February 21, 2021
Yesterday we had a wonderful ladies ministry time at our home. It was a precious time as we came together with open hearts to receive from the Holy Spirit. These times of men, women, and small groups coming together in such a time as this are powerful times that can’t be taken away. The Lord had put on my heart that as ladies we needed to get to know each other better. Many are new and the bonding of women is a strength like no other. So, we talked about our favorite food, favorite colors, and favorite Bible verses. Then we shared what our dream trip or vacation would be and finally one of the desires of our heart. Wow! These ladies shared from their hearts and in the end, after tears, prayer and deep compassion, we knew we could each go forward in all He had for each of us. He was awakening us to our destiny!
 
Here is a passage from Genesis that I shared: “Afterwards, the word of God came to Abram in a vision and said, “Abram, don’t yield to fear, for I am your Faithful Shield and your Abundant Reward.” But Abram replied, “Lord God, what good is your reward if I remain childless? I’m about to die without a son, and my servant, Eliezer of Damascus, will inherit all my wealth. A servant in my household will end up with everything because you have not given me any children.” Immediately the word of God came to him, “No! Eliezer will not be your heir. I will give you a son from your own body to be your heir.” Then God brought him outside of his tent and said, “Gaze into the night sky. Go ahead and try to count the stars.” He continued, “your seed will be as numerous as the stars!” And Abram trusted every word God had spoken! And because of his faith, God credited him as righteousness.” Genesis 15:1-6
 
As the ladies shared, we saw there was such a connection between our favorite Bible verses and the desires of our heart. Our dream trips then tied in with our other desires and we could see how important it is to not give up on what He has put inside of us. The Lord showed me that we must believe like Abram. We couldn’t get the desires of our heart with a tent vision but we needed a heavenly vision like Abram had when he saw the countless stars in the sky. A heavenly vision is an unlimited vision of God’s promise. A heavenly vision is our inheritance just as it was for Abram. His promises are our inheritance. Not a someday inheritance. His promises are yes and amen right now today and are already ours, we just have to believe they are ours and receive them as our own. Like Abram, by faith we know, believe and receive that every promise in the Word is 100%, completely ours right now! Abram knew what God had promised but he didn’t see it and actually had a talk to God about it. Even after this promise from God was given it didn’t happen the next day, Abram had to continue to stand in faith and know what God had promised He would fulfill. ” The one who calls you by name is trustworthy and will thoroughly complete his work in you.” Abram got impatience and decided to make God’s promise happen. We do that sometimes. We don’t like waiting and wondering when things are going to happen or when this heavenly vision will come to pass. Walking in His faith can wait and rest in Him and His promise. When we get into the flesh, we find a way to make things happen in any way we can and it is never fruitful results.
 
One of the greatest ways to be able to rest in a waiting season is to stay in thanksgiving. I shared last week about an “altar of worship”. The Lord spoke to me, “This is a time to build an “altar of worship” at every breakthrough, big or small. This is so important in this season.” Each time we see breakthrough in any area of our lives we need to magnify the Lord and worship Him as we realize that His promises are truly for us. Our prayers are being answered in the heavenly realm whether we see it happening or not. I like to remember the many promises He has fulfilled for me. One way is having pictures of my family around the house. I don’t want to take my family for granted for one second. As I see pictures of our parents, friends, children, and grandchildren I am reminded of His promise to me and my inheritance. When I see a picture of my children, I thank the Lord for His faithfulness to help us raise them in the way they should go and save their lives whether it was heart surgery at 16 months old, brought back to life from a stroke at 32 years old, saved in miraculous ways when deep in the Ugandan jungle with malaria, saved from a hard heart when rejected and tossed to the side or protected and sheltered under His wings when various attacks try to take your life. I worship Him daily for protecting and loving my 24 grandchildren as they encounter life every day. There is so much evil but I know that my children, grandchildren and great grandbaby are my inheritance and no evil can touch what is mine in the Lord. Each time a financial blessing comes in within seconds of needing I fall on my knees and worship Him. The Lord has never been unfaithful. We always want things like healing and financial breakthroughs right now but knowing He is faithful gives us hope in times of waiting. I have a picture of my Mom and her husband Dave and praise the Lord daily for their healing. Mom will be 91 this year and has some things that slow her down but nothing has slowed down her love for the Lord and her faithfulness to believe in His promises. I put favorite Bible verses that have ministered to us before our eyes daily. I have verses that I’m believing and speaking will be fulfilled before my eyes. My walls are a gallery of thankful memories that the Lord has given to us. Also, taking communion daily remembering what Christ did for us is one of the greatest parts of worship there is. It is so powerful in keeping your focus on Him.
 
