As we journey through life, we frequently need forgiveness of sin and relief from guilt--something only God can give.

“The quality of mercy is not strained; It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath.

It is twice blessed -- It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes.”

- Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice

It God did not have a heart, we would not stand a chance.

If He corrected us in anger, we would be reduced to nothing.

If He took up arms against insurrection, we would be devastated.

If He dealt severely, we’d survive less time than dandelions in a windstorm.

To our great relief, between God’s pure holiness and unbending law is a mercy seat.

He is the Fountainhead of pity, with sole authority to extend clemency to condemned prisoners.

Guilt is a burden we cannot manage on our own—thankfully, God is far easier on us than we are on ourselves.

Attempt to cover sin, and He uncovers it to our dismay; uncover it before Him, and He covers it with Jesus’ blood.

Unworthiness makes us tremble at the thought of standing before God—

but freely forgiven by Christ, at His mercy, we can relax.

“May God Almighty give you mercy as you go before the man.”

Genesis 43:14 NLT

                                                                          Johnny R. Almond

Pastor, Colonial Beach Baptist Church, Virginia

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity—Scripture Personalized

[This devotion based on/adapted from Day 30 of Gentle Whispers from Eternity]

GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized  (copy & paste to browser for blog & book info)

Our culture constantly teaches us that self-confidence guarantees success. But Scripture teaches a different lesson.

“There’s one blessing only, the source and cornerstone of beatitude—confidence in self.”

- Seneca

There are two fundamental lessons we need to keep relearning—1) there’s a God; 2) we are not Him.

Eventually, we realize limitations—enigmas we cannot decipher, messages we cannot decode.

Self-confidence inevitably crashes into failure’s brick walls and gets lost in life’s labyrinth.

Survival of the fittest disqualifies us; swagger hurries down dead-end alleys.

Haughtiness paves humiliating roads; ego proves to be insufficient.

A do-it-yourself attitude can never be a substitute for grace.

Blessings cascade in our lives from God the Source.

Jesus Christ is the Cornerstone of beatitude.

The key to the confidence course of life?

Confidence in the trustworthy God.

“’It is beyond my power to do this’” Joseph replied.

‘But God will tell you what it means and will set you at ease.’”

Genesis 41:16

Johnny R. Almond

                Pastor, Colonial Beach Baptist Church, Virginia

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity—Scripture Personalized

GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized  (copy & paste to browser for blog & book info)

[This devotion based on/adapted from Day 29 of Gentle Whispers from Eternity]

Our culture constantly teaches us that self-confidence will guarantee success. Scripture teaches a different lesson. 

“There’s one blessing only, the source and cornerstone of beatitude—confidence in self.”

- Seneca

There are two fundamental lessons we need to keep relearning—1) there’s a God; 2) we are not Him.

Eventually, we realize limitations—enigmas we cannot decipher, messages we cannot decode.

Self-confidence inevitably crashes into failure’s brick walls and gets lost in life’s labyrinth.

Survival of the fittest disqualifies us; swagger hurries down dead-end alleys.

Haughtiness paves humiliating roads; ego proves to be insufficient.

A do-it-yourself attitude can never be a substitute for grace.

Blessings cascade in our lives from God the Source.

Jesus Christ is the Cornerstone of beatitude.

The key to the confidence course of life?

Confidence in the trustworthy God.

“’It is beyond my power to do this’” Joseph replied.

‘But God will tell you what it means and will set you at ease.’”

Genesis 41:16

Johnny R. Almond

                Pastor, Colonial Beach Baptist Church, Virginia

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity—Scripture Personalized

GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized  (copy & paste to browser for blog & book info)

[This devotion based on/adapted from Day 29 of Gentle Whispers from Eternity]

“Cannons and fire-arms are cruel and damnable machines;

I believe them to have been the direct suggestion of the Devil.

If Adam had seen in a vision the horrible instruments his children were to invent,

he would have died of grief.”

- Martin Luther

At times it feels there are hawks everywhere—but a Dove is on the believer’s shoulder.

Benjamin Franklin was certainly right—“there never was a good war or a bad peace.”

Incredibly, this world seems to thrive on war—over 100,000 killed in Syria so far!

Afghanistan and Iraq have been battlegrounds for years, and are not yet quiet.

Millions have died in combat, with “the war to end all wars” not yet fought.

