All tagged doing

Inside Out? The Color in Who We Are

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Effect of doing Good

Does what we do in practice affect who we are or will become? Or, is who we are inside the sole determinate of what we do? This is an interesting question dealing with works, faith, and their interaction... But it is also a developmental question for us as Christians. In seeking the answer to this question I enjoyed reading the words of Pastor E. M. Bounds who wrote..."It was the inner character, not the outward appearance of men like Abraham, Job, David, Moses and others, that had such great influence with God in the biblical days. Today, it is not so much our words, but what we really are that counts for much in our praying. At the same time, character affects conduct to a far greater extent and has a superior influence over prayer. Our inner lives give color to our praying."

Are we missing the Eclipse?

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Acting on God’s Will

In Nashville we had a total eclipse of the sun in 2017, and although it took a while to reach its totality, or the period of time in which the moon totally covers the sun, the totality itself lasted for only two minutes or less. Quite often the period of time God shines His light of opportunity in our lives is short as well. If we miss the chance to see or to act upon the calling which God presents us, we may never experience that particular opportunity again.

Allowing God’s Will to be done through us

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , God’s Will

Being humble and meek are not weaknesses, but requires a great deal of strength, and fortitude. Standing before our inquisitors, our own versions of Pontius Pilot, and remaining silent, takes much more courage than to rattle off a series of defenses out of panic and fear. As Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, an Angel came, and He received increased strength to face what lay ahead. When we are facing our own hardships we should not pray that the trouble we will face as we do God’s will should be taken away, but that we be given the strength to complete the task and the courage to endure the trials that we will face in so doing. How are we praying today? Are we asking for smooth sailing, or the courage to step out of our boat, and the strength of faith needed to walk across the water to Jesus?

Are we really Good?

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , God is Good

As Christians we are told, and like, to do good things for those around us. In obeying God by doing good, we often mistake one another as being good, and we say such things as “He is a good man”, or “She is such a good person.”, but if Jesus would not let the rich young man call him good, then how can we possibly refer to one another in this way? Jesus was making a distinction between the act of doing good, and actually being good. We, like Jesus, are doers of good; not actually the embodiment of good, which is limited to God alone.