Holy Hurricane

                   Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind—

            no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building.

             Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks

 and they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them.

                                                  Acts 2:2-4 THE MESSAGE

Let My Divine Wind blow through your life and cleanse you of iniquity.

     I sweep away moral trash if you turn your heart in My direction.

     I move you toward My will if you turn your heart away from all evil.

     I flood you with light if you firmly refuse to walk in perverse darkness. 

     I purify you if you let My holy hurricane roar through your inner being.

     I burn away all undesirable elements if you let Me baptize you with fire.

     I reassure you of My love if you nestle near My heart and detest sin.

     I give you joy too wonderful for words if you trust My omniscient mind.

Let My Vitalizing Breath ignite your passion and set your soul aflame.

     I resurrect you to new life if you desert your egocentric deadness.

     I soak you with My Spirit Rain if you grow tired of emotional drought.

     I help the young envision a brighter future if you believe My promises.

     I help the old dream of a painless, tearless, deathless day if you trust Me.

     I let you find life’s noblest purpose if you serve Me wholeheartedly.

     I embolden you to live courageously if you hold My omnipotent hand.

Let My Holy Spirit change you from inside out and revolutionize your life.

     I cheer your heart if you become intoxicated with heaven’s sweet wine.

     I lead you to know the truth if you turn a deaf ear to Satan’s propaganda.

     I help you speak My native tongue if you are weary of the Devil’s dialect.

     I teach you to speak beautiful languages if you want to learn them—

       sacrificial love, not selfish talk; invulnerable joy, not ungrateful whining;

       calm peace, not restless chatter; lasting patience, not ignorant criticism;

       kindness, not insensitive small talk; lavish generosity, not stingy self-talk;

       dutiful loyalty, not dropout talk; angelic gentleness, not rude sarcasm;

       supernatural self-control, not indulgent devilspeak.

     I inspire spontaneous creativity if you do not extinguish My eternal flame.

     I energize you to do what pleases Me if you rely on My unlimited grace.

     I empower you to accomplish all I ask if you trust My almighty power.

     I grant you pleasure of my company if you seek My omnipresent Spirit.

I am able to do infinitely more than you could ever ask, wish, or imagine.   

     Pray your highest prayer—I will answer by sculpting you into My image. 

     Tell Me your deepest desire—I will bless you by giving you My desires. 

     Share your fondest dream with Me—I will make it come true in My time.

     I am your Center of Gravity—be sure you never stifle My Spirit!

                                                     © Pastor Johnny R. Almond

                                       Gentle Whispers from Eternity

               See, I am coming soon, and my reward is with me,

                       to repay all according to their deeds.

                           I am the Alpha and the Omega,

               the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. 

                                  Revelation 22:12, 13 NLT

 

I am the Omega, the Last—the Immortal, Ever-present, Unchanging God.

My Kingdom is coming—sin’s night will not restrain salvation’s dawn.

My promises will materialize—heaven’s perfect peace will last forever.

I will write the end of earth’s story and the beginning of eternity’s—

     a never-ending story of unimaginable love.

Until then, Light beyond light illumines the winding road home.

Omniscient—My truth outweighs the trivial.

     I am the Counselor, wisely guiding you through life’s perplexing maze.    

     Exercise uncommon sense to trust Me, and I will teach you how to live.

     I reward humility with the incomparable perfection of My counsel.

Merciful—My tenderness out-loves the transgression.

     I am the Wonderful One, helping you persevere in moral struggles.

     My grace helps you succeed; My mercy helps you recover from defeat.

     I reward repentance with the infinite pardon of My compassion.

Eternal—My tomorrow outlasts the temporary.

     I am the Everlasting Father, stabilizing you in life’s changing situations.   

     Focus on the Bright Morning Star—you’ll see My face when night is over.

     I reward hope with the inevitable promise of My coming.

Gracious—My tranquility outshines the turmoil.

     I am the Prince of Peace, quieting you in the chaos of life’s trouble.

     Do not wring your hands—fold them in prayer and I will care for you.

     I reward prayer with the incomprehensible peace of my calm.

Almighty—My triumph outdoes the trembling.

     I am the Mighty God, energizing you for battles with the evil one.

     I reward trust with the inspiring pleasure of My company.

     I spoke the first word—and darkness was dispelled by light.

     I will have the last word—and guilt will be conquered by grace.

                                                     © Pastor Johnny R. Almond

                                 Day 366, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

                                   I am the way, the truth, and the life.
                                    No one can come to the Father except through me.
                                                                          John 14:6 NLT

I am the only Road that leads to the destination of glory.

     Convicted of sin, do a repentant U-turn and travel the King’s Highway.     

     Challenged by righteousness, set out to be like your Sinless Savior.

     Convinced of judgment, make a conscious effort to prepare yourself.

     My death on the cross paved the highway to the Father’s future.

