Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Psalm 37:4 NLT
Delight in the wonder of our relationship, and be sure of focus. Enchantment with anything else is disillusioning, but I never fail. Avoid false gods of the heart--never let anything usurp First Place. Worship the Invisible and Eternal One, be content with your lot in life, and walk humbly with the King of your heart--live a purpose-driven life. Enjoy the pleasure of My company and vindicate your faith to the world.
Dedicate yourself to living My way, and be sure of fulfillment. Devoting yourself to lesser causes leads to despair, but relying on Me and committing your energy to My service increases hope and peace. Place your entire being on the altar of sacrifice--trust and obey Me...there is no other way to be happy in Jesus. Want a noble purpose? Searching for a reason to be here after? Walk in My steps.
Depend on Me in life’s waiting room, and be sure of a bright future. Be calm in My Presence, wait patiently for Me, and be steady as you go. Relying on anything else is disheartening. Other staffs you lean on will break and pierce your hand and heart--I am the only absolutely trustable spot in the universe.
Decline wrath, and be sure of friendship. Giving in to rage and anger always disrupts relationships. I alone bring perfect peace--
let Me.
Discipline your walk, and be sure of forward spiritual progress. You stumble on your own, but you will never fall if you hold My hand. I will see that you make progress in Christlikeness. Some will tell you the devil is in the details--the fact is I delight in every detail of your life. An undisciplined day paints a sunset of defeat, so watch your step!
Displace all wickedness, and be sure of fidelity to your Master. If you want to really live, you must reverse evil! Transgression distracts from life’s highest purpose and is deadly to peace. I place you in a crucible to purify you and draw you nearer to My side--stay close.
Decide for wisdom, and be sure of fairness in your relationships. Know the difference between right and wrong, then choose wisely. Do not join fools practicing deception and deceit.
Keep company with Me, and and you will enjoy life’s best!
Then Job replied to the Lord:
“I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.”
JOB 42:1-2 NIV
The experience classroom is where you learn profound wisdom. The school of hard knocks presents a tough curriculum, but what you learn experientially alters you more than what you learn academically.
The first lesson you need to learn is that My power is unlimited. If you treat Me as Lord of your life, nothing I ask will be too hard for you to do. Humanly speaking, some challenges are outside the realm of possibility—but within My realm of grace everything is possible.
Another reality you need to grasp is I have a plan for your life. I orchestrate a master plan for your good. Death’s terror, life’s problems, demon’s distractions, and the future's worries cannot kill My love. Pain sculpts you into Christ’s image, if you submit to the Sculptor. Through difficult circumstances, I teach you the principle of trust. In the valley, you learn lessons you would never learn on the mountain.
The truth you most need to know is the reality of My Presence. Hearing about Me secondhand is interesting; seeing Me for yourself is transforming. I am your Travel Companion on the journey of life. My Spirit shines brightly in your darkest night. Follow My lead, and you cannot go wrong. Trust Me, and you will forever be glad you did.
You also need to learn the value of intercessory prayer. Even after Job’s friends misjudged and harshly criticized him, he prayed for them. It was not easy for him to do that. And when people hurl accusations at you or question your motives, you may not feel like praying for them; but your faith demands that you do. Jesus intercedes for you. Follow His example—be thoughtful of others’ needs.
Learn day-by-day the riches of My provision. I blessed Job in the autumn of his life more than in the spring. I will do the same for you. Everything you need—in every season of life—I will lavishly provide. Whatever happens, count on Me—everything will be fine.
Finally, you will learn the reward of My peace. Like the wine at Cana’s feast, I saved the best for last for Job. Double blessings after his ordeal confirmed My love. He persevered, so I caused a joyful outcome. Endure hard times, and I will bless you with joy not too good to last.
Learn My lessons well—then you will graduate from Adversity University with highest honors.
Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do so again.
JOB 34:32 NIV
Self-righteousness blinds you to ego and dulls your learning. Scripture brightens your path and opens you to higher education.
The God-breathed Word teaches you supernatural wisdom, rebukes you for selfish wrong, corrects your sinful way, and trains you for sacrificial work in the highest Name. To live by the Book from Heaven is the best lifestyle for earth.
Often, if you are honest with Me, you must confess that you have eyes to see, yet you fail to see. When you realize your spiritual blindness, cry out to Me to show you My ways and teach you My paths.
