Discipleship Network Forum

This precious treasure – light and power that now shine within us – is held in fragile clay jars, in our weak bodies.

Everyone can see that our glorious power is from God and is not our own.

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

2 Corinthians 4:7, 16 NLT

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

Light beyond light is your Center of Gravity.

Here is the Greatest Reality you can ever ponder:

I Will Always Be Who I Have Always Been—I have always loved you, and I always will.

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

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

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

Yet I choose to make your heart My home.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

© 2013 Johnny R. Almond

Pastor, Hull’s Memorial Baptist Church

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

Didn’t get an invitation to Harry and Meghan’s royal wedding? No worries! Another royal wedding is coming soon, and this time you’re definitely invited.

The combined viewership in America and the UK for Harry and Meghan’s big day was nearly 50 million people, which was pretty impressive. But, in contrast, the next royal wedding is sure to be seen by billions.

While much has been made of Meghan Markle’s biracial identity, the upcoming wedding will feature a bride wonderfully composed of “every tribe and language and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9 NIV). Now THAT’S multiethnic! What a spectacle it will be.

Like Meghan, the new bride will be a commoner in comparison to her dazzling Prince. She won’t of noble birth, nor will she be considered wise or influential by human standards (1 Corinthians 1:26-29).

A scandalous royal wedding indeed!

You see, the coming wedding will make no logical sense to any onlooker. The chorus of gossips will disdainfully ask, “What could the Prince possibly see in HER?!”

Yet love is seldom rational. And more than any other wedding in human history, this will most certainly be a wedding characterized by everlasting, unconditional LOVE.

How can I be so certain about the details of this incredible event? Because the press releases have already been issued! Thousands of years ago, there was news of the song that will be sung at this wedding, and even a description of the bride’s stunning attire:

Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear (Revelation 19:6-8 NIV).

Notice that the bride “has made herself ready.” As with any bride, this may take some time! But in the end, we can be confident that she will be a beautiful sight to behold.

When Meghan reached the front of the church, Harry proudly told her, “You look amazing!” Well, the bride in the next wedding will be even more amazing than that. Not even close…

Friend, the invitations have already gone out for the upcoming royal wedding. And you’ve been invited this time!

However, there’s something you need to understand: Nothing you could ever do could make you worthy to attend this astonishing wedding. In fact, access is strictly limited to those who recognize their unworthiness.

But thankfully, it turns out that the handsome Prince first came as a Lamb, shedding His own blood to forgive your unworthiness and purchase your ticket to the wedding.

Here comes the Bride! You better get ready.

For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son,

so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16 NLT

The world is the object of My love.

Looking down from heaven, I dearly prized the people of all nations.

Understanding the hopelessness of the human situation,

     I compassionately and mercifully provided a perfect solution.

Observing sinners scurrying around like cockroaches in dark alleys,

     I sent Holy Light to show them a nobler way to live.

My Son is the offering of My love.

I am Love—I proved it once and for all by sending Jesus to earth

     to make it possible for you to be My friend forever.

I did not dispatch My Son to condemn and pass sentence on you—

     but to forgive you of your transgressions.

The bloody sacrifice on Skull Hill was the highest price He could pay.

He suffered excruciatingly when He took your sins on His shoulders.

Belief is the opportunity of my love.

Relying on Jesus places you in My eternal care.

Believing means more than nodding your head in mental assent—

     it means trusting His words and relying on Him for power to change.

Jesus’ death on the cross is the only remedy for your sin.

Your eternal destiny hinges on what you do with My Son.

Eternal life is the optimism of My love.

Not guilty is the verdict I reach when you kneel in repentance and faith.

Safe and sound is your ensured state when you surrender to Me.

Eternal life is not just living forever—without Me, that would be hell.

Eternal life is a new earthly life in time—

     and a heavenly life without death, sickness, or evil in eternity.

How can you be sure I will honor this insurance policy? You have My Word.

© 2013 Johnny R. Almond

Pastor, Hull’s Memorial Baptist Church

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

A few thoughts from Chuck Proudfit with the Marketplace Minute™ . . .

Does work life sometimes seem like a spiritual maze, where you’re looking for purposeful direction but consistently coming up with blind alleys and dead ends?  This isn’t God’s design – it’s our typical “trial and error” approach to understanding His will.

When we journey with God, we can’t stay where we are.  God always wants to develop us.  He desires a deep relationship with us.  He wants an ongoing dialogue with us about our work life, its ups and downs, and the spiritual purpose behind it.

Psalm 40:8 says that “I desire to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart.”  In other words, living out God’s will for our work is directly connected to internalizing his law.

If we want God to steer our course at work, we need to give him the steering wheel!  We need to focus on God, studying His word, praying and meditating.  It’s never too late to start.

Reflection:

1. In what areas of your work life do you sense a lack of clear or consistent direction?

1. Are you spending time in prayer, scripture, and reflection?  Are you seeking out Christian friends or colleagues for some outside perspective?

Prayer: 

Dear Lord, we live in a world of distraction that often keeps us from our most important relationship – our relationship with You.  Help us to step off the merry-go-round so that we can truly be still, know You in a deeper way, and lean on You for the direction we so desperately need.

At work on Your purposes - Amen

The Marketplace Minute™ is brought to you by At Work on Purpose, a non-profit work life ministry on the web at www.atworkonpurpose.org. 

Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind –

no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building.

Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks and they

started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them.

Acts 2:2-4 THE MESSAGE

Let My Divine Wind blow through your life and cleanse you of iniquity.

