This was quite a contrast to the former governors who had laid heavy burdens on the people,
demanding a daily ration of food and wine, besides a pound of silver. Even their assistants took advantage of the people.
But because of my fear of God, I did not act that way.
NEHEMIAH 5:15 NLT
Nehemiah’s example of leadership challenges you to be a blessing, not a burden. His lifestyle inspires you to servanthood, not egocentricity.
Instead of taking advantage of others, you should love them as the Son of Man did. Since I am Lord over you, you ought never lord it over others.
I am not unfair—I will not forget how hard you work for Me and how you demonstrate your love for Me by caring for others. Walk in the fear of Me, and you will stand out from the crowd.
Some people may be surprised if you do not take advantage of position. The heart of such uncommon behavior is your belief in My sovereignty. The reason you behave as you do is your reverence for Almighty God.
Attitude toward Me and actions toward people are inextricably related. Internal faith and external life are intimately connected. Faith works. Knowing someday you will have to explain to Me all you have done powerfully impacts your actions today. Remembering I am your Boss influences the quality of your work.
Reverence Me, and you will make a conscious effort to do your best. Fear Me, and you will guard your tongue, turn from evil, and work hard at living at peace with your neighbors. Humility in My Presence will influence all you think, say, and do.
Worship Me with all you are and do. I am a Consuming Fire—let My Holy Spirit set your heart ablaze and melt the lead in your feet! Confess your personal faith. In your own words, tell the world you are trusting Me with your entire life and your eternal future. Let your beliefs grow deep into your soul. Develop convictions that carry you around, not just opinions you carry around. Submit to My Holy Spirit, and let Me sculpt your character into Christ’s likeness. This is My dream for you—let it be yours.
In your conduct, preach a sermon testifying of the change coming over you by My work in your heart. Connect your faith and life!
(c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond
Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity
Eliashib the high priest and other priests started to rebuild at the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and set up its doors.
NEHEMIAH 3:1a NLT
Retrace Nehemiah’s counterclockwise tour of Jerusalem’s wall. Pause at the gates and reflect on your relationship to Me.
The Sheep Gate pictures your pardon. Untold millions of lambs—led through that gate to be killed in the Temple—point to My Lamb led as a lamb to the slaughter on Skull Hill. He had done nothing wrong, yet He died so you could be right with your Creator.
The Fish Gate reminds you of your life’s highest purpose. Standing there, hear Jesus’ words—be My disciple, and I will teach you to fish for people. Focus energy on obedience and enjoy meaningful living.
The Old Gate leads you to remember the legacy of those who invite you to stand at the crossroads and reflect on ancient paths and seek the good way and walk in it, so you will find rest for your soul. Spiritual ancestors in the grandstands cheer you on to the finish line.
The Valley Gate teaches you the danger of pride and catapults arrogance as you adjust your attitude to Christlike downward mobility.
The Dung Gate challenges you to purity. If you want to be near Me, you must toss garbage. Everything else in the world is trash compared to the priceless gain of pure-hearted clear vision of the Holy One.
The Fountain Gate portrays the Holy Spirit called alongside you to calm, comfort, encourage, and defend you in life’s storms.
The Water Gate speaks of My principles guiding your behavior in the twists and turns of life’s maze.
The Horse Gate stirs you into militant action as you consider the polarization of good and evil in the spiritual warfare you are fighting.
The East Gate thrills you with the Messiah’s promised return to the holy city, new Jerusalem. The fi rst gate to be opened every morning reminds you that after you have cried your heart out in midnight desperation, the dawn of heaven will bring untarnished joy.
The Muster Gate motivates you to prepare for inspection by your Commander in Chief, so you will not blush at your interview with Me!
End up where you began with Me—the Sheep Gate—near the cross!
While Ezra prayed and made this confession, weeping and throwing himself to the ground in front of the Temple of God, a large crowd of people from Israel – men, women, and children – gathered and wept bitterly with him.
EZRA 10:1 NLT
I am the Awesome God who inspires reverence. The no-gods are limited; I am the Infinite One presiding over the cosmos. Idols inspire aversion; Divinity inspires awe.
In My Presence, humble your heart. I am the enemy of the proud; the humble are My favorites. So the wisest thing you can do is humble yourself before Me. Ponder the universe I have engineered—gaze into the expansive night sky and recall I whispered stars into being and direct planetary traffic patterns. Listen to reverberating thunder—then sing My praises. Resolve to live in the holy land of the broken heart—then you will not climb high and fall hard.
