were you called—it is inseparable from your vocation.

   For Christ alsshould follow on in His footsteps.

Even to this were your called--it is inseparable from your vocation.

For Christ also suffered for you, leaving you His personal example,

            so that you should follow on in His footsteps. 

                        1 Peter 2:21 THE AMPLIFIED BIBLE 

 

In a chaotic world, cultivate a calm mind.

     Even in life’s storms, you can truly relax when you rest in Me.

     Step off your hectivity treadmill—be still and sense My Holy Presence.   

     Crave spiritual nourishment in a confused world.

     Keep faith in Me—wait in My shadow.

In a crazy world, develop a committed soul.

     You are a child of the Light—do not run with cockroaches in dark alleys.

     Make Me your purpose—serve Me enthusiastically and seek My smile.

     Conduct yourself carefully in a careless world.

     Focus on My will—work in My service.

In a crying world, maintain a cheerful attitude.

     Even at midnight, sing hymns—others are listening, so sing well.

     Celebrate the joy of humility, not just the happiness of happenings.

     Stay near the Cornerstone in a conceited world.

     Make Me your Festival—worship in My song.

In a complacent world, have a caring heart.

     It is a cold, cruel world—love like your heart-warming God.

     I am your Mission in the mayhem—work for your Divine Supervisor.

     Get in a word for Christ in a counterfeit world.

     Reach out with feeling—witness in My Spirit.

In a commonplace world, live a Christlike life.

     Even when splinters from the cross hurt you, do not quit the noble quest.

     The Via Dolorosa was not easy—Christian living is no cake walk.

     Make a conscious effort in a carnal world.

     Follow Me—walk in My steps.

                                                  © Pastor Johnny R. Almond

                            Day 357, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

Warner Sallman  Head of Christ 
 

         This is a revelation of Jesus Christ.

           When I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead.

           He laid his right hand on me and said,

          “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last.

         I am the living one who died. Look, I am alive forever and ever!

           And I hold the keys of death and the grave.”

                                                                                                         Revelation 1:1, 17, 18 NLT                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
Envision the Almighty—able to do anything He pleases, unrivaled in power.

Ponder the Holy One—unable to do anything wrong, untarnished in purity.

Revere the just God—sure to make everything right, unstoppable in plan.

Picture the loving God—dying for all on a cross, unmatched in passion.
 

God’s wisdom is beyond our ability to decipher—infinitely profound.

God’s awareness of us is beyond our comprehension—intimately personal. 

God’s message of ultimate truth is beyond our intellect—infallibly perfect.

God’s heart of mercy is beyond our vilest transgression—incredibly poignant. 
 

Jesus Christ is God’s Holy Alphabet—A to Z, First to Last, all God has to say to us.

Eons ago, He spoke the first word and radiant light dispelled sin’s darkness.

At the end of time, He will have the last word and eternal life will conquer death.
 

God is the only One in the cosmos who will always be who He has always been.

Generations have made God’s heart their Home, and God made their hearts his.   

Before Jesus sculpted mountains or whispered stars into being, He cared for us.

Before we were born, He knew our name and drew the blueprint of our life.

He loves us today no less than He did yesterday—His love for us will never fail. 
 

Standing in awe of Jesus, we never lose the wonder of who He is.

     When we come to Christ, we find purpose for our life.

          But first, we must get over our self.

                Falling on our knees, we discover meaning. 

Paying attention to God’s’ Word, we put our hand over your mouth and listen.

     When we come to Christ, we learn timeless truths.

          But first, we must understand we can’t figure everything out alone.

                Hushing, we get to know God.

Adoring Christ, we do more than meditate; we worship him with all our being.

     When we come to Christ, we experience joy too wonderful for words.

          But first, we must become dissatisfied with the world’s empty promises.

                Following his orders, we really come alive.   

Giving Jesus undivided allegiance, we surrender our will to the King of hearts.

     When we come to Christ, we find rest.

