​October 18, 2020
 
Dear Church Family,
2020 came is as usual. Some people had feelings it was going to be a different kind of year. The Lord told us it would be the best year ever! The first couple months were pretty normal as the last few years. Then one day in March life hit a bump, maybe a boulder in the road. Life as we knew it had come to a halt. Now in October, 7 months later, the Lord has a new word for us. He says it is a NEW SEASON!
 
How can it be a new season when this season doesn’t seem to have ended? How can it be a new season when we don’t know what the next couple weeks will hold? I heard Him say: “Prepare your heart. Guard your heart. Don’t hold on to old things – old seasons. They are a memory.” Those 7 months were a season of confusion, shock and disbelief. Now we must wake up – stand up – stay up and even grow up in the Lord. There will still be times of disbelief at what is happening but we must be on guard – watching – being watchmen and gatekeepers. This is a season we must protect our hearts above anything we do. No matter which way the votes go in a couple weeks life is going to change. There are going to be fighting, mad people either way who won’t lay down their agendas. Division will be even more evident and we need to be so close to the Father’s heart to so our heart will stay with Him.
 
“Then, as you unwrap my words, they will impart true life and radiant health into the very core of your being. So above all, guard the affections of your heart, for they affect all that you are. Pay attention to the welfare of your innermost being, for from there flows the wellspring of life. Avoid dishonest speech and pretentious words.
Be free from using perverse words no matter what!” Proverbs 4:22-24
 
“Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:23
 
This season we will need to know the Great I Am like never before. Intimacy with Him, worship and communion with Him will look different.  “And God said to Moses, I Am Who I Am and What I Am, and I Will Be What I Will Be; and He said, You shall say this to the Israelites: I Am has sent me to you! God said also to Moses, This shall you say to the Israelites: The Lord, the God of your fathers, of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has sent me to you! This is My name forever, and by this name I am to be remembered to all generations.” Exodus 3:14-15
 
It says that this is His name FOREVER to be remembered from generation to generation. I AM refers to His magnificence, His power, and His authority. Our Father is the same yesterday, day and forever. He is the great I AM Who is with us now as He was with the Israelites and every other Believer since the beginning of time. He sent His Son and in John 14:6 it says, “I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” We actually have more than the early Believers did before Jesus gave His life for the world. We now have Jesus living in us which give us the some power and authority through His life in us. What He has called us to do, we can do because He is the I AM.
 
A couple weeks ago I went to a conference and the speaker was talking to us about totally surrendering everything in us to the Lord. He was telling us we had to place those things holding us back on the altar and let them burn. As I was praying I thought of all this stuff I could place on the altar, all my shortcomings, fears, prideful thoughts, judgmental thoughts, and the list goes on. What He said to me was this, “Place on the altar, lay down and surrender the you - you see yourself as.” Wow! I needed to lay down “the me” I saw myself as. That encompassed all those other thoughts I was having. He was telling me to lay down the negative “I am”, myself in the flesh, and know who I am in the great I AM.  That rocked my boat. Every sentence that I say or every thought that I have that starts with “I am” needs to end with an attribute of God. Sometimes that is hard to do but I am J realizing how negative I saw myself and life’s situation from the perspective of my own fears, thoughts, wisdom and strengths. It’s a process of daily changing my mind to agree with the Word.
 
What I’ve noticed the last few months is that my mind didn’t stay always on His love and His ways when I would get caught up in the whirlwind of the season and time. It’s been a season of confusion, lies, and division and I was letting it wear me out physically because it was all so unexpected and demonic. Confusion, lies, sickness, division are attributes of the enemy not of Believers with the Son living in their hearts. But it caught me and most of us off guard at times. When we get tired, run down and exhausted we don’t see the battle the same as we do when we are awake and alert in Him. Even though I was spending time with the daily and seeking Him continuously I still had the times of being dismayed. I needed to cast off those attacks and wake up to what was really going on.
 
“Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.” Ephesians 5:10-17 NLT
 
None us of knows exactly what is ahead in this worldly situation. Nobody does. There is no worldly way to prepare since nothing outside of His ways will work to sustain, protect or comfort us. If we aren’t trusting the Lord and all He is asking us to do then we will get caught in a horrible battle without any defenses.
 
This is a new season. Starting NOW this moment. I was thinking about it this morning and I started to cry. There was a momentary fear rise up inside me. The reality of what could really be ahead isn’t pleasant in the natural. Already the family is being torn apart. Families are not coming together for holidays because of the virus scare. Grandparents are kept away from their precious grandchildren and everyone thinks this will end in a couple weeks or after we get a vaccination. We were told it would end in May! In the natural it is a disaster but in Him we are victorious and overcomers!
 
So what are we to do?
#1 - Most important thing is to guard your heart. Have an intimate relationship with your heavenly Father.  So above all, guard the affections of your heart, for they affect all that you are. Pay attention.
 
#2 – Know that He is the Great I AM in you! Study out His Word and know who He says you are and all that you have because He lives in you. Place on the altar, lay down and surrender the you - you see yourself as.
 
#3 – Wake up and see the new season that has come. Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.
 
#4 – Seek His direction for you right now, in this season. When fear comes, send it away. When hopeless comes, send it away. Come together with other like-minded Believers so that you can pray for and encourage one another. This will be vital during this season. So be careful how you live. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.
 
“We come closer to God and approach him with an open heart, fully convinced by faith that nothing will keep us at a distance from him. For our hearts have been sprinkled with blood to remove impurity and we have been freed from an accusing conscience and now we are clean, unstained, and presentable to God inside and out!
 
So now we must cling tightly to the hope that lives within us, knowing that God always keeps his promises! Discover creative ways to encourage others and to motivate them toward acts of compassion, doing beautiful works as expressions of love. This is not the time to pull away and neglect meeting together, as some have formed the habit of doing, because we need each other! In fact, we should come together even more frequently, eager to encourage and urge each other onward as we anticipate that day dawning.” Hebrews 10:22-25
 
We continue to pray and believe. We continue to stand together in heart even when we are not close in distance. We are always here and long to be together. We continue to be watchmen on the wall listening to His words and watching for what He wants us to do and to share. We love you all and are so thankful for you. We are one in Him!
 
 
 
 
 
 

October 11, 2020
 
A few weeks ago when I was at my sister-in-law’s father’s memorial service the Lord spoke a strong word to me. It wasn’t the usual word you would hear in that situation. He told me, “NOW is the time for joy! NOW is the time for strength! NOW is time! We can’t just sit here and wait to see what the near future will bring. NOW is the time to rejoice and be glad in Me!!” That woke me up. I even know it is the truth that we must rejoice in Him always and thank Him for each new day. The Psalms are full of praises we are to declare all the time and every day. We also have learned that His joy is the same no matter what is going on in our lives.
 
The last couple weeks the Lord has spoken a few things to me and taught me quite a lot. I want to share as much as I can. We were able to go to some of the Andrew Wommack Conference this past week and what an honor to just be able to soak in all the wisdom and knowledge that was there. One thing for sure is that the above word is a powerful word. ALL of us have had times and moments of a bit of fear, discouragement and Andrew shared about being dismayed. That’s a good description of some of my days. There was no need for any of us to go to that place but we did and NOW is the time for joy!!
This past week I have heard this verse in my heart many times, So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6  So I decided I had better go to my heart to see what I was doing by my might and power instead of the Spirit. I saw many places I thought I was depending on Him but I hadn’t totally given the situation to Him so my might and power were definitely involved. How easy it is to have joy NOW when we are walking in His Spirit. We have all authority in Him when we are in the Spirit.
I had a dream a couple weeks ago. It was right after we returned from DC and it had rained out there a few times so there was puddles. But I saw people, Believers, in wheelchairs that wanted pushed around by others. A few people were trying to push all these wheelchairs that had somewhat bossy people in them. Then they didn’t want pushed through the mud puddles which were unavoidable. Then I saw that’s how much of the world is right now. People, Believers, are stuck in their chairs, in their fears and discouragement waiting for those who have chosen to stand up to push them. They don’t want to be in the muddy mess but want others to keep them clean. When I had the dream I saw myself pushing people and getting frustrated. These people could stand up and walk but they didn’t want to. I wanted to say, “Stand up!” Then this week the Lord told me at times I am one of those in the wheelchair! Whoa! I don’t want to be that. But when I try to do things in my own strength and power I am no different than those sitting in the chair waiting for something to change and having no joy.
 
