If you fail under pressure, your strength is not very great. PROVERBS 24:10 NLT

High-pressure situations give you a chance to experience My grace.
     Trouble is good for you—if you get to know Me better in the process.

It is not a question of if, but when trouble will come your way.
     When it does, you will unravel if you depend on your own ingenuity.
     The Empowering One living within you is your Secret of survival.
     You are ready for anything the world throws at you in His strength.

Attempt to steer your own course when you encounter high seas,
     and your small boat will be demolished on the rocks.
     Let Me have the helm, and you will celebrate tranquil harbors.
     Grace-less, you cannot do anything; grace-full, you can do everything.
     Rely on My omnipotence—I will see you through any emergency.
     When you are exhausted, focus on Jesus and you can finish the race.

I have been managing the universe for eons, without fainting.
     I have untiringly directed intergalactic traffic patterns, through all time.
     When you are tired and worn out, My strength is still available.
     When your energy is depleted, Mine is undiminished.
     Though you are weary, you do not have to give up if you trust Me.

Adversity University graduates honor students.
     Frightening thunderstorms paint beautiful rainbows.
     Tough situations develop uncompromising character.
     Crises prove your mettle.
     Running the Faith Marathon trains you to persevere.
     Stress keeps kites flying high in the air.
     Headwinds lift wings to get aircraft off the runway.
     A crucible transforms crude ore into pure gold.
     Coal under pressure changes into diamonds.
     Grace under pressure leads to glory.

                                           

                                   (c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond
                           Day 256, Gentle Whispers from Eternity 

Choose a good reputation over great riches,
     for being held in high esteem is better than having silver or gold.
     PROVERBS 22:1 NLT    


Choose reverence, not egotism—gain a reputation for godliness.
     If you were self-made, that would relieve Me of a great responsibility!
     No matter what others do, make the personal choice to serve Jehovah.

Choose carefulness, not carelessness—gain a reputation for prudence.
     See the “bridge-out” sign; take precautions, or you will be sorry.
     Watch your step—a roaring lion is on the prowl for victims to shred. 

Choose worship, not arrogance—gain a reputation for humility.
     Fear Me, then you will not have to fear disgrace or death.
     Draw close and I will be real to you; honor Me and I will honor you.

Choose generosity, not stinginess—gain a reputation for compassion.
     Feed the poor, for someday your stomach may be growling in hunger.
     Scatter seeds of kindness everywhere and the harvest will be joyful.

Choose purity, not lust—gain a reputation for fidelity.
     Run from temptation—never saunter through hell’s red light district.
     Shun pornography and all sexual sin—do not desecrate My sanctuary!

Choose trust, not doubt—gain a reputation for faith.
     Lean your complete personality on Me in absolute confidence.
     Then My power, wisdom, and goodness will see you through anything.

Choose calm, not anger—gain a reputation for peacemaking.
     Avoid short-tempered fools—run with dogs, and you will get their fleas. 
     Troublemakers are the Devil’s children; peacemakers are Mine.

A sterling reputation is better than winning the lottery.
     A good name is more valuable than money invested in the bank.
     Choose wisely—and you will earn a choice reputation.
 
                                

                         (c)  Pastor Johnny R. Almond
               Day 255, Gentle Whispers from Eternity 

If the righteous are rewarded here on earth,
how much more true that the wicked and the sinner will get what they deserve.
PROVERBS 11:31
 

What you think, you become.
     What you speak echoes in your own soul.
     What you do ricochets to help or to haunt, to bless or to curse you.

I wrote the principle of cause and effect into the code of the universe.
     I wove the law of the harvest into the moral fabric of life.
     You invariably reap what you sow.
     Want a different crop? Plant different seed.

Proverbs state the case succinctly.
     Humility precedes wisdom—conceit sets people up for disgrace.
     Honesty builds a good reputation—treachery is self-destructive.
     Godliness lifts the spirit—evil burdens souls with crushing guilt.
     The quest for Christlikeness frees—selfish ambition traps.
     Uncompromising righteousness safeguards—wickedness troubles.
     Careful speech enhances friendship—careless words break hearts.
     Kindness nourishes life—cruelty is deadly.
     Integrity will not go unrewarded—perversity will not go unpunished.
     Believers look forward to heaven—skeptics have hell to pay.
     Openhearted generosity increases wealth—stinginess impoverishes.
     Searching for goodness leads to joy—seeking evil leads to despair.
     Trusting Me brings security—trusting money fosters insecurity.
     Saints will be recompensed—sinners will get what is coming to them.

Every action rebounds with an equal and opposite reaction.
     This is true in the moral realm, not just in physics.
     Things do not happen by chance—what goes around, comes around.
     Your circumstances result from your character and conduct.
     Virtue leads to victory—vice leads to defeat.
     These connections are evident now—or will be crystal clear someday.

    
                                           

                                     (c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond 
                           Day 253,  Gentle Whispers from Eternity 

Teach the wise, and they will be wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn more.
PROVERBS 9:9        

 

Admit to Me recidivistic foolishness—then resolve to be rid of it!
     Reverse evil—and learn to live life in all its fullness.
     Repent—and you can rejoice.

Stand in awe of Me—and begin to grasp true understanding.
     Learn the ABCs of wisdom by getting to know the Holy One.
     Keep running the Faith Marathon—hang in there and never quit.
     At the finish line I will welcome you to the house Wisdom built.

Be mature enough to be open to suggestions and counsel of others.
     Learn an important lesson—you do not have a monopoly on wisdom.
     You do not know all the answers—or even all the questions!
     So do not strut around like a know-it-all—you still have a lot to learn.

Keep these two truths in mind—there is a God, and you are not Him!
     My sea is greater than you can navigate on your own.
     Your boat is too small to survive life’s storms.
     Lean on My omniscience—learn to trust the Captain at the helm.

Three basics taught in kindergarten still apply in graduate school—
     1) Uncompromisingly practice what is right;
     2) Compassionately be kind toward everyone you meet;
     3) Humbly conduct yourself in the light of My Presence.

I have hidden all timeless wisdom in the heart of My Son.
     Cherish Him as your very own Teacher—apply His principles daily.
     He is near to My heart—live with love and you will be too.
     Listen to your Master’s voice—learn from Him how to live wisely.


                                     

                              (c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond
                     Day 252, Gentle Whispers from Eternity