What is it to be alone?

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Being Alone

Have we ever considered what it means to be alone, and how it can sometimes be pleasant to be without people around us, while at other times it is pure misery or sorrow? Yet, being alone when it comes to being separated from, or left without God, is never good. Last night Pastor L. H. Hardwick, the most amazing man of God I have ever personally known, went to be with the Lord, and today I feel an emptiness associated with his death, but as I prayed through the night I felt close to God as I was comforted by His presence.

The Thorn that Torments us, yet Reveals God’s Grace

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Grace over Sin

As a Christian our past can most certainly haunt us, and be a thorn in our side. People who have witnessed the actions of our old selves might never believe it possible for us to have changed, and to have been transformed by Christ into a new creation. So how do we live out lives of faith when everywhere we go there is such denial of His presence in us? We do exactly as Paul did… we remain focused on Jesus, and repeat over and over again the words Paul was given by the Lord, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Our salvation has nothing to do with the world’s perception of us… we are saved by Faith, and the grace of God alone.

God’s Promises, Blessings, and Holy Ground

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , God’s Promises

How many of God’s promises have we actually laid claim to? When the Lord promises us joy, or peace, do we walk upon those promises to make them our own, or do we look at what it takes to get there, and decide that where we are is good enough? Moses was Promised Land, and later that promise was emphasized again to Joshua, but this promise wasn’t without condition… they had to possess it… to walk barefoot upon it. Do we take possession of what God, and Jesus, have given us? Do we realize that we are on Holy Ground in them?

Do I have no Gifts or Talents to give?

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Secret Gifts

Are we one of those Christians who says they have no particular gift or talent to use in service of the Lord? Do we go to church, stand when the others stand, mumble our way through the singing because we can’t carry a tune in a bucket, and in every way lead a rather obscure life? Well perhaps we do far more than we realize. Maybe our greatest gift for the kingdom is to live out a godly life, and quietly tell people about Jesus in a non-demonstrative manner. Are we one of the great heroes for the kingdom that flies under the earthly radar, and that no one except God sees?

Entrusting God with the Ownership of our Prayers

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Faith in Prayer

It is tempting to ask the Lord to do something for us, and then to become so anxious over it that we take it back out of His hands as if He needed our help to complete whatever it was we asked Him to do. When we give something to God we need to realize that we are no longer the owner of that thing. If someone gives us a pair of shoes would we expect them to take them back? Well no we wouldn’t. So why should we expect to take back the problems that we have given to God? When we do such a thing it demonstrates a lack of confidence, and trust. We are prompting Jesus to say “Oh ye of little faith!”. Is this the message we want God to receive regarding us?

Praying in God’s Will

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Praying God’s Will

There are times in our lives when we will pray for a thing and we won’t receive it. Every day we rekindle our desire for this one thing, and yet we hear nothing regarding it. The Lord is providing for us, protecting us, and doing hundreds of other things in our lives, but on the subject of this one thing He remains silent. We tell ourselves to wait upon the Lord, but after many days with no response we become frustrated, and begin to lose faith in prayer. Consider this… in all the times we prayed, and asked the question “When Lord?”, did we ever ask Him the real question… “What is your will?”. Do we ever consider that we might be praying for something that is outside of God’s will, and plan, for us?

God Rewards our Humility with Faith, and Grace

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Humility

We are meant to humble ourselves before God even in those times of our greatest strength, but why? The world tells us that we do so because even when we are mighty He is stronger yet, when we are hungry He feeds us, when our lips are parched He brings forth water from the rocks, and when our enemies are preparing to destroy us He defends us, but In truth we do so because He loves us so perfectly. Although we love Him with all our being, He loves us more. God doesn’t demand that we approach Him on our knees, we do this out of our desire to yield ourselves entirely to Him. So, are we humbling ourselves before our Lord God, His children, and even those who are old and weak, or are we waiting to be humbled for our arrogance, and selfishness, before we do so?

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?

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