     I sweep away moral trash if you turn your heart in My direction.

     I move you toward My will if you turn your heart away from all evil.

     I flood you with light if you firmly refuse to walk in perverse darkness. 

     I purify you if you let My holy hurricane roar through your inner being.

     I burn away undesirable elements if you let Me baptize you with fire.

     I reassure you of My love if you nestle near My heart and detest sin.

     I give you joy too wonderful for words if you trust My omniscient mind.

Let My Vitalizing Breath ignite your passion and set your soul aflame.

     I resurrect you to new life if you desert your egocentric deadness.

     I soak you with My Spirit Rain if you grow tired of emotional drought.

     I help the young envision a brighter future if you believe My promises.

     I help the old dream of a painless, tearless, deathless day if you trust Me.

     I let you find life’s noblest purpose if you serve Me wholeheartedly.

     I enrich your life infinitely more than you could ever ask, wish, or imagine.   

     I embolden you to live courageously if you hold My omnipotent hand.

Let My Holy Spirit change you from the inside out and revolutionize your life.

     I cheer your heart if you become intoxicated with heaven’s sweet wine.

     I lead you to know the truth if you turn a deaf ear to Satan’s propaganda.

     I help you speak My native tongue if you are weary of the Devil’s dialect.

     I teach you to speak beautiful languages if you really want to learn them –

         sacrificial love, not selfish talk;  invulnerable joy, not ungrateful whining;

         calm peace, not restless chatter;  lasting patience, not ignorant criticism;

         kindness, not insensitive small talk;  lavish generosity, not stingy self-talk;

         dutiful loyalty, not dropout talk;  angelic gentleness, not rude sarcasm;

         supernatural self-control, not indulgent devil speak.

     I inspire spontaneous creativity if you do not extinguish My eternal flame.

     I energize you to do what pleases Me if you rely on My unlimited grace.

     I empower you to accomplish all I ask if you trust My almighty power.

     I steady your life as your Center of Gravity if you practice My Presence.

     I grant you the pleasure of my company if you seek My omnipresent Spirit.

© 2013 Johnny R. Almond

Pastor, Hull’s Memorial Baptist Church

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

That night God appeared to Solomon in a dream and said,

“What do you want? Ask and I will give it to you!”

2 Chronicles 1:7 NLT

I am the Omnipresent God. I do not give you an Aladdin’s lamp you can rub to make a genie appear who will grant three selfish wishes. I do something better—I give you My Word lamp to guide on right paths. Far superior to a fairy-tale spirit who does your bidding, I am your Travel Companion on life’s highway who answers your prayers in line with My perfect will.

Wish for serenity in a chaotic world—I will grant it. Yearn for peace in pandemonium—I will bless you with it. Desperately need Me—I will be with you every hour, day and night, around the clock.

I am the Omnipotent God. I am infinite; you are finite. I am immortal; you are mortal. I am almighty; you are frail.

Wish for strength to meet life’s challenges—I will grant it. Plead for power to deal with problems—I will give what you need. Seek wisdom to know how to live—I will bless your mind. Pray for backbone to follow through when I show you the right way—I will fortify your will. Set your heart on soaring above mediocrity, running faster than sin, and walking farther than faintheartedness—I will make it happen.

I am the Omniscient God. Reverence for Me is the first thing you need to learn. Respecting Me is the fundamental principle of faith. Fear of Jehovah is a kindergarten lesson—you will never know anything until you know Me. I am Alpha—the beginning of grace. I am Omega—the end of truth. I am Heaven’s Holy Alphabet of reality from A to Z. Wisdom’s treasures are hidden in Christ—the better acquainted you are with Him, the wiser you will be.

Wish for sagacity to make wise choices morally, physically, relationally, and spiritually—I will grant it. Yearn for perspective on puzzling situations—I will provide behind-the-scenes insight into providence. My power working within you can do infinitely more than you can wish.

Dare to ask for more than skeptics think possible, to hope for more than worldlings think credible, to dream for more than cynics think logical, and to wish for more than atheists and agnostics think attainable. Remember who I am—no fanciful genie, the Faithful God!

Wish on the Bright Morning Star who inspires your long nights, illuminates your confusing mazes, and energizes your weak knees—and everything your heart desires will come to you.

© 2013 Johnny R. Almond

Pastor, Hull’s Memorial Baptist Church

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

Oral Disciple Making:  A Return to First Principles

By Jerry Wiles

When it comes to following and obeying Jesus, it sometimes takes time to clarify exactly what that means.  With 2,000 years of history and church traditions, there is a very real need to rethink, re-evaluate and rediscover the most important thing about what it means to follow Jesus.   In other words, what is the essence of being a disciple of Jesus, and being a disciple maker?

Our very best source for knowing and understanding what it means and how we are to follow Jesus, is Jesus Himself.  When we focus on the clear, plain instructions from Scripture, it can help us simplify what God requires of His people.  It is the life, Spirit and teachings of Jesus that are the foundation of being a disciple and making disciple.  Recognizing that the same Spirit that lived in Jesus then, now live in each of us, as His followers.  He is the master communicator, trainer and disciple maker;  and He lives in us to carry out that purpose. 

Many of the rules, practices and traditions that have accumulated over the centuries have sometime obscured the essences of disciples, disciple making and even the gospel.  Much of the teachings in the modern Western Church (especially over the past 500 years) is somewhat limited in terms of reproducibility to the rest of the world.  This is why the methods of Oral Disciple Making, and the concepts, principles and practices of Orality are so important. 