Ukraine trembles in the shadow of her giant threatening neighbor Russia.

Will America’s paratroopers in Poland keep the menacing bear at bay?

“Wars and rumors of wars” (Matthew 24:6) pervade the daily news.  

Peace at last is the promise of Scripture—God speed the day!

“They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks;

nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. ”

Isaiah 2:4 ESV

Johnny R. Almond

                Pastor, Colonial Beach Baptist Church, Virginia

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity—Scripture Personalized

GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized  (copy & paste to browser for blog & book info)

“Cannons and fire-arms are cruel and damnable machines;

I believe them to have been the direct suggestion of the Devil.

If Adam had seen in a vision the horrible instruments his children were to invent,

he would have died of grief.”

- Martin Luther

At times it feels there are hawks everywhere—but a Dove is on the believer’s shoulder.

Benjamin Franklin was certainly right—“there never was a good war or a bad peace.”

Incredibly, this world seems to thrive on war—over 100,000 killed in Syria so far!

Afghanistan and Iraq have been battlegrounds for years, and are not yet quiet.

Millions have died in combat, with “the war to end all wars” not yet fought.

Ukraine trembles in the shadow of her giant threatening neighbor Russia.

Will America’s paratroopers in Poland keep the menacing bear at bay?

“Wars and rumors of wars” (Matthew 24:6) pervade the daily news.  

Peace at last is the promise of Scripture—God speed the day!

“They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks;

nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. ”

Isaiah 2:4 ESV

Johnny R. Almond

                Pastor, Colonial Beach Baptist Church, Virginia

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity—Scripture Personalized

www.GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized.com

Easter is the highest holy day of the Christian faith. The Presence of the living Lord in trusting hearts changes all of life.

“The Easter message tells us that our enemies, sin, the curse and death, are beaten.

Ultimately they can no longer start mischief.

They may still behave as though the game were not decided, the battle not fought;

we must still reckon with them, but fundamentally we must cease to fear them anymore.”

- Karl Barth

The resurrection of Jesus is a fact we could never have imagined, a reality changing our destiny.

His resurrection was not merely the product of hallucinatory desperation or wishful thinking.

The disciples were not convinced by an empty tomb—personal encounter convinced them.

“I have seen the Lord!” canceled their doubt and dispelled their fear—today, it still does.

An empty tomb never proved resurrection; but a heart full of love is strong evidence.

                                                         Because He lives, enemies are beaten, all life changed.

Despair is not the last word—hope indeed springs eternal.

The grave is not a prison—the body will decay, but the soul is free.

Death is not the finale of the symphony of life—eternal life is the encore.

Aging will not have the final say—a glorious body will replace a humiliating one.

Funerals are not a final good-bye to loved ones—hellos will echo in heaven’s reunion.

Rough roads are not permanent–when time’s journey is over, saints will stroll golden streets.

Sin’s nightmare will not last forever—pain and tears will disappear when God’s dream comes true.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!

According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again

to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

1 Peter 1:3 ESV

Johnny R. Almond

                Pastor, Colonial Beach Baptist Church, Virginia

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity—Scripture Personalized

GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized (copy & paste to browser for blog & book info)

Easter is the highest holy day of the Christian faith. All life is transformed by the Presence of our victorious Lord.

“The Easter message tells us that our enemies, sin, the curse and death, are beaten.

Ultimately they can no longer start mischief.

They may still behave as though the game were not decided, the battle not fought;

we must still reckon with them, but fundamentally we must cease to fear them anymore.”

- Karl Barth

The resurrection of Jesus is a fact we could never have imagined, a reality changing our destiny.

His resurrection was not merely the product of hallucinatory desperation or wishful thinking.

The disciples were not convinced by an empty tomb—personal encounter convinced them.

“I have seen the Lord!” canceled their doubt and dispelled their fear—today, it still does.

An empty tomb never proved resurrection; but a heart full of love is strong evidence.

Because He lives, enemies are beaten, all life changed.

Despair is not the last word—hope indeed springs eternal.

The grave is not a prison—the body will decay, but the soul is free.

Death is not the finale of the symphony of life—eternal life is the encore.

Aging will not have the final say—a glorious body will replace a humiliating one.

Funerals are not a final good-bye to loved ones—hellos will echo in heaven’s reunion.

Rough roads are not permanent–when time’s journey is over, saints will stroll golden streets.

