What can I offer the LORD for all he has done for me?
PSALM 116:12 NLT
“Why should I do anything for him? What has he ever done for me?”
Apply this commonly asked question to your relationship to Me—
and the answer will become apparent.
What have I ever done for you?
I listen when you pray.
I am your Best Answer to prayer, All You Need in life—
Language of Infinite Inspiration, Sunrise of Loyalty,
Flame of Holiness, Window of Grace, River of Peace, Sunshine of Glory,
Vision of Victory, Rainbow of Beauty, Solid Rock of Encouragement,
Heartbeat of Love, Intellect of Wisdom, Orbit of Providence,
Music of Joy, Starlight of Hope.
I preserve your life.
You are alive not because you eat, but because of the Bread of Heaven.
I give you power when you are running low on energy.
When you feel like you are going under, I under stand you.
When you are falling apart under pressure, I stand under you.
I treat you royally so you can enjoy incomprehensible peace.
I have rescued you from terror, so you are alive.
I have rescued you from tears, so you are assured.
I have rescued you from temptation, so you are alert.
Why should you do anything for Me?
Because of all I have done for you, the answer is crystal clear.
So the question then becomes, what can you do?
Live in your Lord’s presence—enjoy the pleasure of My company.
Persevere in your loneliness—trust Me and wait for the dawn.
Praise My love—offer a daily sacrifice of thanks-living.
Proclaim your loyalty—soldier on in the battle with evil.
Humble in My Sovereign Presence, serve your Father.
Holy by My Son’s pardon, gratefully sing My praises.
Handed over to My Spirit’s plan, stack arms and surrender.
Do more than stare up the steps—step up the stairs!
(c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond
Day 238, Gentle Whispers from Eternity
Not to us, O LORD, but to you goes all the glory
for your unfailing love and faithfulness.
PSALM 115:1 NLT
I alone deserve all the praise.
Let My faithful love lead you to sincere and heartfelt gratitude.
In spite of your obstinate waywardness, I go on steadily loving you.
My persistent love will not let Me ever give up on you—be glad!
In time and in eternity—be thankful.
I alone do whatever I please.
Everyone and everything is ultimately accountable to Me.
Rebellion spells ruin—submission means salvation.
I am powerful over every plan—I am Sovereign over every strategy.
I alone am fit to take the universe’s throne.
I am totally, irrevocably responsible for everything—I am transcendent.
I alone am dynamic in power.
With My mouth, I give My Word from heaven for living on earth.
With My eyes, I am omniscient—seeing right through your pretense.
With My ears, I hear—I have time to listen when you need to talk.
With My crucified hands, I carry you when you cannot carry on.
With My nail-transfixed feet, I travel life’s road right beside you.
Infinite over idols; Creator, not created—I am trustworthy.
I alone deliver you by My protection.
If it were not for My help with life’s obstacle course, you would fall.
If it were not for My shield against Satan’s temptations, you would fail.
With My assistance, you do more than get by—you are triumphant.
I alone delight in your peace.
I am Caretaker of the universe—and I am taking good care of you.
I am Superintendent of stars—and I am shepherding you to heaven.
I am Creator of planets—and I am conducting you in the proper orbit.
Incredible as it seems to an impersonal world, I am thinking about you.
Live with eternal significance--transformed to the glory of God!
(c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond
Day 237, Gentle Whispers from Eternity
Joy is the clearest evidence of My Presence.
My openhanded blessings let you enjoy life in every dimension—
In the reading of My inspired Scripture
Mine the gold and silver of the Book from Heaven—treasure My Word.
Mull My orders over hour after hour—think them through, pray them in.
My words are honey for your soul, not bitter medicine! Relish them!
Looking for significance in the pages of the Bible? Obey the Author!
In the riches of My infinite supply
Out of My limitless wealth in glory, I make your cup overflow.
Out of My inexhaustible resources, I provide more than enough.
Like to enjoy life to the hilt? Develop a contented mind.
In the remembrance of inviolable security
You will not be overwhelmed by guilt—you are overshadowed.
Your name is indelibly written in blood in the Book of Life—relax.
Yearn to celebrate blessed assurance? Trust your wounded Savior.
In a reputation of invariable strength
Spectators of the Faith Marathon may marvel at your perseverance.
