Over 40 years ago, Dorothy, a woman in the Netherlands, received a vision and asked her husband to share it when he visited us in Massachusetts. She said, “I saw a large table spread with many things on it that you will do, but you are to pick up one thing at a time and do it. When it is done, you will pick up another thing, and then another.”
So my life unfolded as the vision had shown: I have done many different things in my life, but my story isn’t over.
You have one thing to do
Close to a year ago, our friend Rob said to me, “You have one thing that you need to do.” One thing! Now, at 80 years of age? I had no idea about what the one thing was until I surrendered it to the Lord and asked him to show me.
Then one day a thought suddenly dropped into my mind, out of nowhere: Begin a supporters group and produce audio/video recordings. My heart leapt inside.
But then the questions came: was this really from God? Or did I just think this up? At this age? I know from years of experience that this questioning is very normal. We find it difficult to recognize which thoughts are from God.
At the time, I was reading a book that talked about First Thoughts. “First thoughts have tremendous energy. It is the way the mind first flashes on something,” the author said. However, it doesn’t take very long, “for our internal censor to squelch them, so we live in the realm of second and third thoughts, thoughts on thought, removed from the direct connection to the first fresh flash.”
Recognizing God’s thoughts
As believers, the voice of our natural man roars so loudly that we ignore the thoughts from our Creator. God promises to tell us what to do, but can we believe it? Can we recognize his thoughts?
- I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you (Psalms 32:8)
- Behold I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you (Proverbs 1:23)
First Thoughts are not tied to our ego, reasoning, or fears. They are fresh and full of energy, because they are coming from beyond our conscious mind. First thoughts are inspiring—inspiration comes from the Spirit of God. When you begin to argue with them, stop and recognize that you may be arguing with God.
Why don’t you listen to your first thoughts and make an experiment with them? Simply do them and see what happens.
Postscript
German evangelist Reinhard Bonnke warned of the danger of procrastinating when God calls us to do something. If we wait until everything is absolutely perfect, we will never start. So we celebrate, because last week we made our first attempt at producing an audio-video recording!
Dear Judith and Gerald
My first thought about first thoughts… Congregulations… for. your first audiovideo. And sharing your inspirations with us. I have made the same experiences and felt the joy of doing the first thoughts. God bless you
Beatrice from Germany
Hi Beatrice, thank you!
O my goodness judy! I cannot believe you were able to articulate so profoundly and simply, the inspiration of the Holy Spirit! I cried when I read it. HOW TRUE! WHAT A Devine process the voice of God has on our lives. I can say if my finite mind is able to absorb,like a sponge even a small portion of what you explain in this post, … Game changed,my heart rejoices!! Thank you m
Mary, yes, spiritual things are difficult to put into words. Thank you for the encouragement. I almost didn’t put that blog out. But I just couldn’t seem to stop thinking about First Thoughts!
I just was listening to a pod cast about first thoughts!
It got me thinking! and paying attention!
Blessings
In my first audio-video recording, Lord willing future podcasts, I talked about first thoughts too. Have fun!