_ The power of God is displayed when we move beyond our possibilities. Often the Hebrews found themselves surrounded by the impossible. On one occasion, before them was the sea, around them was the desert, and behind them was the enemy. Perhaps you find yourself at a similar crossroad today. If that’s you, there are three choices:

In the face of impossibility we can say, “Go back.” The Hebrews wanted to go back just when God was moving them forward. In the face of impossibility we can also say, “Stand Still.” Sometimes the temptation is to go neither backward, nor forward. Some wanted to freeze in the present. They stood in paralysis in the midst of opportunity. In the face of impossibility God says, “Go Forward.”

There is a divine timing in going forward. There is a time to pray but there is also a time to act. Are you at a crossroads today? Maybe you are at a major decision? What will you choose? Will you: go back, stand still, or go forward? God’s promise is to go with you. He is the provider of all that is needed. He is a master of HANDLING IMPOSSIBLE SITUATIONS!

Bishop Gerald Doggett

*Read Gerald Doggett's new book, Surviving the Challenges of Transition. Visit his website at www.geralddoggett.com to read more about it.

Refuse to wait until life is in perfect order to be thankful. The Bible says we can enter His gates with thanksgiving. Move your attention away from what’s happening right now, and remember blessings God has provided in the past. Thanksgiving is a focus on yesterday’s blessing. Looking back isn’t always good, but when you are looking back to count your blessings, it promotes an attitude of thanksgiving and encourages the release of faith for the present condition. A grateful heart has it’s had on His gate and with the expression of thanksgiving, the gates will open and you can enjoy fresh dimensions of your relationship with Him.

Create a season of thanksgiving. It will change the environment, and bring the season of refreshing for which you’ve longed. Go ahead, push on those gates with the voice of thanksgiving, they will open. God said they would open. You have access to the courtyard of heaven. Your voice of thanksgiving has force and vitality. It will make a difference in your attitude and will also create a force for change in this present condition. Choose to enter His GATES of THANKSGIVING!!

_ Although I’m not one to exercise, I can identify with living life on a treadmill. It seems like the ground under my feet moves and I have to keep taking steps faster and faster just to keep up with the moving ground. At the end of the day I look back and find so much of my ‘to do’ list that’s not done, I get weary thinking about the lost time. To further complicate matters, I have to get up tomorrow and do it all again. Yep, that’s life on a treadmill.

It’s time to make a choice. You are not the answer to everyone’s question. One of the greatest disciplines one can master is the discipline of saying, “NO.” The choice to take back life from those who make demands is a first step to getting off the treadmill. Ask God to help prioritize people, places and things. Put your ear to the mouth of God and commit to listen to His instruction. To obey His voice is better than sacrificing your life for others. He gave His life; you don’t need to give yours. Today you can stop living LIFE ON A TREADMILL!

Bishop Gerald Doggett

_The power of God is displayed when we move beyond our possibilities. Often the Hebrews found themselves surrounded by the impossible. On one occasion, before them was the sea, around them was the desert, and behind them was the enemy. Perhaps you find yourself at a similar crossroad today. If that’s you, there are three choices:

In the face of impossibility we can say, “Go back.” The Hebrews wanted to go back just when God was moving them forward. In the face of impossibility we can also say, “Stand Still.” Sometimes the temptation is to go neither backward, nor forward. Some wanted to freeze in the present. They stood in paralysis in the midst of opportunity. In the face of impossibility God says, “Go Forward.”

There is a divine timing in going forward. There is a time to pray but there is also a time to act. Are you at a crossroads today? Maybe you are at a major decision? What will you choose? Will you: go back, stand still, or go forward? God’s promise is to go with you. He is the provider of all that is needed. He is a master of HANDLING IMPOSSIBLE SITUATIONS!

--Bishop Gerald Doggett

_Have you had such a string of losses, it’s difficult to remember what a win felt like? Be encouraged today as I remind you that God will restore your ability to win. He provides a clue in Isaiah when He says that no weapon formed against us will prosper, or that no weapon formed against us has the final authority in our life! Oh thank God, He alone has the final say in our life.

In that same Isaiah verse we discover there are tongues that rise against us in judgment. The most damaging voices to come against your victory are internal voices. Those accusations the enemy tosses into your mind that cause you to question every decision, and blame yourself for each misstep.

