MIGHTY GOD

When you start hunting down the Presence of God, your life starts to change.  The enemy is so subtle, he tries to make you think seeking first the kingdom is not important. But the last part of that verse says “ And all these things will be added unto you.” The Lord desires you to come under His wings, into a place of safety.  He is a mighty God and He wants to show himself strong on your behalf. But you have to move in His direction. He is waiting there for you.

“Let those on the hunt for You sing and celebrate; Let all who love your saving way say over and over, “God is mighty!” Ps 70:4

HOUSEHOLD SALVATION

Peoples’ eyes might be blinded to the glorious gospel of truth but they are not blind to unselfish acts of love.  When the Lord says the love of God draws people to salvation, that is the truth.  Your conduct is a bigger witness than your words. What did St Francis of Assisi say? Unsaved or backslidden people may brush off your words but they can’t ignore your kindness. Usually when a person is rude to you, that’s because he is taking his problems out on you. One time in the 80ties Keith and I were going to a conference at the Desert Inn Hotel in Las Vegas. As we pulled up to park, a picket line of striking workers blocked our way.  A man jumped out of the crowd, came up to the car, looked at me, and said to Keith, “Is that your pro-?” Keith looked at him compassionately, realizing what spirit was behind that remark. He said to this worker on strike, “Jesus really loves you…” The man walked away speechless.  The Name of Jesus is a powerful tool in your arsenal. ACTS 16: 31-34 AMP

Acts 16:31 The Message (MSG)
29-31 The jailer got a torch and ran inside. Badly shaken, he collapsed in front of Paul and Silas. He led them out of the jail and asked, “Sirs, what do I have to do to be saved, to really live?” They said, “Put your entire trust in the Master Jesus. Then you’ll live as you were meant to live—and everyone in your house included!”

SHAKE IT OFF

Do you have other peoples’ criticisms and judgments hanging in the back of your mind like dirty laundry? That indicates you are thinking about the current problem, not the answer. Someone might hurl insults at you at work, or you have a relative that verbally trashes you at every opportunity. But when you allow the resurrection power of the Lord Jesus Christ to rise up in you, nothing can keep you down. You might BE down but when you meditate on the power of His word within you, it explodes all barriers to faith inside of you.

That’s what Paul did when the viper jumped out of the fire and bit his hand. The Apostle was busy gathering sticks to make a fire and dry his clothes when a poisonous snake, driven out of the flames, suddenly laid hold on his hand. But Acts 28:1-5 says Paul simply shook it off into the fire and “suffered no evil effects…” We have to do the same when situations try to bite us – we need to be bold and shake it off. Whatever troubles you from the past, shake it off. God has a great plan for your future. There is no room for the snakebites of the past, even if it was yesterday.

ALL THINGS BRAND NEW

God is fresh: He is new: He is Now. Whatever is stale, old or of the past needs to be thrown down the garbage disposal of life.

Is 43: 18-19 Msg
“Forget about what has happened, don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand new. It’s bursting out. Don’t you see it? There it is! I’m making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands. Wild animals will say ‘Thank you!”

MAGNETIZED

When you magnetize a metal object, you create an invisible force that causes it to be attracted to other metal objects. This attachment occurs automatically without any effort on the part of the magnet.

When you are a tither and a giver, an invisible force operates like the magnet in your life as you are generous in your giving. You will be blessed abundantly above what you ask or think.

Proverbs 11:25
“The liberal person shall be made rich. By watering others he waters himself.”

THE EASTERN GATE

It was such a surprise and a blessing to be asked to join 32 ministers on the Christians United for Israel tour to that wonderful country last month. One thing that really struck me was the Eastern Gate of the old city of Jerusalem. It has remained sealed now for nearly 500 years, and a Jewish cemetery blocks the entrance.  The Jewish people buried there believe that the Messiah will come through those gates, they are just not aware that Messiah is Jesus. But they are right, the Lord will arrive from the Mount of Olives on a white horse and this gate will open. Ps 24:7-10 prophesies about the Lord’s return: “Lift up your heads, O gates, and be lifted up. O ancient doors, that the King of Glory may come in! Who is the King of Glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in Battle.”

The old walled city has eight gates and only this Eastern Gate is sealed, just as prophesied in Ezekiel 44. This gate awaits the return of the Messiah. Then and only then will it be opened. What gates are closed to you in your life? Ask the Lord to open them supernaturally. 2018 represents a year to be loosed from bondage and freely go through those gates. Jesus is truly coming soon for a church without spot or blemish. He wants to dissolve anything that stops your progress this year.

