From the desk of Steve Shultz:
I always enjoy reading Al Thomas' words and I know many of our readers do too. Al often shows his sense of humor while giving a great teaching and prophetic word...at the same time. This is a great word about "walking on the water" out to Jesus, as Peter did..and as Al shares, "Peter did not have a life jacket." It's a great faith message.
Also remember to lift up Al Thomas and his family in prayer. Al was diagnosed with Esophagus Cancer, but recently had surgery and it went well for him. Info about his health updates are at the bottom of his article.
Enjoy Al's article.
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Blessings,
Steve Shultz
Steve Shultz, Founder and Publisher
The ElijahList, Breaking Christian News and Prophetic.tv
http://www.elijahlist.com
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Al Thomas:
"Peter Did Not Have a Life Jacket..."
Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee..." And He said, "Come." And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.?Matthew 14:28-29
Dan Weber, a prophet who recently was promoted to Heaven, related this statement to me before he entered glory: "Peter did not have a life jacket." Here's how to make sure you're not wearing one:
1. Be Willing to Clean the Toilets
By the time Jesus got through training and purging the soul of Peter, he was willing to do anything for Jesus. During that training the "walk on water incident" was early evidence to Jesus that Peter was extremely desperate to please his Master. You can bet if he was willing to put his life on the line, he'd wash toilets and even the city dump if asked. Some need to show up Saturday night when the janitor is scheduled to clean the church and get down on their knees and (not pray) scrub the bathroom floors and clean the toilets. No preaching, no ministering or praying for people, just get "spiritually janitorial."
Beware of "spiritually loitering" with the wrong intent. Once I was in a church and felt the Lord wanted me to wash the feet of the church staff in front of the congregation. Then the Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, "Wash your own feet first, you need it more than them." He was saying I had false humility and wanted to show it off. Peter had that when Jesus started to wash the disciples' feet and he said, "No, Lord." And, only after Jesus insisted with the threat that Peter could have nothing to do with Him unless he let Jesus go forth (John 13:4-9) did Peter allow Him.
2. Concentrate on Your Mission
Rare is it when Jesus tells you one day, when you get older, that you will die a not so pleasant death for Him. Peter had that kind of day (John 21:18-19). Peter didn't take it well and started to look around the crowd, wondering about John's future. Jesus must have thought quite highly of Peter to actually give him that kind of personal prophetic information. What would you have done if you knew nothing but persecution and a horrible death at an old age awaited you? Quit? I might have thought about it. "That's my future?"
After Jesus basically told Peter to mind his own business, Peter resolved in his heart he was in for the long haul, good or bad. Are you? No matter what? You may be willing to do anything for God, but make sure it's for the right motive.
Example: Once I was on a mission trip with a pastor and his church team. The teaching and ministry went well. But I'd be dishonest if I said I liked the food, the accommodations, the heat and various other things. I know what Jesus said, "Eat what's before you, don't complain," etc, and I have always sought to do what Jesus said. This time however, just as the last day rolled around and we were packed up to go in the early morning, we stopped by the church and the pastor urged us to stay for the rest of the day?still in time for our flight later that day. They all looked at me and, as I beamed on the outside (and was disappointed on the inside), then said, "Of course, we would love to!"
I excused myself, walked outside and confessed to the Lord my stinking, hidden attitude. Then, the Holy Spirit very gently said to me, "Al, you have worked hard and ministered as I have led you so far. You are doing the right thing by staying a little longer, but remember this: Always finish well."
Those words resonated in my spirit: "Always finish well." I knew what He meant. Having ministered in thousands of meetings, pouring myself out for one or five meetings, staying until the last person needed prayer, there were times I just wanted to go back to the hotel too quickly and rest...but I stayed. In other words, concentrate on the mission from the moment you arrive to the moment you leave. That last meeting was extremely fruitful and they so appreciated our staying longer. What if we didn't stay? Some would not have been ministered to. Some would have still been in bondage. Finish the job.
3. Have Nothing to Fall Back On?God is Calling Many to Walk on the Water
In other words, it's God or nothing. Many already have permission to walk on the water. Walking on the water means that "thing" that Jesus called you to do (whether it was many years ago or just yesterday); it is still valid, it is real and it is not a dream (see Philippians 3:13).
Jesus would have wanted all of the disciples to say, "Lord, if it is You, invite me to come to You on the water." Once he got the go-ahead, either Peter was going to walk on water or he was going to drown, period. But he had no advance agreement that Jesus was going to grab him. This wasn't play-acting; this was a real storm, real waves and real danger.
But be of good cheer! Many are getting older now and thinking they have missed it. I don't think so. And here's the good news: the majority have been on GPS (God's Positioning Schedule) and are ready to be called out of the boat...and you will not sink. You will not swim or sink; you will walk to Jesus. Your feet may get a little wet (but they need washing anyway). Put your sailor's hat on, you crusty old mate, and get ready to hear, "Come." The Master is calling you to get out of the boat...and put that life jacket down (see 2 Timothy 1:7).
Al Thomas' Health Update: I have come through my surgery (September 17th); it went well, and I am now home recovering. My progress may be followed on my blog: www.althomas.blogspot.com.
Thanks for all who prayed and are supporting us.
Much love,
Al Thomas
Celebrating His Life Ministries
Email: a.thomas@myactv.net
