"Many Are About to Sleep Their Way to Freedom" - Al Thomas

"Many Are About to Sleep 

Their Way to Freedom"

Al Thomas, Hagerstown, MD

The Elijah List

Slumber for the Body of Christ

Six years ago, God gave me a word about the benefits of sleeping...here's the word He just gave me about slumber for the Body of Christ.(Photo via Pixabay)

Matthew 11:28-30 says, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest...and you will find rest for your souls."When you sleep you rest. While praying for the Body of Christ, I heard God say:

"Many of My children simply need to go to bed..."

I Heard God Say, "I Will Put Your Enemies in a Deep Sleep"

First, remember David: "So David took the spear and the jug of water from beside Saul's head, and they went away, but no one saw it or knew it, nor did any awake, for they were all asleep, because a sound sleep from the Lord had fallen on them" (1 Samuel 26:12).

Discouragement, confusion, and fear will weaken the enemy's camp as God's slumber will disable them. While they sleep, many in the Church are going to walk right into the enemy's camp, take their weapons, fresh water, and walk right out. They will not destroy them (the Lord will do that). They will simply disarm them (see Ephesians 6:10-17).

Many think sleep is a waste of time, but not God. He utilizes it for your good. Get this: As you sleep, God is planning each step of your future (see Jeremiah 29:11, 33:3). God did not haphazardly put you here on this earth without a plan (see Proverbs 3:6). He has a future for you. He didn't just save you and then throw you into some strange predicament and say, "Good luck, I hope you make it." You were not just accidentally dropped here due to some cosmic misunderstanding. You are here on purpose.

Angels (and Sometimes Jesus) are in Your Room While You Sleep

After ministering at a church recently, we heard the following testimony: "Last year, when Al & Sherry were here, I came up for prayer. I had had severe neck pain for some time. When they prayed it seemed nothing happened. One night, about 3-4 days later as I was lying in bed, half asleep, half awake, I felt the hands of the Lord around my neck. I knew it was the Lord Jesus. He was turning and twisting my neck and I could feel and hear bones moving. Since that night I have never had that pain again."

I'm always reluctant to share experiences with angels because people shouldn't be obsessed with the supernatural. I don't seek "experiences," yet I constantly have them. I don't know why, but it's happened since Jesus appeared in my living room on Christmas day in 1971 – uninvited, by the way. I have found that the supernatural is very natural in my life. Since that day, I have found, if you seek Jesus, inevitably you will experience the supernatural. We must be discerning and test the spirits (see 1 John 4:1). (Photo via Wikimedia Commons)

In the early '80s (while pastoring in Wisconsin), I was awakened by an angel standing in my bedroom. I knew this was an angel from God (since he had visited me when I was saved). He spoke these words to me: "Someone lied to you, and you have believed this lie for many years." 

Then I saw a vision of my father screaming at me when I was about 12 years old. My father said, "You will never be anything, you will always be a bum." The angel said, "You must forgive him. He loved you but did not know how to show it, nor did he understand the damage those words would cause you."

I had completely blocked that memory out of my mind. I forgave my father, and I felt a huge weight lifted off of me. The angel said, "You are not a failure. Go forth, knowing you will succeed." Then the angel disappeared. I loved my dad and I know he loved me, but showing affection was very difficult for him when he was a young father.

Peter Slept While He was in Prison. You Need Some Rest for Your Stress. God Will Use Your Slumber Time to Refresh You...

Yes, there is a time to work, to fight, and resist, but there is also a time to rest while God works for you (see Exodus 14:14). Sometimes God can do more for you when you are sleeping than when you are awake.

As Peter was released by an angel (see Acts 12:3-11), God will release you from bondage. But take notice, Peter did not start praying feverishly and demanding to be released. Instead, he was so confident that God would deliver him, he calmly closed his eyes and slept. 

