Verse of the Day: Ex. 12:3-6, 13, 21-27, 46

• 12:3-6 - The Lamb presented to Israel 4 days before Passover (Mark 11:7-11 )
• 12: 5 - A Lamb without blemish (Hebrews 9:14; 1Peter 1:19)
• 12 : 13 - The blood of the Lamb saves from wrath (Romans 5:8 )
• 12:21-27 - Christ is our Passover  (1Corinthians 5:7 )
• 12:46 - Not a bone of the Lamb to be broken (John 19:31-36)

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Do not neglect to do good and share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God - Hebrews 13:16
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         When the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us:
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
                                       Galatians 5:22-23 NLT

Sacrificial love results when serious disciples set out to walk in My steps.
    A compassionate life toward others is the way Jesus lived on earth.
    Why be content with merely going around? Go around doing good.

Invulnerable joy results when believing souls draw near My heart.
     A cheerful life is the surest sign of My presence with you.
     Why be satisfied with cheap thrills? Celebrate My inexpressible joy.

Incomprehensible peace results when desperate people kneel before Me.
    A calm life is the consequence of letting God do what you cannot.
    Why wring your hands in panic? Fold them in prayer.

Enduring patience results when trusting hearts believe My promises.
     A courteous life keeps your light shining when you have blown a fuse.
     Why rush like it all depends on you? Resign from My job and relax.

Empathetic kindness results from getting in synch with My Spirit.
    A cordial life reflects your humble gratitude for My love for you.
    Why run people down? They have battles to fight, just like you.

Lavish generosity results from sharing My resources with the needy.
     A charitable life is what I expect of all who receive My care.
     Why be stingy? The more you give, the more you are blessed.

Tenacious faithfulness results from focusing on My cross.
     A consistent life is possible if you will rely on My reinforcing grace.
     Why quit? I never give up on you—do not ever give up on Me.

Christlike gentleness results from accepting My invitation.
     A considerate life is the hallmark of those who serve Me.
     Why be harsh with others? I treat you with tenderness, so pass it on.

Supernatural self-control results from yielding to My Holy Spirit.
     A controlled life is only possible if I am in the driver’s seat.
     Why crash and burn? Surrender to My guidance—get safely home.

© Pastor Johnny R. Almond             

Day 343, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

Verse of the Day: Ex. 3:13-15

“And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?

 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.”

• The Great "I AM" (John 4:26; 8:58 )

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Do not neglect to do good and share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God - Hebrews 13:16
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Verse of the Day: Genesis 49:10

"The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be."

• The time of his coming (Luke 2:1-7; Galatians 4:4 )
• The Seed of Judah (Luke 3:33 )
• Called Shiloh or One Sent (John 17:3 )
• Messiah to come before Judah lost identity (John 11:47-52)
• Unto Him shall the obedience of the people be (John 10:16 )

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Do not neglect to do good and share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God - Hebrews 13:16
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              God gave the people all these instructions.
                                  Exodus 20:1 NLT

     Live joyfully by trusting Me. Do not worship in pragmatism’s pantheon, adding Me to your list of material preoccupations. Bowing to earth’s no-gods disappoints. I am the Only Absolutely Reliable Spot in the universe.

     Live wisely by worshiping Me. I brook absolutely no rivals. Allegiance to the
Sovereign God is indivisible. First place belongs only to Me. Keep away from false gods of the heart.

     Live humbly by lovingly speaking My Name. Do not misuse My Name. I am not amused by the flippant phrase “Oh my God.” Irreverent voices thoughtlessly toss My Name around in curse or jest, but I am your God. 

     Live healthfully by recreating your zest for living. Creation took six days, then I rested. So why do you think you do not have time for re-creation? Take a one-day vacation every week. Get out of fast-forward mode—push the pause button. Take a deep breath every Saturday morning, then you can breathe easy all day.    

       Live fully by honoring your parents. Respect your father and mother. 

     Live harmoniously by deleting sarcasm from your vocabulary. Do not kill with angry looks. Do not murder with verbal arrows.    

     Live purely by running from all sexual temptation. Avoid mental adultery. Evil fantasies will weaken your character.   

     Live honorably by refusing to steal. Be honest at all costs. Thievery takes what belongs to another; it also robs you of self-esteem.  

     Live kindly by squelching gossip. Never tell lies. Do not let your tongue idle while your mind is still in neutral. Hearsay always wrecks the neighborhood. 

     Live contentedly by humble gratitude. Learn to be satisfied with what I give you, and be genuinely rich. 

     I have never revised My publication on relationships. I write commandments, not suggestions. Breaking My rules breaks you. Compliance fosters tranquility between us and between you and others.  

     When you cannot seem to get life together, try following My directions.

© by Pastor Johnny R. Almond                     Day 49, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

Verse of the Day: Genesis 28:12, 14

“And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.”

• The Bridge to heaven (John 1:51)
• The Seed of Jacob (Luke 3:34 )

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Do not neglect to do good and share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God - Hebrews 13:16
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Verse of the Day: Genesis 26:2-5

“And the LORD appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of: Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;

And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.”

