rabbis became aware that praying these 18 Benedictions or Amidah as it was called became an interruption to their daily activities and work schedules. Consequently abbreviated prayers became acceptable as demonstrated by Jesus.

The prayer begins with "Our Father who art in heaven," implying we are all His children. Therefore, we are acknowledging we have chosen to serve Him out of our love for Him, choosing to keep His commandments and walk in His ways. 

"Hallowed be Your name" may be better understood as, "May Your name be sanctified." Sanctify also means to make clean, holy, purify, or separated unto Him. Because we are in covenant with Him, whenever we obey His commandments we are sanctifying His name. As a result of our prayers and obedience we have a part in this relationship to sanctify His name. How wonderful it is to be able to participate with Him!

My motivation for intimacy and prayer is not to just pray as I get a chance throughout the day now, but to set an appointed time aside daily to be with Him. Next time, I will continue to discuss my thoughts on the rest of The Lord's Prayer. 

Until then, may you and your family be blessed with His love, joy and peace in this Christmas season.

Thoughts On Prayer - Richard Maisenbacher

During the past two months at The Covenant Center we have set aside one hour each evening for prayer. It has been a wonderful experience of intimacy with the Lord and has reincorporated a life style of setting time aside to be with Him. For me, rather than just praying throughout the day when I have time, I must also deliberately set time aside to be with Him, just as I set time aside to spend with Becky.

Communicating with God all day long combined with my normal work day and ministry is extremely important. However, alone time with Him is obviously one of our greatest experiences as stated in John 17:3: And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

I find it necessary to go back to the thought process of Jesus and the Hebraic perspective regarding prayer to better understand the Bible and what the author originally intended to express. A basic belief is that God is the Ruler and Creator of the Universe and the prophets remind us that both good and evil bring about His purposes. God is also good and holy and will bring the best result even if we do not think so. It is helpful to evaluate circumstances trusting in His character and not the appearance of actions. Otherwise what we observe many times will not make sense to us. His ways are not our ways. Therefore, we trust in God's character or we fight for what we think is fair in our version of events. If we focus on what is fair complaining may become one of the byproducts.

A normal Christian prayer might be to ask God for what we need. However, the Hebrew prays that his heart will be transformed in such a way that he will be fully prepared to accept what God has to offer. This perspective allows God to choose what is best and give what is necessary as we ask Him to align our heart and thoughts with His. As we communicate with Him in prayer, we learn to trust by His grace, that He already knows what is right, holy, and is His perfect action for each situation. Otherwise, we may find prayers unanswered and shift into frustration or disappointment.

You can count on God to do what is best for you and His creation. Our part in prayer is to prepare our hearts to accept what He is doing. As we stand in this place with Him, we discover true peace. If we enter prayer with the idea we must convince God to act righteously for us, we enter a relationship founded on manipulation rather than surrender. If grace is God doing something for us by His love, that we can not do for ourselves, then we can stand in His grace knowing He will act accordingly.

Jesus gave us the ultimate prayer model in Matthew 6:9-13. Next time, I would like to investigate the "Lord's prayer" in a little more detail, so we can begin to understand how much Hebraic thought went into His abbreviated example to us.

Till then, God bless you and keep you always.

Covenant Center Worship Team - Let It Rip! - Richard Maisenbacher

I hear the Lord saying: Some of you have wondered whether you are striving. Some of  you have wondered if you are trying to work this stuff up. Some of you have beat yourself up on whether you are performing - and I say you are not performing. You are performing before Me, for your worship comes before Me, not before men. I have taken the worshipers of The Covenant Center through, what some of you would call "hell." And I say, I am just sanctifying and transforming you. I've taken you to the cross where you have laid down your works. You've laid down men's approval. You've laid down all this stuff before Me. And the incense of your prayers and worship has come before Me, and I see no performance! I see no striving. What I do see is a desire to please Me. What I do see is a desire to worship Me. And what you say is striving, I say it's faith! What you call "working it out, and we're not sure if we've heard from You or not" -  I am calling - Worship by Faith!

