Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Psalm 37:4NLT
Delight in the wonder of our relationship—be sure of focus. Enchantment with anything else can be 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—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 and you will find true joy. In his hymn “Trust and Obey,” John Sammis goes to the heart of the matter: “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus.” Want a worthwhile purpose? Searching for a reason to get out of bed in the morning? Walk in My steps.
Depend on Me in life’s waiting room—be sure of a bright future. Be calm in My Presence; wait patiently for Me; steady as you go. Relying on anything else will dishearten you. 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—be sure of friendship. Giving in to rage and anger always disrupts relationships. I alone bring perfect peace—let Me.
Discipline your walk—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—watch your step!
Displace all wickedness—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—be sure of fairness in your relationships. Know the difference between right and wrong, and then choose wisely. Do not join fools practicing deception and deceit. Keep company with Me—and you will surely enjoy life’s best!
You’re a fountain of cascading light, and you open our eyes to light.
PSALM 36:9 THE MESSAGE
In light of My peace, see the Light of holy ecstasy. No matter how shadowy life gets, the dawn of lightheartedness brings radiance to your face. The wonder of unparalleled joy inspires a song.
In your dark world, there is a Bright Light shining. Satan is king of the dark side, but he will lose to Jesus—Source and Sovereign of Light. My Son has turned on the light in your life, and nothing can extinguish it.
In light of My promises, see the Light of perfect eternity. Dawning of the kingdom of heaven will bring rejoicing beyond belief. Jesus is the Solution to the world’s problems—the Universal Hope. Seek shelter under Christ’s overshadowing wings—survive the meltdown of the elements, and celebrate the new heaven on earth.
Make Jesus the Light of your life and discover wisdom’s key. Learn to think vertically as well as horizontally—do not worry constantly about earthly concerns; lighten your mind with thoughts of heaven.
In light of My purity, see the Light of a worthy example. Dawning of Life makes you righteous—I forgive your badness and give you My Son’s goodness. The whiteness of His untarnished holiness—the antithesis of sin—makes you able to stand in My Presence. The Light of the world died for your dark deeds—He shines joy into your heart to replace the shadows of guilt and inspire you to live nobly.
In light of My principles, see the Light of true education. When My lessons dawn on you, you grow more refl ective. The wisdom of heaven strengthens you for the decisions and responsibilities of your life. Th inking My thoughts, you change from the inside out—and in the process grow up.
In light of My protection, see the Light of encouragement. Dawn of My love makes you relax. My welcome is your Eternal Home and omfortable Sanctuary.
I live in light so brilliant no person can approach Me without going blind—no one is able to look at Me directly. I shine Light through the darkness so people can get a glimpse of My glory—seen most clearly in the face of My Son.
Live as My child—keep your heart’s eyes on Light beyond light.
(c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond; Day 205 Gentle Whispers from Eternity
Give honor to the LORD for the glory of his name.
Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.
PSALM 29:2 NLT
Be awed in My Presence. Keep in mind that except for grace, you would be helpless. Realize I am the Source of your poise and peace. Completely rely on Me. Reverence Me as your Master.
Let me remind you that you are subordinate to the King of kings! Permit Me to formally educate you in life’s highest lesson; learn it well—there is a God and you are not Him! Take a low position before Me. Give Me the glory and the honor I alone deserve. Tremble before Me. Come down where you ought to be. Worship Me humbly.
Be active in My power. Let My Spirit kindle your adoration. Yield to My influence, so you will be fired up with sparkling enthusiasm.
I am Sovereign of the universe—obey Me in every dimension of your life. Worship Me with all your heart.
Advance in My purity. I alone am perfect; however I want you to grow in My likeness. My plan is for everyday saints—24/7—until eternity. Dress your Sunday best Monday through Saturday also! Honor Me in all your thoughts, words, and deeds.
Make living for Jesus Christ your life’s noblest purpose—realize dying to selfishness for Christ’s sake is the bridge to significance. Seek My inspiration to motivate you to be faithful. Search for My power to help you behave your beliefs and practice what you preach. Do more than meditate—get on with your assigned mission. My Son went around doing good—do not be content with merely going around, a big wheel going in circles.
I have outfitted you with spiritual armor for the purpose of fighting! A full suit of armor is awkward equipment for an easy chair. Do not spend all your time getting ready to live—take time to really live! After all is said and done, there is more said than done—do not let this be true of you.
Advance in the splendor of radical holiness. Reverse evil—live! I made you pure in heart—you must make yourself pure in conduct.
Make worship your lifestyle—not just on Sundays, but all the time; not just at church, but everywhere; not just in a pew, but on the road.
