The Pandemic - Pat Stark

In this season of testing and refining... “What looked like a full blown assault from the enemy was really a preparation process for the Church."  Pete Garza, Quote from Elijah List.

In recent times, many prophetic words have said that the church as we’ve known it will no longer be the same... What could that even look like?

It’s easy to look at the prophecy regarding the church as an institution — like our church or the church down the street, but WE ARE THE CHURCH.  So that means that we will never look the same! If we are to be internally changed, God’s going to mess with us and our ways!  Ouch! One way God gets our attention and begins to bring change to us is through our circumstances. 

The pandemic we are currently experiencing is creating change in all of our lives and circumstances. For example, one young man that I know who has always worked at home and has not been particularly a people person, has not had his life altered dramatically. However, an important component of his mental health has always been working out at the gym, and when the gyms closed down, the lack of exercise that kept his brain emotionally healthy caused him to struggle with depression. We are all affected, some more than others, but it certainly messes with our expectations and what we’ve looked at as our entitlements.

Questions to ask myself:  How am I expecting my life to look that’s not working?

What am I feeling as a result?   What do I trust in or depend on to give me “life”?

EXAMPLE: Do I look to family or other relationships, work, ministry, my religious systems, having good health?

Do I get angry that I can’t just do as I please?

Do I get fearful when I listen to the latest news?

Do I escape into fantasy or simply distract myself on the Internet?

What have I used to escape feeling my emotions produced from the pandemic? We might have used even good things, but things unknowingly used (except by the Enemy) to avoid the discomfort, and therefore the healing changes God wants to bring within us. Our escape can come from the good side (not the evil side) of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, but not from the life-giving Tree of Life.  As those things in our lives get shaken, what happens inside of us — what emotions are we feeling?

EXAMPLE: I had a big struggle with a very small thing that God used because of the Pandemic in my life. Through what I believed was irrational fear, the pool has remained closed in my community. That pool is an important part of my life because I need the exercise and it’s the only exercise I’m physically able to do. It enables my body to function well and gives me the stamina for the things I’m involved with. My initial response was anger because I felt it to be an irrationally motivated, fear-based decision that was unfair, and I was powerless to change it. I took the power I did have to text, speak up, etc., but no amount of logic or suggestions of ways to deal with the problem was acknowledged. (You can’t use logic in dealing with emotional decisions.). My only power was to find other pools for exercise, which God has graciously provided, but God also used it to bring me to a place of surrendering my angry, demanding heart to Him and to grieve the unfairness of the loss, leading to ultimate forgiveness.

Many people are functionally “off” right now emotionally —they are edgy, prickly, not themselves, off-balance because of not processing what they are struggling with emotionally.

Our emotions need to be owned and processed to get past them. When we push them down and refuse to feel them, we get lost, shut down, irritable, anxious, and even depressed. We get stuck.

For example if you’re going on a trip, you must know your starting place in order to get to the right destination. The same is true with our emotions.  What emotions are you feeling in this Pandemic?  As I talk with people from all around,  I am hearing emotions expressed like:

LOST, CONFUSED, POWERLESS, OVERWHELMED, DISSATISFIED,

FEARFUL/ANXIOUS, EMPTY.

The emotion I struggled with was EMPTY.  The fullness of life as we’ve known it is no longer here and we can’t change it.  However as I struggled with that negative emotion and accepted the feelings of the emptiness, I began to see that EMPTINESS is the beginning of true FULLNESS. Emptiness when embraced becomes real hunger and thirst, and if we don’t try to fill it with lesser things again, we begin to be truly hungry for Jesus and the living water that only he can give. 

Our negative emotions when owned, embraced, and worked through to a place of surrender to God’s ways become positive, life-giving emotions.

For example:  anger worked through becomes courage, fear and anxiety faced, owned, and released to God becomes peace, despair can become true hope in God’s goodness, and facing our emptiness opens the door to the in-filling flow of living water that satisfies the hungry soul.

 “On the final and climactic day of the Feast, Jesus took his stand. He cried out, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Rivers of living water will brim and spill out of the depths of anyone who believes in me this way,’ “ just as the Scripture says, John 7:37 MSG.

“You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.”

 “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.”

“You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.”

“You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat,” Matthew 5, The Message Bible.

Pat Stark

Pat Stark is the author of Born to Fly: Pursuing the Life You Were Meant to Live…Free, Lost Heart: A Guide to Living From Your Heart in a Broken World, and The Story of Life: The Life We All Try to Find,” available on Amazon, as well as The Covenant Center bookstore. Her message brings freedom and hope in the midst of a world of uncertainty. Her desire is to see people restored to who they were originally created to be before they were wounded by the hurts of life. She is gifted in dealing with root issues lying beneath the surface that have kept people trapped and unable to experience true freedom. Pat has worked with people for over 40 years in the area of deep spiritual and emotional healing. She is an ordained minister through The Covenant Center, Lakeland, Florida.

His Call To Us Is Challenging! - Richard Maisenbacher

After Jesus death He met with the disciples in John 20:19-22: When therefore it was evening, on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst, and said to them, Peace be with you. And when He had said this, He showed them both His hands and His side. The disciples therefore rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me. I also send you. And when He had said this He breathed on them and and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit.

Not only did many wait in the Upper Room for instructions from Christ during Pentecost, even Paul at Ephesus emphasized the Holy Spirit in Acts 19:2-6: And he said to them, Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? And he said to him, No, we have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit. And he said, Into then what were you baptized? and they said, Into John’s baptism. And Paul said, John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus. And when they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying.

In Acts 10 it was challenging for Peter when he received the dream. Scripture tells us that he was perplexed in his mind because of his dream about the sheet being lowered down from heaven with clean and unclean food. He knew it wasn’t about food or diet. Ten years later, he still doesn't understand it is about people, until he goes to Cornelius house. Peter thinks it is still unlawful for a Jew to approach or come near a Gentile, which actually was just a tradition. He sees what God has done in Cornelius’ house and realizes at that moment the dreams is about people and he changes the way he evangelizes and relates to people. In Ephesians 2, God emphasizes His desire to make both groups into one, breaking down the dividing wall forming one new man producing unity.

We later find Paul writing about unity in Ephesians 4:1-4; I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling.

Our society today seems to have issues with anyone who disagrees with their beliefs. It is so easy to let things divide us. Just dismiss those who disagree. Paul allowed healthy debate. Differences of opinions were not a problem. Since Paul’s writings we have hundreds of years of doctrine….have we reached unity yet? We tend to think unity is to conform to what we personally believe. Paul challenges us to walk in a manner worthy of our calling with humility, gentleness, patience, forbearance with love.

With so many disagreements, people trying to control and manipulate, hiding the truth, unsettledness, unsure of their future and filled with anxiety, we must be able to communicate, challenge, comfort and exhort when we can. Our challenge is to communicate without an attitude and knowing everything where honor and love cannot be released.

In summary, God desires for us to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, release the gifts of the Spirit, recognize God really does desire unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, even though it may look impossible. And that is what makes His calling to us challenging but so significant!

