Are We Forming a Commonplace Religion?

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Unchanging Word

I was reading about what is called commonplace religion, that is, religion which is shaped around what is easy, formed around what others say and not by fervent prayer, God's Word, His will, and our own self-denial. Today we live in a feel good society in which people say "if it feels good then it must be good and right." But that isn't what the bible teaches us. We were never meant to shape our own religion, or alter the Word of God, we were never meant to form a commonplace religion that serves our whims.

God’s Will; The Template of Life

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

When we pray we often ask for things we need, but do we also seek God's will for us in prayer. It is so tempting to determine our own way or to follow blindly the path that others have blazed, but our ways and those of others will be found lacking if they aren't guided by the will of God throughout our lives. We should place Jesus, and God's will for us, before all else. Our faith in God's will and the gospel of Jesus should be all consuming, and ever on our minds.

Wanting All of God

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, All of God

This morning let’s delve into wanting ALL of God. The praying Christian shouldn't be satisfied with having a minimum commitment to their faith, but should desire to grow each day into a fullness of faith, and more complete realization of God's presence. Falling into the trap of living each day as if it were our first, and never growing in our belief, and depth of faith, is an easy one. By merely accepting our infancy in Christ, and being satisfied with that, will win us eternal life, but it is the burning desire to know and love Him more which wraps us more tightly in His loving arms and leads us to a more perfect existence.

Prayer, and the Language of Tears

Richard Forbes
Christian , Devotion, Praying

Baptizing tears... This is a description of the tears we cry in our prayer closets. Seeking the face of God moves us emotionally, and as we approach Him tears often flow. For the most part, people attribute tears to sadness or distress, and this is how the bible uses them in symbolism, but they are much more than that. People cry when strong emotion overcomes them... Great beauty, intense pain, fantastic joy, deep commitment, unbounded faith, the grandness of a moment before God, and other experiences of overwhelming sensory, emotional, or spiritual awakening.

Lord Give Me Focus

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Focus in Prayer

Obedience is about the taming of our own disobedient nature; it is the bridling of our wild and unruly spirit that, without God's guidance, would run unleashed in us, and rule our lives. Our hope and salvation rests in the redemption of Christ and the grace of God which, coupled with the Holy Spirit, brings our savage nature back into check, and instills in us a hard won righteousness and humility. In this way we are saved from ourselves. Paul gives the Thessalonians, and us, instruction on how to control ourselves and follow Jesus; then, in the hope we are focusing our faith on, he writes:

“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

1 Thessalonians 5:23 KJV

Find Peace and Joy in Prayer without Guilt

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Guiltfree

This morning let’s use our time of devotional reading to deal with how a life of obedience helps us in prayer, and how the opposite is true if we are disobedient. Let’s consider how our sin can be like a wedge that has been driven between us and the Lord, and how we experience this feeling far too often in our lives. We have even coined a phrase to describe this feeling… we refer to it as having a “guilty conscience.” Isn’t it hard for us to be open and sincere with someone when we are plagued by guilt? Aren’t our prayers much the same? How can we speak to God, or listen to Him as He speaks to us, when we have sinned, and are overshadowed by guilt?

The Trade of Prayer, and the Will of God

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Prayer and Will

My reading started with a quote from Martin Luther today that said: "The Christian trade is prayer." Then, was followed with a quote by Pastor E.M. Bounds which added these words to Luther’s statement... "But the Christian has another trade to learn... He must learn perfect obedience to the Father's will." This is different than simply attempting to perfect ourselves in God’s Word. Bounds tells us we must discern and obey God's will for us. Our perfection and obedience to the commandments and many other things of faith can be handled through our daily faith and prayers, but the first, and most important, prayer each day should be for the Lord to reveal His divine will to us. This is an all-important prayer, and until we have prayed it, our various other prayers are wounded. So we must seek out God's will for us before reaching a fullness in the "trade of prayer."

Overcoming the Fear with Love

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Power of Love

How do we come before the Lord? Do we come boldly, or timidly? Do we come in expectation or in doubt like a mistreated dog or a street beggar? Do we come in fear or with confidence? The answer to these and other similar questions lies in our relationship with the Lord, how well we know His character, and our faith in the promises He has made through His word. But most of all it depends on the strength of our love for Him and our understanding of the depth of His love for us. Those who know Him, love Him, honor His commandments, and follow Jesus our savior, enter into His presence with confidence and great expectation.

The 911 Call of Prayer

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Urgent Prayer

We spoke yesterday regarding the commandments and our need to follow them, but some will argue that in our fallen state (since the Garden of Eden) that we are incapable; is that true? Are we doomed to failure by the failures of Adam and Eve? Well, if that were ever true, then most certainly the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ has solved that inability.

The Law, the Commandments, and Grace

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Faith or Law

The spirit of rebellion against God's Commandments is a rejection of His authority, however, God's grace will provide us with the strength we need to keep them. This was the subject of my devotional reading this morning. But, before we can examine the Commandments properly we have to establish their authenticity, and there is a verse in Romans that does this for us; boldly and without question.

The Conundrum of Prayer and Consecration

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Consecration and Prayer

This morning I read about the relationship between being consecrated (becoming sacred or holy) and prayer. Although it is much like the chicken and the egg, in which we ask which came first, there is no doubt that they go hand in hand. But, reading the bible and attempting to adhere to every commandment without speaking with God is nearly impossible to my way of thinking. As a matter of fact, it would be ignoring a great portion of the bible itself as it deals with prayer, praying, and those who pray. Pastor E.M. Bounds, attempted to explain this conundrum to us in his discussion of prayer and consecration; yet still left us with a bit of the conundrum to consider. In one statement he says...

Our Orneriness and God’s Commandments

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Obstinance in Faith

It pays to be obedient; this was the motivation behind the devotional message I read this morning. As I digested this thought, I couldn't help but contemplate the negative view that our society has of authority and rules. Despite this negative view of some, and the impression that secular laws and rules are made to restrain us, God's commandments were instituted to make us prosperous and keep us healthy. Jesus reiterates the fact that God gives us commandments out of love, and that they are to be obeyed. In return He will provide for us and answers our prayers. In His commandments, God is helping us to live better lives and rewarding us for our efforts.

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