Just as many saints were praying for him (see verse 5), be aware that many saints are right now praying for you. Relax. Calm down. "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10). You have prayed and made your requests known (see Philippians 4:6). Be at peace (see Philippians 4:7). (Photo via Wikimedia Commons)

Do you not know that God has dispatched a divine angelic posse and more is happening than you can see? Angels are ministering spirits for the heirs of salvation. "Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? (Hebrews 1:14). God is on the job and His timing is perfect. While it is true some need to awaken from a slothful faith (see Ephesians 5:14), many more need to rest in God (see Matthew 11:28-30). Where is that La-Z-Boy? You're getting sleepy now...

God Can Move While You Snooze...

I'm not talking about laziness or procrastination (see Proverbs 6:4; 20:13). Working hard actually makes your sleep sweet (see Ecclesiastes 5:12). But this is a divine sleep...a heavenly rest that brings direction and deliverance. Many will experience ministry from God while they have a little siesta.

Hear this: If God put Adam into a deep sleep (see Genesis 2:21) and made Eve...imagine what He can do with a little nap. God will send angels to visit many through dreams. Testimonies will come forth of divine direction as they simply dozed off. As God gave Joseph instructions in a dream (see Matthew 1:20), so He can do the same with you. Forty winks will accomplish for some what a forty-day fast did for others.

Many will experience healing in an afternoon nap...you will slumber and hear His voice; after dozing off, you will awaken with a new enthusiasm for your calling. Some, previously fearful, will fall asleep and awaken with a supernatural sense of peace and safety (see Proverbs3:24). 

When in the past dread was your companion, now sweetness will accompany you each time you awaken (see Jeremiah 31:26). Still, with others, before God sets people upright, He will lay them down in a deep sleep (see Daniel 8:18). As you sleep, God will speak. (Photo via Pixabay)

Some must be put out before God can bring them in. No distractions, no doubts, no temptations – and no sleeping pills needed. Some might say, "You're lazy" – but you and God know better. Your eyes are heavy now. Come, it's ministry time...in your sleep. Goodnight, child of God.

It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so He giveth His beloved sleep.Psalm 127:2

Al Thomas
Celebrating His Life

Email: a.thomas@myactv.net
Website: celebratinghislife.com

Al Thomas is a noted Bible teacher who travels mostly east of the Mississippi with a ministry of encouragement to the Body of Christ. He teaches heavenly truths with down-to-earth practicality and humor. Al and his wife Sherry publish a free teaching newsletter that reaches many homes each month. Al has pastored in California and Wisconsin and was mentored by evangelist Jim Spillman. 

Al and Sherry minister in churches of all denominations, and are known for the gift of faith to be in operation in their meetings. Al and Sherry move prophetically and see many healed in their meetings. They have four children and six grandchildren. They reside in central Maryland.

To subscribe to The Elijah List go to:http://elijahlist.com/subscribe

"Satan Is Attacking Many With Depression – That's About To End" by Al Thomas

"Satan Is Attacking Many With Depression 

– That's About To End"

Al Thomas, Hagerstown, MD

The Elijah List

Many Years Ago God Delivered Me From Depression and Worry

As a young man, I was living in California, and after a hard day at work and just returning from an evening Bible college class, I was greatly depressed. I wanted someone to talk to and share my heavy heart, but I met an empty house. At that time, a lot of pressures were weighing me down. My family life was in turmoil, my job frustrating, and all the while my stress level was increasing to an explosive point. My mind was confused and bewildered. All alone, I felt an urge to pray.

I went to my bedroom, fell to my knees, and cried out to God in desperation. After briefly praying, I was so emotionally exhausted I crawled up on the bed and fell fast asleep. After twenty minutes or so, I was awakened by a majestic voice that said, "ISAIAH 26:3." The voice was full of authority and love.

