Lord, Am I who I think I am?

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotional, Joy in Suffering

How does hardship affect us, and specifically, how do we react to illness or calamity that threatens to end our lives? Do we remain steadfast in our faith, or do we give up on God and believe only in our own demise? Suffering, and facing imminent death, can lay waste to the importance of all the things of a life that once seemed so valuable to us, and it can whittle us down to just those few things and beliefs that are central to our core selves... so what is that for us? Have we taken the time to define them for ourselves? Do we really want to know before we actually face them?

Jesus, Language, and a New Song

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotional, One in Christ

I am writing to you today in the English language, but what is your native tongue? From what country, race, or people do you hail? There are those of us from so many different nationalities who will read this devotional today, and long into the future; this is truly a missionary outreach to all the world. As Christians we know no borders, and there is no limiting language. The blood of Jesus Christ has made us one, and brought us together by that common calling of which Revelation speaks... we have been adopted into the people and priesthood of one Holy Kingdom!

Into the Heart of a Child flows the Wisdom of the Father

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotional, Childlike Faith

Is studying the Bible and theology something that you do so that you can mine the truth from it? Do you read in order to gain an understanding of God’s embedded mysteries? Are you seeking the title of “Bible Scholar?” If this is you let me encourage you to continue your studies, but remember to approach them in childlike fashion. Bring the heart and wonder of a child into the effort. Because God reveals his hidden wisdom to the children of faith... the childlike.

Sunshine, Rain, and our Storehouses of Faith

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotional, Hard Lives and Faith

Do you complain to God during the times of hardship in your life, or cry out in anguish to Him in the times of pain and suffering as if they were meant to punish you? Perhaps we need to take a lesson from the unattended fruit bearing trees and vines that grow gangly without pruning, and don’t produce fruit in either quality or quantity. We are very similar to those trees… The times when God prunes us, and that we find the hardest, are those that benefit us the most.

Waiting on God, and the Good Fruit of Trust

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotional, Waiting on God

Have you been waiting patiently on the Lord? If you say yes, then let me ask this: have you done so without muttering and showing discontent? It is one thing to wait patiently and in great expectation on God, but it is quite a different thing to wait because that is your only recourse... and you do so with discontent, or complaints on your lips. Scripture tells us that waiting brings honor to the Father, and a new song to us.

By His Stripes we are healed

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotional, Healing

The act of Jesus healing and casting out demons is scripturally a rather mysterious process for us, but there are clues put forth in Matthew and Isaiah that give us some insight into it. It is not mysterious as to whether it actually occurred or not, but rather, in how it was accomplished. When we have a child that is ill we often pray that if it were possible that God would allow us to become sick in place of our ailing child. Did you know that in praying this way you are praying with scriptural backing... that you are asking (perhaps unknowingly) to be granted the power to heal as Jesus did?

Peeling away the Actions to Reveal the Love

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotional, Creed

We consider ourselves Christian when we accept the fact that Jesus, who was born of the Virgin Mary and is the Son of God, lived, suffered, was crucified, died, was buried, descended into hell, rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven. These are the tenets of the Apostles Creed, and define the basics of what we believe, but are only the beginning of a very robust faith. The goal of our faith is to teach us to love as God and Jesus do. So, I ask today... do we love Jesus as much as He loves us? Have we given our life lovingly just as He gave His?

Praying Alone is Magnificent, but together Divine

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotional, Praying Together

One of the great benefits of church is being together before God with those who seek salvation just as we do, but another powerful attribute is the strength that comes from joint prayer. I am not talking about the recitation of a common prayer, although that is powerful as well, but I am speaking of two or more believers praying in their own thoughts and words for the same thing. If you have ever recited the Lord’s Prayer then you have participated in common prayer, but what about joint prayer with another believer? Have you ever prayed separately, together, for the same cause?

Are You Lost? Are You Suffering? Come out of the Wilderness!

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotional, Child of God

Have you been prepared to become a son or daughter of God? By that I mean, has God brought you to the place where you can see that the world (although filled with great beauty) doesn’t hold a candle to what awaits you with Him in Heaven? Are you ready to become His child? God gave Israel into the hands of Egypt for 430 years so that they might become receptive to Him. Then following His rescue, He led them for another 40 years through the desert before they were truly prepared and redeemed. Have you been redeemed? Are you ready to come out of the wilderness you find yourself in?

Daily Reminders, and our Selective Memory of Jesus

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotional, Remembrances of Jesus

How is your memory these days; specifically, how is your memory regarding Jesus Christ? Do you need to be reminded to think of Him as you go about your day, or is He at the forefront of your thoughts always?  Well, before you answer my question think long and hard. Our memories may not totally fail us, but there are so many times when they momentarily lapse, or perhaps we put things out of our minds… even God, Jesus, and our faith.

Swirls in the expanse of Faith, and Secret Benefactors in our Lives

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotional, Holy Spirit

You believe in God the Father, and have accepted His Son Jesus Christ as your Redeemer, and Savior, but have you come to the realization that there is another who now dwells within you? Deep inside, you have become the abode of the Holy Spirit. Perhaps you haven’t acknowledged His presence... but He is there and even though He often helps you secretly, He wants to know you in an amazing way.

Jesus, The Vessel into which all Sin is poured

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotional, Diversity in Faith, Jesus the Intercessor

When we look around the world today we see such an overwhelming mess; killing, hatred, carnal sins of every description... the list seems to have no end, and its depth bottomless. Becoming overwhelmed by Satan’s handiwork is easy, and letting it make us despondent or allowing ourselves to be caught up in it can be equally easy. Is this world’s fallen state too big for God’s love and forgiveness? Is what we see too much for Jesus to carry within Him to the cross? Let’s delve into this today.

Come out of the Cave Elijah!

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotional, Church

Are you a loner regarding your faith? Do you feel like you can take the Bible and journey to a mountaintop on your own without consideration for the Church or the body of Christendom? Do you look at bible characters such as Elijah the prophet who was sent to the mountain to wait in a cave for the Lord God to appear, and say to yourself, “This is me! I am meant to be alone!” Do you think that is what Jesus did? Well, if so, you had better rethink your position of faith, and your approach to religion. We are all meant to be one, just as God calls us to believe as one, He then joins us to the body of faith to become one with it... we are meant to be one Church.

Our Temple, Our Altar, and Our Sacrifice

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotional, Offering our Gifts

As Christians we talk readily about our bodies being a living temple, and we quote certain scripture to make that point, but if our body is our temple then where is our altar, and what is our sacrifice? The temple is where we meet God, the altar is what makes our sacrifice Holy, and the sacrifice itself must be pleasing and received by God. Are you a temple? Do you contain an altar, and what is your sacrifice?

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