God gives us more than victory over our troubles

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Triumph over Trouble

No matter what troubles we face as Christians, we not only find that God leads us through them, but that during the most immense, intense, and frightening of them, the love of God gives us not only victory, but leads us triumphant through Heaven’s streets in celebration of our complete victory over them. We not only survive life’s ordeals, but thrive in the midst of them. How exhilarating it is to feel the wind in our face during a storm, or how alive we are when we experience the intense fear of standing too close to a precipice. So God is with us in our storms, and in every danger, but not to simply watch over us, but to lead us through them victorious, and then in triumphant procession as we reflect His glory.

Hardened Hearts, and Comforting the Sick and Dying

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Comfort

In this time of COVID in which people are afflicted, sickened horrifically, and many die, it is easy to become hardened to the agony that is going on around us. It seems that our hearts can become overloaded as we empathize with the suffering we see, and the pain we shoulder with them. In sharing the grief, and commiserating with the pain of others, we can become overwhelmed, and to protect ourselves we tend to withdraw from what is happening, and to isolate ourselves from the trauma, but scripture tells us time and time again to comfort others, care for them, and provide for their needs. How are we doing in these stressful times? Do we pray for strength so that we can become a wellspring of strength and comfort to others, or has the pain we have internalized changed us into hardened souls? Are we looking for reasons not to comfort others?

Do not Cower in your Faith, or be ashamed of our Lord

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Courageous Faith

As Christians we are not meant to hide our belief from the world, but to stand up tall in our faith. When the unbelievers threaten us we should bravely walk among them, and show our unshakable faith in Christ with courage, especially to those who would rather beat and harm us than to admit we serve the Lord of truth, and reflect the light of the world. Our goodness, kindness, and humble nature, reveals itself to be most courageous, when we are standing without hesitation, or fear, before the world.

The Closed Doors that lead us to Glory

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Closed Doors

As we do God’s will, or obey Jesus by going into the world to delver His gospel, we come to various crossroads, and we ask to be shown which way to go. This is the proper thing to do, but quite often, as we approach these places of decision, all we hear are slamming doors, and the only one that remains open leads us down the same tiresome road we have been walking. This is often disappointing when we want to do new and great things, but God, through the Holy Spirit, desires something different… something that eventually will be more advantageous to Him, His kingdom, and will lead us into eternity as we glorify Him.

We are strengthened by the Glimpses of God’s Glory

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , God’s Grace

We live our lives being confronted, and buffeted at every turn, by the tribulation, pain, and suffering, that is common to this world. As we endure these challenges it is easy for us to begin believing that they will overcome us, or that they have such a hold on us that there is no escape from them, but this is not true. Suddenly, at the height of our agony, we are given a glimpse of God’s glory; sometimes for no more than an instant, or if need be, for longer, and in those moments we realize that these things we endure now are insignificant when compared to what awaits us. Our Hope, and faith, are increased many fold by these tiny visions of glory, and we are restored.

We are Blessed in every Season, and forevermore

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Blessings

What is the season we find ourselves in? Do we recognize it? Are we in a season of gladness, and righteousness, or has disease and the selfishness of man banished our hope in the goodness of our shepherds, the provision of our land, and brought drought to the Church? Whether it is joy, hopelessness, or some season in between, God gives those who keep their faith in Him His blessings, he sends us showers of blessings to sustain us, and gives us hope in Him, through His Son Jesus.

Strengthening our Faith through Humility

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Humility

When everything is going remarkably well in our lives it is easy to become proud, and to walk arrogantly in the world, so we are taught to be humble, and when life is beating us down, and Satan is attacking us at every turn, we can become distressed, and depressed, so we are taught to stand tall, and lean on God. The challenge is not to simply be humble, or to stand only in our strength, it is to know when it is appropriate for us to display one, or the other. The goal is to be neither defeated by our pride, nor destroyed by the suffering that life is handing us. Our faith teaches us to find a gentle and productive place in Christ where we can be like Him; avoiding arrogance, while experiencing strength, and standing firm in the midst of our humility.

The Bible is more than a collection of books!

