Screeching Halt

And He said to them, “ I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven". (Luke 10:18, NLT)

Yesterday, my family and I took stand up paddle lessons. A stand up board is similar to a surf board except it is longer and wider. For momentum, a paddle is used in a similar manner as when paddling a canoe while the boarder is standing up.

Our instructor was excellent and she had us paddling within minutes. After paddling for a short time, I felt so confident I was ready to paddle outside the buoys and go fast! The weather was beautiful, the water was so clear I could see to the bottom, and the tropical breezes were making for a perfect day. I saw tropical fish, turtles and a whale. I was gliding through the water like a boss having a wonderful time when, quite unexpectedly, the fin of my board hit a reef. Instantly, my board came to a screeching halt. I however, did not. I catapulted off my board and landed partially on my board and partly on the reef with a big, "Ummmph!" All the sudden, I became very thankful for the seat-belts in my car and wished I had had one on my board.

I caught my breath and surveyed the damage. My foot was bleeding so I paddled back in. Once back at shore, I saw I had a small knick on my left hand, bruised my foot, and had ripped the skin off several places on the ball of my foot.

While I was washing the sand off at the shower, ("licking my wounds"...add a little whine because I was hurt) I thought, "That's exactly how the enemy attacks us at times." We are going about our lives, having a great time, when all the sudden...Ummmph!

But then the Lord brought to my remembrance, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven." (Luke 10:18, NLT) Even though I was still bleeding at the shower, even though my hand and foot was still hurting, my spirit leaped! And I corrected myself and said, "No, this is how we wrestle not with flesh and blood!" I will explain.

For we are not wrestling against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12, NLT)

As we speak God's living, powerful Word, we catapult ourselves into His perfect plan for us! (Hebrews 4:12) His plan for us is perfect because He is perfect!

As we, put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], we successfully stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11, AMP)

With every faith filled word we speak, the enemy's schemes experience a great big Ummmph!

An easy qualifier is:
When we speak negatively, it's death.
When we speak positively, it's life.
(Deuteronomy 30:19, Matthew 12:37, Proverbs 6:2)

But, we mustn't waver. (James 1:6)
We cannot say:
By His stripes I was healed! (Isaiah 53:5)
But I don't feel healed.
God works all things out for my good! (Romans 8:28)
Things don't look good.
I walk by faith and not by sight! (2 Corinthians 5:7)
I don't see how this can ever work out.

That's division. (James 1:6)

I believe God's Word is so powerful, at times it takes our circumstances a little while to catch up to that power. (James 1:5). That's why we hold fast to our confession and waver not. He is faithful! (Hebrews 10:23)

Just like the bruising on my foot, I will allow my flesh (current circumstance) time to "catch up" with God's Word. God's Word never fails. (Isaiah 55:11, 1 John 5:15) Even though it is currently bruised and requires bandaging, (not where I want to be) I will continue to keep my mouth under submission only saying, "Like I've been saying, By His stripes I have been healed and made whole." (Where I want to be.) Imitating my Father. (Ephesians 5:1, Romans 4:17)

His Word can be applied to every circumstance because nothing is impossible to Believers. (Mark 9:23)

Every day:
find "your" scripture
keep your confession
don't waver

Delivering an Ummmph to the negative situation and praising God as He turns it around for your good!

Many of you have written me. I know many have had a hard week, month and some, a very hard year. Today, you are one day closer to victory than you were yesterday. Next week, you will be one week closer to victory than you were this week. Don't give up now. (Galatians 6:9)


Father God, in the name of Jesus, I ask for every reader to allow the eyes of their hearts be enlightened in how to refuse to be divided and hold tight to their confession catapulting their life into excessive abundance, know the hope of Your calling, and walk in the riches of Your glorious inheritance! (Ephesians 1:18, John 10:10) I pray love and kindness never leave them as they bind them around their necks finding favor with You and man. (Proverbs 3:3, 4) And when they've done all to stand, stand! (Ephesians 6:13)

Stand back to back...AND conqueror!

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! (Galatians 5:22, 23)

I woke up today with another song on my heart!
This joy that I have, the world didnt give to me, ooh ooh!
This joy that I have, hey hey hey, the world didn't give to me!
OH this joy that I have, the world didn't give to me, the world didn't give it,
and the world can't take it away, oh yeah!

