Winning over Worry
 

During the reign of David, there was a famine for three successive years; so David sought the face of the LORD.

2 Samuel 21:1 NIV

When life knocks you to your knees, that is a good prayer posture. You can talk to Me about whatever troubles you. I am always available—ask Me, and I will swiftly help.

When there is a famine of joy, seek My face. When your soul tells you to talk things over with Me, enjoy heart-to-heart conversation with your Greatest Friend.

When you are crying the blues, seek My consolation. Deposit your anxiety at My throne, trusting that I care about what is going on. In My Presence, calm down and cheer up.

When you are nervous, seek My assurance. Follow heaven’s blueprint for peace of mind—pray about everything, tell Me what you need, thank Me for blessings, and enjoy peace more marvelous than you can imagine. You will be unable to explain this

celestial tranquility, but you can experience it even when there is terrestrial trouble all around you.

At the end of your rope, seek My power. Naturally, you are weak. Supernaturally, you are strong.

When there is no rain for your desolate spirit, seek My showers of blessing. Sincerely seek My face and walk away from your evil ways—then I will pay attention, forgive your sin, and transform arid sluggishness into productive living.

In the face of sadness, the best course is to seek My face. Faith triumphs over depressing circumstances by joyful inner-stances. Even in drought, you can experience greater joy than happiness caused by bumper crops of grain and wine. When skeptics and

cynics question the possibility of better times, let the smile of My face warm your heart. Believe My promise of a bright future—march forward in confident step with My Spirit song of hope.

Seek My face today—let My love shine on your countenance. Reflect My glory by becoming more and more like Christ day by day. By degrees, almost imperceptibly, you will grow up spiritually as you trust and obey Me.

I am your Face Healer—I heal frowns of discouragement with courageous expressions, tears of sadness with joyful songs, and wrinkles of despair with hopeful sparkling eyes. Though hard times may go on, never give up. Before you know it, you will have My smile on your face.

I am the Victor over sin, death, Satan, hell, and the grave—trust Me, there is absolutely nothing for you to worry about. Relax.

 

© 2013 Johnny R. Almond

Pastor, Hull’s Memorial Baptist Church

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

Ultimate Allegiance

The men of Israel deserted David and followed Sheba.

But the men of Judah stayed with their king and escorted him from the Jordan River to Jerusalem.

2 Samuel 20:2 NLT

I am the King of hearts—including yours. Others may forsake the True God to follow the world’s ersatz god, but by grace stay with Me all the way. Make your resolve like Peter’s—never join ranks with the deserters of Jesus; unflinchingly refuse to disown your King! Then go one better than Peter—do not ruin your worthy resolution by rebellion. At sunrise, when the cock crows, you will not cry your eyes out because you have denied Me during your night of trial. Continue to passionately adore Me as your First Love, Ruler of the kingdom of your emotions. Stay with Me—and stay serene.

I am the King of hope—the Solid Rock of certainty in shifting sands of circumstances. Through life’s picnics and problems, I stay by your side as your Dependable Friend. Change surrounds you, but I stay the same, beside you through it all. Others may leave Me to search for stability elsewhere, but stay faithful to Me, and I will pour My blessings on your life day by day. Focus on getting to know Me—then everything else in the universe will make more sense. Instead of imitating society’s behavior, let My Holy Spirit transform you from inside out by changing how you think. Let My thoughts become yours—permit My Holy Spirit to course through your intellect. Loyally yield to My reign over your mind, humbly making Me your Best Thought day and night. Stay with Me—and stay sane.

I am the King of heaven—your permanent home. I am preparing paradise for you, where we will stay together forever. Certain of your eternal destiny, you are free to sing as you make the trip. You may feel faint in the Faith Marathon, but struggle on until you hear finish-line applause. I will reign over your future—surrender to My reign over your present. Fight until the battle is won. Run until the race is completed. Stay faithful until you meet the Author of faith. When I ascend David’s throne to rule over the universe, you will receive an eternal reward for remaining loyal to the King. Stay with Me—and stay satisfied.

No matter how many turn from Me to follow that loser Satan, stay loyal to your King all the way across the Jordan of challenge to the new Jerusalem of celebration—you will always be glad you did!

© 2013 Johnny R. Almond

Pastor, Hull’s Memorial Baptist Church

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

OK

Restful Words
 

May the word of my lord the king bring me rest.
 

2 Samuel 14:17 NIV
 

I am the King of hearts and Lord of every dimension of your life. When you seriously seek Me, I tranquilize your worry. When you sincerely pray, you experience unparalleled peace of mind.
 

When you humble yourself in My Presence, you are safe and sound. Falling on your face to honor Me, I gladly and freely help you. Focusing your thoughts on Me and trusting Me, you enjoy perfect peace.
 

I will not ignore or reject you when you seek My face. My heart goes out to you. Whatever skeptics think and philosophers theorize, I personally care for you.
 

My heart is a sanctuary of peace and quiet. The shadow of My wings is divine shelter from the storms of temptation and chaos. Nestling near My loving heart brings invulnerable joy.
 

Turn your anxiety into prayers—tell Me what you need, and thank Me for everything I have done. I will command battalions of angels to encircle you and guard your mind from despair. My royal word brings you rest.
 

When you are tired and worn out, look to the King of life for renewed vitality. When you are frazzled, seek My blessing. When your burden is impossible to bear, trade it for My servant cross. When you are frustrated by life’s challenges, learn from Me how to live gracefully.
 

Humble yourself in the presence of the King of kings, and find supernatural help. My invisible clock keeps perfect time—I will have the last word. Submit your will to your Sovereign, and in My good time I will honor you. My smile counts more than any human recognition.
 

Bring your aggravations to the King of peace, and recover balance. Give all your worries to Me, because I care about what happens to you. If you try to handle stresses and struggles by yourself, you are saying you do not trust Me, and you will fall apart. Listen to My hopeful melody—calm down; cheer up; pray as you go; come to rest.
 

Rely on the King of love, and find all the grace you need. I promise to write a beautiful ending to your earthly life and a glorious opening line to your life with Me in eternity. Trying times are a parenthesis in life’s grand sentence; someday the parenthesis will close—leave the rest to Me.

© 2013 Johnny R. Almond
Pastor, Hull’s Memorial Baptist Church

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity