As I watched the four creatures, I saw something that looked like
a wheel on the ground beside each of the four-faced creatures.
The wheels were identical, sparkling like diamonds in the sun.
It looked like they were wheels within wheels, like a gyroscope.
EZEKIEL 1:15-16 THE MESSAGE
Creatures in Ezekiel’s vision parallel the gospel portraits of Jesus—
the lion previews Matthew’s King, the ox Mark’s Servant,
the man Luke’s humanity, the eagle John’s God.
As the wheel of time has turned through the generations,
I have been the Home of every believer—their Center of Gravity.
I am without beginning or end, a Circle of infinite power.
I am the Eternal God Who Will Always Be Who I Have Been.
From your heart outwards, let your relationship to Me influence all.
Let every concentric circle in your life be ruled by My love.
Do not think you are a big wheel just because you go around in circles.
Find a valuable life purpose and stick with it through thick and thin.
When you look at the sun, think of the Sun of Righteousness—
permit His healing rays to transform your life into holy health.
When you look at the moon, think of the Light of the world—
reflect His kind nature to everyone around you.
When you look at the constellations, think of the Bright Morning Star—
whistle in the dark as you worship Him and learn His song.
When you look at the earth, think of Almighty God—
trust Me to see you through the years, as I do the orbiting planet.
One day the universe will come full circle—restored to pristine beauty.
Until then count on My Spirit to guide you, My power to stabilize you,
My love to encompass you, and My Presence to encircle you.
You could never find a better gyroscope for your soul.
(c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond
Day 281, Gentle Whispers from Eternity
She played fast and loose with life, she never considered tomorrow,
and now she’s crashed royally, with no one to hold her hand.
“Look at my pain, O God! And how the enemy cruelly struts.”
LAMENTATIONS 1:9 THE MESSAGE
After getting burned playing with fire, you say, “I just wasn’t thinking.”
You should have been!
Flirting with temptation starts you on a toboggan ride toward disaster.
Sin’s slippery slope is difficult to exit—it is easier to avoid altogether.
It is foolhardy to only consider the consequences after they hit.
Impulsive choices typically land you in trouble.
Human nature chooses the easy way, and that is usually wrong.
Think back—learn from history that you cannot sin without painful effects.
Reflect on how unpleasant your life became when you acted badly.
Reconsider how complicated relationships got when you misbehaved.
Think ahead—anticipate the awful effects of sin—turn away from it.
Keep in mind the consequences of guilt and grief—avoid doing wrong.
Reflect on how pleasant your life is when you trust and obey Me.
Jerusalem, city of peace, was exiled to heart-wrenching loneliness.
Jerusalem, city of the Great King, was shackled by cruel tyrants.
Jerusalem, the holy city, was orphaned from the Promised Land.
If they had only thought ahead, they could have avoided disaster.
Now it is your turn.
Repent and walk humbly with Me, and I will help you live correctly.
Hold My nail-scarred hand, and I will guide you on a glorious path—
a path of peace and joy, not chaos and heartache.
Want to celebrate victory—not defeat—at sunset?
Then, at sunrise, think ahead!
(c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond
Day 280, Gentle Whispers from Eternity
Thus says the LORD of hosts:
“Look! I will break the bow of Elam, the main element of their strength.”
JEREMIAH 49:35 MLB
I destroyed Elam’s “atomic bomb”—the thing they trusted in most.
They felt invulnerable, immune to being hurt—they were dead wrong.
It is the same with all nations—strutting across history’s stage leads to a fall.
I hate pride more than anything else; My fury targets and attacks it.
Self-sufficiency inevitably fails—I am the Only Reliable Homeland Security.
Trusting in military might?
I took Elam’s weapon of choice and broke it over My knee.
I will snap spears in two and burn chariots with fire,
bringing an end to all combat ravaging the earth.
Strategies of superpowers will not succeed without My blessing.
Nations depending on armies to save them are misplacing their trust—
only God of the Angel Armies can offer true protection.
Trusting in your own wisdom?
That is not wise because human scholarship is flawed and limited.
Smart-alecks have more to learn than they can possibly imagine.
To mature in understanding, mine the timeless wisdom found in Christ.
Trusting in your physical strength?
I alone never faint or tire; I alone can energize the worn out.
Even young athletes become exhausted and quit the race;
but those who seek Me discover fresh strength to continue.
In My grace, you can accomplish what self-sufficiency never can—
soar higher than mediocrity, run faster than temptation,
and walk farther than faintheartedness.
Trusting in your riches?
If you are not banking on eternal wealth, you will go bankrupt.
If you are not investing in spiritual treasures, you will miss heaven’s best.
At death, you will leave all behind except the wealth of your character.
America says it trusts God; here is the critical question—do you?
You cannot speak for all the country, but you can get a word in for Me.
You cannot choose for the entire nation, but you can decide for Me.
You can depend on Me—so never declare your independence from Me.
(c) PastorJohnny R. Almond
Day 279, Gentle Whispers from Eternity
Have you forgotten the sins of your ancestors, sins of kings and queens of Judah,
and the sins you and your wives committed in Judah and Jerusalem?
To this very hour you have shown no remorse or reverence.
No one has chosen to follow my law and the decrees
I gave to you and your ancestors before you.
JEREMIAH 44:9-10 NLT
Have you learned the lesson of My Book? Only truth endures.
Other books need updating, but the Book from Heaven is ahead of date.
Other writings need revising, but Scripture never requires editing.
My Word stood with Elijah against the false prophets of Baal,
against Korah and his rebel band opposed to My select leaders,
against Ananias and Sapphira and their flagrant lies,
and it will stand against the Devil at Armageddon.
When Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn accepted the Nobel Prize for Literature,
he quoted a Russian proverb that reflects the power of Truth:
“One word of truth outweighs the world.”
Have you learned the lesson of blessing? Only obedience brings joy. Disobedience causes sadness and tragedy—it is good for nobody.
Following My instructions is the path to celebration—it is good for all.
“There’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey”
(John Sammis, “Trust and Obey”).
Have you learned the lesson of the boomerang? Causes have effects.
Every thought, word, and deed invariably affects you.
Ignoring Me is moral suicide—to go your own way is to self-destruct.
The old saying is right—"what goes around comes around."
Have you learned the lesson of a broken heart? Repentance is My desire.
Confession and contrition are required for admittance to My Presence.
Before you see My face, you must cry your eyes out because of sin.
The Bible is right—the proud are My foes, the humble are My favorites.
Learn your lessons well—be an honor student in Life University.
(c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond
Day 278, Gentle Whispers from Eternity