Do you know who can take our joy away? Only who we allow.

Did you also know, we can take scripture and personalize it for our specific situation?

Before we go to bed at night, we can find a scripture that fits our needs for the next day. First thing in the morning, when our eyes pop open, immediately begin meditating on that scripture. And meditate on it all day long.

For example, we know we have a lot of errands to run with our kids in tow. And we know, that requires joy as well as all the fruit of the spirit! (Galatians 5:22, 23)

So we prepare ourselves the night before:

Father God, I thank you for Your Holy Spirit producing fruit in my life! I praise You for love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22, 23)

Next morning, eyes pop open, meditate on it again!

Faced with an irritable husband on his way to get his blood drawn for a second time because he didn't finish all his medication. SING! "I've for that joy-joy-joy-joy down in my heart! Where? Down in my heart! Where?...everybody sing!"

*Disclaimer: This did not happen at my house. I'm just saying, it could happen under certain circumstances.*

When we are on our 3,928th errand for the afternoon and our kids smack each other, let the best man (or kid in this case) win. Survival of the fittest! Why? How? Because we have maintained our joy!

If we encounter a cranky cashier in the checkout line, smile and shout, "Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy!" (Psalm 47:1) Be led on that one so security doesn't get involved. Do not ask me how I know.

If your flesh screams, "But I don't feel like it." Answer back with, "Big woo." (Thank you Dr. Larry Ollison.) Walk in authority over your flesh. Tell it, "You turn that frown upside down right now in the name of Jesus!"
Our kids don't feel like cleaning their room either but we enforce that. Do some flesh enforcing!

Take every thought captive and override the current situation with scripture. (2 Corinthians 10:5)

"Father God, I thank you for Your Holy Spirit producing fruit in my life! I praise You for love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."(Galatians 5:22, 23)

Write it on a card if need be and pull it out in case of emergency!

And when we find ourselves really struggling, we call a friend. Not to complain and go into great detail about our struggle de'jour (that's Okie for dujour) but to say, "I've been bombarded today, please speak the Word over me and agree in prayer with me." (Luke 17:1, Hebrews 4:12, Ecclesiastes 4:12) Email us at Key Tov Blog, we are happy to pray in agreement with you! Or join us on our FB page!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Whatsoever-Things-are-of-Good-Report/123471901011836

Whatever means work for you, do not stand alone!




A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:12, NLT)

The Rock

The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. (Psalm 18:2, NLT)

This morning I woke up with a song on my heart.

On Christ the Solid Rock I stand!
All other ground is sinking sand.

In the nineties, I lived in Alaska. I didn't yet understand Alaska weather and never fathomed the amount of ice and snow I was about to encounter. I didn't have an Alaska car. I drove a cute, little, red, 5 speed on the floor, sports car.

And then...winter came. And when winter came. Oh. My. Goodness.

My transmission consistently froze up and was very difficult to shift. One night, after working really late and while leaving work, my car slowly slid around in the parking and the front bumper of my car lodged up against a large rock. The rock was half as tall as my car. I had slid so slowly that there was no damage to my car. All I needed to do was put my car in reverse, back up, turn around, and drive home.

It was cold. It was dark. It was an area where a half dozen moose could be seen every day. Did you know, moose can be very angry creatures? The news had just reported a woman had been mauled by a bear. I was tired. I hadn't lived there long enough to know anyone to call for help. My transmission was frozen and would not go in reverse. I had all gears...except reverse.

I felt so desperate. I walked around my car looking for a way to push it away from the rock so I could drive forward and go home. I had dress boots on and kept slipping on the ice and snow. I pushed and slid and slid and pushed. The parking lot was empty. I was alone. I got back in my car and with all my strength, I could not force the gear into reverse.

I repeated this scenario many times until I was in tears. I said, "God, what am I going to do?"

I walked around my car again, put one of my feet on the ground (The same ice and snow was still there. And I was still wearing the same slippery boots.) and one foot on the big rock. I gently pushed my car and almost effortlessly moved the car enough to drive it forward and go home.

The Lord spoke to me and said, "See what you can do when your foot is on The Rock?"