In My Distress He Answered Me - Becky Maisenbacher

This week, I have tried to wrap my head around the senseless violence that we have graphically witnessed.  I have experienced a sea of emotions from grief  to outrage. My heart is overwhelmed with the depravity and endless carnage in the world.  Assassinations, murders, contempt, brutality, wars, bullying, hate, rage, revenge. Jesus! How do we make sense of this? What can I do? I’ve prayed, I’ve written my congressmen, I’ve sat on committees and discussion groups to what avail? The lack of respect and sanctity for human life still permeates the landscape of our nation.  

I was reminded twenty-two years ago during a time of intercessory prayer at TCC; the weightedness of God’s presence drove us to our knees.  We wept and cried out for God to heal the racism and cultural divide in our country.  I remember one visitor in a correcting manner declared out loud: “Oh that’s already over with.” My heart sank with her comment and the lack of awareness of what was to come and be exposed. God visited us that sacred evening and revealed his heart to our tiny prayer group; the depth of the prejudiced and bigotry still hidden in the hearts of some and that he would be coming to bring justice and lift up, promote and redeem the centuries of injustice especially to the African Americans.  To this day my heart cries out to God to bring restitution and redemption to all who have suffered the centuries of being dehumanized, humiliated and abused. So this week as I quieted my thoughts, I believe he came with some clarity for prayer and understanding: “ In my distress I called to the Lord and he answered me,”(Ps. 120:1).

I submit to you the following for reflection:

Becky, you and many others are sensing the pain in my heart for my creation. This was not my intended plan in the garden, but as I chose to give man free choice, evil was also birthed.  Even as I sent my Son to earth to bring life, abundantly, I have watched the darkness grow in the hearts of men and I feel the pain and anguish through my people. As I wept watching Mary’s anguish at Lazaraus’ grave, I still today sense the pain and continue to count the tears of my people, just as my servant David cried out to me: “You have taken account of my wanderings; Put my tears in Your water-skin, (Psalm 56:8).

Remember beloved when you observe and experience the pain and injustice of this world, know that I am with you and very aware: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places,” (Ephesians 6:12). 

And in my time though it may appear that I linger, know that I will come and wipe away every tear (Revelation 21:4). I will expose darkness and bring my righteousness and justice: "I will go before you and make the rough places smooth; I will shatter the doors of bronze and cut through their iron bars,” (Isaiah 45:2).  Trust me and know that: “I will deliver you from the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem you from the grasp of the violent," (Jeremiah 15:21). Always remember to: watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life, (Prov. 4:23; for if you entertain wickedness in your heart, the Lord will not hear, (Psalm 66:18).

Then I heard the following melody from years past.  I believe it is a clarion call to the body to arise. It is time!  Much of the world is lost in darkness and people in their pain and disillusionment need God! Be guided by His Spirit.  Choose to move forward in the things he places within your heart, and in his love and grace touch a hurting world in His name. He is calling you! 

People Need The Lord by Steve Green

Everyday they pass me by
I can see it in their eyes
Empty people filled with care
Headed who knows where

On they go through private pain
Living fear to fear
Laughter hides their silent cries
Only Jesus hears

 People need the Lord, people need the Lord
At the end of broken dreams, He's the open door
People need the Lord, people need the Lord
When will we realize people need the Lord?

 We are called to take His light
To a world where wrong seems right
What could be too great a cost
For sharing life with one who's lost?

 Through His love our hearts can feel
All the grief they bear
They must hear the words of life
Only we can share

People need the Lord, people need the Lord
At the end of broken dreams, He's the open door
People need the Lord, people need the Lord
When will we realize that we must give our lives?
For people need the Lord, people need the Lord

Pentecost 2020 - Richard Maisenbacher

The Feast of Pentecost and Shavuot represent the power of God’s Spirit and His Word working in our lives. During this unique season of time we need healing and jobs for so many people. Philippians 4:6 may be worth declaring as a prayer: “Lord we will be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving we will let our requests be known! Therefore, we thank You for all those who need healing and finances/employment to be made manifest by the power of Your Word and Spirit!”

Fifty days after Passover, the Apostle Paul planned his travels so he could be in Jerusalem during Shavuot. It was to celebrate God’s faithfulness with the early wheat harvest, which increased the hopefulness for a fall harvest (Sukkot). Later, the Rabbis while searching for historical facts discovered that around the same time during Shavuot, Moses came to Mount Sinai and was given the Law. The Jews celebrated Shavuot when they received the Torah from God in Exodus 20. The presence and the revelation of God appeared on top of the mountain in the form of fire. Torah or the Word of God was then given to them on tablets of stone. This year in 2020 Shavuot is celebrated on May 28-30.

Pentecost is a Feast of the Lord recognized by believers on Sunday, May 31st, which is mentioned in Acts 2:1. In Acts 2, the presence of God fell upon the believers with tongues of fire as they began to speak in the native language of those who were listening. In the book of Jeremiah 31, he prophesied that the Spirit of God would come upon the believers and the Torah would be written on their hearts, rather than on tablets of stone.

 We look forward to celebrating this Feast with joy and thanksgiving! He has given us His written Word and continues to write His word upon our hearts. Let’s take advantage of this additional alone time with Him to saturate ourselves with His Word (Law) and Spirit (prayer) as we expect a fresh outpouring of His Spirit!

 In His Covenant Love,

The Covenant Center Re-Opens May 3, 2020 - Richard Maisenbacher

Hello Covenant Center Family!

It’s great to be able to announce that we will once again be able to gather together this Sunday, May 3rd, 2020 – 10am for worship and 11am for facilitated sharing and teaching.

We look forward to seeing everyone as we begin the ascent of recovery; however, our gathering at least for the moment will come with a few new boundaries as we respect the suggested medical and governmental guidelines provided by our Governor and President.

1. We will open only for the TCC community at this time. With limited seating due to the social distancing requirement we are presently at our limit with 50 seats. However we look forward to visitors in the future as soon as our seating capacity is back to normal.

2. Each person entering will be required to wear a facemask. Our supply is very limited so please bring your own mask. Hand sanitizer will be placed around the building.  Please stay home if you have encountered any symptoms or have come into contact with an infected person in the last 14 days.

3. We are a loving, hugging community, but we again ask that you please be respectful of others and social distancing – Please no hugging, handshakes, laying on of hands, etc.

4.  Children will be required at present to remain with a parent in the main meeting room during meetings. Our youth ministers look forward to seeing your children, but as in the school settings, social distancing makes it difficult at this time.

5. We will continue to stream our worship and teachings for those who choose to remain home.  Please visit https://www.facebook.com/thecovenantcenter/

Becky and I thank you in advance for respectfully adhering to the above guidelines and for your continued support.  We will take this measured opening one week at a time together as we adjust to the “new normal.” We haven’t been this way before so thank you also for your patience and understanding. We are blessed to have you with us!

