All tagged Rest

Are We Afraid in the Night, or at Rest?

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Rest , Restoration

We sweat and toil in the light of day, and pray for the Lord’s hand to be upon us. We are heartbroken as we look down on the graves of our loved ones, and pray for God’s gentle embrace. We suffer the pain of wounds, or the discomfort of illness, and pray for our Father’s healing touch. Every day brings some concern, suffering, or trial, that leads us to pray, but for every hard day there comes a gentle night of rest… a time of peace, and the revelation of God’s wonder. We can’t see the stars and moon until the sun has set, and we can’t hear the song of night until the raucous uproar of day has subsided. Do we lift up our daily prayers and remain confident in them to bring us rest? God separates our days of tribulations with nights of stillness, and peace.

Are We Exhausted by our Works of Faith?

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Works, Rest

Do you witness to others, or are you a teacher, or preacher, of the gospel of Jesus Christ? If you do one or more of these things, or hold any of the other positions of faith... even to the maintenance staff, then you are given a special obligation regarding your diligence in faithfulness, and works, that is above the other believers. If however, you are a believer in the church who is doing well to search out your own salvation every day, you too have an obligation, and it is greater than those who are still lost. Yet all have the basic need to do works in service of our Father, His Son, and His Heavenly Kingdom.

The Peace, and Rest of Jesus... Where does it begin, and end?

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Peace, Rest

Does the world weary you, and weigh you down? Well, it is rare to find a peaceful refuge in this place of frothing humanity, and sin, but that is exactly what Jesus offers us. Just as He stilled the waters He also settles the souls of those who believe in Him, giving them peace, and in so doing providing them rest. Are you tired and weary today, and in need of relief from the burdens of life? Then Come to Him!

We are not the Three Wise Men, but are the Children of God.

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Birth, Peace, Rest, Joy

We are in the midst of the Christmas season, and there is a great deal of hustle and bustle that goes along with it... are you stressed? Do all of the parties, family obligations, the gift buying, wrapping gifts, and putting up of decorations wear you down to the point where you long for the season to come to an end? Well, if that is true then you, like the secular world, have lost the truth in Christmas, the coming of Jesus; the arrival of the Christ Child. He didn’t come to burden us, but to redeem us, and give us rest, peace, and joy.

Are we only Actors in Peace, or True Peacemakers?

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Peace

Do we lead a peaceful life? Does the peace of Christ govern not only our own lives, but also influence the lives of everyone around us? We are meant to be like Jesus, and in this way we are called to be peaceful beings. Look about you today and ask yourself a few questions about living your life in faith... is my home a place of rest and peace? Do I conduct myself in a peaceful manner at all times? When I pray am I praying for peace to be the product of my every desire, or just an occasional wish?

God’s Rhythm, and the Fingers that Tie our Shoes

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, God’s Will, Time

Do you find yourself impatiently waiting on the Lord? A car races off the road at breakneck speed, you finish a good book before you are ready, or you might come to the end of your life saying ”how did it pass so quickly!”, but when we deal with God there is a very different feeling to time. On many occasions the sense of urgency we apply to the happenings in our lives seems strangely absent with God, while at other times things happen in a flash.

Finding Perfect Peace in a Dark World of Insanity and Discord

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Peace

In the world there is such rancor, turmoil, hatred, and war, but in God, and Jesus Christ we find perfect peace. Though the world is frothing, and men are arguing, and striking out at one another in evil intent, our faith brings us the hope, calm, and love, of Christ’s peace. In Jesus we can find escape from the bitterness that we see and hear swirling around us each day, and by the grace of God we are provided His Son as an escape... are you ready to break away from the insanity?

Patient Faith; is it Jerry Lee Lewis, or Johann Sebastian Brahms?

Richard Forbes
Daily Devotion, Faith, Christian, Jesus, Patience

Are you a driven person? Do you run at everything you do whether it is work, play, friendships, relationships, or even your faith? Are you known by monickers such as hard working, industrious, unrelenting, or other such descriptions? Being driven is a personality trait that often gets in the way of our faith. It is valued by society because we are creatures bound by time, and it lends well to works, but to God the true value is in perfection, purity, righteousness, and holiness. How do we reconcile these two ways of approaching life, faith, and eternity?

Strength from Trust, and God’s will in the Quiet Places

Richard Forbes
Peace, God’s Strength, Daily Devotion, Rest, Christian

What does it mean when scripture tells us to rest, be quiet, and trust the Lord? How does it sit with us when it says that this is our strength, and our salvation? To us this sounds so foreign because we feel like there must be something that God would have us do. We want to be actively involved like the young David who used his sling to slay Goliath. Yet in many scriptures we are told that by just sitting in the presence of God, and waiting we will experience our greatest strength... yet we resist this.

Faith in God; Finding Answers to the Unfathomable

Richard Forbes
Leaning on God, Christian, Wisdom, Daily Devotion, Understanding

Do you really know what tomorrow will bring you? Oh you think that you can surmise it based on the events of today, but in fact we can not. Life is fluid and ever changing, and many things are understood only by God Himself. So how does not knowing tomorrow make you feel, less human or more human? Does not being able to fully understand the world or something in it turn you towards God, or cause you to feel alone and insignificant?

The Rest of Jesus, or Wearing the Yoke of Man... Choose!

Richard Forbes
Christian, Daily Devotion, Jesus, Peace, Rest

Have you ever experienced rest in your life? I am not talking about a good night’s sleep, but an escape from all that troubles you, and total recuperation of mental, and bodily strength... a complete refreshing of Spirit and soul? Well if you have then you know what our verse this morning is talking about, but if not, then it is time to listen to Jesus and come to Him.

Princes, Principalities, and the Harbinger of Mercy

Richard Forbes
Mercy, Rest, Peace, Assurance, Judgement, Daily Devotion, Christian

Do you fret over the condition of the country and this world? Do you wring your hands and cry out “Lord! Lord! Look at what is being done and the harm there is to your people!” Well if you do, then stop! Ours is to trust in Him who created all things, and to leave princes and principalities to He who established them. We are like the grasses that cover the earth. We may brown with drought, but we have faith in the showers. The trees will wither and die, but the grass returns with the rain, dark clouds and lightning are the harbinger of mercy.