Bearing Fruit in the Midst of our Suffering

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Pruning and Faith

When all around us appears to be prospering; when spring is turning the landscape green, and the birds are returning with their morning songs to brighten up the day, it is especially easy for us to ask “Why me Lord?” when trouble and suffering comes to us. Yet spring is when the grape farmer prunes his vines, and clears the undergrowth from around them. This is when last year’s growth is removed to make way for a bountiful new harvest, and when those that didn’t produce fruit are cut down, dug up, and burned. If you are facing trials in your life you should rejoice because you are being prepared for a bountiful season ahead.

Blessings, and the Restoration of Faith in Tribulation

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Restoring Faith

As Christian’s we believe in all of God’s Holy Word, and the gospel of Jesus Christ. We don’t do this because we have seen God, or touched Jesus, (although a few have claimed they have), but out of faith, and as a result of our faith we are blessed time and time again. Each morning when I rise my first words are “Thank you Father for this day, and your many blessings.” I pray this way because I know His blessings are coming. I may face any number of trials, or endure great hardship today, but I know that I am not alone, and that He will bless me in everything I encounter, not out of some foreknowledge of what the Lord has planned for my coming day, but out of my faith in His Word, and because I believe in Him, and His Son Jesus. So… How is our faith today? Are we trusting in God to bless us? Do we find Him in the midst of our storms, and do we walk to Him held afloat by our faith?

Is God Revealing Himself in our Lives Today, on this Earth?

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , God in the World

Do we believe that God interacts with us in the present; right here where we are today? Do we believe that He not only exists in Heaven, but is able to reveal himself to us on earth, in this land in which we live? Well, David, a man after God’s own heart, believed this, and if we don’t then do we believe that God is really omnipotent and omnipresent after all? If we limit God to heaven have we set bounds on Him, seeing him as a prisoner, confined to a spiritual world?

Do not complain when winnowed, and Facing the Wind

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Suffering with Sinners

As Christians we are like wheat during the harvest. We are thrashed along with the chaff and the straw to separate us from them, then with the winnowing fork we are tossed into the air where the same strong wind blows through us all, and we are separated. We the grain, being heavier, falls to the floor to be gathered, while the chaff and straw are blown away, and are raked to be burned… yet none of the parts are spared the process, the thrashing, the winnowing, or the wind. As grains of wheat we must endure the same trials as the refuse which will eventually be burned. In this way we will be separated from it, placed in sacks for safe keeping, and stored away to be made into loaves for the Lord.

Defeating the Longing for what is not ours by Fearing God

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Envy, Fear of God

When the enemy is approaching our gates do we fret over what is about to happen, or put our trust in God? If we see wicked people prospering, and living exceptionally well, are we envious of them? Well, when we are under attack our trust needs to be in the Lord because he is our strong tower, and will defend us against all forms of evil. As for envying the treasures of the wicked, He causes them to spoil in their warehouses, and on their vines. In other words, if we fear then we have doubt and our faith is weak, and if we envy then we covet, and fall into sin. We are taught to fear only the Lord, and are commanded never to covet. This is the message in our opening scripture today, but is this how we behave in our lives?

By Singing, and Whistling, We are Lifted up in Holy Song

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Healing Songs

There are seasons when we find ourselves facing trials, or suffering in some way or another. Times like this are common as we walk through our earthly lives. Sometimes it seems like there is not a mountain to be found, and that we are walking from valley to valley. We long for even a glimpse of a rise on the horizon, but there are none. So, how do we keep moving on? Where can we find hope, or even dream of joy. We do so by looking up towards God, and not out at the horizon. We sing songs and psalms to Jesus, letting each footfall become the beat that keeps time for us. If we find ourselves in hopelessness, then let’s take that first step forward, then another, until at last we hear the refreshing beat of a new life, and our voice begins humming, and then singing the name “Jesus!”

Finding Rest in this Hectic World we live in

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Peace , Rest

As Christians we are not immune to the high intensity 24x7 world we live in, but unlike those who are unbelievers, we have a very special relief from the sleeplessness, exhaustion, anxiety, and other negative repercussions of this amped up modern world. Our world is so expectant, and highly charged that it can harm our bodies and minds if we remain fully engaged in it, but Jesus promises us rest… are we taking advantage of it? Do we even know how?

The Pride of Life

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Pride

As we seek after God are we arrogant, boastful, or consider ourselves above others? Even in our faith do we look down on those we perceive to be of little faith, those who remain lost in the world, or those believers that appear to be less blessed than we are? Well God’s blessings in our life are not because of our own perfection, but come from His grace, and mercy through Jesus. Any boast we might make, or haughtiness we exhibit regarding our righteousness, goes hand in hand with all our other transgressions, it is no less founded in sin… it is the revelation that we have succumbed to the “pride of life”, and is not of God, but solely of this world.

Miracles, Promises, and stepping by Faith into Eternity

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Faith

How often do we ask God to provide us with a way to do something, or to make it possible for us to proceed forward in some endeavor, then wait for Him to clear the way for us? Sometimes it is appropriate to wait on the Lord, but there are times when He tells us to go ahead, and we are reluctant to move, we continue to wait. This occurs when we look at the way ahead and it appears to be blocked… so we simply wait. But, just as it takes faith to patiently wait on God to speak, it also takes faith to step out when He tells us to do something, or go somewhere, and we can’t see the evidence of Him working.

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?

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