The Horrors of War
 

A Thought for Today by Pastor Johnny Almond
 

You will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic.

Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately.

Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

Matthew 24:6-7a NLT

     Hamas’ attack on Israel October 7^th killed over a thousand people. Israel’s response of a daily barrage of missiles into Gaza has reduced buildings to rubble and killed over four thousand people. Iran is using proxies to fire drones and missiles toward Israel. Prime Minister Netanyahu says if Hezbollah launches a war against Israel and invades, “it will make the mistake of its life.” Terrorists are targeting American forces stationed in the Middle East. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the United States is ready to get involved in the Israel-Hamas war if “a line is crossed.”

     Images of the effects of war are heartbreaking—widespread carnage; innocents, many children, killed; apartments, homes and hospitals razed; mourners grieving loss of family and friends. Martin Luther wrote “Cannons and fire-arms are cruel and damnable machines. I believe them to have been the direct suggestion of the Devil. If Adam had seen in a vision the horrible instruments his children were to invent, he would have died of grief.”

     In Ukraine and on other battlefields today death is rampant. Human history is tarnished by the blight of combat. Benjamin Franklin said “There never was a good war or a bad peace.” Deep in our heart we know that our world cannot be patched up, that shuttle diplomacy only brokers a temporary truce. Leaders try their best to end chaos of unsettled nations, but calm is perpetually elusive. Romano Guardini, Catholic priest, wrote: “After we have done our utmost to defeat war, the realization breaks through that only God can truly do something about it. And the longing swells for the coming of that which not only can turn all things to the good, but also leads into the new: the end of time, which is the breakthrough of the eternal.”

 

     “After that the end will come, when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after abolishing every ruler and all government and power. He must be King until He puts all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy to be subdued is death.” (1 Corinthians 15:24-26 MLB) The King of kings alone can obliterate war (Revelation 19:11). Finally swords will be hammered into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks, and “nation no longer fight against nation nor train for war anymore.” (Isaiah 2:4) The Prince of peace promises to come very soon (Revelation 22:20). God speed the day!

                             You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.
                                                        This is the first and greatest commandment. 
                                           A second is equally important: “Love your neighbor as yourself”
                                                                           Matthew 22:37-39 NLT

You need to get over and beyond yourself—

     self-love shrivels your soul and detracts from allegiance to your King.

Falling in love with yourself leads to a fall and a difficult recovery.

Falling in love with Me leads to fruitfulness and a delightful relationship.

If you doubt that I really love you, remember what I have done for you.

     God became a man; the Creator became your Savior;

     the King of kings became a slave; the Shepherd became a Lamb.

If you ponder My unfailing love, you will love Me with all you are.

Love the King of hearts with all the passion of your innermost being.

Avoid false gods of the heart—allow Me to completely captivate you.

I have made your heart My home—permit Me access to all the rooms.

Love the Lord of all with your entire personality and conscious life.

Make living for your King your number one goal and noblest purpose.

Take a heavenly perspective—do not obsess over transient matters.

Love the Master of wisdom with all your intelligence and thoughts.

You are not what you think you are; but what you think, you are.

Do not misuse your mind—do not dwell on thoughts that dishonor Me.

Love the Manager of the Universe with all your strength and energy.

Your body is a temple of My Holy Spirit—keep it clean and strong.

Love Me wholeheartedly—never get over your love for Me.

Love others like you do yourself—care about someone other than you. 

Start with your family—they are heaven’s gift to solve loneliness. 

Have a heart—neighborliness is nicer than narcissism.

I am love—I proved it by sending Jesus to the world to die for sinners.

Do you love Me? Prove it by giving Me your entire heart and soul.

© by Pastor Johnny R. Almond                

Gentle Whispers from Eternity

     When the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us:
      love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
                                          Galatians 5:22-23 NLT
 

Sacrificial love results when serious disciples set out to walk in My steps.
    A compassionate life toward others is the way Jesus lived on earth.
    Why be content with merely going around? Go around doing good.

