From the desk of Steve Shultz:
Al Thomas has a true knack for telling prophetic stories. There is great relevance we need to hear in this hour and season from the story of King David. Al boldly shares it well here.
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Al Thomas:
Heads Are About to Roll...
I had a vision of large severed heads suddenly dropping in front of Believers. The Holy Spirit said, "Many have been fighting fierce battles and growing weary, but as David killed Goliath and cut his head off, so are the heads of many demonic giants about to fall causing a ripple effect for great victories in ministries and individuals."
Many are facing giants...but heads are about to roll. Learn from David, a man who knew how to handle giants. Read 1 Samuel 17:51, and let the beheading begin.
God Says: "David Had Courage For My Cause – I Will Give You the Same Boldness"
Not for your cause...but for God's. Remember this: David was not afraid of anything except offending God. When David heard Goliath making threats against God and His people, he was personally offended. As God gives you the Spirit of David, He wants you to be personally offended at anything or anyone that keeps you from fulfilling His call on your life. However, David was not looking for a name for himself or desiring to be famous, and neither should you.
David said, "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?" (1 Samuel 17:26). Saul and the army of Israel were all controlled by fear and their hearts melted. But David said: "Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him," (verse 32). Saul had even tried to talk David out of the showdown with Goliath (see verse 33). Even so, the devil has tried to get you to quit or talk you out of fighting a certain giant in your life. Ignore them! You do not have the spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). When the Spirit of BOLDNESS comes upon you, you will not let any giant deter you; rather you will focus on the power of God's name (vs. 45). God will give you courage to face every giant, so do not let anything deter you from obeying Him.
Wondering how to defeat the giant you see in front of you? Look around, you will see some stones (weapons) within your reach: God's Word, Truth (Jesus' name) and faith (Ephesians 6:13-17). You have all the weapons you need; simply pick them up.
God Says: "Criticism Must Not Keep You From Completing Your Mission"
Almost twenty years ago when God told us to begin our ministry, Celebrating His Life, we were instructed to pray for healing in every service. We were to demonstrate and celebrate God's power. Some criticized us for emphasizing healing. I first thought, "Maybe I should ease up a bit on this..." But deep in prayer I heard God say, "Don't ease up, heat up." I stood my ground, but at the same time I was gentle and loving to my distracters. We stood firm, and over the years we have seen thousands of healings and miracles. What if I had listened to the criticism? What if I had eased up instead of heating up? Many would have never received their healing. Don't let the distracters hinder your calling.
David's brother Eliab got angry with David and criticized him (1 Samuel 17:28). David ignored his brother's criticism because David had a pure motive. What was David's reaction? He said "Is there not a cause?" (verse 29). David was asking his brother: "Can't you see my motive? My cause is the cause of the God of Israel." Eliab couldn't see David's true motive, and don't expect everyone to see yours. His brothers did not believe he would actually ascend to the throne. Some do not believe you will succeed. Like David's brothers, they are wrong.
David never criticized God's anointed (neither must you), even when he knew they were wrong. He could have killed Saul a few times...but he did not. Michal, a daughter of Saul, made that mistake (2 Samuel 6:20) when David danced before God. She criticized David as he was dancing, and she despised David in her heart. From then on she was barren. Anyone critical of God's anointed ones is in danger of being unfruitful. David did not let criticism deter him. Follow David's example if you want to succeed in fulfilling God's will in your life.
God Says: "I Will Give You An Anointing to Fight the Goliaths In Your Life"
When David put on Saul's armor he said, "'I cannot go in these..because I am not used to them,' so he took them off," (1 Samuel 17:38-39). Remember, you can't fight with another's anointing. Don't imitate others and try to utilize their methods. Use the anointing God has for you. Who would have thought that Goliath would be defeated with a small stone? That was God's chosen method for David to defeat his giant, yet He has something greater for you; you will defeat your giants with faith as small as a mustard seed (Matthew 17:20). Many will discover new gifts God has given them. Keep an eye out for them and get ready to enter the battlefield. Many think God is done with them, and many are wrong. God has not brought you this far to let you fail. The Scripture, "...He who began a good work in you will complete it..." (Philippians 1:6) will have new, razor-sharp meaning for many. It will seem like your faith has faith.
God Says: "'Prophesize' to Your Giants That They Are About to Fall"
Don't let your giants prophesy doom to you...you prophesy victory over your giants. Before David got rough he talked tough. David said, "This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee..." (1 Samuel 17:46). Many are about to smite the enemy. The Spirit of David prophesied to that giant in front of him. You need to talk tough to your enemies. The devil tries to intimidate Believers, but we need to intimidate the enemy. Jesus dealt severely with the devil and gave him no space. We must do the same. This is a war and war is not pretty. It's messy and brutal. Deal harshly with the devil and stand your ground.
Paul instructs Believers to "therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand," (Ephesians 6:13 NIV). That word stand is mentioned TWICE. You need to dig in firmly and stand your ground! What was it about this man David that made him a champion? Was it because he was an athlete, a musician, a poet? No, he was simply a shepherd boy. Was it because he had courage for God's cause? Or that he ignored criticism? Perhaps because he prophesied that this giant would fall? All of the latter are important, but it was God's Spirit resting upon Him that made the difference. The Spirit of God resting on you will make the difference also.
Jesus told His disciples to remain in Jerusalem until they received the promise of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4). Do not underestimate the Holy Spirit that rests on you. Rely on the Spirit of God. The same Holy Spirit that rested on Jesus is the same Holy Spirit given to us. Jesus said, "As the Father has sent Me, so I am sending I you," (John 20:21). God is looking for people who will receive His Spirit to the fullest. Make sure your heart is given over to the Father completely: "...I have found David son of Jesse, a man after My own heart; he will do everything I want him to do" (Acts 13:22). Then, prepare to be found. David was an "abider" (John 15:4-7); so must you be. He actively sought after God (Psalm 27); so must you. Many of you have been actively seeking, wondering when God will answer you.
I hear the Holy Spirit saying, "I am going to pour out boldness on the Body of Christ."
Mighty warrior (yes, that's you), get up and pull out the sword. Heads are about to roll...
And David took out his sword and cut off Goliath's head... 1 Samuel 17:51
Al Thomas
Celebrating His Life
Email: a.thomas@myactv.net
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 fan fare or dramatics. They currently minister in approximately sixty churches a year.