What we are learning in the Orality Movement, that has emerged over the past 40 years, is the value of getting back the roots – the first principles -- of the Church.  When Jesus gave us His commission to communicate the Gospel to every person, and make disciples of all people groups, that mandate included those who have no written form and those who have no Scripture in their own language.  This is where Oral Disciple Making methods and strategies is so important. 

While I avoid arguing over the difference in the terms discipleship and disciple making, there really is a difference in many cases.  Over the years I have people what they mean by discipleship.  So often the answer relates to some kind of class, a program or curriculum.  When in fact, perhaps the important question is, what did Jesus mean when He said, “Make disciples of all nations (people groups).  What did He mean when He said, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” 

One of the many lessons we are learning from the rapidly reproducing disciple making and church planting movements is the value of simple and reproducible.  Simple does not mean simplistic, but rather what is the essence of the Great Commission, of communicating the Gospel and making disciples from a biblical context?  Actually, in our modern Western, post-reformation church world with many difference denominational traditions, following Jesus has become much more complicated than it was in the Early Church. 

In the Orality Movement that has emerged over the past 40 years, we have had to rethink many of our modern, Western, text-based methods of communication and instruction.  If we are going to be relevant to the unreached people groups, with many of those being in Oral Cultures, it is important to think about how they best learn, communicate and process information.  This is what makes Oral Disciple Making so strategic in terms of completing the Great Commission.  However, with many Oral Preference Learners, even in the so called developed world, we realize the universal applications of Oral methods.   

JERRY WILES
North America Regional Director of International Orality Network

President Emeritus of Living Water International

jerrywiles@water.cc | 281.207.7800 | www.orality.net // www.water.cc/orality 

“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.

But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him” (Luke 10:30-34 NIV).

In our journey of discovering what matters most to God, let’s continue to ponder what He says in 1 Corinthians 13. The second quality identified in 1 Corinthians 13:4 is that a Christian who reflects Christlike love is kind. Think of kindness as “selflessly caring about and helping others.”

The foundation for kindness includes two principles. First, kindness is a choice. A Christian can respond to a situation or person in any of three ways: kindly, unkindly, or absentmindedly. God calls us to the highest of those choices: Be kind.

Second, kindness is an action. In God’s eyes, it is not just the thought that counts; that thought must morph into action.

Christlike kindness comes in many models. For example, a committed Christ-follower is:

• Friendly: Accepting others as they are, welcoming newcomers warmly, listening to others, and protecting others
• Compassionate: Caring for and helping others who are in difficult circumstances
• Generous: Willingly helping others with gifts of time, money, encouragement, or other resources
• Forgiving: (Stay tuned for more on this major act of love in Part 8 of this series.)

In these and other ways, that person reflects to others the lovingkindness that God extends to us day-by-day. The world’s rule may be “Do to others before they do it to you.” But God’s golden rule is “Do to others as you’d like them to do to you” (Matthew 7:12).

In that context, let’s review the ways kindness shows up in Luke 10. The priest bypasses a person in severe need, perhaps having just led in an impressive public sacrifice at the temple. The Levite responds likewise, maybe on his way to taking a break from temple duties for a couple days. God shows no pleasure in either of these two men despite their religious status and ministry at “church.”

In contrast, that humble Samaritan—disrespected by most Jews—responds with Christlike kindness. He was friendly, interrupting his plans to reach out to a stranger. He was compassionate, treating and bandaging the unknown victim’s wounds. He was generous, using his time and resources to (a) remove the wounded one from more danger, (b) find a place for him to recover, and (c) provide for the victim’s needs.

Do you want to honor Him and do what matters most to Him? I do. Let’s befriend another person we’d ordinarily ignore. Let’s be compassionate. Let’s be generous. Let’s forgive. In short, let’s be kind.

This week.

Today.

© 2018 John C Garmo

God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power.

Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the Devil, for God was with him.

Acts 10:38 NLT

Anointed by My Presence, you can conduct heaven’s serious business.

     When your mind and heart are controlled by My Holy Spirit, you can—

          care for people sacrificially, not just look out for your own interests;

          experience invulnerable joy, even in unpleasant circumstances; 

          stay calm under pressure, even if everything nailed down comes loose; 

          know peace you cannot explain, even in the eye of a storm;

          demonstrate kindness to everyone, including those with no time for you;

          be generous-hearted to the needy, giving freely as I have given you;

          stay faithful to My cause, though you may feel like quitting;

          treat others gently, out of gratitude for My gentleness with you;

          demonstrate supernatural self-control, taking the moral high ground.

     Do My business prayerfully.

Activated by My power, you will be up and running in an applied faith life.

     Independently of Me, you are powerless;  leaning on Me, you are powerful.

     My gospel is the greatest force – saving from hell, guaranteeing heaven. 

     My strength is unequaled – enabling you to survive any circumstance. 

     Depend on My unmatched omnipotence and soar higher than mediocrity.

     Trust My incomparable omniscience and run farther than temptation.

     Rely on My unfailing omnipresence and walk farther than faintheartedness.

     Do more than meditate—move;  do more than believe—behave. 

     Do My business practically.

Assisted by My pattern, you can know clearly what I expect of you.

     Jesus did not sit around doing nothing wrong – He went around doing good.

     There is a name for knowing what you ought to do and not doing it – sin.

     My work involves more than going in circles becoming a big wheel.

     If you really love Me, you will unquestioningly obey Me.

     If you sincerely follow Me, you will not stop when the road gets rough. 

     Do more than ask what would Jesus do?  Do it!

     Do My business promptly. 

