Albrecht Durer  Praying Hands 
 

Even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were there, their righteousness would save no one
                               but themselves, declares the Sovereign LORD.
                                                 EZEKIEL 14:14 NLT


Noah preached to a needy world, though the majority ignored him.
     He kept at the task I gave him, despite sneers and sarcasm.
     Crowds scorned his message and laughed at his boat-building project;
          nevertheless, he hammered away and kept telling My story.
     For over a century, Noah warned rebels—with little visible results.
     I want you to keep preaching My Word, whether or not people believe.
     Stand on My promises and fasten on the belt of timeless Truth.
          Wield the Spirit Sword to counter propaganda of the evil one.
          Whatever the response—herald My Word.

Daniel prayed in a dangerous world, though government threatened him.
     Leaders could not keep him off his knees facing the Temple.
          With windows open toward Jerusalem, he prayed three times a day.
          Lions could not kill his steadfast loyalty to Almighty God.
          He worshiped Me continually, so I protected him constantly.
          No matter how antagonistic life gets, hold My hand.
          Whatever the circumstances or the situation—keep hoping.

Job persevered in a short-sighted world, though friends misunderstood him.
     On the edge of despair, he held on by his finger-nails and trusted Me.
          Life can be difficult—the lark does not always sing in an April sky.
          Life can be discouraging—futility sometimes clouds the horizon.
          Life can be tiring—apparent pointlessness weakens motivation.
          Life is not a 100-yard dash, but a marathon—run to the finish line.
          Consider your life as time to honor Me, and purpose will energize you.
          When you see your Savior, your efforts will all seem worthwhile.
          Whatever happens—hang on.
                                            

                                    (c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond 
                        Day 283,  Gentle Whispers from Eternity 

The end has come! It has finally arrived! Your final doom is waiting!
EZEKIEL 7:6-7a NLT

Ten . . . 
Do you sometimes think life will always be as it is now? Think again!
Things will radically change someday, whether you believe it or not.

Nine . . . 
Do you doubt that My Son will ever return to earth? Depend on it!
When the King puts His foot down, heaven will materialize.

Eight . . . 
Convinced you can do wrong and get away with it? Do not kid yourself!
Every thought, word, and deed is an accurate boomerang.

Seven . . . 
Feel you have unlimited time to straighten out your behavior? No way!
When the trumpet sounds, time is up.

Six . . . 
Strutting in self-righteous splendor? Time to change your wardrobe!
Do not lull yourself to sleep comparing yourself with “inferior” people.

Five . . . 
Looking down on other believers? Dismount your high horse!
Do not be angry you cannot change others—you cannot change yourself.

Four . . . 
Judging others for their sinful ways? Take a long look in the mirror!
Everyone—you included—will stand before Christ to be judged.

Three . . . 
Wondering if justice will ever prevail? I will balance the books.
My holy holocaust will incinerate evil—purify your heart before the end.

Two . . . 
Wavering in enthusiasm in My service? Trust My Spirit and keep at it.
Nothing you do for My glory wastes time; inspired work is never useless.

One . . . 
Still trying to please people? They are not your Boss—I am!
Aim to please Me—My smile will be reward enough.



 

(c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond
Day 282,  Gentle Whispers from Eternity 


 

                                                   Hubble Telescope image  March 15, 2021 

As I watched the four creatures, I saw something that looked like
     a wheel on the ground beside each of the four-faced creatures. 
The wheels were identical, sparkling like diamonds in the sun.
It looked like they were wheels within wheels, like a gyroscope.
                                      EZEKIEL 1:15-16  THE MESSAGE 


Creatures in Ezekiel’s vision parallel the gospel portraits of Jesus—
     the lion previews Matthew’s King, the ox Mark’s Servant,
     the man Luke’s humanity, the eagle John’s God.

As the wheel of time has turned through the generations,
     I have been the Home of every believer—their Center of Gravity.
     I am without beginning or end, a Circle of infinite power.
     I am the Eternal God Who Will Always Be Who I Have Been.

From your heart outwards, let your relationship to Me influence all.
     Let every concentric circle in your life be ruled by My love.
     Do not think you are a big wheel just because you go around in circles.
     Find a valuable life purpose and stick with it through thick and thin.

When you look at the sun, think of the Sun of Righteousness—
     permit His healing rays to transform your life into holy health.
When you look at the moon, think of the Light of the world—
     reflect His kind nature to everyone around you.
When you look at the constellations, think of the Bright Morning Star—
     whistle in the dark as you worship Him and learn His song.
When you look at the earth, think of Almighty God—
     trust Me to see you through the years, as I do the orbiting planet.