For there is a battle. That's why I have called it the good fight of faith. There is a fight! And the battle starts by hearing, for faith comes by hearing. And you've wondered whether you're hearing the sound of heaven or not? And sometimes you tap into My perfect sound of heaven, and other times you don't hear anything. And I say the times you don't hear Me, in anything, is what I want to address today. For just because you hear nothing, doesn't mean that I am not speaking. Because I've spoken to you in My written word. And My people in the past have sung songs of worship and praise. So whether you hear Me or not, open My word and let it rip. Open My word and praise Me, for you've found favor and you've found My anointing, and you've found My Spirit in My written word. So when I speak not - let it rip. I give you permission without guilt - and it will not be striving. You will not be trying to unction something up. And you will not have to feel guilty for fear of performing, for I have taken the performance out of you!

Some of you are so performance oriented - you're scared. Scared that you are going to miss it. You are not going to miss it when you release My Spirit! Even through My rhema word or through My written word - My logos. They are both My Spirit. So be free. Have a freedom, whether you are on the worship team or whether you are on the "worship team." Have freedom to express My love.

These Are Days of Preparation - Randi Lechner

The following word was given by Randi Lechner during our 9-6-2015 Sunday celebration meeting. May it bless and encourage you in these uncertain times. 

Randi declared: I heard the Spirit of the Lord say: These are the days of preparation. These are the days that will lead to great tumult and turmoil, but these are also the days of the preparation of My refreshing, says the Lord. For in the midst of turmoil, I am a strong tower. In the midst of tumult, I will be your peace. So prepare your hearts says the Lord. Prepare your hearts, not looking at the tumult, but looking at My peace. For I will be with you and I will keep you, says the Lord. And these shall be days of great restoration and days of great harvest. For have you not heard, did you not read that where sin does abound, grace does much more abound? Am I not the One who called the storm? Am I not the One, said My disciples, in the midst of the storm? For behold says the Lord, the days to come are turmoil, but I tell you, they are the days of great refreshing for those who seek My face. So rejoice. Rejoice and do not fear, for I am with you, says the Lord.

The Fall Feasts and Prayer

September is proving to be a very interesting month with various prophecies and predictions as to what the Lord may be unfolding during this season.

We do know according to Leviticus 23 that there are holy convocations during certain appointed times. God intended for the events on earth to reflect the heavenly realities.

The Fall Feasts include Rosh Hashanah and the Days of Awe, emphasizing repentance. Yom Kippur's focus includes redemption and making peace with God. While Sukkot, (Feast of Tabernacles) is a time of rejoicing for the harvest and celebrating the goodness of God. So to prepare our hearts, affirm and embrace the importance of this season, I will be facilitating one hour of prayer at The Covenant Center, every night at 6pm, 7 evenings a week, from September 1st through October 5th.

I look forward to spending time in His presence and hearing from heaven. Please feel free to join me during these times. Shalom!

A Time of Preparation and Expansion - Becky Maisenbacher

Oh Covenant Center, oh My covenant people, what shall I do with you? What shall I do with you? For I have tested you. I have challenged you. I have renewed you. I have brought My revelation to you. I have sustained you. I have preserved you. For I have come today to tell you, that now is the time that I will deal wondrously with you - for you have past the test. And you will see My light break forth and you will see My promises that My oracles have come to proclaim and declare. And you will begin to see them happening on the left and the right.You will see My plans unfold because this house was conceived by Me. This house was conceived and birthed by Me. And I have rocked you in My arms. And I have nurtured you. And I have consoled you. And I have taught you. And I have kept you. And I have fed you. And I have called you many things. I have called you a family. I have called you a community. I have declared this as a place where the prophets gather. I have declared this as a place when those in need would come and receive healing and hear My word. And so it shall be.

For I have sent My oracles to declare the new season of expansion. So I tell you My covenant people, there are those who have come and there are those that have left, and there are those that have stayed, and it will always be that way. But I have taken a period of time to vet, to vet those people who were not assigned to this place. But I have now set men, and I have brought the assignments and I have brought the people in to sustain My organism.