Awed by My peace, you can stay on an even keel even on troubled seas.

     I am your Center of Gravity – your life’s government is in My hands.

     I am the Wonderful Counselor guiding you through perplexity’s maze.

     I am the Mighty God strengthening you for battles with the evil one.

     I am the Everlasting Father stabilizing you in changing situations.

     I am the Prince of Peace teaching you to how to relax even in chaos.

     Do My business peacefully.

 © 2013 Johnny R. Almond

Pastor, Hull’s Memorial Baptist Church

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

My good friend Ron is at it again. Still agonizing over what went wrong with his marriage, he wants to make sure he doesn’t make the same mistakes if he finds a new wife.

“After all these years, women are still a puzzlement to me,” he told me. “Even if God sent me a great woman to marry, at this point I’m not sure I would even know the necessary ingredients for a happy marriage.”

Ron and I had often lamented that good marriages are in short supply these days. But attempting to give my friend some guidance, I tried to offer some hope by demystifying the subject.

“Have you ever heard of the Marriage Matrix, Ron?” I asked.

“I think I may have seen the movie years ago,” he replied.

“No, Ron, I’m pretty sure there’s never been a movie on this yet,” I laughed.

Sensing a teachable moment for my good friend, I set out to describe the 6 key components of the Marriage Matrix.

“Okay, Ron,” I began, “the starting point is the principle of ONENESS. From the very beginning, God’s plan was to make the man and woman so united that they could be described as truly ‘one.’”

“Not an easy task,” Ron muttered.

“Humanly speaking, it’s an impossible task,” I chuckled. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 says we need God Himself to be the ‘third strand’ that holds our union together.”

“So how’s a guy supposed to figure out whether someone could be a suitable partner?” he asked. “Sometimes I think men and women are fundamentally incompatible!”

“You’ve definitely got a point there, Ron. That’s where the Marriage Matrix comes in. When we recognize the six necessary areas of compatibility for a happy marriage, at least we know what we’re shooting for.”

I proceeded to draw a six-pointed star on the napkin at our table and began to explain what each point represented.

“The first 3 points on the star stand for the 3 fundamental areas of the human design: spirit, soul, and body. Each of these areas is a crucial part of a strong marriage foundation.”

At first Ron thought I was just giving him a bunch of religious platitudes. “That sounds nice, but how does a strong marriage reflect those 3 things?

“Each of us is a spiritual being, Ron, and a healthy marriage acknowledges and cultivates that aspect of each partner. Although it’s not always easy for a couple to pray, study the Bible, and worship together, that spiritual component is important glue in holding the relationship together. That’s why it’s generally true that ‘The couple that prays together, stays together.’”

“Okay, so all I need to do is be more spiritual, and my next marriage is guaranteed to work?” he queried with considerable skepticism.

“No, there are 5 other ingredients, Ron!” I reminded him. “For example, our soul is the area involving our mind, emotions, and personality. In terms of a marriage, it means maintaining a healthy friendship, good lines of communication, and a strong foundation of trust.”

Ron was eager to jump ahead to the next ingredient. “Okay, I think I’m beginning to get it, Jim,” he assured me. “So I guess the ‘body’ part is all about sex?”

“Well, sex is part of it, Ron,” I patiently explained. “But physical touch can involve expressing affection in a wide variety of ways, not necessarily involving intercourse at all.”  

“Spirit, soul, and body…” Ron interrupted. “Those are only 3 areas. I thought you said there are 6.”

“Glad you’ve been paying attention, Ron!” I complimented him. “The first 3 areas are foundational. But the next ingredients are also important, dealing with 3 practical pressure points that undermine many marriages today: finances, fighting, and fun.”

Ron readily acknowledged that financial problems were one of the biggest causes of his marriage breakup. “I was a miser, and my wife was a spendthrift,” he shared. “I was a fan of Dave Ramsey’s philosophy of frugality, but she hated to be confined to any budget. We also disagreed on our charitable giving and the proper amount to spend on vacations. It seems like we could never get on the same page in our handling of money.”

“Ah…conflict!” I observed. “That brings us to the fifth component of a happy marriage: fighting,”

“Don’t you mean that happy couples try to avoid fighting?” he protested.

“No, Ron, you’ve got it wrong,” I challenged him. “A couple that never fights is often in big trouble! Disagreements are an inevitable part of any relationship. So the goal is not to sweep disagreements under the rug, but rather to learn to ‘fight fair’ and come to healthy resolutions of your conflicts.”

My friend suddenly began to realize another destructive aspect of his failed marriage. “I see what you’re saying, Jim. When conflicts arose in my marriage, I tended to clam up, but my wife tended to blow up. Neither of us were very good at talking things through.”

“Well, another important part of ‘fighting fair’ is learning to forgive,” I added. “How did you and your wife do with that?”

“Not very good!” Ron confessed. “I guess we were both pretty stubborn. Sometimes we gave each other a cold shoulder for several weeks after a fight. The sun went down on our anger far too often.”

“Fighting and forgiveness definitely go together, Ron,” I pointed out. “Are you ready now for the sixth and final component of the Marriage Matrix?”

“Sure!” he encouraged me. “This has been pretty interesting. My wife and I clearly violated many of the principles you’re sharing. I just chalked it up to a ‘personality conflict,’ but it was a lot more than that.”  

“Even though friendship, trust, affection, and forgiveness are all important, the final component of the matrix is also crucial to the overall health of the relationship,” I offered. “Yet it’s something many couples – especially Christian couples – easily tend to forget.”

“I think you said the final component is about having ‘fun.’ Tell me what you mean by that.”

