Praying that the Lame in Sin will walk... with God

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Praying, God’s Calling

If you are reading this then I want you to know that I am praying for you today. Whether you realize it or not God has called out to you, and is urging you to come to His Son Jesus. Perhaps you don’t think this is true, or maybe you feel that you are so sinful that He would never do such a thing, but He has. As unworthy as you might see yourself He sees your heart, and your good bones, for what you will become, and knows that you will come to glorify Jesus, and knows that He will glorify you in return. Today I pray for you to realize your worthiness, and honor Him.

Works, Faith, and the lesson of a beautiful Girl

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Faith, Works

Faith, it is not visible except in the works that are created by it. Is it possible to love without expressing that love in some tangible manner; a hug, a kiss, a marriage? No, love drives us to show it to one another, and faith is the same. When we have faith in Jesus, and God, we have no option but to show it to them in some manner. What is very interesting is that doing works of faith usually involves loving or doing something good, or merciful, for another person. We express our love for God by allowing Him to see our hearts, but we show our faith in Him by our obedience to his will... by our works. 

We have Overcome the World! In this we find Peace!

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Children of God, Faith

We read in scripture that Jesus has overcome the world, and we find a wonderful fuel source for our faith in that knowledge as we place our burdens on Him, but what does this have to do with us? Anything? How do we lay claim to that power which Jesus speaks of? Is it possible for us to overcome the world as well? I can tell you that it is indeed possible, and as a matter of fact it is more than that... it is the truth... we can overcome the world, if we would only believe. 

In Defense of Faith, and Building the Garden House of God

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Witnessing, Salvation, God’s Calling

As men and women of faith we have hope bubbling up in us, and it is recognized as true by those around us, even if they don’t yet believe, or understand it. Are you asked why you act joyfully the way you do, or why there is a peace in you that defies understanding, and a sense of humility even though you are strong? When asked such questions do you shrug your shoulders or do you tell them about Jesus, and His gospel? Do you listen to their questioning and then hoe the weeds from around the tiny seedling that God planted there as a grain of faith, or are you afraid of failure, so you ignore them?

Laxity, and Self-Serving Faith vs the interests of Christ

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Selflessness, Faith

Whose interest are we promoting through our faith? Are we seeking a smoother way for ourselves through life, or perhaps a fine meal at God's table in heaven after we take our last breath? Are we obeying God’s Word and commandments out of self-interest, or to serve the same interests of Jesus Christ? Jesus loved God, obeyed His will, and in every aspect of Christ’s life His sole purpose was to glorify God. Do we live out our faith in this manner? Is our every desire meant to do these same things that Jesus taught us?

The Will of God, and the Mystery of our Suffering

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Suffering, God’s Faithfulness

We all suffer in our lives. When we become believers in the one true God, and Jesus Christ, life’s suffering does not end, but the manner in which we suffer does. As Christians we are no longer meant to suffer in sin, but we will suffer because of it, and even in the process of doing God’s will. When we are going about our life as believers, doing the will of God, we will meet hardships and suffer calamity along the way, but we have a faithful God in whom we can place our trust, and turn to for help. He will not let our souls slip into sinfulness, but will strengthen us against it. Are you facing hardship? Well, lean on Him, and stay the course of righteousness. Do His will.

Are our Prayers just empty Shells?

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Confidence, Prayer

Where do we go for relief in our times of distress? Who comes to help us when we are in trouble? When we are in need of rescue, who is it that charges to our aid? Although most Christians say that it is Jesus Christ, or our Father God, do our actions betray our words? When we find ourselves in a challenging situation and we quickly say a prayer, that is good, but if we then turn straightway to our friends and family without waiting for God to respond then what have we really accomplished in faith?

We are the Children of God!

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Child of God

Do we pray to God as if He were a benevolent stranger, an official, a judge, or maybe even a powerful acquaintance? Do we come before Him as though we were confessing our problems to a psychiatrist, visiting a banker for a loan, or sitting in a doctor’s office? Well, He is all of these and yet none of them; He acts in each of these capacities by simply being “Abba! Father!”. We should pray to Him as our Loving Father.

Faulty Memories, Lost Faith, and God’s Faithful Calling

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, God’s Calling

Have you been drawn, or called, to Jesus Christ? Perhaps you thought it was your Idea, and effort, that brought you to Him, or that it was the culmination of a happy set of circumstances that led you to know Him? Well friend, God is deliberate regarding our faith, and He calls to us for specific reasons, and to glorify Himself through us. For Him to have drawn you to Jesus He had a plan for you, and knew you fit perfectly into His will. How are you responding to His urging, or upholding your end of the promise you once made to Him?

Are we held fast in the fortress of God’s heart?

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Relationship, Works

Are we busy pursuing religious things to the point where we are neglecting our worship, and relationship with God? Do we put the things that we do to impress Him, and to show Him our dedication to His cause, above truly loving Him with all our heart, and walking with Him In the cool of the evening? Sometimes we think more of our labors during the day than the quiet times of repose we have with God. When all is said and done, which of these will be our greatest treasure, the things we have built of stone, or the moment of a single hug and kiss given in love?

Claiming Possessions as we Pass through the Glass of Life

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Posessions, Jealousy, Sin

What do we own? What do we count as ours as we make our way through life? It takes us a long time before we finally come to understand the fallacy behind living in a yours and mine world, or involving ourselves in a yours and mine relationship. Life becomes easier once we understand that we are merely light passing through a glass... when we reach the other side the glass remains unchanged, and we have left it behind without a mark. So why do we believe that we own the glass, or in our case, that we own earthly possessions  during that brief instant in which we pass through life here?

Is Our Faith Humble, and based on Serving?

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Humility, Service

Are you a humble servant of God, and His children? Do you see your mission in life as being to rule over others, or is it to lead them humbly to our Father? If we are truly servants of God, and one another, then we need to go about doing the work of our Master... we need to know God’s will and do it, we need to see man’s shortcomings and mend them. Jesus washed the filth of our sin from us... do we wash the dust from one another’s feet?

Joy, and the Day I First Believed

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Seeking Jesus

How was it for you on the day you first believed? Did you even think it was possible to feel such joy, or that the Son of God could love you in this way? Did you come to Jesus with your heart burdened by sin, hoping only for a glimpse of Him, and leave that place filled with the Holy Spirit, and dancing on air? People might have grumbled when they saw your sins washed away, or were made jealous by the joy you received, but Jesus came to save those who need Him most, like the rich tax collector Zacchaeus... like you!

Truth, and the Word of God

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, God’s Word, Truth

Are we inclined to believe what men say the truth of God is, and find ourselves unable to fully accept the glory that is Christ, and those things which are spoken by God Himself? Do we lean upon the understanding of others while using the Word of God only where it is convenient for us to do so, and where it justifies what men say, and what they do; not placing God’s Word in its rightful place as the rule by which all men are judged? If this is true about us then we have established ourselves to be gods, and in our minds have subjugated the one true God... we have sinned.

Defeating Temptation, Sin, and Death through Transformation

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Sin, Temptation, Transformed

Do we think that we can flirt with the coals of temptation and not be burnt, or draw Close to the flicker of sin and not erupt into flames ourselves? Are we on the verge of such occurrences today? Are we speaking about someone negatively, calling it a correction, or warning, when in fact it is bitterness and hatred? Surely our words, and actions, will rub against us like a rasp, and we will find ourselves bleeding, or worn away.

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