Sin’s nightmare will not last forever—pain and tears will disappear when God’s dream comes true.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!

According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again

to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

1 Peter 1:3 ESV

Johnny R. Almond

                Pastor, Colonial Beach Baptist Church, Virginia

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity—Scripture Personalized

GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized (copy & paste to browser for blog & book info)

Holy Week is a good time to reflect on the price our Redeemer paid for our salvation.

“It has been the cross which has revealed to good men that their goodness has not been good enough.”

- Johann Hieronymus Schroeder

Pharaoh’s chief cup-bearer, restored to his former position as Joseph predicted, should have at least said thanks.

However, he promptly forgot all about Joseph, “never giving him another thought”  (Genesis 40:23 NLT)

This Old Testament non-example prompts Christians to remember our Redeemer.

We should remember our Savior with heartfelt gratitude – visualizing the cup of wine symbolizing His blood.

We should remember the Master by the way we humbly serve—joyfully being a cup-bearer for the King.

We should remember Christ in integrity—purifying the cup inside, not just polishing the outside.  

We should remember the Lord in hallelujahs—drinking from a cup filled beyond the brim.

We should remember Jesus by persevering—drinking a bitter cup without complaint.

We should remember Christ in hope—anticipating His toast to life in heaven.

“He took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them, and they all drank from it.

‘This is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice for many.

I tell you the truth, I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new in the Kingdom of God.’”

Mark 14:23-24 NLT

Johnny R. Almond

                Pastor, Colonial Beach Baptist Church, Virginia

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity—Scripture Personalized

www.GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized.com (blog & book info)

[This devotion based on/adapted from Day 28 of Gentle Whispers from Eternity]

Holy Week is a good time to reflect on the price our Redeemer paid for our salvation.

“It has been the cross which has revealed to good men that their goodness has not been good enough.”

- Johann Hieronymus Schroeder

Pharaoh’s chief cup-bearer, restored to his former position as Joseph predicted, should have at least said thanks.

However, he promptly forgot all about Joseph, “never giving him another thought”  (Genesis 40:23 NLT)

This Old Testament non-example prompts Christians to remember our Redeemer.

We should remember our Savior with heartfelt gratitude – visualizing the cup of wine symbolizing His blood.

We should remember the Master by the way we humbly serve—joyfully being a cup-bearer for the King.

We should remember Christ in integrity—purifying the cup inside, not just polishing the outside.  

We should remember the Lord in hallelujahs—drinking from a cup filled beyond the brim.

We should remember Jesus by persevering—drinking a bitter cup without complaint.

We should remember Christ in hope—anticipating His toast to life in heaven.

“He took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them, and they all drank from it.

‘This is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice for many.

I tell you the truth, I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new in the Kingdom of God.’”

Mark 14:23-24 NLT

Johnny R. Almond

                Pastor, Colonial Beach Baptist Church, Virginia

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity—Scripture Personalized

GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized  (copy I& paste to browser for blog & book info)

[This devotion based on/adapted from Day 28 of Gentle Whispers from Eternity]

We often use God as a spare tire, not a steering wheel. There is a better way to live!

“How often we look upon God as our last and feeblest resource!

We go to him because we have nowhere else to go.

And then we learn that the storms of life have driven us,

not upon the rocks, but into the desired haven.”

- George Macdonald

God is our best resource for help—sadly, we frequently seek Him only in an emergency.

Our Heavenly Father, who knows us best, is able, willing, and ready to help us.

Yet often we use Him as a spare tire instead of our steering wheel.

In pain, we pray;  in desperation, we cry out for help.

Ultimately we find God our Greatest Friend.

The Lord was with Joseph in a pit, a prison, and a palace.

When all his brothers deserted him, God stayed.

Serving foreigners, God walked with him.

In prison, God was his Cellmate.

Unfailingly God is with us.

We march in a victory parade as servants of the King of kings.

Hearing His future melody, we whistle a hopeful tune now.

Even at midnight, His Spirit inspires hymns of praise.

In the storms of life we are never left alone.

Unreservedly thank God for God!

“He took Joseph and threw him into the prison, where the king’s prisoners were held.

But the Lord was  with Joseph there, too.”

