Withheld Wages, Fraud, and the Coming of the Christ Child

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Goodness, Giving

In this the time of Advent when we wait expectantly for the coming of Christ, we also are in the final days of the financial year for many businesses. In faith we praise God for the birth of His Son, but as workers, and businessmen we are determining the financial success of our store, farm, or business. On the one hand is great joy and anticipation, but on the other is a temptation to increase our earnings, possibly by nefarious means... in the one hand we hold the lamb of God, but with the other we often stroke the head of our selfishness, and greed.

Are we only Actors in Peace, or True Peacemakers?

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Peace

Do we lead a peaceful life? Does the peace of Christ govern not only our own lives, but also influence the lives of everyone around us? We are meant to be like Jesus, and in this way we are called to be peaceful beings. Look about you today and ask yourself a few questions about living your life in faith... is my home a place of rest and peace? Do I conduct myself in a peaceful manner at all times? When I pray am I praying for peace to be the product of my every desire, or just an occasional wish?

The Certain Steps of God’s Way, or Slipping with the Worldly Tempters

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Walking With God

Where do you look for help when your footing of Faith becomes uncertain? Where do you turn to be uplifted, and made firm in your faith once more? When you begin to sink into an envy of the world what secures your step? Those who worship the world might look to be prosperous and happy in their wickedness, but their singing lasts only a night, and their path is slippery... even unto death.

Do we Pridefully Wear a Badge of Holiness on our Chest?

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Humility, Holiness

Are you feeling good about being chosen by God for righteousness? Do you think that God selected you, and urged your soul to open itself to Him because you were special, good, or by some other attribute were distinguished as being deserving above others? Well perhaps it’s time to look at yourself in a totally different light... to look In the mirror through the eyes of God.

God’s Peace, and the Spiritual Origins of Worry and Stress

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Worry, Stress, Faithfulness

Are you someone who worries over every little thing that might possibly happen to you in the future, or, are you a person who leans on God to provide solutions as problems arise? There is much discussion today about the negative effects of stress and worry on our health, but if you hold tight to the promise that Jesus made to us you will live a life that is free of such things.

Facing Our Fears as we do God’s Will, and Deliver the Gospel

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Fear

We want to do the will of God, and to deliver the gospel message as we have been instructed, but sometimes we are lead to very dangerous places, and told to speak; in those moments are we afraid? Fear can silence us, and yet, Jesus has said we will be protected, so what is it, and who is it, that we are afraid of? Yet even knowing His promise of protection fear can pursue us.

Spiritual Senses: Seeing God on our Faces, and Faith in our Hearts

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, The Character of God

Do you love those around you? Do you exude a spirit of love that others can feel, and see when they approach you? If you are a hard person and bitter towards others it is time to let Jesus transform you, and become more like God the Father because love is the essence of God. Do you know the nature of God, and is it obvious on your face, and in your spiritual eyes?

What Calls us to Church Today?

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, God’s Calling

What leads us to Church today, or perhaps to read this devotional message? Is it because we are suffering through a trial we can’t conquer alone, maybe a feeling of loneliness, or a sense of emptiness in our life that we need to quench? No? Then perhaps it is Advent, and the anticipated celebration of the coming Christ? Still you say no? Then just maybe you are in search of something you can’t quite put your finger on, but that you know exists, and is missing from your life, something good... the longing for a love that is much needed by your soul. Whatever the reason, God satisfies our hungry soul, and calls us.

Obeying God’s Will when it costs us our own, and our Treasure

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Doing God’s Will

Do we do trust in God to provide for us when we are called to do His will? Do we find ourselves reluctant to proceed on because the earthly cost is just too high? Sometimes even the most saintly people find themselves reluctant to walk away from a precious thing they have come to value. They lose sight of the fact that God gave them all they currently have, and that if they will obey Him, the Lord will not abandon them to poverty. He is able to give many times the amount they might lose... if He so desires.

Gossip, None are without Sin, and every Tongue must seek forgiveness

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion

Gossip... have you ever been the object of such activity; how about participating in it yourself? Well, the Bible is very specific in its warning against gossiping, and follows its warning closely with instructions regarding how we should correct those who do so. Gossip is hurtful... if it were meant to lift someone up then it would have been exercised openly in the form of an announcement. No one ever gossips about good news unless their intention is to undermine it.

Giving Thanks to God, and a Thanksgiving Day Feast

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion

Today is Thanksgiving Day in the United States, and honors the initial Thanksgiving feast that was celebrated in 1621 after the first harvest was completed by the puritan settlers in the New World. Today this holiday is widely celebrated as a national holiday with heavy religious meaning, but no absolute requirement pertaining to faith, yet for the early pilgrims it was most certainly a time of thanking God. On this day every faithful person gathers to give thanks to God, and I have often wondered who one would thank if they were not of faith. Would you thank yourself, someone else in particular, or would it just be a happy day of being with family and friends while you eat, dance, and the go shopping?

Visions, Dreams, and Prophesies; are they Alive Today?

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Dreams, Visions, Prophesy

Do we believe that God gives dreams, and prophetic visions today? Are there prophets who are shown what God would have us see, and who speak His Words to us? Are there dreamers who are given both personal, and national, guidance and knowledge regarding current and future happenings? If we don’t believe this, or see evidence of it, then we are lost to lawlessness... we will have lost all restraint.

Fulfilling the Law, and the Gospel, or Rewriting the Equation of Faith

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Fulfillment, Law

After Jesus had been going about the land teaching and performing miracles he returned home. When we look at this portion of His life we talk about how He was rejected by the people there in Nazareth, but for the most part we skip over the fact that when He returned home, He started doing those same things He had done while growing up... He went to synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood to read. This scripture refers to these as being His custom. What are our customs? What are we doing now in our pursuit of God, and faith that are becoming who we are?

Load More