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , The Bible

As Christians we are not meant to be blind to the meaning of God’s Holy Word, nor are we to be deaf to His truth that is contained there. There are many who read and study the Bible, and claim to know it, yet their hearts remain empty, and their minds like barren wastelands. I pray that we will never join these who will passionately argue scripture, or quote verse in hollow repetition, never feeling true love for the Lord, or Jesus Christ… not even in passing. They pour over the words, but not once do they feel or acknowledge God’s love, and presence, in His Holy Word.

Do we Pray for deliverance, or avoidance?

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Deliverance and Avoidance

There are occasions in life when our troubles, or enemy, seem overwhelming and there is no hope for us, except in the Lord. We feel overwhelmed in such times, and before we go to war, or confront our troubles, we are quite certain we have already been undone, or defeated. But in such times we are not powerless, and our hope is not lost, quite often we just don’t realize how mighty our God truly is, and that He goes before us. Many times we lose sight of the fact that the battle is not ours to fight at all, but His. So, when do we lean on Him, and ask Him to help us? Do we say a quick prayer in the moment before we run into a fight, or do we look to Him beforehand, and pray that He will fend off the conflict long before it arises? When do we ask Him for His help?

Miracles, and Praying as we should

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Prayer, Miracles

When We ask Jesus for something, we find that if what we are asking of Him is trivial, or something we feel is possible, but perhaps unlikely, then we can easily hand it over to him, and our faith is sufficient to allow us to do that, but can we do this when a real miracle is needed, one in which there is no earthly way that what we are asking could ever occur? If the life of our child is in the balance, we pray, and Jesus says that our son, who is on his deathbed will be healed, can we trust in Him enough to walk away? Can we muster the faith it takes to believe that this will not be the last moment we will see our child? Miracles still occur; let’s listen to what happened in Capernaum.

Carrying the Burdens of Others

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Burdens of Others

Jesus was concerned about how much we could bear, and as we follow his example, we should be equally worried about the troubles, and progress of those around us. Our love for one another should always dictate the expectations we have for our fellow pilgrims, and it should determine the degree to which we take on the load of the weakest member in our number. Are we stronger physically, or in faith, than those we travel with? If so, do we see our brothers and sisters struggling, and walk on at a brisk pace without any consideration for their pain? By not concerning ourselves with the load of others are we loving them as we love ourselves? Are we obeying the commandments of Jesus by neglecting the struggles of others?

Do We Know Jesus?

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Knowing Jesus

We claim to know Jesus, but does He know us? His name is spoken around the world, yet few have really come to know Him. His us a name that’s dropped when we find it suits us, but will He claim to know us? We’ve read His gospel inside out, and can quote some favorite verses, yet when we describe His nail scared hands, do they really cause us to feel pain? Many will say they’ve know him, and some will come to claim Him, but few will ever obey His voice… fewer yet will walk with Him on the water. So, who are we when we say His name, and will He claim that He has known us as we stand before his Father in judgement? Do we worship Him in spirit and truth, and do we love Him like we should? Or will His life be just another name we drop in church circles while saying we known Him very well, and quoting scripture that has never been revealed to us. Will Jesus know us on judgement day? That depends on this… do we know Him now?

Our Promise of Good, and a New Beginning, in Christ

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , New Beginnings

Today is the beginning of a new year, and like so many new undertakings it offers us a chance for a fresh start, and a new beginning. All those disappointments, and challenges, that nagged at us, or nipped at our heels last year can be left behind if we will only realize two things. The first is that God never withholds good things from us if we will lovingly obey Him, and walk righteously. The second is that in Jesus we are transformed, made new, and leave the old behind, therefore in Christ we have entered into a new year, and the old should be forgotten.

Glorifying God in our New Year’s Celebrations

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Celebration

Tomorrow is New Year’s Eve, and the new year will be welcomed around the world by many as they party, and celebrate, in drunkenness, lewd acts, and other rowdy and worldly activities, but as Christians we “ring in the new year” in a much different way. The festivities for us begin as we welcome the coming year filled with the Holy Spirit, and by thanking God for what He has blessed us with during the past year. We lift up our Heavenly Father, and Jesus Christ, in hymns, spiritual songs, singing, music, merrymaking, and by experiencing the intense joy of the Lord as we look forward to what the New Year will bring. This is how we should anticipate the coming year, by being thankful for what has been, and hopeful in what lies ahead, doing all of this as the church bells ring in joy, and celebration.

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