 Feel can like a roller coaster ride! The strength of the weapon your enemy has chosen to use against you could be an indication of the significant harvest God has in your future. Relationships are being tested within families as well as outside the family unit. Marriages have come under undue stress and tempers have manifested. Children are more restless than usual. The journey from where you are to where you want to be seems endless, with few rewards. It all seems so frustrating you may be considering giving up.
God has a promise for days like these. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” The Greek word for “rest” means, to keep quiet; as demonstrated by a calm, and patient expectation. Let your mind stop the roller coaster ride it’s been on for the last few days. God remains in control of your future. Allow expectation to rise in your spirit. That which was dead can live. Expectation is your key to unlock tomorrow, and give you access to a future so bright it will drive all the darkness of today far away. No more LIFE ON A ROLLER COASTER!
Gerald Doggett
 If it has been a while since the blessings of your life have been counted, take a moment, grab a cup of coffee, sit down with pen and paper and begin listing things for which you are thankful. Keep in mind that thanksgiving is primarily for experiences that have already come to pass. Once you get started, I’m sure the list will grow longer than expected. With each blessing remembered, fond memories warm the soul, and settle the spirit. Anxiety departs and perhaps a smile might even emerge from your face. Come to think of it, maybe it’s been quite a while since you remembered smiling. New joy can be discovered while COUNTING BLESSINGS!
I know problems must have solutions, but we can get so involved in the negative side of life we forget the good times. Try to strike a balance of celebrating the good times while finding solutions to the difficult times. It will take some discipline, and perhaps even a shifting of our thinking, but the result can be a new found faith reaching for a positive future God has promised. A new season of living can often be found when we begin COUNTING BLESSINGS!
Gerald Doggett, Encourager
One of the things I regret the most in my Christian walk are the missed obedience opportunities. I can't tell you how many times I have felt prompted to go to someone, to give or do something but before I could follow through...well you know the rest of the story. I talked myself out of swift obedience, doubting that God spoke to me, worried I might be considered a fool. Can you relate to that?
I encourage you to become a "first responder!" Condition yourself to respond the first time God speaks to you. Be inspired by the Word of God. Be comfortable with the Spirit of God. Ask God to train you through "smaller"l obedience tasks. I've done it and it works!
Sitting at my desk I've heard Him whisper, "Come walk with me." Walking in a crowd, I have heard Him say, "Go encourage this person with a smile!." When you become a first responder in the small things, being a first responder in the larger things becomes easier.
M.L. Bullock
_ "The Lord hath done great things," is a phrase from Psalm 126. Meditate on that and allow it to sink deep down into your spirit. Release all the adverse circumstances for a moment and concentrate on the great things God has already completed. Although there is much that’s already been accomplished, don’t think God is finished. No, there remain greater things than you can imagine that God will do. Your adversity is on God’s agenda. The Message Bible translates the ending of this Psalm like this: "So those who went off with heavy hearts will come home laughing, with armloads of blessing."
Could you use some laughter right now? Could you use an armload of blessings? The difference in whether or not you experience something good, that laughter or armload of blessing is determined by whether what you believe for is a desire, or just a wish. There's a big difference between the two. Jesus said, "Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." Find a friend, share your desire and know for sure, IT’S TIME TO LAUGH!
Gerald Doggett
Gerald Doggett
Tucked away in Isaiah, chapter 41 is a powerful verse designed to encourage those most fatigued in their journey. It simply says the Lord will hold thy right hand, and speak to your heart that you should not fear, because He will help. Notice the Lord has promised, not to just be with you, although that is a powerful word standing alone, but He promised to help you. Now that’s altogether different. God is not passive about your circumstance. He is pro-active. I’ve had friends with me on my journey but they were not able to help. All they could do was encourage me to continue.
God is so different. He is not only on the journey with you, but has promised to get involved in the circumstances that cause trouble and bring on fatigue. I want you to take a moment, be very still, take a deep breath, exhale, and now sense His presence within. Listen for His voice; He is speaking words of assurance and affirmation. You can make it through any circumstance with God at your side, speaking to your heart. It’s a special moment. I’m calling this pro-active characteristic of God, FRESH ENCOURAGEMENT.
To live with God is to live in a world of continual mornings!
You may currently be immersed in darkness--it hasn't permeated your being, but it has wrapped its cold, lonely arms around you. Your darkness may be depression, anxiety over the state of the world, worry over your job or financial situation. Whatever it is for you, it is real and permeable.
Faithfully. Quietly, you wait. Despite the turmoil around you, you wait. You draw strength from scripture that He brings to your remembrance. You contemplate the majesty of God, not pleading in desperation, but in trust and with hope. Until the first fingers of dawn crack the darkness with His bright Presence. One, two, three beams, then suddenly, darkness flees and your left alone to rejoice in the freedom, warmed by His Presence.
Today, if it's you dealing with darkness, don't panic! Be encouraged! Your morning is coming, help, the only help that matters, is on the way. Cling to hope in God and refuse to focus on the darkness.
God will never fail to bring the dawn! He is the Dawn Bringer!
M.L. Bullock
Today could be the day to start living the dream. Even when the debris of life continues piling on, God remains committed to the dream He placed in your heart. Encouragement could be in the distant past; courage and strength might be qualities of life long since buried beneath yesterday’s pain.
Feeling like a failure along with mistakes made does not cancel God’s love. God has never been sorry for loving you! You remain a valuable treasure in His eyes and He believes in you.
Take a moment and remember your greatest desire. The one which burned in your spirit the most. It may seem impossible to attain right now. Dig deep enough, you’ll find it. Now, take all the clutter away, dust off the dream and, once again, talk to God about the steps you will take toward its manifestation.
It’s not too late. Gather courage, strength and encouragement for the journey. Your strength can be renewed as the strength of the eagle. Courage remains dormant, but is activated by faith and encouragement becomes the fuel to the manifestation of your dream. Be encouraged to live the dream!
--Bishop Gerald Doggett
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