 

Invulnerable joy results when believing souls draw near My heart.
     A cheerful life is the surest sign of My presence with you.
     Why be satisfied with cheap thrills? Celebrate My inexpressible joy.

 

Incomprehensible peace results when desperate people kneel before Me.
    A calm life is the consequence of letting God do what you cannot.
    Why wring your hands in panic? Fold them in prayer.

 

Enduring patience results when trusting hearts believe My promises.
     A courteous life keeps your light shining when you have blown a fuse.
     Why rush like it all depends on you? Resign from My job and relax.

 

Empathetic kindness results from getting in synch with My Spirit.
    A cordial life reflects your humble gratitude for My love for you.
    Why run people down? They have battles to fight, just like you.

 

Lavish generosity results from sharing My resources with the needy.
     A charitable life is what I expect of all who receive My care.
     Why be stingy? The more you give, the more you are blessed.

 

Tenacious faithfulness results from focusing on My cross.
     A consistent life is possible if you will rely on My reinforcing grace.
     Why quit? I never give up on you—do not ever give up on Me.

 

Christlike gentleness results from accepting My invitation.
     A considerate life is the hallmark of those who serve Me.
     Why be harsh with others? I treat you with tenderness, so pass it on.

 

Supernatural self-control results from yielding to My Holy Spirit.
     A controlled life is only possible if I am in the driver’s seat.
     Why crash and burn? Surrender to My guidance—get safely home.

© Pastor Johnny R. Almond             Day 343, Gentle Whispers from Eternity
 

                                                            God gave the people all these instructions.
                                                                         Exodus 20:1 NLT

    Live joyfully by trusting Me. Do not worship in pragmatism’s pantheon, adding Me to your list of material preoccupations. Bowing to earth’s no-gods disappoints. I am the Only Absolutely Reliable Spot in the universe.
 

     Live wisely by worshiping Me. I brook absolutely no rivals. Allegiance to the Sovereign God is indivisible. First place belongs only to Me. Keep away from false gods of the heart.

     Live humbly by lovingly speaking My Name. Do not misuse My Name. I am not amused by the flippant phrase “Oh my God.” Irreverent voices thoughtlessly toss My Name around in curse or jest, but I am your God. 

     Live healthfully by recreating your zest for living. Creation took six days, then I rested. So why do you think you do not have time for re-creation? Take a one-day vacation every week. Get out of fast-forward mode—push the pause button. Take a deep breath every Saturday morning, then you can breathe easy all day.    

       Live fully by honoring your parents. Respect your father and mother. 

     Live harmoniously by deleting sarcasm from your vocabulary. Do not kill with angry looks. Do not murder with verbal arrows.    

     Live purely by running from all sexual temptation. Avoid mental adultery. Evil fantasies will weaken your character.   

     Live honorably by refusing to steal. Be honest at all costs. Thievery takes what belongs to another; it also robs you of self-esteem.  

     Live kindly by squelching gossip. Never tell lies. Do not let your tongue idle while your mind is still in neutral. Hearsay always wrecks the neighborhood. 

     Live contentedly by humble gratitude. Learn to be satisfied with what I give you, and be genuinely rich. 

     I have never revised My publication on relationships. I write commandments, not suggestions. Breaking My rules breaks you. Compliance fosters tranquility between us and between you and others.  

     When you cannot seem to get life together, try following My directions.


 

© by Pastor Johnny R. Almond                                                                                                           

Day 49, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

May God Almighty give you mercy as you go before the man.
         Genesis 43:14 NLT

     It is a good thing I have a heart or you would not stand a chance. If I took up arms against your moral insurrection, you would be devastated. If I ripped off your mask of counterfeit integrity, your face would fall. You should be very thankful you do not receive what you deserve. If I corrected you in anger, you would be reduced to nothing. If I dealt with you severely, you’d survive less time than a dandelion in a windstorm. If I shut off mercy, you would be disgraced.
 

