Temptations - the Common, and those of Jesus

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, High Temptation

Are we tempted as Jesus was tempted? Do we even understand what that means? When we as Christians look back at the difference between the alluring we faced before we were born again and those temptations that came following our conversion we realize that they are quite different. Our common temptations that occur in every person's life suddenly transformed themselves into temptations of a higher spiritual plane. We move from purely moral temptations to those which can alter our spirits and condemn our very souls.

Temptation and the Truth about God's Role in It

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, God and Temptation

When we pray the Lord's Prayer and say the words "lead us not into temptation", what do we think that means? Do we think we are asking God to keep us from experiencing temptation? Do we understand it to mean that we are asking God Himself not to tempt us? Do we think it literally means that God should not purposely lead us into tempting situations? Or do we feel we are asking God to lead us away from our natural inclination to be tempted by sin?

Fervent Prayer and the Groaning of the Spirit

Richard Forbes
Fervent Prayer, Christian , Daily Devotional

How do you know when you have been praying in fervent prayer? Is it when you end your sentence with Amen, or is it when you unfold your hands, open your eyes, or get up off your knees? Those can all be indications of having prayed, but the real give away regarding fervent prayer is your heart; when the fingers of your soul begrudgingly let go of the hand of God, you return spiritually to your body... and language serves you once more.

Stealing the Glory of God

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, God’s Glory Alone

Do we claim the glory of God for ourselves? Have we done this while doing great things that He has called and gifted us to do? Have we puffed out our chests and swaggered as if they were all about us? We are tempted by our nature as men and women of the world to claim personal responsibility for God's work when it moves through us to be performed in the physical world, but we must defeat that temptation lest we be humbled.

You Are a Piece of Heaven

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Temple Stones

Do you feel particularly unworthy this morning? When you rose did you feel dulled by the world as if you had lost your spiritual sheen? Well, cast that feeling off because you are a living stone... a piece of heaven. When you look into the mirror rejoice and see yourself as a reflection of the Kingdom to come. You are most likely asking yourself if this is true and how you could possibly be a piece of heaven? Well to answer this we must first consider these questions... “Of what is the kingdom of God constructed?” and “what are the building blocks of glory?” The answer to each of these questions is the same… "You are!" So, friends, let’s rejoice!

Falling Down and Speaking to our Donkey

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Hearing God Out

Do we trip over your feet as we begin our walk of faith? Do we have a certain understanding of God's will for our lives only to fall flat on your faces when we try to walk in it? Well, what do you do if that happens? Do we spring at once to our feet again, slowly pull ourselves up, or just lay there and cry? Then again, maybe the Lord makes the road before us straight and removes all the obstacles from our path; perhaps He delights in our way and we do not trip at all.

Small Blessings and the Divine Multiplier

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Small Blessings

Have you always wanted to be the kind of Christian that is a blessing to others? Perhaps you have seen saints serving in your church and wished you could touch the lives of other people in the same way that they do. Well, don't discount yourself because you may be rippling out blessings at a much higher rate than you think, and having an impact that is being felt far beyond the world around you. Your seemingly small and insignificant faith is being felt on the distant shores of heaven itself!

In Our Brokenness Comes the Lord!

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Praying When Broken

How do we pray when we are broken? What do we pray for when we have nothing left, and our life is in total shambles? How do we lift our spirit high enough that we can face God with our desires? We are often embarrassed when we have completely failed in life; we are inclined to cover ourselves in leaves and hide as Adam and Eve did. Is that really what we should do? Is our faith that shallow? Has our God given us up to our despair? No, He comes to us even when our prayer is nothing but a quivering breath. Listen to what He says…

Dominion, Ownership, and Playing with Marbles

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, God’s Freedom

Do we wake up in the morning to a life of freedom, or have we given control of ourselves to something or someone else? Are we independently ruling our lives, or have we given ourselves over to a grand idea or something else such as our family, job, perhaps drugs, or some other thing… how about God? Is being free really a choice we can make, or are we owned, and just being rebellious by considering ourselves free? Let's explore our freedom as it relates to God, Jesus Christ, and faith.

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