Quick note to EFC readers. If you'd like a copy of the full Prophetic Encouragement for 2012, please email me at kemobullock@hotmail.com. Write "2012" in the subject line. It will be ready for email, completely free, by the end of the week. Thank you!
Like so many families, mine spent a lot of time on the road this past holiday season. In some ways, long trips are taxing but I must confess I like them. Spending time in nature allows me to reconnect to the amazing world that God intended to create. Just think, even in the perfection of a cloudless blue sky and balmy temperatures, it's not His complete perfection, since it has been marred by sin. I can't wait to see what the world will look like when He rules and reigns here for a thousand years!
An amazing thing happened on our long drive from Mobile, AL to Gatlinburg, TN. As we wound up the side of the mountain to head to our cozy holiday cabin, we saw waterfalls, rivers and even some wildlife. Amongst all this beauty, my eye was drawn to a group of thick green trees. I looked and saw one yellow-gold leaf falling from a tree. It glided to the ground slowly, almost as slowly as my husband was guiding our vehicle up the narrow, mountainside road. Excited, I looked around at the faces of my children and husband and realized I had been the only one to see the lonely leaf meet its fate.
Suddenly, I felt awash with emotion and my spiritual man begin to speak to my heart two amazing truths. First, in the whole of its life, I had been the only one to see this special leaf. God had reserved its beauty just for me. I felt special and blessed. Second, that like that leaf, God followed my every move. He knew where I was at all times and had focused all His love and attention on me and my life. In the largeness of humanity, I wasn't a forgotten leaf. He could easily discern and recognize me.
These thoughts gave me lots to think about during the holiday season. I felt doubly blessed to have received such a sweet gift on top of the gift that was God's Son. Be encouraged as you pass into the New Year. Regardless of the behavior of the whole of humanity, God sees you. He loves you. And He is always watching over you!
Happy New Year!
_Dear Readers,
As a student of prophecy, I respect it and do not take the delivery of it lightly. I hope you find what I have been given and been allowed to share a blessing. May it fill you with hope, not dread and ever encourage you to finish your race with excellence. Compare my message to what the Spirit says to you.
Because of its length, I will post the message over several days.
Thank you for visiting!
M.L. Bullock
*********************
This will indeed be a “new” year for much that is new will manifest and appear among the church in 2012. New, new, new is the word!
The seasoned among the church must steady and comfort the spring lambs for much that is new will make some sheep nervous. Comfort and peace to you!
New and Restored Authority
This year, new authority will be granted to the church. (Will anyone receive it?) Authority to command the direction of communities, to take new territory and to reclaim last ground under the banner of Christ. Authority will be given but only to those who have prepared to receive it. A heavy anointing and authority will be noticeable especially in ministries directly tied to the fulfillment of the Great Commission. (Matthew 28:18-20)
The spoken Word of God will perform His will in an expedited manner throughout the year. The fulfillment of many promises will manifest speedily. God says, “Place a demand on the anointing and bring Me glory!”
Businessmen will recognize and respect the renewed authority of the church. Like the honorable kings of old, they will say, “What is the Word of the Lord? What does He say?” The surety of the Word will draw men of wealth and favor to the House of the Lord. They are sent not to be plundered but to teach. Glean from them knowledge and favor.
January will be a month of visitation for apostles and pastors. Some will soak in rivers of His oil for their healing. Others will soak in rivers of water for their purification. New, new, new! New pastors will be added to the church exponentially in preparation for the years to follow. A great harvest is on the horizon!
Part Two will be posted tomorrow evening.
M.L. Bullock
Good morning EFC readers! As you can tell by our virtual dust, there are some changes occurring on the entire site. These are changes we are excited about because they will help us to provide you with better resources and more consistent encouragement. Last year, over 10,000 readers counted on our encouragement writers for a daily source of inspiration. For that, we are grateful and humbled.
As the year ends, our thoughts naturally turn to renewal and making those New Year's resolutions. This week, we offer encouragement to you to do so. We hope that you would consider making a resolution list; but instead of filling it solely with improvements for your appearance and body, think of your soul too. Make a resolution to pray in a more personal way, to worship privately or to create a "prayer closet" used only by you and God. Make a resolution to prophecy privately to your future, to be a source of encouragement to others by the writing of cards and letters or to take on the task of mentoring a disciple.
Perhaps God spoke to you or you felt the nudge of the Holy Spirit in 20111 to perform an unusual task. Add such activities to your list and move them to the top. Ask God what changes He wants to make in you, what virtues need improvement, what His plans are for you. Don't be afraid of change this year, embrace and run towards your destiny.
Tune in each day this week for a special prophetic word that will inspire and stir you. God bless you in the remainder of 2011 and in 2012.
M. L. Bullock -- Site Editor
"He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out." -John 10: 3 (NIV)
What a gentle Shepherd! This verse reminds us that although there are many of us, that each of us are known, personally by God. Not only that, but He promises us to lead us out. But out of what? Wherever you may wander!
I've had the opportunity to talk with shepherds about sheep and some of their behaviors sounds a lot like us. Did you know that sheep will climb, climb, climb, look down and freeze? Isn't that like us? We'll hear a good message, climb, climb, climb. Move up high in God, then freeze. Heights make us dizzy don't they? No worries, your loving Shepherd will lead you out.
When sheep are led through unfamiliar territory, they can get lost quickly. Sheep are messy, they can muddy up a clear stream in just days. Sheep are hungry, demanding and need constant maintenance. Doesn't that sound like you and I?
Be encouraged today. God is our Shepherd. He knows we get nervous and lost. He knows we are needy and sometimes silly but He loves us. No matter where you go today, God will bring you out!
