What’s Wrong with Our World?

"Refuse to be discouraged by the many signs that planet earth is the insane asylum of the solar system." (Anonymous)

It was calm just before the storm. Shortly after sunrise, December 7, 1941, the peaceful security of a sleepy Sunday morning was shattered as the unwelcome monster of war intruded into tranquil Pearl Harbor. While negotiations were going on with Japanese representatives in Washington, Japanese carrier-based planes swept in without warning over Oahu and attacked the U.S. Pacific fleet. Nineteen naval vessels, including eight battleships, were sunk or severely damaged; 188 U.S. aircraft were destroyed. Military casualties were 2,280 killed and 1,109 wounded; 68 civilians also died. The next day, the United States declared war on Japan.

War is not always between nations. Sometimes it is between our higher and lower natures, and tragically ends in the dark side winning. Sometimes it is between innocent bystanders and thugs, with criminals inciting violence and brutally murdering victims. Sometimes it is between radicalized terrorists and opponents of their fanatically-conceived ideal society, with indiscriminate killing of all who happen to be in their way.

America has a problem with violence. In June, South Carolina church members were killed during a Bible study due to race. New York City has more police officers than many countries have in their standing army; yet over 1,000 a year are gunned down by fellow citizens. News from our nation’s capital is dominated by murder. Violence screams in often-repeated headlines—innocent children at Sandy Hook, innocent movie patrons in Aurora, innocent churchgoers in Charleston, innocent party-goers in San Bernardino.

America has a problem with terrorism. The FBI reports that last Wednesday's slaughter of fourteen innocents in California was an act of terrorism, the first on our soil since 9/11.

We live in a wilderness—a terrifying situation where demons lurk, a territory where chaos and bewilderment reign, “the land of the shadow of death” (Isaiah 9:2).

What’s wrong with our world? The Bible answers—“No one is righteous—not even one. No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. They rush to commit murder. Destruction and misery always follow them. They don’t know where to find peace. They have no fear of God at all”  (Romans 3:10-18 NLT). Albert Camus (Notebooks, 1935-1942) wrote, "We used to wonder where war lived, what it was that made it so vile. And now we realize that we know where it lives, that it is inside ourselves.”  Billy Graham said, "The heart of every problem is the problem of the human heart."

Who will show us the way out of this wilderness to the promised land? President Obama has vowed that America will defeat ISIL, but will military solutions work? Can politicians deliver on their promises to ensure our security? Where is peace to be found?

“A child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice for all eternity.” (Isaiah 9:6-7 NLT).  The Messiah's reign will solve problems that have befuddled politicians, scientists, warriors and philosophers ever since sin polluted the human heart.

The sunrise of the Day of the Lord, when “the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in our hearts” (2 Peter 1:19 NLT), will bring sin's monstrous reign over this troubled world to an end, replacing pandemonium by the peaceful reign of the King of kings. The Messiah will rule forever over a new earth where righteousness is the order of the day. Human solutions have never worked, but heaven's will. A new world's coming -- it will be stormy just before the calm. 

Johnny R. Almond

Interim Pastor, Hull’s Memorial Baptist Church; Fredericksburg, Virginia

Blog http://GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized.com/

“Thanksgiving as founded be th’ Puritans to give thanks f’r bein’ preserved fr’m th’ Indyans, an’ we keep it to give thanks we are presarved fr’m th’ Puritans.” (Finley Peter Dunne, Mr. Dooley’s Opinions, 1901)

“How many observe Christ’s birthday! How few, his precepts! O! ‘tis easier to keep holidays than commandments.” (Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard’s Almanack.)

Preachers who decry the evils of society—particularly criticizing the way many people leave God out of Thanksgiving or commercialize Christmas—are usually branded as killjoys or Scrooges. As a preacher, I’m tempted to jump on the condemnation bandwagon as we begin another annual retail festival. But I’ve decided instead to let someone who is not a preacher address these issues. It was refreshing, and maybe a little surprising, to read Kathleen Parker’s editorial in Sunday’s Washington Post.  

Eloquently diagnosing our culture’s moral decay that surfaces this time of year, she refers to our common vices of greed, intemperance, gluttony, wrath and pride. Bemoaning how consumerism has run amok, she describes Black Friday as “the super-sale day when you’re likely to be trampled to death in a stampede for The Deal.” Then she notes that “consumer-itis seems to become more acute with each passing year. Indulging and gratifying ourselves, we’re no longer subject to traditional inoculations of conscience—shame, embarrassment and fear.”

Parker’s remarks about how we generally celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas are a severe indictment of the anemic American brand of Christianity. I include it here for honest introspection by anyone serious enough about authentic faith to take it to heart—“Our national feast day is a contrivance of mindless gorging, a mere appetizer to the galloping consumption to follow thanks to the greatest marketing scam on Earth. Celebrants seem impervious to irony as they buy massive quantities of stuff to celebrate the birth of a Savior who had and wanted nothing.” 

Her words are as incisive as the Old Testament prophets’ condemnation of societal ills. And they are as forceful as the apostle Paul’s description of the way people will live toward the end of time—in love with themselves and their money, boastful, scoffing at God, ungrateful, considering nothing sacred, out of control, cruel, hateful, reckless, loving pleasure more than God, acting religious, rejecting God’s help (2 Timothy 3:1-5). 

You and I may have already fallen into the Thanksgiving trap of overindulgence, but we don’t have to be duped by the marketing scam Parker mentioned. With heaven’s help, we can celebrate Christmas in a way that honors Christ—giving our Savior our heart, donating generously to His church, taking time to prayerfully meditate on the Messiah’s promised Kingdom, giving thanks for family and friends, and singing for joy as we realize God is on this journey with us through time to eternity.

