Vengeance is the Lord’s

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Vengeance

One of the hardest things we can do, especially for a man, is to walk away from a fight, or to let the law handle a conflict. Yet that is exactly what God tells us to do in Romans. This becomes even harder when there is absolutely no doubt that we are in the right. However the Lord tells us to leave vengeance to him. Are we faithfully doing this in our lives today? Are we strong enough, confident enough in the Lord, and obedient enough to obey Him in this? Can we relinquish control of our wrath, and possibly the need for it altogether?

Receiving the Blessings of God, Great and Small

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Blessings

Each morning when I wake up I thank God for the day, and the many blessings of the day before. I also pray the He forgives me for my sins, ask for the salvation of the souls of those around me, and many other things, but I always conclude my early morning prayers by asking Him to keep His hand on me during the day, and to continue blessing me. However, when I ask for His blessing I fully understand that those blessings come in many forms. I might receive some by joyfully being in His presence, I might happily get additional pay at work, or meet a new person who I can share the gospel with, but blessings don’t always come wrapped in happiness, sometimes they are born of terrible suffering and hardship. You see, our greatest blessings are spiritual in nature, and those quite often rise up from hard times. Are you in the midst of a storm in your life?

Faith overcomes our Fear

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Fear, Discipleship , Faith

We are chosen, and then sent to teach all nations how to observe the commands of Christ. At first blush this can seem challenging, dangerous, and even frightening, but if we fix our minds on the fact that Jesus is with us always, then what can possibly harm, or defeat us? With Christ abiding within us there should be nothing, not even death, that can strike fear into our hearts. If we understand this, then why do so many of us quake, and find ourselves to be afraid when we are faced with delivering the gospel message?

Miracles and Wonders that Glorify God Every Day

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional ,

Things are hard for us in life, so what should we do? We are feeling depressed and downtrodden, so where should we turn? We are feeling that our faith is ebbing away, how should we bolster it? All of these are questions that can be answered to our satisfaction by God, and when they are, we need to witness to the world regarding how wonderfully our Lord has been moving in our lives. It is good to tell others that we believe, but providing evidence to them can turn their lives around, and save their souls.

Being forgiven when we believe there is none left

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Forgiveness

Men and women today, like the nation of Israel in the time of Hosea, can find that they have wandered far from the Lord, and become abominations in His eyes, but even in such a state His love remains for them, and He patiently seeks after them, and calls them back to Him. Are there those among us who have become whores to the world, similar to how Hosea described Israel? Do we sell ourselves to the highest bidder, and think that what we receive in pay comes from anyone but God? Do we worship false gods as Israel worshiped Baal? Well there is hope because although He will lead them into a wilderness alone, He will speak to them there, and rekindle their faith.

Be Still and Find Love in the Quiet Times

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Still, Storms , Love

In this modern world we live in today, our daily lives are in a constant state of hurrying about. We slice our time so thinly that even a small variation can throw our entire day into chaos. By doing this we think we are being productive, but are we really? What about our relationships with family, friends, and God? Relationships take time, and those who are in one with us need to see that they are more than just another small slice of our day. Let me ask one question before we begin… How much time each day do we allot to making our families really feel loved, and more importantly, how much do we dedicate to being quiet, and still, with God?

Showing Mercy, and Altering our Lives

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Mercy

We see the poor, and the hungry every day. Some are on the streets begging for money, some are sleeping in doorways, and others just walk past us on the streets. Some are overlooked, but all are lost. What is our reaction to them? Do we turn our faces away, simply pity them, look on them with disdain, or do we give them aid… perhaps a few dollars, a bottle of water, some food, or maybe a place to sleep? The decision we make regarding them can not only change their lives, but can alter ours as well… now, and for eternity.

Thrill in His Presence, and do not fear the Wilderness

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Wilderness

We accept the Lord Jesus as our savior and our spirit soars in the moment! We are lifted on angel wings, and the joy is almost overwhelming as God speaks to us and we experience His pleasure. Doesn’t this sound familiar to each of us who believe? But suddenly that moment is over and we are thrust once more into the world; just as Jesus was immediately driven into the wilderness. Don’t we remember those days of struggle when old friends walked away from us, well rooted sins were painfully pulled out by its roots, and through our sweat, and toil, a new spiritual field was cleared to make way for the Lord’s harvest?

