AL THOMAS

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MANY ARE ON A DIVINE DETOUR.

April 23, 2008

I WAS DRIVING TO A LUNCH APPOINTMENT WITH a Pastor when I came upon a detour. Because of the detour traffic became snarled and I was barely moving. I checked the time and knew that if this traffic didn’t clear up soon I was going to be late. I almost fell into an irritated state when God’s presence came upon me. I sensed the Father saying, “I have placed many of My children on a Divine Detour and they do not know it.”

1. SOME ARE FACING UNEXPECTED ROAD BLOCKS IN THEIR WALK WITH GOD…

Generally, everything seemed to be going smoothly for you. Most battles were easily won and temptations (although constant) didn’t usually trip you (1 Corinthians 10:13). Then all hell broke loose. Those things that you used to handle with ease suddenly overwhelmed you and you wondered where did your strength go (Psalm 6:2). So there you are, called by God and following His plans the best you knew how when things start to go downhill. Your spirit used to soar with enthusiasm but now it was hard to get out of bed. Fear not, God is preparing something new for you, but to bring it forth (here comes that word), pruning must take place (John 15:2). You didn’t ask for this but now you must fight the battle (Ephesians 6: 11, 12). You must bite the bullet and keep moving forward. Tremendous rewards await you if you do not quit (Philippians 1:6). You decide to keep moving (Philippians 4:13). God nods His approval.

2. SOME THINK THEY ARE HARDLY MOVING AND SEE NO PROGRESS AT ALL…

You are wrong. If God would have allowed you to keep on the same old path you were on (Proverbs 14:12) you would have missed the opportunity (and blessings) He is about to show you. Often, God forcefully detours us so we will head into the harvest He has for us (John 4:38). Sometimes, more is accomplished in the spiritual realm when He makes us wait (Isaiah 40:31) then when we are ‘busy’ for God. Don’t panic because nothing seems to be happening. He has pushed the ‘divine pause button’ to bring you to Him and sit in His presence, something He has been trying to get you to do for some time now…(Matthew 11: 28-30). 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 now relax…as He takes over.

3. BECAUSE OF THE DETOUR, DON’T THINK HIS PROMISES ARE POSTPONED…

Actually, the opposite is true (Psalm 138:8). Because God is taking you a different way, the promise will not only come to pass, but be fulfilled on a grander scale, because you allowed God to do it His way (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 decided not to panic and take a side road (to avoid His detour) God can now speak with you about His plans and not yours (Jeremiah 29:11). Now, you realize that you should have taken His detour long ago but you couldn’t discern the signs. You start to thank Him for the ‘forced detour’ that He caused because it will bring you into deeper communion with the King (Luke 24:15). You smile.

4. REJOICE, YOU’RE IN GOOD COMPANY AND ABOUT TO MAKE HISTORY…

God gave Paul a divine detour (Acts 9) and changed history. Jesus gave a few fisherman a detour and it turned their life upside down (Matthew 4: 18-19). God sent the angel Gabriel to Mary for the grandest detour of all and because she accepted it (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 (Isaiah 35:8) and you need to start thanking Him for the interruption. Rejoice for the detour 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 understand at this time the detour God is making you go through. That will come later. As for now, take a deep breath, slow down and enjoy the view. So, don’t worry, keep your eye on Jesus and He’ll let you know which exit to get off (1 Samuel 3:10).

WHY GOD’S PEOPLE AREN’T GOING DOWN THE

DRAIN, EVEN IF THE ECONOMY DOES…

April 16, 2008

GOD SAYS: “I SHOW MYSELF STRONG IN TIMES OF LACK”

“I am not panicking about the world’s economy. I am not the least bit worried about how I will take care of My children. I have not called an emergency meeting in heaven to discuss the world’s inflation crisis or the fuel prices. If I am not frightened neither should My children be. Have you forgotten how I have taken care of you in the past? When you hear the dreaded ‘R’ word = recession, be reminded of two other ‘R’ words: Remember and Rejoice. First, do you ‘remember’ how I took care of Israel in the desert (Deuteronomy 2:7)? Do you ‘remember’ how I took care of Elijah in a time of famine (1 Kings 17:7, 16)? Do you ‘remember’ how I took care of Elisha with a widow (2 Kings 4:6)? Do you ‘remember’ how I took care of Samaria in a time of famine (2 Kings 7:8)? Do you ‘remember’ how My Son fed the multitude who followed Him (Matthew 14:20)? Then ‘remember’ that I promised to take care of you (Philippians 4:19). Then, start to ‘rejoice’ by faith as you ponder these things. Purposeful rejoicing increases your faith. The enemy wants you to only think about how bad it is; I want you to dwell on my goodness and faithfulness. Start remembering and rejoicing. Walking with Me isn’t always easy. It wasn’t meant to be. But it’s worth it (Romans 8:18).”

GOD SAYS: “YOU ‘KNOW’ COMPLAINING WON’T HELP, SO PRAISE ME INSTEAD”

“You’re no fool. If you are under pressure financially don’t start to grumble like some people do. Don’t complain because you will be expressing exactly what the enemy wants you to express: Doubt, fear and worry. You know that I am capable of taking care of you so don’t make it difficult for yourself by murmuring (Philippians 2:14). No child of Mine (who walked in humility and obedience) ever fell into permanent financial ruin: ‘I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread’ (Psalm 37:25). Going through a stressful time with money doesn’t always mean that you are disobedient. Some wrongly teach that if you are struggling financially you must be out of My will. Tell that to My saints of old: ‘Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need’ (Philippians 4: 11, 12). Kick ‘Mr. Complainer’ out…invite ‘Mr. Praiser’ in. Complaining causes doubt. Praise clears the air of confusion and fear. Get up, tell doubt to shut up and start to shout praises to Me!”

GOD SAYS: “THIS TRIAL WILL COME TO AN END, YOU ‘KNOW’ THIS, SO HOLD ON”

“Yes, this season will end, and when it does, you’ll be glad that you stood strong and waited on Me (Psalm 130:5). You are not going to give in to fear, instead you will hold on to My promises (2 Corinthians 1:20). Do everything you can to stay in alignment with My will for your life (Ephesians 6:13). You may have stumbled a bit. You may have had some momentary thoughts of bewilderment…but you will not quit! Don’t give the devil the pleasure of letting him win. Like Joshua you need to choose this day who you will serve (Joshua 24:15). Child of Mine, you are not alone! As I hold on to you (Psalm 139:10) you must hold on to Me. I am faithful (1 Thessalonians 5:24). Remember, the problem with money is that it never solves anything as long as it’s solely in the world’s system.”

GOD SAYS: “BECAUSE YOU ‘KNOW’ THIS, DON’T LET SATAN CAUSE YOU TO STOP GIVING”

“Fear is the main reason My children back off from giving. They fear that they will not have enough. Never react from fear because the fruit of fear is torment (1 John 4:18). The fruit of faith is peace and provision. I am pleased when My children give even though they are overwhelmed with problems: “Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints” (2 Corinthians 8: 2-4). Note that they pleaded to give and they considered giving a privilege, not an obligation. I do not pressure my people to give (Exodus 25:2) because giving is an act of worship (1 Chronicles 29:14). Giving with an attitude of thankfulness and expectation can open heaven’s resources - to those who can responsibly handle my abundance. In the mean time let the so-called experts continue to shout ‘the sky is falling, the sky is falling’ but remember who made the sky and the only way you’re going to see it (and your supply) is to look up, not down.”