Johnny R. Almond

Interim Pastor, Hull’s Memorial Baptist Church; Fredericksburg, Virginia

Blog http://GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized.com/

“Nothing in the affairs of men is worth worrying about.” [Plato, Republic] 

“All worry is atheism, because it is a want of trust in God.” [Bishop Fulton Sheen]

“Take plenty of time to count your blessings, but never spend a minute in worry.” [Anonymous]

You’ve probably heard about the office-worker who, when asked why he was tearing up sheets of paper and throwing bits on the floor, replied, “to keep the elephants away.” When the observer said he did not see any elephants, the office-worker replied, “It works, doesn’t it!” It is just as illogical to conclude that worry keeps disasters from happening. Trouble is inevitable, but trembling is optional.

Of course, anyone who pays attention to current events can find multiple reasons for hand-wringing. There are so many hot-spots on the globe it’s a wonder the planet doesn’t go up in smoke. When we think the worst atrocity against the human race has already been committed, demon-possessed terrorists invent a new evil that makes us cringe.

Worry about contingencies changes nothing, and can ruin our health. There’s a better way to live—it’s called worship.

The name of Jesus is the hope of all the world [Matthew 12:21]. Listening to tomorrow’s hopeful melody, he teaches us his faith dance today.   

In a dangerous world, Jesus is our Refuge. Worshiping him, we are courageous. The vocabulary of fear is replaced by faith language in the trusting heart. “The Lord is my light and my salvation—so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.” [Psalm 27:1,3,14 NLT]

In a deceptive world, Jesus is our Redeemer. Worshiping him, we are changed. In many ways, Jesus is the Man nobody knows, as Bruce Barton described in his 1924 book. In some ways, Jesus is the Man who changed the world—as reflected in history, philosophy, art, literature, architecture, government, law, ethics, music and religion. In the most critical way, Jesus is the One who changes us from the inside out as we worship him not just in church on Sundays, but everywhere and always.

In a destabilized world, Jesus is our Rock. Worshiping him, we are calm. “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come. The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble! The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” [Psalm 46:1,2,6,7,10 NLT] There is a literary interlude at the end of Psalm 46, in the word “Selah”—which is beautifully translated in the Amplified Bible as “Pause, and calmly think of that.” With God’s help, we can “keep calm and carry on” whatever happens in this crazy world.

In this worrisome time, believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are blessed as we restate our faith by singing Jean Sibelius’ hymn—“ Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake To guide the future, as He has the past. Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake; All now mysterious shall be bright at last. Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.”

Johnny R. Almond

Interim Pastor, Hull’s Memorial Baptist Church; Fredericksburg, Virginia

Blog http://GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized.com/

“The wise man in the storm prays God, not for safety from danger, but for deliverance from fear.” [Emerson, Journals, 1833]

Can there be any doubt we are living in a dangerous world?

Terrorists have apparently posted videos stating their intention to attack Washington, D.C. Many Americans are beginning to feel uneasy boarding an aircraft, attending a major sporting event, or even gathering with any large group of people. Terror lurks in the shadows.

On October 31^st, a Russian passenger jet traveling from an Egyptian Red Sea resort city to St. Petersburg crashed in a remote area of the Sinai peninsula, killing all 224 aboard. Russia’s Federal Security Service has determined the plane was blown up by a homemade explosive device. This act may have been in retaliation for Russia’s airstrikes in Syria against Islamic State militants.

The news media has almost exclusively focused on last Friday’s Islamic State’s ferocious attacks in Paris that killed at least 129 people and wounded hundreds more. Yesterday President Obama said this act will be met with “intensification” of the U.S.-led fight against the terror group.  

Twenty-four governors, expressing fears about terrorism, in the name of public safety have vowed to do all they can to prevent Syrian refugees from settling in their states.

Many Americans may counter ominous threats of terrorists with “just let them try to hurt us” bravado. Others may try to suppress latent fear through entertainment. But neither pretentious bravery or “head in the sand” diversion will cancel the very real possibility that our enemies may try to kill us and destroy our way of life.

How can we “keep calm and carry on” in such a dangerous world?                                                                                                           

By making God our refuge. Protected from the pope and emperor in Wartburg Castle, Martin Luther read Psalm 46 and was inspired to compose “A Mighty Fortress.” Rereading this psalm in light of current events can rekindle our faith—“God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear. The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble! The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation.”

Reflecting on Luther’s hymn can also reinforce our faith—“A mighty fortress is our God, A bulwark never failing; Our helper He amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing. And tho’ this world with devils filled should threaten to undo us, We will not fear for God hath willed His truth to triumph thro’ us. Let goods and kindred go, This mortal life also—The body they may kill; God’s truth abideth still: His kingdom is forever.”

By remembering the promise of our Savior. “Don’t be afraid of those who threaten you. Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul.” (Matthew 10:28 NLT) Believing in the resurrection of the body enables us to look death in the face and anticipate a life beyond what we experience now.

By resting in Christ’s love. The initial listing in the first-century catalog of fears was death, a feeling repeated in our own time. But in the twenty-first century, as in the first, “nothing—not even death—can separate us from God’s love revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” [Romans 8:38-39].

By relying on Christ’s victory. “Thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ” [1 Corinthians 15:57].

By looking forward to Christ’s Kingdom. Radical Jihadists kill all who oppose their view of the ideal society. Dreaming of the establishment of an Islamic caliphate, they’re willing to die in their holy war. Christ’s subjects pray for all who oppose their belief in God’s promise of heaven on earth. Looking forward by faith to the establishment of his Kingdom, they’re willing to faithfully persevere as soldiers in a holy war in which God fights on their behalf. The night of terror will not last forever—the dawn of peace will come when “the kingdoms of this world become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever” [Revelation 11:15 KJV].