• The Seed of Isaac promised as the Redeemer (Hebrews 11:18 )

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Do not neglect to do good and share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God - Hebrews 13:16
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                 May God Almighty give you mercy as you go before the man.
                                                 Genesis 43:14 NLT

 
     It is a good thing I have a heart or you would not stand a chance. If I took up arms against your moral insurrection, you would be devastated. If I ripped off your mask of counterfeit integrity, your face would fall. You should be very thankful you do not receive what you deserve. If I corrected you in anger, you would be reduced to nothing. If I dealt with you severely, you’d survive less time than a dandelion in a windstorm. If I shut off mercy, you would be disgraced.

     To your great relief, between My overwhelming holiness and unbending law is a mercy seat. I am the Fountainhead of pity, with sole authority to extend clemency to condemned prisoners. 

     Guilt is a burden you cannot manage on your own. Hide it, and you will drive it deeper into your psyche, to erupt later in embarrassment and shame. I am far easier on you than you are yourself. The way I deal with sin is better than any method you invent. Cover your sin, and I will uncover it to your dismay; uncover it honestly before Me, and I will cover it with the blood of My Son. Jesus is your Merciful High Priest in My Presence, Defense Counsel pleading your case to Me.

     In no situation will I ever destroy you. Your Creator is infinitely compassionate. Listen carefully and you will hear morning echoes of My unfinished symphony of mercy. I cannot bring Myself to punish you for all your mistakes.  I erased your rebellion from My memory as far as east from west—infinitely dividing your iniquity and My perfection.

     I know you are made of dust, not steel. I understand your inability to live sinlessly.  I see you there standing at a distance, not even daring to raise your face to heaven. I hear your heartfelt prayer, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

     Come closer. Confidently approach My throne—it is made of mercy, not marble. Humbly lift your eyes and observe kindness in Mine. Unworthiness makes you tremble at the thought of standing before Me. However, when you enter My Royal Presence, I will order angels to seat you at My banquet table of gracious dining.  The celebration feast will be greater than any you have attended. The wine of joy will flow freely. Do not worry about being included—you are already on My guest list. Relax—you are at My mercy.

                                               © by Pastor Johnny R. Almond                          

 Day 30  Gentle Whispers from Eternity

Verse of the Day: Genesis 22:8,18

“ V.8 And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering. So they went both of them together. v. 18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.”

• The Lamb of God promised (John 1:29 )
• As Isaac's seed, will bless all nations (Galatians 3:16 )

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Do not neglect to do good and share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God - Hebrews 13:16
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Guest Post ~ Three Ways to Seek the Wekfare of Our Cities

By Jim Denison 

Peter called his fellow believers “sojourners and exiles” (1 Peter 2:11). The former describes someone who is a foreigner or stranger; the latter refers to temporary residents. Taken together, they remind us that this world is not our home and that we are only here for a short time.

How are we to live in this foreign land?

The Lord’s letter to his Jewish exiles in Babylon is instructive (Jeremiah 29). It was preserved in Scripture because it has value not just for its original readers twenty-six centuries ago but for all readers across all times and cultures.

It begins: “Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce” (v. 5). This is the opposite of what they might have expected. Rather than finding temporary shelter, they were to construct lasting structures in which to “live” (the Hebrew is literally translated as “sit down and remain”). Creating gardens takes time, but they were not only to plant them but to “eat their produce” in the years to come.

In addition, they were to “take wives and have sons and daughters” to fulfill God’s call that they “multiply there, and do not decrease” (v. 6). Rather than allowing their nation to wither in exile, they were to seek to grow and prosper.

Now comes the most shocking instruction of all: “Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lᴏʀᴅ on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare” (v. 7). “Seek” means to “run diligently after”; the “welfare” of the city refers to its peace, prosperity, health, and success. The exiles were to do all they could to promote the Babylonian city’s welfare and then to “pray to the Lᴏʀᴅ on its behalf” that he might do what they could not.

The reason was simple: “In its welfare you will find your welfare.”

Three ways to “seek the welfare” of our city

One response to the brokenness of our secularized culture is to withdraw into spiritual “huddles” with little concern for those outside our circle. But this ignores our commission to “go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). And it impoverishes us while denying others the good we can offer them in Christ.

What are some biblical ways we can “seek the welfare” of our broken culture?

One: “Show kindness and mercy to one another” (Zechariah 7:9). As the sign-holding man in Jacksonville reminds us, we cannot know the larger impact of a single act of encouragement and affirmation.

Two: “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another” (1 Peter 4:10). John Grove argues persuasively in Public Discourse: “We do not need more self-conscious crusaders for the nation or even for Western Civilization, but instead more priests, teachers, businessmen, artists, writers, and parents who perform their own activities faithfully, serving . . . as ‘leaven for the whole lump.’”

Three: “Bring salvation to the ends of the earth” (Acts 13:47). Paul was “not ashamed of the gospel” because it is “the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). According to Tim Keller, “The gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.”

How to love well

Christians have a unique gift for our culture today: we alone can demonstrate the kindness of Christ by offering our best service to hurting souls while sharing the good news of God’s love. But we cannot love well until we embrace the fact that we are well loved.

