He who has My word, let him speak My word faithfully.
What has straw in common with wheat [for nourishment]? says the LORD.
Is not My word like fire that consumes all that cannot endure the test
and like a hammer that breaks in pieces the rock [of most stubborn resistance]?
JEREMIAH 23:28-29 THE AMPLIFIED BIBLE
For starters, read it over.
Read it glacially—let My thoughts soak in like gentle autumn showers.
You can speed-read straw-books of human philosophy,
but do not race through timeless truths in the Book from Heaven.
As you read Scripture, think it through. Care enough to listen attentively to My gentle whispers from eternity.
Not knowing is ignorance; not knowing and not doing is paganism;
knowing and not doing is sin; knowing and doing is wisdom.
LIVE WHAT YOU LEARN.
Do not stop with gaining knowledge, or you will be a half-wit.
Do not leave the Bible on a shelf—take it to the street.
Read My Word prayerfully in the Spirit in which it was written.
Take it personally—ask yourself what I would have you to do,
attitudes that need refining in My fiery purifying crucible,
actions that need hammering into a more Christlike lifestyle.
BEHAVE WHAT YOU BELIEVE.
Do not stop with treasuring My Word, or you will be a hermit.
Do not leave the Bible in your wonder—take it to your world.
After you have read it over, thought it through, and prayed it in—
remember to live it out. For heaven’s and earth’s sake, do not copy the Pharisees—
memorizing Scripture, and missing the Savior;
teaching well and living poorly—what a tragic disconnect!
PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH.
Do not stop with telling others how to live, or you will be a hypocrite.
Do not leave the Bible in a pew—take it to the public.
What will you do with the Bible—take it or leave it?
(c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond
Day 277, Gentle Whispers from Eternity
If you return and give up this mistaken tone of distrust and despair,
then I will give you a settled place of quiet and safety,
and you will be My minister.
JEREMIAH 15:19 THE AMPLIFIED BIBLE
I know you better than you know yourself—
you cannot fool Me with verbal veneer or pious platitudes.
My Holy Spirit x-rays your heart, and I see everything perfectly clear.
Do not feel I am so busy managing the cosmos, I ignore your thoughts.
I search your heart and convict you of offensive trends I find there.
I inspire you to toss out ephemeral garbage and invest in eternal gold.
In My Presence, do some serious introspection and prayerful reflection.
Clean up your act—adjust your attitudes.
Turn from your distrust—
Commit the unknown future into My omniscient hands.
What I am looking for above all else is faith—
a little will transport you to heaven; more will bring heaven to you.
When you are tempted to quit the struggle, look again to the cross—
remember who died for you, and then get back to living for Him.
Turn from your despair—
Believe My promise to make the future bright and glorious.
Drop your despondency at My feet, and let Me carry burdens you cannot.
I am not a mirage; I am an oasis of joy and peace in a desert of gloom.
Listen hopefully to My future melody, and dance faithfully today.
Turn from your discouragement—
Cooperate with Me, and I will empower you to persevere in ministry.
Cheer up—down-in-the-mouth living misrepresents My Kingdom.
Voice the prayer of Amy Carmichael, My missionary to India: Let me not sink to be a clod; Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God.
Turn from your doubt—
Take Me at My Word and share My message with all willing to hear.
Whether welcomed or rejected, unflinchingly repeat Scripture’s Truth.
From the pulpit of your personality, tell My never-ending Love story
(c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond
Day 276, Gentle Whispers from Eternity
So, Jeremiah, if you’re worn out in this footrace with men,
what makes you think you can race against horses?
And if you can’t keep your wits during times of calm,
what’s going to happen when troubles break loose like the Jordan in flood?
JEREMIAH 12:5 THE MESSAGE
When you get frazzled by hang-ups, the Wonderful Counselor guides you.
When you cannot put one foot in front of the other, Almighty God helps you.
When you are looking for a high example to follow, the Holy One inspires you.
When evil shadows trouble you, the Sun of Righteousness lights your path.
When your world is falling apart, the Chief Cornerstone holds you together.
When you think death has the last word, the Resurrection changes everything.
When guilt gets the best of you, the Lamb of God liberates your spirit.
When no one seems to care a thing about you, the Son of Man understands.
When hard times overwhelm you, the Comforter stands under you.
When life does not make sense, the Lord of All makes significance possible.
When you are so weak you cannot go on, the Lord God Almighty enforces you.