“The spirit God has bestowed on us is not one that shrinks from danger. But He has given us a spirit of power and of love and of calm.” [2 Timothy 1:7, Knox, Amp]

Johnny R. Almond

Interim Pastor, Hull’s Memorial Baptist Church; Fredericksburg, Virginia

Blog http://GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized.com/

“The world is nothing but a reversed Decalogue of the Ten Commandments backwards, a mask and picture of the Devil.” (Martin Luther, Table Talk)

Bringing our will into line with our Father’s enables us to celebrate freedom worlds apart from self-serving society. The Lord promises to reward us if we actually serve Him and not just contemplate it. He gives us his word that He will honor us if we actually follow him and not merely ponder the idea. Jesus went around doing good, but sometimes we just go around. We may feel like a big wheel when we go in circles, but God is more interested in our deeds of Christlike service than dust flying as we check off tasks on our to-do list.

Humbling ourselves in our Redeemer’s presence, we live worlds apart from self-preoccupied culture. Followers of Jesus Christ live in a world of love, distinguished from the hateful world surrounding us ruled by the dark prince. Practicing downward mobility in the shadow of the cross, our true personality is resurrected and God-given abilities planted in our heart and mind come to life.

Transformed by the Holy Spirit, we live worlds apart from worldlings whose behavior militates against the holy lifestyle of God’s higher world. God has a plan for all of creation. He designed orbits for all stars and drew the course of every river’s journey. He also has a blueprint in mind for us. As we prayerfully follow the possibilities God engineers in our life and conscientiously obey His will day by day, He cascades out-of-this-world joy through our inner being.

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:2 NLT)

Johnny R. Almond

Interim Pastor, Hull’s Memorial Baptist Church; Fredericksburg, Virginia

Blog http://GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized.com/

This devotion based on Day 75 of Gentle Whispers from Eternity

“Peace is the temporary beautiful ignorance that war somewhere progresses.” (Edna St. Vincent Millay, untitled poem, 1940).

The USA Today headline today should be shocking, but nothing seems to shock us much anymore. The United States will overhaul its troubled plan for Syrian forces. The Pentagon was given a half-billion dollars to arm and train moderate Syrian rebels fighting ISIS, but to date the plan has yielded only 9 fighters–a far cry from the original goal of 3,000 to be trained by the U.S. this year.

CNN headlines today are no more encouraging–Syria skies a flash point? Did Putin wrongfoot Obama? Christians flee ISIS. ISIS kills Iranian commander. How Syria turned into hell. Six reported killed in Gaza clashes. Deadly shooting at Arizona university. 

Close encounters of the dangerous kind over Syria between American and Russian warplanes, plus the conflicting ideas of President Obama and President Putin are causing some to fear we’re on the verge of another Cold War.

The Nobel Peace Prize Committee confounded expectations today–bypassing Pope Francis and German Chancellor Angela Merkel–and  giving the award to the Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet for its “decisive contribution to the building of a pluralistic democracy in the country in the wake of the Jasmine Revolution of 2011.” The Quartet was formed in the summer of 2013 when the democratization process was in danger of collapsing as a result of political assassinations and widespread social unrest. It established an alternative, peaceful political process at a time when the country was on the brink of civil war. The group was formed as an effort to represent all sectors of society and culture–a labor union, a trade confederation, a human rights organization and a lawyers group working together to establish equal rights for all citizens. Some have complained that the process criminalized poverty and political dissent. Though the work of this group sparked the Arab Spring, extremist groups have wreaked havoc in Tunisia over the last year, so peace there is still illusive.

In our own time, as in every century, the human heart dreams of peace even as the nightmare of war rages around our weeping planet.

“Peace, peace, when there is no peace”  (Jeremiah 6:14 KJV)

“All’s well, they say, all’s well, when in truth all goes amiss.” (Knox)

“The prophets give assurances of peace when all is war.”  (The Living Bible)

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS PEACE?  Not in the world–in Jesus.

“I am leaving you with a gift–peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:27 NLT)

Johnny R. Almond

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

Interim Pastor, Nomini Baptist Church; Montross, Virginia

Blog http://GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized.com/

“I, the Lord, am your God, who brought you from the land of Egypt so you would no longer be slaves. I have lifted the yoke of slavery from your neck so you can walk free with your heads held high.” (Leviticus 26:13 NLT)

“You’re not free until you’ve been made captive by supreme belief.” (Marianne Moore, Collected Poems, 1951)

Believer in Christ—

Keep your chin up in holiness. Look back and walk with determination—resolved never to revert to old patterns. God has forgiven and forgotten your past, so do not bog down in regret. He has removed Egypt’s ball and chain, so do not live with a slave mentality. You are a child of the Light, so do not return to the dungeon. Legalism’s weight is lifted, so soar above self-absorption in grace’s stratosphere.

Keep your chin up in happiness. Look within and walk with delight—rejoicing in God’s Presence. Jesus will control your impulses, share life’s meal with you, and quietly talk to your heart—if you let Him. Do not cringe at threats of hell’s pharaoh—call on your Dear Father. When you walk rough roads, remember they lead to a grand destiny, so say “Alleluia” as you travel.

Keep your chin up in helpfulness. Look around and walk with design—responding to God’s purpose. Live in freedom, not running wild in an attempt to satisfy your corrupt nature, but rather unselfishly ministering to others with the compassion Christ has extended to you.

Keep your chin up in hope. Look up and walk with devotion—remembering God’s pledge to brighten tomorrow. Nations will clash and hearts will fail for fear; but when Christ returns, peace will dawn. Stand tall and lift up your head, marching to heaven’s cadence—paradise is just around the corner.

Keep your chin up in honor. Look ahead and walk with dignity—relying on God’s mercy to see you through the maze. You have exchanged cumbersome guilt for Christ’s light burden of service; you have traded sin’s vexing addiction for Christ’s comfortable yoke. When you take two steps backward in moral defeat, hold God’s hand and He will help you take three steps forward by His grace.

Walk free with your head held high.