So now I can declare, the news of this new season. For My oracles have spoken a new season for this Center. They have spoken a new authority that is coming to this Center. They have declared the new government that is coming to this Center.They have declared a new structure, you will see it unfold in this Center, and there will be a new order, because this is the pattern of growth. This is the pattern of expansion. This is the pattern of the new season that leads to the new level, that leads to the new authority, that leads to the new victory.

So prepare, and as you watch and see with your eyes and your ears, you will see expansion. For now I will begin to call them in. For the time has come, and the preparation and the challenges and all you have endured - all I have prepared you for - I am pleased. So watch and pray and prepare for I am bringing them in. And it will not look like you expect it to look like, because it is My child. So open your heart, erase the lines of what you think that I can only do, and allow Me to be King in your life and in this house. And you will see all that I have declared and promised you in the days to come - come to pass. 

Let Your Praise Ring Out - Becky Maisenbacher

Please be encouraged and enjoy this word given by Cynthia Cox during worship at The Covenant Center.

Nothing pleases Me more than the praises of My children. Let the praises ring out today from within you. Let the sounds come forth from within you. Sing forth the praises of your God. Shout unto the Lord with the voice of triumph today and know that I am God, and My goodness is still ruling and reigning in the earth. So let the praises ring today. Sing out from your hearts. Let the sounds go forth this day and praise your God. For I'm a God that loves thee with a love you will never understand. And this pleases Me to know that My children send forth sacrifices, praises unto Me. For I love thee My children. Know that My love is true and My love is real for you. Ring out today. Ring out. Sing out. Let the sounds go forth. Let the sounds come forth from your bellies. Sounds of heaven go forth today. Sing unto Me with a joyful sound, for I am God. I will never leave you. I will never forsake you. I am your God. 

Be Encouraged in Your Time of Waiting! - Richard Maisenbacher

Patience is a virtue and gift of His Spirit, and we mature in prayer and in steadfastness as we wait for His promises and desires to be fulfilled. You may be praying for the perfect mate, relief from financial strain, or waiting for a job, a car; release from difficult situations or health challenges or waiting for ministry doors to open. Even though you may be actively pursuing your dream, you may experience a long and frustrating waiting period. Be assured God has a plan, and an appointed time and season for the things He has promised to you to unfold.

You may be crying out: "But when Father? When will You act?" Well, Scripture tells us that God has a "due season" for us. Leviticus 26:4 declares that He will give rain in "due season." What is His due season? I believe it is when God has everything prepared and is ready for his plans and purposes to align and be released. We sometimes forget or overlook the fact that God is always working behind the scenes preparing things for our situations to change - to shift. Even now, He is preparing the atmosphere around you to bring release to you and answer your prayer.

God has an appointed time and He is behind the scene working on your behalf. He has individual and corporate plans that He is working out for you; and when He has everything prepared and in place His alignment will take place and your answer will appear. We are told in Luke 21:19 that through patience we may possess our souls. In other words, by standing firm, and enduring - you will gain your life.

Waiting can be excruciating, but do not be discouraged, for it is a time of preparation for the next stage of your life. It is also a precious time to grow in intimacy with God, while He accomplishes His deep work within you building wisdom, endurance and patience. Paul encourages us in Galatians 6:9: "So let us not grow weary of doing what is good; for if we do not give up, we will in due time reap the harvest."

God desires for you to be in health and to prosper, even as your soul prospers (3 John 1:2). In the challenge of waiting, He is bringing you into maturity. And your soul prospers, when you allow God to align your mind, your will and your emotions with His will.

God has a "due season" in your life story and it is important for you to know that He desires good things for you. He is never early and never late. His timing is perfect and when all is aligned in His kingdom plan, His light will break forth for you.

"Then your light will break out like the dawn, and your recovery will speedily spring forth; and your righteousness will go before you; the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.' " (Isaiah 58:8-9a)

Independence Day - Becky Maisenbacher

Independence Day! Independence Day! What a celebration! What a celebration of the goodness of this Nation! But I ask you today, what do you desire to be independent of? The world teaches us to be independent of our mother, independent of our father, independent in our thinking. But that is not My desire for me as your Father. I desire for you to be dependent - on Me. For have you not read, is it not so, that when you are weak I am strong; and when you are in need I am there?

