The Key to Answered Prayer

© By Pastor Johnny R. Almond

He asked the Lord what he should do, but the Lord refused to answer him, by dreams, sacred lots, or prophet.

1 Samuel 28:6 NLT

       Until you do the work of confession, I refuse to do the work of listening. When you are like Saul—egocentric, jealous, mean, rebellious—do not expect Me to march double-time to your desperate battleground. Rebellion ruins our relationship. Ignoring My instructions blocks communication. If you cozy up to sin, I will not pay attention to your pleas.

       You will not get what you want until I get what I want—repentance! On guard! Run the other way from evil! Otherwise I will not come to your rescue when you cry out to Me. Piously folding your hands in prayer may impress people, but you will not have My ear and blessing until you abandon evil.

       You should confess sin every day because you sin every day. Remember real confession involves listening to My directions for living and quitting wrong actions. Every sin you hesitate to give up becomes a brick in the wall between us. Here is an unwavering principle—iniquity in your behavior and intimacy with Me are incompatible. Leave prayer out of your schedule, and you will live without vitality. Attempt to operate independently of Me, and you will have nothing to show for it.

       The opposite is wonderfully true. Nestle near My heart, and you will enjoy the sweetness of answered prayer. Pay attention to how I ask you to live, and I will pay attention to your petitions. Conscientiously focus on obeying Me, and I will

concentrate on caring for your daily needs.

       I am ready to answer your prayers when you are ready to get in tune with My will. Spectacular dreams, sacred dice, and ecstatic prophets are no substitute for heartfelt prayer. I lead you by My Word, Son, and Holy Spirit. Your fondest dreams cannot envision what I can do. I do not roll dice with your future—I orchestrate it.

       Depend on My Spirit, not daydreams, to find inspiration. Rely on My Providence, not coincidence, to draw the blueprint for your life. Search My timeless wisdom, not modern-day philosophy, to find insight. Habitually relate all dimensions of your life to Me, maintaining an attitude of humble dependency—then I will tell you what you should do.

Johnny R. Almond

Pastor, Hull’s Memorial Baptist Church

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

Holy War

By Pastor Johnny R. Almond

You are fighting the Lord’s battles.

1 Samuel 25:28 NLT

Depend on Me, and I will strengthen you to fight spiritual battles. You are naturally weak, but I will make you supernaturally strong—able to combat Satan and win. Battling evil is no cake walk—there is no more difficult enterprise. You are not up against a mere human enemy. The world’s wicked ruler and his cohorts of the realm of darkness are bent on extinguishing the light of your good influence.

Don heaven’s armor so you can stand your ground against the strategies of hell. Fasten on the truth belt to encircle you with conviction. Wear body armor of righteousness to protect you from mortal blows. Slip on running shoes of eagerness to tell My story. Carry the faith shield to extinguish flaming arrows of temptation. Wear the helmet of salvation to preoccupy your mind with My lifelong work in your journey to eternity. Brandish the Spirit Sword to cut the dragon to pieces.

Confronting fiendish foes, pray as you go. Keep your eyes open to Satan’s tricks. Maintain communication with your Commander in Chief. Stay tuned to hear My slightest whisper.

You have Me to thank for leading you in a triumphal parade. It may seem evil is winning over good, but I will have the last word and I will win the last war. Good will not be shortchanged.

The sinister Devil, beastly antichrist, and counterfeit prophet will lose forever—tortured around the clock with no possibility of parole. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit will have your lasting worship. Jehovah will be your joy.

You get tired along the way, and feel like retreating from the front to a safe haven— that will have to wait for heaven. Fight on under the battle streamer of My Holy Name.

My armor is awkward equipment for an easy chair. Life is different from thinking about life. Climb down from your cozy philosophizing balcony and enter the crucial evangelizing arena. I will teach you to live life to the fullest and love people compassionately.

Soldiering has never been a picnic. Pain precedes paradise. Suffering comes before the victory celebration. On the threshold of this new day, arm yourself with My power and get set for adventure on the high road. Endure pain if necessary. Serve Me bravely, loyally, and joyfully until the battle smoke clears. Fight sin in My strength, and avoid any blot on your shield.

At the end of the day, when the battle is over, kneel for My blessing. I will place a crown of righteousness on your head in the new Jerusalem.

Johnny R. Almond

Pastor, Hull’s Memorial Baptist Church

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

Rock of Gibraltar

Solid Rock in a Quicksand World

© By Pastor Johnny R. Almond

Ever since that time, the place where David was camped has been called the Rock of Escape.

1 Samuel 23:28 NLT

       I am the Omnipotent God—your Strength. All other hiding places you try are papier-mâché. I am the Only Absolutely Trustable Spot in the universe. Psychological defense mechanisms of emotional withdrawal, projection, or rationalization only add to the confusion of your life. Running anywhere else except My heart is a useless exercise.

       I am the Omniscient God—your Solace. Be grateful for friends in Christ I send into your life to strengthen your trust in Me. Like Jonathan, they encourage you to stay strong in your faith. True friends do more than enjoy each other’s company; they encourage each other to stay committed to Me. Comforted by sharing deep thoughts and close confidences, you are inspired to go ahead with courage.

       No matter how close your friends are to you, there will never be any friend as dear to you as I am. I know everything about you—when you rest, when you rise, when you race; where you are going next; what you are going to think; what you have not yet said, but will. This knowledge is higher than your pay grade!

       You cannot hide from Me, but you will never find a safer Hiding Place. Rather than hide from Me, it is the highest wisdom to hide in Me.

       I grant perfect peace to everyone who implicitly trusts in Me and consistently thinks about Me. I am Solid Rock in a quicksand world. I have been a Refuge to countless believers through fury and favor, shadows of poverty and sunshine of prosperity.

       My purpose for you can never be thwarted. Behind the scenes, I write the lines and direct every act on the stage of life. I am for you, so no force can overpower you. Death is not final. Life is not futile. Worry will not finish you off . Demons cannot frustrate you. Because I love you, we are inseparable!

       I am the Omnipresent God—your Support. In deserts of loneliness, I am your Friend. Within caves of concern, I am your Protector. I am the Only Reliable Foundation for your future.

       Faulty foundations of wealth, security, success, and fame disintegrate with the passage of time. However, if you build your life on Me, you will never disintegrate.

       Fall on your knees and you will not fall apart.

Johnny R. Almond

Pastor, Hull’s Memorial Baptist Church

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity