All in Faithfulness

Finding Peace, and Joy, in our Faith Alone

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Contentment, Faithfulness

How content are we in our spiritual lives? Are we satisfied with what the Lord provides us, or do we approach our faith like we do our earthly labor; driven by dissatisfaction, and an unending need for more? If we climb mountains isn’t there always another peak to summit, or if we are a fisherman isn’t there one more cast of our net to make? Yet as believers, we should be happy with where God is taking us, and content with His daily provision... our lives should be lived peacefully each day in the presence of God.

Perseverance, Endurance, and Rejoicing in our Cross

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Perseverance, Suffering, Faithfulness

If a man seeks Jesus Christ as a means of escaping the hardship and suffering of the world then he will be sorely disappointed when at last he meets Him, because no man ever suffered as Christ did. Are we ready to continue on in faith and to seek righteousness even though we know that tribulation awaits us? Can we face life’s suffering and rejoice in it, or will we complain, mourn, and eventually, lay down our cross as we yield to our own personal comfort? A Christian’s love for Jesus exceeds his desire for selfish pleasure, and his love and desire for eternity with God endures the lessons, and responsibilities, of the cross. 

Facing Temptation, and becoming perfect in the Hands of God

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Temptation, Faithfulness

Are there people who seek to undermine our faith in Jesus Christ, or who wish to destroy our belief in God? Do we feel less than competent when it comes to defending scripture in a scholarly setting, or standing up to ridicule? Well, whatever comes against us will be defeated, and God’s power within us will prevail because His hand is upon us. No matter our shortcomings, He has filled every crack and chink in our armor from within using the knowledge of His Holy Spirit, and has provided us a sword for our defense hammered out in the forge of His Word.

Tending the Fire, and Garden of our Faith in the New Year

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Faithfulness, Perseverance, Growth

When we first believe we are on spiritual fire, with our faith roaring like a blazing inferno, but if we do not continue to feed the flame then ever so slowly the fire dies down until at last it is only cold ash; blown here and there by the wind, and driven once more into the earth by the rain. Where in this description are we in our faith? Are we lighting up the night, smoldering, or reduced to a pile of cold white ash?

Joyous in the Springs, and Being Perfected in the Winters of our Faith

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Faithfulness

When we first believed we were so certain that our love for Jesus would never falter. In that moment His presence filled us with great joy, and His peace was upon us, but now, after many years, we look back on our life of faith, and realize that although our desire was always to be faithful... it has not always been so. Despite our love for Jesus, and our adoration of the Father, we have not always lived up to our pledge. Oh the times of remorse, and the hours spent in prayerful contrition, but God is faithful, and Jesus ever at our side in forgiveness saying “Go and sin no more.”

God’s Peace, and the Spiritual Origins of Worry and Stress

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Worry, Stress, Faithfulness

Are you someone who worries over every little thing that might possibly happen to you in the future, or, are you a person who leans on God to provide solutions as problems arise? There is much discussion today about the negative effects of stress and worry on our health, but if you hold tight to the promise that Jesus made to us you will live a life that is free of such things.

God’s Mercy, God’s People, and God’s Love

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Obedience, Faithfulness

We are meant to be God’s people, but do we turn our back on the one who has given us shelter and protection, and snapped at the hand that has fed us? When God called to us He showered us with His love and care through Jesus, but over time have some of us have become fixed once again on our own abilities, our own desires, and forgotten whose children we are? Have we spurned heaven, that eternal place we call home? If so, then what awaits us now, and has God lost His love for us?

Are We Going to the Circus, or Answering the Call of God?

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Faithfulness

When following our faith becomes hard, the direction that scripture is taking us becomes a puzzle, or the lure of the world becomes too strong, are we tempted to walk away from our faith? It is one thing to be tempted, because Satan will tempt, but it is quite another to respond to that temptation. God has called us to Him through Jesus much as we choose our friends, because He is confident that we will not desert Him. Are we truly called to Him, or just following the crowd?

Our Suffering, and God’s Will for us on Calvary

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Suffering, Faithfulness

Do you find yourself coming to God, and Jesus Christ only when you are suffering? Did you accept Jesus, and God in the midst of a crisis? Perhaps your faith is more pronounced when you are hurting? Sometimes it takes calamity to bring us to our knees, and to strengthen our faith through fervent prayer. Do you wait for those times before praying earnestly? Do you feel abandoned by God or more alive in Him when you suffer? Troubles come to sinners, and righteous alike... are you prepared?

Faith, and the Story of the two “Ifs”.

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Faithfulness, Doubt

Have you ever questioned the ability of God, or Jesus Christ? Before you say “No”, with some amount of emphasis, think about it further. Was there ever a time when you said to God in prayer “If you can do this”, or perhaps said to a friend “if God sees fit to do this for me, then...”? Well, as we speak and pray there are many applications of the word “if” made in our prayers and conversations regarding God, but we should be very careful because that word reveals our doubt.

Are We Rooted in our Faith, and Living Out our Beliefs?

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Following Jesus, Faithfulness

Do you know a Christian who claims to follow all the tenets of the Christian faith but is mad all the time, mean spirited, or unfaithful to their friends or spouse? How about a person who says they are Christian, and behaves in a morally sound manner, but doesn’t believe that the Word of God is truth? Well, these people are living a lie in one manner or the other. They are attempting to call darkness light, or light darkness.

Our Storms of Faith, and the Pruning Shears of God

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Storms, Strength, Faithfulness

07/11/2019

We are so likely to become discouraged when the storms of life are upon us, but in them we are strengthened by the wind and the hardship. The weak branches break off, and our roots, filled with new moisture, bring forth new growth... all this to better prepare us to withstand what lies ahead. The winds of storms are like pruning sheers, and drought sends our roots deeper in search of new moisture. Don’t let your faith be overcome by adversity it will soon be replaced by new vigor and strength.

The Impossible of Life, and the Lord who goes Before Us

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, God, Faithfulness, All Things Possible

Do you find that adhering to the commandments of God and Jesus Christ is too difficult for you? When you read that Jesus said “Go and sin no more.” were these words frightening to you and more than you felt you could accomplish? Well my friend, if we were to attempt these things alone, then they surely would be too much for us, and we would be right to be frightened and concerned, but in God all this and more are possible.