“God is not a man, that he should lie. He is not human, that he should change his mind. Has he ever spoken, and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through”  [Numbers 23:19 NLT]

I’m sure you’ve noticed that our wordy world is filled with many basically meaningless messages. Media verbiage is rampant 24/7. God has the Word we really need—creative, illuminating, forgiving, gracious, and authentic.

In contrast to human dishonesty, God is the heart of reality. We cannot depend on erroneous proclamations, but the Book from Heaven is our lodestar. Grass of popular opinion withers, and flowers of human insight fade, but God’s Textbook never needs revising. Galaxies will melt into nothingness on Judgment Day, but timeless lessons are here to stay. God is not just talking—He means every word He says. The Bible is more than words—it is eternal wisdom. There is more than grammar in the Spirit-breathed book—God is between the lines. The Bible is the only book whose Author is always present when we read it. As we draw near God’s heart—searching beyond paper and ink and syllables—we can sense His Presence. To live honestly, we must always tell the truth.

Unlike human deviation, God is the God of fidelity. We cannot depend on elusive philosophical ponderings, but God’s predetermined thoughts are absolutely reliable. God Will Always Be Who He Has Always Been—He has always loved us, and He always will. To live decisively, we must quit wavering back and forth and make up our mind to believe God’s Word and honor Him with every dimension of  our life.

Different from human declination, God is the God of follow-through. We cannot depend on evasive plans, but God’s decreed transaction is our final and absolute answer. God never speaks without acting. To live truthfully, we must follow through on our word—doing what we say we will do.

In distinction from human deception, God is the God of the future. We cannot depend on empty pledges, but God’s destined time is our complete assurance. God’s invisible clock keeps perfect time—Truth will materialize when He landscapes earth with righteousness. False advertising disappoints, but God is our Trustworthy Anchor, brightening the future. The Living God has spoken in the Bible; He means every word He says, and He will keep every promise. To live purposefully, we must make our devotion more than words.

Johnny R. Almond

Pastor, Hull’s Memorial Baptist Church - Friends on a Journey of Faith

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity—Scripture Personalized

http://GentleWhispersFromEternity--ScripturePersonalized.com/

This devotional based on day 88 of Gentle Whispers from Eternity

There the Israelites sang this song: “Spring up, O well! Yes, sing about it!”  (Numbers 21:17 NLT)

Ancient Hebrews were healed by a trusting look at a stinging serpent on a pole—we journey toward real life as we gaze in faith at God’s Son on a cross. If we get depressed and impatient because of life’s difficult score, our Savior teaches us how to sing. Jesus is our Salvation from sin, our Strength for the struggle, and our Song in sadness.

Whatever our situation, we are never in a God-forsaken place! We can sing even in the desert if we delight in the Master of Melody. The Lord satisfies our soul with a perpetual spring of joy even if we should feel like hanging up our harp.

The world cannot match heaven’s sweet air. The siren song of transient pleasures cannot compare to the symphony of infinite joy. The Holy Spirit in our innermost being inspires a rousing victory march. In God’s perfect timing, we will join in an international praise song to the King of the universe—until then, we can stay in step with the Spirit cadence with an optimistic spring in our step. We are dust, but God is Infinite Power—we will not fall out of the ranks if we depend on the Almighty to reinforces us to battle sin and win. Marching in Christ’s triumphal procession, we are honored to sing a glorious strain in harmony with the church triumphant.

The Lord composes a brand new chorus for us every morning. By grace, we can sing out a fresh carol in His honor each day we live—offering an original and creative melody to our listening audience. There is no reason we should ever communicate boredom with a repetitive singsong chant.

Our Father’s promises compose a visionary anthem that sustains us in chaos and loneliness. The keynote of heaven’s hopeful music inspires nocturnal melodies. In the shadowlands of time, we listen for the melody of eternity—banking on God’s promise of heaven on earth materializing at sunrise.

Fear cannot mute grace notes written in our heart by faith. In anxiety-producing circumstances, God’s unfailing care sings a ballad of courage to our soul. In discord, God’s calming peace is our Background Music. In overwhelming responsibilities, the Lord hums a heavenly tune in our ear so we can keep calm and carry on. How can we keep from singing? 