By the discipline of meditating on the promise of God, you can silence the voices of accusation and bring to the surface the affirming voice of the Lord, which enables your victory to be restored. God’s Word is a sharp sword coming from your spirit to annihilate every strategy of the enemy. You can destroy the entire arsenal of your enemy with the Word of God. Now be confidant, your VICTORY IS RESTORED!

--Bishop Gerald Doggett
 

 

 

_ How can I turn my setback into a comeback? Is it possible to alleviate this tendency to stumble and fall when I give my best effort? From this misery there is a key to unlock any prison of failure and turn life into a comeback that will catapult you into an arena of victory and confidence.

To understand this, we must understand the difference between two words: fellowship and relationship. Relationship has to do with a change of nature where all things become new. Fellowship has to do with communion. Communion is a quality of relationship that provides the highest level of joy. When fellowship is broken, the joy dies. You may be a child of God and walk in a marvelous relationship; but if you have no fellowship with the Father there is no joy in your life.

Since the joy of the Lord is strength, one must have high levels of joy to manifest sufficient strength to turn any setback into a comeback. When found in the midst of a setback, examine the fellowship portion of your relationship with God. Fellowship is the golden key that can turn any setback into a glorious comeback.

Bishop Gerald Doggett

Restoration isn't just a replacement of what's lost -- it's the presentation of something better! If a house is destroyed by a storm, the home owner does more than replace the broken doors and repair the leaky pipes. He installs new, better pipes, stylish doors and the best of everything. He turns the tragedy into an opportunity. He corrects a poor layout and previous structure issues during the process. He turns his disaster into a dream home. When he's finished, his restored home is better than it was before the storm, a new and improved home.

According to Hebrews, our lives are like houses before a storm. When the storm comes, we can rely on a new covenant, better promises to rebuild our broken lives into something fantastic. Restoring your life is a top priority to God. No matter what mistakes you've made, or how far off the mark you get, He can and desires to restore your life.

Be patient while God is restoring your life. The process can be lengthy. God will review your structure, draw up revised plans and He will get to work on the areas that need restoration. Take it one step at a time! Let God be in control.
M.L. Bullock
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Read Monica's new book, The Prophet's Code, an inspirational book for people interested in the Biblical role of prophets. Click on the book title to see a free preview.

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:2-3 NIV

Does your heart need strengthening today? Are you saddened or hardened by the state of the world? Don't feel condemned by your heart, it is a common battle amongst Christians today but we must hold true on this battleground. How can you do this when wanton sinfulness is all around you? When destruction and mayhem seem to rule the day? Consider him. What does consider mean?

Think about him. Replace those "what ifs" with mental pictures of the Lord. Picture him teaching on the Mount of Olives. Imagine him walking by the Sea of Galilee. See him visiting your home.
Bear him in mind. When assessing your current situation or the that of the world, keep him in mind, in context. He died to save the world, even the world of 2012. Think of people as he thinks of them. Have the mind of Christ.
Regard his feelings. Jesus is alive! He has feelings and thoughts today, just as he did when his feet walked our dusty earth. Consider him by considering his feelings.
Esteem him. Respect Jesus current mission, to save mankind. Do this by esteeming him, consider him the Lord of Lords and King of Kings.

As part of our commitment to bring you encouragement, we occasionally offer book reviews of books we have read. We're pleased to share this book review of The School of the Seers by Jon Welton. We were not asked to or paid to write this review, it is purely for your benefit. Thank you! -- EFC Staff

Book Review of The School of the Seers by Jon Welton

There's no doubt that Jon Welton's book, The School of the Seers, belongs in every Christian's library; it instructs, inspires and encourages Christians to cultivate their spirit man, according to scripture. The book begins with a recounting of Jon Welton's amazing, supernatural experience at a conference. He explains how he was able to discern the spirit realm for 30 days and what God taught him about the normally unseen realm around us.

Each chapter of the book progresses the reader to a deeper understanding of "seeing" or spiritual discernment. Besides visual imagery and a simple, yet powerful writing style, the author kindly offers prayer and spiritual assignments to help the reader develop their ability to see more clearly.

While the subject of the book may be touchy for some, the author tries to avoid denominational barriers, a practice I respect. The School of the Seers is a book you'll read more than once. It is so full, so precise that you learn something, experience something, every time you read it. Pick up a copy at your favorite book retailer or click on the link to the right to get more information and see a free preview.

M.L. Bullock