“Rise up in splendor and be radiant, for your light has dawned, and Yahweh’s glory now streams from you! Look carefully! Darkness blankets the earth, and thick gloom covers the nations, but Yahweh arises upon you and the brightness of his glory appears over you! Nations will be attracted to your radiant light and kings to the sunrise-glory of your new day. Lift up your eyes higher! Look all around you and believe, for your sons are returning from far away and your daughters are being tenderly carried home. Watch as they all gather together, eager to come back to you!”
Isaiah 60:1-4
 
I’ve shared these verses lately but I love them. They are my declaration. Darkness does cover the earth and nations but we have Him in us and we are radiantly shining. The brilliance of all Believers should shine so bright over this earth that darkness could never be present. But there are times we hide our light under a bushel and don’t shine. IT’S TIME NOW TO SHINE AND BE IN JOY!! It’s definitely time to stand up from the wheelchair we have sat down in. It’s not just a chair we are sitting in but we as Believers are sitting in wheelchairs waiting for someone else to take care of us and we want to avoid the muddy stuff. The wheelchair represents being an invalid. We have convinced ourselves there’s nothing we can do. The wheelchair is a protection from having to go forth, a reason not to stand. It’s a false protection but represents all the sickness and fear the enemy has lied to us about. I don’t want to be in a wheelchair! I want to stand in Him and go forth!
“Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me, Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. See, I have this day appointed you to the oversight of the nations and of the kingdoms to root out and pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.” Jeremiah 1:9-10
The Lord has given us everything we need to walk in victory right NOW! We are the light and hope this world is looking for. We are not fighting people, flesh and blood, but it’s a battle against the darkness that our Spirit repels. The last few months have been exhausting for most of us. Just dealing with the darkness of the government overreach is a battle and not to be done in our own strength. I’m sure most of us have tried that but He says ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts.”  When I try to do this in my own understanding and strength I am physically exhausted. You sometimes don’t even notice the effects of the isolation, control and fear until it’s gotten you down, discouraged and full of dismay.
Yet, He is always there with us. He knows exactly what we are going through and He never leaves us. We don’t have to do this alone and He instructs not to do it alone! This is what Paul says: “But he answered me, “My grace is always more than enough for you, and my power finds its full expression through your weakness.” So I will celebrate my weaknesses, for when I’m weak I sense more deeply the mighty power of Christ living in me. So I’m not defeated by my weakness, but delighted! For when I feel my weakness and endure mistreatment—when I’m surrounded with troubles on every side and face persecution because of my love for Christ—I am made yet stronger. For my weakness becomes a portal to God’s power.”  2 Corinthians 12:9-11 Passion
“And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”   NKJV   
Through the situations of the past few months the Lord has really helped me define what He has called me to do. I wasn’t always exactly sure but since the time He spoke to me loud and clear on March 16, 2020 I know that I know He is telling me to share with others what I hear Him saying. You can do what you want with my words but I am following the strong pull of my heart to share with you how important these times are. There have been none like them in most of our days and they are a preparation for what is ahead of us. My heart is for you to hear His voice for you and to stand in your radiant light and proclaim Him to the world. Let His light shine through you and you will see how you can have joy, peace and hope in such a time as this!
I’m hoping next week I can share about another word He gave me last week that is changing my life. For NOW, let’s go forth is joy and let the world see His light shining brightly!!                                            

August 9, 2020
What a glorious day it is! What a wonderful time of year! Each day as I sit outside to study and pray my heart is overwhelmed with the beauty of His creation. As we have traveled back and forth to Southern Colorado a few times the last couple weeks I am overwhelmed with all He has made. Many things are happening around us daily. The media and news reports are not always pleasant but He is still my Lord and Savior. I always want to make sure I keep my eyes on Him and all He has given me!
 
