The Perfect Gift

                     Thank God for his Son—

                a gift too wonderful for words!

                  2 Corinthians 9:15 NLT
 

Be grateful for My Precious Gift—your Cornerstone in a changing world.

     No human language can fully express gratitude for His loyal friendship.

     Sun, moon, and stars quietly reflect His Name’s majesty and glory.

     Jesus is your Faithful Redeemer—quiet your heart and enjoy His freedom.

     Silence is the humble soul’s reverence.

Be grateful for My profound grace—your cleansing in a corrupt world.

     Christ’s unmerited favor and mercy are gifts too wonderful for words.   

     Words may express affection, but actions tell the true story.

     You are saved by grace—prove your love by serving your Savior.

     Service is the holy soul’s response.

Be grateful for My personal gladness—your celebration in a sad world.

     My song is your unparalleled rapture—putting a spring in your step.

     I teach you hope’s eternity-melody—I teach you faith’s time-dance.

     No day is so hard, no night so long, you cannot find a reason to sing.

     Singing is the happy soul’s rejoicing.

Be grateful for My powerful goodness—your Center of Gravity in a bad world.

     Traveling the high road is possible through strength Christ provides.    

     Friendship with the Sovereign is unrivaled relationship—true wealth.

     Satisfaction is the hungry soul’s resource.

Be grateful for My perfect guidance—your compass in a confusing world.

     I guide by tranquil streams now—and to life-giving springs forever.

     Trust the infallible directions of God’s Providential Spirit.

     Stillness is the homeward-bound soul’s restoration.

Be grateful for My promised glory—your confidence in a despairing world.

     Faith in the Bright Morning Star transforms you into an eternal optimist.

     Christ in you is glory previewed—peace in pandemonium.

     Serenity is the hopeful soul’s rest.

 © Pastor Johnny Almond                     Day 341, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

                                        Clay Hallelujahs

 This precious treasure—light and power that now shine within us—is held in fragile clay jars,

that is, in our weak bodies.  Everyone can see our glorious power is from God and not our own.

                Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.

                                      2 Corinthians 4:7, 16 NLT
 

Forever light on Christ’s face is My best portrait of Incarnate Truth.

     Light beyond light is your Center of Gravity.

     Here is the Greatest Reality you can ever ponder:

          I Will Always Be Who I Have Always Been—

               I have always loved you, and I always will.

     Get to know My Son better—enjoy the pleasure of His company.

Frail life of clay is a container of boundless power, an interior treasure.

     Your human body is mortal, finite, limited by space and time.

     Yet I choose to make your heart My home.

     I am Light in your darkness—the dark side cannot conquer My love.

     I am Power in your weakness—the evil one cannot vanquish My grace.

     Avoid staggering in dirty places—walk as a child of the Light.

Finish line is the challenge to believing perseverance in intense trial.

     Endurance is underrated—those who finish the race win My smile.

     When perplexed, pray—gaze again at My cross and hang on.

     When tempted by easier roads, refuse to compromise—soldier on.

     Do not let fatigue or criticism force you to resign—re-sign and work on!

     I remember you are weak—remember I am strong, and you will make it.

Forward look is the celebration of beautiful paradise, the infinite triumph.  

     Discouraged? You are headed for a sinless, deathless, painless place.   

     Disappointed by false advertising? Heaven is not too good to be true.

     Disillusioned by fleeting pleasures? Heaven is not too good to last.

     One day, in eternity, you will join saints and angels in celestial hallelujahs.

     Until then—today, in time, praise Me with clay hallelujahs.
 

             © Pastor Johnny R. Almond                  Day 340, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

He dreamed of a stairway that reached from earth to heaven.

                                Genesis 28:12 NLT
 

What are you dreaming of? What is your highest hope? Noblest vision? Imagination mirrors My creativity. Your idea of the ideal future echoes My promises. Your dreams are vague reflections of Mine. I communicate with you in dreams. Pay attention to images and ideas. Be sensitive to emotions. I send clear and colorful signals to your heart that can transform your life if you take My dream seriously.

To you it seems a long way from earth to heaven. “Now” and “not yet” feel a great distance apart—between where I am and where you are, countless steps. But it is not as far between time and eternity as you think—Love traverses the span with the speed of thought. Small faith takes you up to heaven; mature faith brings heaven down to earth.

