The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; he has appointed me to preach Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the downtrodden will be freed from their oppressors, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come. Luke 4:18-19 NLT
Jesus’ plan will include a new earth for the meek.
Saints are ignored by big shots now, but one day they’ll be on the front row.
The Great Reversal will turn everything around and right side up.
Big wheels rule the world now, but God’s favorites will reign in paradise.
When the Lord lives with the humble-hearted, crying and pain will disappear.
When God makes his home on earth, death and evil will be forever history.
The world mistreats God’s children now, but He will save us from oppression.
Jesus’ peace will bring elation to the believing.
The Day of all days will make heaven’s blessings evident to the universe.
Glory will cascade ecstasy through the heart of every trusting soul.
The beauty of heaven will replace the ashes of earth’s disappointments.
The joy of Jesus’ company will transcend heartache of earth’s discouragement.
The praise of his love will cancel loneliness of earth’s despair.
The world breaks hearts of his disciples now, but He will save us from sadness.
Jesus’ Presence encourages the desperate.
Can’t get it all together? Ready to give up the noble quest? About to quit?
Seek his face and listen to his voice and you will find strength to go on.
Listen to God’s future melody and you can dance by faith here and now.
When perplexities crowd our heart, his consolations cheer our soul.
Just when we need him the most, He is there for us.
With Jesus on our side, we’re richer than we think—He saves us from poverty.
Jesus’ power extricates the shackled.
Jesus is the key to freedom—He alone can emancipate us from sin.
A lifestyle of rebellion imprisons the soul—a lifestyle of obedience frees.
Fettered in a dark cell? Let his sunshine set you free and you’ll leap with joy.
Resolve and dogged determination only go so far—He saves us from addiction.
Jesus’ promise opens the eyes of the blind.
Without seeing him, we follow him by faith—one day we’ll meet face to face.
Eyes of the heart see things as they will be, not as they are now.
Faith is an eye-opening experience, giving confidence of ultimate victory.
Believing we’ll at last see him motivates us to purify our heart to get ready.
The world will go up in smoke, then the New Jerusalem will materialize.
Painting a mural of heaven on condemned building? Jesus saves from despair.
US and European officials have announced December 24th, 7:20 A.M. EST for the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope. A $10 billion successor to the Hubble Space Telescope, it is scheduled to lift-off from French Guiana. This observatory is designed to look deeper into the universe than its predecessor, detecting events occurring further back in time--more than 13.5 billion years ago. Scientists also want to use its capabilities to study atmospheres of distant planets in the hope that signs of life might be detected.
Few have ever experienced total darkness. At the bottom of a cave, or in a basement when the power shuts off perhaps. But there's typically a faint glow coming from somewhere. Even the night sky never seems truly black, because there's usually a star or two twinkling in the distance.
So it’s hard to imagine a time when all that existed was darkness, when you could travel in any direction for millions of years and still see absolutely nothing. This is the story scientists tell us of the "dark ages" that gripped the universe before the first stars ignited. They intend to show us how the cosmos ultimately became filled with light. They'll do it using the biggest telescope ever placed beyond the Earth.
The Webb telescope is on a mission to look deeper into the universe - and therefore further back in time - than even the legendary Hubble Space Telescope, which it succeeds. Equipped with a 21foot mirror and four super-sensitive instruments,
it will stare for days at a very narrow spot in the sky to detect light that’s been travelling through the immensity of space for more than 13.5 billion years.
Scientists think there should be stars, or galaxies, or black holes maybe beginning at 100 million years after the Big Bang. There may not be many to find at that time, but the telescope can see them if they are there.
Reasoning that since light travels at a finite speed in a vast and expanding cosmos, scientists say that if we keep probing deeper and deeper, we should eventually retrieve the light from the pioneer stars as they group together into the first galaxies.
This massive telescope must get past 344 hurdles to do what it’s designed to do—deploying a solar panel and radio antenna minutes after launch, opening wings of the primary mirror, unfurling a tennis court-sized shield to keep it cool and protect its vision from the glare of the sun.