I grabbed my Bible and read the verse, "[I] wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on [Me]." As soon as I finished reading, an amazing thing happened: I felt as if hot oil was being poured on my head, going right through me. It seemed as if His peace claimed me and took up residence. (Photo via Flickr)

Proverbs 12:25 says, "Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad." I had received a good word. Since then I have faced many trials and a few life-altering catastrophes. Pressures and problems still come, but I can honestly say I have rarely worried about anything since that time or experienced depression. I do not put my head in the sand when troubles come; I simply have a divine perspective about them and a great peace within. This was a manifestation of Jesus' promise of peace and it has abided.

Depression Is One of the Most Lethal Weapons the Enemy Uses

The world is in a perilous state. Fear of war, another terrorist attack, or any number of uncertainties abound. Many are facing health problems and financial woes. Others are facing despair because of family members who are not walking with Jesus or are simply in disunity. As long as we are on this earth, there will always be some kind of trouble facing us. Job 5:7 says,"Yet man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward." No one (as long as they are breathing) is exempt.

Before despair wedges its way into your life, you must learn how to deal with it and overcome it. Yes, I said overcome it.

David said "Why art thou cast down, O my soul?" (Psalm 43:5). Don't be ashamed if you're depressed, but recognize that Jesus said we don't have to live with it (see John 16:33). Joy is your inheritance, not depression. Jesus said: "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full" (John 15:11). Depression robs you of energy and makes you think God is not pleased with you.

Stop Looking In the Rearview Mirror

This is often the root cause of depression. But it is the last place you should go – the past. There is nothing there but despair. Before all the "wringing of hands," the "sweating of the brow," and the "woe is me," talk to yourself and others and go to the Source: God Himself. You may say: "Come on, that's too simple; I've cried out time and time again, etc." Some say, "I did, He didn't say anything."

Here is the key: Then put your anchor down and start waiting. Read Hebrews 6:15-19. Also, remember what David said: "The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed" (Psalm 9:9). Psalm 25:5 says"Lead me in Thy truth and teach me; for Thou art the God of my salvation; on Thee do I wait all the day." (Photo via Freeimages)

People want an instant solution. Instead, God wants us to trust and be patient. Some don't like to hear that, but that is where maturity is manifested. The Hebrew word for "wait" means to "expect." He is waiting for you to wait on Him."For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion: in the secret of His tabernacle shall He hide me; He shall set me up upon a rock"(Psalm 27:5).

God is calling: "When thou saidst, 'Seek ye My face'; my heart said unto Thee, 'Thy face, Lord, will I seek'" (Psalm 27:8).

God has been described in many ways. One of my favorites is, "God is a huge guy with a big coat that has millions of pockets. Some are small and others larger," and if you get close enough, He will reach in one of those pockets and "give you something." 

God is an amazing Giver. God gave the Son. The Son gave the Spirit. The Spirit gives gifts. The Father is a contagious giver. Get close to Him. He has something for you, and it is always good. Be waiting, be expectant... joy is coming in place of depression.

See God's View – No Room For Depression

Have you ever felt like you were wasting your time and bearing no fruit? Sometimes depression is a lack of proper focus. God is never depressed. Keith Green sang, "The view from here (earth) is nothing near to what it is for You."

The way God sees you and the way you see yourself must come into alignment. Why?Because how God views problems is different from how we do. (Photo via Pixabay)

Elijah thought he was the only prophet in the land. "...I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away" (1 Kings 19:10). Elijah was telling God false information – and not only once, but twice (see verse 14)! Elijah's problem? He didn't have all the facts.

Tip: Elijah wasn't alone (see verse 18). Neither are you. The enemy wants you to feel trapped and come up with a worldly solution to your problem rather than waiting for God. Remember King Saul? He didn't wait for the prophet (Samuel) to arrive for the sacrifice; instead he goes ahead (see 1 Samuel 13:9). He felt pressured, got nervous and... the devil fooled him. That foolishness cost him a kingdom (see verses 9-14).