Then after I had shared all this at the ladies gathering the Lord showed me that I wasn’t believing, standing firm on or trusting in a promise He had given Ed and I. He clearly spoke to me that a desire of my heart I was not believing /declaring as mine! I have TOTALLY fallen into the trap of the world and believed the fear tactic that we will very soon not be able to travel outside the US without the vaccine. That is a fact that is being spoken by the enemy and those that want to control us but WHY AM I ACCEPTING AND BELIEVING THIS? That’s definitely tent vision and not unlimited heavenly vision! I have spoken that if it comes to going to another country with a vaccine or no more travel if I don’t get the vaccine then I just won’t be going. It’s true I won’t let manipulation, control, threats and witchcraft govern my decision on that but why am I not declaring that I will go again and on God’s terms not the world’s terms. I have a desire to continue going to Peru and Kenya and I will speak, declare and see myself there with those children. It can so easily catch us off guard. We MUST keep looking up with a heavenly vision and preparing our hearts to go and fulfill all He has for us to do. 
 
These are powerful verses from 1 Thessalonians 5 that give us insight and direction in these days as we are living in. “Now, beloved brothers and sisters, concerning the question of God’s precise times and specific seasons, you don’t need me to write anything to you. For you already know quite well that the day of the Lord will come unexpectedly and as a complete surprise… But you, beloved brothers and sisters, are not living in the dark, allowing that day to creep up on you like a thief coming to steal. For you are all children of the light and children of the day. We don’t belong to the night nor to darkness. This is why we must not fall asleep, as the rest do, but keep wide awake and clearheaded… But since we belong to the day, we must stay alert and clearheaded by placing the breastplate of faith and love over our hearts, and a helmet of the hope of salvation over our thoughts. For God has not destined us to experience wrath but to possess salvation through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One. He gave his life for us so that we may share in resurrection life in union with him—whether we’re awake or asleep. Because of this, encourage the hearts of your fellow believers and support one another, just as you have already been doing….We appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, to instruct those who are not in their place of battle. Be skilled at gently encouraging those who feel themselves inadequate. Be faithful to stand your ground. Help the weak to stand again. Be quick to demonstrate patience with everyone. Resist revenge, and make sure that no one pays back evil in place of evil but always pursue doing what is beautiful to one another and to all the unbelievers. Let joy be your continual feast. Make your life a prayer. And in the midst of everything be always giving thanks, for this is God’s perfect plan for you in Christ Jesus. Never restrain or put out the fire of the Holy Spirit. And don’t be one who scorns prophecies, but be faithful to examine them by putting them to the test, and afterward hold tightly to what has proven to be right. Avoid every appearance of evil. Now, may the God of peace and harmony set you apart, making you completely holy. And may your entire being—spirit, soul, and body—be kept completely flawless in the appearing of our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One. The one who calls you by name is trustworthy and will thoroughly complete his work in you.”
 
 

February 2021
Dear Family and Friends,
We are about 6 weeks into this new year. It's been an eventful few weeks, as has been the last 11 months. It's been a time and season like none other. But it's been a time to draw closer to the Lord as we need Him in every area of our lives. What the next few weeks, months, year holds I don't believe anyone but the Lord knows. It's an uncertain season but an exciting one as we watch His love triumph over the lies and deceptions. Our Savior isn't being still right now.

