Excerpts from an article by Al Thomas (additional thoughts by David Nelson)

Posted: 2007-08-09 14:31:18

Excerpts from an article by Al Thomas titled, “I AM GOING TO RESURRECT MINISTRIES THAT HAVE GONE DORMANT”  (with some additional thoughts by David Nelson in parentheses, 7-24-07) 

God says: “PREPARE FOR THE RESURRECTION OF YOUR VISION”

If your vision is from Me (the Lord) it will rise (just like the seed that germinates in its time). 

I (the Lord) may have put your vision or dream on hold, and no matter what you have tried, nothing seems to work (little or no fruit). It may be that your vision was more important than Me (and you had to come to know Me 1^st). The vision (ministry) may have been given more attention than I was. (Now I call you to pay more attention to Me). No matter how glorious your vision (your goals or ministry) is, it cannot be bigger than Me…the One who gave it. You are coming into the place of knowing you don’t need ministry to be fulfilled in your heart. You need Me.

You will learn my ways and my timing that is not the same as yours. Only when I say go, do you move out. My instructions may be heard when you are still before Me. You are learning that it is a mistake to “do” for Me before have “heard” from Me. I go at what some call a slower pace, yes, I can move suddenly too, but I am moving at the pace of Love. My speed is designed to allow you to slow down and fellowship with Me.  

You are learning that all growth comes from Me. You are to water as I direct (I Cor. 3:6-7) and do the things I show you. But my life and growth and new birth come from above (from Me).

Your greatest joy will not be ministry but relationship with Me. An army is about to be raised up with this great truth reverberating in their spirit: “I love the Lord more than I love to minister.” (Another way to put this is: I choose 1^st to love the Lord, whatever ministry doors He opens to me I welcome any way that I can serve Him and His people. Could I be satisfied with Him alone if nothing ever opens again? May He be pleased with my obedience to this point, and may I always to be ready to obey as He leads. May He also be pleased with my fellowship with Him to this point and lead me ever closer to Himself. May my fellowship with His people increase more and more as it pleases Him, that we might mutually encourage one another).

For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. (or be late, but it will come at the perfect time in My plans). Habakkuk 2:3

Al Thomas, Celebrating His Life Ministries, Email: a.thomas@myactv.net

Elijah List Publications, 310 2nd Ave. SE, Albany, OR 97321, www.elijahlist.net, Phone: 1-541-926-3250