Ask God to open your eyes. You're not surrounded, your enemies are (see 2 Kings 6:16-17). It's how you view things. Get God's perspective, He's got 20/20 spiritual vision (past, present, and future). He sees all, knows all, and never panics. When we have His perspective, joy rules our hearts. Peter said we would "be glad... with exceeding joy" (1 Peter 4:13). That word "exceeding" means "super abundant."

See God's Solution – Not Your Own

Too often we want to "figure things out" instead of waiting on God. David (Saul's replacement) wrote, "Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD" (Psalm 27:14). God is not ignoring the seriousness of your dilemma, nor about to give you the usual shallow "Christianese" buzz words, expecting you to suddenly start jumping for joy. Yet, at the same time, God's answers are usually quite simple.

The greatest discoveries are those that reduce complex things into very simple things. Often, we start to imagine in our own minds how God is going to help us. Don't do this. You see, God is always going somewhere. Don't start going somewhere until you know for sure that is the direction God is going. Blessed is the man who finds out which way God is moving and then gets going in the same direction.

Sometimes Biblical trust has nothing to do with logic or circumstances. God's peace can come even though understanding escapes us (see Philippians 4:7). We are looking through a glass darkly (see 1 Corinthians 13:12). So don't let anyone rob you of God's "on-the-way" blessing. Firmly resist satan (see James 4:7), then listen for the sound (see Psalm 89:15).

Heaven is making a sound. Faith hears that sound. The train is coming around the corner, the whistle is blowing. I hear shaking and I see chains falling off of many (see Acts 16:26). If I were you, I'd start rejoicing by faith (see Philippians 4:4). You see, that Engineer is wearing a huge coat... and if you pay attention, you'll see all kinds of blessings fall out of His pockets and depression suddenly disappear.(Photo via Pixabay)

Al Thomas
Celebrating His Life

Email: a.thomas@myactv.net
Website: celebratinghislife.com

Al Thomas is a noted Bible teacher who travels mostly east of the Mississippi with a ministry of encouragement to the Body of Christ. He teaches heavenly truths with down-to-earth practicality and humor. Al and his wife Sherry publish a free teaching newsletter that reaches many homes each month. 

Al has pastored in California and Wisconsin and was mentored by evangelist Jim Spillman. Al and Sherry minister in churches of all denominations, and are known for the gift of faith to be in operation in their meetings. Al and Sherry move prophetically and see many healed in their meetings. They have four children and six grandchildren. They reside in central Maryland.

To subscribe to The Elijah List go to:http://elijahlist.com/subscribe

Al Thomas: Many Are On a Strange Road To a Blessing - The Elijah List

Al Thomas:

Many Are On a Strange Road To a Blessing

The Elijah List

A Blessing In Disguise

Have you ever had an important appointment and then came upon an unexpected road block? Suddenly you find yourself on an unknown road and lost? The traffic is heavy and you are barely moving. You know if you don't get off this road you will be late. Then you fall into an agitated state and get stressed out. This is when the Holy Spirit says, "Child, be at peace." And so it is in the spirit: Some think they are in an unknown place (stuck in spiritual traffic), but God is actually preparing them for a blessing. 

The Holy Spirit is saying: "The unexpected road block is a blessing in disguise."

Often, when everything seems to be going well for you, then problems come; but, actually, God is up to something good. Sometimes battles are easily won, and temptations (although constant) don't usually trip you up (see 1 Corinthians 10:13). Other times it seems like life is falling apart and everything breaks loose. Those things that you used to handle with ease now overwhelm you. You wonder, Where did my strength go? (see Psalm 6:2).

So there you are, called by God, following His plans the best you know how, when things start to go downhill. Your spirit was soaring with enthusiasm, but now victory seems illusive.

Fear not, God is preparing something: a blessing for you. 

Yes, the road looks unfamiliar, but you are not on the wrong path. Psalm 37:23 declares "The steps of a man are established by the Lord..."