“Remember how we said, ‘The couple that prays together, stays together’? I asked. “Well, the other side of the equation is also true: ‘The couple that PLAYS together, usually stays together.’ Having fun and enjoying recreation together is a vital way to bond, and it also helps to replenish our emotional tank.”

“My wife and I had lots of fun and adventure before we got married,” Ron reflected. “But once we had kids and got busy in our careers, the fun was replaced. Instead of enjoying life together, we became more like business partners.”

Before praying together and asking the Lord for His help in all these things, Ron and I took a few minutes to review what we had discussed. I decided to put the 6 attributes of a happy marriage in slightly different terms:

1. Spiritual
2. Social
3. Physical
4. Financial
5. Confrontational
6. Recreational

As I described my discussion with Ron about these 6 principles, what did you learn about the strengths or weaknesses of your own marriage or past marriage? Remember: The oneness God planned for your marriage is a supernatural sort of thing, only fully possible when you die to yourself and seek His help.  

Psalm 127:1 says it well: “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.” Not only is He the architect of happy marriages, but He wants to be the builder as well.

If you believe with all your heart [if you have a conviction, full of joyful trust, that Jesus is the Messiah

and accept Him as the Author of your salvation in the kingdom of God, giving Him your obedience, then] you may.

And he replied, “I do believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

Acts 8:37 THE AMPLIFIED BIBLE

Walk in Jesus’ steps – suffer for His sake.

Want to live like Jesus? Then avoid sin, deception, and retaliation.

He was wounded for your transgressions, suffering for your sake.

The Via Dolorosa was not a cake walk – neither is the life of faith.

Want to follow Me? Then trade your selfish ambition for a cross.

When splinters pierce your shoulder, pray through trouble to My will. 

Obey though it is difficult, and I promise to make Myself real to you. 

Smile through your tears, believing the sun is shining on sorrow’s other side. 

Believe Me – keep running the race until you reach the finish line.

Wait on Jesus’ strength – soar for heaven’s sake.

Do not be like Simon – bitter, captivated by sin, greedy, egotistical.

Turn from all wickedness and turn  to Me – live a liberated life!

Let Me unlock evil’s handcuffs and you will experience ultimate freedom!

Unlike human beings, I do not ever get tired or worn out.

When you are exhausted and feel like quitting, find new strength in Me. 

Let My Spirit Wind enable you to soar above mediocrity.

     Care more than others think wise – have a heart!

     Risk more than others think safe – go out on a limb with Me! 

     Dream more than others think practical – envision what I can do!

     Expect more than others think possible – rest assured of My ability!

Believe Me – keep running the race with grace and dignity.

Worship Jesus your Savior – surrender for your sake.

Trust Me to forgive you – let Me make you right with your Creator. 

Abandon yourself to the Captain of the mighty hosts of heaven,

     yielding your allegiance to the King of kings until He reigns supreme. 

Let Me save you from the penalty of sin – you do not have to go to hell.

Let Me save you from the power of sin – I can break your bad habits. 

Let Me save you from sin’s presence – that will make heaven heaven. 

I can keep you from stumbling in the dark alleys of the sad world,

     and lead you by My Holy Spirit into a joyous light-filled world –

     if you will only let Me. 

Be flexible clay in the Potter’s hand and I will sculpt you into My image.  

Believe Me – keep running the race until you see My face.

© 2013 Johnny R. Almond

Pastor, Hull’s Memorial Baptist Church

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

I lovingly embrace you and faithfully carry you close to My heart. What difference does it really make? All the difference in the world! When you follow Me as your Shepherd, I take good care of you.

Hungry? I alone can satisfy your heart’s deepest hunger. Like a sheep after a satisfying meal, you lie down in a green meadow to take a nap—content.

Falling apart under stress? Take My hand—I will lead you by peaceful streams where you will not be frightened and you can enjoy My poise.

Tottering? Look to Me and find strength for life’s challenges—soar higher than mediocrity, run faster than temptation, walk farther than lethargy. Find renewed energy in the pleasure of My company.

Yearning to be holy? My paths are right and honorable—walk on them and grow in My likeness.

Troubled at the thought of dying? Do not fear—I am with you. I will protect and comfort you as you cross the dark valley to the city of light.

Encircled by foes? Take a seat at My table—enjoy a meal with Me.

Hurting? Divine hospitality cures your headache and heartache.

Unhappy? Look around—then look up and thank Me for the overflowing blessings in your life. I do not just hang one star in the sky—I spangle your nights with countless awesome constellations. I do not plant only a single flower for your viewing enjoyment—I arrange whole fields. I do more than toss you an occasional blessing—blessings cascade from My heart to yours day after day.

Feeling unloved in an uncaring world? Nestle near My heart, and My goodness and unfailing love will warm yours. It can indeed be a cold, cruel world—as I learned firsthand when I visited your tilted planet—but I am the heartwarming God.

Longing for permanence? Heaven on earth will bring you an unchanging address. Better than hope-so, maybe-so, guess-so talk—know-so confidence faces forever with unflinching faith in your Shepherd. I am your Center of Gravity—everything you need in time and in eternity.

Follow Me—I will get you home.

© 2013 Johnny R. Almond

Pastor, Hull’s Memorial Baptist Church

Day 200 Gentle Whispers from Eternity

http://GentleWhispersFromEternity--ScripturePersonalized.com/

A few thoughts from Chuck Proudfit with the Marketplace Minute™ . . .

