Add diligence to divine promises, employ effort exercising faith
  to develop virtue (excellence, resolution, Christian energy),
   and in exercising virtue develop knowledge (intelligence),
    and in exercising your knowledge develop self-control,
      exercising self-control develop endurance (patience),
        exercising steadfastness develop godliness (piety),
          exercising godliness develop brotherly affection,
            exercising affection develop Christian love.
                 2 Peter 1:5-7 AMPLIFIED BIBLE

Initiated by faith, your journey was established by a gifted beginning.
Right in My sight by trusting My Son, you have taken a good first step.
 

Inspired by virtue, Christ is your Example—your paragon is God’s Best.
Struggling for Christlikeness, respond to My moral imperative.
 

Informed by knowledge, your education is based on a guiding Book.
Treasuring My Word in your heart, learn to live by timeless wisdom.
 

Intensified by self-control, you are enriched by governed betterment.
Practicing alert discipline, experience the ecstasy of My holy liberty.
 

Instructed by steadfastness, you endure trouble with graceful bravery.
Enrolled in Adversity University, learn well and graduate with honor.
 

Illuminated by godliness, you see the Eternal One’s glorious beauty.
Gazing at heaven’s Radiant Light, worship with reverent wonder.
 

Included by Christian affection, you embrace all in faith’s glad bond.
Not preoccupied by narcissism, be sincerely interested in other people.
 

Impacted by Love, you express Christ’s heart by gently blessing others.
Not content with merely going in circles, do good while you go around.

 

  © By Pastor Johnny R. Almond     Day 358, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

   

               

               To this were you called—it is inseparable from your vocation.

                    Christ suffered for you, leaving you His personal example,

                             so that you should follow on in His footsteps.

                                  1 Peter 2:21   THE AMPLIFIED BIBLE
 

In a chaotic world, cultivate a calm mind.

     Even in life’s storms, you can truly relax when you rest in Me.

     Step off your hectivity treadmill—be still and sense My Holy Presence.   

     Crave spiritual nourishment in a confused world.

     Keep faith in Me—wait in My shadow.

In a crazy world, develop a committed soul.

     You are a child of the Light—do not run with cockroaches in dark alleys.

     Make Me your purpose—serve Me enthusiastically and seek My smile.

     Conduct yourself carefully in a careless world.

     Focus on My will—work in My service.

In a crying world, maintain a cheerful attitude.

     Even at midnight, sing hymns—others are listening, so sing well.

     Celebrate the joy of humility, not just the happiness of happenings.

     Stay near the Cornerstone in a conceited world.

     Make Me your Festival—worship in My song.

In a complacent world, have a caring heart.

     It is a cold, cruel world—love like your heart-warming God.

     I am your Mission in the mayhem—work for your Divine Supervisor.

     Get in a word for Christ in a counterfeit world.

     Reach out with feeling—witness in My Spirit.

In a commonplace world, live a Christlike life.

     Even when splinters from the cross hurt you, do not quit the noble quest.

     The Via Dolorosa was not easy—Christian living is no cake walk.

     Make a conscious effort in a carnal world.

     Follow Me—walk in My steps.

(c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond

                                  Day 357, Gentle Whispers from Eternity