All tagged suffering

Serving, Suffering, and God’s Feast

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Properly Serving God

Are you suffering in or through something that God has called you to do? If so, how are you approaching your hardship? Does it cause you to question the Lord’s presence in what you are doing, or to experience personal pride in your suffering? Neither of these is a proper way to deal with our hardships and suffering because they make His call less about Him and more about ourselves. Only by leaning on Him and maintaining a humble trust in His will are we properly responding as we go about obeying our calling and walking in His will.

Perfecting Our Faith at the Keyboard of Life

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Perfecting Faith

Am I working hard enough and practicing my faith with enough diligence and dedication so that I will, at last, be called a mature son of God? Is my faith increasing, and my everyday life reflecting that increase, by exhibiting the true character of Jesus? Everyday life doesn't grow easier for the Christian, but it does grow more certain spiritually, and robust in belief and faith.

Of Dismay, and Faces like Flint

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Struggle and Resolve

Although we know Jesus for His love, mercy, and obedience to God’s will, we are still saddened by the thought of His pain, suffering, and death for us. There was a time leading up to the Cross, when as He was preparing to take on the sins of the world, He and His disciples were uncertain and afraid of what lay ahead. But as Jesus walked with them towards Jerusalem and Calvary, He prepared them for what lay ahead. We are much like His disciples, and are often worried and afraid of what is happening around us, but if we will continue to walk with Him He will reassure us too.

Origami, Kirigami, Suffering, and the Hand of God

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Suffering and Transformation

Are you suffering today? Is your life full of hardship that has brought you to your knees... not in the abandonment of life and faith, but in a desperate need to submit yourself to God? If so, then you have been brought to the right place and frame of mind. In this state your soul will call out to God and your humanity will not get in the way of the Holy Spirit’s work in you.

Who Stands on our Summit?

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Sacrifice in Transformation

During my time of devotion today I read Oswald Chambers. He wrote of giving ourselves to Jesus Christ and what that means. It is a surrender of not just our bodies, but our spirits, our sinful lives, and all we are. As I contemplated the relief that comes from this conversion, I also thought of the pain that the process brings, because as the new person is born, the old must die. The apostle Paul understood what yielding oneself truly means. In his letter to the Galatians, he spoke of who he became once he had accepted Jesus as his savior, his Christ.

Choosing God’s Will, and Enduring the Suffering Which Follows

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Suffering in our Calling

I struggled with my devotional reading this morning. The bulk of it dealt with the fact that when we answer God's call in our lives then we, or other people around us, could suffer. Have you ever considered this? Perhaps you are new to the faith and are still of the belief that answering God’s call is all about us and is always an easy choice; that any suffering it involves is ours, and ours alone. This is a false assumption.

Prayer: For Them that Suffer as We Do

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Praying from Pain and Suffering

I was lifted up by the message and scripture of my devotional reading today. The scripture reading that blessed me so immensely was from 2nd Corinthians. And, as I read this scripture, the words of my devotional reading this morning echoed in them. They spoke to me of Jesus being the pattern of prayer, selfless, and the great intercessor who stands at the right hand of God... In this I could see a lesson in how we should all pray for others… it was a lesson in love, and in comforting others.

Christian Virtues and Suffering

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Lessons in Suffering

Today I encourage you to read through Romans 12; this is a wonderful chapter that tells us how to live each day as Christians. Among instructions such as feeding the hungry and blessing those who persecute us, there is a short little verse that instructs us to constantly pray during our times of trouble. Praying without ceasing is an important theme, and there is another short verse in 1st Thessalonians that tells us the same thing. This verse in Romans instructs us to “be constant in prayer”, and both are repeated biblical reminders of an important message regarding our prayer life… live in constant prayer.

Affliction and the Spiritual Chalkboard

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Suffering and Tribulation

We have spoken of our troubles and afflictions as they relate to our faith through prayer, and today we revisit this topic again. Pastor E.M. Bounds simply called his short devotional thought "Affliction", and wrote "The greatest value in trouble comes to those who turn to God in prayer. In fact, the only way to endure trouble patiently, is to pray consistently.” Scripture tells us this...

Faith, and the Prayers of the Desperate

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Suffering

Yesterday we contemplated a faithful mother who sought a miracle for her daughter (Mat 25:22-28). The persistence of that mother caught the attention of Jesus and left us with a lesson for all time. When every hope is dashed and desperation appears to be our closest friend... that is when we should cling most to our faith... that is when prayer can bring the most amazing things to bear… even a stronger faith.

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