Do We Know The Word of God?

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Word of God

This morning we will contemplate having a thirst and love for the Bible; the written Word of God. Some approach the Holy Bible as if it were like any other piece of literature, but it is far more than that; it is the inspired Word of God and has been influencing man, and his secular literature, from the moment it was first spoken, written, and lived. We have seen evidence of this in man’s poetry, prose, and speech from the moment Adam was formed and it became focal to his thought, and life. But “The Word of God” is much more than this. Do we find ourselves referring to God’s written Word, God, and Jesus Christ, interchangeably as “The Word of God?”

Experiencing the Spiritual and Physical in our Lives

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Dichotomy of Man

Experiencing religion, and the dichotomy of man, will be our topic of study today. We will explore who we are, and those moments of religious experience that are so important and life changing for us. Moments like our new birth in Christ, baptism, communion, Christening, marriage, foot washing, receiving the Holy Spirit, and all the other experiences of faith that form our lives, as well as our faith, and worship.

Obedience and Love

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Love or Obedience

Let’s consider the topic of "obeying God out of love" this morning. Love is a powerful emotion and leads us to our greatest heights. But unfortunately, when spurned, it has also causes some of our greatest pains, and failures as well. Fortunately, God never rejects our love or fails to recognize our obedience to His Word that flows from it. He rewards us, just as those of us who are in love do with one another; each longing to fulfill the other's desires, even if doing so comes at the expense of our own comfort or desire.

Giving Our All to God

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Eternity or Love

What does it mean to give ourselves to God? Are we prepared to become fully consecrated? These are questions for us to concentrate on this morning. Presenting ourselves to God and becoming spiritually focused rather than worldly centered. When we do this, our lives are changed and we become an example to others of the perfect will of God... we will reflect those attributes which set us apart as holy and righteous before a world of sin and compromise.

God’s Word, and the Divine Breath of Prayer

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Pray the Word

Today let’s concentrate on prayer as the divine pattern for our relationship with God. As I read my devotional message this morning Pastor E.M. Bounds dealt with this subject using these words: "No standard of religion is worth a moment's consideration when it neglects prayer... A life of prayer is the divine rule. This is the pattern, just as our Lord is the one Example that we must follow. Prayer is required for a spiritual life... Our goal should be set not by the opinions of people, not by what they say, but by what the scripture says."

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."

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