If you want to be my follower you must love me more than  your father, mother, wife, children, brothers and sisters—
yes, more than your own life.  

You cannot be my disciple if you do not carry your own cross and follow me. Count the cost.  

No one can become my disciple without giving up everything for me.                                                                                         

                                                Luke 14:26-28a, 33 NLT

Sanctify your heart—consecrate your inner being to Me.

     In grateful response to My mercy, love Me wholeheartedly.

     Live passionately—prioritize My cause above earth’s trivial pursuits.

     Live thoughtfully—ponder behavior, and reside in the moral highlands.

     Live energetically—serve Me with all your strength and health.

     Live creatively—allow Me to work through your unique personality.

     Live loyally—make Me your Center of Gravity.

     Live lovingly—adore Me with sincere affection nothing can kill.

Shoulder your cross—carry responsibilities willingly, without griping.

     No difficulty or frustration begins to match the cross I carried for you.

     Do not run from suffering—it is part of the landscape of obedience.

     I endured excruciating pain for you—it is your turn to hang in there for Me.      

     There is only one way you can bear the cross I give you—grace.

     Live unselfishly—put aside egocentric ambition and focus on others.

     Live courageously—splinters from the cross should not surprise you.

     Live nobly—follow my example; walk in My steps.

Surrender your life—count the cost of being My disciple.

     Live for my glory—never seek your own.

     Hold nothing back—renounce the idea of ownership.

     Recognize My sovereignty—acknowledge that I rule and overrule all.

     Be totally sincere in working for Me—take My business seriously.

     Live humbly—do not be self-assertive;  remember your place.

     Live hopefully—practice downward mobility and I will promote you.

     Live carefully—calculate the cost of obeying, and the higher cost of rebelling.

     Live radically—give up everything for Me and finish the Faith Marathon.



 

© Pastor Johnny R. Almond                           Day 317, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

                Whooever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant; 

                            whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.

                                                 Mark 10:43b, 44 LNT

Think you are somebody really important, do you? Better think again.

     VIPs are forgotten in history’s dust storm—mists of time erase their names.     

     You are no better than anyone else—you are made of dust, like all humans.

     You are not totally, eternally, irrevocably responsible for everything—I am!

     Learn this well—I am God, in charge; you are a subject, under orders.

Been throwing your weight around lately? Step on scales of reality.

     Your house of cards will topple in winds of change—Mine is eternal.

     You are not strong enough to hold the earth on your shoulders—I am.

     You do not reign on the throne of the universe—I govern all nations.

     You are not wise enough to direct traffic patterns of galaxies—get real!

     Serve Me, not yourself; advance My Kingdom, and do not build your own.

Letting power go to your head? Do not turn into a Tyrannosaurus Rex!

     Held hostage by ego? Enslaved to ambition? There is a nobler way.

     Prioritize My cause—copy Christ’s attitude of downward mobility.

     I am absolute Lord of the universe, Master of surrendered hearts.

     Submit to My sovereignty, and I will help you make sense of your life.

Lording it over ones you deem beneath you? Dismount your high horse!

     Do not be a smart-aleck! Do not overprice yourself!

     I condescended to wash dirty feet—you are not too good for slave labor!      

     Heads swollen with conceit explode trying to maintain inflated self-images.

     Hearts living in the holy land of trust and obedience persevere by grace.

Want to be truly great by heaven’s definition? Learn to serve like Jesus.

     Do not expect the world to wait on you hand and foot—wait on them!

     If you want to rank high in My estimation, take a low position of humility.

     Conquer selfishness with service, rise above narrow views of success,

          and remember that self-worth does not result from resumes—

          then you will see heaven’s approval reflected in My eyes.

     © Pastor Johnny R. Almond                    Day 315, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

Jesus went up on a mountain and called the ones he wanted to go with him.

He selected twelve of them to be his regular companions, calling them apostles.

He sent them out to preach, and he gave them authority to cast out demons.

                                    Mark 3:13-15 NLT
 

Are you like Peter—vocal in resolve, denying Me by Satan’s fireside?

Are you like James, Zebedee’s son—thunderously short-tempered?

Are you like John—deeply in love with the Lover of your soul?

Are you like Andrew—enthused about inviting others to meet Me?

Are you like Philip—wondering how I can take care of huge problems?

Are you like Bartholomew—honest and straightforward with Me?

Are you like Matthew—giving up corruption and taking up My cause?

Are you like Thomas—tentative, then worshiping Me as your God?

Are you like James, Alphaeus’ son—a behind-the-scenes follower?

Are you like Thaddaeus—obeying without knowing details of My plan?

Are you like Simon the Zealot—fiercely patriotic, and a heavenly citizen?

Are you like Judas Iscariot—a treacherous turncoat?

Like the apostles, you are an ordinary person—human, limited, mortal.

     But if you follow Me, I will change you into an extraordinary influencer.

Similar to My original inner circle, you are privileged to be very near Me.