(c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond, Day 203 Gentle Whispers from Eternity
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.
My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.
Psalm 28:7 NIV
I am your Strength. When you seek Me, I never turn a deaf ear. I am not, as the skeptics claim, “a very absent help in time of trouble.” When you stand in need, I am only a prayer away. Whatever enemies you face, I take your side.
Your critical need for forgiveness is met by infinite love and mercy. Your desperate need for victory is answered by supernatural assistance. Your pivotal need for friendship is found in the Shepherd’s tender care. Your crucial need for reinforcement is nourished in waiting on Jehovah—enabling you to walk farther than the fainthearted and lethargic, run faster than the tempter, and soar higher than the mediocre.
You have found the secret of surviving all situations—Christ’s help. Infused with His strength, you are ready for anything life throws at you. Relying on His power, you can live to tell about difficult circumstances. Inspired by His example, you can hold your head high and march forward.
I am your Shield. Your deep need for tranquility is met by My gift of peace of mind. As you pray about every situation and thank Me for My responses to your needs, perfect peace forms a bulwark around you and fills your mind with thoughts of your Savior’s love. You cannot comprehend this; neither can you define or explain it, but you can experience it.
The Breath of heaven holds you together. Do not try to go it alone—take My hand and journey on.
I am your Song. Trust Unfailing Love and celebrate total salvation. Sing a new song every day—praise Me from wake-up call to lullaby.
Your crucial need for lightheartedness is met by My Presence. You cannot always be happy in your circumstances, but you can always rejoice in your inner-stances. I am the God of your life—I meet all your needs out of My unlimited resources. I am Everything You Ever Really Need in life. What more could you ask?
I have always loved and cared for you—rest assured I always will. Review the history of our relationship, and be hopeful for your tomorrows. “In all of life’s ebb and flow,” as Luther Bridgers celebrates in his hymn “He Keeps Me Singing,” I will keep you “singing as you go.”
The Lord is my light and my salvation – so why should I be afraid? Psalm 27:1aNLT
The light of courage dispels the darkness of cowardice. Faith is the antidote to fear’s poison. Fear Me and you need fear nothing else! Trust the Solid Rock in a quicksand world—I will never disappoint you. Stay close to My heart— change will not throw you. Rely on Me—storms will not dismay you. Build on Christ as your Foundation—be well.
The light of conquest dispels the darkness of defeatism. The dark side cannot vanquish the trusting heart, because I am the Victor. I am your Strength, so do not let anything Satan hurls scare you. Jesus plus any problem equals victory. Hide in Me, your Fortress—win.
The light of communion dispels the darkness of self-centeredness. I am your Salvation,so you are satisfied in all circumstances. Happiness comes and goes; joy stays. I am your Felicity—worship.
The light of companionship dispels the darkness of loneliness. I am your Song, so youare not down-in-the-mouth. In the hymn “Wonderful, Wonderful Jesus,” Anna Russell reveals an unfailing source of music: “There is never a day so dreary, there is never a night so long, but the soul that is trusting Jesus will somewhere find a song.” I am your Friend—enjoy My welcome.
The light of counsel dispels the darkness of ignorance. My guidance may seem slowin coming to you, but it is a reliable light to guide your way. Live more by faith,less by sight. Use faith eyes to see invisible realities. I am your Father—live by My wisdom.
The light of confidence dispels the darkness of pessimism. There is Light beyond lightat the end of the tunnel of despair. No matter how depressing current events, look forward to My promised tomorrow. The future is bright as My promises. I am your Future—just wait!
A new day is dawning. You can choose to be anxious about it, or you can choose to be enthusiastic about it. How you choose will determine your day. Gaze reverently on the cross—it shines as a plus sign that dispels all darkness.
Do not reclaim unnecessary lost baggage of fear, negativism, egocentricity,melancholy, conceit, and despair—now is the perfect time to lose your luggage. Walk as a child of the Light—travel light!
Just as the lightning flashes from the east and shines and is seen as far as the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be. Watch [be cautious and active] for you do not know in what kind of a day your Lord is coming.
MATTHEW 24:27, 42 THE AMPLIFIED BIBLE
My return will be evident to skeptics—the end of the world for atheists.
Those who thought it would never happen will be convinced—too late.
My Presence will be as obvious as lightning lighting up the entire sky.
The Second Coming is more than a doctrine—it will really happen.
You can count on it—you have My Word.
The King’s return will be unmistakable.
My return will be exciting to saints—the ecstasy of worship for believers.
The King of kings will unite unsettled nations and rule the universe.
The surprise and shock will be more than many people can bear.