One day the universe will come full circle—restored to pristine beauty.
     Until then count on My Spirit to guide you, My power to stabilize you,
          My love to encompass you, and My Presence to encircle you.
     You could never find a better gyroscope for your soul.

                                 

                                   (c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond
                Day 281,  Gentle Whispers from Eternity 

                 She played fast and loose with life, she never considered tomorrow,
                      and now she’s crashed royally, with no one to hold her hand.
                     “Look at my pain, O God! And how the enemy cruelly struts.”
                                     LAMENTATIONS 1:9  THE MESSAGE
 

After getting burned playing with fire, you say, “I just wasn’t thinking.”
     You should have been!
     Flirting with temptation starts you on a toboggan ride toward disaster.
     Sin’s slippery slope is difficult to exit—it is easier to avoid altogether.
     It is foolhardy to only consider the consequences after they hit.
     Impulsive choices typically land you in trouble.
     Human nature chooses the easy way, and that is usually wrong.

Think back—learn from history that you cannot sin without painful effects.
     Reflect on how unpleasant your life became when you acted badly.
     Reconsider how complicated relationships got when you misbehaved.

Think ahead—anticipate the awful effects of sin—turn away from it.
     Keep in mind the consequences of guilt and grief—avoid doing wrong.
     Reflect on how pleasant your life is when you trust and obey Me.

Jerusalem, city of peace, was exiled to heart-wrenching loneliness.
     Jerusalem, city of the Great King, was shackled by cruel tyrants.
     Jerusalem, the holy city, was orphaned from the Promised Land.
     If they had only thought ahead, they could have avoided disaster.

Now it is your turn.
     Repent and walk humbly with Me, and I will help you live correctly.
     Hold My nail-scarred hand, and I will guide you on a glorious path—
          a path of peace and joy, not chaos and heartache.

Want to celebrate victory—not defeat—at sunset?
     Then, at sunrise, think ahead! 


                                    

                                        (c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond 
               Day 280,  Gentle Whispers from Eternity 

Thus says the LORD of hosts:
“Look! I will break the bow of Elam, the main element of their strength.”
JEREMIAH 49:35 MLB
 

I destroyed Elam’s “atomic bomb”—the thing they trusted in most.
     They felt invulnerable, immune to being hurt—they were dead wrong.
It is the same with all nations—strutting across history’s stage leads to a fall.
     I hate pride more than anything else; My fury targets and attacks it.
     Self-sufficiency inevitably fails—I am the Only Reliable Homeland Security.

Trusting in military might?
     I took Elam’s weapon of choice and broke it over My knee.
     I will snap spears in two and burn chariots with fire,
          bringing an end to all combat ravaging the earth.
     Strategies of superpowers will not succeed without My blessing.
     Nations depending on armies to save them are misplacing their trust—
          only God of the Angel Armies can offer true protection.

Trusting in your own wisdom?
     That is not wise because human scholarship is flawed and limited.
     Smart-alecks have more to learn than they can possibly imagine.
     To mature in understanding, mine the timeless wisdom found in Christ.

Trusting in your physical strength?
     I alone never faint or tire; I alone can energize the worn out.
     Even young athletes become exhausted and quit the race;
          but those who seek Me discover fresh strength to continue.
     In My grace, you can accomplish what self-sufficiency never can—
          soar higher than mediocrity, run faster than temptation,
          and walk farther than faintheartedness.

Trusting in your riches?
     If you are not banking on eternal wealth, you will go bankrupt.
     If you are not investing in spiritual treasures, you will miss heaven’s best.
     At death, you will leave all behind except the wealth of your character.

America says it trusts God; here is the critical question—do you?
     You cannot speak for all the country, but you can get a word in for Me.
     You cannot choose for the entire nation, but you can decide for Me.
     You can depend on Me—so never declare your independence from Me.