Johnny R. Almond

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

[This devotion based on Day 74 of Gentle Whispers]

Interim Pastor, Nomini Baptist Church; Montross, Virginia

Blog http://GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized.com/

“The most powerful force in the world today is neither Communism nor capitalism, neither the H-bomb nor the guided missile—it is man’s eternal desire to be free.” (John F. Kennedy, address, Washington, D.C., July 2, 1957]

“Oh, Lord, I want to be free, want to be free; Rainbow round my shoulder, wings on my feet.” [American Negro Song]

The Holy Spirit Dove rests on the believer’s shoulder, overshadowing angst with confidence.Leaning on Christ, inner tranquility transcends circumstances. Trusting God—Eternal Life, Light beyond light, and Radical Liberty—we are genuinely free and jubilant.

“PROCLAIM LIBERTY THROUGHOUT THE LAND UNTO ALL THE INHABITANTS THEREOF”—engraved on the rim of the American Liberty Bell—speaks of political freedom. There is a far greater freedom. As citizens of the kingdom of heaven, we enjoy more than life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness—we celebrate friendship with our Creator, spiritual spontaneity, and invulnerable joy.

In the Jubilee Year, all debts were canceled. At the cross, Jesus wrote “Paid in full” with his blood on the invoice of our transgressions. No longer enslaved to sin, we are free in the highest sense of the word. Breathing the expansive air of freedom, it would be foolish to return to suffocating haunts of iniquity!

Jubilee Year was a time all slaves were released. In Jesus, we are liberated from sin’s dungeon, healed of spiritual blindness, and relieved of guilt’s oppressive burden. Made right with God by faith, we are at peace because of what Jesus did on our behalf. No wonder we dance for joy!

Christ has rescued us from the world’s awful bondage to sin. If we stay close to our Savior, our heart will learn to sing His melody at all times. Adversity will not depress us; prosperity will not fool us; twists and turns of life’s roller coaster will not throw us. “There is never a day so dreary, there is never a night so long, but  the soul that is trusting Jesus will somewhere find a song.” (Anna B. Russell)

“Proclaim freedom all over the land to everyone who lives in it—a Jubilee for you.” (Leviticus 25:10 THE MESSAGE)

Johnny R. Almond

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

[This devotion based on Day 73 of Gentle Whispers]

Interim Pastor, Nomini Baptist Church; Montross, Virginia

Blog http://GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized.com/

“Where others see but the dawn coming over the hill, I see the soul of God shouting for joy.” (William Blake)

“Joy is the most infallible sign of the presence of God.” (Teilhard de Chardin)

Whatever else we have planned for today, we should remember God made it for rejoicing.

We rejoice today in salvation. Jews celebrated Atonement Day; Christians celebrate God’s forgiveness gift. Trusting our Savior, we re-voice our faith and rejoice.  

We rejoice today in our life mission. Israelites offered their finest in the Firstfruits Feast; we give God our best in response to His unfailing love.

We rejoice today in time. Hebrews celebrated the beginning of their civil new year with the Trumpets Feast; we celebrate the passage of time under God[‘s sovereignty and rejoice in overshadowing Providence.

We rejoice today in changing seasons. The Feast of Weeks celebrated the end of one harvest and the beginning of another; we celebrate thankfully God’s lavish provision for our needs in every season of our life.

We rejoice today in God’s sustaining us through hard times. Israelites celebrated Passover commemorating deliverance from bondage; we celebrate Love’s guidance through life’s maze. Stunning silence after the storm brings ecstasy.

We rejoice today in our family. Jews celebrated the Shelter Feast together in families; we celebrate God’s abundant provision for every member of our family. Hugging spouse and children, we see the sparkle of heaven in their eyes.

We rejoice today in serenity. Israelites celebrated the Sabbath each week; we take a heaven-sent one-day vacation each week and relax.

God is our Joy every day—including this one.

“Celebrate this seven-day festival to the Lord.” (Leviticus 23:39 NLT)

Johnny R. Almond

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

[This devotion based on Day 72 of Gentle Whispers]

Interim Pastor, Nomini Baptist Church; Montross, Virginia

Blog http://GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized.com/

“Refuse to be discouraged by the many signs that planet earth is the insane asylum of the solar system.” (Anonymous)

We are living in a time of the worst refugee crisis since World War II. Syria is in ruins and its people are on the run from a seemingly endless nightmare. Millions are trapped inside Syria in dire condition. Millions of others have overwhelmed neighboring countries—and their numbers and needs grow daily. More than 320,000 people have been killed in the war in Syria, with no resolution in sight. Before the war began in 2011, 23 million people lived in Syria; half of them have been displaced. More than 12 million innocent people are in need of humanitarian assistance. Nearly 6 million of these refugees are children.

Like many Christians, I have been disturbed by the news concerning the continuing refugee crisis spawned by the turmoil in Syria. Frida Ghitis (CNN, September 4^th) described how she felt the world should respond to the Syria crisis. Her compassion is obvious; her challenge to action is stirring.

I believe we should respond to this crisis with compassion. If anyone cares, believers in the God who is love should. Seeing the image of a 3-year-old lying facedown on a beach, dead, after his family attempted to escape the horrors of civil war, touches our heart. Shame on us if we are not moved—apathy is disgraceful.

Yet compassion without action is meaningless. Our heartfelt concern should cause us to respond. Above all, we should pray. Though some consider prayer a waste of time, connecting with the Greatest Power in the universe surely is not a useless exercise.

We need to pray for world leaders—that God would grant them wisdom and courage to act to slow and halt this crisis. Unless world leaders intervene, the situation will worsen with more refugees and greater instability. Ghitis recommends an international gathering of countries—including Germany, the United States, the European Union, Russia, China, and the United Nations—to focus on stopping the killing, helping the refugees, and ending the war. She advocates establishing safe zones inside Syria and ending the regime of Syria’s cruel despot who has rejected peaceful demands for democratic reform.

