"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
Celebrating His Life
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.
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