Are you an app person? I don't know about you, but I am! My iPhone is loaded with apps that make life easier and more enjoyable. I've got apps that save me money at the grocery store and one that measures how many steps I take. On my phone, you'll find apps that entertain and some that keep me connected to my friends and family. You can believe that whatever hobby or interest you have, there's probably an app for it. These mini-applications have shaped our lives.
Today, while you're visiting Facebook or tapping into Twitter, consider getting some spiritual apps. Spend five minutes, (the same five minutes you use searching for the latest cool download), locating a verse you can apply to a weak area in your life. Plug in a verse here, download an app into your spirit that will make life easier and more enjoyable. Tap it into your phone's memo service and look at it several times a day. Apply as needed! Overcome a problem, break free from negative thinking! Use the 1,000's of free apps/verses that God has offered you to get the life you dream of.
M
Jesus said, according to the NIV, in Matthew 24:12, "Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold." The King James Version doesn't paint a prettier picture. Here the translation says, "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many will wax cold." Whether it's many or most, waxing or growing, it is an apt description of the times we live in. Without the Father's gift, our hearts too would be cold, unfeeling and unmoved by the suffering we witness. However, that's not the mode your heart should be in. God wants you to follow His example, to have a Giving Spirit. We should give of ourselves and be unafraid to experience rejection or pain. We must give and interact with others, just as Christ did.
Do a self-examination this Christmas and check the status of your heart. Be honest about any hardness you may see or feel. Ask God to remove any stony places He finds. Take an hour, or an afternoon and talk to God about restoring a giving spirit within you. Christmas is the perfect season for returning to your first love, Jesus! Don't be turned off by the concept of giving because retailers may have hijacked the message of the season. Instead, make a commitment to show the world what true believers believe, that the best gift is love!
M
_ --Bishop Gerald Doggett
God respects dreamers. That may surprise you, but Abraham dreamed about stars and sand by the sea. Joseph dreamed about wheat and stars. Notice both saw something of the earth and something of the heavens. That tells me your dreams will have an earthly side as well as a heavenly side. Someone once said, “It is never easy to keep reaching for dreams. Strength and courage can sometimes be lonely friends.” Let me encourage you to fight off the feeling of isolation, realize there are unseen forces from heaven walking with you on this journey. You are never alone!
During this Christmas Season, keep dreaming, keep reaching, and keep moving forward. Those in God’s Word that reached for the destiny prepared for them achieved their dream and much more. It’s the season we celebrate the entrance of Jesus into this world. Never forget, Jesus can enter any circumstance, manifest any dream, and fulfill any promise you’ve been carrying for a long time. Refuse to let go of your dream. Your faith is working, even while you are asleep, creating your dream. It’s your faith that’s reaching, and carrying the message, “I am REACHING FOR MY MIRACLE!”
_ Bishop Gerald Doggett
Decisions are made this time of year. Some are positive while others are negative. Many lose hope and fall deeper into despair. It’s significant to discipline your thinking during these weeks leading into the New Year. While much of this year was spent trying to make ends meet, keeping relationships from falling apart and multi tasking a plethora of other items, choose to make the coming year provide different results. Let’s just say, “I will leave the land of the impossible, and move to the land of all things are possible!”
With renewed faith, and drawing strength from this present Christmas season, shift your entire life to another paradigm. Jesus came to those whose life was on the marginal edge of society; those in pain and struggle. Since He has identified Himself with those who struggle, this could be a turn around season. Rejoice, shake things up a bit, and see your answer as larger than the problem. No longer use the word, “impossible.” Remember, we are leaving the land of the impossible. Our residence is now in a location, a mind set, a belief, where all things are possible. Wow, it’s A DECISION TO REMEMBER!
_ Bishop Gerald Doggett
Does it seem that life is on a merry go round, going faster and faster with no exit? It’s easy to lose perspective on the future when life spins out of control. Be sure to maintain a focus on the future God has planned for your life. He is the Master Builder, and has drawn plans for an outcome of victory and fulfillment. Much joy and happiness can be mined from the Christmas season with the spotlight on the reason for the season. In the midst of celebrating His birth and surrounding events, remain conscious of the Divine pull to the future deep within your recreated spirit
You are on a journey and there is an indelible tug from someone already in your future, drawing you toward an intended end. May this season strengthen, and enlarge your thinking about God’s plan. There is cause for celebration throughout this month because your harvest is abundant, and much closer than you think. His birth brought joy to the world, and He can bring joy into your circumstance. Count your blessings, name them one by one and it will surprise you what the Lord has done!
_ --Bishop Gerald Doggett
When Mary met Elizabeth, it set off a chain of events that would ultimately bring Jesus into the world. We call it, “CHRISTMAS.” Notice the sequence of events in Luke 1:39-41. Mary greets Elizabeth, then Elizabeth’s baby moves for possibly the first time. She knows what she carries is alive. Next Elizabeth blesses Mary and the unborn Child. Elizabeth blessed the fetus, the unborn child; think of the significance of that blessing. We have Elizabeth, the older generation, blessing Mary, the next generation, and the unborn Child of Mary, which encompass generations to come.
That blessing spanned hundreds of years and has ultimately reached your personal life. Refuse to be captured by problems, and circumstance this month. Celebrate your heritage and the blessing that has survived every enemy attack to reach your life. God favors you. He wants you blessed. All you’ve been through should have stopped you somewhere along the way, but it didn’t. Here you are, still standing. Your enemy is so disappointed in you. He thought you would have quit by now. How he has underestimated your strength because you continue partaking of THE BLESSING THAT SURVIVED! Merry Christmas, dear friends, Merry Christmas!
|
RSS Feed