LISTEN FOR YOUR HEALING

When Peter and John told the beggar they didn’t have any money to give him but
what they DID have was the Name of Jesus. “Rise up and walk!” was their
prescription for his healing. It was up to the beggar to stay where he was, where he
had sat in squalor for years or to take the anointing on those words and get up.
When the Lord speaks to you, it can be so simple that you can easily miss it.
Remember in 1 Kings where the Lord spoke to Elisha, “Not in the wind or the rain,
but in a still small voice.’ That is the sound of the voice that will lead, guide ad direct
you. Sit in His presence, be brave, be strong, and don’t give up. Expect God to get
where you are soon.

Come and join us Thursday and Friday at the Arise Newport Beach Conference, Feb
1-3. Both nights are free and our theme for 2018 is Sound Waves. Hear what God
has planned for you this year! Ariseconferences.com. We would love to see you there.

WHAT ARE YOU CALLING YOURSELF?

At the Mount of Olives….”Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed…” Luke 22:39

These olive trees in the background have been there for 2000 years, since the time of Jesus.This was His prayer place.

When Joseph started working for Pharaoh as the second in command of all of Egypt, he changed Joseph’s name to Zaphenath-Paneah (God Speaks and He lives). God spoke the interpretation of the dream through Joseph to Pharaoh, and His voice created a huge open door for him.  What is God speaking through you and what are you saying about it?  If you continually emphasize what is going on around you instead of His promises, you are focusing on the circumstances instead of the power that can change them. You aren’t denying the situation exists, but you are not allowing them to dominate you. They may be threatening like a Goliath three times bigger than you are, but remember the courage David had in spite of what he saw, to say “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, who comes against the armies of the Living God?”

I was honored to be part of the Christians United for Israel tour last week in Israel with 30 other ministers. It was glorious to hear how Israel would fight battles in the Golan Heights against the Syrians, when the Israelis were down to seven tanks and the Syrians had 200 tanks coming against them. The courage and cunning the Israelis fought with ended up them winning the battle against impossible odds. They let God speak through them. As you allow Him to use you like that, a new courage and confidence will flow through you as well. Just keep giving God the credit and He will fight your battles for you.

Join us for the first Arise conference of the year at the beautiful Newport Beach Marriott Bayview Feb 1-3.  Register online at Ariseconferences.com

YOUNG OLIVE SHOOTS

Your wife will bear children as a vine bears grapes, your household lush as a vineyard, The children around your table as fresh and promising as young olive shoots. Stand in awe of God’s Yes. Oh, how he blesses the one who fears God! Psalm 128:3

Olive trees are the only trees that don’t lose their leaves in the winter. Take this word for your children and watch them develop into their fresh and promising destiny the Lord has called them into. They will stay with you. Declare and decree it. 

The promise of the olive tree is that the olive oil will always rise to the top. You will stand in awe of what God does. 

YOUR VOICE CONNECTS TO HEAVEN

Did you know you are actually a speaking spirit?  The smallest particle in the Universe is not an atom, proton or neutron, it is called a Quark.  And actually, what a Quark is, is a sound wave. So when Ps 4:3 says “He listens the split second I call to Him,” means God connects with your voice the moment He hears you. Have you ever noticed that when you have lost something and you ask the Holy Spirit where it went, that sooner or later it will turn up? He hears and responds to your voice. He knows where every particle in the world is. And your voice is the connector, it is the most elemental part of you. 

If you strung a person’s DNA out onto a wave chart, it would actually be a song, individual and unique, unlike any other person’s. So what songs have you been singing lately to the Lord? Thankfulness, appreciation, encouragement? Doubt, failure, disappointment? God is a good God and all good things come down from the Father of Lights. Sing songs, speak words that line up with His Word, and watch your prayers be answered.Your pattern of vibrations are unique to you: Let 2018 be the year where they flow even more harmoniously with Him.

LET WISDOM REIGN IN 2018

“Wisdom is the most valuable commodity – so buy it!
Revelation knowledge is what you need – so invest in it.
Wisdom will exalt you when you exalt her truth.
She will lead you to honor and favor
When you lead your life by her insights,

You will be adorned with beauty and grace and wisdom’s glory will wrap itself around you, making you victorious in the race.” Prov 4:7-9 Passion

In this world there are many voices, but only one voice counts – that of the Holy Spirit.  What is His still small voice telling you to do in 2018? The theme of our Arise Womens’ Conferences this year is “Sound Waves.” The smallest particle in the universe is a quark, way smaller than an electron or a neutron.  This minute piece of matter is essentially a sound wave.  A sound wave can produce a symphonic sound or it can be a cacaphonic disaster to the ears.  Lining up with the Holy Spirit this year can produce a harmonious flow to your life as you follow His promptings.  The funny thing is, the Holy Spirit will keep after you when He wants you to turn right or left in your life. His voice will reverberate over and over, not in an incongruous way, but in a way that flows with your life. Your mouth, and essentially the sound that forms words out of your heart, will create your life. It is created by that thing right below your nose called your mouth. Try watching what you say for the first seven days of 2018 and see if there is anything you would like to God can make this a breakthrough year for you as you listen to the Holy Spirit and speak life over your life.