When you are confused about which route to follow, the Way directs you.
When you are searching for reality, the Truth outweighs worldly propaganda.
When you are at the point of giving up, the Life energizes you for steep roads.
When you are scared of the dark, the Light of the World is your Night Light.
When you are needing fellowship, the Head of the Church makes it possible.
When you are crying your eyes out, the Man of Sorrows weeps with you.
When you are on stormy high seas, the Prince of Peace quiets your fears.
When you are struggling with life lessons, the Master Teacher helps you learn.
When you are over the edge, the Shepherd lifts you up and restores your soul.
When you are near despair, the Messiah reassures you of His imminent reign.
When you are addicted to sinful habits, the Redeemer breaks hell’s handcuffs.
When you do not know how to pray, the Advocate intercedes on your behalf.
When you question evil’s success, the Righteous Judge promises final justice.
When you are lonely, the Bright Morning Star illuminates your heart.
When current events seem hopeless, the King of kings promises a new world.
When life’s next chapter is hard to read, the Author of your faith edits it.
When you are searching for meaning, the Word of Life spells it out for you.
When life gets harder, I will be there for you.
(c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond
Day 275, Gentle Whispers from Eternity
I shaped your existence in the first place.
To begin with, there were two cells, then 28 billion—that was the clay.
I am the Omnipotent Creator, the Potter who made you like you are.
I engineered the delicate, inner workings of your physical being.
My hands formed your body and personality—humbly worship Me.
I shape your character in hard places.
Difficult circumstances and “impossible situations” are the clay.
I am your Father, the Potter at work behind the scenes for your good.
My hand is sculpting your heart into Christ’s image—surrender.
I shape your life with opportunities to glorify Me in pleasant places.
Everyday, ordinary life is the clay.
I am the Omnipresent Sovereign, the Potter with your fulfillment in mind.
My hand provides creative places for you to serve Me—be alert.
I am shaping your future in a perfect place.
Time is the clay and the Omniscient Lord is the Potter.
The return of My Son will inaugurate a sinless kingdom—
a place without pain, heart attacks, cancer, wheelchairs, walkers, surgery,
hospitals, hospices, funerals, cemeteries, or war;
a place without darkness, fear, loneliness, or crime.
My hand is building a magnificent mansion for your home—trust Me.
I will shape the earth into a beautiful place.
Elements of the universe are the clay and the King of kings is the Potter.
The earth is in bad shape now—it weeps in sadness because of sin.
To restore paradise, radical steps will be necessary.
My fury will set everything ablaze; it will all go up in smoke.
In the meantime, I am giving you a chance to shape up!
My hand will renovate the planet you call home. Hopefully anticipate the hereafter—joyfully dance here and now.
(c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond
Day 274, Gentle Whispers from Eternity
Those who wait on the LORD will find new strength.
They will fly high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
ISAIAH 40:31 NLT
Finding life’s challenges more daunting than you can handle?
Disheartened by crushing burdens heavier than you can shoulder?
Overwhelmed by wide-ranging responsibilities you cannot manage?
Frustrated by recurring problems you cannot solve?
On the verge of giving up because of struggles at every turn?
Wait a minute! Do not rush ahead—do not be in such a hurry.
Slow down and realize who you are—weak; and who I am—strong.
You have never been, you are not now, General Manager of the universe.
You are not totally responsible for everything—that is My job!
Nestle near My tender loving heart—I will strengthen your weak knees.
Expect great blessings from Me—heaven on earth is sure as sunrise.
Look forward to looking back on earth’s troubles—they will disappear.
When My glory is revealed, sadness and sighing will be only history.
Troubles are here today, gone tomorrow—heavenly joys are eternal.
I know earthly life can be rough—I experienced it firsthand.
Never quit—though your body is dying, I renew your inner being daily.
Hope for a brighter future—You have My Word it will happen.
Through My Son’s infused energy, you can do whatever I ask of you.
This is no reason to brag—it is an opportunity to testify that I bless you.
This is no boon to your ego—it is a chance to pay tribute to your Master.
I know you perfectly, care about you, and want to help you.
Learn from Me and fly higher than mediocrity—outsoar timidity.
Rely on Me and run faster than Satan—outrun temptation.
Follow Me and walk farther than the fainthearted—outwalk lethargy.
When others ask how you keep going, share your Secret of Strength.
(c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond
Day 273, Gentle Whispers from Eternity