My heart is always for you. My greatest desire is for you to be free. Free of sickness, free of poverty, free of persecution, free of the challenges of life; but never My dear ones free of Me, for I am King of the Universe. I am not only your Father, but I am your Savior and Lord. So even though we celebrate Independence Day, would it be that you would be independent of Me?

Lean on Me. Ask of Me. Invite Me into your situations. Invite Me into your life. Let Me teach you the better way. Let Me teach you My Torah. Let Me teach you how to live life well in My kingdom. And even though we may be independent in the world, I ask that you would never be independent of Me.

Who Do You Say That I Am? - Becky Maisenbacher

Who do you say that I am? Who do you say that I am? What do you think of Me? Who do you put your hope in? Who do you say that I am? I am He! I am the One! I am the Holy One! I surround you with My love. My wings cover you. I protect you. I provide for you. I bring good gifts to you. I bring My wisdom and My light to you. I breathe upon you and My breath of life gives you hope. Who do you say that I am? Who do you say that I am? Am I omniscient? Am I omnipresent? Do you think that I don't see who you are? Do you think that I would leave you in those scary fearful places? Do you think that I am only a star? Who do you think that I am? Who do you think that I am? Who am I to you? What am I to you? What do you believe? What can we conceive together? How far can you see with Me? How far do you want to see with Me? What do you really want to see? Darkness and light, awesomeness and fright! Who do you think that I am? Who do you think that I am?

Who do you think that I am? Do you see that the plumb lines have been dropped? Which side do you decide to stand? Do you stand on the right? Do you stand on the left? Is there a divide? What do you think of Me? What do you believe of Me? What do you think I have been preparing within My people? Do you think I have been caught by surprise? Ha! My plans are way beyond what you can imagine or think. Was I not with Daniel? Was I not with Joseph? Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego - did they stand alone? No! I was with them. Do you believe that I was with them? Do you believe that I am with you?

I have been building a people. I have been busy. I have been building an army and you have chosen to be a part of that. Is your heart prepared for the future? Is your heart really set on Me? Have you given all and surrendered to My plans and purposes? The plumb line has been dropped My precious ones. Now is the time to reflect and decide; "Who do you think that I am?" Am I your protector? Am I your provider? Am I all knowing and omniscient? Do you think that I do not hold the world in the palm of My hand; and with one little finger I can change the course of events? Is it not said that I am the One who places the people in position and power? Do you think that the world holds more power than I? I have been building My people, for those who would come and say: "I believe! I am Yours! I believe! I am Yours!" There is a time coming, and I tell you - your latter days will be greater than your former! And you will arise and you will shine. And I will cause your light to spring forth. And things that you have thought within your mind and within your heart, do you not believe that those could be of Me? The time is coming. The time is arriving for Zion to arise. It's time, for My army to begin to display themselves. Have you decided to be a part of it? What have you been able to lay down in front of Me and give up for My future and My plans? For I tell you for those who have, like the men of old  - "But oh my goodness Lord, that was Daniel, that was Joseph - they were great!" Oh My precious ones, they were no different than you. They had fears. They had doubts. Their hearts would race. They cried out to Me, "Lord, if You are real, show Yourself!" - And I did!

Who do you think that I am? What do you think that I am? I come to you today, to ask if I should pray - to choose within your heart - would you believe today? Who do you believe that I am? What do you believe that I can - do for you? Who do you believe? What do you believe? Who do you believe that I am?

This message was given in song during the 6-28-2015 Sunday morning celebration.

This Is The Season To Step Out - Becky Maisenbacher

This is the time to step out. This is the season to step out. "Oh but Lord, I'm so afraid. I am so afraid. You see I may fail. I may fail. I may fail me - I may fail you Lord." Ha, ha ha! What if you do not fail? What if you do not fail? For you see, just like My kingdom, built step by step with My precepts and principles, your life is built step by step. And all I ask of you today is to step out.