You didn't ask for this, but now you must fight a small battle (see Ephesians 6:11-12). You must keep moving forward. Tremendous rewards await you if you do not quit (see Philippians 1:6). You decide to keep moving (see Philippians 4:13) and not quit. The formally congested road is about to clear up (see Romans 8:28). The fog will soon lift, because God is preparing an unexpected blessing for you. God is saying to you, "Behold, I will bless, and nothing can reverse it..." (see Number 23:20). (Photo via Pixabay)

Don't Think Because You Are Not Moving God Is Not On the Move

Sometimes, if God would have allowed you to keep on the same old path you were on (see Proverbs 14:12) you would have missed the opportunity (and blessing). Often, God forcefully detours us so we will head into the blessings He has for us (see John 4:38). Often more is accomplished in the spiritual realm when He makes us wait (see Isaiah 40:31) and wonder.

Wait doesn't mean inactivity. It means "resting in Him." Don't panic because nothing seems to be happening. He has pushed the "divine pause button" to bring you to rest in Him. (Something He has been trying to get you to do for some time now.) Yes, you are moving, only this time He is carrying you. Yes, progress is being made; but this time He is directing it. 

You prayed for this long ago, so don't fight it. You can now relax...as He takes over. 

Realizing this, your faith allows His joy to manifest. Expectation replaces stress.

Because of the Road Block, Don't Think His Promises Are Postponed

Actually, the opposite is true (see Psalm 138:8). God is taking you on a different road. The promise will not only come to pass but will be fulfilled on a grander scale. 

You allow God to do it His way (see Psalm 18:30). Oh yes, you meant well and your heart was in the right place; but God wanted to show you "a better way." And, because you didn't take your road (and avoid His detour), God can now speak with you about His plans, not yours (see Jeremiah 29:11). 

Now you realize that you should have taken His detour long ago. You start to thank Him for the "strange road." 

Deeper communion with the King results (see Luke 24:15). You smile knowing He's in charge, and His peace arrives. (Photo via Freeimages)

You're In Good Company And About To Make History

God's in the business of "divine road blocks." He gave Paul a heavenly detour (see Acts 9) and changed history, turning the world upside down (see Acts 17:6). Jesus gave a few fisherman a divine detour and it also turned their life (and the world) upside down (see Matthew 4:18-19). God sent the angel Gabriel to Mary for the grandest detour of all, and because she accepted it (see Luke 1:30-31), you and millions of others are now in the Kingdom of God. They and many others could have taken the "normal, beaten path," but they would not have changed history.

God's highway appears before you (see Isaiah 35:8). You need to start thanking Him for the interruption. Rejoice for the road block God has placed in front of you. Do not run from it. Many will be blessed because you said, "God, I don't recognize this path. I have never been here before, but because You say so, I will follow Your detour for me."

Remember, no one said you have to always understand this divine road block. That will come later. As for now, take a deep breath, slow down and enjoy the view. 

Don't worry. Be anxious for nothing (see Philippians 4:6). Simply keep your eyes on Jesus and He'll let you know which exit to get off (see 1 Samuel3:10). Road block? Detour? I think not. You're on the road to blessings. (Photo via Pixabay)

CONSIDER THIS: God has never had a day when He said: "Gee, I didn't see that coming..."

Al Thomas
Celebrating His Life

Email: a.thomas@myactv.net
Website: celebratinghislife.com

Al Thomas is a noted Bible teacher who travels mostly east of the Mississippi with a ministry of encouragement to the Body of Christ. He teaches heavenly truths with down-to-earth practicality and humor. Al and his wife Sherry publish a free teaching newsletter that reaches many homes each month. Al has pastored in California and Wisconsin and was mentored by evangelist Jim Spillman. 

Al and Sherry minister in churches of all denominations, and are known for the gift of faith to be in operation in their meetings. Al and Sherry move prophetically and see many healed in their meetings. They have four children and six grandchildren. They reside in central Maryland.

To subscribe to The Elijah List go to:http://elijahlist.com/subscribe