     Trust My heart and obey My voice, and know Me as a near and dear Friend.

You did not choose Me—I chose you and tasked you to produce fruit.

     I called you to be My ambassador—will you represent Me honorably?

Energized by My Holy Spirit, you are My ally in the battle against evil.

     I challenge you to stand up to the Devil—will you fight the good fight?

You are My associate in life’s most serious business—evangelism.

     I commissioned you to preach—will you speak up faithfully?

If you were merely My servant, I would not share My heart with you.

     You are one of My friends—will you keep company with Me today?

 

© Pastor Johnny R. Almond        Day 314, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

                                                              Sallman  Head of Christ

                                   Someone is coming soon who is far greater than I am—

                                 so much greater that I am not even worthy to be his slave.

                                                  Mark 1:7 NLT                                                                                          

I am a Greater King—infinitely more authoritative than all earthly rulers.

   As Savior, I was Servant King;  as Judge, I will be Sovereign King of kings.

   You are unworthy to be My subject. By My mercy, you are—be thankful.

   Be subject to change.
 

I am a Greater God—infinitely more awesome than all false gods of the heart.

   Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—I alone deserve your wholehearted allegiance.    

   You are unworthy to be My creation. By My choice, you are—be reverent.

   Know your place.
 

I have a greater message—infinitely more significant than any of your own ideas.

   Truthful language in the Book from Heaven is greater than political correctness.    

   You are unworthy to be My messenger. By My will, you are—be enthusiastic.

   Preach My Word.
 

I extend a greater calling—infinitely more truthful than hell’s propaganda.

   Ready for action? Willing to move out of your comfort zone to serve Me?

   You are unworthy to be My evangelist. By My grace, you are—be loving.

   Tell My story.
 

I offer greater teaching—infinitely more transforming than human philosophy.

   Apply My teaching, and call Me Rabboni—your very own Teacher.

   You are unworthy to be My disciple. By My love, you are—be studious.

   Keep in mind what I have to say.
 

I have greater power—infinitely more effective than any other force.

   I exorcise demons—erasing guilt, tumbling pride, ending vendettas.

   You are unworthy to be My ambassador. By My Spirit, you are—be confident.

   Take My hand.
 

I demonstrate a greater attitude—infinitely more noble than your petty ambition.

   I practiced downward mobility to show the secret of greatness—servanthood.  

   You are unworthy to be My servant. By My example, you are—be faithful.

   Walk in My steps.

          © Pastor Johnny R. Almond                 Day 313, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up,

refused to be treated as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.

He chose to share oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying fleeting pleasures of sin.

He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of the Messiah than own treasures of Egypt,

for he was looking ahead to the great reward that God would give him.

It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt. He was not afraid of the king.

Moses kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible.

Hebrews 11:24-27 NLT

 

Motivated by an unseen face,  leave the sinful world behind you.

You have never seen Me, but trust Me anyway and you will be blessed.

Thrill of physical pleasure, comfort of things, and pride of ownership

     cannot match the joy of My company and the reward of My approval. 

Professing faith in Me, you are under obligation to live like Me—

     Christlikeness is a moral imperative, not just an ethical ideal.

When I return to reign over the earth, you will see Me as I really am.

     If you really believe this, make a conscious effort to be ready. 

Like Enoch, walk in habitual fellowship with Me.

You live in two worlds—one visible, one unseen except with heart eyes.  

Radically hoping for a better life on the other side of resurrection,

     rest assured you will see your living Redeemer with your own eyes.

Looking forward to a tearless, deathless, painless, sinless place,

     anticipate unimaginable surprises and eternal ecstasy.

Live honorably—uncompromisingly purify your heart. 

Worshiping an invisible King,  refuse to be intimidated by Earth’s ruler. 

The snake that sank hateful fangs into My body was pulverized at the cross. 

The spirit at work in unbelieving hearts will be defeated by My Holy Spirit.

Your Accuser will ultimately lose his battle against your Advocate. 

You have never seen your Defense Counsel, yet I take your side faithfully. 

When you stand before Me acquitted, you will celebrate like never before.

Until then, draw near Me and experience joy too wonderful for words. 

At My return, every eye will see Me—in the meantime, continue.

Like David, be a person who develops a heart like Mine.

Like Noah, hammer away until you finish the task I assigned you.

Like Sarah, learn that nothing is too hard for Me, then laugh for joy.

Like Abraham, move out in confidence and find I take good care of you.

Live courageously—unflinchingly persevere in following My orders.

Serving the behind-the-scenes God,  keep Me first until you see My face. 

Live by faith, not by sight—remember the truly essential is invisible. 

Allow nothing to take the first place in your heart I alone deserve. 

Make My cause your focus—make My grace your survival technique.       

Like Abraham, look forward to a promised land beyond what you can see. 

Live purposefully—untiringly proclaim My story until you see My smile.

© Pastor Johnny R. Almond                             Gentle Whispers from Eternity