Every condition was the same, except, I cried out to God for help. I was really young in the Lord at that time. It was a life changing moment for me. In the cold, dark, icy parking lot, where there were real possibilities of threats, feeling desperate and being alone, after I had tried and tried in my own strength, trying to force the gears, scared from news reports, and having no one to call, God showed me:

He is:

• My Rock!
• My fortress!
• My Savior!
• He is my Shield!
• The Power that saves me!
• My place of safety! (Psalm 18:2, NLT)

He did His part and He enabled me to do my part. (James 2:17 and 2 Corinthians 1:21)

When:

• Life seems cold and dark.
• You've heard the threats, tried with all your strength, and have been slipping.
• You are tired, have no one to call, and you feel desperate.
• An obstacle in your life seems frozen.
• You haven't been able to back up and turn around.

Ask Him what to do. (Matthew 7:7)
He will show you. (Jeremiah 33:3)
Do what He shows you. (James 1:22)
Keep your "foot on The Rock". (Psalm 18:2)

He does it for me, He'll do it for you! (Romans 2:11)

On Christ the Solid Rock I stand!
All other ground is sinking sand.

My prayer for every reader today is to keep our foot on the Rock and come into the knowing that He is the Power that saves us! He is our place of Safety! I declare all negative situations for every reader today be reversed in the name of Jesus! For it is not by might nor by power but by His Spirit! And I declare 2013 to be your best year ever in all areas of your life, in the name of Jesus!

(Psalm 18:2, Job 22:28, Zechariah 4:6, John 14:14)

Please speak this out loud and make this your confession! (Mark 11:23, Matthew 23:37)

I keep my foot on the Rock! I know that I know You, God, are the Power that saves me! You are my place of safety! I thank You, Father, that every negative situation in my life is reversed, in the name of Jesus! It is not by my might, nor by my power but by Your Spirit! I believe and receive, 2013 to be my best year ever in every area of my life, in the name of Jesus! I thank You for it Father, You are good and your mercy endures forever! Thank You for working all things out for my good, I love You Lord!

Merry Christmas, 2012!

For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ The Lord. (Luke 2:11, NKJV)

These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. (1 John 5:13, NKJV)


The greatest gift of all!
MERRY CHRISTMAS from our home to yours!

Our prayer for you today is for you to have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is! (Ephesians 3:18)

Every Morning!

Every morning you'll hear me at it again. Every morning I lay out the pieces of my life on Your altar and watch for fire to descend. (Psalm 5:3, MSG)

Have you ever noticed how much harder the gym is the morning after eating fried food and a heavy dessert?

When I eat "clean" (lean meats, fresh fruits, berries, seeds, fresh veges) I hardly miss a beat hitting the gym the next morning. But when we go to a party, eat fried food and a heavy dessert, it takes me longer to get in the swing of it the next morning at the gym.

Our mind can be the same way. Letting sinful nature control the mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control the mind leads to life and peace. (Romans 8:6) It is easier to keep the mind clean than it is to clean it up after getting "dirtied".

I go to the gym around 6:00 a.m. because generally it is very quiet that time of day. But during the busy seasons there are a few gym goers. I'm amazed at what people will watch (fill their hearts and minds with) on t.v. at 6:00 a.m.

Yesterday morning, I was alone in the gym when a lady came in and turned on the t.v. to some sort of drama. There's a reason there is a movie genre labeled, "dramas". A word to the wise, avoid all drama. Many have asked, "Well then Genice, what DO you watch on television?" I always say, "Not much."

The drama was a series about a mental ward. Some of the scenes were very ugly. I was thankful I didn't have my girls with me. And I was thankful I couldn't hear the t.v. over the music on my ipod because I'm sure the sounds would've only added to the creepiness. The t.v. was directly in front of the elliptical (where I was) so I mostly stared out the window which was on my right until my neck got tired then I closed my eyes facing forward to give my neck a rest. I considered asking her to change the channel and if I'd had my girls with me, I would have. But I thought, hey...just let the woman workout to her show and I tried to avoid the t.v.

I'm not sure about everyone else, but what I do early in the morning sets the pace for the rest of my day.

Even though I had already filled my heart with godly things prior to going to the gym, for the rest of the day I "fought" the images from the t.v. show that kept popping into my mind. There was only three but they were extremely gross.

