All tagged Living in Jesus

Praying for the privileged even as ourselves, the poor in spirit

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Love Your Neighbor

We look around us in life and it seems that there are those who always have it easy as compared to us. These people have money, power, prestige, all the nice things in life, and even in church they give the most, and often have the greatest say as a result. Life just seems to flow smoothly for this elite few, while most of us are struggling along, calling out to Jesus at every turn. Jesus spoke about what should really matter to us as we travel through our lives... our salvation, relationship with God, and entering the kingdom of heaven. He said that the wealthy, and privileged can become entrenched in what the world provides, whereas those who are poor, downtrodden, or struggling, cling to God for their survival, and look towards heaven for their ultimate joy, and relief. 

The Name of Jesus covers the Great and the Small Alike

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Following Jesus, God’s Glory

We pray, and then conclude that prayer by saying “In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen” and we are comfortable in this because we are told specifically to ask in His name, but do we live out our lives in His name? When we do all of the small things that seem to have little to do with our faith, do we do every one of them through Jesus for the glory of God? Each tiny detail of our lives should be performed in such manner and should represent the “unceasing” nature of our faith, in this way, even our almost imperceptible sin should not pass without our notice, and contrition.

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.”

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.

When the Perishable puts on the Imperishable

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Living Faith, Believing

Having spoken to some who claim to be Christian, and yet struggle with Jesus having risen from the grave, I am now careful to ask... Do you stand watching at the cross, and do you carry Jesus to the tomb? Then, do you return to the tomb after the Sabbath to find the grave empty, and believe He has risen? In this way I know their faith., because who are we, and who is Jesus without the resurrection? Where is our hope? Where is our victory? Where is our promise of eternity? Without the resurrection we are doomed to return to the grave day after day to tend to a body, and mourn the dead.

Am I Moral, or Righteous in my Life?

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Alive, God, Living Faith

Are you a blessing to the Lord in all the things you do, the praise you give, and the worship to enter into, or do you just do good and moral things? Do you look to God for provision, healing, salvation, enlightenment, and other such blessings, or do you consider these things to be the result of the moral life you lead, and of your own doing? You acknowledge God, you believe Jesus Christ lived, but do you believe that they are just as as alive and active in your life today as in the times of the early saints? What is your expectation of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit in your life?

Who is Jesus in our Eyes... our Hearts?

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Crucified With Christ

As Christians, how do we speak of our faith in Jesus? Who do we envision Him to be? Do we see Him as a miracle child born of the Virgin Mary? Do we witness the young boy discussing scripture in the temple? Do we long to be the man who calls out to others to become His apostles? Do we dream of a miracle worker turning water into wine and walking on water, or do we see a great rabbi who teaches powerful truths? Are any of these remembrances the heart of our faith?