We are so thankful that we could continue to minister through the tough times of 2020. There were many challenges and times of discouragement. We praise the Lord that He never left us and continued to bring us to see and focus on Him. We learned so much. The Holy Spirit empowered us to gloriously walk through the uncertainties knowing He was guiding our ways and our paths.

We are thankful for each of you that have supported and prayed for the ministry as we were not always able to be together but we knew we were together in the spirit. Financially, we continued to feed the children in Kenya and Peru weekly. We didn't decrease our giving to any of our missionaries the entire year. What a joy it was to give around the world in such tough times. Again, thank YOU! All the bills were paid on time and we were able to do many improvements in the church house and church building. We continued with most of our outreaches and reached many people. Our church family has grown with many new families which is exciting. We have 2 weekly prayer meetings, one on Tuesday morning at 7:30am and 6:00pm on Thursday evening. Our Ladies Ministry has grown and we meet once a month to pray together, encourage one another and grow in His Word together. The men's breakfast has continued every other week with empowering messages for this time and season. Lives have been healed of cancer, other sicknesses, substance abuse, injuries and many more situations. Gratitude fills our hearts!

What's ahead for 2021? What we see is being more than conquerors, overcomers, and victorious in every situation no matter what is happening in the world around us. We have been preparing our hearts for the outpouring that has already started. We continue to trust the Lord and know the power of the Holy Spirit flowing through us will in limitless ways bring love and glory to everything we put our hands to. We don't have too many certain events right now but there will be a pig roast, a couple cowboy churches, FMN Women's conference, Youth conference and Men's conference. Like Abram we are headed in His direction not knowing exactly where we are going but we know what it will look like as we go in Him. It's an exciting journey we are on!

"This is why the Scriptures say: Things never discovered or heard of before, things beyond our ability to imagine - these are the many things God has in store for all his lovers. But God unveils these profound realities to us by the Spirit. Yes, he has revealed to us his inmost heart and deepest mysteries through the Holy Spirit who constantly explores all things."
1 Corinthians 2:9-10

We cannot even imagine what He has for us. No matter what it looks like in our surrounding world we must have eyes to see what He wants to reveal to us through the Holy Spirit. It's the only way to stay in peace in a troubled world. Our eyes must look to Him alone and our hearts be open to receive what is in His heart for us.

During February we celebrate love. Love for one another and love for the Lord. And the greatest love is His love for us.

"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

"O Lord, our God, no one can compare with you. Such wonderful works and miracles are all found with you! And you think of us all the time with your countless expressions of love- far exceeding our expectations!" Psalm 40:5

"Your love is so extravagant it reaches to the heavens, Your faithfulness so astonishing it stretches to the sky!" Psalm 57:10

"Now, may the grace and joyous favor of the Lord Jesus Christ, the unambiguous love of God, and the precious communion that we share in the Holy Spirit be yours continually. Amen!" 2 Corinthians 13:14

"Those who are loved by God, let his love continually pour from you to one another, because God is love. Everyone who loves is fathered by God and experiences an intimate knowledge of him." 1 John 4:7

The Lord showed me that this is to be a year of worshipping Him. I've always liked to read about every time Abram had a breakthrough, he built an altar and worshipped the Lord God.

"Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, "To your descendants I will give this land." And there he built an altar to the LORD, who had appeared to him." Genesis 12:7

I heard the Lord say to my heart, "This is a time to build an "altar of worship" at every breakthrough, big or small. This is so important in this season." What is an altar of worship? It's an act of remembrance of every good thing He has done and continues to do. Our prayers are being answered in the heavenly realm we may not have connected to the answer yet. Take time to worship Him daily for the blessings you have received or the mercies that are new every morning. It's a powerful weapon against the enemy when you praise and worship the Lord, acknowledge what He has done and thank Him now for everything He is about to do.

