From the desk of Steve Shultz:
Words have been coming out lately of having FAITH in God and Loving Him and one another. I think of one word when I read articles of faith, hope and love: Unity.
After all, Jesus' prayer for Believers is "that they will all be one, just as You and I are One--as You are in Me, Father, and I am in You" (see John 17).
May you receive the great Love of the FATHER as you read through Al Thomas' latest word.
Joy and Blessings,
Steve
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Al Thomas:
Feeling Weary And Tempted To Faint? Here's What To Do.
Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Galatians 6:9
Understand What Makes You Weary
According to the Word of God, "doing good" makes us weary. And what is "doing good," according to the Word of God? Well, works are good, but what is the highest good you can do? Loving God. And having faith in God. Loving God is the highest commandment, and when you have faith you please Him (see Hebrews 11:6).
But hold on, and take a look at this from God's perspective. Many start to feel insecure or unworthy because they have the impression that they are not good enough or that they don't love God enough. This is a great deception in the Church, and it has crippled some in their walk with God.
Jesus, responding to the question, "Which is the greatest commandment?" said, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment" (Matthew 22:36-38). So, the highest good you could do is to love God. And, in like manner, to have faith in God (see Romans 12:3).
Note that I didn't say you wouldn't experience occasional moments of doubt (we all do), or that you would always do the right thing (or never stumble or sin). I said, "Do you love the Lord with all your heart? And do you adore Him with all of your soul?" And does your mind often think of Him during the day and night? I'm convinced most Believers do. That means you have faith in God, and most importantly, you are fulfilling the greatest commandment! You are doing the greatest good. Get convinced of it and that weariness will fade away! Many are pleasing God and don't even know it. Stop believing that you are living in condemnation and accept that He has accepted you. Get Ephesians 1:6 drilled into your head, "...He made [you] accepted."
Some Are Weary Because They Feel They Have Missed God's Calling On Their Life
Again, the Word of God is our source to demystifying this dilemma many Believers are confused about. Jesus clarified this in John's Gospel, chapter six. Jesus was asked, "What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?" (verse 28). Some feel they missed the work of God for their life.
One woman asked me to tell her what the work/will of God was for her. She felt like she failed God because there wasn't any type of specific "CALLING." Here's what the Holy Spirit gave me for her from John 6:29: "Jesus answered and said unto them, 'This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent.'" If you believe Jesus is the son of God you will automatically be in the "work of God."
No, I'm not naive. I know we need to fight the good fight of faith (see 1 Timothy 6:12), and this is no cake-walk. Plus, we need to seek direction and His purpose for us. And, we need to pray, have fellowship, and "give effort as the Holy Spirit" prompts us. But don't buy into the lie that you don't love Him with all of your heart. You are doing the work of God. He loves you. He will fulfill His promises to you. He has not forgotten you... (see Hebrews 13:5).
Don't be deceived into thinking you have failed God. Don't carry guilt or shame because of some self-imposed form of holiness or position that God never meant you to reach. Also, don't be deceived into thinking you are not totally accepted by God. This is a great lie (see John 10:10). I see many of God's children (even ministers) under intimidation by the devil. Some are paralyzed with fear and guilt. This causes them to have little joy and even less victory. You are accepted by the Father. You are greatly loved. He favors you. My God, man! Surrender to that great love! This wonderful journey was not meant to always be burdensome and overbearing. Yes, we will have problems, but there is to be joy (see John 17:13) and peace (see Isaiah 26:3) in the journey.
You Must Accept His Unconditional Love – Then Weariness Flees
Realize how much God loves you! Preachers tell us we must have faith to please God, but many casually pass over the teaching that faith works by love, and that God is love (see Galatians 5:6). If we are to live in line with God's Word, we must not only be children of faith serving a faith God, but know that you are already fulfilling the greatest commandment by already loving God with all of your heart and soul and mind... you are doing this now, and in so doing you are fulfilling the highest commandment!
Yet, too often we dwell on the "big stuff," or the "dramatic," or the "negative." God is also interested in the small things of our lives.
EXAMPLE: We baby-sit our son's dog occasionally. He's a big, lovable dog with a strong wagging tail. One day they brought over the dog and I noticed the dog's tail wasn't moving at all. Odd. My son said, "The veterinarian diagnosed it as 'dead tail.' It happens. The muscle simply dies and hence, no wagging." I thought, "Now what does a dog have in life? It eats, drinks water, barks, and wags its tail. That's not much. Tail wagging is important to dogs!" I have seen thousands of people healed in our meetings. Why not a dog? I called the dog over to me, laid hands on it and believed God to "make it wag again!" Within ten minutes that tail was wagging. And it still is. God loves you and your dog! If He cares about a dog, how much more does He care for you? (see Matthew 10:31)
Recognize You Are Pleasing God – Now – Therefore Weariness Evaporates
At a Christian men's retreat the speaker asked each man to go to their room and ask God, "What it is that you do to please God?" They each spent about 30 minutes seeking God. When they returned, one by one the men shared what they thought God told them. Answers like, "When you are more loving to your wife" – "When you give to the poor" – "When you read your Bible every day" or "Because you witness for Me," etc., etc.
All of the men expressed similar answers, except one. He was known for constantly struggling spiritually and had times of doubt. Some judged him because of it. He replied, "I felt God said to me, "I am pleased when anyone wants to please Me..." That is revelation. God is pleased when we want to please Him! Have you ever wanted to please God? That pleases God. Don't dwell on your failures. Dwell on His love for you. It's real. It's unrelenting.
Luke 18:1 says, "Men ought always to pray, and not to faint." But just in case you do, Isaiah 40:29 says, "He giveth power to the faint." My word, you can't lose! Isaiah 40:31 says, "Walk, and not faint..."
For many who have waited so long, prayed so hard, victory will finally come to pass. For some it will not be as they imagined or thought, but the Spirit's sudden weaving of circumstances and events will turn to your favor. Peace will come so stealthily that you are stunned to realize, "I am resting in Him like I haven't in years...all things are well with my soul."
Romans 8:28 seems to leap off the page and calm your soul. You rejoice greatly. Yes, it's real. But there's more; your children will come, your healing will manifest and even your doubts start to disappear. Seems like you do have the victory by faith after all. You see things differently. You haven't lost heart. Time to be happy. I'd get excited about that if I were you.
Al Thomas
Celebrating His Life
Email: a.thomas@myactv.net
Website: celebratinghislife.com
Al and Sherry Thomas travel extensively in America and Southeast Asia. Al and Sherry have a prophetic and healing anointing and have seen many miracles. They founded Celebrating His Life Ministries in 1997 and are gifted teachers of the Word. Prior to that date they served at Mount Hope Prison Ministry for three years. Al has pastored in Wisconsin and California and was associated with evangelist Jim Spillman, a great man of God who was known for miracles happening in his meetings. Al has walked in the healing anointing since 1997. They have seen blind eyes healed, deaf ears opened, and many other healings. They minister gently and practically, with no fanfare or dramatics. They currently minister in approximately sixty churches a year.