To that end, let’s close with this intercession from the Anglican Book of Common Prayer: “Help us so to know you that we may truly love you, and so to love you that was we may fully serve you, whose service is perfect freedom.”

Will you join me in offering these words from your heart to your Father today?

Denison Forum
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214-705-3710

Verse of the Day: Genesis 17:19

 “And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.”

• Seed of Isaac (Gen. 21:12) cf. Romans 9:7

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Do not neglect to do good and share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God - Hebrews 13:16
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The man fell down before the king and begged him,

  “Oh, sir, be patient with me, and I will pay it all.”

        Then the king was filled with pity for him,

         and he released him and forgave his debt.

                           Matthew 18:26-27 NLT

Do you realize how much you owed me—a debt you were unable to pay?

On death row—facing execution, time slipping away—you were hopeless.

Imprisoned in guilt and shame, you could find no exit from your dark cell.

If I had not intervened, you'd have been abandoned to eternal punishment—

     dwelling forever in a place designed for the devil and his angels.

No one else in the universe has the authority to forgive iniquities.

The scepter of righteousness and justice and mercy is in My hand alone.

In your wretchedness, you fell face down before Me and begged for mercy.

You pleaded with Me to be patient with you and give you another chance. 

My heart would not let Me refuse your sincere petition for clemency.

So in pity for your human foibles and in compassion for you, My child,

     I let you go free—totally and absolutely forgiving your transgressions.

My throne is mercy, not marble; otherwise, you'd have been doomed. 

Saving you from the penalty of death and hell, I pardoned your rebellion.

Paying the price of release, I redeemed you from the slave market of sin.

Wiping the slate clean, I erased wrongdoings and gave you a fresh start.

Forgiving and forgetting, I did for you what you could not do for yourself.

Putting a spring in your step and a song in your heart, I gave you new life.

Showering kindness on you, I cleansed all your guilt by My Son’s sacrifice. 

You are forgiven, not because of doing penance on your bloody knees—

     but because of Jesus’ bloody hands and feet, and the spear in his side.

Celebrating My kindness, remember to be kind to everyone around you.

Remembering My pardon, graciously pardon those who hurt you. 

I have completely forgiven you for the awful way you have treated Me,

     so forgive those who mistreat and offend you in some small way. 

Living otherwise calls in question subjection to the King who pardoned you. 

Loved by the King of hearts, have a heart for your heartless critics.

Freely forgiven by the King of love, freely forgive those who wrong you.

Shown mercy by the Monarch you've offended, extend mercy to offenders.  

Having your debt canceled by the King of peace, release those who owe you.

Receiving grace from the King of kings, do not hold a grudge—let it go!

Realizing I never keep track of your sins, do not keep track of others’ attacks.

Rich in liberty and blessings, celebrate My pardon by being quick to pardon. 

 © Pastor Johnny R. Almond                              

Gentle Whispers from Eternity

Verse of the Day: Genesis 14:18

“And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.”

- A priest after the order of Melchizedek ( Hebrews 6:20)

- King of Peace and Righteousness ( Hebrews 7:2 )

- The Last Supper foreshadowed ( Matthew 26:26-29)

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Do not neglect to do good and share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God - Hebrews 13:16

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Verse of the Day: Genesis 9:26-27

And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant. God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.

• The God of Shem will be the Son of Shem (cf. Luke 3:23-36)

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Do not neglect to do good and share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God - Hebrews 13:16
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Verse of the Day: Genesis 3:15

“ And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”

• Seed of a woman (Virgin birth) Cf. Galatians 4:4-5; Matthew 1:18
• He will bruise Satan's head ( cf. Hebrews 2:14, john 3:8)
• Christ's heel would be bruised with nails on the cross ( Matthew 27:35, Luke 24:39-40)

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Do not neglect to do good and share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God - Hebrews 13:16
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Verse of the Day: Ephesians 6:12

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

- The Christian life is a supernatural gift lived out by repentance and faith, as is salvation.

- Believers must remember the spiritual problem is sin, evil, and Satan, not competition from other human beings!

- "In the heavenly places": means the spiritual realm in which believers live here and now, not heaven by and by. (Eph. 1:20; 2:6; 3:10; 6:12) ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….........................

Do not neglect to do good and share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God - Hebrews 13:16

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Verse of the Day: Deuteronomy 28:8

“The Lord shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in that thou settest thine hand unto; and He shall bless thee in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.”

The covenant blessings of Deuteronomy 28 include:

Being the head and not the tail;

Being above only and not beneath;

Lending and not borrowing.

Hearing God’s voice and doing what He says, is an unchanging qualification(s) for the blessings of God.( Exodus 19:5 ; Deuteronomy 28:1-2 ; Deuteronomy 28:15 ;John 10:27 ).

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Do not neglect to do good and share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God - Hebrews 13:16

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Verse of the Day: Psalm 145:8

The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.

• God's feelings toward His people, Israel.  His character does not change ( Mal. 3:6), therefore, these also apply to all faithful followers (2 Cor. 1:3).

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Do not neglect to do good and share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God - Hebrews 13:16
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