Cry your heart out for the wrong you have thought and done. I am the Awakening God who inspires repentance. My Holy Spirit stirs your heart to correct evil practices and commit energy to heavenly purposes. Sin is a crying shame! It is no joking matter! Want the Devil to leave you alone? Resist him! Want to be clean? Wash your hands and purify your heart!
If you yearn to know My joy, you must quit flirting with sin—in other words, quit it! Then you must redouble your efforts to serve Me—in other words, stop your self-service. Let heaven’s fire burn the sin from your mind and polish your life into purest gold. In My pardon, you can be holy.
I am the Almighty God who inspires revival. Confession can be contagious. Righteousness can spark a movement toward godliness. Prayer can transform nations. Earnest intercessions of the pure-hearted produce uncommon results. Just one sincere person can attract a crowd intent on seeking Me. Conviction has wonderful consequences—hope in My promises, commitment and courage to do right, confession of sin, and consecration to live above the world. Bow down before Me and admit you really need Me, and I will take you by the hand and lift you up. In My power, you are helped.
A rock thrown into a lake causes ripples all the way to the shore. On your knees you can change the world.
(c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond
Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity
The gracious hand of his God was on him. This was because Ezra had determined to study and obey the law of the LORD and to teach those laws and regulations to the people of Israel.
EZRA 7:9b-10
I am the Writer, Producer, and Director of your life story. I have given instructions for your life on earth in My Book from Heaven—follow My directions closely and live by the script until I walk on stage.
I chose you as a priest, challenged you to live a holy lifestyle, claimed you as one of My own, commanded you to praise Me, and called you out of ignorant darkness into insightful light.
Learn from Ezra’s example how I want you to weave together study and obedience. He shouldered priestly responsibility to teach, but he did more than spend time in the library—he walked the streets and connected with people. He burned midnight oil—then he behaved the message. Well-versed in Scripture, learned and wise, he did not stop there—he took seriously his task of teaching My law.
He devoted himself to My Holy Word—and more than that, to Me.
Study is never enough! Ezra was an exemplary priest and scribe—a disciplined scholar and practitioner of My law, a devoted teacher who spoke from experience. He knew My Word—he also worked at living by it!
Before you can teach, you must think and be transformed. Any message you preach will be ineffective unless you understand the meaning and experience the metamorphosis. Any remarks you make are hollow without clear reflection and careful response.
Learning and living are critically interconnected. Study informs, schooling instructs, spirituality inspires. Private enlightenment and public example undergird powerful education. Without thoughtful pondering and sincere practicing, sermons are just so much noise. All the wisdom you offer the world will not please Me, if you are not obeying Me personally.
I know you are very fond of Bible study. That is the easy part. Next comes the more difficult part. Demonstrate you love the Author by reading it over, thinking it through, praying it in, and living it out.
People would rather see a sermon than hear one any day. So would I! That is how I know you really love Me. The most readable translation? Translating beliefs into behavior! Do that and I promise to make Myself real to you.
The finest sermon? Living by the Book! Do that, and I will shout a hearty Amen!
(c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond
Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity
The work on the Temple of God in Jerusalem had stopped, and it remained at a standstill
until the second year of the reign of King Darius of Persia.
EZRA 4:24
Sometimes it would be appropriate for you to ask yourself thought-provoking questions—You were running a good race, so what interfered with your progress and detoured you from My best? What kinds of influence sidetrack you from persevering in the life mission I have assigned you?
Discouraging people can get the best of you, if you neglect to rely on Christ’s dynamic power at work within you. Fear can frustrate your service for Me, if it shuts down your faith. Ridicule and ostracism can paralyze your noble pursuit, if you permit it.
You can be certain that resolve to live a pure life will not make you the hit of the world’s party. And it will not get any easier when you redouble your efforts to live a godly life.
Human authority can intimidate you, if you do not pay attention to orders from Higher Headquarters.
Remember this—at all times, in all situations, it is mandatory that you obey Me!
It is okay to rest—it is not okay to resign. It is delightful to pause—it is disgraceful to stop. A Sabbath is wise—a standstill is wicked. Retirement on active duty is a contradiction in terms.