Infinite light years are bridged in an instant of childlike trust. I am nearer than hands and feet, closer than breathing. I am not a local, territorial god—I am the Omnipresent God of the universe. I am Land Lord of the earth, so every location can become My sanctuary. No spot need be lonely—find Me in your heart and find Me everywhere.

Whatever your dream, I am the Apex of the staircase. I am the Author of every perfect dream, the Means to achieve the desired end, the Final Step to reach the ultimate goal. I am the Stairway to the stars, Reality behind dreams, and Energy to climb steps and attain visions.

The sky is not the limit—aim for the company of the immortals! Dare to dream grand dreams—visualize heaven open and angels ascending and descending the stairway of hope. When it seems there is no way to reach your dream, I will make a way. I am the Way to the Truth of Life. I am the Gateway to perfect ecstasy. I dream with you as you pursue your dream.

I give you strength and patience to continue to climb. I comfort you when you wonder if the dream will ever materialize. My Spirit inspired your dream; I keep your dream alive until fulfillment. I protect you in twists and turns of the dreamy spiral. From the heights, I watch over your progress and supervise the ascent to your destiny. Take My hand and I will get you home.

Let reveille awaken you from reverie. Daydreaming is sweet, but it is time to wake up and start climbing. Do more than stare up the steps—step up the stairs.

I promise your dream will come true in thrilling actuality. We will celebrate together at the top of the stairs.

© Pastor Johnny R. Almond                             Day 19, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

There remain then, faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

                                       1 Corinthians 13:13 MLB

Love endures.

     Love’s patience never dies; love’s commitment never gives up.

     No matter how uncertain the future, love trusts steadily.

     Love never fails, fades, or becomes obsolete—it endures time’s test.
 

Love empathizes.

     My heart is eternally kind—all true love reflects My merciful heart.

     Love celebrates with happy hearts—love cries with the heartbroken.

Love esteems others.

     Love wishes the best for others, so it is not jealous of their success.

     Love is not focused inwardly, so it does not brag or strut.

     Love is genuinely concerned for others’ welfare, so it is never rude.

     Love serves for heaven’s sake, so it does not resent Christlike slave labor.

Love excuses wrongs suffered.

     Love does not keep score, or maintain a record of trespasses against it.

     A loving heart forgives others, as it has been forgiven by Infinite Love.

Love is ecstatic about truth.

     Love weeps its heart out over injustice, and parties when truth wins.

Love expects the best.

     Seeing your Savior face to face will launch a never-ending celebration.

     I am saving the best for the last—rest assured.

Love exceeds everything.

     Eloquence without love is pointless speech.

     Knowledge without love is meaningless nonsense.

     Faith without love is useless exercise.

     Self-sacrifice without love is wasted effort.

     Faith and hope are temporal, but love lasts forever—the greatest reality.
 

© Pastor Johnny R. Almond                  Day 339. Gentle Whispers from Eternity

                                                  








                                                        Sallman  Head of Christ

God is the one who invited you into this wonderful friendship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

                                                1 Corinthians 1:9 NLT

Christ behind you is your forgiveness.

     I knew your name and paid for your redemption before you were born.

     I died in your place to give you a clean slate and a fresh start.

     I drowned your transgressions in the depths of Forgetfulness Sea.

     I am your Cleansing—the most blessed assurance of your mind.

Christ within you is your freedom.

     I am your Key to liberation from sin’s cruel addiction—live free!

     Do not brag about being rich, strong, or wise—never blow your own horn.

     Revel in the fact that you know Me—blow a trumpet of praise for God.

     I am your Center of Gravity—the most precious treasure of your heart.

Christ beneath you is your foundation.

     I am the Solid Rock in a quicksand world—Even Keel on high seas.

     Let Me have what troubles you, and I promise to take good care of you.

     Lean on My everlasting arms, and I will see that you survive every trial.

     I am your Cornerstone—the most powerful fortress for your soul.

Christ before you is your future.

     I am your Shepherd; in My Presence you have everything you need—

          comfort in hurt, satisfaction in disillusionment, welcome in coldness,   

          goodness in evil, love in hate, blessings in sadness, hope in doubt.

     I am your Confidence—the most beautiful promise of your tomorrows.

Christ beside you is your Friend.

     I am with you every heartbeat, breath, step, day, season, and year.

     I am your Advocate—I defend against hell’s prosecuting attorney.

     I am your Anchor in life’s storms—I comfort you in pain and heartache.

     I am your Companion—the most encouraging Friend of your life.
 

© Pastor Johnny R. Almond                   Day 338, Gentle Whispers from Eternity