Webb is complicated. According to BBC, key hardware includes 140 release mechanisms, 70 hinge assemblies, eight deployment motors, 400 pulleys and 90 cables totaling 1,312ft.
Why go to all this trouble? Why spend 10 years conceiving and another twenty years building a $10 billion machine to detect some faint, red blobs in the sky? Perhaps it is in search of an answer to the most fundamental of questions—Where do we come from?
Here’s the scientists’ explanations. When the universe was formed in the Big Bang, it contained only hydrogen, helium and a little lithium. Nothing else. All the heavier chemical elements in the Periodic Table were forged in stars. Carbon making up living things, nitrogen in Earth's atmosphere, and silicon in rocks were manufactured in nuclear reactions that make stars shine and in mighty explosions ending their existence. We're only here because first stars and their descendants seeded the universe with the material to make stuff.
Here’s the Bible’s explanation—In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. The Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Then God said, "Let there be light. Let lights appear in the sky to separate the day from the night. Let these lights in the sky shine down on the earth. God made two great lights--the larger one to govern the day, and the smaller one to govern the night. He also made the stars. Then God said, "Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us." By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God's command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen. (Genesis 1:1-3a, 14-18, 26, 27; Hebrews 11:3 NLT)
Several years ago, an anonymous author wrote--"Hundreds of top scientists worked together to build the ultimate computer, a master brain with the intellect to answer all the questions and solve all the mysteries of the world. Finally it was completed and ready for its first question. With trembling hands, one of the scientists fed in the question: 'How did the world start?' Lights flashed, wheels whirred, tumblers clicked. Finally the machine answered: 'See Genesis.'"
The LORD is good. When trouble comes, he is a strong refuge.
And he knows everyone who trusts in him.
But he sweeps away his enemies in an overwhelming flood.
He pursues his foes into the darkness of night.
NAHUM 1:7-8 NLT
When perplexing cares depress your mind, I will be your lilting song.
Nagging doubts will not fragment you—I am your Blessed Assurance.
When you feel you cannot take another step, I will be your cheering coach.
Life’s grueling marathon will not kill you—I am your Enduring Example.
When I flood earth with judgment, I will be your calm and quiet harbor.
Surrounding troubles will not drown you—I am your Grand Support.
When all hell breaks loose, I will be your Unfailing Savior.
Doomsday will not destroy you—I am your Heaven.
When the world has given up hope, I will be your melody of optimism.
Despair will not overwhelm you—I am your Home.
When righteous indignation makes earth quake, I will be your Faithful Friend.
Vindication against sin will not touch you—I am your Father.
When the last battle rages, I will be your ultimate victory.
Clash of good and iniquity will not defeat you—I am your King.
When the night of evil overshadows the world, I will be your shining light.
Attacks from demonic forces will not intimidate you—I am your Shield.
When the world is falling apart, I will be your solid rock.
Fading tangibles will not devastate you—I am your Eternal Life.
When My Son returns to set the world right, I will be your bold courage.
An interview with Me will not embarrass you—I am your Defense Counsel.
When heaven’s holy holocaust incinerates earth, I will be your storm shelter.
Falling stars will not scare you—I am your Bright Morning Star.
When godless nations rage against the Messiah, I will be your hiding place.
Punishment of the wicked will not hurt you—I am your Mighty Fortress.
(c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond
Day 299, Gentle Whispers from Eternity
You, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village in Judah.
Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past.
He will be highly honored all around the world. And he will be the source of our peace.
MICAH 5:2, 4, 5a NLT
He was born in a little town, yet He never began.
Before mountains were sculpted, He existed—in fact, He made them.
Before the planet you call home hung in space, He was your Home.
You cannot understand this, but you can believe it.
He entered earth in a dark barn, yet He will enlighten new Jerusalem.
His light illumines seeking minds—His life comforts desperate hearts.
He spoke first light into being—that light shines on, inextinguishable.
You cannot explain this, but you can enjoy it.
He was marked by a star, yet He made all the stars.
Heaven’s GPS pointed out His location to those who wanted to know.
