The Who, and What, in questioning God, and the Danger in Why

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotional , Questioning God

If you were taking a walk, and a voice suddenly told you to “cry out“, what would you say? Would you pick some arbitrary exclamation, and shout it, or perhaps tremble, and ask, “Who is this?”, or, “Lord, what would you have me cry out?”. Some believers feel that it is always presumptuous to ask questions of Jesus, or God, but as we read scripture we find that if we ask, and do so in the proper way, it doesn’t bother either of them at all. God wants us to understand what He would have us do, and to ask Him questions until we do; Jesus feels the same.

Sailing a Sea of Sin in a Ship of Faith

Richard Forbes
Christian, Worldly Sin

We live in a sin-filled world, and in such a place as this God sent His precious Son Jesus to redeem us; to save the lost souls that we are. Into the very dwelling place of sin, evil, corruption, and death, He sent His child, a baby, His gift of life. His love was manifest in grace for you and me, and His perfect Son was made imperfect on the cross, being given over to sinners, taking on our sin, and sacrificing Himself, so that we might have life everlasting through Him. So, how are we receiving God’s love, His grace, and such a gift as this... His Son?

Worldly Battles, do they mask the Spiritual War for our Souls?

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotional , Spiritual , War

When Satan comes against us in the world he looks for the chinks in our armor, but our defenses are complete in the perfect protection of God. Our fear of the dark one comes because we don’t understand the war being waged. We think that victory or defeat depends on the earthly wounds we sustain in mortal battles, and we assign might to others by what occurs in the here and now. Yet, though our bodies, loves, and possessions might suffer, and though we be pierced while upon our crosses, these wounds are of little consequence because the war is not over our physical selves, but for the disposition of our souls.

Are we meant to Fear Death?

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotional , Fear , Death

We are not meant to be frightened by death, nor to dread its coming. We know that what awaits us when we arrive in our heavenly home will far exceed anything we can imagine, and that our peace and joy there will be unquenchable. So knowing this, do we take heart in the thought that it is ours to die? Do we long to be forever in the presence of God and sitting with Jesus? Does this thought drive us on towards the perfection of our faith, and a love of God that allows us to serve Him fearlessly in this our mortal life?

Are we Bored, and Lost, even having gained all the World has to offer?

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotional , True Faith, Wealth

Do we believe ourselves to be self-made men and women? Do we look around and see all of the affluence that surrounds us, and stare in the mirror; smiling at our own reflection? When we find that we want for nothing, and have become smug in what we have done, it is in our self-righteousness that we are truly lost. What the world has to offer is fleeting, and satisfies us for a day, and yet we can become addicted to its allure, and lose sight of God, Jesus Christ, and the satisfaction they give that is eternal.

Who do we wrestle in the dark, and are we afraid?

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Spiritual Enemies

Hidden enemies terrify us. We are far less apt to stumble, or be frightened in the light of day than in the night, and yet half our lives are spent surrounded by darkness. This is also how we struggle spiritually. The spiritual snares placed to trap us are most effective when they are set in darkness, in those places we can’t see or readily understand. When we oppose someone, or something, it is far easier for us than when we wrestle against ideas, fears, spirits, and vaporous things; those are the enemies that scare us as they go bump in the night. 

Do we wince at, or welcome, the Hand of God?

Richard Forbes
Daily Devotional , Transformation , Victory

In the book of Revelation we read the end of the story, and know that Jesus Christ triumphs over Satan and evil, so why is it that so many Christians still live their lives like the outcome is in doubt? Why are believers tempted, knowing full well what awaits them in their sin? Listen to me today... Jesus will not only defeat Satan, but we will be at His side, and claim that victory with Him! This is the journey of our faith realized. 

God’s Will, Hand, And cleft in the rock, as He answers our Prayers

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Answered Prayer

Are you frustrated with God’s response to your prayers? Do you ask something of Him repeatedly, and feel like it is falling on deaf ears? Well there are two reasons that come immediately to mind which could cause us to feel this way. The first is that we consider God obligated to obey our request, and the second is that we give Him our solution rather than simply presenting Him with the problem. Both of these are rooted in our greatest pitfall... praying outside the will of God. 

Discerning False Teaching through God’s Holy Word

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , God’s Word

Are we careful in our understanding of scripture? We are promised new heavens, and a righteous new world, but nothing we can concoct in our imagined interpretation of scripture, can bring it one second closer, nor delay it by the blink of an eye. No exuberant and stirring sermon, meant to convince us otherwise, or that attempts to use a single promise of God for worldly purpose or gain, is anything but false teaching, and brings with it the destruction of our spirits.

Are we God’s spit on the floor of judgement?

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Double Minded , Faith

Are we double minded, approaching our faith in one manner, while leading a different life in the world? On the Sabbath do we praise God, and say that we will put no other God before Him, then walk back into our homes and businesses placing our possessions, and gold, above all else? Do we pray fervently when desperate, but mumble mindless prayers over our meals each day when there is plenty? If we live in such a way as this we are lost indeed. 

Morning Prayer, and causing the Dawn to know its place

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Morning Prayer

How we begin our day is just as important as how we live it out; as a matter of fact it sets the tone for all that is to come. When we open our eyes in the morning, and immediately immerse ourselves in yesterday’s problems, then we can expect anxiety, and nothing more than to begin where we left off. However, if we open our eyes, and begin our day in the presence of the Lord, in prayer, and giving ourselves to him as a living sacrifice then we are at peace. In this way our day begins anew, and we watch for Him to move within it. 

A Lesson in Juice Harps, and Growing in Prayer

Richard Forbes
Daily Devotional , Learning , Prayer

When we begin our day do we start it in prayer, or walk right back into yesterday’s problems without looking to God for His help and guidance?  How about when calamity is upon us, those times when our world is collapsing around us, do we run blindly in whatever direction, or do we fall to our knees where we are, and pray? Our ability to trust in God, and pray without being distracted by the world, is a practiced gift, and some gifts we receive require us to put them together, or to learn how to use them... such is the gift of prayer.

Depart with Jesus, or Remain in the Flesh... Are you tasked to make this Choice each Day?

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Choosing to Remain

Am I to live each day faithfully to serve Jesus Christ in this world, or to rise up, strap on my sandals, and prepare to depart this place right now with Him? Most believers are satisfied with worshipping Him here today, and serving our Lord by delivering His gospel each day until His return. Yet for a few, who have had a closer physical encounter with Him like Paul did, one that has placed them face to face with Christ, and surrounded them with His very real glory, joy, and presence, this choice between serving today, and choosing eternity, is real, and difficult to make.

Understanding the Suffering of Jesus

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Suffering

Are you suffering today? Were you afflicted at birth, or have you become ill, or tortured during your lifetime? Do you face the torment of men, through beatings, or other worldly punishments; then as a Christian, rejoice in them, because we are meant to count these things as good. Our pain should only increase us in faith, and bring us closer to Jesus by sharing not only in the suffering of Christ, but in the promise of His glory.

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