His beauty and creation help to keep my perspective true and full of hope when life does reveal itself as a mess right now. I can’t hide from what’s going on and all the attacks of the enemy but they cannot be my focus or cause me to become hopeless. The last few weeks I have shared a lot about the power of prayer. The Lord is also keeping my heart focused on His promises and His truth. I am purposely putting before my eyes words of praise, words of hope, and words of truth, love and faith. Next week I will share more on The Word and our words. Today I want to share some verses of hope.
 
The Lord keeps telling me in my heart that He is isn’t just sitting back watching and waiting. I see Him doing absolutely amazing, unbelievable things in the spirit whelm. In Him we are not of this world. We are in a different place that sometimes we forget to focus on. In His presence I see things different. I don’t understand it all but I know it is good and it is powerful beyond our greatest imagination.
 
I’m sharing a few verses that He has brought back to my memory that He gave me earlier this year. He knew what was coming in 2020 and most of us couldn’t even think things would get turned upside down to this point in just a few months. But He gave us His Word, His words and Himself, The Word to keep us believing and able to stand strong in such a time as this. He has made everything new.
 
Last year our declaration as a church was Isaiah 43:19:
“I am doing something brand new, something unheard of. Even now it sprouts and grows and matures. Don’t you perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and open up flowing streams in the desert.” How amazing He had us declaring this all of 2019 in preparation for 2020. He says, “Don’t you perceive this new thing I am doing?” Wow! I’m watching and listening!
 
Then this year He gave us Psalm 96:2-3 as our declaration. “Don’t stop! Keep on singing! Make his name famous! Tell everyone every day how wonderful he is. Give them the good news of our great Savior. Take the message of his glory and miracles to every nation. Tell them about all the amazing things he has done.” Psalm 96:2-3. This is such a powerful verse for this season we are in. Singing breaks the power of the enemy and He is doing amazing things every day that we need to share with others. If we keep our eyes on Him we will see things we would never see in the natural.
 
These verses talk about a new life, a new song, a new heart. These are verses for TODAY not someday down the road. These are His truths that are happening daily. Declare these truths daily over your family, our church family, your city, our country and this world. These are powerful words of LIFE!
 

“And God has made all things new, and reconciled us to himself, and given us the ministry of reconciling others to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:18
 
“Now, if anyone is enfolded into Christ, he has become an entirely new creation. All that is related to the old order has vanished. Behold, everything is fresh and new.”
2 Corinthians 5:17
 
“Can you not discern this new day of destiny breaking forth around you? The early signs of my purposes and plans are bursting forth. The budding vines of new life are now blooming everywhere. The fragrance of their flowers whispers, “There is change in the air.” Arise, my love, my beautiful companion, and run with me to the higher place. For now is the time to arise and come away with me.” Song of Songs 2:13
 
“A new song for a new day rises up in me every time I think about how he breaks through for me! Ecstatic praise pours out of my mouth until everyone hears how God has set me free. Many will see his miracles; they’ll stand in awe of God and fall in love with him!” Psalm 40:3
 
“Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! It’s time to sing to God a brand-new song so that all his holy people will hear how wonderful he is!” Psalm 149:1
 
“Sing to Yahweh a brand-new song! Sing his praise until it echoes from the ends of the earth! Sailors and sea creatures, praise him! Islands and all their inhabitants, sing his praise!” Isaiah 42:10
 
 “Go ahead—sing your brand-new song to the Lord! He is famous for his miracles and marvels, for he is victorious through his mighty power and holy strength.” Psalm 98:1
 