We need to pray for our President—that he will lead Americans to stop viewing the Syrian civil war as “their problem”. That conflict has not been contained there, but has led to ISIS threatening the security of many nations, including ours.

We need to pray for peace—that warring factions will stop killing each other, and that the Prince of peace will bless world leaders with backbone to respond effectively to “the moral and strategic challenge of our time” (Ghitis).

We need to pray for the refugees—that God will provide them with a safe haven, a home free from fear, a home where there is calm.

We need to do more than pray. UNICEF, Doctors Without Borders, the International Rescue Committee, World Vision, Save the Children, and the UN Refugee Agency provide cash assistance for rent, food, health care, and trauma counseling. By making a donation to these charitable organizations, we “put feet on our prayers” and demonstrate that our compassion is genuine.

“I urge you to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.” (2 Timothy 2:1-3 NLT).

Johnny R. Almond

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

Interim Pastor, Nomini Baptist Church; Montross, Virginia

Blog http://GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized.com/

“There is always a heavy demand for fresh mediocrity. In every generation the least cultivated taste has the largest appetite.” (Thomas Bailey Aldrich, 1903)

“Life’s like a play: it’s not the length, but the excellence of the acting that matters.” (Seneca, Roman philosopher and writer of tragedies, 4 B.C. – A.D. 65)

If we wish to please God, we must give Him only the very best we have to offer. Work done in His Name should be done industriously and carefully. Considering God our Employer, it is imperative that we produce top quality products. Heaven’s extraordinary standard of excellence demands zero defects.

As believers in Christ, we should not even think of offering leftover time, a tarnished mind, a divided heart, or a dissolute body. God would not accept blind, crippled, diseased, or defective animal sacrifices from the Hebrews; and He is not pleased with second-rate offerings from us.

God must be especially unhappy when we promise our finest effort, then live half-heartedly. We go to great pains to impress earthly supervisors; how much more should we conscientiously serve the King of kings! Here is the freewill offering our Master deserves—our heart in prayer, our voice in song, our hands in helpfulness, our feet in energetic enterprise, our mind in sharp thinking, and our spirit in trusting optimism.

When we stand before our King, all we have done for His great cause will be worth it. He will reward us with far more than a paycheck—His smile will light up our face for eternity.

“If you bring a peace offering to the Lord from the herd or flock, whether to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering, you must offer an animal that has no physical defects of any kind.” (Leviticus 22:21 NLT)

Johnny R. Almond

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

[This devotion based on Day 71 of Gentle Whispers]

Interim Pastor, Nomini Baptist Church; Montross, Virginia

Blog http://GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized.com/

“I read my Bible to know what people ought to do, and my newspaper to know what they are doing.” (Cardinal John Henry Newman)

The Washington Post yesterday included an article entitled “A New Testament”, subtitled “Coming to the Mall in 2017: God”—reporting that “the Good Book is coming to town in a big way” in the form of the Museum of the Bible. The proximity of the museum to the Smithsonian and the Capitol has some people wondering how it will fit in among the institutions lining the Mall.

At the center of the Museum of the Bible will be fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls, a Gilgamesh tablet, Elvis Presley’s Bible, and about 850 manuscripts. A third of the material will be related to Judaism and the Old Testament, including torahs that survived the Spanish inquisition and the Nazis. The Israeli Antiquities Authority has agreed to include permanent exhibits of objects from their collection of 2 million artifacts.

Considering that it is backed by the owners of Hobby Lobby, some see it as “an oversize piece of evangelical claptrap.” Museum overseer David Trobisch will try to convince critics that it won’t be an evangelical propaganda machine, saying visitors will be encouraged to engage with the Bible and choose their own interpretation of the Word.

Though Christians love the Bible, we do not worship it. Bibliolatry distorts the heartbeat of Christianity—Jesus Christ, not Scripture, is our Savior. To the Pharisees, who memorized the Old Testament, Jesus addressed these words:  “You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!” [John 5:39 NLT]  Dactylology calls the Bible “The Jesus Book”.

Though believers do not worship the Bible, we submit our lives to its Author. It is clear from a careful reading of the Bible that practical application of its principles to “the common light of day” is imperative. To neglect obedience is hypocrisy—preaching one way, living another. Jesus severely condemned the disconnect between creed and conduct as He observed it in prominent religious leaders [Matthew 23:23-26]. To be a sincere follower of Christ demands that we live by the Book.

The Book from Heaven gives us a map for the maze of down-to-earth living [Psalm 119:105], a source of comfort for the troubled soul [Psalm 94:19], an ethical compass for those who yearn to live purely [Psalm 119:11], and a guarantee of eternal salvation [John 3:16].  

Artifacts showcased in an imposing structure of steel and glass will probably not convince crowds on the Mall of the Bible’s timeless truths. The Spirit of Christ showcased in lives transformed by surrender to His sovereignty have a better chance of doing that.  

“The Bible rose to the place it now occupies because it deserved to rise to that place, and not because God sent anybody with a box of tricks to prove its divine authority.” (Bruce Barton, The Man and The Book Nobody Knows)

“The Bible grows more beautiful, as we grow in our understanding of it.” (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe)

“There is a Book worth all other books which were ever printed.” (Patrick Henry)

“A single line in the Bible has consoled me more than all the books I ever read besides.” (Immanuel Kant)

“Read this book for what on reason you can accept and take the rest on faith, and you will live and die a better man.” (Abraham Lincoln)

“Sin will keep you from this Book. This Book will keep you from sin.” (Dwight L. Moody)

“We search the world for truth; we cull / The good, the pure, the beautiful, / From all old flower fields of the soul; /And, weary seekers of the best, / We come back laden from our quest, / To find that all the sages said / Is in the Book our mothers read.” (John Greenleaf Whittier)

Johnny R. Almond

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

Interim Pastor, Nomini Baptist Church; Montross, Virginia

Blog http://GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized.com/

“Responsibility, n. A detachable burden easily shifted to the shoulders of God, Fate, Fortune, Luck or one’s neighbor. In the days of astrology it was customary to unload it upon a star.” (Ambrose Bierce, The Devil’s Dictionary)

If we want to see the face of God, we are responsible to live a disciplined life. Citizenship in the kingdom of heaven is a privilege with an accompanying duty to sanctify ourselves. Holiness in attitude, vocabulary and behavior is expected of those who profess faith in Christ. High-sounding creeds are hollow if not matched by honesty, compassion for the oppressed, faithfulness to marriage vows, contentment, and self-controlled appetites.

