All tagged love

The Great Intercessor

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Jesus the Intercessor

How do we view those who don’t know God and who have no relationship with Jesus Christ? Do we walk past them and look for a tender spot in the heart of others, or do we begin to pray for their salvation? When a fellow believer falls on hard times, do we say a quick prayer to ourselves and then go about our lives, or do we sincerely pray for their relief every day? We say we want to be like Jesus and yet so many of us don’t follow Him in one of His most basic characteristics... we don’t lovingly intercede in prayer for others. Jesus is the Great Intercessor... but are we like Him in this regard?

We are Precious to God

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Precious

Do we understand how precious we are to God? As we go about the process of worshipping Him, and building our faith in Him, do we realize that He is longing for us with even greater vigor? We readily accept that Jesus is His Son, but can we admit to ourselves how much God truly loves us and desires to reclaim us? Can we accept that the blood of Christ which was freely offered out of God’s love will completely cleanse those of us who believe this promise to be true? Can we receive God’s gift of grace without doubt or question? And do we agree to the terms of our adoption as His children?

The Egg of Love, and the Yolk of Humility

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Humility and Love

How do you recognize a person who has given themselves completely over to God’s will? What one trait do you see in such saints that makes them stand out? If you mull this over in your mind, you will come to one conclusion, and one conclusion only... humility. To become a servant you must first humble yourself, to obey God without reservation you must humble yourself, and to become a child of Our Heavenly Father, you must humble yourself before Him. Do you humbly place God before yourself? Are you capable of embodying the absolute humility of Christ?

Whose Child am I, and how Complete is my Love?

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Agape

How much of ourselves have we given to God in love? Do we conform to His will in all things, or only as much as we think it will take to please Him? Jesus was the most amazing and incredible man to have ever lived, and yet He subjected Himself in His entirety to God... His example leads us to understand the true nature of God’s expectation of us as He speaks spiritual truth and demonstrates what it means to be a loving Child of God.

Jesus, the Spigot of God’s Love and Joy

Richard Forbes
Christian , Christmas Story , Daily Devotional, Love and Joy

Today is the beginning of a brand-new year, and as such, let’s contemplate the true source of our joy. I have come to understand that I shouldn’t look to the world for my joy, but to the Lord Jesus Christ instead. I came to this conclusion because the world fails me. However, Jesus, my Redeemer and Savior, never disappoints or abandons me. The joy of Christ was, and is, steadfast and unfailing because it flows from the absolute nature of love in God. Are you walking with Jesus today and if so, do you find this joy to be true in your daily life with Him?  Are you seeking His joy and preparing yourself to become more completely united with Him over the course of the coming year? If you are then you will find that His joy isn’t the only source of joy you will receive… you will experience the love and joy of God.

Of Kittens, Entitlement, and Life within Us

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Loving God

If we live according to the commandments, are we owed righteousness and everlasting life? How can we be so bold as to feel this way after Jesus walked into the vile pit of worldly sin and human debasement, suffered for us there, took on our sin, died, and was raised again... all for us in our undeserving and fallen state. He loved us first; he chose us in love before the creation of the world and knew us while we were yet in our mother’s womb. So, how is it then that by simply being moral or working at following God’s commandments that we feel entitled to redemption and eternity?

Marriage - Flaming Desire, or Ash?

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Becoming One

Two individuals enter a wedding ceremony, but upon the marriage’s consummation only one flesh emerges to form a life together. This is a beautiful mystery, and over the years it is fraught with hardships and challenges. Are we ready for the flame that purifies a marriage? Are we prepared to endure the fire and become one ash in the palm of God? Are we determined to live out the years together?

How Do I Love Thee, Let Me Count the Ways.

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Our Loving God

Do we follow Jesus for the reward of eternal life? Do we serve Him for the blessings He bestows on us? Is our fear of God because we might be judged and thrown into a pit of fire? If our answer to any of these questions is yes, then our faith might just be an illusion, and our love for Him far less than He deserves. This morning, I am reading Psalm 84. This is a declaration of love, and the language is incredible. There is no doubt of the psalmist's intense love for God as he begins by writing about his longing to be in the Lord’s presence…

Leaving Ourselves on the Cross

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Gauging Our Faith

When I came to Jesus it was in full submission to Him, but have I served Him over all else in my life? Have I been the servant that God expects me to be, or has my commitment to Him become a convenience on my part? These are my thoughts this morning and as I seek the answers to them, I find that they often serve to convict me. I gauge my faith and belief against that of Jesus and find myself lacking. It is in moments like this that I cry out for mercy, grace, and to be covered in the blood of the perfect lamb, Jesus Christ. Will you join me in this quest for true faith, and a plea for mercy?

Loving, Walking, Feeding… A Question of Love

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Loving and Obeying

This morning let’s ask ourselves the same question that the resurrected Jesus asked Peter repeatedly... “Do I love Jesus?” And, as we hear those words ringing in our ears, let’s think about what love truly is. Then, knowing love, let’s measure the depths of our ability to love and ask yet again, “Do I love Jesus?” Finally, as we continue our exploration into what Jesus truly wants from us let’s ask for a third time... “Do I love Jesus?” Do we know the answer? Are we worshiping, obeying, and following what Jesus expects of us out of love? Is our love the same one that He asked Peter if he had?

God, Honor, and Parenthood

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Honor Parents

Do you place a bit of your will and self before God when He asks something of you? Do you use such language as "I will but", or "just let me do this first", or perhaps you try to negotiate with Him by saying "what about this?" Do you place your own conditions on following God's will for you? Maybe it's time to just respond as you should have from the start by saying… "here am I."

One Church, and One Family

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Uniting the Church

In my devotional message yesterday, we discussed being one with Jesus and the fact that this promise is for today and not some future time. We talked about knowing God's will for us and submitting ourselves to Christ. So, to begin our study today let's dig a little deeper and ask ourselves why God would offer all of His children such a precious gift. Today we will discuss this even further, but the simple answer to why God would extend to us the same relationship He knows with Jesus, who was without sin, can be summed up in one sentence, and it’s all about God’s love and our accepting a single belief...

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