          But first, we must become restless in our spirit and desperate for him. 

                Falling at his feet, He makes himself real to us.   
 

                                                 © Pastor Johnny R. Almond

                                      Gentle Whispers from Eternity

Were not our hearts greatly moved and burning within us while He was
talking with us on the road as He opened and explained to us the
sense of the Scriptures?
                                      Luke 24:32 THE AMPLIFIED BIBLE


Saddened by emptiness?
     Obey Me, and I will make Myself real to you.
     Trade a long face for a smile—be a good advertisement for the gospel.
     I am your Source of Music—sing out for the entire world to hear.

Entombed by loneliness?
     You are never alone—I walk alongside you on every road you travel.
     When perplexing cares crowd your heart, I console and cheer you.
     I am your Greatest Friend—you have not lost Me, so dance for joy.

Afraid of death?
     Hear My reassuring voice and overcome Satan-coaxed anxiety.
     Death Valley terror disappears as you realize shadows mean Light.
     I am your Life—I will defeat all enemies, so count on ultimate victory.

Losing hope?
     Open the eyes of your heart and envision My promised bright future.
     Wait patiently for My new world to materialize—be brave-hearted.
     I am your Center of Gravity—hide in Me and unflinchingly trust.

Perplexed by despair?
     Guilt, death, hopelessness, angst, and gloom burden your heart.
     Grace, vitality, hope, faith, mercy, and freedom bless your heart.
     I am your Redeemer—hang on for dear life—all is well.

Walk life’s road with Me—and I will change dejection to delight,
     skepticism to optimism, despair to hope, restlessness to tranquility,
     depression to ecstasy, self-pity to praise, and doubt to worship.
     I am your God—rest assured. 

                                            (c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond
                   Day 319, Gentle Whispers from Eternity 

Look, your King is coming to you. He is humble, riding on a donkey.
Most of the crowd spread their coats on the road ahead of Jesus,
and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
He was in the center of the procession, and the crowd all around him were shouting,
“Praise God for the Son of David! Bless the one who comes in the name of the LORD!
Praise God in highest heaven!” The entire city of Jerusalem was stirred as he entered.
Matthew 21:5, 8-10
 

We walk prayerfully on the parade route God has mapped out for us.
     Jesus is the Way to the Truth of Life—free, real, rich, full, eternal life.
     The evil one would steal enthusiasm, kill joy, and destroy influence—
          Christ yearns to guide us to a genuinely significant and fulfilling life.
     The Humble King practiced downward mobility to save us.
          Walking in His steps, we have His frame of mind and serve others.
     We are a beautiful work of art God envisioned long before our birth—
          yielding to Spirit brushstrokes on the canvas of our circumstances,
          we are displayed for angels and saints to admire in heaven’s gallery.

We dance joyfully with praise that lasts—celebrating blessings God gives.
     To avoid a fickle heart, we do not call Jesus king one day and desert Him the next.
     To keep our Savior in the center of our life’s procession, we bow to nothing else.
     We are privileged to give our Most Honored Guest a royal welcome every sunrise.
     If we would keep joy alive in our heart every mile of the journey,
          we must not let cheap thrills compete with the ecstasy of His Presence.
     No matter how rough the road, we can always find reasons for thanks.

We march in Christ's triumphal procession leading to a promised bright future.
     Jesus is our Personal Friend, never letting us down or running away.
     He is our Pardoning Savior, forgiving our sins and setting us free.
     He is the Powerful God, helping us accomplish all He asks of us.
     He is the Perfect Lamb, redeeming us from sin’s penalty and power.
     He is the Drumbeat of hope, fighting for us until the battle’s over.
     He is Alpha and Omega, speaking the first word and having the last.
     He is the Prophesied Messiah, winning the last war and defeating evil.
     One day we will wave palm branches along golden streets—
          until then, we can celebrate victories He gives on the roads we travel today.
 

                                                             (c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond 
                            Day 310, Gentle  Whispers from Eternity