What is the small thing that I have placed in your heart that fear has stolen from you? What small thing have I asked you to do and fear has said: "No, you can't. No, you never will. No, Its not God." I ask you to take that small step. And with each small step, you will find that just like a child in the water learning to swim, where the father or mother is undergirding them, and they think, "Look Mom! Look Dad, I'm swimming. I'm swimming!" - I will never leave you or forsake you for I undergird you and I hold you up - in My Spirit and in your life, wherever you go and whatever you do. There is no failure in My kingdom! There are living experiences that help you in each step to build where I desire to take you. And when you grow old with Me, and you have spent time with Me, and when you have taken those steps each day, you will one day look back, and you will watch Me connect all the dots - all the dots, and you will say: "Oh, My God had it under control all the time - all the time!"

It's time. It's time. This is the season. No fear. I undergird you. What is it today that I have simply asked you to do - today? And know that each step will build on another step and another step, and another step. And before you know it, you will be moving toward My assignment and destiny for you. So rejoice. I undergird you. I love you. I desire good things for you. Rejoice! Rejoice! It is time to arise and shine. Take the steps. Step in!

There Is No Fear In My Love

There is no fear in My love. Peace I speak to you. My peace I speak to you. For do you not know that you are My beloved? The light in your eyes that you carry is My light. And the beat of your heart for My creation and for Me - that is My heart. And the knowledge and wisdom that you possess for creativity - it is My wisdom and My knowledge that I place within My beloved. And it is My peace that I desire for My people to also carry. But do you not know that My desire for you is to be a part of My building, of My restructuring of the Tabernacle of David? For I desire all of creation and My beloved to celebrate Me wherever you are, whatever you do, to celebrate and exalt Me. For I am the One. I am the Great One who breaks the bondages of sickness and disease. I break the bondages off of you of poverty. I break the bondages of false relationships. I break the deception of the evil one. It is Me, My beloved, who imparts to you My love.

So do you not know that the love that you carry and you extend into the earth is My love? What great love do I have for My creation and for you! And even though the world becomes darker, which I have foretold, I desire to place a canopy of glory over My houses and over you and your family. For I desire for you and your houses to be places of My habitation. Would you allow Me to inhabit? Would you allow Me to visit and live within you and your home, so as the world darkens you will be a beacon of light to those who cry out in despair. Would you allow yourself to surrender to Me, to that place of privilege, to be a beacon of light to all. Would you give that one cup of water to the divine appointment that I place before you? 

"But I am weak-but I am weak, Lord! It is so scary! I don't know what to do?" My beloved, I am with you! Have I not told you that I am with you always? Have I not told you how I love you - how I adore you - how I align with you - how I walk with you - how I sleep with you and visit you in the night season; and, that My covenant of peace that has been made between us, is to protect you and to provide for you. And even though it seems at times that some say I come at the midnight hour - I come! So, do not fear. Do not fear the events that surround you. I just ask for you to look at Me. Look at Me and look at My face, and look at what I have done before for you. Have you forgotten the altars you have built on the things that I have done for you. The times I have come through for you. The times I have healed you. The times I have blessed you. The times I have given you increase. Do not forget those times, for they are sweet remembrances. They are sweet remembrances of what I desire to do for My people.

So would you surrender today? Would you surrender your fear? Would you surrender your weakness? For when you walk, you walk in My strength. "But I am weak Lord. I am weak." Oh, My beloved, know that even though you feel weak, I have imparted a backbone and a rod of steel within you. And for those who feel too weak to continue, look to Me and allow Me to carry you over the finish line; because My people will finish in victory. My people will finish in victory! And My light will shine forth through you! And I speak to you: "Arise and shine, with no fear and the peace of heaven." Cause your thoughts to align with My thoughts and you will see great victory in the earth. You will see great victory in your life. You will see peace in your family. And the day will come when those around you, your neighbors and visitors, will come to your door and they will say, "What is it about you? What is it about you? What is it about your family? It's so different! It's so different…tell me! Tell me what is so different about you?" And you will open your mouth and you will declare My goodness - My joy - My peace - My safety - My security - My provision - My health and My increase. And one by one; one by one, we will change the world…We will change the world!