“My God, I will sing you a brand-new song! The harp inside my heart will make music to you!” Psalm 144:9
 
“When I look at you, I see how you have taken my fruit and tasted my word. Your life has become clean and pure, like a lamb washed and newly shorn. You now show grace and balance with truth on display.” Song of Songs 4:2
 
“A new song for a new day rises up in me every time I think about how he breaks through for me! Ecstatic praise pours out of my mouth until everyone hears how God has set me free. Many will see his miracles; they’ll stand in awe of God and fall in love with him!” Psalm 40:3
 
“I didn’t whisper in secret, in a realm of darkness. I didn’t say to Jacob’s tribes, ‘Seek me in vain.’ I am Yahweh! I speak the truth and declare to you what is right!”
Isaiah 45:19
 
His truth, His love, His ways, His peace and hope are not hidden. He isn’t playing hide-and-seek. He has declared His word to us and we can take all this into our heart and declare it to the world!
 

August 2, 2020
          The Lord continues to speak to my heart the absolute importance of praying for one another and our country. The Lord has called us to be a light in this darkness. There’s no denying the fact and reality that the enemy is at work bringing confusion, strife, sickness, death, hate and destruction. In Him we know that we have victory and are overcomers. We can’t ignore what is happening in the dark world but we don’t let it dominate our lives. We continue to speak Light and Life to every dark situation we see. We can definitely see this darkness but we must also praise Him for all He has done and not focus on the things that we know are wrong. This is why it’s so important to pray and take authority over these situations.
          I’ve been reading through the Psalms and it’s become the highlight of my day. The Psalms I am reading now are written by David when his enemies were pursuing him and wanting to kill him. He was in extreme danger. Sometimes he was extremely down and discouraged because of how he was being sought after to be killed and he had been betrayed by his friends. Yet, he continued to praise His Father!
 
“This one thing I know: God is on my side! I trust in the Lord. And I praise him! I trust in the Word of God. And I praise him! What harm could man do to me? With God on my side I will not be afraid of what comes. My heart overflows with praise to God and for his promises. I will always trust in him. So I’m thanking you with all my heart, with gratitude for all you’ve done.
I will do everything I’ve promised you, Lord. For you have saved my soul from death
and my feet from stumbling so that I can walk before the Lord bathed in his life-giving light.” Psalms 56:9-12
 
“My heart, O God, is quiet and confident. Now I can sing with passion your wonderful praises!
Awake, O my soul, with the music of his splendor-song! Arise, my soul, and sing his praises! My worship will awaken the dawn, greeting the daybreak with my songs of praise! Wherever I go I will thank you, my God. Among all the nations they will hear my praise songs to you. Your love is so extravagant it reaches to the heavens, Your faithfulness so astonishing it stretches to the sky! Lord God, be exalted as you soar throughout the heavens. May your shining glory be shown in the skies! Let it be seen high above all the earth!” Psalm 57:7-11
            In my personal devotional this week it said, “It’s easy to point out everything that is wrong, but when you see from His point of view, you are able to unmask that truth to those who come across your path.” Again, we cannot stick our heads in the sand and think this will whole situation will pass and soon be back to normal. No, it’s a real issue of our life and freedom as we have known it but we have to be light – unmask His truths that bring light. Darkness cannot exist where there is any light! We MUST speak His truths and expose the darkness. His truths are His love, His light and His goodness! These are our focus as we pray.
          I shared last week about our missionary friends we have supported for 20+ years and their call and ministry to this nation. They have started a mission of reaching every city in America with the goal of each city having at least 10 people to pray for their city.  
          Below are the prayers and declarations we are praying together each day. Please pray with us and add your city in the prayer. If you want to know more about this ministry, let me know. We have a little more than 90 days before this country’s election and we, personally, have committed to daily praying these prayers and other scriptures and truths over our family, our church family, our city, our state, our country and the world. You can pray whatever the Lord speaks to you to pray but let’s come together in unity as they did in the book of Nehemiah and let’s rebuild what has been destroyed!
For tremendous power is released through the passionate, heartfelt prayer of a godly believer!” James 5:16 Passion Bible
 
“The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” James 5:16 NKJV
 
Father, according to Jeremiah 29:7, we are to seek You for the peace and prosperity of our city. Today, we pray to You for the welfare of our city, knowing its welfare will determine our welfare.
 
We take authority over (city name) and declare it is our possession, the place You have given us to dwell in and to exercise our authority over. We declare (city name) drinks water from the rain of heaven. It is a land for which our God cares for, the eyes of the Lord our God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year. (Deut. 11:10-12)
We thank You that Your thoughts for (city name) are thoughts of peace and not evil, to give us a good future and continuous hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)
 
We bow our hearts before You this day and we repent of the sins of our city. We ask You to forgive our sins and cleanse (city name) from all unrighteousness. We ask for a divine visitation of the Holy Spirit in (city name). May our city, as a whole, turn to God. We plead the blood of Jesus over (city name) and declare Jesus is Lord over this city. (Neh. 1:6-7, 1 John 1:9)
 
We praise and worship You today and thank You for bringing us here to dwell. From this day forth, we will only speak Your words and Your will over our city. We take authority over every negative word that has been spoken over (city name) and we declare them null and void in Jesus name. We pull down every witchcraft prayer over our city and declare those words powerless – they will produce no fruit here. We stand as watchmen on the wall over (city name) and declare the Blood of Jesus over our borders and city gates. We decree that God rules and reigns in (city name) from this day, forevermore.
 
We declare fear cannot reside in (city name). Fear, in the name of Jesus, you must go now. We further declare that division will not reign in our city. We bind the spirit of division and cast it out of our city. We declare unity reigns in (city name). Where there is unity, God commands the blessing of life evermore – therefore (city name) is inundated with life ever more from this time forth. (Ps. 133:3)
 
We declare today, sickness and disease will not gain a foothold in (city name). We declare the God-fearing www.City-by-City.org people in our city are strong in God and in the power of His might. There will be no feeble among us! We are covered in the blood of Jesus Christ, and walking in the fullness of healing that was purchased for us at the Cross. (Ps. 105:37)
 
 
We declare this day that (city name) and its governmental officials will do ONLY what is good and right in the eyes of the Lord. We ask You God to remove every elected and non-elected official who does not have the best interest of the people in his/her heart. We ask that those who are filled with greed or evil to be removed now and replaced with godly men and women who do Your will. We pull down every stronghold over (city name) and cast it to the ground. We say, “Go back to where you came from, there is no place for you here.” We declare and decree (city name), its leaders and officials will observe and obey the laws and commandments of the Lord. We commit this day to build fortified walls around our city. Walls of the spoken Word of God. Walls of praise and worship. Walls of prophetic declaration. Walls that cannot be demolished, but will forever prosper, in Jesus’ name. (2 Chron. 14:2-7, 1 Tim. 2:1-4)
 
We thank You that as we pray, within (city name), You give us rest on every side. We declare our city is at peace and undisturbed at all times because it is under Your reign. (2 Chron. 14:7)
 
Your Word says, “Unless the Lord guards the city, we stay awake in vain.” We ask You to guard (city name) from this day forth, knowing whatever we ask in prayer, we receive. Thank You God, for guarding (city name) day and night. We thank You that as the mountains surround Jerusalem, You surround us and our city, forever more. We ask You to send warring angels to surround our borders, and keep out all evil and those with evil intent. May those involved in drugs, trafficking, greed, and pride and other evils, leave our city and never come back in Jesus name. (Psalm 127:1, Ps. 125-2, Ps 91:11-12)
 