     To your great relief, between My overwhelming holiness and unbending law is a mercy seat. I am the Fountainhead of pity, with sole authority to extend clemency to condemned prisoners. 

     Guilt is a burden you cannot manage on your own. Hide it, and you will drive it deeper into your psyche, to erupt later in embarrassment and shame. I am far easier on you than you are yourself. The way I deal with sin is better than any method you invent. Cover your sin, and I will uncover it to your dismay; uncover it honestly before Me, and I will cover it with the blood of My Son. Jesus is your Merciful High Priest in My Presence, Defense Counsel pleading your case to Me.

     In no situation will I ever destroy you. Your Creator is infinitely compassionate. Listen carefully and you will hear morning echoes of My unfinished symphony of mercy. I cannot bring Myself to punish you for all your mistakes.  I erased your rebellion from My memory as far as east from west—infinitely dividing your iniquity and My perfection.

     I know you are made of dust, not steel. I understand your inability to live sinlessly.  I see you there standing at a distance, not even daring to raise your face to heaven. I hear your heartfelt

prayer, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
 

     Come closer. Confidently approach My throne—it is made of mercy, not marble. Humbly lift your eyes and observe kindness in Mine. Unworthiness makes you tremble at the thought of standing before Me. However, when you enter My Royal Presence, I will order angels to seat you at My banquet table of gracious dining.  The celebration feast will be greater than any you have attended. The wine of joy will flow freely. Do not worry about being included—you are already on My guest list. Relax—you are at My mercy.

 © by Pastor Johnny R. Almond                     Day 30  Gentle Whispers from Eternity
 

                        The man fell down before the king and begged him,

                          “Oh, sir, be patient with me, and I will pay it all.”

                                Then the king was filled with pity for him,

                                 and he released him and forgave his debt.

                                                Matthew 18:26-27 NLT

Do you realize how much you owed me—a debt you were unable to pay?

On death row—facing execution, time slipping away—you were hopeless.

Imprisoned in guilt and shame, you could find no exit from your dark cell.

If I had not intervened, you'd have been abandoned to eternal punishment—

     dwelling forever in a place designed for the devil and his angels.

No one else in the universe has the authority to forgive iniquities.

The scepter of righteousness and justice and mercy is in My hand alone.

In your wretchedness, you fell face down before Me and begged for mercy.

You pleaded with Me to be patient with you and give you another chance. 

My heart would not let Me refuse your sincere petition for clemency.

So in pity for your human foibles and in compassion for you, My child,

     I let you go free—totally and absolutely forgiving your transgressions.

My throne is mercy, not marble; otherwise, you'd have been doomed. 

Saving you from the penalty of death and hell, I pardoned your rebellion.

Paying the price of release, I redeemed you from the slave market of sin.

Wiping the slate clean, I erased wrongdoings and gave you a fresh start.

Forgiving and forgetting, I did for you what you could not do for yourself.

Putting a spring in your step and a song in your heart, I gave you new life.

Showering kindness on you, I cleansed all your guilt by My Son’s sacrifice. 

You are forgiven, not because of doing penance on your bloody knees—

     but because of Jesus’ bloody hands and feet, and the spear in his side.

Celebrating My kindness, remember to be kind to everyone around you.

Remembering My pardon, graciously pardon those who hurt you. 

I have completely forgiven you for the awful way you have treated Me,

     so forgive those who mistreat and offend you in some small way. 

Living otherwise calls in question subjection to the King who pardoned you. 

Loved by the King of hearts, have a heart for your heartless critics.

Freely forgiven by the King of love, freely forgive those who wrong you.

Shown mercy by the Monarch you've offended, extend mercy to offenders.  

Having your debt canceled by the King of peace, release those who owe you.

Receiving grace from the King of kings, do not hold a grudge—let it go!

Realizing I never keep track of your sins, do not keep track of others’ attacks.

