By Pastor Johnny R. Almond
 

     Frederick Buechner writes this about Palm Sunday: “Despair and hope travel the road to Jerusalem together, as they travel every road we take—despair at what in our madness we are bringing down on our own heads, and hope in him who travels the road with us and for us, who is the only one of us all who is not mad.”
 

     Journeying through life, we have mixed emotions—angst thinking about current events of war, starvation, international unrest, and political chaos; optimism meditating on the promise of a new Jerusalem, a new earth without sickness, pain, death or sin.  
 

     Konrad Adenauer, German chancellor, told Billy Graham, “If Jesus Christ is not alive, then I see no hope for this world.”  Imagining what it would be like were there no resurrection, Paul wrote “If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching amounts to nothing and your faith is futile, you are still in your sins, and those who have died with faith in Christ have perished.” (1 Corinthians 15:14-18 MLB)  It’s like saying, “Suppose the sun did not rise tomorrow,         then what? There would be only darkness and confusion and despair. But the sun has come up, and we walk in the light without fear.”
 

      Jesus travels the road of life with us. He made a promise to remember—      “I am with you all the days until the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). And God is for us, so even death cannot separate us from his love (Romans 8:31, 38). 
 

     Years ago, someone gave me a piece of newspaper with these anonymous words: “Refuse to be discouraged by the many signs that planet earth is the insane asylum of the solar system.” Sometimes I wonder.
 

     C.S. Lewis wrote of the trilemma—Jesus is either a lunatic, liar, or Lord. Considering Jesus’ teachings, life and love, we call him Lord.  Reflecting on the condition of our world and our own heart, one question remains to be answered—Is Jesus Christ “the only one of us all who is not mad”?   
 

     Fyodor Dostoyevsky wrote about people who have many material things, but “care nothing about how long they have been given to live because they can no longer think up ways to spend their hours.” Believing a paradise without sadness or sighs will materialize is not a mark of insanity, but a sign of implicit trust in God (Isaiah 26:3). Hope triumphs over despair, bringing perfect peace to one whose mind is stayed on God, whatever happens in this crazy world.  

Onesimus is no longer just a slave; he is a beloved brother, especially to me.
Now he will mean much more to you, both as slave and brother in the Lord.
                                       Philemon 1:16 NLT

Christ represents you before God—interceding for potential slaves to sin.
     Your Savior’s prayers on your behalf prove His unconditional love.
     Your Defense Counsel argues your case before My throne.
     Celebrate acquittal, rest assured of His love, be confident of His help.
     The accuser points out failures—the Advocate pardons and protects.
     The care of the Lord is your reason for hope.
     You are forgiven.

Christ reconciles you to God—bridging the gap between us caused by sin.
     The price of salvation joins our hearts—mercy unites you with your Creator.
     The Sinless Lamb took all your trespasses on His shoulders.
     In exchange, He gave you the love of His heart—that is unfair, but grace.
     You were a runaway prodigal, but you came home—now there is peace.
     The celebration of the Lord is your song of joy.
     We are friends.

Christ redeemed you from slavery to sin—paying a debt you could not pay.
     The path to serenity is open—He unshackles you from awful addiction.
     Make sin a lifestyle and you will self-destruct—follow Me and you will soar.
     Peace of mind is not found at the Devil’s carnival—only in My company.
     Stay near My heart and I will teach you heaven’s freestyle jig of joy.
     The cost of liberation has been paid at Skull Hill.
     You are free.

Christ reinforces you to serve God—strengthening you to do My will.
     The privilege of slavery to Me is a little-known secret—the key to joy.
     To be My servant gives you a noble purpose and a promise beyond time.
     When I make a difference in you, you can make a difference in your world.
     Make Me your Master and you will never suffer bondage to the evil one.
     The chains of love never chafe.
     You are focused.
 

© Pastor Johnny R. Almond                      Day 353, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

Then God our Savior showed us his kindness and love.
He saved us, not because of good things we did, because of his mercy.
He washed away our sins and gave us a new life through the Holy Spirit.
He generously poured out the Spirit upon us because of what Jesus Christ did.
Titus 3:4-6 NLT

Without My love, hopelessness would depress you.
     Dante was correct in placing a sign over hell’s entrance—
          “Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.”
     Without Jesus, eternity is an inferno—with Jesus, it is a paradise.
     Deep heart treasures belong to all who trust and obey Him.
     He is your Loving Savior, Faithful Guide, and Returning King.
     Because of My Son, you have a bright future.
 

Without My mercy, hell would doom you.
     All who surrender their entire personality to Christ will live forever—
          all others have nothing to look forward to but My crushing wrath.
     The old order of things will be replaced by the new Jerusalem—
          chaos suppressed by calm, darkness scattered by Light.
     Because of My sympathy, you have a beautiful forever.
 

Without My kindness, guilt would distress you.
     Jesus’ death at Skull Hill was not fair—He had done nothing wrong.
     He died for you—that is love; He swapped with you—that is grace.
     I would rather you never sinned; but when you do, do not be devastated.
          When your heart torments you, My heart forgives you.
          When the accuser points to your sin, the Advocate takes your case.
     Because of My support, you have a Best Friend in court.
 

Without My power, sin would defeat you.
     Were it not for the Liberator, you would be enslaved to the evil one.
     Were it not for the Light, you would scurry as a cockroach in the dark.
     Were it not for the Savior, you would be emotionally imprisoned by sin.
     I can cure you of cruel addiction to wickedness—victory is in Me alone.
     Because of My Spirit, you have boundless freedom.

© Pastor Johnny R. Almond                   Day 352, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.
Now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness the Lord, the righteous Judge,

     will give me on that great day of his return.

                               2 Timothy 4:7-8a NLT

I promise those who serve and follow Me meaningful, joyful, eternal life.
     Will you decide finally, firmly, and forever to follow Me?
 

Live unflinchingly for Me.
     Let nothing compete with Me as your life’s noblest purpose.
     Fight until the battle is won—then we will celebrate victory together.
     Die with your boots on—facing forward, facing the enemy.
     Engage the evil one in combat, counting on grace’s ultimate conquest.
     I will win the last war—the roaring lion will lose to Judah’s Lion.
     God protects you.
     Don My armor—never quiver.
 

Look unforgetfully for Me.
     Struggle on until you see My face—believe Me, I will not disappoint you.
     Dark times are steppingstones to the Light—keep walking with Me.
     On the threshold of each day, resolve to live with My return in mind.
     Whatever happens, it will be worth it when you kneel for My blessing.
     I will return in triumph—My Kingdom is coming and nothing can stop it.
     Glory awaits you.
     Believe My promises—never question.
 

Last unflaggingly for Me.

     Stay close to My heart and learn the secret of perseverance.
     Run until the race is done—keep the pace, with your eyes on Jesus.
     Never drop out of the Faith Marathon—I will embrace you at the finish line.
     Complete what you started—do not disenroll from Jesus University.
     I will strengthen you to survive—I am ready for any emergency.
     Grace sustains you.
     Hold My hand—never quit.
 

(c) By Pastor Johnny R. Almond                 

                                       Day 351, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

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