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Hull's Memorial Baptist Church
 Pastor's Blog 
Monday, August 26 2019

I’ve already run for dear life straight to the arms of GOD.
So why should I run away now when you say, “Run to the mountains”?
Psalm 11:1 THE MESSAGE

     When you are honest to God, you admit there are times when you feel like running away. Sometimes it seems the values you thought would always be respected are ridiculed, and your nation’s wholesome influence in the international community is deteriorating rapidly. When foundations of law and order crumble, what is a believer to do? When you need a storm cellar for your soul, where can you turn?
 

     No matter how uncertain circumstances are, one thing is for sure—you do not have to tremble; you can trust. You do not have to turn into a jigsaw puzzle—going to pieces every time you face a problem. You do not have to wring your hands in terror—you can fold your hands in trust and let your tranquil life be a testimony to the pleasure of My company. Your situation may be shaky ground, but your soul can be serene when you are resting on the Solid Rock.
 

     Synthetic foundations—prestige, materialism, pleasure, money—will collapse; but you can always lean confidently on Me. Other hiding places are papier-mâché

compared to Me. Human advice may be that the best thing for you to do is escape, but experience keeps teaching you that running anywhere else except to My heart is a useless exercise. With heavenly assistance available, why seek shelter elsewhere?
 

     You do not need to resort to psychological defense mechanisms—turn to the Eternal One. You do not have to be paralyzed by fear—move out by faith. Tough times do not come down to either fight or flight; there is a third option to resolve your dilemmas—FAITH. When you go out on a limb, I will be your Guide so you will not perish in the ravine of uncertainty below. Rather than hiding from your problems, hide in My promises. Instead of panic, enjoy My peace. You might think you would like to live trouble-free, but there is something far better—getting to know Me as you and I go through trouble together.
 

     I am the Divine Psychiatrist—calming your inner being when chaos encircles. I enable you to stay on an even keel on the high seas of a crazy world. Refuse to be

discouraged by signs all around you that earth is the insane asylum of the universe.
 

     Søren Kierkegaard was right—life is not a problem for you to solve; it is a reality for you to face.
 

     Do not run from reality—run to Reality!
 

© Pastor Johnny R. Almond, Day 194 Gentle Whispers from Eternity

Posted by: Pastor Almond AT 10:47 am   |  Permalink   |  0 Comments  |  Email
Monday, August 19 2019

The Lord gave me a message.

He said, “I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb.

Before you were born, I set you apart and appointed you as my spokesman to the world.”

“O Sovereign Lord” I said, “I can't speak for you!  I'm too young!”

“Don't say that” the Lord replied, “you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you.

And don't be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and take care of you.”

Then the Lord touched my mouth and said, “See, I have put my words in your mouth!"

Jeremiah 1:4-9 NLT
 

You have a divine calling—I had a plan in mind for you before your birth.   

I placed My hand on your shoulder and commissioned you for a special task. 

Your highest honor in life is to be endowed with a heavenly purpose.

Above all else, make it your supreme ambition to be true to your vocation.
 

I promise you a divine reward—I will not forget your hard work on My behalf.

Treasure the pleasure of My company as you serve Me day by day.

Anticipate the joy of living with Me in My home eternally. 

Look forward to the compensation of My words of commendation.
 

I provide divine empowerment—I overcome your feelings of inadequacy.

Weak? I am strong. Ineloquent? Use My words. Incapable? Lean on Me.   

Not up to My assignment? Whatever I ask of you, I help you accomplish. 
 

I guarantee divine protection—whatever happens, I will take care of you. 

Do not be afraid of your audience—their scowls do not compare to My smile.

Do not quake at delivering unpopular messages—you are in good company.

Do not flinch when people laugh at you—one day, they will cry before Me.

Do not run anywhere—unless it is into My everlasting arms.

I am your Fortress—giving you nerves of steel and a moral backbone.

I am your Rock in a quicksand world—stronger than any hostile force.
 

Deliver My divine message—an unsteady, hurting world needs to hear it. 

Worried about running out of anything to say? Share My eternal Word.

Anxious about creatively holding others' attention? Preach Scripture. 

Wondering where to get ideas? Let Jesus be the theme of every sermon.
 

Follow My divine directions—you have your orders, now obey them.

Let Me choose the coordinates—then bloom where you are planted.
 

Be concerned about divine success—not success by the world's standards. 

Doubting you are making headway at the task I have given you? Persevere.

Wondering if you are making any difference? Stay focused on the cross.

Discouraged by sparse results? Jeremiah preached 40 years without any.

Work conscientiously for Me—the smile of your Boss will amply repay you.  
 

© Pastor Johnny R. Almond, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

Posted by: Pastor Almond AT 11:11 am   |  Permalink   |  0 Comments  |  Email
Monday, August 12 2019

If you want to be my follower you must love me more than

your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters –

yes, more than your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple.

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.
 

© 2013 Pastor Johnny R. Almond, Day 317 Gentle Whispers from Eternity

Posted by: Pastor Almond AT 01:28 pm   |  Permalink   |  0 Comments  |  Email
Tuesday, August 06 2019

Rejoice in the Lord, O you [uncompromisingly] righteous [you upright in right standing with God];

for praise is becoming and appropriate for those who are upright [in heart.]

Psalm 33:1 THE AMPLIFIED BIBLE
 

     Praise Me for musical celebration—let your heart sing because of My inspiring symphony. Let the rhythm of Life put a spring in your step. Confessing the name of Jesus, make it a habit to give Me the credit due for life’s blessings—let your speech honor Me. Praise Me for praise.  
 

     Praise Me for the message of Christ—let your heart sing because of invaluable salvation. Forgiven by his blood, strengthened by his grace, equipped to do his work by his strength, hopeful by his promises—tell love’s never-ending story to all who will listen. Praise Me for peace.    
 

     Praise Me for merciful clemency—let your heart sing because of incredible solace. Time after time, Israel’s high priests carried blood into the Most Holy Place as an offering for sin, and then burned the bodies outside the city limits. The Great High Priest himself became the definitive offering for sin—dying on a cross outside Jerusalem’s gates. His blood is the final evidence of My love.  Praise Me for pardon.
 

     Praise Me for magnificent creation—let your heart sing because of the inspiration of nature. First believe, then understand this truth—I made the universe out of nothing! Praise Me for perfection. 
 

     Praise Me for My mastery of countries—let your heart sing because of My international supervision. The best country is yet to come. Praise Me for something greater than patriotism. 
 

     Praise Me for My mindful concern—let your heart sing because of My intimate solicitude. I made you, understand you, and care for you. I will never orphan you in life’s storms. Praise Me for Providence.         
 

     Praise Me for My mighty command—let your heart sing because of My infinite strength. Military forces sometimes deter aggression, but I am the true Superpower. Do not fear mere mortals; they can hurt, but they cannot destroy.  Praise Me for My power.
 

     Praise Me for being your Mainstay and Confidence—let your heart sing because of My invariable stability. Praise Me for permanence.
 

     Attitude determines your living. Even in dungeons, I inspire hymns.    Other prisoners will be listening—be sure to sing well!
 

© Pastor Johnny R. Almond, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

Posted by: AT 10:25 am   |  Permalink   |  0 Comments  |  Email
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    Hull's Memorial Baptist Church
    420 Enon Road | Fredericksburg, VA 22406 | PH: 540.371.4124