We agree with you for harmony and hope to come out of your mouth in 2018 and for signs and wonders to follow.

Many Blessings to you,
Keith and Mary

FOLLOW HIS PEACE

“Then all at once, a vast number of glorious angels appeared, the very armies of heaven! And they all praised God, singing, ‘Glory to God in the highest realms of heaven! For there is a peace and a good hope given to the sons of men…” Luke 2:13-14 Passion

At the birth of Jesus, the angels announced He was bringing peace and hope to humanity.  Whatever you are going through this Christmas, remember His peace is there for you. If you are agitated or thrown off kilter during the holidays, pop out that bible and start reading.  Or download a Bible app on your phone and read for five minutes during your break.  The Lord will speak to you and the peace of God that passes all understanding will settle down on you.  His word is supernatural because the Holy Spirit uses it to divide what is spiritual from what is emotional in your life.  You may not see a way out of your situation but He is the Waymaker. The Lord has a way for you. He will light it up as you look to Him.  Have a Christmas full of Light this year.

We love you and bless you,
Keith and Mary

WHAT YOU SAY DIRECTS YOUR LIFE

If you don’t say it, you don’t have authority to believe it. Authority is transferred by words.  Romans 10:17, “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God…” or, “by his stripes I am healed…”, is 53:4,5.

You see people line up to receive their healing. You ask them “are you going to receive your healing tonight?’ they say, “ I sure hope so…” but you can’t hope so, you have to know so. It is his word. And his word is his bond. God has bound himself to his word.  It is a covenant that cannot be changed or cancelled. Sometimes we are silly in our preconceived ideas.  God made your body. It was lifeless and colorless but God is a spirit. 

The body has a unique role to play in physical affairs. It gives man an authority in the natural as well as in the spiritual world. Man is a spirit. He has a soul made up of his mind, will and emotions. And he lives in a body. You have authority under God in heaven. You have dominion in three worlds. Now you know why the spirit of God wants to inhabit your body. He can send your body to Africa or a jail visitation. But he needs your body to operate through.

God said my words are spirit and life! He used words of authority to create a living man. God made covenant with man and gave him authority. God says in Mark 11 “ you cast out devils, you pick up deadly serpents and they don’t hurt you!

LIGHT ALWAYS OVERCOMES THE DARKNESS

God has a great life waiting for you and your family. Your children will only be living with you for a short time. Your joyful attitude during those 18 years or so will make all the difference of how unified your family is after that.

I remember being very depressed for a three month period years ago while our children were all still at home. This may have happened to you at times or is even happening to you right now.  It was a challenge to get up in the morning. It was like a wet blanket was pulled over my head. After 90 days of this I opened my bible to

Ps 113:9 amp, “He makes the barren woman to be a joyful mother of spiritual children.”

What was the Lord saying here? That I was supposed to rejoice in the middle of a unhappy situation? The words were jumping off the page at me, saying, if you want your children to be spiritual, you will need to get happy. Judgment and sorrow always drags you down, but God wants you to look to His promises, and keep focused on His goodness. He is the judge, not you. When you become aware of that He will never let you down.

There was a time when we were pastoring in the 80ties that a couple who helped us start the church decided to leave it after a couple of years.  Keith was distressed and went about moaning and groaning about the loss of them leaving. But the Lord rebuked him and said, “If you don’t take care of the ones you have left, they will leave too.” Fortunately Keith took heed of that word and the church grew and prospered from that point on.  However it was because he decided to change his attitude.  You can stay in the pit of depression or move to the palace of joy.  Your choice, but when you consider His joy is your strength but depression is your weakness, then you realize it is time to get strong in the Lord and move away from depression.

We have seen so many families turn around when this principle is applied. Start applying it yourself by changing your attitude and looking up. You can endure the day or pursue His presence and experience fullness of joy. That is why looking into the Word when things get tough, and letting Him speak to you out of the scriptures, makes all the difference.