If we want to celebrate God’s presence, we are responsible to live reverently before Him. To enjoy the pleasure of Christ’s company, we must submit to His sovereignty in every dimension of our life. “Fullness of joy” is contingent on our walking “the path of life” He shows us (Psalm 16:11).

If we want to enjoy God’s peace, we are responsible to live in close fellowship with Him. Prayer-walking is a good practice, provided it is a lifestyle and not just an occasional ritual. Pras Michel made this point well—“You cannot pray for an A on a test and study for a B. You cannot pray for a faithful relationship and still live an unfaithful life. You cannot pray for something and act less. Don’t question my God and his abilities when your actions don’t match your prayers.”

“God helps those who help themselves” is not found in the Bible, but there is an element of truth in it. If we want to experience the presence, power, and peace of God, we are responsible to make a conscious effort to meet the conditions He specifies in His Word.

God has given much to us, so He asks a lot of us. One day He will require us to account for how we have handled challenges He sent our way. Amazingly, whatever God requires of us, He enables (Philippians 4:13). Responsibilities will not overwhelm us, if we count on God to overshadow us with response ability to live a faithful life.  

“You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9 NLT)

Johnny R. Almond

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

[This devotion based on Day 70 of Gentle Whispers]

Interim Pastor, Nomini Baptist Church; Montross, Virginia

Blog & book info http://GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized.com/

“We should take care not to make the intellect our god; it has, of course, powerful muscles, but no personality.” (Albert Einstein)

The topic debated all last week in Stockholm was the information paradox of black holes. Black holes are so dense, they seem to swallow anything near them, including stars they’re formed from to begin with. Then, physicists theorize, these black holes give off radiation and degrade over time, slowly disappearing. Here’s the paradox—If a black hole swallows whatever makes a star a star, then disappears, does the information about that star also disappear? Scientists generally have concluded that information isn’t supposed to disappear into thin air; now some researchers, including Stephen Hawking, are thinking this could upset what have come to be viewed as the basic laws of the universe.

After an exhausting week of thinking about this paradox, their brains cramped by the riddle, there was no real consensus. In fact, they were still debating whether the information paradox is really a paradox. Sunday’s Washington Post article was aptly entitled, “Black holes still a mystery after epic meeting of the minds.”

So are we human beings smart or what?! These academic sophisticates could have just as reasonably spent a week debating the paradox of a falling tree with nobody there to hear it—did it make a sound or not?

Surely their mental acumen would have been put to more practical use if they had focused on possible solutions to the humanitarian crisis in Syria where millions have become refugees seeking to avoid the slaughter of a genocidal thug, the ongoing conflict between Israel and surrounding nations, the intractable warfare in Afghanistan and Iraq, or America’s insanely protracted presidential candidate political slugfest.

Christians have often been stereotyped as ignorant. I once heard “fundamentalist” defined as “very little fun, a lot of damn, and no mental.” Those of us who have placed our faith and hope in Jesus Christ would do well to sharpen our minds—we’re not always well informed about current events or smart about how things work. But atheists who believe that the universe began with friction in a vacuum are not very smart either. All of us human beings have a lot to learn, beginning with two basic lessons—1) there is a God and 2) we are not Him.

“As the Scriptures say, ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.’ So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish.” (1 Corinthians 1:19-20 NLT)

Johnny R. Almond

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

Interim Pastor, Nomini Baptist Church; Montross, Virginia

Blog http://GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized.com/

“I finally know what distinguishes man from the other beasts: financial worries.” (Jules Renard, 1887-1910).

“Money is power, freedom, a cushion, the root of all evil.” (Carl Sandburg, 1936)

“Some men worship rank, some worship heroes, some worship power, some worship God; and over these ideals they dispute—but they all worship money.” (Mark Twain, 1935)

The volatility of the world’s stock markets has investors on edge. China has cut interest rates five times since November, trying to boost its sluggish economy; yet yesterday the value of China’s stocks plummeted 8.5%, triggering a wave of major stock market losses worldwide—including the Dow, which fell 3.6%, declining  more than 1,000 points, then finishing with its second drop of more than 500 points in two days.

This morning, investors are breathing a sigh of relief as Wall Street stock futures are again on the rise and European markets are apparently bouncing back.

Some financial analysts view this upheaval as a long-overdue “correction.” But many investors are on the verge of panic. USA Today reports that for several hours last night and this morning, people in China were searching for the term “stock crash” on Chinese search engines. They were informed that “in accordance with the relevant laws, some search results have not been displayed.”

Americans who have been regularly investing in the stock market using “dollar-cost averaging”—investing the same amount each month regardless of how the stock market is doing—view this downdraft as another opportunity to “buy low” in hopes that one day they can “sell high.”

As Christians, this concern over money should cause us to reflect on and resist the captivation of greed. Scripture tells us that greedy people are idolaters—pursuing money in place of God, trying to find satisfaction in wealth (Ephesians 5:5). When Rockefeller was asked, “How much money does it take to make a person happy?”, he responded, “Just a little bit more.” Enough is never enough.