Richard and Becky

Things Are Fixin' To Change - Becky Maisenbacher

Hello Precious Family,

We are in a time of reset, rest, realignment with him, and so much more. I have found when God sets his people aside and quiets them, it is often for developing a fresh level of hearing his voice more clearly, gaining greater understanding of his ways, growing in intimacy and forbearance as we mature in patience and self-control, learning to wait and trust to win the battle of the mind by standing in peace and faith. When we emerge from these moments of solitude we will begin to see that we are changed and that he has been at work exposing, freeing and healing parts of our heart to prepare for the new.

I have also sensed to repost a word that I received while in prayer at The Covenant Center on June 4, 2017. I remember so clearly hearing the spirit express that "things were 'fixin' to change. Little did I know the extent of the word "change." But as we've entered a new decade and new season, even a reformation of sorts; change is surely upon us. I hope this word will give you encouragement that God is not caught unaware and he always uses all things for good to those who love him.

THINGS ARE FIXIN' TO CHANGE - June 4, 2017
But I heard the Spirit of the Lord as soon as I hit this room today say: “Things are fixin’ to change!” I said, What Lord? And He said, “I said, Things are fixing to change!!” And then He said the sweetest thing. He said, “I’m so proud of this family that I have birthed and brought together. Look around. They’ve stood with Me in darkness, they stood with Me in loss and pain. They stood with Me and trusted Me through it all. What good Father would not give good gifts to His children? And how sweet it is to watch the child, the babe when he first takes his steps and begins to walk. What a thrill it is, that first step, even when he falls. The joy of watching him, stand on their feet and to begin to walk and run. What joy that is to Me. And I say to you, how can one understand the mountain if there is no valley? How can one understand the glory of light until they have stood in darkness? How can one understand My miracle working power when they have not experienced pain and loss? How can they not understand My gift of prosperity and life if they have not walked through the valley of the shadow of death?

These things are not meant to harm you. These things are meant to teach you and train you. These things are meant for you to become the light of the world. And in these coming days, as the earth grows darker, you will be My temples and houses of light. Fear not. Fear not. I come to protect you. You walk in My covenant of peace. I bring to you health and life and prosperity and healing and joy when we recognize My hand is upon you. Oh, but I hear you say, God, it’s taken so long. What is the reason for Him taking so long? Do you think there was not celebration at that pool that day, the years, of the 38 years the paralytic sat by that pool waiting for My touch? Time is of no essence to Me. I know it feels that way to you, but has it not been written that those that wait upon Me shall be renewed, shall be healed, shall be restored, shall be given life abundantly?
So understand, even though there was a ten-year law suit, even though it has taken twenty years to put in place the proper applications and positioning of those who I have positioned in this house, things are fixin’ to change! And I ask you one thing as the blessings come, yes, as the blessings come, please My beloved, remember where I’ve brought you from and what I have done for you. Remember. Remember. And let your testimony fill the airwaves of the earth with My Glory and My faithfulness.”

Love to you all and Richard and I continue to hold you in our hearts and prayers!

The Covenant Center Update April 3, 2020 - Richard Maisenbacher

Hello Covenant Center family,

What an unparalleled season we are walking through. You can sense the confusion and conflict even in decision making. It is safe to say we are all out of control. We are thankful we serve a God who is in control and is not shocked by what is taking place; even the challenges regarding people's health and employment. We have talked about and even declared about alignments, realignments, shifting, resets, changes and new structures coming forth. And now it is here. In the midst of God blowing in His reformation, the turbulence is palpable. Be reminded that He is our strong tower and we run to Him and find rest and His peace in these storms.

Our Governor has declared the church as "essential." Of course we already know that. You are essential to God's kingdom and His kingdom plan. You have been trained and equipped with Holy Spirit indwelling and you as the Church are being set up to release His gifts within you greater than ever before.

The Covenant Center will remain closed at this time for open meetings. Even our counseling is now taking place through Skyping. We want to encourage you to meet in small groups, ten people and under, as you minister one to another. Chuck Pierce shared recently that "This will be a unique Passover. We will actually be celebrating this Passover the way the Lord instructed the Israelites to observe Passover - in our home, in our small gatherings, and behind our closed doors."

We will continue to stream our Sunday mornings and on this Wednesday, April 8th, Peter Cafarelli will be sharing with me by streaming a Passover message at 7pm on Facebook - The Covenant Center.

We are praying for you. This will come end and in the days to come we will see the fruitful change that God is now ushering in. I am working on a method for group calls/ video chats that are easy to navigate. I will keep you updated. God bless and keep you and thank you for your giving.

In His Covenant Love,

Passover - A Time Of Intimacy - Richard Maisenbacher

One year ago I never would have thought that we would be contending with travel restrictions, food and supply shortages, “social distancing” and remaining at home for extended periods of time. We can either be discouraged or use this time as an opportunity of intimacy, cleansing and communication with the Lord.

Leviticus 23 includes Passover and Unleavened Bread, as well as Firstfruits as part of the Lord’s Feasts which we are encouraged to celebrate. The Hebrew word for Passover is “Pesach” meaning “to spring, jump or pass over something.” This refers to God’s deliverance of Israel from the bondage of Egypt, which brought freedom. Passover not only typifies redemption, but prophetically it was God’s plan for world redemption by Jesus, the sacrificial Lamb. What a great reason to celebrate!

“And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy,” Ezra 6:22. I have not personally found many Believers who celebrate the Lord’s Feasts, or become excited getting rid of the leaven or yeast in their lives. They believe it may be painful or too hard to give up enjoyable/addicting habits. It may be even worse for some to lay down their mental strongholds so they can receive inner healing.

But Passover cannot start until all leaven is removed. Cleansing the home was part of the preparation. However, cleansing of the home is just the beginning. Believers know that cleansing of the home includes the cleansing of our heart in cooperation with the Spirit of God.

In 1st Corinthians 5:7 Paul states: Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, just as you really are unleavened. For Christ the Passover Lamb has been sacrificed.” Because of the sacrifice of Jesus, we are already new. His death and resurrection has removed the leaven in our life. However, in a practical way, there is still leaven that we must cleanse inside and out from the influence of the world. It is a time of purifying our heart and a time to make a decision to separate our self from anything unclean.

In preparation for this Passover, beginning April 8th through April 16th, we can cleanse our “house,” get rid of the leaven, and celebrate as we experience His presence, joy and blessings!  Let’s take advantage of this time with Him in prayer, intimate love, enjoying His Word, and rejoicing because of the freedom our Passover Lamb has brought us!

In His Covenant Love,

Now Is An Opportunity For Intimacy - Cheryl Ward

It is a delight to introduce Cheryl Ward who is an elder and licensed minister through The Covenant Center. She is a teacher and seer who skillfully facilitated The Center’s prophetic art classes. Her dream gives insight into this present challenging season, giving direction, encouragement and hope that God is with us and He has a plan. In His love, In His Love, Becky

Now Is An Opportunity For Intimacy by Cheryl Ward

Cheryl Ward

I had a dream last night and feel led to share what the Lord showed me with my covenant family as encouragement. I dreamed that Jesus came and lifted me up onto a large cloud with him. We began to float across the country and then the world. As we traveled, the wailing, pleading and prayers were a cacophony of sound so loud that I had to cover my ears. He told me that He wanted me to be sure to know that he hears every cry, and bottles every tear that is being shed. He stated that not one person goes without his notice and he mourns with us. Then he declared: I want My people to set an example for the world. and to trust that I am with them in the midst of the battle and working behind the scenes; but THEY HAVE TO TRUST ME. Tell them to turn their eyes on Me and believe that whatever is happening, whatever the circumstance, I have a plan to thwart the enemy and use it for My good. They need to praise Him, not lament.

