God will redeem me from the power of Sheol (the place of the dead);
He will receive me. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!
Psalm 49:15 THE AMPLIFIED BIBLE
 

     You cannot stare directly for long at the sun or at death—the first would blind you; the second would overwhelm you. Nevertheless, I encourage you to pause and ponder a moment your human mortality and My promise of immortality. 
 

     Trusting in fleeting riches is deceitful. Money cannot buy time. Neither can it compare to spiritual wealth. When you die, you will leave everything behind;    but who you are is yours forever. Be careful what you become—invest in heavenly treasures that thieves cannot steal, rust cannot corrupt, and moths cannot destroy. Set your heart on eternity. Make Me your highest joy.
 

     Triumph in My faithful redemption and deliverance from death. What I promised Israel I promise you—I will ransom you from death, and redeem you from the power of the grave. 
 

     By faith, you can look death squarely in the face, and exultantly proclaim Where, O death is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? Thanks be to God, who gives me victory through the Lord Jesus Christ. The philosopher Heidegger spoke of the inevitability of nonbeing,  implying people eventually cease to exist. Do not believe such gibberish. You are a creation of the Immortal One—sculpted in My image, you will continue to exist as long as I do! You can overcome fear of      the awful enemy of death by trusting My Son who rose triumphantly.
              

     Travel optimistically toward the future of rejoicing I have planned. I am leading you toward a glorious destiny—immortality and heaven! Each step you take brings you one step closer to home. Chardin conceptualized an Omega Point—             a singularity in time of infinite density and temperature, toward which the universe will collapse in a backward Big Bang he called the Big Crunch,          an implosion with enough energy to bring back to virtual life all creatures that ever lived. Jesus does not just philosophize—He promises that all the dead in their graves will hear his voice and will rise again, some to enjoy eternal life, others to endure agonizing separation from good. The Alpha and Omega is the ultimate answer to a grave situation—I show you the path of life, bless you with pleasure of My company, and will greet and embrace you in heaven.    You are not in a funeral procession to oblivion, but a victory parade to glory! 
        

© Pastor Johnny R. Almond;  Gentle Whispers from Eternity

This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to his own holy people. 
This is the secret: Christ lives in you, your assurance you will share in his glory.
Colossians 1:26-27 NLT

Christ’s promise in your mind is your hope of an eternal destiny of joy.

Christ’s love in your heart is your guarantee of a heavenly home.

Christ’s Spirit in your soul is your security you are bound for glory. 

Christ’s presence in your life is your foretaste of glory divine. 
 

The universe with its innumerable galaxies cannot contain Me—

     yet I have taken up residence in hearts of all who welcome Me.

Because I live in you—

     you can count on inheriting the blessing of sharing in My glorious reign; 

     you have been rescued from the dark side, and live as a child of the Light;

     you have been made a privileged citizen of My eternal Kingdom;

     you have been freed from sin’s addiction and destructiveness;

     you have been forgiven of sin’s guilt, and can face eternity fearlessly.
 

Certainty of eternal life is not based on doubtful faith, but trusting reliance. 

Promised glory is not mere wishful thinking—My promises will materialize. 
 

Your ultimate destination is a land beyond time, change and decay.

     Heaven on earth will be a deathless, tearless, painless, sinless place.
 

Looking forward to the ecstasy of infinite glory,

     you are motivated by a changed purpose—Christ, not yourself;

     you anticipate a changed destiny—heaven, not hell;

     you demonstrate a changed lifestyle—holiness, not wickedness.
 

Identified with Christ, you are victorious over sin and death now;

     and you are destined for unimaginable glory someday—

     more beautiful than any painting can picture,

     more joyous than any symphony can convey,

     more magnificent than any literature can describe.  
 

Roman generals returning from victory were greeted by a great procession

     lining streets and cheering, vanquished troops marching in chains,

     strange animals brought from subjugated lands, musicians and singers    

     celebrating conquests, his children robed in white riding trace horses,

     a slave riding with him in his chariot holding a crown for him

     and whispering in his ear, “All glory is fleeting.” And so it is. 

The one exception is Christ’s glory awaiting you—it is not too good to last.

An eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison will reward your faith. 

© Pastor Johnny R. Almond, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

Psalm 25:1 ESV
 

     I am the Most High God—Ruler of the universe, God above all,   King of kings and Lord of lords. No judge is greater than Me—      when you rest your case in heaven’s supreme court, no lesser court can overturn My ruling. When you sin, My Son pleads your case as your Defense Counsel.  My not guilty verdict is irreversible. 
 

     No commander outranks Me— when you follow My orders, you are following the best strategy to win life’s battles. When dark forces attack, they cannot extinguish the Light. 
 

     No force can overpower Me—so when you depend on My strength, you are energized and encouraged to tackle life’s challenges. Faith transforms impossible situations. Nothing is beyond My power— receive My help and you can do whatever I ask of you.
 

     Lifting up your soul to Me is your most uplifting experience.  In My Presence, you are as high as you can be. When you lift up your soul to Me, I lift you up. Finding Me is an uplifting experience. I am your Vindication—the Beginning of the journey.
 

     Leaning on Me guarantees your triumph. Faith in Me is an uplifting experience. Trust Me and enjoy peace of mind. I am your Victory—   the Beauty of the journey.
            

     Learning from Me educates you in truth. Familiarity with Me is an uplifting experience. Obey Me and I will make Myself real to you. I am your Vision—the Best of the journey.
   

     Loved by Me, you are changed. Forgiveness is an uplifting experience.      I am the Secret of invulnerable joy. Unfailing Love sustains you every heartbeat. Mercy holds you together. I am your Vitality—the Blessing of the journey.   
 

     Lift up your soul to Me—loving God, ruling King, merciful Sacrifice.  Then you will experience life’s highest possible joy!
 

© Pastor Johnny R. Almond—Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer

and did not withdraw his unfailing love from me.

Psalm 66:20 NLT
 

I have not rejected your prayer—I have responded to you.

When you confess your wrongdoing, I cleanse your soul.

When you cry out in desperation, I pay attention to your pain.

When you plead for help, I do not turn a deaf ear.

Prayer is always a local call—wherever you are, I can hear you.

Praise Me for an audience with the King.
 

I have not restricted your praise—I have released you.

You do not have to hide your faith as a secret disciple—breathe free.

You do not have to stifle your joy—sing My praises for the entire world.

I have made you genuinely rich by giving you a contented mind.

Praise Me for invulnerable joy greater than any earthly happiness.
 

I have not refused your pleas—I have reinforced you.

My awesome miracles on your behalf irrefutably prove My love.

Enemies of your soul, including the evil one, cringe at My power.

Trust in Me—and trouble will not get you down.

Stay close to Me—and the prince of the world will not conquer you.

Praise Me for supernatural assistance.
 

I have not removed your problems—I have refined you.

Adversity is My University—trust Me and pass the tests of your faith.

Low points teach you lessons you would never learn any other way.

The fiery crucible purges filth—trying floodwaters remove debris.

I defend in guilt, comfort in sorrow, and encourage in frustration.

Praise Me for being your Travel Companion on rough roads.
 

I have not renounced My promises—I have redeemed you.

My Son became a Sacrificial Lamb to buy your freedom from sin.

I keep all My promises to you—I am the God of My Word.

With all my heart, I love you—love Me the same way.

Praise Me for the honor of serving the God of Truth and Love.
 

© Pastor Johnny R. Almond, Day 217 Gentle Whispers from Eternity