Faithfulness is much more critical than talent or skill. A running T-Model goes farther than a parked Cadillac.
Keep on keeping on, standing strong in the service of the Victor. Run until the finish line, keeping your eyes on your Savior on the cross. Courageously struggle on, standing tall and true to your convictions.
My grace enables you to survive battles with the evil one, stand firm against his strategies, stand your ground against his tricks that would overthrow you, and keep you safe and sound until you join heaven’s victory celebration.
Arrayed in heavenly armor, evil will not knock you off your feet. When the smoke of battle clears, you will not be at a standstill—you will be still standing.
(c) Johnny R. Almond
Pastor, Hull's Memorial Baptist Church
Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity
Here is the list of the Jewish exiles of the provinces who returned from their captivity to Jerusalem and other towns of Judah. They had been deported to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar.
EZRA 2:1
The temptation to settle down in captivity was tremendous for those Jews in Babylon. Many of them had accumulated riches in the land between the rivers. Civilization was very comfortable. Enjoying an easy life far from Zion, why pull up stakes and abandon their routine? Why give up their predictable jobs for this arduous journey?
Can you see yourself and your personal experiences in the mirror of Jewish history? Their temptations are yours. Their dilemma reflects your own hesitancy to lose your life and give it up for Jesus’ sake. Addiction to a comfort zone makes it hard for you to get out of the rut—a grave with both ends kicked out—and take the exit to freedom.
For the Jews to travel those hundreds of dangerous miles was a crucial choice inspired by a search for significance. Wondering why the Hebrews set out on the trek to Jerusalem, some critics labeled the emigrants’ decision lunacy. But they were not insane—they were inspired to embark on a mission outshining the metropolis of Babylon.
Worldly attractions lose their glitter in light of My challenge—if you refuse to shoulder your cross and humbly walk in My shadow to the City of Light, you are not worthy to wear My Name.
Triumph followed courage. Sustained by their Sovereign, returnees to Jerusalem—city of peace, and Judah—country of praise, again walked the familiar streets of their hometowns. After months of danger and diffi culty, it was good to finally be home. At the day’s end, losing by earth’s standards is winning by Mine. Those who lose their lives for My sake truly discover life.
Changed by adventure, returning exiles were cataloged as stars. Honorable mention in the hall of faith is their eternal reward. When you give up your attachment to things to follow Me, I guarantee a payback that will far more than off set the expenditure. To be named by the Shepherd is no small joy. To be registered in the Lamb’s Book of Life is no shallow reward.
Whatever your society decides, choose to aim for Christlikeness. Be a diamond on black velvet—and receive heaven’s honorable mention.
(c) Johnny R. Almond
Pastor, Hull's Memorial Baptist Church
Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity
As Hilkiah the high priest was recording the money collected at the LORD’s Temple
he found the Book of the Law of the LORD as it had been given through Moses.
When the king heard what was written in the law, he tore his clothes in despair.
“Go to the Temple; speak to the LORD for me and the remnant of Israel and Judah. Ask him about the words written in this scroll that has been found. The LORD’s anger has been poured out against us because our ancestors have not obeyed the word of the LORD. We have not been doing what this scroll says we must do.”
2 CHRONICLES 34:14, 19, 21
My Textbook for Living had been lost during reigns of evil kings. Found and read to Josiah, he realized drastic changes were required to bring the nation he governed back into line with My commands.
The Book from Heaven is My gift to earth, telling you of My care. My neverending love story is recorded in the pages of Scripture.
The Book of Holiness is My instruction manual on how to live. My inspired Word teaches you eternal truths, makes you sense what is wrong in your life, gets you back on track, and helps you avoid derailment.
The Book of Books tells of My greatness and exalts My lordship. It records My creation of the universe out of nothing, My holding it all together with invisible hands, and My supervising galaxies—and you.
The Book of Life reminds you of My encouraging grace—illuminating your lonely darkness with My Heartwarming Presence. Nothing can extinguish Holy Radiant Light.
Every time you reopen Scripture, you rediscover the Book that makes all the difference in your life. No other book transforms your attitudes and actions like the Holy Bible. No other book so convicts you of sin and makes you want to respond with true remorse and repentance.
