I am Hated because Jesus was Hated

Richard Forbes
Daily Devotional , Those Who Disbelieve

Are you a disbeliever in spiritual things? Do you shun God, and Jesus Christ? Do you lash out at those who do believe in them, and who lead lives of faith? I often asked myself why atheists were not satisfied with simply not believing, but had to enter into a personal war against faith, and people who did believe. Then in the midst of prayer I had an epiphany... their disbelief was fueled by a sense of unworthiness, and the feeling that they could never live a sin free life as God asked; so they struck out at that thing which they felt they couldn’t achieve. The sad truth is that they had no personal hope, or understanding of God’s mercy, and His grace that flows to them through Jesus.

Honoring Christ, the Lamb, all day, and Everyday

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotional , Blessing and Honoring Jesus, Blessing and Honoring Jesus

In the time of Jesus, lambs being readied for sacrifice in the temple were wrapped in swaddling cloth at birth, and protected from harm during their lives so that they would be unblemished, and perfect sacrifices. These were special among all the lambs, and prepared for the sole purpose of atoning for sin. Jesus became such a Lamb for us, and He took on our sin; giving His blood that we would be purified and redeemed. So how do we look upon this man, our Lamb, in the aftermath of His sacrifice? Do we bless and honor Him in all we do? Do we place Him high above us with His Father, and hold Him in great esteem?

Barefoot in our Quiet Places, Secret Places; the Holy Places

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotional , Secret Places , Holy Places

We spoke yesterday about seeking out quiet places to pray, and this is important if we are to be alone with God, and hear His voice as it speaks to us, but there is one more ingredient that we touched on briefly... a secret place. If we are highly sought out, and can’t find solitude otherwise we need to find a secret, or unknown, place where we will not be disturbed as we pray, a place where we can listen to God, and He can speak openly with us. Jesus wandered into the wilderness in the early morning hours to places that others were not privy to, and met God there.

The Bridge that Leads to Knowing our Unfathomable God

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotional , Knowing God

Do you know God and Jesus Christ? You have heard their names, and may even claim to know them, because you have prayed to them, but do you really know them? There are people we know by sight because we see them on television, or a movie screen but we really don’t know them. There are some whose voice we recognize because we hear them on the radio, recordings, or the telephone, but we really don’t know them either. Then there are those people we say we know because we have read their biographies, and become familiar with their lives, but alas, we don’t know them either. Do you really know God or Jesus Christ?

How is our Faith? Can we Wash our Enemy’s feet?

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotional , Holding to Faith

Do we say we have resolved ourselves to love and worship God with all of our heart, soul, body, and strength? If so then how is it that we can be arrogant, bitter, full of jealousy, and the other things that set us apart from Him? Do we say that Jesus is our Lord, and that we will be as He is, and obey His every commandment? If so then how can we not wash the feet of those who will betray us as Jesus did, feed the lambs of Christ, or turn the other cheek to our enemies? In this way we say one thing, and yet we do another... who are we?

Finding our Quiet, and Secret places of Prayer

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Quiet , Secret , Places of Prayer

Do you make time to be alone with God? When the world is surrounding you and closing in from all sides is there a quiet place you can retreat to and speak intimately with the Lord? Jesus needed to withdraw from the world in such times, and we need to do the same. There is no way that we can approach our Father with a singleness of heart, mind, and soul if the clamor of the world is so loud that it continuously distracts us. Find a time, a place, and a method of separating yourself unto God.

Waiting for the Dawn, and Watching Faithfully in the Cold Night

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Waiting

Do we wait upon the Lord? Do we long for Him to come, to rescue us, or for His provision? We should wait, but how intense is our desire for Him as we do so? Think of a time when you waited on something to occur, and not just for gifts on Christmas morning, but something that would bring relief to you in a time of trouble, suffering, or desperate need. Now think about God... did your remembrance involve praying, or trusting in Him? Have you ever waited on Him like that?

Joy, the Fruit of our Trust in God

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Trust and Joy

Do you wake up every morning refreshed and feeling amazing? Do you think that because you are a Christian then each day should begin wonderfully and happily? Well here is a little secret... Christians have bad days like everyone else, the difference isn’t in waking up in a state of perpetual joy, it is in knowing how to deal with life when our feet hit the floor and we are feeling out of sorts.

Serving God by Day to Find Peace and Rest in our Nights

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Used by God

We should yearn for God all the hours of the day and night, not only for our own soul’s sake, but for His righteousness to become the unquenchable thirst of the world. As we slip into our night’s slumber the Lord should be our comforter, and in the rest he provides us we should demonstrate His peace to the world. When we open our eyes each morning they should behold our ongoing witness, and a vision of Jesus Christ given to all the world as He works through us. Whether in slumber or awake His righteousness should be our greatest desire for the world, and His glory in Christ that pours from us the gift of salvation for all mankind.

How to Worship God in Spirit and Truth

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotional , Worshiping , Spirit and Truth

How do we worship God? Is it by chanting, and singing certain hymns and songs? Is it by placing ourselves in a particular posture? Do we worship by reciting ritual creeds and prayers, or perhaps by performing certain ceremonies and liturgical acts? No, although these things might help us reach a state of worship they are not worship in themselves. Jesus tells us in scripture what it means to worship God... we must do so in Spirit and truth.

Do our Souls Long for God, and Thirst for Jesus?

Richard Forbes
Giving, Christian, Daily Devotional , Loving God , Seeking Jesus

Does our Soul thirst for Jesus? Do we love God with a desire that is so strong we feel as though we would die if it were not satisfied? Do we pant for prayer, or long for our need for God to be quenched by immersion in His presence, like the desperate need for water causes desert wanderers to throw themselves into it; gulping mouths full like each might be their last? Can we smell the sweet fragrance of Christ as if we are a desert animal... catching the slightest scent of water from miles away? Does the faint fragrance of Jesus lead us across the parched expanse of life’s deserts as we seek His living water? This is how we should love God, and come to find Jesus.

A New Year, and our Refreshing New Transformation in it

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , New Year , New Day

This is the last day of the year, and we are looking back on our walk with God and asking ourselves what lies ahead. We are using this day to prepare ourselves, just as a traveler who readies himself for the journey before he actually embarks on it. To be certain, there have been many trials and tribulations in 2020, and some of them are ongoing, but God has made preparations for a new day, and the beginning of something fresh... have you made yourself ready for the pilgrimage?

Righteous Leaders, and Those God Places in our Hands

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Government and Leadership

As we go through life, governments, kings, and men will rule over us, but in truth they are allowed this dominion only because God has given it to them. Some are righteous, some simply moral, and others vicious and harsh in nature, but each one serves a purpose that God alone has destined them for, and whether good or bad, they will be judged accordingly. Being given power over us does not insure their salvation, wisdom, or any preferential treatment when they are judged before God.

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