It’s difficult to “lie down in green meadows” and “rest beside peaceful streams” if we’re preoccupied with accumulating more money. It is true that money talks—it says “bye-bye.” And no matter how much we have, we know we can’t take it with us when we die; so why let it consume us while we live. Of course, money is important—we need it to pay our bills. But money is not everything; it’s not even enough—our heart restlessly cries out for more.

Martin J. Nystrom’s song “As the Deer” reminds us that God is the source of contentment—“I want You more than gold or silver, only You can satisfy; You alone are the real joy-giver and the apple of my eye. You alone are my strength and shield, to You alone may my spirit yield. You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship You.”

Jesus had a lot to say about money. If we would be truly rich, we would do well to pay attention to His words.  

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where thieves do not break in and steal. You cannot serve both God and money.” (Matthew 6:19, 20, 24 NLT).

Johnny R. Almond

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

Interim Pastor, Nomini Baptist Church; Montross, Virginia

Blog http://GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized.com/

“The cross is central. It is struck into the middle of the world, into the middle of time, into the middle of destiny. The cross is struck into the heart of God.” (Frederick Norwood)

Centuries of rivers of blood of numberless slaughtered animals never made amends for human sin. The sinless blood of Jesus is the only effective moral cleansing agent. His blood seals the new covenant between God and His children.

Old Testament sacrificial words foreshadow New Testament saving words. The flawless Lamb became the definitive sin offering, bringing us into speaking terms with God. Lovingkindness purchased our freedom from sin, so we could enjoy redemption. Without Christ’s blood, forgiveness would be impossible—so would joy.

At Calvary, God transferred all our sins to the innocent body of Jesus and transferred all His purity to our heart. This seems too good to be true, and it was certainly not a far trade. Nevertheless, Jesus swapped with us. He died in our place, suffering in disgrace so we could sing in His grace. Now we can confidently journey toward heaven—unwaveringly trusting God to brighten the future by keeping His promises.

We can only be made acceptable in the Father’s eyes by trusting in His Son. We can only be at peace with our Creator by relying on what Christ has done on our behalf on the cross. Without a spiritual blood transfusion, we would die in our sins. Forgiveness is God’s gift, not a reward for our virtue. Pardon is not a certificate of achievement for moral accomplishment, so boasting is out of the question.

Mysteriously and miraculously, the blood of Jesus washes away our sins. Heaven help us live like children of the King!

“I have given you the blood so you can make atonement for your sins. It is the blood, representing life, that brings you atonement.” (Leviticus 17:11 NLT)

Johnny R. Almond

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

[This devotion based on Day 67 of Gentle Whispers]

Interim Pastor, Nomini Baptist Church; Montross, Virginia

Blog http://GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized.com/

“The serene, silent beauty of a holy life is the most powerful influence in the world, next to the might of the Spirit of God.” (Blaise Pascal)

God wants to make one thing perfectly clear—you and me! Our Creator commands us to live a radically holy life, morally superior to the unbelieving majority. Our Savior commissioned us to represent Him to the world. We belong to our heavenly Father, and He expects us to behave like it. Light charmed us out of darkness—transformed by His might, we are inspired to make a conscious effort to stay out of dark, dingy places.

Christlikeness is not optional—it is mandatory. If we expect the holy God to walk with us, we must abstain from sin’s filth. Righteousness and wickedness are diametrically opposed. Oil and water do not mix; nor do devotees of Christ and Satan’s fans. It is impossible to wear Jesus’ name and wallow in dirt—the incompatibility of two worlds demands holiness.

An anonymous writer reminds us, “It is a mistake to suppose that God does not want us to be holy until death … God does not want us to be unholy at any time.”

Holiness is not a game—deadly consequences follow unholy living. Sin is candy laced with poison, so downplaying sin’s seriousness flirts with disaster. Our thoughts, actions, and words boomerang sooner or later—with surprising accuracy. Uncleanness kills. Defilement is fatal. Ruin falls on anyone who corrupts God’s dwelling place.

Our character is more significant than our reputation. Our appearance may dazzle some, but it is inconsequential in the long run. Being good in God’s eyes is what matters. He sizes us up by our attitudes, and sees right through our holy façade.

God has made Himself at home in our heart, so we should keep it clean. He demands immaculate purity in all rooms of the palace of our inner being. The Holy Spirit is Resident Land Lord of our life—our personality is sacred space. So we should honor God by the way we use our body, including our sexuality. If we let the Spirit of Holiness control our mind, we can celebrate the victory of virtue.

Here are a few house rules for keeping our heart spiritually clean—watch out for dirt in thought life, refuse to let evil rent a room for the night, wash away lust, vacuum arrogance, mop clean materialism, sweep away slander, and dust deceit.

Christ is our Eternal House Guest—if we clean house often, we can enjoy the pleasure of His company and have greater influence on the world around us.

“You will keep the people of Israel separate from things that defile them, so they will not die as a result of defiling my Tabernacle that is right there among them.” (Leviticus 15:31 NLT)

Johnny R. Almond

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

[This devotion based on Day 66 of Gentle Whispers]

Interim Pastor, Nomini Baptist Church; Montross, Virginia

Blog http://GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized.com/

“True joy is the earnest which we have of heaven, it is the treasure of the soul, and therefore should be laid in a safe place, and nothing in this world is safe to place it in.” (John Donne, Sermons, 1624)

God has given us a recipe for living joyfully. If we ignore heaven’s instructions, we pay an awful price in heartbreak coin. God frowns on haphazard living and smiles on conscientiousness. When we submit to Holy Spirit directions, joy floods our inner being.

Forgiveness precedes joy. A guilty conscience spoils life. Confession and repentance brings pardon, enabling us to get up off the floor and stand tall. Unburdened, we can run with a spring in our step.