We declare and decree, (city name) streets will be filled with healthy, whole elderly men and women, who have been blessed by God and satisfied with long, long life. That our children, our boys and girls, will play daily in the streets of our city, safe and unafraid for God is watching over our city. We declare and decree this day, (city name) is at total peace, continual prosperity, obedience to God and Your Word, and dwelling together in unity and for this reason we ask You to bless our city. May Your hand forever be upon (city name). We pray for revival. For Your glory to be revealed in (city name) and that it is a city that brings you glory. In Jesus Mighty Name we declare it done. Amen. (Zech. 8:4-5)
​

July 26, 2020
          It’s the middle of summer already! Must say it certainly is hot enough and there’s plenty of traffic on these Colorado mountain roads to know it really is summer. But it always goes too fast. Time continues to march on and there seems to be no relief or end in sight of our disrupted lifestyles. It’s not the way life is to be but we that know Him know the Lord has already won and we have the victory! Not sure life will ever look like we expect or imagine but we know this: “Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for his miraculous power constantly energizes you.” Ephesians 3:20 His ways are so far beyond our thoughts, expectations and imaginations that is exciting to see what He has for us next!
            There’s not a day goes by that our lives are not affected with the virus, the mandates and the political situations. It’s frustrating to many people, unnerving, confusing and unpredictable. There’s no way to know what tomorrow will bring in the natural world. There’s division, strife, anger and confusion which in themselves creates sickness. There’s the news media, the mandates, the rules and what about school?! There is no coin change from a purchase given or accepted and sometimes no bills. Then again – school? These young kids are getting the bad end of this deal especially if their parents don’t know the Lord. Working parents are trying to educate their children and make a living in this economy. Each day brings new challenges - challenges that can only be won as we trust the Lord to lead and guide us. Daily I know that I must come to Him for guidance. Almost daily I put spending a few minutes in the Word with Him my priority. I don’t know how to go on without Him. At times I’m seeking Him hourly to know how to handle situations, my feelings, my fears, my frustrations and my confusions. So many unknowns but we praise Him always because His mercies are new every morning and everyday He leads, guides, protects, provides, answers and gives me signs of His amazing love. How many absolutely beautiful, full of color and complete rainbows have there been lately? And double rainbows to boot! Always brings a tear to my eyes. He is faithful and always with us.
          Yet, we can’t sit down, rest on our laurels as they say. There is a battle raging and it’s already won in the spiritual realm. But as Believers we must stand on His Word, connect to that spiritual realm and believe without doubt that what looks so uncertain and almost impossible is His Word and His will. One of the missionary families we support at Mtn High wrote an excellent word from Nehemiah. Things were even worse at that time. People were in fear and hiding but God told Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. It wasn’t easy, it wasn’t without much ridicule and discouragement but they did it. The Book of Nehemiah and God’s plan for coming together in unity is some of my favorite parts of the Word and always gives me hope. They came together and they did it in 52 days! We are to come together and rebuild some broken walls of America. How do we do this?
          The Lord has already given us His plan in the Word. We don’t have to look beyond that to see His wisdom for us. One part of His wisdom is He tells us to pray for the leaders of our country. Pray the eyes of people’s hearts will be open so that they can see the hope of His calling. It’s not impossible for any person alive to not come to know the Lord if they seek and accept Him. God is still the same God Who created the world, Who gave us the rainbow, fed the 5000 and loves the world so much He gave His Son to die for us. Jesus is ready with open arms to receive all who come to Him. We can be praying for that. I believe prayer is of upmost importance right now. Individual prayer and cooperate prayer – coming together and believing together.
 