I still use circumstances, events, and people to direct people to Jesus.
You cannot figure out what I am up to, but you can follow.
He was a helpless baby on earth, yet He is the Sovereign of Heaven.
He enjoyed prerogatives of power and glory, but He gave it up for you.
Rather than demand His rights, He humbly gave His life to redeem you.
You cannot earn this, but you can receive it.
He was adored by wise men from a foreign land,
and He will be worshiped by ransomed saints from all lands.
No one else is worthy of universal praise—He alone is the Savior.
You cannot imagine this, but you can experience it.
He became human in time, yet He is the Ruler of Eternity.
You cannot see Him now, but in the distant future you will.
Storm clouds veil stars, but dawn will reveal the rhapsody of peace.
You cannot envision this, but you can anticipate it.
His star led magi to Him, and the Bright Morning Star guides you.
All wisdom centers on Him—all truth connects to Him.
Wise men traveled a long way to find Him—yet it was worth the trip.
You cannot know it all, but you can know the One who does.
(c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond
Day 298, Gentle Whispers from Eternity
How can we sing the songs of the LORD while in a foreign land? PSALM 137:4
When you are in a situation that makes you want to hang up your harp,
you may wonder how in the world you can ever celebrate again.
Where is that toe-tapping rhythm, that spring in your step?
You are on alien soil in the ungodly world.
No wonder antagonists poke fun at your hymns of praise.
The world is “not a friend to grace to help you on to God” (Isaac Watts).
I am the One “who makes the woeful heart to sing” (Anonymous hymn).
When Paul wrote Philippians, he was not in a Statler Hilton luxury suite.
Yet he published a message of joy advising believers to rejoice.
Hope can sing—heaven’s music echoes in listening hearts.
Faith can dance—heaven’s message encourages trusting souls.
Joy can celebrate—heaven’s mirth is in inner-stances, not circumstances.
Love can rejoice—heaven’s melody inspires invulnerable joy.
Horatio Spafford experienced this joy—even after his daughters died.
That ship collision in the Atlantic took their lives, but not his peace.
Sorrows like sea billows rolled over him, but it was well with his soul.
Richard Wurmbrand experienced this joy—even after 14 years in prison.
Brutally tortured until he could find relief only on his elbows and knees,
he still sang a song a fellow prisoner wrote about Jesus.
Joni Eareckson Tada experienced this joy—even as a quadriplegic.
Confined to a wheelchair, painting with her mouth,
she sang from her heart a song of trusting faith.
Betsie ten Boom experienced this joy—even in a concentration camp.
She knew they would be free, and she told her sister to tell everyone
there is no pit so deep that God is not deeper still.
You can also experience this joy.
Though you feel like sighing, your Greatest Friend can teach you a song.
By My grace, you can sing—even when you do not feel like it.
Jonah answered “I am a Hebrew and I worship the LORD, the God of heaven who made the sea and the land. Then he told them he was running away from the LORD.
JONAH 1:9-10 NLT
Do you think it is possible to be reverently rebellious toward Me?
Submissively disobedient to the Commander of Angel Armies?
Lovingly running away from Love seeking your company?
Openly hiding from the One who knows everything about you?
How can you demonstrate such sharp contrast in your life—
Falsely true? Genuinely counterfeit? Sincerely hypocritical?
Unfaithfully faithful? Treacherously loyal? Dishonestly honest?
Fearfully courageous? Halfheartedly committed?
You are a bundle of contradictions and a strange mixture of opposites—
pure and lustful, enamored with idols and ecstatic with Me,
hostile and kind, quarrelsome and tranquil, jealous and content,
angry and patient, selfishly ambitious and sacrificially caring,
fussy and gentle, bigoted and generous.
What am I to make of you? What will you let Me make of you?
Follow heaven’s victory strategy, and you can win this tug-of-war.
Heed My positive advice, and you can resolve this polarity within.
Like Much-Afraid in Hannah Hurnard’s Hinds’ Feet on High Places,
you may weep bitterly and say over and over again to yourself: What is the use of even thinking of going to the High Places?