Being sequestered in our homes is a good thing. Not that the gathering together of His people is bad, but so many of us have been fed like babies for years and this is the season to individually seek His face and glean understanding for ourselves. He has created each of us uniquely and His plans for each of us are good, but also unique to each individual. Rather than hearing from the pulpit, or the prophet, He wants us to seek His face individually and learn how to have a true one on one, intimate love relationship with Him. Now is the time to go deeper than ever before. He is shaking everything that can be shaken, including our faith, our idols, systems and beliefs. Be willing to fight it out with Him. He can take it. He wants us to seek His face for ourselves.

The song, “Turn Yours Eyes Upon Jesus” began to run through my mind. May the following lyrics give you comfort and reassurance that He is gazing at you.

O soul are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There's light for a look at the Savior
And life more abundant and free

Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace

Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there
Over us sin no more hath dominion
For more than conquerors we are

And turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace

His word shall not fail you, He promised
Believe Him and all will be well
Then go to a world that is dying
His perfect salvation to tell

And turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace
(Lyrics by Helen Howarth Lemmel, 1918)

Cheryl Ward is a Lover of God. She is a gifted and prolific prophetic artist, who is presently battling a personal health issue, giving her intimate time alone with Him; studying and reflecting on God’s ways, as she receives her healing. She is presently completing a book, bringing her into a closer relationship with God again, after experiencing illness.

Cheryl has paintings still available and can be contacted at: info@thecovenantcenter.com

Necessity Is Laid Upon Me - Julie Koerner

I’d like to introduce Julie Ouzoonian Koerner. Julie and her husband Dan are ordained ministers and elders at The Covenant Center. I appreciate Julie’s heart and her clarion call for prayer. I know you will be encouraged in the important call and assignment divinely imparted to you. Becky

Necessity Is Laid Upon Me by Julie Koerner

Julie and Dan Koerner

“For if I may proclaim good news, it is no glorying for me, for necessity is laid upon me, and woe is to me if I may not proclaim good news;” 1 Corinthians 9:16

I was talking with a good friend yesterday. She had become discouraged. She is a “Prayer” (one who prays) and had an assignment to pray, which took many hours a day, for weeks.. I had to tell her that I really did not understand why someone would be called to pray so hard and so long. She shared with me the scripture where the apostle Paul says “necessity has been laid upon me“. I had never really considered that word before. “Necessity has been laid upon me.” What does that mean? We as Christians have been called out of this world’s system. We are those who have been ‘set apart unto God.’ We have been set apart not only as his children but also as those who have been called for a purpose. “But you are God’s chosen treasure—priests who are kings, a spiritual '“nation” set apart as God’s devoted ones. He called you out of darkness to experience his marvelous light, and now he claims you as his very own. He did this so that you would broadcast his glorious wonders throughout the world,” (1 Peter 2:9).

When Jesus taught his disciples to pray, the heart of the prayer was “Your Kingdom Come.Your will be done.” Our Lord came to once again bring the Kingdom of God to the Kingdom of man. This was His purpose. Can we do any less? In this hard time in which we are living, it is so easy to get lost in these difficult circumstances But for us, for the people of God, there is a bigger picture. We have been called “according to His purpose.”It is this purpose that creates vision and mission. In his Word He says, “Awake, and Christ will give you light.“ It is time for God’s people to “wake up” and to see His purpose. We have been born into the earth for such a time as this. In the book of Proverbs he says “without a vision the people are unrestrained.“ Without a vision we do not have direction. Without a vision we are here there and everywhere. Without vision we are blind. We are blind and cannot see what God is doing and asking us to do with Him. I really had to ask the question: “Has a necessity been laid upon me?” If so, then all of my activities all of my thoughts, all of my actions need to be conformed to that purpose.

I have a purpose, and that is to see the Kingdom of God restored in the earth. We are in a great battle.
“When there is no clear prophetic vision, people quickly wander astray. But when you follow the revelation of the word, heaven’s bliss fills your soul,” (Proverbs 29:18 TPT).

I’m sure that you as well as myself desire the peace and joy of knowing that we have a part in the great plan and purpose of God, which will be fulfilled! Lord, “let necessity be laid upon us”.

Julie Koerner

Julia Ouzoonian Koerner is an ordained minister and elder through The Covenant Center. She was born in Bronx, New York, She has traveled many miles with many adventures in her lifetime.  She has been a Retail Salesperson, a Social Worker, a Missionary, and a Spanish language teacher.  In 2006, she retired from teaching and started a home investment company. One of her greatest joys is spending time in God's Word, and listening as He shares with her each morning.

Email: julievkoerner@gmail.com

Website: Freedomswayhomes.com

Greatness Lies Ahead - Becky Maisenbacher

We are entering a new decade where we will see greatness released. New and innovative products as well as structures and systems will be birthed. Brilliance with innovation is often birthed out of adversity. God has plans to give you a future and hope, (Jeremiah 29:11).

 I believe it is important to understand what is happening in the natural as well as the spiritual. In a recent article by Peter Zeihan a geopolitical strategist “The Geopolitics of American Fear, 3/17/2020, he suggests:

“American history of all eras is rich with examples of how challenges turned into increase.  

1) The Pearl Harbor panic fostered the deepwater dominance strategy, culminating in a Navy more powerful than all other players combined.

2) The Sputnik panic brought us a root-to-branch overhaul of the educational system and industrial plant.

 3) The Vietnam depression married tech to military strategy and brought us JDAMs, cruise missiles, the Internet and cell phones.

 4) The 1979 and 1983 oil shocks led directly to deepwater oil production and the shale revolution.

 The American system has exited every decade in a stronger position than it was in when it entered, including the decade periods of the Great Depression and Great Recession. It came thru the 1920s Spanish flu epidemic which spawned the development of penicillin (a far more deadly pathogen than coronavirus).”

 For those of us who have weathered various storms of life, we can say in faith, “God is with you!” He encourages you to have no fear as you keep your eyes on Him. Though the world around may change He is ever present. He is the same yesterday, today and forever and He loves and cares about you!

Among the gods there is none like you, Lord;   no deeds can compare with yours.
All the nations you have made    will come and worship before you, Lord;   they will bring glory to your name.
For you are great and do marvelous deeds;   you alone are God. Ps. 86:8-10

God continues to calm the storms of life. He will calm this one too.