I Am Extending My Scepter...Becky Maisenbacher

The following prophetic word was shared at The Covenant Center by Rebecca Maisenbacher on March 15, 2015.

I am extending my scepter to my people. Do you see my hand and my scepter? I place it before you today. For many have declared a new season in me and so it is. For I have arisen and I have leveled the playing field and it is open to everyone. 

And some have said, “Oh Lord, but I could never. I could never be that. I could never do this. I could never go there. I could never surrender this. Oh Lord, my fear is great. Oh Lord, my trust is so weak.” 

But the field is now leveled and as I extend my scepter, I ask you, would you step onto the playing field? Would you take that leap of faith and step onto the field? Would you take your hand and receive the scepter that I have extended to you? 

“But oh Lord, what will that mean?” Can you step onto the playing field without the knowledge of my plan? Can you step onto the playing field knowing that the risks are great in following me? But though there be risks, and though there be challenges, I give you what the world can never give. 

When there is chaos, I give you peace. When there is weakness, I give you strength. When there is confusion, I give you sight. When you are unable to hear the plan and know which way to go, I sing my sound into your ear. Where there is bondage, I give you freedom. 

Would you be willing to step onto the playing field with my grace and my mercy? Would you be willing to step onto the playing field without the direction and the plan? For I am the great coach, and as we play the game of life together, I give you the plans for each moment that we play. Sometimes the plan is unknown. Sometimes the plans change. But my plan is always to encourage you, to love you, to give you hope, all that the world cannot give you. 

So I extend the scepter today, and I ask you, would you ponder that? Would you ponder that today? Would you consider receiving my scepter? Would you consider stepping onto the level playing field with the excitement and the anticipation of how we will play together? 

For my plays are great and my strategies are beyond human understanding. But we will have victory and we will win the game and we will exult and celebrate together as we play the different seasons, as we strategize together. 

And you will find not only victory for yourself, but you will find victory for your family and you will find my victory appears in the lives of your friends. And you will find the victory will take place in your jobs, in your workplaces. You will find my victory taking place throughout the land and we will celebrate together when we see the scoreboard that I have given you, all that I am. But I come with the scepter to say, will you give me all that you are?

So ponder this my children, ponder this. And please consider receiving my scepter for the new plans in this new season and this new time of great victory. 

A New Season - Becky Maisenbacher

He sent His servants to declare the change in His season. God is always good that way. He tells us beforehand doesn't He? His Word says that He will tell us beforehand what He's going to do and He helps us prepare. He's been speaking to us that we are preparing to enter a new season. For He says: I have declared expansion in this house. I have sent My servant to declare expansion in this house - for you oh Covenant Center and for My covenant people. For there will be expansion, not only in ministry, but there will be expansion in businesses. And there will be prosperity, and there will be favor, and there will be increase, and there will be security, and there will be health. 

For what purpose do I bring expansion to this house? For My purposes and My plans. For I have strategically placed you and positioned you. And there will be long awaited promises that will begin to spring forth. There will now be increase and there will begin to be exposure. And My life and My purposes that have once been contained within these walls will begin to be poured out into the earth, watering the land and bringing life. So prepare and watch for the times of plantings. For there will be plantings of centers, and there will be plantings of spiritual houses, and the earth will be touched in My name. And as I have spoken in My word, I will bear witness with you with signs and wonders as I have in the past, and there will be various and diverse miracles and gifts of Holy Spirit. And this all will be expanded in this season.

For even though there are storms that will rage about you, you will remain safe in My house as you stay in a position and a place of humility and purity. As you stay in this position of humility and purity, I will preserve you and I will protect you from the raging storms and situations, and even judgments that will fall. For in this long season of preparation, you have been waiting. You say: "Lord what are you doing? Lord, what have you been doing?" I have been building a vessel that knows how to wait and knows how to see, and listens to My voice, and honors and obeys My precepts and principles. I have been building humility in My people in their waiting. But as you know, it is always in My heart and My covenant to prosper My people. And so now, now, I speak forth that it shall be so. But I remind you that in your expansion, and in the increase, and in the prosperity, and in the favor that I have placed upon you, I ask you, My people, to remain and keep yourself in a place of purity, that place of rest, that place of peace and that place of humility.