Do you think other gym goers would see it as odd if I wore a sleep mask on the elliptical? Don't be concerned that was a facetious-itical question. *grin*

My prayer for every reader today is to fill themselves full to the overflow of God's Word the very first thing every morning! To dig in scripture and ask God, what do You want me meditating on today? To lay out the pieces of their lives on Your altar and watch for fire to descend! I ask all these things in the name of Your precious Son, King Jesus! (John 14:14)

Moving On

The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. (Psalm 37:23, NLT)

Earlier this year and quite out of the blue...I kept "seeing" Oahu. I would be busy about my day and the picture would pop up in my spirit. It was a picture of the map of Oahu.

Right after I started consistently "seeing" Oahu, my oldest child started talking about and listing all the reasons we should move to Oahu. It was mostly said in jest with a little bit of seriousness. I didn't share with her, or anyone else, what I had been seeing.

Several weeks later, and almost last minute (I believe it was about three days prior) I received notification about a special healing service being held on Oahu by an evangelist. My spirit jumped and I knew I needed to be there. Initially I had a concern about being able to make late travel arrangements and inter-island airfare had been between $100.00 and $300.00 but discovered online flights were only $69.00. I called Mike, asked his opinion, and he immediately told me to go.

While researching travel arrangements (air, car, etc), my nine year old woke up and told me she had a dream. She said she dreamed, "we moved to Oahu". I found the dream and the timing very interesting.

I went to the service and it was a very powerful service. A man who could hardly walk with his cane, stood upright and walked very quickly across the platform without the cane! A little ten year old girl who had been deaf from birth, received her hearing!

A pastor prophesied over me that we would return to Oahu. That I have "radical faith", Mike and I are "pillars, and God was bringing us full circle, back to Oahu."

A couple months later, Mike started tossing around the idea of us going to Oahu to work. I told him we would do whatever we needed to do and I knew he would make the best decision for our family.

I didn't share any of this with anyone except my spiritual mom. I told her because I wanted prayer agreement. I didn't discuss it with Mike because I didn't want to influence him one way or another. I simply wanted God to work on our behalf. It is my heart's desire to be exactly where God wants us to be and when He wants us to be there. I trust His timing to be perfect. I wanted this move (or the decision not to move) to be all of God and none of me.

Last month, the final decision was made and everything is in place. We depart very soon and will be posting Bible Studies from Oahu! Currently, we are unsure if this is a permanent move or only for a season. We wait on Him! (Psalm 27:14)

Please continue to pray for us and Key Tov Blog as we embrace this wonderful and exciting adventure as He directs our steps!

Flying Solo

Last week, I took several inter-island flights. I flew from Kauai to Maui and from Maui to the Big Island.

Generally when I fly, I fly alone or Mike flies with me. This was the first time I've flown with our girls but without him.

Flying without him showed me just how much I appreciate flying with him. Since I was flying without him, I had to insure we got to the airport on time, return the rental car, uninstall/install a very heavy carseat, make sure our girls were fed, everyone made a pitstop to the potty, get us through security (Including but not limited to a pat down and my 9 year old thought it would be funny to scream, "She's innocent!" Making me burst out in laughter; however, not at all amusing the TSA agent.), get to our gate, and entertain our girls during the wait/flight, etc.

None of which was difficult; however, it taught me just how much he "covers" me.
Generally when we fly, I "zone out", read, nap, and listen to praise music while he does everything else so these flights were quite different. By virtue of our relationship, there are things that never even occur to me that need to be addressed.

It reminded me of how much more my Heavenly Father covers me.

He never leaves or forsakes me! (Hebrews 13:5)
He rebukes the devourer for me! (Malachi 3:11)
He always hears me! (Psalm 91:15)
He always answers me! (1 John 5:14)
He always desires good for me! (Jeremiah 29:11)
He protects me! (Psalm 28:7)
He knew me before I was born! (Psalm 139:13)
He withholds nothing good from me! (Psalm 84:11)
He loves me enough to send His only Son to rescue me! (John 3:16)

Thank You Father, for always covering me!

My prayer for every reader today is to realize His covering and thank Him daily for covering us, in the name of Jesus! (1 Thessalonians 5:18, John 14:14)