In Every High and Every Low I Know You're in Control

On stage (far left) with the BHOP team during this week's
new student orientation for Bethany College of Missions.
I love worshiping the Lord together with this team and these young people!

It's been a week of wonderful highs and challenging lows... at every turn, in my spirit I've heard that whisper from the Lord: "Do you trust me? Do you really believe in Your heart that My leadership is perfect? You can trust Me; I want you to deeply love My leadership even when it hurts."

I went on a long run in the woods this afternoon to take some time to process and seek to get my heart right before Jesus. It was on this run that He reminded me of the gift He has given of having truth sung over my heart for many years, and in joining with others in singing and declaring it in the BHOP prayer room. There's something unique about music that takes words from the head to the heart like nothing else can! Music creates an inner receptivity within me and locks truth in. Then, in times of testing or blessing, highs or lows, these songs come to my lips and remind me of truth... an anchor for my soul. It is a beautiful gift!

As I ran, I said aloud: "Jesus, I do trust Your leadership, even if I don't understand it," and I was immediately reminded of a wonderful song that lifted my heart -- got my eyes fixed on Him rather than the circumstances. I believe it's the kind of song that all of us need cemented in our hearts to remind us to trust and love Him through the highs and lows of life.

"I'll Praise You Now" written by Tim Cone of the International House of Prayer in Kansas City.

When I'm on the mountain I will bow to honor You
When I'm in the valley I'll arise to worship You
Even when the rain comes and when the sun shines through
You'll have all my devotion, You will have the praise You're due

In every season of the soul
When You give and withhold
In every high and every low
I know You're in control

And I'll praise you now and evermore
Lord Your praise shall be upon my lips as long as I endure
You're always good, of this I'm sure
You're the same, You never change
Lord You are faithful and secure

As long as I have lived You have not forsaken me
When my feet had stumbled I did not fall utterly
When I was surrounded, Lord You came and rescued me
I am Your beloved, Oh how You delight in me

Lord with all my heart, I make melody...
I will always sing to You

I rejoice in Your goodness!
Let my whole being worship You...

Calling Forth "Budding Virtues"

Death and life are in the power of the tongue... Proverbs 18:21. Words have the power either to destroy or to cause faith to grow. With our speech, we have the opportunity to help people come into maturity and agreement with God’s truth and plan for them.

God has been challenging me to look for the budding virtues (the destiny; the good yet to come) that He sees in others and then to partner with Him in calling them forth through affirmation. I'm beginning to literally think of encouragement as putting courage in the heart of another. I recently taught in BHOP on the importance of praying positive prayers -- speaking life, destiny, and encouragement over the church, regions, groups, and individuals (follow these links for teaching Audio and Notes). This doesn't often come naturally, and so we ask the Holy Spirit to give us insight into what God sees and how He feels. Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works… encouraging one another… Hebrews 10:24,25

To ensure that I press into growing in this, God has opened the door for me to step into a new role as BHOP's Director of Operations. In addition to bringing sharpening to BHOP's structure and daily operations, I will be seeking to help each team member excel in their roles. Jesus most effectively motivates me through the power of cherishing, and so I am asking Him to help me to do the same in this team.

The Righteous Judge

“The most neglected subject in the Kingdom of God is God. The knowledge of God is the Mt. Everest of the Kingdom... we must have a steady resolve in our spirit to press on... it takes a lifetime to climb and the Holy Spirit is our escort...” - Mike Bickle

I've found the above statement to be very real in my own life lately as I've just been beginning to dive deeper into studying what the Bible says about Jesus as Coming King and Righteous Judge. I was asked to teach on this subject this past Sunday night at our weekly BHOP "Forerunner Gathering". I thought I'd share the notes and audio of my message if you're interested in a deeper glimpse into my work at BHOP, or if you too are looking for a little paradigm tweaking!

Sneak peak from my notes: "In the season of His return, it is critical that the Church embrace these three expressions of Jesus [Bridegroom, Judge, and King]. Today, Jesus invites us to know His whole character, the plans that are in His heart, and how He will carry them out so that we will be in agreement rather than in offense on that Day. Eschatological understanding of Jesus' judgments steeped in His jealous love and desire for a pure Bride with whom to reign when He returns in victory, will help us overcome offense, anger, fear, and confusion so that people trust Jesus' leadership and mature in love."

Enjoy! And feel free to dialogue with me if you have questions, thoughts... I know this can be a provoking subject (it's been ruffling my feathers a bit too!)... but the intention of the provocation is that we each be drawn into getting to know Him better - He's beautiful!

Stirred to Know the Word

Not long ago, David Sliker came to teach a week-long eschatology (the study of the end times) course to the Bethany college students, so everyone in BHOP sat-in on the classes. We were all on the edge of our seats and getting stirred to know the Word better for ourselves. I loved seeing this hunger in the faces of these young missionaries in training and hearing their desire to live more wholeheartedly for Jesus in response to the teaching.

"God's promise to all believers is that the verses we find most troubling when taken literally, will make sense as we pray, fast, study and spend-time with Him. It is the common sense meaning of the Scriptures that stirs true fascination with God, not someone else's symbolic interpretation of those Scriptures. When we have an intimate connection with the end-time plan of God, the passages begin to come alive and make sense. The possibilities of understanding and knowing God become endless as He moves us beyond our notions of what we think should be into the realm of what He knows can be. When we believe God is big enough to fulfill His prophetic plans as literally as they are described in His Word, He will become to us more awesome, more glorious and more beautiful." - David Sliker, End-Times Simplified

Bethany House of Prayer Leadership Transition

What a tremendous blessing Nita Steiner has been to us at Bethany House of Prayer! Her faithful example has forever impacted the lives of each one of our young leaders and she will be missed as she relocates to Kansas City to spend a season in prayer at the International House of Prayer. As Nita retires at the end of December, BHOP is anticipating with excitement the addition of Richee Parks to our team of Intercessory Missionaries. Richee will be joining us in January as the new director of Bethany House of Prayer. Richee's heart for prayer and discipleship will be a tremendous gift to our team. Thank you for your prayer for me and the BHOP team as we say goodbye to Nita and receive Richee as our new leader.