There have been many times in my work life where everything seemed to be going wrong, and I couldn’t understand God’s purpose in it.  Not only that, the harder I tried to “fix” things, the worse they seemed to get.  Yet, I would look back months or years later, discovering retrospectively that those painful work experiences were actually helpful!

Scripture speaks to this in 2 Corinthians 1:6 . . . “If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.”

My friend, God allows faith experiences in our work lives to grow us spiritually through our work lives.  When you wrestle with the spiritual purpose behind adversity at work, rest assured that God is working all things for the good of those who love Him.

Reflection:

1. Are you at a time in your work life when things just seem to be going wrong?

1. Can you look at your own work history, and see a pattern of God working all things – even the hard things – for good?  Do you have a peace in your heart that God wants the best for you, even when outward appearances suggest otherwise?

Prayer: 

Dear Lord, You have eyes to see far beyond our present circumstances, and wisdom to find the good in even the most difficult of challenges.  Help us to find a measure of Your sight, and a measure of Your wisdom, so that we can better understand and appreciate the many ways that You work for the good of those who love You.

At work on Your purposes - Amen

The Marketplace Minute™ is brought to you by At Work on Purpose, a non-profit work life ministry on the web at www.atworkonpurpose.org.

We’ve recently celebrated Resurrection Sunday, so what do we do now? One of the first things Jesus said to His followers after His resurrection was in the form of a command. He told them to go and tell others what had happened and what they had experienced (Matthew 28:10, 19; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47; John 20:17; Acts 1:8). So now we go and tell, not because of need or desire, but because we were told to do so. When my daughter was a teenager, her room often looked like a straight-line wind had hit it. I could tell her to clean it because in needed cleaning, but that never worked. I could try convincing her to clean her room because I knew she desired to have a clean room. Nothing. But when I said, “Danna Ruth Crawford, clean your room!” The room got cleaned. Same thing with my son. When he was young he begged to mow the yard on the riding mower, but he was to young. A few weeks after he got old enough to mow, he decided he was too old to mow. I could tell him the yard needed mowing, or that he desired to mow and have a nice yard for his dog to live in. Nothing. “James Edwin Crawford, mow the yard!” Worked. Jesus did not say go and tell because the world needed to know, although it did and does, nor did He say to go and tell because we desire to do so. He commanded that resurrection be followed with mission – go and tell. So, who will you tell this week?

Were not our hearts greatly moved and burning within us while He was talking with us on the road

as He opened and explained to us the sense of the Scriptures?

Luke 24:32 THE AMPLIFIED BIBLE

Saddened by emptiness?

Obey Me, and I will make Myself real to you.

Trade a long face for a smile—be a good advertisement for the gospel.

I am your Source of Music—sing out for the entire world to hear.

Entombed by loneliness?

You are never alone—I walk alongside you on every road you travel.

When perplexing cares crowd your heart, I console and cheer you.

I am your Greatest Friend—you have not lost Me, so dance for joy.

Afraid of death?

Hear My reassuring voice and overcome Satan-coaxed anxiety.

Death Valley terror disappears as you realize shadows mean Light.

I am your Life—I will defeat all enemies, so count on ultimate victory.

Losing hope?

Open the eyes of your heart and envision My promised bright future.

Wait patiently for My new world to materialize—be brave-hearted.

I am your Center of Gravity—hide in Me and unflinchingly trust.

Perplexed by despair?

Guilt, death, hopelessness, angst, and gloom burden your heart.

Grace, vitality, hope, faith, mercy, and freedom bless your heart.

I am your Redeemer—hang on for dear life—all is well.

Walk life’s road with Me—and I will change dejection to delight,

skepticism to optimism, despair to hope, restlessness to tranquility,

depression to ecstasy, self-pity to praise, and doubt to worship.

I am your God—rest assured.

© 2013 Pastor Johnny R. Almond

Hull’s Memorial Baptist Church

http://GentleWhispersFromEternity--ScripturePersonalized.com/

Remember, I am with you always, even to the end of the world.

Matthew 28:20 NTME

I was with you yesterday—

In your naiveté, I guided you perfectly.

In your sincerity, I blessed you abundantly.

In your trouble, I sustained you gracefully.

In your rebellion, I convicted you mercifully.

In your doubts, I reassured you tenderly.

In your sickness, I healed you miraculously.

In your worry, I watched over you closely.

I am with you today—

In your sin, I forgive you compassionately.

In your discouragement, I buoy you helpfully.

In your sadness, I cheer you nearly.

In your responsibilities, I empower you supernaturally.

In your frustrations, I calm you peacefully.

In your loneliness, I accompany you lovingly.

I will always be there for you—

When the night depresses, I will be your Bright Morning Star.

When the morning dawns, I will still be with you—faithful as sunrise.

I will never leave you on your own, to your own devices.

I rose from the dead—I can help you with your big and little problems.

I triumphed over the tomb—I can give you victory over bad habits.

Every heartbeat, breath, step, hour, day, season—I will stand by you.

Until the end of the present earth—and beyond—I am by your side.

I am your Travel Guide—follow My directions carefully.

I am your Greatest Friend—enjoy the pleasure of My company.

No force can ever cancel My love for you—I guarantee it.

In sunshine and shadow, pain and pleasure, doubt and confidence—

You can be absolutely sure I am there for you—I promise.

© 2013 Pastor Johnny R. Almond

Day 312 – Gentle Whispers from Eternity

http://GentleWhispersFromEternity--ScripturePersonalized.com/

Have you ever run out of gas? Of course, the smarter thing is to periodically check your gas gauge to see when it’s time to replenish your supply.