Love and prayers to you and family,

Covenant Center Update- Meetings Postponed

Dear Covenant Center Family,

What an extraordinary time we are witnessing in our nation. As believers we put our trust in God as we watch and listen for His truth and guidance. We move as He instructs us to move and most importantly we pray. We know God is not caught by surprise with these events. We are now positioned much like Israel who trusted by applying the blood to their doorposts, and waited in their homes for the plague to pass over. Waiting does not mean being idle or fearful. God will guide you especially in challenging times. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not understand what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because everything I have learned from My Father I have made known to you (John15:15).

So in accordance to the President’s guidelines, all TCC meetings are cancelled as of today, Tuesday, March 17th until further notice. Please keep informed through our blog and emails for any changes. Office staff is available Tuesday – Friday from 1pm – 3pm and our counselors continue with individual appointments. Richard will meet with you by streaming on Wednesday night and Sunday morning via Facebook, and The FLOW worship with Shane, Chalis and Nicole will be streamed via facebook on Friday.

We have digital venues available, including Facebook and our online classes through CovenantU are now free to you by this evening for personal study. Our blog and emails - info@thecovenantcenter will keep you posted.

Consider having a home group of 10 or less for Bible study, CovenantU participation and discussions, start a personal blog or video, and pray. 

The Hebraic mindset is always about community first and then the individual. As we are asked to protect our people and community by limiting our group interactions, we are asked to lay down our personal agendas for the well being of all. Canceling our meetings right now is about stopping the acceleration of this contagious virus and protecting those around us while keeping health professionals, hospital beds, ICU wings and facilities open and available to those in need. There is no fear in loving well and no shame in being cautious so others may live well.

We thank you for your continued generous giving as we serve and provide assistance, food, counseling, missions offerings/relief and meeting our building expenses. You can reach us at 863-802-5171 or email at info@thecovenantcenter; The Covenant Center, 26 Lake Wire, PO Box 524, Lakeland, Florida, 33802-0524; www.thecovenantcenter.com/give.

Even though we may be apart, we are one in His Spirit. God bless and keep you!

Richard and Becky

Covenant Center Update - Coronavirus

Dear Covenant Center Family,

As we are facing unprecedented times in the world, we know God rides upon the storms and His word of health and life is true. However, after much prayer, we do sense a responsibility to respect our Covenant family and inform you of options pertaining to our gatherings. 

TCC has many digital venues available.  We are on Facebook at “The Covenant Center” and will continue with live streaming on Friday mornings for the FLOW worship and Sunday mornings for our celebration meeting. Meetings that are not live streamed, including Monday night Covenant Life Groups, Wednesday night prayer, Hearing God, and Youth Group, and Friday night HANA will also continue. All meetings are subject to change as we continue to align with our state and local government requests, so continue to check social media, emails, and the covenant center website for updates. 

CovenantU classes continue to be available online, and Richard and our office staff may be reached by phone (863-802-5171) or email (info@thecovenantcenter) during normal office hours. 

We continue to maintain daily and weekly cleaning of the building, including the sanitation of the children’s toys and equipment. However even with the excellent sanitation, the virus spreads by air as well as surface bringing to light the issue of personal space. We request if you or loved ones are feeling symptoms please consider staying home to self contain as medical specialists are recommending. For those that feel well and choose to attend, we request respecting other’s personal space regarding handshakes, hugs etc. to align with public health recommendations. 

If you choose to meet with us on Sunday by streaming, consider having your communion elements ready where we can take it “together” and also please consider your offerings or tithes to help sustain the building and expenses. You may give at the Covenant Center website or by mail at The Covenant Center, 26 Lake Wire, PO Box 524, Lakeland, Florida 33802-0524. 

Thank you for your continued support and trust. We continue in prayer for you and your family!  

“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:1-2

The Beatitudes - A Road Map For Life - Becky Maisenbacher

I’ve recently been reflecting on the myriad of experiences and teachings through life, especially the spiritual moments that have deeply impacted me. Maybe it’s because next month I hit the big 70 in earth years and I’m feeling a bit nostalgic, but it seems a gift of age to be able to reflect and see His nature and character displayed throughout my life. My conversion at age 4, the call to missions at age 11, His miraculous protection in the head on car crash as I turned 26, and His continual grace and mercy through the joy as well as the sorrow of life. I personally am still a lover of Him and His names. As I’ve shared with you before, reflecting and speaking His names has brought me great comfort as well as strengthened me through many trials; choosing to focus on His character and nature. But the Beatitudes have been a pivotal marker, like referencing a road map to help me in life’s journey. I’ve shared before the guidance and wisdom contained in Jesus’ message, and I find myself here once again in 2020 reading and reflecting as well as documenting my “travels” as we enter this new year and decade. I know this post is long, but if there is one thing I would desire to leave with you, it would be this. Maybe you would like to take a “short” ride with me as we re-read the encouragement and guidance from Jesus, as He show us the way to surrender in His skillful work of transformation.

The Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-12, known as The Sermon on the Mount, are a road map that helps us to identify where we are in our journey of transformation. When we accept Jesus to live within us, we begin a covenant journey of God exchanging our nature for His nature. As we surrender to God, we enter a progressive process where He desires to take all of who we are and He gives us all of Him. I was astonished when I first comprehended the revelation of covenant with Jesus. He begins to exchange our character for His character; our nature and integrity for His nature and integrity. God’s goal is to make us look more like Him. This is a process often takes us by surprise, with twists and turns, shock and even pain. When the winds of adversity blow, the enemy is often the source of our challenges and trials; but in those hard places God gives us an opportunity to be changed and conformed to His image, to be blessed, enlarged and satisfied.

The life of Jesus is a prophetic image of the Beatitudes. He shared this poignant and sobering sermon and then He walked through every verse to show us the way to God’s kingdom. His message encourages us that we are blessed on “account of Him” (vs. 11). Blessed (makarioi) is to be characterized by the quality of God. In other words, when God dwells within us with His nature, we are able to experience His kingdom and so we are blessed. Blessed also means to be fully satisfied; not due to any reward or fulfillment we experience, but we are satisfied because Jesus lives within us. We learn to walk through adversity and trials basically satisfied because we know that Christ dwells within us.

As challenging trials and testing have occurred, it has been comforting for me to head to the Beatitudes, where I have become aware of the surgery Holy Spirit was performing on me in my exchange process. When we can see how God is working to bless us in our circumstances and mature us into His image, peace is restored. This process of covenant exchange is a divine work orchestrated by Holy Spirit.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,(Matt. 5:3):

One of the first stops we will encounter on our transforming journey is to recognize how spiritually helpless we are without God. When we understand that we are unable to make anything of ourselves, we then become blessed or fully satisfied. Jesus shared that he only did what he saw the Father doing. Jesus was saying “You are fully satisfied when you realize your spiritual helplessness, and that you can not make more out of yourself.” We gain new depth and revelation into Jesus as the captain of our salvation, as well as God’s amazing grace and mercy.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. (vs. 4):

In Gethsemane, Jesus mourned, identifying with our hopelessness and our helplessness. He showed us how to surrender to God, when we recognize that we can’t make any more of ourselves. Mourn (hoi penthountes) is the sorrow we experience from our sin and the sins of others. We become faced with our own humanity. When we begin to see and mourn our hopelessness and the futility in trying to change ourselves, we then become blessed, and God comforts and encourages us. The kingdom becomes manifest, and we become satisfied. His great love and comfort becomes tangible to us. We begin to marvel at His extravagant and amazing love that turns our mourning into dancing.

Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth, (vs. 5):

As we experience situations where we are humbled or made meek, we learn to yield to God. Meekness can be defined as “accepting God’s dealings with us as ‘good,’ without disputing, contending or resisting.” Throughout scriptures Jesus experienced persecution, betrayal, rejection, abuse, slander and great humiliation. He became a living model of the character of meekness and humility that God desires to impart to us. Jesus continually surrendered himself to God’s will. When we learn to accept God’s dealings with us without anger or contentiousness, God is able to bless and enlarge us. He gives us strength as He releases His healing virtue to overcome pain in our soul and teaches us humility.

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. (vs6):

When we hunger and thirst after God, we are famished and in need of constant refueling with the righteousness and essence of God. We choose to surrender to His laws and commands; we conform to His desires and will, and then He fills us and satisfies us. We become content, peaceful and filled. Jesus always revealed God’s righteousness. He became the image on earth of the nature and character of God.

Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy. (vs. 7):

We will experience situations when we will be challenged to extend mercy. Mercy involves thought and action. God is the one who gives strength for grace as He requests that we extend mercy to avoid sin. Jesus exhibited active compassion when He saved the woman’s life by asking “Who has not sinned-throw the first stone.” He moved with compassion and healed many. He demonstrated for us how to pardon other’s by God’s grace. So when we find ourselves in a circumstance to choose revenge or to extend mercy; we become blessed when we choose mercy and obtain God’s mercy for ourselves. We learn the importance of forgiveness and how to love our enemies and to pray for those who have persecuted us. We begin to see God’s creation through His eyes and His love.

Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. (vs.8)

Becoming pure in heart is a process of purification or continual cleansing. This process by Holy Spirit frees us from negative things residing in our heart, our thoughts, emotions and paradigms. As we begin to surrender to His covenant exchange, we are blessed and are able to behold God with clearer vision. We are able to gaze upon His beauty with greater clarity. The blood of Christ becomes more real to us as He enlarges our understanding of His cleansing blood that purifies us. Our past, no longer defines us and we begin to see ourselves as His beloved. He takes our old heart; He purifies it (katharos) and cleanses it from the toxins of sin and guilt.

Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God. (vs. 9)

We do not become blessed simply by making peace between two parties. Peacemaker in this context is one who is able to make peace in others, because he has first received the peace of God in his own heart. So we are fully satisfied and blessed as we receive His love and covenant of peace. We begin to understand the Cross as we identify with the violence Christ suffered. We see clearly how His suffering canceled the enemy’s power forever. We begin to experience God’s peace and are then prepared to extend it to others.

Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (vs.10) Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. (vs.11); rejoice and be glad for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you (vs.12)

As we begin to walk in God’s righteousness or His revealed will; false accusations, rejection, reproach, defamation and taunting will occur. We begin to identify with Christ’s sufferings, the rejection, betrayal and false accusations He endured. God’s kingdom becomes more manifest in us as we begin to respond with His nature, extending love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness instead of our old nature of disappointment, bitterness, anger or revenge.

His kingdom emerges from within us and we become carriers of His love and presence. We begin to experience the life of His Spirit. We grow in His grace, wisdom, power and might. We see and hear more clearly into the heavenly realm, as we begin to experience our rewards (misthos) here on earth as well as those being established in heaven. The eyes of our understanding open to greater depth and revelation of His kingdom and life.

God’s covenant exchange is a life time process. We may walk through the Beatitudes cyclically as God deals with us. First, we are faced with a challenge we cannot change. We begin to understand we are unable to make anything out of ourselves. We then begin to mourn, because we see our sin and helplessness. We become humbled in our weakness and begin to hunger for His righteousness and revealed will, knowing He is the only one who can save us. We gain insight of His grace and begin to develop mercy that we choose to extend to others making us more Christ-like. Our heart becomes purified in this situation. We obtain His peace and are then able to share that peace with others. We learn to bless, forgive, encourage and love as we face persecution; and we receive more of the nature of God and His kingdom expands. New challenges present themselves and we begin the journey again.

As we live out our daily experiences, Holy Spirit is working to change us more into Christ’s likeness. When challenges try to overtake us, we can learn to rest in His love being assured that all is well. God has given us a road map to identify the points of our transformation process. And as we travel with Him on this amazing and progressive journey; He will continue to exchange His nature with us, establishing His kingdom and covenant.

In His love -

Think On These Things Part 4 - Richard Maisenbacher

PHILIPPIANS 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.”

 Instead of focusing on the word think or dwell Paul taught the Hebraic idea of not just using your thought process, but to reckon (calculating or estimating) with your soul, which includes your mind, will, and emotions. Paul also shared regarding the emotional and volitional aspects into this word logizomai (dwell). The Western Greek culture stressed thinking, where the Eastern Hebraic process focused on not only thinking, but also the emotions and applying or doing what the Torah said. Paul is not just exhorting us to think better, he is telling us to convert proper thought and emotion into action.

So, let’s review the definitions of the words that Paul emphasized in Philippians 4:8, so we can pay greater attention to the attributes of God and how He expresses His nature through us.

 True – alethe means not concealed or hidden. Paul’s idea is emet (Heb) meaning a reality that is firm, stable and binding. It is confirmed by facts and is connected to observable reality. To be true is to be aligned with what God reveals (faith).

 Honorable – comes from kabed meaning to be heavy, weighty with respect, but not fear which makes it difficult to worship. It is essentially whatever delights God, brings Him glory, reverence for His name, and exhibits character in our actions.

 Right – dikaios – conforming customs, fulfilled obligations, legal norms and ethical virtues. The context helps us know which one Paul means and the Torah is God-breathed and is a living document but flexible enough to be applied to us. 

 Pure – hagnos – exciting reverence and to recover wonder, presence, and awe, including being washed on the outside and inside. It can include ritual and moral purity. For Paul it is whatever is necessary to enter into God’s presence (prayer etc.).

 Lovely – prosphiles – friendly towards, pleasing, and agreeable, not just beauty. It is anything that moves us toward friendship (phileo) with God. If I am on the wrong way I need to turn around because it is not good for my relationship.

 Good Repute – euphema – sounding well, good saying, things spoken in a kindly spirit, with good will to others… gracious. The opposite would be gossip that harms. If you can’t say something nice about someone, don’t say anything at all.

 Excellence – arête – a virtuous course of thought, feeling, and action including moral goodness. Be the best God has for you to be according to the gifts that He has given you within your potential, not necessarily what others think you should be.

 Worthy of Praise – epainos – this emphasizes God’s approval not recognition and acclaim from others. It is about feeling God’s validation even when the world disapproves.