Genesis 39:20, 21 NLT

Johnny R. Almond

                Pastor, Colonial Beach Baptist Church, Virginia

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity—Scripture Personalized

GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized  (copy and paste to browser)

[This devotion based on/adapted from Day 27 of Gentle Whispers from Eternity]

“How often we look upon God as our last and feeblest resource!

We go to him because we have nowhere else to go.

And then we learn that the storms of life have driven us,

not upon the rocks, but into the desired haven.”

- George Macdonald

God is our best resource for help—sadly, we frequently seek Him only in an emergency.

Our Heavenly Father, who knows us best, is able, willing, and ready to help us.

Yet often we use Him as a spare tire instead of our steering wheel.

In pain, we pray;  in desperation, we cry out for help.

Ultimately we find God our Greatest Friend.

The Lord was with Joseph in a pit, a prison, and a palace.

When all his brothers deserted him, God stayed.

Serving foreigners, God walked with him.

In prison, God was his Cellmate.

Unfailingly God is with us.

We march in a victory parade as servants of the King of kings.

Hearing His future melody, we whistle a hopeful tune now.

Even at midnight, His Spirit inspires hymns of praise.

In the storms of life we are never left alone.

Unreservedly thank God for God!

“He took Joseph and threw him into the prison, where the king’s prisoners were held.

But the Lord was  with Joseph there, too.”

Genesis 39:20, 21 NLT

Johnny R. Almond

                Pastor, Colonial Beach Baptist Church, Virginia

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity—Scripture Personalized

GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized  (copy and paste to browser)

[This devotion based on/adapted from Day 27 of Gentle Whispers from Eternity]

Life is good because God is good.

“No man is in true health who cannot stand in the free air of heaven, with his feet on God’s free turf,

and thank his Creator for the simple luxury of physical existence.”

- T. W. Higginson (1823-1911) American clergyman and writer

God embroiders elaborate rainbow-hued relationships.

He orchestrates events for your benefit in kaleidoscopic patterns.

Your robe is not just one color—variegated threads make life anything but drab.

God conducts the full orchestra of His instruments—time, place, people, circumstances—

drowning out monotony’s sour note of pessimism and playing His never-ending love symphony.

Thank God for the privilege of physical life – every breath and heartbeat is His gift.

Thank God for the pleasure of abundant life – He does not orphan you in the storms of life.

Thank God for the promise of eternal life – you will live with Him in a tearless, deathless, painless place.

Wrapped around your vision field is a full-color spectrum—

an azure sky of hope, green grass of life, purple violets of royalty,

red roses of pardon, snow-white lilies of purity, golden sunsets of triumph.

Proudly wear your richly ornamented coat every day until the Lord Jesus Christ

drapes an immaculate heavenly robe fashioned for you around your redeemed shoulders.

“Jacob loved Joseph, so he gave Joseph a special gift—a beautiful robe—a coat of many colours.”

(Genesis 37:3 NLT, KJV)

Johnny R. Almond

                Pastor, Colonial Beach Baptist Church, Virginia

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity—Scripture Personalized

GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized  (copy and paste to browser)

[This devotion based on/adapted from Day 26 of Gentle Whispers from Eternity]

Life is good because God is good.

“No man is in true health who cannot stand in the free air of heaven, with his feet on God’s free turf,

and thank his Creator for the simple luxury of physical existence.”

- T. W. Higginson (1823-1911) American clergyman and writer

God embroiders elaborate rainbow-hued relationships.

He orchestrates events for your benefit in kaleidoscopic patterns.

Your robe is not just one color—variegated threads make life anything but drab.

God conducts the full orchestra of His instruments—time, place, people, circumstances—

drowning out monotony’s sour note of pessimism and playing His never-ending love symphony.

Thank God for the privilege of physical life – every breath and heartbeat is His gift.

Thank God for the pleasure of abundant life – He does not orphan you in the storms of life.

Thank God for the promise of eternal life – you will live with Him in a tearless, deathless, painless place.

Wrapped around your vision field is a full-color spectrum—

an azure sky of hope, green grass of life, purple violets of royalty,

red roses of pardon, snow-white lilies of purity, golden sunsets of triumph.

Proudly wear your richly ornamented coat every day until the Lord Jesus Christ

drapes an immaculate heavenly robe fashioned for you around your redeemed shoulders.

“Jacob loved Joseph, so he gave Joseph a special gift—a beautiful robe—a coat of many colours.”