STAY ALERT WITH YOUR EYES WIDE OPEN IN GRATITUDE

Testimonies continue to abound as we minister in meetings and Arise Conferences. One young woman stood in the gap for her Mom who had been diagnosed with lung cancer. Even though the mother was not saved and not in the meeting, her daughter’s faith healed her. The doctor told the Mom the black spot on her lung had totally disappeared by her next visit! Other women totally turned from victims to victors at our Maui Arise Conference in October. They are regularly attending and volunteering at church, they have even started a small group and their leader has seen a huge difference in them.

Do everything you can to stay in unity with your loved ones this Thanksgiving holiday – that is where God commands the blessing. There are many reasons where you can be justified to stay in strife, but excuses are like noses, everyone has one. In John 5:7-9 the man at the pool of Bethesda made excuses for his condition but Jesus refused to go there, and instead asked for action.  He tells the man to get moving, to do what he can do. Walking in love is the surest way to keep your health, finances and family intact, especially when you don’t feel like it!! Time to rise above your feelings.

“Love never gives up,
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn’t strut,
Doesn’t have a swelled head,
Doesn’t force itself on others,
Isn’t always “me first.”
Doesn’t fly off the handle,
Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn’t revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always, always looks for the best
Never looks back, But keeps going to the end.”  1 Cor 13: 3-7 msg

THE SOUND OUT OF YOUR MOUTH DEMOLISHES YOUR MOUNTAIN

General Patton was outspoken and opinionated man to most people. However he was a fighter and he was one of the main reasons America won the Second World War. against the Nazis. General Patton lived with winning on his mind.  Even his dog was named William the Conqueror.

Your praises and prayers may not be pretty, and other people might think you are radical. But once you start getting results they will want to know what you are doing that they are not. As you speak the Word with conviction against the enemy, he backs down and you overtake His lies. 

There is a book written by a faith-filled lady evangelist from the 1940ties, called Grace Ryerson Roos. She writes about a fight she had with the devil in prayer. She started by pleading the Blood over her situation, and she could see him in her mind’s eye, standing off and laughing at her seemingly feeble attempts to win the battle. But that made her even more determined. As she persevered, she noticed a fear fall over his face and a quiver in his voice as he trembled at the sound of God’s word out of her mouth, aimed directly at him. Just as it was for the enemy on the Mount of Temptation, when he tried to twist Jesus’ words and Jesus quickly rebuked him, he was forced to slowly back down from this resolute prayer warrior and slink away.

You might have an instant manifestation to your words or it can take time. Just be aware that every time you pray in faith, your voice is carrying victory to its intended destination. MichaelAngelo did not finish the sculpture of David overnight. It was a process. What is impossible with men is possible with God.                                                                                                                                                             Mark 11:23-24 “I assure you: if anyone says to this mountain, “Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, all the things you pray and ask for, believe that you HAVE received them and you will have them.” (HCSB)

A PROCESS MIRACLE

Sometimes prayers take time to manifest, other times answers come right away.

In John 2:1-12, Jesus was about to start His miracle ministry…but He didn’t realize it until His mother prompted him. “On the third day a wedding took place in Cana of Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding as well. When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother told Him, ‘They don’t have any wine.’ ‘What has this concern of yours have to do with me, woman?’ Jesus asked. ‘My hour has not yet come.’

However Mary was not deterred by her son’s words. She had heard from on high and knew the Lord was about to birth Jesus’ miracle ministry. She ignored what He said and instead made preparation for the process to begin. “‘Do whatever He tells you,’ His mother told the servants. Now six stone water jars had been set there for Jewish purification. Each contained twenty or thirty gallons.” Apparently Jesus changed His mind once He saw they were getting ready for the miraculous. 

What are you preparing for?

The next thing Jesus said to the servants was “ ‘Fill the jars with water.’ So they filled them to the brim. ‘Now draw some out and take it to the chief servant.’ And they did.”

Once Jesus started directing the process, miracles began.

This passage continues, “When the chief servant had tasted the water (after it had become wine), he did not know where it came from – though the servants who had drawn the water knew. He called the groom and told him, ‘Everybody sets out the fine wine first, then, after people have drunk freely, the inferior. But you have kept the fine wine until now.’ Jesus performed His first miracle in Cana of Galilee, He displayed His glory and His disciples believed in Him.”

Even though Jesus Himself didn’t see it coming, He flowed with it once it was ready! You may not be able to define at this moment how God is going to use you in the future, but allow yourself to be moved along by scripture that comes alive in you, a prophetic word that resonates with your heart, a friend that speaks a passing word to you.

They are signposts to the glory filled life God has for you.