I hope this summary helps you focus your attention on God’s covenant nature, character and attributes which He is imparting to you. Also a special thank you to Dr. Skip Moen for his research and teachings! (https://www.skipmoen.com)

In His Covenant Love,

"Harps Hanging On The Willow Tree" - Michael Kesinger

Michael Kesinger is a prolific prophetic artist. His paintings are revelatory and insightful, expressing the heart of the Father and Holy Spirit. Michael and his wife Nancy are ordained ministers and elders of The Covenant Center and it is a delight to introduce him to you. This painting and his interpretation is a call to examine ourselves, stir up the gifts within and step out.. Enjoy! Becky

Harps Hanging On The Willow Tree

Michael Kesinger

The painting represents two different dimensions (the natural and the spiritual), and is a “faith without works is dead” message.

Psalm 137  - “By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down and wept….  Because they were in captivity, sad and discouraged, they hung their harps upon the willows.   With that act, they also hung their voices on the trees.  Their national destiny was sleeping.” 

Many of us have hung up our pens, voices, paintbrushes, dancing shoes, etc. and our mandates. We have hung up the books, the songs, paintings and the dance - that the Holy Spirit has been nudging us to release. Others have hung up their encouraging words, counseling, intercession, helps and other good works. These are our gifts, callings, anointings and expressions. Our scrolls have become dormant. Our swords are sheathed. In decades past, the Ekklesia has hung up political protest, and seen other voices rise to lead our nation away from Biblical Truth. The Ekklesia has also taken its harps out of the other six mountains of influence. If you are not registered to vote or don’t vote, your harp is hanging on the tree.

It is like our words have fallen to the ground, and are ineffective. They have hung on the trees so long that they have rotted.  Hope deferred….    But there is hope in that the harps were hung on the trees, rather than destroyed… exile would not last forever.

Harps Hanging on the Willow Tree by Michael Kesinger

In 2nd Kings 6:16-17 - Elisha answered: “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”  And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.”  Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw.  And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 

In the 5th chapter of 2nd Samuel - “there was a sound in the top of the mulberry trees. “ David was instructed to listen for the sound.

Why do the Willows weep?  They are waiting for the sons and daughters of God to manifest.  Once the bowl is filled with the tears and prayers of the saints, the incense begins to rise to the throne room. 

We must take our gifts, callings, anointings, and inactivity off the trees that we hung them on.  We must reclaim our scrolls, and get back on the path of our destiny's. Unsheathe your swords.

Revival begins when we take our harps off the trees.  Reformation begins when we hear and come into agreement with the new sound.

Attune your sight and ears to the top of the trees where the host of heaven are gathering.  More are with us than against us.  Hear the sound from the shofar, and release the words that the Spirit is giving now.  It is the decade of the decree. 

The Hebrew year 5780 is the beginning of the decade of the 80’s.   The Hebrew letter PEY equals 80,  and represents the mouth.  It is a time to speak and decree.  Give words to your intercession. 

Michael Kesinger

Michael Kesinger has been creating prophetic art in Winter Haven/Lakeland Florida area for over 30 years.  Michael’s art has been shown at churches, conferences and outdoor venues.  Even with as little exposure as he has had up to this time, there are a number of pieces of his work hanging in homes and churches.  Not having been professionally trained in any technique or artistic bent, he is self-taught, and his artwork is prophetic – coming directly from the Lord’s heart and mind, to his.  Each piece of art has a prophetic interpretation - which Michael receives from the Lord – usually immediately, and sometimes in phases.  He mostly works with pen inks. If you'd like to order a print of one of his work view his online store: www.openheavenart.com.

Born in Sandusky, Ohio, Michael recently retired as Bureau Chief with the Florida Dept. of Agriculture.  He and his wife, Nancy love spending time with their two children, their spouses and grandchildren, and with other family.  They also enjoy going to the mountains and exploring new places.

Michael and Nancy function in the prophetic gifts with the leading of the Lord, and are available to minister by invitation. 

Website: www.openheavenart.com

Contact: info@thecovenantcenter.com

Upgrade Your Covenant Walk - Daniel Koerner

It is a pleasure to introduce Daniel Koerner to you. Daniel and his wife Julie are ordained ministers and elders. This is such a wonderful teaching and reminder as we enter this new decade, of our covenant relationship with God. Please enjoy Dan’s insightful adapted message of encouragement and hope released at The Covenant Center on 1/12/2020. Becky

Upgrade Your Covenant Walk

Dan and Julie Koerner

I was struck a few months ago by a statement made by Bill Johnson in one of his messages as posted on You Tube:  “Our assignment,” he said, “is to believe what God knows to be true.”  What was so special about that?

It was the covenantal, relational resonance of the statement!  It was not my job to muster up faith in a set of abstract truths or doctrines-- far from it! Rather, my assignment was to co-labor in truth with the Father, my covenant Friend and partner.

Who is this covenant partner in truth? Listen to how He presents Himself to Moses, when Moses asked Him to show His glory:  “Then the Lord passed by in front of him, and proclaimed, ‘The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in loving-kindness and truth’” (Exodus34:6). Of all of His characteristics, what He Himself says He is most full of, what He abounds in, is this covenantal pair: loving-kindness (chesed) and truth (‘emet).

The loving-kindness of God is His persistent, committed covenantal love; His truth is the excellent content of His love-- what the Psalmist calls “His benefits.” (Psalm 103:1-6. See also especially II Peter 1:3-4).

Part of God’s engagement with us comes in the form of personal discipleship. As David cries out in Psalms 25:4-5 “Make me know your ways, O Lord; Teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation.” How-ever, as much as we learn, the truth is always still rooted in God. It is no accident that John tells us when he is introducing Jesus to us: “…we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of full of grace and truth.” (1:14). Jesus also lines up verbally with this when He says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me,” (John 14:6). Thus, our covenantal loving-kindness and truth connection to the Father is sure, absolutely essential, and irreplaceable.

However, precisely because that connection is so fundamental, my sense is that we often forget the awesomeness of being in covenant with God. This is the Being who said to Moses, “You cannot see my face, for no man can see Me and live!” So, being in covenant with God is a reality that transcends normal human categories. It would be one thing to covenant with another human, as they did of old, and call upon God as the fearsome covenant Witness / Enforcer. It is totally another thing to exchange from the natural into the spirit realm through the covenantal process. We are harnessed up to the Lord of all!

We know that in covenantal practice, the stronger party in the covenant ended up dominating the terms of the covenant. The best covenants were those where the stronger party made gracious promises and declarations to the people coming into covenant. This flavor is echoed to us in His chesed statements to us, such as “I will never leave you or forsake you.” We love Him, because He first loved us. 

 It is right that we should comfort ourselves with these words and these realities.Yet there is an additional challenge to this. We are not only supposed to believe what God knows to be true, we must labor to enter into the truth that we are believing. This is the transformation process.  And we must not stop with letting Him change our minds internally. What God knows to be true will change what is manifesting as truth-- first on the inside of us, then in our Judea, then in our Samaria, then in the uttermost parts of our Earth. ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN, don’t you see. We must embrace the permanent, real and irreversible connection which has transformed the structure of the spirit realm as it relates to us: We have walked into relationship with the Father, and Holy Spirit has moved from Heaven to take up residence on the inside of us. We dwell together in covenant love. We are His beachhead in the recapture of His World! Once again in the spirit there is a cry going forth:  “Arise, O Lord, let Your enemies be scattered before You!”  And “Return, O Lord, to your rest among the thousands of Israel!”