                                         

                                                 (c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond 
                       Day 279, Gentle Whispers from Eternity 

Have you forgotten the sins of your ancestors, sins of kings and queens of Judah,
and the sins you and your wives committed in Judah and Jerusalem?
To this very hour you have shown no remorse or reverence.
No one has chosen to follow my law and the decrees
I gave to you and your ancestors before you.
JEREMIAH 44:9-10 NLT

Have you learned the lesson of My Book? Only truth endures.
     Other books need updating, but the Book from Heaven is ahead of date.
     Other writings need revising, but Scripture never requires editing.
     My Word stood with Elijah against the false prophets of Baal,
          against Korah and his rebel band opposed to My select leaders,
          against Ananias and Sapphira and their flagrant lies,
          and it will stand against the Devil at Armageddon.
     When Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn accepted the Nobel Prize for Literature,
          he quoted a Russian proverb that reflects the power of Truth:
          “One word of truth outweighs the world.”


Have you learned the lesson of blessing? Only obedience brings joy.
     Disobedience causes sadness and tragedy—it is good for nobody.
     Following My instructions is the path to celebration—it is good for all.
     “There’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey”
          (John Sammis, “Trust and Obey”).


Have you learned the lesson of the boomerang? Causes have effects.
     Every thought, word, and deed invariably affects you.
     Ignoring Me is moral suicide—to go your own way is to self-destruct.
     The old saying is right—"what goes around comes around."


Have you learned the lesson of a broken heart? Repentance is My desire.
     Confession and contrition are required for admittance to My Presence.
     Before you see My face, you must cry your eyes out because of sin.
     The Bible is right—the proud are My foes, the humble are My favorites.


Learn your lessons well—be an honor student in Life University. 


                                    

                            (c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond
                    Day 278,  Gentle Whispers from Eternity 

                 He who has My word, let him speak My word faithfully.
What has straw in common with wheat [for nourishment]? says the LORD.
    Is not My word like fire that consumes all that cannot endure the test
and like a hammer that breaks in pieces the rock [of most stubborn resistance]?
                        JEREMIAH 23:28-29  THE AMPLIFIED BIBLE


For starters, read it over.
     Read it glacially—let My thoughts soak in like gentle autumn showers.
     You can speed-read straw-books of human philosophy,
          but do not race through timeless truths in the Book from Heaven.

As you read Scripture, think it through.
     Care enough to listen attentively to My gentle whispers from eternity.
     Not knowing is ignorance; not knowing and not doing is paganism;
          knowing and not doing is sin; knowing and doing is wisdom.
     LIVE WHAT YOU LEARN.
     Do not stop with gaining knowledge, or you will be a half-wit.
     Do not leave the Bible on a shelf—take it to the street.

Read My Word prayerfully in the Spirit in which it was written.
     Take it personally—ask yourself what I would have you to do,
          attitudes that need refining in My fiery purifying crucible,
          actions that need hammering into a more Christlike lifestyle.
     BEHAVE WHAT YOU BELIEVE.
     Do not stop with treasuring My Word, or you will be a hermit.
     Do not leave the Bible in your wonder—take it to your world.

After you have read it over, thought it through, and prayed it in—
     remember to live it out.
     For heaven’s and earth’s sake, do not copy the Pharisees—
          memorizing Scripture, and missing the Savior;
          teaching well and living poorly—what a tragic disconnect!
     PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH.
     Do not stop with telling others how to live, or you will be a hypocrite.
     Do not leave the Bible in a pew—take it to the public.
     What will you do with the Bible—take it or leave it?

                                      

                           (c)  Pastor Johnny R. Almond 
                 Day 277,  Gentle Whispers from Eternity 

If you return and give up this mistaken tone of distrust and despair,
           then I will give you a settled place of quiet and safety,
                       and you will be My minister.                     
                     JEREMIAH 15:19 THE AMPLIFIED BIBLE


I know you better than you know yourself—
     you cannot fool Me with verbal veneer or pious platitudes.

My Holy Spirit x-rays your heart, and I see everything perfectly clear.
     Do not feel I am so busy managing the cosmos, I ignore your thoughts.
     I search your heart and convict you of offensive trends I find there.
     I inspire you to toss out ephemeral garbage and invest in eternal gold.

In My Presence, do some serious introspection and prayerful reflection.
     Clean up your act—adjust your attitudes.

Turn from your distrust—
     Commit the unknown future into My omniscient hands.
     What I am looking for above all else is faith—
          a little will transport you to heaven; more will bring heaven to you.
     When you are tempted to quit the struggle, look again to the cross—
          remember who died for you, and then get back to living for Him.

Turn from your despair—
     Believe My promise to make the future bright and glorious.
     Drop your despondency at My feet, and let Me carry burdens you cannot.
     I am not a mirage; I am an oasis of joy and peace in a desert of gloom.
     Listen hopefully to My future melody, and dance faithfully today.