I could never reach them, for the least little thing is enough
to turn me back.
You are an oxymoron—two-sided, attempting dual allegiance.
It will not work—an unsettled mind cannot know peace.
Will you run to Me or run away?
Will you hide in Me or try to hide from Me?
Will you be earnest by My power or just eloquent with fancy talk?
When will you wise up and quit being an oxymoron?!
(c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond
Day 297, Gentle Whispers from Eternity
I will cut you down to size among the nations, Edom; you will be small and despised. You are proud because you live in a rock fortress, making your home in the mountains.“ Who can ever reach us way up here?” you ask boastfully. Don’t fool yourselves! Though you soar high as eagles and build your nest among stars, I will bring you crashing down. I, the LORD, have spoken! OBADIAH 1:2-4 NLT
Sitting on a wall you have constructed by your own wisdom and ability?
Feeling secure in accomplishments, sure nothing can touch you now?
Condescendingly perched in your nest, looking down on the world below?
King of a mountain you so skillfully climbed, despising lower classes?
Thinking you have it made? Better think again!
Arrogance makes you strut—reality can bring you to your knees.
Ego makes you brag—embarrassment can cut you down to size.
There is no security without God. Everything else changes—I remain the same through the years.
I alone in the entire universe am absolutely trustworthy.
Mountains do not give you security—the Mountain-Maker does.
The proud are My enemies—they are against Me, so I am against them.
The higher you climb, the greater your crash.
There is a wrecking ball inside every egotistically constructed life.
Mother Goose got it right in her nursery rhyme for children: Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall. Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
All the king’s horses and all the king’s men,
Couldn’t put Humpty together again.
If a nation, business, church, family, or individual collapses from pride—
political, military, economic, religious, and psychological remedies fail.
The only prescription for health is to repent and return to God.
John Bunyan said it well in his poem
“The Shepherd Boy Sings in the Valley of Humiliation”: He that is down, needs fear no fall; he that is low, no pride.
He that is humble ever shall have God to be his guide.
The humble are My favorites—they are on My side, so I am on theirs.
Make Me your Mighty Fortress—I will keep you from having a great fall.
(c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond
Day 296, Gentle Whispers from Eternity
Woe to those who are at ease in Zion,
to those on the mountain of Samaria who are careless and feel secure.
AMOS 6:1 THE AMPLIFIED BIBLE
Self-confidence comes so naturally to you.
Reviewing your situation, you tell yourself “I have it made in the shade!”
Complacency selects an address on Easy Street.
Wealth shifts your attention from the church to the bank.
Comfort isolates you from the cries of the poor.
Pride distances you from those struggling just to eke out an existence.
The American dream turns your life into an egotistical nightmare.
Your soft bed rocks you to sleep without a twinge of conscience—
street people do not keep you awake.
Your lavishly-stocked pantry fills your stomach without worry—
gluttony fattens you up while the hungry of the world starve to death.
Your comfortable house has become your security blanket—
your welcome mat is not out for the homeless.
Your wine racks offer you much more than you need—
charmed by sweet drinks, you have little thirst for My Spirit.
At ease, you take it easy—while the heartbroken struggle to survive.
Lazy, you sleep away your existence—while the world goes to hell.
Extravagant, you waste resources—while the poor rummage in dumps.
Blind, you invest in things—while I urge you to invest in eternity.
Careless, you are deaf to a roaring lion—while My Spirit warns you.
Believe it or not, I am your Only True Security.
Realize you deeply need Me—and I will grant heavenly citizenship.
Hunger and thirst for righteousness—and I will satisfy your soul.
Be kind to people fighting a hard battle—and I will give you victory.
Purify your heart—and I will permit you to see Me face to face.
Work for peace—and I will proudly call you My child.
Persevere in My service—and I will welcome you home.
Treasure Me—and I will give your investment eternal dividends.
Avoid the trap of luxury—and I will let you celebrate Love’s freedom.
(c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond
Day 295, Gentle Whispers from Eternity
Gentle Whispers from Eternity 