“Most of all, I’m writing to encourage you to pray with gratitude to God. Pray for all men with all forms of prayers and requests as you intercede with intense passion. And pray for every political leader and representative, so that we would be able to live tranquil, undisturbed lives, as we worship the awe-inspiring God with pure hearts. It is pleasing to our Savior-God to pray for them. He longs for everyone to embrace his life and return to the full knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4
“Every believer was faithfully devoted to following the teachings of the apostles. Their hearts were mutually linked to one another, sharing communion and coming together regularly for prayer.” Acts 2:42 We are to come together and pray.
“For wherever two or three come together in honor of my name, I am right there with them!” Matthew 18:20
We are to pray for each other.  “Because of this, since I first heard about your strong faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and your tender love toward all his devoted ones,  my heart is always full and overflowing with thanks to God for you as I constantly remember you in my prayers.  I pray that the Father of glory, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, would impart to you the riches of the Spirit of wisdom and the Spirit of revelation to know him through your deepening intimacy with him. I pray that the light of God will illuminate the eyes of your imagination, flooding you with light, until you experience the full revelation of the hope of his calling—that is, the wealth of God’s glorious inheritances that he finds in us, his holy ones!  I pray that you will continually experience the immeasurable greatness of God’s power made available to you through faith. Then your lives will be an advertisement of this immense power as it works through you! This is the mighty power that was released when God raised Christ from the dead and exalted him to the place of highest honor and supreme authority in the heavenly realm!  And now he is exalted as first above every ruler, authority, government, and realm of power in existence! He is gloriously enthroned over every name that is ever praised, not only in this age, but in the age that is coming! And he alone is the leader and source of everything needed in the church. God has put everything beneath the authority of Jesus Christ and has given him the highest rank above all others.  And now we, his church, are his body on the earth and that which fills him who is being filled by it!” Ephesians 1:15-23

Pray life and light to the lost and blinded world:  “for their minds have been blinded by the god of this age, leaving them in unbelief. Their blindness keeps them from seeing the dayspring light of the wonderful news of the glory of Jesus Christ, who is the divine image of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:4 
          We can’t cower down and think things will change or go back to normal. I don’t imagine we will see a somewhat normal until sometime next year. We’re into this 5 months and it will take more than 5 months to see things settle down but we’ll never have what we had pre March 2020 again. That’s not a negative word it’s a reality. On the bright side some things needed changed. As Believer’s we can know that no matter what is happening in the natural there’s glorious things in the Spiritual realm that are taken place  that are beyond our belief. We can always know this is the day He has made and we can rejoice in all He has given us!! This morning as I was crying out in prayer He gave me the most spectacular sunrise to remind me of His goodness and love.
          Here’s some more Word He has given me lately.  “Our forefathers didn’t win these battles by their own strength or their own skill or strategy. But it was through the shining forth of your radiant presence and the display of your mighty power. You loved to give them victory, for you took great delight in them.” Psalm 44:3
 
“In your glory and grandeur go forth in victory! Through your faithfulness and meekness the cause of truth and justice will stand. Awe-inspiring miracles are accomplished by your power, leaving everyone dazed and astonished!” Psalm 45:4
 
“God, you’re such a safe and powerful place to find refuge! You’re a proven help in time of trouble--more than enough and always available whenever I need you. So we will never fear even if every structure of support were to crumble away. We will not fear even when the earth quakes and shakes, moving mountains and casting them into the sea. For the raging roar of stormy winds and crashing waves cannot erode our faith in you. Surrender your anxiety! Be silent and stop your striving and you will see that I am God. I am the God above all the nations, and I will be exalted throughout the whole earth.” Psalm 46:1-3, 10
          I was reminded of our declarations we have spoken and believed the last couple years. This is the declaration for 2020:“Don’t stop! Keep on singing! Make his name famous! Tell everyone every day how wonderful he is. Give them the good news of our great Savior. Take the message of his glory and miracles to every nation. Tell them about all the amazing things he has done.” Psalms 96:2-3 How important it is to keep on singing and telling others about Him. I like “Make His name famous!” Tell the world about His love!
            This is the declaration for 2019: “I am doing something brand new, something unheard of. Even now it sprouts and grows and matures. Don’t you perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and open up flowing streams in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19. Wow, this is a powerful verse from last year. He says “Even now”. Right now He is doing something unheard of! I can stand on this truth! All I have to do is grab a hold of some Word and my hope is renewed. We will be starting some weekly prayer meetings and hope you can be a part of one! We are to come together to pray, believe and speak His Word forth into this world. We are also praying for you!!!