When I make it plain where you have rebelled, will you repent? When I make it obvious how you have sinned, will you stop at once?
My teaching opens your eyes to timeless truth that transforms so completely, that your attitudes and actions will never be the same again. Once you have seen the Light and learned lessons no one else can teach you, your life will be radically changed for good.
Changed from the inside out, demonstrate behavior modification the unbelieving world knows nothing about. Refuse to copy ungodly ways—honor My Word above all else, and be transformed into a new person by My Holy Spirit at work in your life. Pray for grace to keep the change.
You will be Christlike, not carnal; serving, not selfish; faith-full, not frantic; caring, not critical; celebrative, not complaining; soaring, not sinking; humble, not haughty; devoted, not deceitful; positive, not pessimistic.
Permit Me to x-ray you and understand you. Let Me encourage you and stand under you. Submit to My examination and supervision.
Make this your earnest prayer: Holy God, X-ray my heart and cross-examine my mind. Make me aware of anything in my life that saddens You, and help me travel the Highway of holiness leading to heaven.
In times of doubt and pain, you may question the value of prayer. You may wonder about the use of spending time in this enterprise and ask what is gained by it all. Petitioning My throne may seem pointless.
Such questions soon evaporate in the light of My Holy Presence. The highest value of prayer is a deeper awareness of your Creator. To feel Me near—holding your hand as you travel life’s rugged road—is the highest reward of prayer and your supreme joy.
I will show you the best way to live, grant you equanimity the world is unable to give, and bless you with the eternal pleasure of My company.
No matter how the world shoves you, remember I care about you and love you with all My heart. Let Me have everything that worries you—I can handle it better than you can. Burdens of life can crush you—My shoulders are strong and wide enough to carry the heavy load.
Begin each morning with an appointment with your Father. I will listen to you and pay attention to your requests. You can depend on Me
to answer. Almighty help is only a prayer away—trade weakness for My strength. Heavenly wisdom is yours for the asking—be sure to ask!
Learn these lessons well: 1) prayer does not change things—I do; 2) prayers do not change Me—they change you.
Find a quiet place and get still before Me—take an exit ramp from the interstate of life’s rapid pace, find a country road sheltered by trees and listen to birds singing songs I taught them; spend unhurried time communing with Me—then return to the daily grind with renewed love for other people.
When you are weary and buckling under with responsibilities, fall to the holy ground beneath your knees. In My Presence you will find something you will never find anywhere else—rest. I am your Calm and Contentment—thank Me for My blessings, talk over with Me whatever is troubling you, and you can relax.
Alfred, Lord Tennyson was correct in “The Passing of Arthur,” Idylls of the King: “More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of.” And when Arthur Christopher Benson said, “Life is fragile, handle it with prayer,” he had learned the value of prayer.
Where then is my hope? Who can see any hope for me?
JOB 17:15 NIV
Earth causes discouragement. When you look around, you are hopeless. Most news is bad. Circumstances of crime, war, famine, disease, abuse, sin, and death sadden you. The world feels like the insane asylum of the solar system.
Egocentricity causes defeat. When you look within, you are hopeless. An honest inward look reveals iniquity. I know you inside out—everything about you is clear. Focus on yourself and you are on a path to frustration and failure.
Evil causes despair. When you look back, you are hopeless. Regret over rebellion brings anguish. Mental replay of transgression intensifies your guilt. The only way you can celebrate a right relationship with Me is to confess and renounce your sins, and then depend on Me to forget them. When the Devil reminds you of your past, remind him of his future! And whenever self-condemnation threatens to crush your spirit, claim this truth—My heart never condemns those who belong to My Son. Good-hearted hope is found only by faith in Me.
Eternity will bring the dawn. When you look ahead, you are hopeful. Looking forward to heaven on earth transforms your sighing into singing. At the tunnel’s end is Light that will never dim. Glory is worth the wait. In hope, listen for the beautiful symphony of paradise—by faith, dance here and now.
You sometimes feel run down, but My love makes you radiant.
You sometimes are scared, but I give you faith—replacing supposing with reposing. Instead of your “perhaps” or “maybe” or even “hope so,” I teach you trust vocabulary that says will.
Let invulnerable joy, steady confidence, and eternal optimism permeate your spirit and thrill your heart. Anticipate a bright future—deathless existence, a victory parade down the High Street of heaven, the kingdom of the King of kings bringing universal peace.
When problems overwhelm you, rely on My power.
