Simple Family Conversations with Mom and God

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Family Faith

I have traveled far, and returned to my parent’s home. My father died many years ago, but now my mother lies struggling in the final days of her life. Last night I slept in her quiet house as she lay fitful in a hospital room across town while my sisters tended to her. I went into her kitchen, prepared a cup of coffee, and sat down in my familiar chair where I had spoken so many times with her about life and faith, but as I turned to set my cup down there was a tiny little book sitting in the saucer. It was simply constructed; a white cover with a big smiley face, the word SMILE printed boldly above it, and the words “Jesus Loves You” below. It was a simple book containing four verses of scripture that would lead a person to Christ. It begins with a series of questions concerning one’s life and then a statement regarding our sinful nature. Understanding who we are is not hard, nor is it a mystery…

Delivering God’s Word Precisely as He gives it

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , God’s Messengers

When we receive a Word from the Lord, and it is not a pleasant thing that will come to pass, or what He tells us to say is stern, do we still reveal it exactly as it was told to us, or do we temper it, and make it less harsh for the sensitive ears of those who He meant to hear it? In today’s world we are taught that if we don’t have something nice to say then we shouldn’t say anything at all, and this is a good rule of thumb, but if we receive a Word from God, and we are absolutely certain it is from Him, then we are to be true to it. If we are told to deliver a message, then for us to leave out a single part, or word of it, would be disobedient and sinful. We are not the one saying these things, but simply the messenger. As we look at our lives, have we ever tempered the Word of God so as not to offend someone, nor make them bitter towards us?

Blessings in the Midst of Earthly Trauma

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Blessings in the Trauma

Are we feeling particularly blessed, and think that God has set us atop the world? Well, don’t get too comfortable there because the Lord sends us into solitary places, places that seem contrary to our service to Him, and there, in a sorrowful state, a lowly existence, He feeds us, and increases us in our faith. We were doing everything He asked, and leading a righteous life to glorify Him, when suddenly we are struck lame, made sick, suffered the death of a loved one, lost all that we have worked so hard for, or perhaps had a beloved child walk away from God, and we find ourselves in a wilderness, or alone beside the brook Cherith… humbled and unable to feed ourselves. Have we been there? Has the sunny day we have been enjoying suddenly darkened and a storm settled over us?

Is bearing the image of Jesus enough?

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Image of Jesus

When we walk through life do we carry with us the fragrance of Jesus; the scent of Heaven, and the very odor of God? Do people not only see Christ in us, but are the blind able to smell His aroma as we approach? We talk about being transformed into the image of Jesus, but there is more to this than the way we look… we are to become like Him in every way… right down to the smell of his cloak, and the sound of His approaching footsteps. Is this what we are becoming each day?

Accepting Discipline in our Lives

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Correction

Have we been rebuked in our lives for seeing life only as the world sees it? Peter received such chastisement right before Jesus told His followers to pick up their crosses and follow Him. So often we face verbal correction in our walk, or feel the hand of God upon us as He turns us to the left or right to guide us back onto the path of righteousness. Like Peter, We hear Jesus telling us that we are succumbing to the influences of Satan, and to pick up our cross and follow Him instead. The question becomes this… do we stumble over our earthly pride and turn away when corrected; do we get our feelings hurt and abandon our faith? Or, do we pick up our cross and follow Jesus as He bids us to do?

Mornings in Eternity

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Mornings

How and where do we begin our day? Do we begin each one in obedience to the Lord’s call? Do our mornings start in a quiet place with a time of thanksgiving, and seeking the Him through His Word? Are we in the habit of preparing ourselves for another righteous walk, and glorious conversation with Jesus in the day that lies ahead? Moses was called in the morning to come to the mountaintop where he would stand before God, and receive His Commandments… where do we stand as dawn breaks over us in our lives? What do we expect to receive as the new day begins?

Finding, and Becoming, Spiritual Mothers, Fathers, and Mentors

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Spiritual Parents, and Mentors

As old men and women in Christ do we mentor those who are young and are yet to understand the ways of Jesus? Do we take them under our wing and teach them humility, patience, service, mercy, and all the wonderful characteristics of life… the life of our Lord Jesus? Do we speak to them of the commandments of God, and Jesus, then show them what obedience looks like in our own lives? If we do these things then we become their spiritual mothers and fathers. This is who Paul became to Onesimus.