Focus is an essential ingredient to experience joy. Without a goal, we are a tumbleweed in capricious winds. Ecstasy unknown on plains of egocentricity is found on heights of dedication. Aimlessness and apathy go together; so do purpose and enthusiasm.

Thankfulness is a third component essential to joy. When we are grumbly hateful, sourness clouds the day; when we are humbly grateful, good attitude brightens the day with sunshine.

Friendship with Jehovah is a fourth element critical to joy. Our eternal Friend sustains us every mile of our odyssey. Aware of His Presence, we can whistle in the dark, and sing through the storms.  “And He walks with me and He talks with Me, and He tells me I am His own; And the joy we share as we tarry there none other has ever known.” (C. Austin Miles)

“Fire blazed forth from the Lord’s presence and consumed the burnt offering and the fire on the altar. When the people saw all this, they shouted with joy and fell face down on the ground.” (Leviticus 9:24 NLT)

Johnny R. Almond

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

[This devotion based on Day 64 of Gentle Whispers]

Interim Pastor, Nomini Baptist Church; Montross, Virginia

Blog http://GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized.com/

“Rest and be thankful.” (Inscription on stone seat in the Scottish Highlands; title of one of Wordsworth’s poems)

“Present your peace offering as a thanksgiving offering.” (Leviticus 7:12)

Faith is the key that started the powerful grace engine in our life. God knows all about our egocentricity, judgmentalism, pessimism, and impatience—yet still loves us unconditionally. With our first toddling step of childlike faith, God made us everlastingly His. Marveling at grace, we will be eternally grateful.

To counteract loneliness, God gives us a home. Husband, wife, son, daughter, mother, father, brother, sister—all are heaven’s idea. Unique personalities enrich life. Celebrating God’s love, we will be more loving.

All around us are reasons for gratitude—creation’s beauty, God’s eternal Word, human voices, delicious food, the wake-up smell of coffee, friendly hugs of love, the Holy Spirit prompting our conscience. Pondering God’s goodness, our heart will sing for joy.

God gives us purpose for living. We are His work of art. Focusing on honoring our Master, we will experience life’s highest significance.

God sets our table with daily bread. He gives us all we need from day to day as we prioritize His kingdom. Realizing heaven’s help, we will bow our head and give thanks.

God gives us forever. The Power that raised Jesus from the grave guarantees our bright destiny. No artist can paint heaven; no composer can write its lovely symphony. God gives us hints of glory—sunrises, flowers, butterflies, and springs. If a dove feather-brushed Earth on round trips to the nearest star until the planet wore away to nothing, eternity would just be dawning—so would our carol of praise.

God engineers circumstances in our best interest. We can count on His Invariable Presence. If we pray about everything, tell our Father what we need, and thank Him for His blessings, peace will flood our mind and heart. “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) is literally, “Come to rest.” Thankful, we can truly rest.

Johnny R. Almond

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

[This devotion based on Day 63 of Gentle Whispers]

                                                   Interim Pastor, Nomini Baptist Church; Montross, Virginia       

“The man who finds his homeland sweet is still a tender beginner; he to whom every soil is as his native one is already strong; but he is perfect to whom the entire world is a foreign place.” (Hugo of St. Victor)

To be civic-minded is good—we naturally love our native land. To be cosmopolitan is better—we should know and care about all nations. To be Christian is best—we’re “citizens of heaven” and “temporary residents and foreigners in this world” (Philippians 3:20; 1 Peter 2:11 NLT).

Everybody else may be worried about earthly things; but we who follow Christ are not like everybody else, so we “let heaven fill our thoughts”  (Colossians 3:2 TLB). We’re different, because our heart is Christ’s throne and heaven is our eternal home.

The idea that Christians can create a permanent home in this world is a mistake. The gospel song gets it right—“This world is not my home, I’m just passing through; my treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue. The angels beckon me to heaven’s open door, and I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.”  (Albert E. Brumley)

At the tomb on Easter morning, the angels asked Mary, “Woman, why are you weeping?” And Jesus asked her the same question. Perhaps it’s still His question for us. Why is there still such anguish in the world? Why are we burdened so, living as though there has been no resurrection? Could it be that we’re so preoccupied with the mundane, that we think infrequently of the Messiah?

We’re wayfaring strangers in this world—listening hopefully for God’s future melody, dancing joyfully here and now by faith. Exactly what that future will look like is mysterious; but we rest assured believing that when Christ appears again, “we will be like him and see him as he is” (1 John 3:2 NLT). “God weeps with us so that we may someday laugh with him.” (Jurgen Moltmann)

At the end of the movie, Patton, the general, having commanded armies winning many battles, reflects inwardly about Roman generals returning from victory—greeted by a great procession lining the streets and cheering, vanquished troops marching in chains, strange animals brought from subjugated lands, musicians and singers celebrating his conquests, his children robed in white riding trace horses, and a slave riding with him in his chariot holding a crown for him and whispering in his ear, ”All glory is fleeting.” And so it is. The one exception is Christ’s glory awaiting us—not too good to last, an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.

“When, by the gift of His infinite grace, I am accorded in heaven a place, Just to be there and to look on His face, Will through the ages be glory for me." (Charles H. Gabriel) “To dwell in that celestial land, where joys immortal flow” (John H. Stockton) will be ecstasy beyond any experience this side of heaven.

Politicians cannot fix social inequities. Philosophers cannot bring peace of mind to troubled souls. Doctors cannot find an antidote to death. Lawyers cannot legislate a preventative to crime. Warriors cannot establish lasting international peace. There’s only one hope for earth’s heartaches—the restoration of paradise by the returning, reigning Lord Jesus Christ. Heaven on earth is more than wishful thinking or a fairy tale—it is the promise of God that ultimately all will be well.

“Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27 NLT)

Johnny R. Almond

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

Interim Pastor, Nomini Baptist Church; Montross, Virginia

Blog http://GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized.com/