When pain and heartache intensify, pray.
When current events discourage you, reread My promises for the future.
When the outlook is bad, try the up look.
Look prayerfully toward the horizon—see a ray of hope.
I am disgusted with my life. Let me complain freely. I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.
JOB 10:1 NLT
Sometimes you are like Elijah—experiencing burnout syndrome. At such times, you are almost to the point of praying desperately like him, “I
have had enough, take my life.” You have never been totally burned out, but you have gotten mighty warm.
You have not had to weather a perfect storm like Job. You have always liked your life, never loathed it. Sometimes the emotional terrain you traveled has been steep and rough, but you have generally enjoyed the walk.
This is not to say you have not done your share of complaining. Instead of celebrating My goodness, you tend to complain and gripe. Rather than being humbly grateful, you often turn grumbly hateful. Even on a bright, blue-sky day, you can find something to frown about. Focusing on your bitterness instead of My blessing, it is hard to smile—all you can seem to manage is a sigh.
Get over your self-pity. Let Me teach you to sing My praises. You complain that your feet hurt—some have only one leg, or none. You complain about the day being dark and cloudy—some people have never seen the sunlight. You complain about life’s noise, how hard it is to find any peace and quiet—some people have never heard music. You complain about having to pay so many bills—some people do not
have the money to pay them. You complain about so much to do—some people are unemployed.
If complain, complain, complain has become your prevalent attitude, here is a little shock therapy—if you had never been born, then you would not have anything at all to complain about!
Trust Me—behind life’s misery and mystery, there is Meaning. Pain has a high and noble purpose. Trials can lead to triumph. Hurt can shape you into holiness. Bitterness can become a blessing. It all depends on your attitude.
When your life becomes a bitter pill, you can pay a visit to heaven’s complaint department and demand to see the Manager—or you can submit to the Master, swallow bitterness, and be blessed.
I do not ask you to give thanks for all circumstances, but to give thanks in all circumstances. No matter how tough your situation, there is always a reason to be grateful—if you look prayerfully enough.
(c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond
Day 188, Gentle Whispers from Eternity
Posted by: Pastor Almond AT 01:34 pm
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I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil.
JOB 3:26 NIV
DO NOT DISTURB signs do not keep unwelcome intruders away. Frustrating problems, excruciating pain, and mystifying perplexity make personal peace elusive. Unexpected trouble can shatter your repose.
When being good does not pay, cause and effect seems inoperable. Children wonder about everything—you wonder about unjust suffering. Why, you ask, does it seem that in your midnight despair, I desert you? Why, you puzzle, do I appear uncaring when you are hurting the most? Why, you agonize, do I feel like a very absent help in time of trouble?
Life’s raging sea makes rest for your soul seem impossible. On high seas, you doubt if you will ever sail into safe harbor. Staying on an even keel takes all your energy—you panic that you may shipwreck. It is hard to be calm and composed when your world is falling apart—turmoil challenges tranquility.
Be careful, or you may wind up cursing life instead of celebrating it—turning your birthdays into sad occasions. Prayerlessness might even produce a death wish.
In a restless world, there is only one place to find peace and quiet—My heart. If you focus on suffering, you will sigh, not sing. Have a pity party, and you cannot hear the future melody I compose. Give up hope, and you will sit out the faith dance.
Where on earth can you possibly find serenity? Only in Me. Steadfastly trust Me, and I promise to surround you with perfect peace. In an action-oriented world, take time to be quiet in My Presence—and I will strengthen your heart. In a pessimistic world, be confident I will keep My Word—and I will put a spring in your step. In a hectic world, do not join the crowd in running around in a dither—stay near My
heart and stand at ease.
Where in a noisy world can you find a quiet zone? Only in Me. Weary of climbing society’s mountain of self-promotion and success? Carrying a crushing burden of worry about being accepted by others? Trade all that for the pleasure of My company—relax in My Presence.
Let Me teach you lessons you can learn nowhere else in the world. You have a lot to learn—the way up is down, taking a low position gets you to the top, contrition brings joy, repentance leads to victory, giving is receiving, valleys sharpen vision, and midnight is the best time for star-gazing.
Worry will vanish if you tell me what is on your heart, thank Me for blessings, and accept My gift of out-of-this-world peace. Stay near Me, and you will be richly blessed. Your heart will find what you are looking for—I am your Quiet Place.