Johnny R. Almond

Pastor, Hull’s Memorial Baptist Church - Friends on a Journey of Faith

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity—Scripture Personalized

http://GentleWhispersFromEternity--ScripturePersonalized.com/

This devotional based on day 87 of Gentle Whispers from Eternity

"You will know that the Lord has sent me to do all these things and that it was not my idea."  (Numbers 16:28 NIV)

Our idea is prestige, but God has a better idea--purpose. By providential brush strokes, God is painting a masterpiece on the canvas of our circumstances to unveil His grace to the world. With heaven's help, we can put spiritual adolescence behind us, refuse to be treated as Egypt's adopted child, and grow up.

Our idea is sinning for pleasure's sake, but God has a better idea--suffering for His name's sake. It is foolish to revel in earth's transient thrills; it is the highest wisdom to travel the harder, higher path. Christ agonized for us, so we should agonize for Him.

Our idea is accumulating more stuff, but God has a better idea--investing in lasting treasures. Linking happiness to things is insane. Dividing allegiance between God and money is impossible.

Our idea is fear, but God has a better idea--faith. There is no need to tremble before the pharaoh of hell. We can exit Egypt and travel heavenward, persevering by focusing the eyes of our heart on the Invisible King. When storms rock our boat, we should not panic that we might drown--Jesus still hushes the sea to sleep and calms frazzled nerves. The Spirit Wind will guide us to a tranquil harbor.

Our idea is selfishness, but God has a better idea--serivce. To be a star for Jesus, we must be a servant. To truly live, we must give.

Our idea is comfort, but God has a better idea--a caring heart. Emulating Christ's example, we will live a life of love.

Our idea is carnality, but God has a better idea--Christlikeness. Hammer blows sculpt us into His image. Pain precedes perfection.

Our idea is materialism, but God has a better idea--mission. Regarding disgrace for the Messiah's sake of greater value than Nile stock, we strike out for the desert with our heart set on the Promised Land.

With all our mind, we should learn God's ideas. With all our soul, we should internalize God's ideas. With all our heart, we should value God's ideas. With all our strength, we should activate God's ideas.

If we let God think His thoughts through us, our ideas will begin to look a little bit like His.

Pastor Johnny R. Almond

 “You must make tassels for the hems of your clothing and attach the tassels at each corner with a blue cord. The tassels will remind you of the commands of the Lord, and that you are to obey his commands instead of following your own desires and going your own ways as you are prone to do.”  (Numbers 15:38-39 NLT)

God encircles us with many object lessons designed to charm us to His side. If we are wise, we will pay close attention to the memos He posts:

The cross of Jesus—preaching heaven’s free pardon of our sins, singing of mercy in the maze, inspiring endurance when we are tempted to abandon our mission.

The Book from Heaven—jogging our mind to review our Master’s blueprint for life, raising sights above mundane trivia to eternal realities, keeping us from sin.

The Indwelling Holy Spirit in our heart—an Infallible, Built-in Guidance System to keep us on target morally.

Beautiful, magnificently designed earth, sun, moon, and stars—a billboard publicizing our Father’s sovereignty, awesome power, and loving care.

Our spouse and children—signs of God’s love, solving the problem of loneliness.

Challenges and responsibilities of our work—reminding us of Providence in guiding us into avenues of service honoring the Name above all names.

The church—a loving family, encouraging us to activate good deeds and avoid unholy living in light of Christ’s imminent return.

A table loaded with delicious food—illustrating God’s ability to always provide more than enough to meet our every need.

History—a rearview mirror reflecting tragic consequences of rebellion against God, chronicling Hebrew recalcitrance and prompting us to learn from their mistakes.

Heaven help us to see with our heart—so we can marvel at encompassing traces of grace from the God who loves us, go beyond pondering His memos to conscientiously follow His cues, avoid distraction by the ten thousand lures of the evil one, and stay faithful to the God we love.

Johnny R. Almond, Pastor

Hull's Memorial Baptist Church; Fredericksburg, Virginia

blog http://www.GentleWhispersFromEternity--ScripturePersonalized.com/