Approaching burnout? Refuel with My Spirit and soar like an eagle.
Trying to unlock the secret of facing hard situations? Use the Christ Key.
In the Rock of invulnerable steadiness
My invulnerable joy transcends the fragile happiness of circumstances.
Facing uncertainties, you have more than faith—you have your Father.
Looking for peace and tranquility? Surrender to Me unreservedly.
In the reflection of My Indwelling Spirit
I am always with you—do not let despair get the best of you.
I am your Night Light—let Me shine through your personality.
What has been said of Me can be seen in you—if you truly believe.
Desire to experience joy beyond words? Get in step with My Spirit!
(c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond
Day 236, Gentle Whispers from Eternity
In return for my friendship they denounce me, and all I can do is pray!
PSALM 109:4 TNJB
I am the One and Only God—your Only Recourse in effective prayer.
No matter how sweetly you treat some people, it does not change them.
You would be kind, but they would kill.
When all you can do is pray, seek My wisdom to know how.
I am the Omniscient God—able to execute retributive payback.
You do not live under the old covenant, where vengeance ruled.
You live under the new covenant, where getting even gives way to love.
Pray for those out to get you—shine sunlight on the ill-intentioned.
I alone will set the record straight—I alone am unerringly fair.
When all you can do is pray, trust that I will make justice prevail.
I am the Omnipotent God—able to reinvigorate you with power.
In My faithful love, I energize you to keep on keeping on.
When you are broken-hearted, I heal your soul’s diseases.
When you are weak-kneed, I encourage you for the hard tasks.
People shake their heads at you; I smile on you, the apple of My eye.
Others curse, but I bless—critics’ barbs will boomerang.
I will mute opponents’ jeers by My everlasting joys.
My supernatural might works best in your human weakness.
You are never stronger than when you are relying on Me.
You are never greater than when you are on your knees.
When all you can do is pray, feel your weakness become strength.
I am the Omnipresent God—able to teach you how to sing for joy.
Others may slander you, but I stand at your side.
I am the Paraclete—forever faithful, called alongside to help you.
I am your Greatest Friend, no matter how others mistreat you.
However chaotic life gets, come to rest in My gentle grace.
No matter what happens, find a reason to be thankful.
Never, never, never stifle the Holy Spirit!
To know the heartbeat and happiness of worship—keep praying.
When all you can do is pray, believe that is enough.
Nevertheless He regarded their distress when He heard their cry;
And He [earnestly] remembered for their sake His covenant
and relented their sentence of evil [comforting and easing Himself]
according to the abundance of His mercy and loving-kindness.
PSALM 106:44-45 THE AMPLIFIED BIBLE
Review your uncomplimentary history in honest confession.
Sometimes you are a lot like the ancient Israelites—
dull and slow to catch on—not seeing the light until you feel the heat!
defiant and stubborn—rebelling against your own best interests!
distracted and sidetracked—forgetting your Creator and Lord!
dissatisfied and searching for more—desires running wild!
demented and substituting lesser gods—worshiping counterfeits!
When you realize you are in trouble, I hear your cries for help. The Master of the sea hears your despairing cry, lifts you from the waters,
and keeps you safe (James Rowe, “Love Lifted Me”).
In My mercy, you are liberated and pardoned. In your sinful feelings, stay afloat by My grace.
Rejoice in the unparalleled happiness of My celebration.
Think over the glorious miracles I have performed on your behalf.
Pull out all the stops and praise Me—you cannot ever overdo it!
Love will not let you go—rest your weary soul in Me.
In My music, you are lyrical and peaceful. In your sad feelings, stay afloat by My gladness.
Rely on the unfailing hope of My covenant.
My promise of a bright future is what keeps you from going under. Joy seeks you through pain, so do not close your heart to Me.
Trace the rainbow through the rain, remembering morn will be tearless
(George Matheson, “O Love That Will Not Let Me Go”).
Life’s sea is wide, and your boat is small—but I will not let you drown.
In My mind, you are loved and pitied. In your sinking feelings, stay afloat by My goodness.
Waves overwhelming? Wind ferocious? Frightened by high seas?
Trust My unfailing love—and stay afloat.
(c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond
Day 234, Gentle Whispers from Eternity