The world’s greatest literature cannot compare to the treasures of My law. No poetry matches the Psalms. No novel is more charming than the saga of My love. No story is more captivating than Scripture. The world’s profoundest wisdom cannot hold a candle to the truth of My
Word. The most thoughtful philosophies cannot touch the human heart like Christ’s parables. All the best books ever written, placed side by side, could not rival the divine library of Scripture.
Do not leave My Word on a bookshelf to collect dust—that is no better than hiding a scroll in the Temple. An unread Bible is as useless as a lost one. The best Bible study? Read it over, think it through, pray it in, live it out. An obedient life is the best translation your world will ever read.
(c) Johnny R. Almond
Pastor, Hull's Memorial Baptist Church
Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity
May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love.
May you have the power to understand as all God’s people should,
how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.
EPHESIANS 3:17b-18
My love is wider than your mind—it is universal.
Reality transcending e = mc2 is greater than your ability to comprehend.
I am energy’s Source, faith’s Center of Gravity, and light’s Creator.
My love reaches out to people of all nations—not just people like you.
My love is no abstraction, it is actuality—more than an idea, it is truth.
My mercy and compassion for the undeserving extends even to you.
You cannot fathom why I care for you, but you can experience My love.
My love is longer than your lifetime—it is unending.
No force can separate you from My love—
death’s terror, life’s trouble, demons’ distraction, today’s fear,
tomorrow’s worry, hell’s power, height’s dizziness, sea’s chaos—
nothing can come between us.
Believer, we are inseparable.
When you are finally free from death, you will sing of My love forever.
My love is higher than your soul—it is unlimited.
My love cancels despair with hope, and cares more than you imagine.
Infinitely beyond earnest prayers, intense hopes, and grand dreams—
My work inside your being gives you joy too wonderful for words.
The place My heart is preparing for those who respond to My love
is more beautiful than paintings, symphonies, or poems express.
My love is deeper than your heart—it is unfailing.
Betsie ten Boom was right—no pit is so deep, that I am not deeper still.
When you experience depression, do not lose your hope in Me.
My heart empathizes with you in your pain and problems.
My promises guide you through the maze of perplexity.
My Spirit holds you together through your darkest night.
I am your Face-healer—smile through your tears until I wipe them away.
(c) 2013 Johnny R. Almond
Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity
Then Hezekiah encouraged them with this address: “Be strong and courageous! Don’t be afraid of the king of Assyria or his mighty army. There is a power far greater on our side! He has a great army, but they are just men. We have the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles for us!” These words greatly encouraged the people.
2 CHRONICLES 32:6b-8 NLT
Encircled by invisible armies, the Greatest Power in the universe is on your side. Stand proudly in the ranks of those changed from spineless wimps into steel-backboned warriors.
Feeling powerless, recall not by force nor by strength, but by My Spirit. Feeling weak-kneed, trustingly don My armor.
Sometimes you feel “where never is heard a discouraging word” is a Utopia existing only in dreams. Despair and pessimism are rampant. Bad news is all you ever hear. Futurists have little optimistic to predict.Tired of the world’s negativism? Bow before the plus sign of the cross.
When it seems that discouraging words are all you ever hear, turn to My Word.Take a walk through the New Testament and revel in transforming truths.
I am your Travel Companion.
Earth’s saddest day and gladdest day were just three days apart.
My story captivates you and cheers you on.
My Spirit brings peace in pandemonium.
Christ’s return gives reason for living until paradise is restored.
In the darkness, dawn approaches.
You are a victor, not a victim.
You enjoy freedom, not shackles.
Your Heavenly Father cares for you, His child.
Prayer opens the window to infinite resources.
Christ unlocks the secret to surviving every situation.
Unimaginable glory is waiting just around the corner.
I am the Eternal Optimist—you can be too.
My Son came to planet Earth to solve your biggest problem—guilt.
I grant power for living, love for your relationships, and self-discipline for spiritual development.
I am your Blessed Hope.
Active sharing of faith’s perspective helps you to grow up in Christ.
At the throne of prayer, find mercy for your sins and grace for your struggles.
A humble attitude ensures help from the Almighty.
Trust causes joy beyond words.
Internalizing My Word purifies you from moral filth.
In Jesus, there is certainty in all circumstances.
Count on Unchanging Truth.
Enjoy pleasure of My company 24/7.
I am your Source of eternal security.
The United Kingdom is on the way.
Take this walk often—My Encouraging Word will always lift your spirit.
