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 

I lovingly embrace you and faithfully carry you close to My heart. What difference does it really make? All the difference in the world! When you follow Me as your Shepherd, I take good care of you.
 

Hungry? I alone can satisfy your heart’s deepest hunger. Like a sheep after a satisfying meal, you lie down in a green meadow to take a nap—content.
 

Falling apart under stress? Take My hand—I will lead you by peaceful streams where you will not be frightened and you can enjoy My poise.
 

Tottering? Look to Me for strength for life’s challenges—soar higher than mediocrity, run faster than temptation, walk farther than lethargy. Find renewed energy in the pleasure of My company.
 

Yearning to be holy? My paths are right and honorable—walk on them and grow in My likeness.
 

Troubled at the thought of dying? Do not fear—I am with you. I will protect and comfort you as you cross the dark valley to the city of light.
 

Encircled by foes? Take a seat at My table—enjoy a meal with Me.
 

Hurting? Divine hospitality cures your headache and heartache.
 

Unhappy? Look around—then look up and thank Me for overflowing blessings in your life. I do not just hang one star in the sky—I spangle nights with countless constellations. I do not plant only a single flower for your viewing enjoyment—I arrange whole fields. I do more than toss occasional blessings—goodness cascades from My heart to yours day after day.
 

Feeling unloved in an uncaring world? Nestle near My heart, and My goodness and unfailing love will warm yours. It can indeed be a cold, cruel world—as I learned firsthand when I visited your tilted planet—but I am the heartwarming God.
 

Longing for permanence? Heaven on earth will bring you an unchanging address. Better than hope-so, maybe-so, guess-so talk—know-so confidence faces forever with unflinching faith in your Shepherd. I am your Center of Gravity—everything you need in time and eternity. Follow Me—I will get you home.
 

© Pastor Johnny R. Almond, Day 200 Gentle Whispers from Eternity

My GOD, my God, why have You forsaken me?

Why are You so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?

Psalm 22:1 THE AMPLIFIED BIBLE
 

     The place of the skull was a place of doubt. My Son thought I had forsaken Him. In sadness, you feel you are in a God-forsaken place. When you need Me the most, you may sometimes conclude I am hiding. Skeptics are no help—      they mockingly tell you I am a very absent help in trouble. Then you remember I have promised never to leave you alone.
 

     The place of the skull was a place of desperation. Golgotha meant groaning for Jesus. Cries for His Father’s help ascended from the cross. In times of sorrow, you feel a little like He did. Oppressed by the enemy, you mourn. Prayer seems pointless in pain. “Why bother?” you ask. When you reach the end of your rope, tie a prayer knot and hang on. When it is hardest to pray, pray your hardest. I bless desperation.
 

     The place of the skull was a place of derision. Calvary meant contempt for Christ. Carrying your cross will bring a similar response. Human scorn may lower your self-esteem to that of a worm! Sarcasm may hurt your heart. Enemies of righteousness will taunt you, “So where is this God of yours you claim is so helpful?” Unbelievers have no time for Me or you—uninterested in holiness, they take aim at anyone who is. The world is not a friend to grace, to help you get nearer Me. So keep your eyes on Jesus your Friend.
 

     The place of the skull was a place of death. Jesus died on His cross—die on yours. Discipleship means death to self. The cross crosses out “I.” Die to selfishness and find self-fulfillment. Shoulder your cross for My sake, and discover life’s truest meaning. Deny yourself, and come alive.
 

     The place of the skull was a place of deliverance. Rejection was not the end of Jesus’ story; I had a surprise for the world—resurrection! My love for you began before you were born and will continue infinitely beyond the day of your death. Eternal life will be yours—abundant life is yours you rise above moral corruption and spiritual death.
 

     Jesus was mocked so you could inherit a mansion. He was deserted so you could be delighted by the pleasure of My company. He was crucified so you could be changed. He went to hell for a while so you could go to heaven forever. He bore a gory cross so you could wear a glorious crown. Walk in His steps even though it hurts—             total redemption is on the way!
 

(c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond,  Day 199 Gentle Whispers from Eternity 

My GOD, my God, why have You forsaken me?

Why are You so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?

Psalm 22:1 THE AMPLIFIED BIBLE
 

     The place of the skull was a place of doubt. My Son thought I had forsaken Him. In sadness, you feel you are in a God-forsaken place. When you need Me the most, you may sometimes conclude I am hiding. Skeptics are no help—      they mockingly tell you I am a very absent help in trouble. Then you remember I have promised never to leave you alone.
 

     The place of the skull was a place of desperation. Golgotha meant groaning for Jesus. Cries for His Father’s help ascended from the cross. In times of sorrow, you feel a little like He did. Oppressed by the enemy, you mourn. Prayer seems pointless in pain. “Why bother?” you ask. When you reach the end of your rope, tie a prayer knot and hang on. When it is hardest to pray, pray your hardest. I bless desperation.
 

     The place of the skull was a place of derision. Calvary meant contempt for Christ. Carrying your cross will bring a similar response. Human scorn may lower your self-esteem to that of a worm! Sarcasm may hurt your heart. Enemies of righteousness will taunt you, “So where is this God of yours you claim is so helpful?” Unbelievers have no time for Me or you—uninterested in holiness, they take aim at anyone who is. The world is not a friend to grace, to help you get nearer Me. So keep your eyes on Jesus your Friend.
 

     The place of the skull was a place of death. Jesus died on His cross—die on yours. Discipleship means death to self. The cross crosses out “I.” Die to selfishness and find self-fulfillment. Shoulder your cross for My sake, and discover life’s truest meaning. Deny yourself, and come alive.
 

     The place of the skull was a place of deliverance. Rejection was not the end of Jesus’ story; I had a surprise for the world—resurrection! My love for you began before you were born and will continue infinitely beyond the day of your death. Eternal life will be yours—abundant life is yours you rise above moral corruption and spiritual death.
 

     Jesus was mocked so you could inherit a mansion. He was deserted so you could be delighted by the pleasure of My company. He was crucified so you could be changed. He went to hell for a while so you could go to heaven forever. He bore a gory cross so you could wear a glorious crown. Walk in His steps even though it hurts—             total redemption is on the way!
 

(c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond,  Day 199 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 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 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!
 

© Pastor Johnny R. Almond, Day 280 Gentle Whispers from Eternity