After those horrible days end, the sun will be darkened,

the moon will not give light, stars will fall from the sky,

     and the powers of heaven will be shaken. 

Then everyone will see the Son of Man arrive on the clouds,   

     with great power and glory.  So keep a sharp lookout! 

For you do not know when the homeowner will return—

                                               at evening, midnight, early dawn, or late daybreak.

                                                            Mark 13:24-26, 36-37 NLT
 

     Contrary to popular opinion, the Creator will return as Judge. 

     The Lamb will become a Lion—the world will go up in smoke.

     Jesus’ shout will wake the dead—his trumpet call will be reveille.

     Heads will roll, tears will fall, and knees will bend.

     Keep doing right, no matter how intensely Satan tempts you—

          then you can look Me straight in the eye without embarrassment.

     Stay on the same wavelength with the Light of the world—

          keep away from dark, dingy places demons haunt.

     Stay on the same sheet of music with the Source of music—

          enjoy eternal pleasure of My company, not sin’s temporary thrills.

     The sun will be eclipsed by the dawn of the Sun of Righteousness.

     After constellations die, the Bright Morning Star will shine on.

     When human authority is history, the King of Kings will reign forever.

     My promised future perfect tense will materialize at the right time.

     Citizens from every nation will be privileged to be heavenly residents.  

     Believers will learn to speak My universal language of love. 

     Rest assured these good things will happen—you have My Word.
 

     In view of My return . . .

          Stay awake!  You do not know the day or hour, so watch your step.

               Live prayerfully—worship Me constantly with all your heart. 

          Stay alert!  Only the Father knows the time, so do not let it surprise you.

               Live wisely—think My thoughts and conquer the evil one.

          Stay active!  Lackadaisicalness and mediocrity betray your profession.   

               Live faithfully—work for Me with passion and energy. 

          Stay watchful!  The King will return on God’s timetable, not yours.

               Live conscientiously—make a conscious effort to be ready. 

     
     I may interrupt the evening of your leisure, bringing you eternal peace.

     My wakeup call may happen during the midnight of your deepest rest.

     Sunrise of an ordinary day may bring the dawn of heaven’s new day.

     Your morning preoccupation may be replaced with unending worship.

     Do not try to calculate the day of My return—prepare for it!

© By Pastor Johnny R. Almond                         Gentle Whispers from Eternity

          Authentic Christianity

Now, dear children, continue to live in fellowship with Christ

     so that when he returns, you will be full of courage

          and not shrink back from him in shame.

                              1 John 2:28 NLT
 

Be Christlike in your actions.

    Back up adjectives with verbs—I do not want applause; I want surrender.

    Christlikeness is a moral imperative, not an ideal—a must, not an ought to. 

    Do more than ask what I would do—do what you know I want you to do.     

    Walk in My steps and I will reward you with My smile.

Be compassionate in your relationships.

     I am the God with a heart—be sure you have one too.

     Loving keeps you near the Light—hatefulness keeps you in the dark.

     Christian love is not based on feelings—it begins with a choice of the will.

     Follow My example and I will bless you with My love. 

Be celebrative in My Presence.

     In My Presence, there is Light beyond shadows.

     My music teaches you to sing; My promises give you confidence;

          My grace strengthens your soul; My peace calms you in the storm.

     Learn My melody of joy and I will give you a full, rich life.

Be consecrated in My will.

     Physical pleasure cannot compare to the sweetness of My will.

     Material things are transitory—invisible realities last forever.

     Use possessions; don’t let them possess you—I alone deserve First Place.

     Treasure My friendship above all and I will give you eternal life. 

Be consistent in your devotion.

     Stay in step with the Way, keep faith in the Truth, enjoy liberty of the Life. 

     Trust and obey Me, whatever happens—prove you are a real disciple. 

     Keep traveling My road and I will get you home.

Be certain in your heart.

     Obedience is faith’s acid test—believers march in step with their King.         

