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


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.

                                         (c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond

                                 Day 309, Gentle Whispers from Eternity 

Warner Sallman  Head of Christ 

Come to me … and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28 NLT

Consider this your personal invitation from the King of hearts—
     written in blood, dispatched from grace, stained by tears, signed with love.

Come to Me—not human resources, sinful pleasures, or popular opinions.
     Surrender to Me and experience the best conquest of all—a conquered heart.

Come to Me—not obsessive-compulsive rituals, not pious-theatrical religion.
     Yield to Me and experience an uncommon miracle—a calm heart.

Come to Me--not false gods of the heart—ego, money, status, possessions.
     Augustine was right—your heart will be restless until you rest in Me.
     I hide wisdom from sophisticated smart-alecks—I reveal it to trusting children.
     Worship Me and I will be real to you and give you true riches—a contented heart.

Come to Me—not imagined self-sufficiency; you are made of dust, not steel.
     My peace is an extraordinary out-of-your-world gift—receive it—relax.
     Depend on Me and I will help you succeed and give you more—a confident heart.

Come to Me—and learn how to live—
     Purposefully—not trudging and toiling; yoked to Jesus, patiently productive.
     Peacefully—trading hectivity for My home, giving up madness for My mastery.
     Calmly—bravely riding out storms on life’s sea, relaxing in faith’s quiet zone.
     Meekly—traveling the only road that leads you to Me—humility.
     Easily—keeping My commands, which does not chafe like Satan’s bondage.
     Gently—not stepping on those who are down, not quenching hopes of the sad.
     Lightheartedly—letting Me carry your burdens for you, so you can travel light.
     Learn My lessons well—advance toward My dream for you—a Christlike heart.

Come to Me—you are invited to nestle near My heart; here is how—
     Exchange your yoke of self-imposed stress for My yoke of sustained repose.
     Drop your overburdening cares, and delight in My overshadowing concern.
     Step off your unrealistic schedule treadmill, and rest in My gentle way.
     RSVP yes to heaven’s invitation and find the secret of peace—a consecrated heart. 

                                                    

                                                                 (c)  Pastor Johnny R. Almond 
                                Day 308, Gentle Whispers from Eternity 

          With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this:
              Our Father in heaven, Reveal who you are. Set the world right.
      Do what’s best – as above, so below. Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you, forgiving others. Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
       You’re in charge! You can do anything you want! You’re ablaze in beauty! Yes. Yes. Yes.

Matthew 6:8-13  THE MESSAGE

 

Be reverent—remember who you are talking with.
     Speak life’s most glorious and awesome Name with respect and awe.
     Everything Jesus did was to honor his Father—we should do the same.

Be hopeful—look forward to the new heaven our Father will establish.
     Listen for the trumpet sound—the first notes of the prelude to peace.
     Do not despair over current events—believe in God’s bright tomorrow.

Be submissive—do not focus exclusively on getting your way.
     We do not resign to fate when we place our self in our Father’s hands.

     Demonstrate your faith that God is in control and knows what is best.

Be dependent—trust your Heavenly Father to care for your earthly needs.

     Hunger for God above all else, and He will never let you starve.

     Thirst for God over all, and His joy will cascade through your inner being.

Be repentant—turn from sin and turn to your Savior for a new direction.

     Self-sacrifice cannot atone for wrongdoing—cross pain paid the high price.    

     Forgiven, forgive others—God does not hold grudges; neither should we.

Be holy—struggle against evil and make a conscious effort to be like Jesus.

     Pray around the clock that you will not be tricked into sin by the evil one.

     Never compromise God-given convictions—aim for Christlikeness.

Be worshipful—keep God at the center and circumference of your life.

     Advance His Kingdom, not your own.

     Rely on His power, not your own.

     Seek His glory, not your own.

Be confident—say Amen, so be it, make it so, God; rest assured He will.

     The future is as bright as God’s promises—He will keep every one.

     Until His Kingdom dawns, pray as you go—you will always be glad you did.

                                               

                                                            © Pastor Johnny R. Almond
                                          Day 307, Gentle Whispers from Eternity