True godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world,

and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.

                                      1 Timothy 6:6-8 NLT

 

Avoid the curse of greed.

Avarice triggers all kinds of evil—marital discord, theft, marred friendship.

If your bank account grows, do not make it the center of your life.

Joy is not measured by investment portfolios or square footage of a house. 

It is impossible to divide allegiance between God and money—do not try.

If you have lots of money, do not trust it – you’ll leave it all behind one day.

Moths consume the finest threads;  rust destroys the most expensive cars; 

     thieves find a way to break in to mansions—watch your priorities.

Depending on dollars will bankrupt your heart—value Me above all else.

Rudyard Kipling correctly observed:

     “Do not care overly much for wealth or power or fame,

         or one day you will meet someone who cares for none of these things,

         and you will realize how poor you have become.”

Treasure the contentment of God.

A satisfied mind is a great blessing—one very few people truly enjoy.

Bank accounts diminish and stock markets crash, but I never fail you.   

Find comfort in Me and you can learn to be content with much or little.

Let Me satisfy your soul’s hunger and gourmet restaurants will not matter.   

Let Me clothe you with righteousness and designer wardrobes will not lure.

I give your mind faith, your heart love, and your will perseverance. 

I bless your life with purpose, and your future with heaven. 

I am more precious than silver, costlier than gold, and brighter than jewels.   

Nothing you yearn for can compare with the pleasure of My company.

Practice the celebration of good works.

I have told you to love people and use money—never turn this around.

I have freely given you great resources—I expect you to give freely.

I proved My love by My cross—shoulder your cross and walk in My steps.

I went around doing good—be sure you do not merely go around.

I lived a life filled with love for others—see that you do the same.

I have blessed you with My Spirit to help you survive—lean on Me.

I have promised to do more than you can imagine—pray as you go.

I have offered heaven’s armor to help you survive earth’s battles—don it.

I have guaranteed ultimate victory over sin and death—count on it.

I have designed good things I want you to do for Me in life—stay busy.

© Johnny R. Almond                                        Gentle Whispers from Eternity

The Bridge to Heaven

There is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and people.

He is the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone.

1 Timothy 2:5-6a NLT
 

Rebellion troubles.
     Sin brings a temporary thrill—its only lasting result is frustration.
     Iniquity leads to condemnation and chaos—nothing good comes from bad.   

     All people miss the mark of perfection—you are no exception to the rule.

Rebellion pays in the coin of heartbreak—guilt and death are sad wages.  

     Transgression estranges human hearts from the Creator—the gap is wide.
 

Repentance turns.
     I permit U-turns—all who do an about-face find faith a nobler direction.
     All who travel Holiness Highway find it better than a dead end road to hell.
     Want to walk tall? Get on your knees and you can get to your feet again.
     Want to sing for joy? Exit hellacious detours and travel Heaven Boulevard.   

     Want to really live? Then reverse evil.
 

Redemption transforms.

     When humanity was at its worst, I was at My best—I sent My Beloved Son.

     If you got what you deserve, justice would land you in hell.

     If you just did not get what you deserve, mercy would keep you out of hell.  

     Grace can give you better than you deserve—exuberant, eternal life.

     Christ swapped with you at Skull Hill—believe and never be the same.

 

Reconciliation triumphs.

     All who accept My grace are at ease in My Presence—eternally friends.

     I reside in hearts surrendered to Christ—friends of His are friends of Mine.

     Whatever you may face in the future, I will enable you to survive—and sing.   

     Jesus plus any problem equals victory—don My armor and win your battle.

     By nail-scarred hands, Jesus holds My hand in holiness and yours in love.

          Clasp His hand and walk over turbulent waters of regret and guilt,

               to a tranquil place of grace built by My Son—
                    the Bridge over troubled water and the Bridge to heaven.


© Pastor Johnny R. Almond                       Day 350, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

hKingdom of Perfection

My Kingdom is not of this world.

John 18:36 NLT

 

    My Kingdom if not of this world. 

               John 18:36 NLT

 

Mine is a kingdom of sacrificial love—an empire of unselfish souls.

     I knew what would happen on Skull Hill—I could have avoided it.

     I chose to suffer isolation from My Father so you and I could be friends.

     Those who came to arrest Me did not need to handcuff Me—

          I voluntarily laid down My life for the transgressions of the world.

     In an uncaring world, I am the Highest Example of Tenderheartedness.  

     Follow My lead—live a life filled with love for others.

Mine is a kingdom of absolute truth—a domain of unchanging reality.

     Pilate asked, “What is truth?” unaware of Truth in his presence.

     My Word gives clear answers—My Spirit sensitizes your conscience.

     I am the Embodiment of All Truth—scientific, philosophical, spiritual.

     Believe My Book—live a life in line with holy principles.

Mine is a kingdom of total justice—a realm of undeniable fairness.

     My judgment is not clouded by appearance, false evidence, or hearsay.

     At the end of the day, the King of kings will abolish all inequity.

     Trust My promises—live a life of unflinching hope that right will win.

Mine is a kingdom of peace—a territory of undisturbed serenity.

     Ultimately all unsheathed swords will be hammered into plowshares.

     Spears will make good pruning hooks in a fruitful restored paradise.

     After all human solutions fail, I will bring tranquility to an uneasy world.

     Relax—live a life of unflappable equanimity anticipating peace at last.

Mine is a kingdom of universal authority—a rule of unrivaled power.

     When I identified Myself to soldiers and Temple guards with I Am,

          they lurched backward to the ground.

     When I ascend My throne to reign over nations, every knee will bow—

          angels, humans, and demons will all recognize My right to rule.

     At the dawn of eternity, I will triumph over all enemies of righteousness.

          Worship Me—live a life of faith that I Will Always Be Who I Am.
 

         © Johnny R. Almond                                  Day 324, Gentle Whispers from Eternity