Rich in liberty and blessings, celebrate My pardon by being quick to pardon. 
 

© Pastor Johnny R. Almond                               Gentle Whispers from Eternity

              A Bottom-line Question

   
              Then he asked them, “Who do you say I am?”

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

                              Matthew 16:15-16 NLT

Opinion polls reveal that from the world’s viewpoint the jury is still out.

     But what about you? Who do you say I am?

Do you confess I am your Savior?

     Then leave your eternal destiny in the hands of the King of Love.

          Trust Me to forgive your sins—I will save you from hell, sin’s penalty.

     Then lean on Me to experience victory over sin’s addictive power.

          Do not depend on your own imagined virtue to conquer temptation.  

     Then look forward to total redemption—freedom from sin’s presence.     

          Do not be shaped by your guilty past—be shaped by My glorious future.

Do you claim I am your Sovereign?

     Then advance My kingdom, and do not just try to build your own.

          Give Me the wheel—if I am not in the driver’s seat, you will crash.

     Then promote My cause—do not be preoccupied with your interests.

          Copy Christ’s example of downward mobility—the way up is down.

     Then build your life on Solid Rock, not on the quicksand of selfishness.

          Stand on the Gibraltar of My government, not the fault line of your ego.

Do you testify I am your God?

     Then worship Me with your emotions, personality, intellect, and energy.

     Then revel in My mercy and unfailing love.

          Be glad I do not treat you as you deserve—or you would not survive.

     Then struggle to live a radically holy life.

          If you claim you know Me, I expect you to live in a Christlike way.

Do you say I am your Master?

     Then put aside selfish ambition, shoulder your cross, and walk in My steps.

© by Pastor Johnny R. Almond                    Day 309, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

                 Cross-examined

Examine yourselves to see if your faith is really genuine. Test yourselves.

If you cannot tell that Jesus Christ is in you, it means you have failed the test.

                            2 Corinthians 13:5 NLT

Pause awhile—take time to ponder your relationship to your Creator.

     Are you gloating in your wisdom, strutting in your athletic ability,  

          boasting of your bank account—or glorying in truly knowing Me?

     In the light of the cross, cross-examine your heart.

Can you pass the Christ test?

     Are you relying on your imaginary goodness or My infinite goodness?   

     Have you humbly knelt at the foot of the cross, giving Me your heart?      

     If the mercy of Christ is with you, you can be confident facing eternity.

Are you experiencing the celebrative thrill of My Presence in your heart?

     Do you delight above everything in the pleasure of My company?

     Do you trust My promise to be with you every heartbeat and step?

     If the fellowship of the Spirit is with you, you can sing whatever comes.

Is Christlike transformation changing you for the better day by day?

     Do you stay near Me by immediate repentance when you wander?

     Do you adjust your attitudes to conform to My Word’s holy directives?

     If the grace of Christ is with you, you can live with a clear conscience.

Do cordial ties make your life pleasant and rewarding?

     Are you interested in what others do, crossing boundaries of your ego?

     Are you habitually flocking together with Jesus’ sheep?

     If the love of God is with you, you can learn to value others above self.

Does calm tranquility characterize your everyday life?

     Do you panic when problems arise, or do you pray?

     Have you found the equilibrium equation—iron shoes for rough roads?

     If the peace of God is with you, you can relax.

© by Pastor Johnny R. Almond            Day 342, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

                     “That isn’t necessary—you feed them. Bring them here.”     

                                “It’s all right. I am here! Don’t be afraid.”         

                                     “All right, come,” Jesus said.                             

                                            Matthew 14:16, 18, 27, 29 NLT
 

My commanding word transforms the little in your hand into abundance. 

Your deepest wants are lavishly supplied by My miracle-working ability. 

Situations that are impossible for you are no problem for the Almighty.

I am the Mighty God—absolutely nothing is too hard for Me to handle.

Shamgar gave Me the ox goad in his hand, and he defeated Israel’s enemies. 

