ELEVATE

Mary and I are blessed this week to be with our good friends and Churches in Covenant (CIC) family in Dallas at the Elevate Conference. Thus far we've heard from Bishop Tudor Bismark and Matthew Barnett (Pastor from the Dream Center in Los Angeles, CA, pictured below), and this evening Pastor Mike Hayes will culminate the event with a powerful word on Elevation. As I write this PrayDay Blog, my heart is anticipating the morning sessions and my prayer is, "Stir it up in me, Lord. I'm ready to Elevate."

When I think of the word Elevate, I'm thinking higher levels of blessing and influence. Like Moses trekking up the side of the Mountain to have his encounter with God, the higher we go, the greater the manifestation of God's presence is. Good things happen on the Mountain. For Peter, James and John, it was on the Mountain they saw Jesus transfigured before their very eyes, and witnessed Moses and Elijah literally carrying on a conversation with Him. Abraham had a new revelation of God on the mountain and came down calling Him Jehovah Jireh, for in the Mountain of God He provides. And for me, I'm gathering information on this Mountain top and a download is happening in my spirit as I can see the promise even clearer from here because of what is transpiring at this vantage point.

Some of you know of the challenges hitting the Hayes and Dockery family's this past year. Pastor Mike was transparent when he shared with us in Miami the struggles they have faced with Stephen's wife Ericka and Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Aime's fight with breast cancer. It seems like all Hell has broken loose about them. Even the weather in Dallas seems to mirror in the natural what has been happening in the spiritual, for this past summer had been a scorcher in Dallas with hot temps in the 100's and literally no rain. They have experienced the worst drought on record. At first I figured the State deserved it after the way their Mavericks tore up the Miami Heat in the playoffs last Basketball season. Okay, maybe not that severe, but you know what they say about pay-backs. JK

But it's from this place that God is bringing forth a word of Elevation, as now the hard rock has been cleared so that a new foundation can be set. And upon this foundation a new, exciting, greater work is being built. Thus, it's no wonder that a few weeks ago, out of nowhere Kathy Hayes blurted out the phrase that has stuck and is the theme for the conference; Celebrate Elevate. It's time to celebrate going to a higher dimension.

This morning looking out my hotel room window I see clouds and rain and the temps are pretty cool outside. Relief is in sight! Looks like they're coming out of this season of drought, despair and doom. It's time for promotion, peace and a new promise!

So on this PrayDay, Metro Life, before I head into today's meetings and services, let me say to you...celebrate where you're at today and get ready for elevation. All that has been taking place in your life has been setting the stage for a new work that God desires to do for you and in you. Though it may be hard to picture from where you're standing, I can honestly say that I can see it from here!