For this is My promise to you, and you will begin to see it break forth in many of your lives. So rejoice and know that I am always good and that I have placed My favor upon you.

We thank you, Lord. Thank you, Father. You are so good. You are so kind. You are so generous. your fathomless love is stunning. It overwhelms us and amazes us that you would choose broken vessels and you would knit us together as a community, and you would teach us, and you would train us, and yes, that you would even test us in understanding the spiritual aspects of your kingdom and your covenant. And then, you would place within us your Spirit and your gifts, your calling to be vessels of your mercy and love in the earth. That we would be the ones that would be able to extend your hand of hope and encouragement and healing to those who are lost and suffering. We thank you for your servants who have come over the years with the many words that have been planted and foundational in this house. We thank you that you continue to come in dreams and visions, words and your scriptures to bring direction and life; so that we may align always with your plans and purposes, and that we may all learn to walk in humility and preference to one another. Thank you Father for your visitations to us. They are life. Thank you that you heal and restore us. Thank you that you have released your love upon us. A love we have never known. A love that is not of this world, but we know it by Your Spirit. We praise you and exalt you, merciful and gracious Father, Friend and Counselor, Shepherd and Lover of our souls. We thank you. Now bless your people, Lord, as they begin this new season of expansion. Father, keep them safe and help us to stay in the place of humility, rest and peace as we walk with you in these new ventures and expansion. Thank you for bringing clarity in all aspects of life, bringing guidance and hope to not only us but to others. Thank you precious Savior.

I'm Bringing Healing - Richard Maisenbacher

I've taken you to a place of restlessness, and I've also taken you to a place of peace. And I'm doing a new work of accelerated healing within you. Healing in your bodies. Healing in your soul, and healing in your spirit. And as I move by My Spirit, don't be deceived by the method that I bring for healing, because I am bringing life. But the life that I bring may not look like the life that you're expecting. The method and way that I bring it forth may be challenging to your mind. But I'm bringing life nonetheless. I'm bringing healing to you. Not just this day - I've been working for days, months and years. This day I am pouring out My understanding. So as My healing comes and it doesn't look like what you expect, you can still receive life and embrace the healing touch that I bring to you. For this is a new day. I'm bringing acceleration, for there is work to be done. There are lives to be transformed, and I want to flow through My Body in a way that brings life to others. I don't want you to just contain My life within you, but release the life I've imparted to you to others as I direct.

I was given a vision and I saw us worshipping. Each one of us - you know the goop on Nickelodeon? The bright, neon green slime? I saw Him pouring it over our heads, and we were sitting there with this slime, thinking it's from the enemy, saying: "Oooo, I got slimmed!"  And I heard the Spirit of the Lord say" "This is not the slime of the enemy, this is My life being poured out in a way that you do not expect. This is My healing." Green often means healing and life, and it starts from the top of your head and slowly goes down, and we're not recognizing the healing power of the Lord. So, look for it!

Lord, I thank you for bringing revelation, understanding and wisdom to know what you are doing. And for today, we receive your healing life and power.

The Sabbatical Pruning Season - Richard Maisenbacher

This year is the year and season of restoring and recapturing the real, radical, risky faith we all knew when we first met the Lord. For faith to be faith, there must be situations of no visual evidence and circumstances that challenge the substance of our hope. Jesus said those who bear fruit must be pruned so they can bear more fruit. It's the principle of the sabbath year. Six years in a row there is increasing fruit, and in the seventh year, the sabbath year, everything goes to fallow, i.e. nothing, nada, zero. Can you imagine the bewilderment of people who have known us during the six years of blessing who pass by on the seventh year and see what appears to them as our "crop failure?" I wonder what their thoughts are toward us? "He was doing so good and now look at him. I wonder what he did wrong? Did he sin? Has God abandoned him? What did he do to allow the devil to steal his blessing?"