YOUR LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS

“The prophetic word: the one light you have in a dark time as you wait for daybreak and the rising of the morning star in your hearts…1 Peter 1:19-21

When you receive a personal word of prophecy, God is building you up and encouraging you. Anything less than that is not of the Lord. A true prophetic word lights your way through the darkness. Never take it for granted. If a prophecy resonates with you, seize it, write it down and pray it out.  God is showing you a stake you can tie your prayers to.

A word of wisdom given to a biology teacher, (who knew every part of the human body inside and out, and taught it in high school regularly), was that he would be healed by the end of the year.  The only problem was that he was not even sick. However, two months later in April he did come down with lymphoma, a type of cancer his sister had died from 18 months earlier. Naturally he went to the doctor who put him through the standard radiation and chemotherapy treatments.  Thank God for doctors but they can only give you the facts.  Doctor Jesus has the truth.  Facts can change, but truth does not.

By the time September rolled around this man was no better according to medical science.  His physician told him to wrap up his affairs, because he was not going to make it.  However this teacher was not going to take death as the final verdict. He decided to pick up the prophetic word instead and go outside to his backyard and declare it.  See, the Lord cannot do anything without your words. You are a speaking spirit. When this man opened his mouth and reminded the Lord that He said he would be healed by the end of the year, he was standing his ground.  You need to take territory, be firm with the word you receive and don’t back down.  The very next week his white blood cell count started to change.  By the end of that year, his words had changed his life.  He was healed.  The doctors called it a miracle but this man’s miracle came from his mouth.  That is where yours will come from too.

LIVE CAREFREE

“So be content with who you are and don’t put on airs. God’s strong hand is on you. He will promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God, He is most careful with you….” 1 Peter 5:6-7 MSG

Sometimes we are so caught up in doing everything perfectly by ourselves, it is like we have spiritual OCD. But what the Lord is saying here is relax, release the weight of your problem, cast your care on me.  And what is so interesting about that is vrs 6, where in the KJV version it reads, “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God…..” Humility is not wearing a hair shirt and being beaten by whips until your back is bleeding.  No, they might have thought that was really spiritual to do that in the Middle Ages, but God is saying here you are seriously flowing with Him when you allow Him to take the care, worry, concern OFF of your mind and put it onto His. To do this means you really have to be open to His perfect will in your life, which is exactly what humility is. Pride is when you close yourself OFF to listening to the Lord for solutions, and saying “I can do this MY way.” Your way without God’s way can lead into no way. Make sure you are releasing all your issues on Him and don’t even think about picking them back up again. The enemy will try to hang these situations in front of you like dirty laundry but keep the fact in your mind that the greater one lives in you and he keeps you clothed in clean garments as you keep your ear attuned to the heavenlies.

CELEBRATING PARTIAL VICTORIES

Do you have anything in your life that is incomplete today, a dream that has not come to pass? Maybe that problem in your life has not turned around yet. 

But you have seen some progress, you have seen a sign of God's favor. But the work is still unfinished.  The mistake we make too often is that we wait for the total victory to manifest before we celebrate the victory.  

-"As soon as I get over this illness..."

-As soon as this legal situation clears up

-As soon as I break free from this addiction....THEN I will celebrate.

No, the key to seeing total fulfillment is celebrating the partial victories along the way.

You may not be totally out of debt but you have paid off one credit card.
-Celebrate what God has done!

You haven't lost all the weight but you did lose five pounds
-celebrate that victory

You haven't received your college degree but you did finish your first year
-When you celebrate your partial victories, it gives you the strength to move forward.

A lady who recently had a stroke was walking with a cane -

We asked how she was doing. She could have complained, 'I can't believe I had this stroke, I can hardly walk anymore.' Instead she smiled real big and said 'I have to use this cane but at least I am walking. I could be at home, I could be in bed, I am not totally healed but I am headed that way...' When you thank God for the partial, you will receive more strength, more healing, more favor. Sometimes we are so focused on the completion, we miss and take for granted the small victories.

Your child may not be on course yet but he was respectful this morning. That is a partial victory, thank God for it. Or maybe your didn't make that big sale that you worked so hard for.  Things fell though.  Don't go around complaining, your time is coming. Then there are those anxiety attacks. But you haven't had one in three weeks -another partial victory.

It is time to rejoice your way through to total victory no matter what your situation looks like: 

HAB 3:17
hough the cherry trees don’t blossom
    and the strawberries don’t ripen,
Though the apples are worm-eaten
    and the wheat fields stunted,
Though the sheep pens are sheepless
    and the cattle barns empty,
I’m singing joyful praise to God.
    I’m turning cartwheels of joy to my Savior God.
Counting on God’s Rule to prevail,
    I take heart and gain strength.
I run like a deer.
    I feel like I’m king of the mountain!