As I close this letter of love and gratitude, we want you to know that we pray for you daily whether you are with us in spirit only for now or with us weekly. I've said this many times but the unity of our church body coming together as one is strength beyond what we can grasp. I also share this verse often. :

"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 10:23-25

We, again, thank you for all your love, blessings, support, prayers. As we continue to walk by faith with so many uncertainties facing us day by day, may we continue to keep our focus on His endless blessings and promises He is faithful to keep. Remember His name is to be praised!

​With all our love, Ed and Mona 

February 7, 2021 . . What a beautiful world we live in! Each morning as I watch the sun rise above the horizon I'm so thankful for all His promises and unconditional love. The sun still rises each day.  His mercies are new every morning. His love never fails. His truth never changes. His promises are the same as a year ago before our world was turned upside down with deception, fear, and control. As I've talked to others and looked back over the last year most have to agree life as we know has changed. I won't call it my new normal whatever normal is. There's too much evil going on behind what we see for me to accept this as my new way of life. I will continue to stand and declare the freedoms our country was founded on in God and that they will not be taken from us. Many have shared how this year has changed them. I think as Believers we were pretty comfortable, which can be ok, but in that comfort, we weren't having our faith challenged to the point we had this kind of hard decisions to make each day. We have definite choices to make as to who we will trust - the Lord or the government. I know that sounds crazy. We all say we will trust the Lord first but when fear and deception creeps in many times we make the choice that seems easier and less combative. We choose, without realizing, to take the path of what seems least resistance, the one that seems easiest and without a fight because we are weary and tired of the mess. We get deceived that it's the easiest way for now and we hope we can change later. Actually, the further down the least resistance path we go the farther back it is to His path. So, what is the answer? The only one I know is to daily be in His Word. That is the ONLY way you will know the answers and the truth. The Word is living, it is not just a book of words. The Holy Ghost speaks to us the truth as we read and study the Word of God and come into His presence. Sometimes we don't feel we have the time to intimately spend with Him and get into His Word. We actually don't have time not to. It's our answer, our guidance, our safety, our path. Sometimes I get caught up in something else and my greatest window of opportunity and time to be alone with Him are gone. That definitely effects my day, my attitude and the vision He has for me. I don't like it when that happens and purpose in my heart to be with Him daily. Here are some more promises that continue to be true no matter what is happening in our lives or the world around us. Hide these truths in your heart so you always have them with you.

"Don't be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell him every detail of your life, then God's wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will make the answers known to you through Jesus Christ. So keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising him always. Follow the example of all that we have imparted to you and the God of peace will be with you in all things. And I find that the strength of Christ's explosive power infuses me to conquer every difficulty." Philippians 4:6-9,13

"The steps of the God-pursuing ones follow firmly in the footsteps of the Lord, and God delights in every step they take to follow him. If they stumble badly they will still survive, for the Lord lifts them up with his hands." Psalm 37:23-24

"Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Then come to me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis. Simply join your life with mine. Learn my ways and you'll discover that I'm gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in me." Matthew 11:28-29

"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 12:9-10

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11

​"My fellow believers when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can! For you know that when your faith is tested it stirs up power within you to endure all things. James 1:2-3

"So we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together to fit into God's perfect plan of bringing good into our lives, for we are his lovers who have been called to fulfill his designed purpose." Romans 8:28

"Perfect, absolute peace surrounds those whose imaginations are consumed with you; they confidently trust in you." Isaiah 26:3

"He empowers the feeble and infuses the powerless with increasing strength." Isaiah 40:29

"When you pass through the deep, stormy sea, you can count on me to be there with you. When you pass through raging rivers, You will not drown. When you walk through persecution like fiery flames, you will not be burned; the flames will not harm you," Isaiah 43:12

"Even if the mountains were to crumble and the hills disappear, my heart of steadfast, faithful love will never leave you, and my covenant of peace with you will never be shaken," says Yahweh, whose love and compassion will never give up on you." Isaiah 54:10, 17

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

"So then, forsake your worries! Why would you say, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?' For that is what the unbelievers chase after. Doesn't your heavenly Father already know the things your bodies require? So above all, constantly chase after the realm of God's kingdom and the righteousness that proceeds from him. Then all these less important things will be given to you abundantly." Matthew 6 :31-33