     When you lovingly obey Me, I get personal with you—

          dear, not distant;  close, not cerebral;  Friend, not cold fact;

          Companion, not merely a creed;  relationship, not just religion;

          heartfelt passion, not head-trip idea;  treasure, not only a thought.

     Stay near My heart, enjoy pleasure of My company, and I will make Myself real to you. 

  

  © By Pastor Johnny R. Almond                            Gentle Whispers from Eternity

                           The master was full of praise, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.

                                      You have been faithful in handling this small amount,

                         so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!”

                                                                    Matthew 25:21 NLT

Good job!   You’ll hear these words if you do My work well. 

     Well thought is good, well said is nice, but well done gets My attention. 

     I expect you to do something for Me—not just study or discuss it.

     Don’t just sit around and do nothing wrong—do something right.

     I am omniscient—I see the quality of service and the purity of motives. 

     Invest time and energy in My work and I will commend you one day.

Good heart!   At the cross, I took your sin and gave you perfection.

     I am merciful—I forgive repentant hearts. 

     Trust Me and I will give you My righteousness.

Good attitude!   The Faithful One is your example—walk in My steps.

     I am the Servant King—be subject to My will and live like Me.

     Without Me, you can do nothing worthwhile—without faith, you fail.

     For every responsibility I give you, I also grant you response-ability.

     Go out on a limb—don’t play it safe on this faith adventure.

     I inspire and energize you—yield and you can do what I ask of you.

Good response!   Trustworthiness and dependability are what I look for.

     I am your Boss—work like it.

     Give Me your best effort—strive to reach the high standards I set.

     Shoddy work and halfhearted efforts are unacceptable.

     I am gracious—I bless you with strength to serve.

     I trust you—now do your very best for Me.

Good reward!   You’ll receive something better than a paycheck. 

     Be faithful in small things—invest in My cause and earn big dividends.

     I observe all you do for Me—trust Me and I will make it all worthwhile.

     Nothing you do in My name is a waste of time—eternity will prove it.

     When you stand before your King, all you’ve done, yes everything

          will be worth it . . . rest assured I’ll reward you with My smile.
          With this one thought keep going . . . living, working for My smile.

© By Pastor Johnny R. Almond                Gentle Whispers from Eternity

   May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love.

    May you have the power to understand, all God’s people should,

         how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.
     Ephesians 3:17b-18 NLT

My love is wider than your mind—it is universal.
     Reality transcending E = mc² is greater than your ability to comprehend.
     I am energy’s Source, faith’s Center of Gravity, and light’s Creator.
     My love reaches out to people of all nations—not just people like you.
     My love is no abstraction, it is actuality—more than an idea, it is truth.
     My mercy and compassion for the undeserving extends even to you.
     You cannot fathom why I care for you, but you can experience My love.

My love is longer than your lifetime—it is unending.
     No force can separate you from My love—
          death’s terror, life’s trouble, demons’ distraction, today’s fear,
          tomorrow’s worry, hell’s power, height’s dizziness, sea’s chaos—
               nothing can come between us.
     Believer, we are inseparable.
     When you are finally free from death, you will sing of My love forever.
 

My love is higher than your soul—it is unlimited.
     My love cancels despair with hope, and cares more than you imagine.
     Infinitely beyond earnest prayers, intense hopes, and grand dreams—
          My work inside your being gives you joy too wonderful for words.
     The place My heart is preparing for those who respond to My love
          is more beautiful than paintings, symphonies, or poems can express.

My love is deeper than your heart—it is unfailing.
     Betsie ten Boom is right—no pit is so deep, that I am not deeper still.
     When you experience depression, do not lose your hope in Me.
     My heart empathizes with you in your pain and problems.
     My promises guide you through the maze of perplexity.
     My Spirit holds you together through your darkest night.
     I am your Face-healer—smile through tears until I wipe them away.

 

© By Pastor Johnny R. Almond                 Day 344, Gentle Whispers from Eternity