(Genesis 37:3 NLT, KJV)

Johnny R. Almond

                Pastor, Colonial Beach Baptist Church, Virginia

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity—Scripture Personalized

GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized  (copy and paste to browser)

[This devotion based on/adapted from Day 26 of Gentle Whispers from Eternity]

Scientists are still spending millions attempting to discover the origin of the universe. Is the Bible too simple for sophisticated minds?

“No philosophical theory which I have yet come across is a radical improvement

on the words of Genesis, that ‘in the beginning God made Heaven and Earth.’”

- C. S. Lewis

A recent sighting by BICEP2 [Background Imaging of Cosmic Extragalactic Polarization 2]

detected a distortion in microwave radiation which seemingly pervades all the cosmos.

Some scientists believe this single observation conclusively proves three theories—

1) a Big Bang and an inflationary universe produced a series of gravitational waves;

2) this happened in the first billionth of a trillionth of a quadrillionth of a second;

3) these faster-than-the-speed-of light events occurred 13.8 billion years ago.

It’s amazing what one observation at the South Pole has led scientists to believe!

Anyone who challenges their conclusions is considered uneducated or ignorant.

But are you and I so naïve we swallow such inferences deduced from “facts”?

What proof exists for such fantastic theories hypothesized by the scientists?

Who of these sophisticated scholars was there when the cosmos began?

All this reminds me of the atheist Ph.D. candidate who actually told me,

“In the beginning” (that sounded familiar) “there was a total vacuum.”

When asked, “then how did everything begin?”, he said “friction!”

Faith in the First Cause trumps such empty-headed foolishness.

“By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command,

that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.”

Hebrews 11:2 NLT

 Almond

         Pastor, Colonial Beach Baptist Church, Virginia

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity—Scripture Personalized

Author’s blog at www.GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized.com

Scientists are still spending millions trying to discover the origin of the universe. Is the Bible too simple for sophisticated minds?

“No philosophical theory which I have yet come across is a radical improvement on the words of Genesis, that ‘in the beginning God made Heaven and Earth.’” (C. S. Lewis)

A recent sighting by BICEP2 [Background Imaging of Cosmic Extragalactic Polarization 2] detected a distortion in microwave radiation which seemingly pervades all the cosmos. Some scientists believe this single observation conclusively proves three theories— 1) a Big Bang and an inflationary universe produced a series of gravitational waves; 2) this happened in the first billionth of a trillionth of a quadrillionth of a second; 3) these faster-than-the-speed-of light events occurred 13.8 billion years ago.

It’s amazing what one observation at the South Pole has led scientists to believe! Anyone who challenges their conclusions is considered uneducated or ignorant. But are you and I so naïve we swallow such inferences deduced from “facts”? What proof exists for such fantastic theories hypothesized by the scientists? Who of these sophisticated scholars was there when the cosmos began?

All this reminds me of the atheist Ph.D. candidate who actually told me, “In the beginning” (that sounded familiar) “there was a total vacuum.” When asked, “then how did everything begin?”, he said “friction!” Faith in the First Cause trumps such empty-headed foolishness.

“By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.”  (Hebrews 11:2 NLT)

Johnny R. Almond
Pastor, Colonial Beach Baptist Church, Virginia
Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity - Scripture Personalized
Read author’s blog at www.GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized.com

Taking a do-it-yourself approach to life? Or  trusting the Master?

“It is for men to choose whether they will govern themselves or be governed.”

- Henry Ward Beecher, Proverbs from Plymouth Pulpit (1887)

Who would you say is in charge of your life?

Whoever controls your heart controls everything.

All facets of your personality are dominated by your will. 

If you live by self-rule, anarchy will confuse you and misguide you.

If you live by majority-rule opinion polls, you’ll find the crowd is wrong.

The only perfect government in the world is the monarchy of the King of hearts.

Jesus reigns as Emperor of the soul, annexing His subjects to His out-of-this-world empire.

One day an angel will incarcerate hell’s despot-dragon, and paradise will dawn over new Jerusalem.

Until that golden day, storms hide stars, making it hard to find your bearings; high seas may disorient you.

Do not merely use Christ as a figurehead on the bow—

surrender the ship’s wheel to the Captain and He will make sense of it all.

“These are the kings who reigned in Edom before an Israelite king reigned over them.”