" And if anyone longs to be wise, ask God for wisdom and he will give it! He won't see your lack of wisdom as an opportunity to scold you over your failures but he will overwhelm your failures with his generous grace." James 1:5

"The Lord is my revelation-light to guide me along the way; he's the source of my salvation to defend me every day. I fear no one! I'll never turn back and run from you, Lord; surround and protect me." Psalm 27:1

This is the reason I urge you to boldly believe for whatever you ask for in prayer believe that you have received it and it will be yours." Mark 11:24 

January 31, 2021
This past week we were in Branson with the Faith Ministries Network A-team. We had a great time praying, sharing, learning, and planning the events of 2021 and even started planning the World Conference in 2022. We are blessed to work with great friends in all we do in this ministry. But I started the week with a migraine. Don’t know the exact cause but there are many possibilities but it effected my thinking most of the week. I was discouraged and asked the Lord for help, healing and guidance. I guess the best answer I received when listening to Him was that I had gotten myself to a breaking point physically and emotionally and it took a toll on me. Even though I thought I was casting the issues of life on Him I must have taken some back. Between the world issues, caring for Summer dog, all my responsibilities, family situations, and so many unknowns my body said it had enough. It was a warning for me and I spent some time praying about my past decisions and how the Lord will lead me in my future decisions of dealing with life’s cares.
 
I read in my devotional this week about carrying the heavy burdens. “In that day the Lord will remove the heavy burden from your shoulders and break off the yoke of bondage from your necks because of the heavy anointing upon you!” Isaiah 10:27  That’s a pretty powerful verse for me when I had just suffered the results of carrying the burdens on my shoulders. The enemy wants us to be strangled by our burdens but the only weight the Lord wants us to have is the weight of His anointing! With the oil of His anointing on my shoulders all the worldly care will slide right off! That’s powerful to me.
 
Our heavenly Father knew us before the foundations of the earth. He planned His family to be one with Him before He had even created the world or man. He loved us so much and had a plan to rescue me before we needed rescued. Love was before anything. His heart for us to be in His Presence was before the earth was formed. He knew I would be struggling with carrying the weights of the world and He set a plan in motion that nothing can stop even to this day. If we can grasp this love and anointing deep in our hearts we would know the reality of our destiny from the beginning of time. A plan He made for us to be one with Him and live in His presence. In Him we live, move and have our being.
 
I’ve been reading about the faith of Abraham. The Lord has been speaking to me about listening and following where He leads me. Last week I shared about not delaying anymore but going forward. Abraham didn’t know where he was going but he knew what he was looking for. That grabbed my heart! I long to be in His presence and so close to Him that even though I may not know exactly where He is leading me, I know what I am looking for. I want to know that I know when I am in His presence and want to leave behind the weights of the world. The Lord has removed the heavy burden from my shoulders and broken off the yoke of bondage from my neck because of the heavy anointing of Jesus upon me!
 
The Lord has been sharing with me that no matter what is happening in our world and our lives His promises have never changed! They are the same yesterday, today and forever. I want to share a few promises He has given me.
 
“Do not yield to fear, for I am always near. Never turn your gaze from me, for I am your faithful God. I will infuse you with my strength and help you in every situation. I am Yahweh, your mighty God! I grip your right hand and won’t let you go! I whisper to you: ‘Don’t be afraid; I am here to help you!’” Isaiah 41:10, 13
 
“But those who wait for Yahweh’s grace will experience divine strength. They will rise up on soaring wings and fly like eagles, run their race without growing weary, and walk through life without giving up.” Isaiah 40:31v

 “I am convinced that my God will fully satisfy every need you have, for I have seen the abundant riches of glory revealed to me through the Anointed One, Jesus Christ!” Philippians 4:19

​I have a list but ran out of time (and my computer has its own mind today😊). Get in the Word and find His promises for you and meditate on them. I will share what I have later.
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Don’t carry the weights of the world. Let them slide off your shoulders by the oil of His anointing!