All tagged suffering

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.

Do Not Grow Weary

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Suffering on the Way

I have twin sisters and several years ago one of them was diagnosed with an ovarian tumor. The doctors were uncertain as to whether it was cancer or not, so we prayed, and the surgeon removed a benign growth. That happened quite a long time ago. But later they found another tumor and after testing it her OBGYN told her it too looked benign but would need to be removed and tested. However, after having sighed a sigh of relief she received a subsequent call from her Oncologist who believed it might be cancer. Of course we prayed he was wrong. In times such as these we need to renew our faith through scripture and prayer. If you are being pursued by the dark one today, you will love the encouraging verse we will be beginning with.

Rendering; the “mmmm, that is good!” of Faith

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Increasing in Faith

Are You Facing trials in your life right now? Does it feel like God has abandoned you and let the world have its way with you? Well praise God for where you are right now because in your misery He is expanding the beam of our faith. It is in such times that our faith isn’t tested... it is stretched as we reach desperately for His hand. The disciples of Jesus had just failed... they had been unable to cast a devil out of a child. They were feeling sorry for themselves and with their faces drooping, they asked Jesus why they hadn’t succeeded, and He said it was because of their unbelief. They were about to be stretched.

Serving, Suffering, and God’s Feast of Glory

Richard Forbes
Christian , Daily Devotional, Focusing on 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 His presence in what you are doing, or are you experiencing pride in your suffering? Neither of these is a proper way to deal with your spiritual hardships because it makes His calling about yourself. Only a humble trust in God is the proper reaction.

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