     My blood on your soul marks you as a child of God He will not disown.      

     Follow the Way—and be confident of reaching heaven.

 

I am the only Reality that defines goodness.

     Lied to by the dark prince, turn a deaf ear to his brainwashing.

     Led by the Spirit of truth, listen well and learn life’s greatest lessons.

     Loved by the One knowing you best, stay near and enjoy My company.

     My light liberates you to sing for joy in the Father’s freedom.

     My Spirit in your mind teaches you truth you would not learn otherwise.

     Learn the Truth—and be changed for good from the inside out.

 

I am the only Redeemer who distributes grace.

     Attacked by the evil one, do not forget that he is a hateful killjoy.

     Attracted by the Holy Spirit, surrender and know life in all its fullness.

     Approved by the Father, revel in His love and rest assured of heaven.

     My promise guarantees the bright tomorrow of the Father’s festival.

     My melody in your heart instructs you in faith’s dance of joy.

     Celebrate the Life—and be cheerful in all circumstances.

 

I am the Way to the Truth of Life.

     Your search for heaven, significance, and vitality ends in My heart.

 

                                                     c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond

                                 Day 323, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

In Antioch the disciples were first given the name of “Christians.”

                                Acts 10:26 NTME

Wear My Name humbly.

     You did not choose Me—I chose to charm you to My heart.

     Stay out of dark, dingy places—walk as a child of the Light.

     Remember who you belong to—conduct yourself as one of Christ’s.

Wear My Name freely.

     I save you from evil’s power, removing hellacious handcuffs—rejoice.

     Let My Holy Spirit cascade through your inner being—dance for joy.

     You are My subject in time and eternity—live royally, like your King.

Wear My Name confidently.

     By faith you will reach the tearless, painless, deathless, sinless place.

     Trust Me, and rest assured My promises will all come true.

     You are named for One who is Truth—never doubt My Word.

Wear My Name honorably.

     Do not try to get your name up in lights—I am the Light of the world.

     You are part of My kingdom of priests—heaven’s nobility on earth.

     You are My ambassador to the world—represent Me well.

Wear My Name joyfully.

     Satan destroys influence, kills joy, and steals enthusiasm—watch out.

     My Presence comforts, guides, instructs, and defends you—be glad.

     A frown is a poor advertisement for Christianity—whistle in the dark.

Wear My Name comfortably.

     I direct traffic patterns of constellations—I also orchestrate your life.

     I hold the universe together—and I understand and stand under you.

     I cheer your soul when you are down—remember you are Mine and relax.

Wear My Name optimistically.

     Mention of My Name will bring the universe to its knees—count on it.

     My promises brighten the future—march forward with head held high.

     Because You wear My Name, I remember yours—look forward to glory.
 

© Pastor Johnny R. Almond                               Day 328, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

They washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and made them white.

They stand in front of the throne of God, serving him day and night in his Temple.

He who sits on the throne will live among them and shelter them.

They will never again be hungry or thirsty.

The Lamb who stands in front of the throne will be their Shepherd.    

He will lead them to springs of life-giving water.

God will wipe away all their tears.

Revelation 7:14-17 NLT

Christ’s deliverance refreshes our soul.

Guilt can only be removed by the blood of the innocent Lamb.

When our heart is purified, we can have a spring in our step again.

God’s pardon makes us holy.

Jesus is our salvation—performing the miracle of complete forgiveness.

Christ’s dynamic refreshes our strength.

Falling to our knees, He helps us get on our feet again so we can        

     soar above mediocrity, outrun evil, and continue beyond faintheartedness. 

God’s power is our help.

Jesus is our strength—blessing our mission with capable fulfillment.

Christ’s defense refreshes our serenity.

Sealed by the Holy Spirit, we’re marked as belonging to God’s family forever.

Surrounded by his love, we enjoy safe refuge in life’s storms.

God’s peace is our hiding place.

Jesus is our shelter—granting us mercy in faith’s comforting fortress.

Christ’s delight refreshes our song.

Satan is a kill-joy, a spoiler of reputation, and a thief after our enthusiasm.

God’s love is a deeper well, God’s life better water, God’s laughter higher joy.

God’s pleasure is our happiness.

Jesus is our satisfaction—inspiring music in our soul like a cascading fountain.

Christ’s direction refreshes our search.

He walks before us into tomorrow—right beside us, every step of the journey. 

God’s Providence is our hope. 

Jesus is our Shepherd—leading us to the bright mystery of the celestial future.

Christ’s destiny refreshes our struggle.

Tears of regret will be over when we’re totally redeemed—sins all forgiven.

Tears of pain will be over when we’re finally relieved—suffering forever gone.

Tears of bereavement will be over when death dies—shadows of grief history.

God’s Presence is our heartbeat.

Jesus’ smile will reward us when we meet him in face-to-face celebration.

                                                      © Pastor Johnny R. Almond