 The covenant exchange wrought by the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord has resulted in newness of Life. The permanent reconnect in His blood has made the Kingdom of heaven to be “at hand”-- TANGIBLE.  We are able to access not only our faith, but Jesus said, ”Have the faith of God.” Not “Strive for bigger human faith,” but, “Borrow some from your friend God the Father.” Jesus said, “The words that I speak to you are Spirit.” He said,”You are clean by the Words I have spoken to you.”  “Your faith has made you whole!”

 You have access!  Explore your inheritance! Walk with the King, and watch the elemental principles of the natural world begin to bow to what the Lord is saying, seeing, hearing, touching and smelling as part of His covenantal walk with you. The truth He knows will dominate!

 The impact of this upgraded covenant walk in truth is that I do not labor to believe harder, but I labor to enter into Rest, the Rest that comes in knowing that my Father already knows and believes that what I am asking from Him is mine. I simply walk in faith down my timeline. until I enter the manifestation of God’s truth in my life. Daniel Koerner

Daniel M. Koerner is a prayer leader and prophetic counselor at The Covenant Center in Lakeland, Florida.  He is a carpenter by trade, but especially loves to build with spiritual substance.

Dan holds the M.Div. degree from Westminster Theological Seminary, and is ordained through The Covenant Center. He has taught at informal Bible schools in the U.S. and in Central America. He lives in Lakeland with Julia, his wife of 42 years. They have an Australian Cattle Dog, Everest. Victoria is their granddaughter; she visits often. He is the author of “The Edge of Heaven,” available in The Covenant Center bookstore: http://www.thecovenantcenter.com/store

For the visual illustration given with this teaching, please check out the service archive on the Covenant Center Facebook site.

Think On These Things Part 3 - Richard Maisenbacher

Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is lovely, whatever is good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worth of praise, let your mind dwell on these things. NASB

Maybe it is a little difficult for me to focus on the things that have a good repute. Especially when I live in a culture politically, nationally, and locally that tends to be very critical with high expectations of everyone and everything. Paul’s use of euphemos (Gk) or good repute means: sounding well, good saying, things spoken in a kindly spirit, with good will to others, of good report or gracious. The opposite is gossip that harms.

Wow, and Paul is challenging me to not only dwell on things that have a good report and are praiseworthy, but also integrate that type of communication in my life without getting pulled into any gossip. There’s a challenge!

My Mother said, “If you can’t say something nice about someone, don’t say anything at all.” That would encourage compliments or exhortation meant in a good way for people today. But “NO”, we have television sarcasm, insult books, and reality shows based on negative put down type humor, which by the way does very well financially!

My son, who is an elementary teacher, implements a great system to help deter the negativism in the classroom. If he hears a “put down” from a student toward another individual he requires three “put ups.” That sure slows down the insults. Who wants to give all those compliments or good reports to someone, right?

God knew that we would always have the accuser of the brethren whispering negative thoughts in our head as “put downs,” or criticism from so called friends. One of His counter attacks (put ups) is to have His saints prophesy edification, exhortation, and comfort that build up the body directly from Him through the believers.

I guess it is possible to communicate things that are praiseworthy and whatever is a good report, when the thoughts come straight from the Lord! Or here is a novel idea; how about being encouraging?

In His Covenant Love,

 Thanks to Dr. Skip Moen for his research, which is represented in the above message.

Time To Sparkle! - Becky Maisenbacher

Richard and I are so thankful for each of you. We continually thank God for you! You are remarkable and chosen people, filled with irrevocable gifts and callings. As we move into this new year, new decade and new era, we know even though the mixture of life will certainly appear and the world will continue to darken, our Father has a future for His people of light. "You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden," Matt. 5:14.

You radiate His light and release His light and life to all around you. He is transforming His people to shine brightly and glow with the beauty of precious stones. The polishing process of removing any residue may seem harsh at times, but when the soft buffing finalizes the last stage, you can begin to see a beautiful and radiant glow appear from these precious stones. I continue to hear the Spirit declare, "It's time to sparkle!" It is time for you to sparkle! Arise and shine! I was recently reminded of our trip to Israel and how majestically the towns and cities radiated such a brilliant glow as they were positioned upon various hills. Even the small towns shone brightly in the darkness in Israel. Each night was filled with the beauty of light across the land. You shine more brightly than you realize!

God knows who you are. He knows your name. He knows what you have walked through, or are walking through. He is with you in your joy and peace as well as in your pain and sorrow. We therefore sing and declare: "Shine Jesus, shine, fill the world with your Father's glory!" May each of you shine brighter than ever before this year, as you are strengthened daily by His love, His mercy and His grace; and may you and family experience a joyful and blessed New Year!

In His Love,

Think On These Things Part 2 - Richard Maisenbacher

Think on These Things Part 2

 In the previous blog we discussed Paul’s thoughts in the verse Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute; if there be any excellence, and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell (think) on these things,” (NASB).

 Instead of focusing on the word think or dwell Paul brought the Hebraic idea of not just using your thought process, but to reckon (calculating or estimating) with your soul, which includes your mind, will, and emotions. Paul was not just exhorting us to think better, but is telling us to convert proper thought and emotion into action.

 The word excellence in the Greek is arête, which can also mean virtue. Excellence in the Hebraic emphasizes utilizing God’s given gifts to the limit of your potential. For instance, a 7-foot basketball center will always be able to dunk a basketball on a 10-foot goal easier and better that me. I might have reached excellence for me by dunking an 8-foot goal. Each of us reached our potential. Not everyone is the eye or foot or hand. We all have God given potential for how He made us.

 If we do not appreciate our own gifts that are given from God, we begin to compete and compare ourselves with everyone else. This is a Western/Greek way of thinking. If there be any virtue or excellence God wants us to be the best that He has in mind for us, not what others think we should be. The Eastern/Hebraic way of thinking requires cooperation and collaboration rather than competing with each other’s gifts that God has given.

 If there be anything worthy of praise (epainos in the Greek) suggests that it connects to excellence and receiving lots of praise. However, it is not about seeking man’s approval but receiving praise or approval worthy from God. There are many things you may do that will make God happy, but the world will not applaud you. The opposite is also true. There will be things that the world will love to see you do, but God will obviously not approve. We only need His kingdom approval.

 To summarize I would encourage you to dwell and put into action your full-excellent- potential as you seek God’s approval and His “well done;” rather than striving for approval from others! Then you will rest in the latter part of Philippians 4:8 by your  action that aligns with His desire, resulting in contentedness at the same time!

 I would also like to thank and recognize Dr. Skip Moen for his research and teachings, which are represented in the above message.

 In His Covenant Love,