Our Growth in Faith by Waiting and Enduring in Life

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Waiting and Enduring

How long are we capable of waiting on a promise before we begin to doubt in it? How long will our faith remain firm in God’s promises before at last we falter in our trust, and question Him? In today’s society we are not conditioned to be patient or long suffering, but patience is a virtue that God requires of us, and gives us. Neither are we taught true perseverance, and are unable to remain firm in our efforts, and to to serve Him for very long with only the promise of a reward, before our suffering wears on us, and we give up. But our God is faithful and true; His Word, and promise, is unwavering so we must teach ourselves through prayer and the reading of scripture, how to increase these virtues within ourselves, and how to suffer thankfully as we wait on Him… for He will provide, and His promise is even now being worked in His due time.

What is God’s purpose for us in Life?

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Purpose in Life

As men and women we have an idea of what our purpose in life might be, we know our own desires and mold it around the pleasure we find in them, but that imagined purpose is worldly, self-gratifying, and a fantasy. However, as Christians we spend a great deal of time listening and seeking the greater purpose that God has for our lives, and in trying to understand how His love, combined with His will, and our earthly suffering, leads us to His very real purpose in our lives.

Preparing the Land for the Seeds of our Faith

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Soil of Faith

Do we work the soil of our faith, not just till it, but work into it fresh compost, leaves, and other nutrients? Do we dig out the rock that lies just beneath the surface, and make rich, deep, soil out of what once was shallow and of little use? If the seeds of faith are to mature, and thrive, they must have good soil to support their roots. So how deep was the soil beneath us when we first believed, and is it fertile enough to support the roots of our growing faith? Are we working as much on the soil beneath us as we are in the planting of the seeds we want to grow?

Being Strengthened IN Suffering Life’s Trials

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Life’s Trials

We want to live easy happy lives, but trouble always seems to find us. In the midst of them we cry out to the Lord for relief, and to have mercy on us, but these are the very times that strengthen us most, and prepare us for what lies ahead in our service to God. David would not have been the king that he was had he not first faced Goliath, been pursued by King Saul, or lusted for Bathsheba, and faced the repercussions of that sin. All of the hard things in our lives temper us, and by going through them we are made stronger. We are not made stronger BY our distress, but IN it.

Blaming God for our Worldly Troubles

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Blaming God

How do we look to God in our times of trouble? Do we pray to Him for help, and faithfully continue in those prayers for His deliverance in spite of our suffering, or do we blame Him for allowing such a predicament to have befallen us? Do we believe that He is there with us, and stand firm in the courage that His promise provides us, or do we fall prey to a feeling of abandonment, and quake with fear? Let’s ask ourselves this question again… How do we look to God in our times of trouble?

Snow Globes, and the Heavenly Scene of our Faith

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Taking God for Granted

It is important that we not let our faith become routine, or mundane. When everything is good, and the challenges are few it is easy to slip into that place where we take God for granted, and where what once was exciting has become normal. We never want to lose our sense of awe, or sight of the glory, that we find in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. When waking up each morning to the newness of God we don’t want to feel like it is just another day!

Like all things, we are God’s Creation

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Creations of God

We tend to think that just because we can identify the process by which we are conceived, and born, that we are the makers of our children, but this is far from the truth. What pregnant woman ever says that today she shall form the baby’s lungs, or it’s tongue, within her body? What father decides to give his future son his eyes, or his daughter her sweet disposition? When, in the few minutes of sexual pleasure in which his essence is transferred, did he consciously decide this? We are simply the donors of parts, and the eggshells, but we like to take credit for God’s handiwork that occurs within it. Why then do we claim ownership, and not give the Lord the full credit and glory for the miracle that has formed us? Don’t we see the maker’s mark in all things?

Jude’s Encouragement, and Warning

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , The Second Coming

As we read the book of Jude we are reminded of what will occur within the world, and the Church, in the final days. We are told about fallen angels, and the presence of false teachers. Further, we are reminded of what awaits them when our Lord Jesus Christ returns to judge. But in Jude there is hope, and encouragement for all those who come to, or continue to follow, our Lord Jesus. Today we see the scoffers in the world, and we feel the heat of an approaching fire… but we are also assured of the glorious eternity that awaits those who remain firm in their faith, and glorify God, and our Lord Jesus.

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