Turn from your discouragement—
     Cooperate with Me, and I will empower you to persevere in ministry.
     Cheer up—down-in-the-mouth living misrepresents My Kingdom.
     Voice the prayer of Amy Carmichael, My missionary to India:
          Let me not sink to be a clod; Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God.

Turn from your doubt—
     Take Me at My Word and share My message with all willing to hear.
     Whether welcomed or rejected, unflinchingly repeat Scripture’s Truth.
     From the pulpit of your personality, tell My never-ending Love story


                                          

                                  (c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond
                         Day 276,  Gentle Whispers from Eternity 

 

Giants Causeway - Ireland 

 

So, Jeremiah, if you’re worn out in this footrace with men,
what makes you think you can race against horses?
And if you can’t keep your wits during times of calm,
what’s going to happen when troubles break loose like the Jordan in flood?
JEREMIAH 12:5 THE MESSAGE

When you get frazzled by hang-ups, the Wonderful Counselor guides you.
When you cannot put one foot in front of the other, Almighty God helps you.
When you are looking for a high example to follow, the Holy One inspires you.
When evil shadows trouble you, the Sun of Righteousness lights your path.
When your world is falling apart, the Chief Cornerstone holds you together.
When you think death has the last word, the Resurrection changes everything.
When guilt gets the best of you, the Lamb of God liberates your spirit.
When no one seems to care a thing about you, the Son of Man understands.
When hard times overwhelm you, the Comforter stands under you.
When life does not make sense, the Lord of All makes significance possible.
When you are so weak you cannot go on, the Lord God Almighty enforces you.
When you are confused about which route to follow, the Way directs you.
When you are searching for reality, the Truth outweighs worldly propaganda.
When you are at the point of giving up, the Life energizes you for steep roads.
When you are scared of the dark, the Light of the World is your Night Light.
When you are needing fellowship, the Head of the Church makes it possible.
When you are crying your eyes out, the Man of Sorrows weeps with you.
When you are on stormy high seas, the Prince of Peace quiets your fears.
When you are struggling with life lessons, the Master Teacher helps you learn.
When you are over the edge, the Shepherd lifts you up and restores your soul.
When you are near despair, the Messiah reassures you of His imminent reign.
When you are addicted to sinful habits, the Redeemer breaks hell’s handcuffs.
When you do not know how to pray, the Advocate intercedes on your behalf.
When you question evil’s success, the Righteous Judge promises final justice.
When you are lonely, the Bright Morning Star illuminates your heart.
When current events seem hopeless, the King of kings promises a new world.
When life’s next chapter is hard to read, the Author of your faith edits it.
When you are searching for meaning, the Word of Life spells it out for you.
When life gets harder, I will be there for you.


                                             

                                     (c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond
                            Day 275,  Gentle Whispers from Eternity 

    

I shaped your existence in the first place.
     To begin with, there were two cells, then 28 billion—that was the clay.
     I am the Omnipotent Creator, the Potter who made you like you are.
     I engineered the delicate, inner workings of your physical being.
     My hands formed your body and personality—humbly worship Me.


I shape your character in hard places.
     Difficult circumstances and “impossible situations” are the clay.
     I am your Father, the Potter at work behind the scenes for your good.
     My hand is sculpting your heart into Christ’s image—surrender.


I shape your life with opportunities to glorify Me in pleasant places.
     Everyday, ordinary life is the clay.
     I am the Omnipresent Sovereign, the Potter with your fulfillment in mind.
     My hand provides creative places for you to serve Me—be alert.


I am shaping your future in a perfect place.
     Time is the clay and the Omniscient Lord is the Potter.
     The return of My Son will inaugurate a sinless kingdom—
          a place without pain, heart attacks, cancer, wheelchairs, walkers, surgery,
               hospitals, hospices, funerals, cemeteries, or war;
          a place without darkness, fear, loneliness, or crime.
     My hand is building a magnificent mansion for your home—trust Me.


I will shape the earth into a beautiful place.
     Elements of the universe are the clay and the King of kings is the Potter.
     The earth is in bad shape now—it weeps in sadness because of sin.
     To restore paradise, radical steps will be necessary.
     My fury will set everything ablaze; it will all go up in smoke.
     In the meantime, I am giving you a chance to shape up!
     My hand will renovate the planet you call home.
          Hopefully anticipate the hereafter—joyfully dance here and now.

                                (c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond 
                       Day 274,  Gentle Whispers from Eternity