Powerful the Word, and Mighty the Sword

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Power in the Word

How powerful are the words that flow from our mouths as we deliver the Gospel of Jesus to those who are lost in the world? Well, they will lay them open like a wound from a sharp sword, and reveal their innermost selves. They will also pierce their hearts like arrows of truth. Our mouths are forged by the hand of God to slay sin, to fell death, and conquer the dark one, but when the enemy is near, do we use these weapons? Do we pull the sword from its scabbard, or an arrow from its quiver? We are fast to don the armor of God to defend, and protect ourselves, but do we bare the weapons, and go into battle to save others? Do we confront the enemy, and protect those he seeks to destroy, or rescue the captives?

Have we Found the Fountain of Youth, and the Tree of Life in Jesus?

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Eternal Life

We fell from grace in the Garden of Eden, and yet God didn’t give up on us. He was merciful towards us, and continued to lead us, and teach us of the way to righteousness, and Himself; He showed us His love. Then, He sent His Son Jesus Christ to redeem us, and to defeat the sin that had found its home in us. Through Jesus, God returned to us the fruit of the tree of life which we lost long ago when driven from Eden. This tree is Jesus; It’s fruit is His body and the blood which we consume, and they restore to us the eternal life we once lost… we are given life through our faith, His grace, and the love of God.

Jesus Take the Wheel, and Calm the Storms

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Storms , Faith

There will be storms in our lives, and some of them will be quite fierce, but none rage so violently that Jesus can’t still them for us. Sometimes we think it is impossible for calm to return, and we cry out to Him in our distress just hoping that He will join us in its midst, and comfort us as we tremble, never dreaming that our predicament can be resolved, but in such times the miracles come. In the darkest hours, and when we are leaning into the strongest gales, this is when Jesus speaks, our troubles abate, and God is glorified. Have you ever screamed out His name “JESUS!” at the height of your fear, or from the depths of despair?

Eternity in the Rain, and the Dew

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Spiritual Dew

When I was making a garden with my father-in-law, there were days when we would pray for rain, because we knew that if our plants went without it for any period of time they would wither and die. The ground needed a good drink to replenish itself, but our plants could sustain themselves between the rains if they received a heavy dew. This is true of our spiritual growth as well. We need regular rains to replenish the spiritual soil in which our souls grow strong, and thrive, but if we gather nightly dew we can sustain ourselves until the rains fall on us again... until the Holy Spirit falls full upon us and glorifies the Lord.

An Unmovable River that Flows with Living Water

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , God’s Unmoveable River

In Jesus Christ we find that morning has dawned and a new day has come. God the Father is in His midst, and the living water that flows from Him will never be withdrawn, nor will it change course. Our God, and Jesus, His Son, are the same today, tomorrow, and forever. The question we need to ask ourselves is this… “Am I unwavering in my faith as He is? Have I turned to the left or the right, and stepped out of His unmovable flow?”

Straying from faith, and returning to Righteousness

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Faith

As Christians, and members of the larger Church, we have been metaphorically prepared to become the bride of Christ. We have fallen into an agape love with the Son of God. However, our betrothal is a long one, and much can happen as we wait for our wedding day; especially if we don’t guard our faith carefully. Paul uses this analogy when speaking to the Corinthians, and it would be wise for us to heed his words today.

It is Natural to Suffer, but only for a little While

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Suffering

We are not going to escape suffering in this world. As we go through life we will face sickness, death, all forms of persecution, and various trials by the bushel full, one thing is certain however, and this is that our God has promised we will not face any of this alone, because He is with us. In this place we will weep, cry out in pain, and mourn, but in every valley the Lord will be with us to comfort us. Now we are meant to both laugh and cry, to be young and old, and to walk from day to night, and back, but one day, when we reach our final destination, all of this will be behind us; our small joys will become eternal, and all of our tears will be dried forever.

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