All tagged hidden

Hidden Gardens

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Exploring God

This morning let’s explore an important truth... Prayer and consecration are inseparable. These two attributes of a faithful life go hand in hand. I can imagine a scenario in which a person dedicates their life to God, but how long can that ideal be continued without having a personal conversation with God; without prayer? Such a dedication without the relationship that goes along with it is purely infatuation, and destined to fade away. Prayer is action; it is intimate, and strengthens us in our faith.

Secret Sins that Break our Stride of Faith

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional,

As we move towards a godly state of righteousness we shed one sin after another until at last we are down to our pet sins... those we consider insignificant, and that give us personal pleasure, or reduce the pain of life. When we reach this point, and we refuse to let these hidden sins go, then our relationship with God stalls, and we feel a growing separation from Him. This can happen early on in our walk, but usually it occurs once all of the low hanging sinful fruit has been plucked from us. These deeply imbedded sins that we pray over time and time again will require spiritual surgery to extract them.

Unknown Healing and Hidden Blessings

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Unknown Healing

Where are we as a people? We might wake up in the morning with a cough, but by mid-day it has gone. When this occurs we think it only natural, and that our body has healed itself, but in truth we are healed by grace every day despite becoming hardened to faith, and turning away from the ways of God. Our Heavenly Father heals without our knowing, and walks quietly with us, even with the most despicable sinners, as He whispers to our hearts, and loves us in our most undeserving moments. Will we repent? Will we turn to the Lord? Will our hearts be healed, and our feet find the way home, without our knowing?

The hidden(?) sins of our hearts and minds.

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Hearts and Minds

It’s not simply our actions that we need to repent of, but more than that it is what we carry in our hearts that will prompt, or have prompted, us to sin outwardly. These thoughts and longings desperately beg for our penitence and prayerful attention. Holding worldly thoughts in our hearts such as malice, lasciviousness, hatred, jealousy, and the like, leads us to commit our outward sins; they are like the voice of Satan that whispers nonstop day and night to us until at last we act upon them. Our repentance should begin with these dark thoughts that we feel confident no one can see, and are well hidden from God Himself, these are the deeply rooted sins we should dwell on in our prayer closets. Our transformation through Christ must begin with repentance for our innermost thoughts in order that they not manifest themselves boldly, and become the tangible fruit of what we give safe harbor to within us.

Unseen Spiritual Suffering and Pain

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Spiritual Pain

Quite often we miss seeing the inward pain that people are enduring in their lives. There are those who suffer excruciating physical, mental, emotional, and yes, spiritual pain, from sources that we can’t possibly see by simply looking at them. Haven’t we met an old friend on the street, and in the exuberant joy of seeing them again taken their hand or hugged them, only to have them wince in pain and tell us they hurt somewhere, or perhaps we asked how their family was doing and witnessed tears and sadness in their eyes as they told us of a lost loved one? It is the same with spiritual pain. So how do we recognize it, and how should we react to it? We are directed to those who suffer by the merciful hand of God who sees their hearts.

Do I have no Gifts or Talents to give?

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Secret Gifts

Are we one of those Christians who says they have no particular gift or talent to use in service of the Lord? Do we go to church, stand when the others stand, mumble our way through the singing because we can’t carry a tune in a bucket, and in every way lead a rather obscure life? Well perhaps we do far more than we realize. Maybe our greatest gift for the kingdom is to live out a godly life, and quietly tell people about Jesus in a non-demonstrative manner. Are we one of the great heroes for the kingdom that flies under the earthly radar, and that no one except God sees?

No Place for our Sin to Hide

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Hidden Sin

In every moment of trouble, every time of temptation, every joyous shout, or as we utter a single word of prayer. God is with us, sees us, and helps us. This is so reassuring, and we thank Him for looking after us through our days and nights, but it is also unsettling for us, the sinner, when we find ourselves naked and exposed before Him, knowing He has seen us in all we do, and that He judges us.

Living Our Hidden Lives of Faith

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional , Hidden Lives

Do you feel that your faith is insignificant, and that what you do day after day is of little consequence? Is your prayer life a quiet one, and unknown to anyone except for you, and God Himself? Are the good things you do for others done in secret, and go seemingly unnoticed? If this is true then you are a saint whose faith is known by God, precious in His eyes, and He is holding you close.