David gave Me the smooth stones in his hand, and he conquered Goliath.

Moses gave Me the staff in his hand, and he led My people out of bondage.

Paul gave Me the pen in his hand, and he wrote most of the New Testament. 

A boy gave Me five barley loaves and two fish, and his lunch fed thousands. 

Give Me your little talent—I will change it into a great blessing for many.

Give Me your one life—I will open heaven’s windows in limitless blessing. 

Give Me your needs—I will take such good care of you, there’ll be leftovers. 

At My word, take a seat at My table and satisfy your hungry heart.

My comforting word enables you to sail on troubled seas on an even keel. 

Realizing who I am, you can move beyond fear and find courage to live.

As a father coaches his child, I speak tender words to see you through. 

As a friend sticks by a friend, I walk alongside you and reinforce you.

In quiet solitude, I restore your equilibrium and strengthen you to carry on. 

No one understands you like I do—no one stands under you like I do.

I am the Prince of Peace calming you on earth’s chaotic roller coaster. 

I am the Wonderful Counselor guiding you through life’s perplexing maze. 

I am the Captain of your vessel reassuring you in the world’s scary storms.  

Whatever your days may demand of you, My grace will supply.

When the sea is high and your spirit is low, I keep you from going crazy.

At My word, quit wringing your hands and fold them in serene prayer.

My challenging word invites you to attempt the humanly impossible.

If you want to walk on water, you’ll have to climb out of the boat.

If you want to experience adventure, you’ll have to leave your comfort zone. 

If you want to think new thoughts, you’ll have to think outside worn boxes.

I am the Everlasting Father incredibly stabilizing you in changing situations.

You may wonder how long you can tread water, but I will keep you afloat.

You may feel you cannot go on, but My grace will help you persevere.

You may be unable to figure out how things work, but I will direct your steps.

You may be afraid of gusty winds and high waves, but I will give you courage.

You may feel you are walking alone, but I am on the water right beside you.

At My word, get out of the boat. 

© by Pastor Johnny R. Almond                            Gentle Whispers from Eternity

        The Perfect Gift

                     Thank God for his Son—

                a gift too wonderful for words!

                  2 Corinthians 9:15 NLT
 

Be grateful for My Precious Gift—your Cornerstone in a changing world.

     No human language can fully express gratitude for His loyal friendship.

     Sun, moon, and stars quietly reflect His Name’s majesty and glory.

     Jesus is your Faithful Redeemer—quiet your heart and enjoy His freedom.

     Silence is the humble soul’s reverence.

Be grateful for My profound grace—your cleansing in a corrupt world.

     Christ’s unmerited favor and mercy are gifts too wonderful for words.   

     Words may express affection, but actions tell the true story.

     You are saved by grace—prove your love by serving your Savior.

     Service is the holy soul’s response.

Be grateful for My personal gladness—your celebration in a sad world.

     My song is your unparalleled rapture—putting a spring in your step.

     I teach you hope’s eternity-melody—I teach you faith’s time-dance.

     No day is so hard, no night so long, you cannot find a reason to sing.

     Singing is the happy soul’s rejoicing.

Be grateful for My powerful goodness—your Center of Gravity in a bad world.

     Traveling the high road is possible through strength Christ provides.    

     Friendship with the Sovereign is unrivaled relationship—true wealth.

     Satisfaction is the hungry soul’s resource.

Be grateful for My perfect guidance—your compass in a confusing world.

     I guide by tranquil streams now—and to life-giving springs forever.

     Trust the infallible directions of God’s Providential Spirit.

     Stillness is the homeward-bound soul’s restoration.

Be grateful for My promised glory—your confidence in a despairing world.

     Faith in the Bright Morning Star transforms you into an eternal optimist.

     Christ in you is glory previewed—peace in pandemonium.

     Serenity is the hopeful soul’s rest.

 © Pastor Johnny Almond                     Day 341, Gentle Whispers from Eternity