This is what the beginning of the year of Faith looks like. It's the end of one season (the old one) and the beginning of the new one. He must bring to close the old so He can bring the new - much like spring must end so summer can begin. The new season looks nothing like the old. We tend to think the new season is just the continuation of the old, just better.

This is where so many of us are right now. It is the year of leaning on the Lord of our Faith. Faith, not in the understanding of His principles and how His laws work (which He taught us), but it is a returning to believing and knowing that He cannot and will not fail us. It is returning to the only thing we knew when we first met Him; that He WILL accomplish all that He promised because He cannot deny Himself and will perform His covenant oath that He swore to Himself and to us. He does this through the only thing we can do to please Him, which is our faith in His undying, unchanging love for us; and our blind confidence (faith is blind) and trust in believing in and on Him and knowing His unchanging character as our loving Father God.

This is the analogy of the high flying eagle who molts and loses all his feathers and reverts (though he is mature and seasoned) to his initial condition before he grew his original feathers and learned how to fly. For all practical purposes and to all onlookers, he is a scrawny chicken and is subjected to the scorn of their doubts and his own self doubt. He is being renewed by the rediscovery of his weakness and the knowing that his strength comes from the Lord, His Creator, as he waits expectantly for the promise of new and stronger feathers. He is forced to hide himself in the cleft of the rock and wait and trust on the goodness of the Lord for his resurrection. The same occurred to our Lord Jesus as He hung on the cross, reduced to total helplessness. His onlookers said, "He saved others but himself He cannot save." He waited three unbearable, dark and lonely nights, subjected to death, the grave and hell. But as He waited, He renewed Himself in His Holy Faith in the nature or name of Ha Shem.

Psalm 16: 5-11 and Acts 2:25-28 paints for us the picture of Jesus during those three days and nights. David speaks with reference about Him also in Psalm 16:8-11: "I was seeing the Lord in my presence continually, because He is at my right hand that I may not be shaken. For this reason my heart WILL cheer and my tongue WILL rejoice greatly. Furthermore, my flesh WILL also dwell in hope, because (NOW I KNOW) YOU WILL NOT abandon my soul to Hades, nor give Your holy One to see decay. You have made your ways of life known to me. You WILL make me full of gladness with Your presence. Therefore, (my paraphrase) - KNOW THIS, THAT BECAUSE HE MAINTAINED HIS CONFIDENCE IN THE GOODNESS OF HIS GOD, EVEN IN THE DEPTHS OF WHAT SEEMED LIKE BEING ABANDONED, HIS FATHER ANOINTED HIM WITH AN EVEN GREATER ANOINTING THAN HE HAD BEFORE AND INCREASED THE REALM OF HIS AUTHORITY.

This applies to all of us as well. Encourage yourself as Jesus did in the pangs of His hell. Let His faith be your Faith (Acts 2:25-28). Stand in your confidence that He will anoint your weakness with fresh oil and you will mount up higher than before with the wings of the great eagle that He has made you to be. Hold fast to your profession of faith because it has a great recompense of reward. This is where you are re-compensated and rewarded with a new dose of His Faith.

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20)

This is where His faith becomes your sight. This is where you experience: "HIS VICTORY IS OUR FAITH! FAITH IS OUR VICTORY."

The Body of Christ

I had a recent vision of the Body of Christ beginning to come into a fuller understanding of their identity and their covenant relationship with the Lord.  It is difficult to express what I saw but I felt like there were two main themes going on.  

The first was some people were coming into a deeper understanding of their responsibilities in the kingdom;  but not being prepared, equipped, or knowing what to do. This group definitely wanted to serve the Lord, increase their relationship, study the scriptures, and desired to be trained.  At the same time they wanted to give out and see others healed and the kingdom advance.  

The other group of people understood who they were in Christ but only wanted to continue to learn about God.  However, they had no desire to serve the Lord in relationships with other people.  They did not want their peace with the Lord to be broken by entering conflicts with others.  They only wanted to stay home and have a safe and controlled environment with their family.  

The Lord showed me that He is bringing us to an understanding of who we are and our responsibility to give.  Each believer has to make a choice whether they want to submit and choose the calling that He has requested of them.