But many years ago, I had a car with a defective gas gauge. It was pretty scary to never know how much gas was in my tank.

Lately I’ve been think about why the Law of Replenishment is a vital lesson of the Christian life, keeping us from running out of gas spiritually. This principle is especially crucial for leaders, caregivers, and anyone with an active ministry.

Simply stated, the Law or Replenishment says we must periodically refill our spiritual and emotional tank or risk a meltdown.

One of the most insightful statements in the Bible is found in Acts 20:35: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” However, while that is certainly true, we must be careful about the application. Giving is only a blessing when we truly have something left to give. The Law of Replenishment warns us against the folly of continually giving, without ever taking time to receive a fresh supply from God.

Jesus, the Model

The world has never seen a more giving person than Jesus. Day after day, He preached, counseled, arbitrated debates, and explained Scriptures – not to mention healing the sick, casting out demons, turning water into wine, feeding hungry multitudes, and raising people from the dead.  

Jesus loved people and loved being a giver, but He also understood the Law of Replenishment. The Gospels are full of illustrations of how He made sure to get replenished after a time of stressful ministry. Here’s one example:

At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons…

Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.

And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him. When they found Him, they said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You” (Mark 1:32-37).

This short passage contains three distinct scenes:

1. From sunup to sundown, Jesus was in demand by every sick, depressed, or demonized person who could find Him.
2. Needing to recharge after freely pouring out His life, Jesus went away to a place where He could be by Himself and pray.
3. Soon Simon found the “solitary place” where Jesus was praying, and he cheerfully notified the Lord that everyone was looking for Him – the beginning of another day surrounded by needy people seeking His help!

In addition to modeling the Law of Replenishment in His own life, Jesus taught it to His disciples after they participated in a time of intense ministry:

The apostles returned to Jesus from their ministry tour and told him all they had done and taught. Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat. So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone (Mark 6:30-32 NLT).

Elijah, Learning the Hard Way

Many of us struggle with this lesson of periodically withdrawing from people in order to refill our spiritual and emotional tanks. Like a car seemingly running for a while on gas fumes, we continue on our journey until we’re absolutely empty.

Often I’ve been like the prophet Elijah, who had to learn the Law of Replenishment the hard way. After courageously confronting hundreds of false prophets on Mount Carmel, things took a downward turn when his life was threatened by Queen Jezebel.

Knowing of Elijah’s great boldness in the past, we would have expected him to easily rebuff this threat. But instead of confidently standing up to Jezebel, Elijah fled for his life. Soon he was cowering in a cold, damp cave – depressed, purposeless, and wanting to die!

Fortunately, in his desperation Elijah had found a solitary place. There were no false prophets to challenge. Nor did he have to call down fire from heaven. And the taunts of Queen Jezebel were far away.

So what did Elijah do? First, he slept a lot. Then he ate some food.

Before long, the prophet was once again able to hear God’s “still small voice” (1 Kings 19:12). And after his spiritual juices were replenished, Elijah was able to receive a new commission for the next phase of his life (1 Kings 19:15-21).

The Rhythm of Replenishment

Someday I’ll probably have to write a book on the Law of Replenishment. Why? Because it’s a principle I’ve violated time and again. Trying to be a spiritual Superman, my kryptonite has been a failure to regularly check my gauges and realize I’m running on empty.

I should know better by now! The Bible lists a variety of ways God wants us to fill our tanks. Here are three of the most basic:

• The quiet time principle. Like Jesus illustrated, the best investment you can ever make is to set aside time each day to be still in God’s presence. The amount of time isn’t nearly as important as the consistency of the time.
• The Sabbath principle. God took a day off after He created the world in six days, and He expects us to have a day of rest every week as well.
• The holiday principle. Several times each year, God prescribed that His people celebrate a “feast,” consisting of one or more days in which they were to do no work. Although these days had profound spiritual significance, they also provided a yearly schedule akin to our vacations and holidays.
• The sabbatical principle. Moses and Jesus both went away for 40-day periods to disengage from the humdrum of life and spend time with the Father. Most of us can’t do this each year, but from time to time we need more than a three-day weekend or one-week vacation.

Do you see the beautiful wisdom in this tapestry of rest and renewal God has designed for us? Instead of waiting until our tank is empty and our car is stalled on the side of the road, He prescribes a steady rhythm of replenishment and resupply.

It’s time to get in the rhythm! When you do, the long-term benefits will dramatically change your life. If you don’t…well, remember Elijah’s depressing experience in the cave? You don’t really want to go there.  

Parts 1 and 2, in this series about what matters most to God in a disciple, focused on a very challenging reality: For a person who places their faith in Jesus Christ alone as their Savior from “the wages of sin,” following God means much more than learning about Him and skillfully studying the Bible.

In fact, the disciple who focuses only on growing in knowledge and skill will fail sooner or later. Formula: Knowledge + Skill – Character => Failure.

1 Corinthians 13 identifies what matters most to God: A true follower of God reflects His love as a lifestyle. That love reflects outward in Christlike character. This is the light that Jesus welcomes in Matthew 5:14–16: “You are the light of the world . . . Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

This is also the highest form of worship that a disciple can offer to God. It is the offering of that disciple’s heart and lifestyle to Him. Knowledge + Skill + Character => Worship!

As a light beam refracts when passing through a glass prism, God’s love beams into the heart of a disciple and reflects outward to others in various “colors” that comprise a “spectrum of love.” Those colors are qualities of Christlike character.

Through the pen of Paul in 1 Corinthians 13, God names several specific character qualities included in agape love. Immediately, He gets personal: Love is patient.

