“Usually a host serves the best wine first.

‘Then when everyone is full and doesn’t care,

     he brings out the less expensive wines.

But you have kept the best until now!”

                     John 2:10 NLT

My way is the best course.

     Other paths claim to bring peace, but wind up being dead-end roads.

          Evil trails look inviting, but their promised ecstasy turns into agony. 

          Believers nestling near My heart experience inexplicable tranquility.

          My wonderworks change dull days into delightful days. 

     To access Holiness Highway, you must deliberately exit Evil Track. 

          Genuine belief is more than knowing My Word—it’s doing as I say.     

          Authentic love for Me is shown only one way—obedience to My orders. 

     Obey Me, and receive a special gift—I will make Myself real to you.

     I am the Wonderful Counselor—follow My guidance, and rest easy. 

My truth is the best creed.

     Other teachings seem reasonable, but are deceptive and deadly.

     My omnipotence can handle anything—no problem is too hard for Me.

          My glory can be glimpsed in creation’s beauty and grandeur.      

     My omniscience can see right through you—I can read your heart.

          I know your secrets, noble intentions and sincere desire to honor Me. 

     Life’s highest truth is this—get to know Jesus Christ and get to know God. 

     I am the Everlasting Father—focus on My glory, and know reality. 

My life is the best celebration.

     Other lifestyles advertise pleasure, but are dangerous risks.

     The evil one steals enthusiasm, kills joy, and destroys influence.

     My vintage wine gets sweeter every day—nothing else can compare.

          It did not come cheap—I trod the winepress alone on Skull Hill.

          I paid for you with My blood—I redeemed you at a very high cost.   

     Satan gives you the best he has to offer now, and then brings out his worst.

     I give you good things now, but I am saving the best for last.

          The Lamb’s wedding feast will be a celebration that will never end.

     I am the Prince of Peace—have faith in My government, and rejoice.

  © By Johnny R. Almond                                                 Gentle Whispers from Eternity

                                              If your life honors the name of Jesus, he will honor you.
                                                              2 Thessalonians 1:12  THE MESSAGE

I honor those who honor Me—

   set your heart on My reciprocal honor.
 

Live gracefully—relate kindly to everyone.
     Behind the scenes, all people around you fight a hard battle—be kind.
     Living the Christian life is humanly impossible—be humble.
     Count on My power to enable you to do what I ask—be strong.
     Follow My example by living a life of love—be compassionate.
     Guard against arrogance—honor Me by relying on My power.
     Above all else, love.
 

Think calmly—respond peacefully in all situations.
     Let Me know what is on your mind, what is troubling you—be tranquil.
     Believe the future is as bright as My promises—be confident.
     Anticipate the perfect tomorrow I have planned—be optimistic.
     Climb into My grace hammock and be at ease in My care—be relaxed.
     Guard against angst—honor Me by trusting My promises.
     Whatever happens, look forward.
 

Serve faithfully—reach out to the lost with heaven’s Good News.
     Share the Gospel with everyone who will listen—be concerned.
     Remind unbelieving sinners there is hell to pay—be convinced.
     Turn your good intentions into noble initiatives—be committed.
     Invite others to join you on the journey to glory—be cordial.
     Guard against apathy—honor Me by offering My pardon.
     In My service, be loyal.
 

Endure unflinchingly—run perseveringly until the finish line.
     When tempted to give up the fight, look again at the cross—be brave.
     When you suffer for My sake, keep walking in My steps—be faithful.
     When you feel like I have forgotten you, recall My love—be grateful.
     When you wonder if it is worth the effort, struggle on—be tenacious.
     Guard against apostasy—honor Me by copying My pattern.
     By My grace, last.

(c) By Pastor Johnny R. Almond          

                                     Day 349, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

                           Book available at www.Amazon.com 

             As we talk to our God and Father about you,
we think of your faithful work,  your loving deeds, and your

continual anticipation of the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.
                     1 Thessalonians 1:3 NLT

 

Faith works—it dances here and now.
    Firm reliance on your Savior naturally results in joyful acts of service.
    Realizing urgency of tasks I have assigned, you are purposefully busy.
    Taking My Word seriously, you do more than ponder—you labor.
    Believing Me, you obey Me—the connection proves your sincerity.
    Trust becomes action, turning intentions into God-honoring initiatives.
    You are My masterpiece—reflect My work in you by your life’s work.
    Remember what you are here after—I will take care of your hereafter.
    Attentively race to Christ’s reward—My smile will make it worthwhile.

 

Love obeys—it walks every rough road without giving up.
    I desire only the best for your life—live a life of love and you’ll find it.
    Love never gives up on you—never give up on Me.
    In a hateful world, revel in My love—stay near Me and find joy.
    Love never loses faith in your potential—follow Me and be your best.
    You are not yet all I want you to become—obey Me and grow up.
    Love endures through all difficulties—when life is painful, persevere.
    The Via Dolorosa was not easy—Christian living is not a cake walk.
    Continue doing My will—distinguish yourself as an authentic disciple.
    Actively respond to Christ’s redemption—this is the path of blessing.

 

Hope dreams—it looks forward to the Second Coming of the Messiah.
    The Advent of My Son will solve the world’s stubborn problems--

         puzzles politicians, warriors, and economists have never solved.
    Tomorrow is as bright as My promises—gaze through hope’s window.

    Your destiny is a tearless, painless, deathless, sinless place.
    The King’s reign will end sin’s nightmare—hallelujahs will echo in glory.
    Anticipate Christ’s return—then My dream will finally come true.

© By Pastor Johnny R. Almond            

Day 348, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

Clay Hallelujahs
 

This precious treasure—light and power that now shine within us—

is held in fragile clay jars, that is, in our weak bodies.  
Everyone can see our glorious power is from God and not our own.

Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.

2 Corinthians 4:7, 16 NLT
 

Forever light on Christ’s face is My best portrait of Incarnate Truth.

     Light beyond light is your Center of Gravity.

     Here is the Greatest Reality you can ever ponder:

          I Will Always Be Who I Have Always Been—

               I have always loved you, and I always will.

     Get to know My Son better—enjoy the pleasure of His company.

Frail life of clay is a container of boundless power, an interior treasure.

     Your human body is mortal, finite, limited by space and time.

     Yet I choose to make your heart My home.

     I am Light in your darkness—the dark side cannot conquer My love.

     I am Power in your weakness—the evil one cannot vanquish My grace.

     Avoid staggering in dirty places—walk as a child of the Light.

Finish line is the challenge to believing perseverance in intense trial.

     Endurance is underrated—those who finish the race win My smile.

     When perplexed, pray—gaze again at My cross and hang on.

     When tempted by easier roads, refuse to compromise—soldier on.

     Do not let fatigue or criticism force you to resign—re-sign and work on!

     I remember you are weak—remember I am strong, and you will make it.

Forward look is the celebration of beautiful paradise, the infinite triumph.  

     Discouraged? You are headed for a sinless, deathless, painless place.   

     Disappointed by false advertising? Heaven is not too good to be true.

     Disillusioned by fleeting pleasures? Heaven is not too good to last.

     One day, in eternity, you will join saints and angels in celestial hallelujahs.

     Until then—today, in time, praise Me with clay hallelujahs.
 

© Pastor Johnny R. Almond       Day 340, Gentle Whispers from Eternity