(A Conversation with God by Al Thomas)

I WAS IN THE POST OFFICE WHEN A WOMAN (WITH AN ACCENT I DIDN'T
REGONIZE) asked, "You, do you know the times?" I remembered a large clock on the wall behind us and I pointed her to it. Suddenly, I remembered that she did not ask for the time, but for the times. At that precise moment I heard God whisper, "Some of My people do not know My times.or have forgotten them." I was surprised (not because I had heard His voice, but) because I did not know what He meant. While it was fresh in my spirit I quickly drove home, walked to my office, got on my knees and humbly asked, "Father, what do you mean by Your times?" As I continued praying I began to feel His familiar presence, yet part of me wanted to leave. I had lots to do. I wanted to get up and do something else but I knew I couldn't. Often we (you and I) don't give God the time we should. I forced myself to wait. Then I waited some more. The more I waited the better I felt. Soon the anxiousness left. Soon the desire to leave left. The flesh was dying. The Spirit was winning. Then I felt as if a soft wind was blowing and a supernatural refreshment and joy came over me as He gave the guidance I had been praying for. He whispered:

+ "Some of My people have forgotten the times of refreshment available to them. They are so busy. They roam here and there but accomplish little because they have forgotten My times of refreshment. Some can quote my Word, 'Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him' (PSALM 37:7) yet they do not wait for Me. They are not patient for Me. Some have memorized 'Come unto me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,' (MATTHEW 11:28) but they do not come. Some do not take the time to receive My times of refreshment. Refreshment, like My peace, is only available for those who will come to Me (ACTS 3:19). They forget if they allow Me to refresh them, they would accomplish so much more. The enemy pushes them to do, and do more, yet if they would allow Me to refresh them they would see Me do more than they could ever labor for in their own power. My Son was always busy but never rushed. My Son accomplished My will completely but still found time to be refreshed with Me. His top priority was not to do but to be. I miss My people being with Me. I long to give them times of rest (HEBREWS 4:9, 10). Some have forgotten that I am the waiting God. I am waiting for them. Waiting to have fellowship with them. Waiting to bless them. Waiting to correct them. Waiting to love them. Remember the times of refreshment."

+ "Some have forgotten the times of joy with Me because they think their current predicament is the problem. It is not. It is only a symptom. They have to go to the root. The root of the problem is not being with Me . . . Some of my people have been taught, taught again and again but they are mere words and not heart felt, (HEBREWS 5:12-14). Many know My Word, yet struggle with and often lose the battle with the flesh. Their walk with Me is mechanical. They do new earthly things, hoping for a little joy but come up empty. They must come and must seek Me (PROVERBS 8:17; ISAIAH 55:6) when I can be found. I can be found now (2 COR. 6:2). The days will come when darkness will cover the earth (ISAIAH 60:2). Will you come to Me while there is still light? There is something called the fullness of time (GALATIONS 4:4). The fullness of time is a moment and a lifestyle. My Son in the fullness of time came to this earth. Fullness in the Spirit comes from being where I desire you to be. On this earth I desired My Son to come to Me and He came often (LUKE 5:16, 6:12, 9:18, 11:1, 22:41). So it is with my children. They must be with Me to experience My times of joy and fullness. My times of joy are always available to My children. Those who partake of My times of joy never grow weary but are strengthened in Me (NEH. 8:10). When a man has no joy he separates himself from Me and he will wither and die (JOHN 15:6). Come and live and be refreshed today. Many times I have called them to come. Will you come and recapture the times of joy? Come now, because I will never stop calling you. That's what love does, and I love you. Times of joy await you."

+ "Some have forgotten the times of guidance I have given them, so now they try to figure out their own path and carve their own way only to be frustrated and confused. They need to seek My counsel again. They need to seek My face again. These are the ones who try to rely on their own wisdom and experience thus forgetting that I give pure wisdom (JAMES 3:17) without regret. Some refuse to come and see Me and pay the price, sadly forgetting that My Son paid the ultimate price that they would not have to flounder in darkness and doubt. I never refuse to see anyone, if they will open the door to their heart (REVELATION 3:20). I do not hold grudges when humble hearts seek Me. I am full of mercy and kindness. One hour with Me will bring great assurance for the paths you must take, no matter how difficult they may be. Some seek advice only from men and not My guidance. I would lead them step by step, but they must take the first step (JAMES 4:8). Guide yourself, but face the consequences. I counsel you to let Me guide you. Remember the times of guidance, they are still available"

NOTICE: YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A PROPHET, but any child of God can hear the Father if they give Him their time. Let Him do most of the talking while you do most of the listening. In the Post Office that day I pointed to the clock on the wall. The woman saw the time. God is also pointing. He is pointing to your clock, your time. That woman had an accent making it hard to understand her, but God is speaking clearly. Do you hear him? He's asking, "You, do you know the times?" Someone said timing is everything. How's yours?