A Gentle Whisper -- Listening for the Voice of God Johnny Almond  

At a Standstill?

 

The work on the Temple of God in Jerusalem had stopped, and it remained at a standstill until the second year of the reign of King Darius of Persia.
EZRA 4:24

 

Sometimes it would be appropriate for you to ask yourself thought-provoking questions—You were running a good race, so what interfered with your progress and detoured you from My best? What kinds of influence sidetrack you from persevering in the life mission I have assigned you?

 

Discouraging people can get the best of you, if you neglect to rely on Christ’s dynamic power at work within you. Fear can frustrate your service for Me, if it shuts down your faith. Ridicule and ostracism can paralyze your noble pursuit, if you permit it.

 

You can be certain that resolve to live a pure life will not make you the hit of the world’s party. And it will not get any easier when you redouble your efforts to live a godly life.

 

Human authority can intimidate you, if you do not pay attention to orders from Higher Headquarters.

 

Remember this—at all times, in all situations, it is mandatory that you obey Me!

 

It is okay to rest—it is not okay to resign. It is delightful to pause—it is disgraceful to stop. A Sabbath is wise—a standstill is wicked. Retirement on active duty is a contradiction in terms.

 

Faithfulness is much more critical than talent or skill. A running T-Model goes farther than a parked Cadillac.

 

Keep on keeping on, standing strong in the service of the Victor. Run until the finish line, keeping your eyes on your Savior on the cross. Courageously struggle on, standing tall and true to your convictions.

 

My grace enables you to survive battles with the evil one, stand firm against his strategies, stand your ground against his tricks that would overthrow you, and keep you safe and sound until you join heaven’s victory celebration.

 

Arrayed in heavenly armor, evil will not knock you off your feet. When the smoke of battle clears, you will not be at a standstill—you will be still standing.

 

(c) Johnny R. Almond

Pastor, Hull’s Memorial Baptist Church

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity

Johnny

Johnny R. Almond earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Drew University in Madison, New Jersey and a Diploma in Religious Studies from the University of Cambridge. After pastoring churches for a decade, he served the Air Force as a military chaplain in worldwide assignments. After retiring from the military in 2000, he began serving as pastor in Virginia. He currently serves as pastor of Hull's Memorial Baptist Church in Fredericksburg, Virginia. He and his wife, Beverly, have four sons, three grandsons, and three granddaughters.