Genesis 36:31 NLT

Johnny R. Almond

                Pastor, Colonial Beach Baptist Church, Virginia

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity—Scripture Personalized

Available on-line; author’s blog www.GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized.com

Are you taking a do-it-yourself approach, or trusting the Master?

“It is for men to choose whether they will govern themselves or be governed.”

- Henry Ward Beecher, Proverbs from Plymouth Pulpit (1887)

Who would you say is in charge of your life?

Whoever controls your heart controls everything.

All facets of your personality are dominated by your will. 

If you live by self-rule, anarchy will confuse you and misguide you.

If you live by majority-rule opinion polls, you’ll find the crowd is wrong.

The only perfect government in the world is the monarchy of the King of hearts.

Jesus reigns as Emperor of the soul, annexing His subjects to His out-of-this-world empire.

One day an angel will incarcerate hell’s despot-dragon, and paradise will dawn over new Jerusalem.

Until the golden day, storms hide stars, making it hard to find your bearings; high seas may disorient you.

Do not merely use Christ as a figurehead on the bow—

surrender the ship’s wheel to the Captain and He will make sense of it all.

“These are the kings who reigned in Edom before an Israelite king reigned over them.”

Genesis 36:31 NLT

Johnny R. Almond

                Pastor, Colonial Beach Baptist Church, Virginia

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity—Scripture Personalized

Available on-line; author’s blog www.GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized.com

[This devotion based on/adapted from Day 25 of Gentle Whispers from Eternity]

“The difference between duty and love is that the first represents Sinai and the second Calvary.”

- Richard Braunstein

Washed in the blood of the Lamb, the believer discards worldly garments and dons a heavenly wardrobe.

The old evil nature is exchanged for brand new clothes with the Lord Jesus Christ’s designer label—

tenderheartedness instead of steel-cold armor, humility rather than street-smart arrogance.

Slipping an engagement ring on our finger, we prove fidelity to the Lover of our soul.

Love is not the hottest fad with the people who are all wrapped up in themselves,

but it is high fashion and a stylish outfit for people suited up for worship.

Love is the most critical apparel, to be worn on every occasion.

Love for Christ is our response to a clear vision of Calvary.

Love for others is our response to Christ’s love for us.

Loving God and others is not a duty, but a delight.

Sinai points out our sin—Skull Hill our Savior.

Christ's love is the way to the truth of life.

“God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.”

1 John 4:16 NLT

Johnny R. Almond

Pastor, Colonial Beach Baptist Church, Virginia

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity—Scripture Personalized

Book available through local bookseller or preferred on-line retailer.

Author’s blog www.GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized.com

[This devotion was based on/adapted from Day 24 of Gentle Whispers from Eternity]

Our life is Christians is a response to the love of our Savior. Read "Responding to Christ's love" on my blog at www.GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized.com

Johnny R. Almond
Pastor, Colonial Beach Baptist Church, Virginia
Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity—Scripture Personalized
Book available through local bookseller or preferred on-line retailer.
[This devotion was based on/adapted from Day 24 of Gentle Whispers from Eternity]

What are you afraid of? Faith the future and find peace of mind.

“As a rule, what is out of sight disturbs men’s minds more seriously than what they see.”

- Julius Caesar

Scared of the dark? There is Light at the end of the alley.

Wringing your hands over tomorrow? Take hold of God’s hand.

Dragging your feet? Let God’s strong love put a spring in your step.

Trying to pray your way out of trouble? Pray God’s way through trouble.

                   Thunderstorms obscure stars. Clouds camouflage blue sky. Valleys threaten peace.

Believer, take heart—the Lord Jesus Christ walks beside you through the shadow lands.

There is a far better way to face forward than “perhaps”—faith language that says “will.”

From where you sit, it seems most everything is dark—heaven’s viewpoint sees the silver lining.

The other side of death is life. The other side of worry is worship. The other side of despair is solace.

The other side of the discord of earth is the symphony of paradise. The other side of fear is blessed relief.

"What a relief to see your friendly smile. It is like seeing the smile of God!"

Genesis 33:10 NLT

Johnny R. Almond

Pastor, Colonial Beach Baptist Church, Virginia

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity—Scripture Personalized

Book available through local bookseller or preferred on-line retailer.

Author’s blog www.GentleWhispersFromEternity-ScripturePersonalized.com

[This devotion was based on/adapted from Day 23 of Gentle Whispers from Eternity]