“I should be patient with whom?” you may ask. Answer: With others, of course. But—as arrogant as it is to do otherwise—we must also be reverently patient with God. Let’s ponder these briefly.

Godlike patience with others includes, but exceeds, letting another car cut in front of us on the freeway or slowing our walk to fit the pace of an older or younger companion. It means responding mildly, with self-control, when someone challenges our opinions or acts other than the way we prefer. It means we are habitually slow to get angry with someone, or to resent them.

Godlike patience also means that we are slow to punish. If we are in a position requiring us to enforce consequences for someone’s wrong behavior, we discipline ourselves to do that responsibly, not impulsively or angrily. Interestingly, God led Peter to use that same Greek word for “patient” in 2 Peter 3:9 as he describes God’s patience toward us. And aren’t we thankful!

Some tests of our patience may be more severe. What if someone maliciously and intentionally offends us, provokes us, or somehow harms us? Godlike love endures it. Paul shares his pilgrimage and patient endurance in 1 Corinthians 4:11–13.

What’s more, James 1:2–4 challenges us to accept such trials with joy. Wow—we do not see that kind of response in popular movies. Yet Christ Himself is our example (Hebrews 12:1–3). He patiently ran His race. He did not lose heart along the way. He knew the joy that was coming.

Looking upward, we who follow God must be reverent and patient with God. Like Job, we feel frustrated when our prayers are not answered as we wish and when we wish. How ridiculous and rebellious is that attitude toward our almighty, all-knowing, and loving God?! We honor Him when we discipline ourselves to cultivate deferred gratification—wait patiently for His answer.

Do you want to honor Him and do what matters most to Him? I do. Let’s run our race patiently. Let’s not lose heart. Let’s let our light shine even brighter by trusting and resting in Him. His Spirit will then bless us with more of His patience.

Thank you for continuing this journey into what matters most to God about a disciple.

© 2018 John C Garmo

Your eyes will see the king in all his splendor, and you will see a land that stretches into the distance.

You will see Zion as a place of worship and celebration. You will see Jerusalem a city quiet and secure.

Isaiah 33:17, 20 NLT

Earth’s rulers are only human, so moral darkness encircles the globe.

One day you will see the King of kings in His majesty and beauty.

There is Light at the end of the tunnel.

There is a far nobler use of life than pursuing personal ambition.

Egocentricity is a dead-end street; selfishness shrivels the soul.

There is purpose after the death of self-centeredness.

Sin tantalizes, then breaks your heart; pleasures lure, but do not last.

Take the long view—look forward to joys that will last forever.

There is bliss after the end of the world.

Peace and quiet are elusive dreams in your current experience.

One day you will feast your eyes on new Jerusalem—City of Peace.

There is calm after the storm.

Life, you know, is fragile—fearful insecurity defines the human situation.

Death, grief, heartache, and pain will be obsolete in the new world.

There is safety after the termination of crime.

Does it seem to you that some people get away with murder?

Over the horizon, a holy holocaust is starting to blaze up.

There is fairness at the end of the day.

Christ’s glorious kingdom will outshine any empire the world has known.

In fact, the nations will bask in His favor and honor Him above all else.

There is paradise beyond the stars.

Though you do not see your Savior now, you certainly will one day.

No longer harassed by sin and death, you will celebrate eternal victory.

There is a heavenly reward at faith’s finish line.

© 2013 Pastor Johnny R. Almond

Day 271 – Gentle Whispers from Eternity

http://GentleWhispersFromEternity--ScripturePersonalized.com/

Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and prayed,

“Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my family,

that you have brought me this far?”

1 Chronicles 17:16 NLT

Who are you that I, the King of the universe, would notice you? What would motivate the Sovereign of sovereigns to care for your needs and transport you over emotionally rough terrain?

I am totally, eternally, irrevocably responsible for everything. That being true, when do you think I have time to notice your concerns? I direct intergalactic traffic patterns so constellations will not collide in space—why should I be bothered with managing the circumstances of your life? I am Sovereign over eternity—when do I have time to orchestrate time? I effortlessly whispered stars into existence—what are mortals that I should pay you any mind? Why should I care when you are hurting?

Out of the goodness of My heart I extend unmerited favor to you. Your self-identity is intimately tied to My infinite goodness and incontestable greatness; it also is closely connected to My perfect government of the nations and of your personal life.

Supportive love from your family has brought joy to your life. This great blessing is linked to My gift of relationships. Out of the goodness of My heart I solve your problem of loneliness by placing you in a loving family. I am the Giver of life and breath and the Satisfier of the deepest needs of your soul.

Your successful life is not all your doing. I am behind the scenes directing the drama, engineering events to care for you and your family. You could never have made it to this point without Me. True success is due to My grace. Whatever you are now is all because I have poured out My kindness and special favor on you day after day.

My mercy has forgiven and cleansed you, helping you continue. My music has encouraged and cheered you, inspiring you to celebrate. My might has picked you up and carried you, enabling you to carry on. You have come this far by faith. You can step into the future confident I will constantly remain gracious toward you. You can face challenges that come your way in the strength I give you. I hold you in the palm of My omnipotent hand—relax.

Unfailing love cares for you. Infinite mercy protects you from evil. Unchanging faithfulness dawns on your life with every new day.

Check your progress to see how far you have come—then give Me the credit!

© 2013 Johnny R. Almond

Pastor, Hull’s Memorial Baptist Church

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

http://GentleWhispersFromEternity--ScripturePersonalized.com/