The Second Coming will bring the future perfect tense I have promised.
Everything will be transformed for the better when I put My foot down.
The King’s return will be unimaginably beautiful.
My return will be enlightening to the sincere—
the encouragement of wonder for the redeemed.
The triumph of righteousness will obliterate the darkness of evil.
Constellations will fade in the light of the Bright Morning Star.
To the lost, My return will mean tragedy—outer darkness with no exit.
To the saved, My Second Coming will mean triumph—eternal light.
The King’s return will bring unending celebration.
My return will be embarrassing to the slothful—
the exposing of waste to the lazy.
The unprepared will blush with shame—and cry tears of futile regret.
The King’s return, to them, will be uncomfortable—to say the least.
Are you surrendered to Me as your King? Then be subject to change!
Are you convinced I am actually going to return? Then live like it!
Are you persuaded you have an interview with Me? Then get ready!
(c) PastorJohnny R. Almond, Day 311 Gentle Whispers from Eternity
Be still, and know that I am God ... Selah. Psalm 46:10a, 11b NIV
Uncomfortable with silence? Addicted to the comfort of noise? Why not turn off all your gadgets, call a halt to your hectivity for a day, and ponder awhile what you are aiming for and why you are living? Acknowledge that I am totally, eternally, and irrevocably responsible for everything. Get out of fast forward mode—push the pause button…
I am your Eternal Refuge in the storms of life. In difficulties, I am your Mighty Fortress. In faith quakes, I am your Rock. On high seas, I am your Captain. I am not a very absent help in time of trouble—I am your Invincible Hiding Place. Satan cannot disturb your rest when you are nestling near My heart. I am your Castle of courage—when you are humbly relying on My grace, NO FEAR is far more than a t-shirt motto. Exit bumper-to-bumper high-speed traffic—take a scenic route.
In the turmoil of life’s hectic pace and pandemonium, pause and calmly think about Me—I calm your raging storms by My Presence.
I am your Ecstatic Resource in the sorrows of life. I am your Delightful Festival of celebration, cascading your inner being with joy from the unseen river of My Holy Spirit. Perfect peace cures worry. Heaven-given patience slows hurry. Living Water quenches soul thirst. Jerusalem did not have a river, but it had the Lord Almighty. I was more than enough for them—and I am more than enough for you.
In the trauma of life’s pain, pause and calmly think about Me—I cure your sadness by My peace.
I am your Exalted Ruler in the struggles of life. I am the Prince of Peace who will transform unsettled nations into united nations, inspire warriors to become farmers, and halt senseless combat. Human solutions have not fixed the problems of planet Earth. The military solution has only aggravated international disputes. The economic solution has widened the gap between the rich and poor. The political solution has broken innumerable empty promises. The white-horse Rider who judges righteously is heaven’s Final Answer. I am your Dependable Future of confidence—brightening tomorrow.
In the terror of life’s perplexity, pause and calmly think about Me—I cheer your soul by My promise.
The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.
LUKE 19:10 MLB
I could have saved Myself a lot of trouble, if I had stayed by My Father’s side;
instead, I made Myself nothing, donned the garb of a slave,
and died a criminal’s death on a Roman cross.
Skull Hill was a long way from glory.
I went to hell so you would not have to.
I became a servant so you could avoid self-destructiveness.
I was crucified so you could be changed for the better.
I was deserted so you could enjoy the pleasure of My company.
I became the Son of Man so you could become a child of God.
I died in your place so you could live in Mine.
I came to the world not just to challenge you to seek higher goals—
I came to off er you My forgiveness and mercy and grace.
I condescended to save you from sin’s penalty, power, and presence.
Heartfelt faith in the Savior and public confession of allegiance to Me
sets you on the road to heaven.
If you have taken this first step of trust in Me, you are free of guilt—
no longer on death row, no more condemned to torment!
When your old life of sin is buried with Christ, you live a new, free life.
One day you will be like Me—this is My dream and your destiny.
Salvation is a process I began in your heart—I intend to complete it.
I could have saved Myself from physical death had I descended the cross;
instead, I saved believers from spiritual death by staying on the cross.
If I had saved Myself from humiliation, you could not be saved from hell.
My heart goes out to all people—I died for the sins of the entire world.
I did not leave heaven to seek smug legalists and self-righteous snobs—
but sinners who are painfully aware of their moral failure.
Religionists who think they are good enough have no interest in Me.
Humble souls understand My purpose—smart-alecks are clueless.
Glory will fill your soul when you know why heaven visited earth.
(c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond, Day 318, Gentle Whispers from Eternity
