Month: January 2021

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Devotional 1/14/2020

Tuesday Devotional
January 14, 2020

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.” James‬ ‭1:22-24‬ ‭(ESV)

We live in a time where everyone does that which is right in their own eyes. We have people who claim to believe in Christ and in the Gospel, yet they pervert the truth of the Word and insist that we can be partakers in some hyper-grace movement that allows us to live as we want to live, to be hearers of the Word and not doers. Nothing could be further from the truth! James faced this very same problem in his day, and the Holy Spirit speaks to the faithful of all ages through the words of this little book which gives the believer such wonderful insight into the practical walk with God in Christ Jesus.

In the preceding verses, James had just addressed those who were slow to hear, quick to speak, and quick to get angry. Just as in our day, James faced people that were so wrapped up in themselves and in what they thought and what they felt that they missed the more elemental points of the faith. While many spend great amounts of time investigating words and doctrines and origins of teachings, the more necessary and elementary teachings of salvation and repentance and a call to holy living are ignored and sometimes even taught against. The reason is that they cannot have the Lord and the pleasures of the world, yet they want to be hearers and partakers in the promises of the Word, yet they do not want to partake in the doing of the Word. One cannot partake in the promises of the Word, if the do not partake in the Word by allowing it to work in and through their lives by doing what is commanded. We must not be deceived — if we want the benefits of Jesus and the promises of His Word we have to be all in. There are no part-time positions available in the Kingdom. We must be both hearers and doers. Our doing is not what gets us into Heaven, that is God’s grace. Our doing is, simply put, the proof that we believe what we are hearing. James addressed those who were being hearers in his age to be doers as well. He encouraged us in the preceding verses to shift our thinking and become quicker to hear, slower to speak, and slower to get angry.

‬‬“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” James‬ ‭‪1:19-21‬‬ ‭(ESV‬‬)

We cannot focus on ourselves so much as though we look in a mirror and do not allow the Word to change us and identify who we truly are in Christ. The Word is a mirror — who is it reflecting in your life? Who are you looking for in its reflection, yourself or Jesus? Do you want to see more of Jesus in your life or more of yourself?

Be a doer of the Word, not simply a hearer. Seek Christ, and who you are in Him; therein is the real power of life — in the knowledge of who you are in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior.

Father, we praise Your mighty and holy name and the name of Jesus. Lord, empower us to be doers and not simply hearers. Let us not be deceived by those who would have us to believe we do not have to obey your Word. Lord help us to be obedient and righteous servants, for Your Glory and Honor. Bless all who read, hear, and share these posts. I ask that You bless those who labor in and support this ministry. I ask this in Jesus’ mighty name, Amen!

Blessings in Christ,
Rev. Christopher B. Cain
Minister of Evangelism and Discipleship
Alive Ministries USA

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Thought of the Day 1/15/2020

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” Romans‬ ‭12:1‬ ‭(ESV‬‬)

In the early Jewish faith it was more than just tradition to offer sacrifices to God, it was a requirement of His law. Yet, when Christ Jesus gave Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for the sin of all mankind on the cross at Calvary, that was the fulfillment of the sacrificial law. Paul exhorts the readers of this epistle — then and now — that God now required a different sacrifice than burnt offerings on an altar. Here Paul calls for Christians to present themselves as holy, acceptable sacrifices, just as the sacrificial animals were to be without blemish. In order to do so, we must guard our thoughts, our words, our actions, and be faithfully executing good and righteous works for the Kingdom. In so doing, we will present our bodies as living sacrifices by obeying the commands of God. Even Samuel knew in the days of sacrifices that obeying God was more important to Him than the offering of sacrifices. “And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.” 1 Samuel‬ ‭15:22‬ ‭(ESV‬‬) So how is your sacrifice? Does it need a little work before it is presentable before God? What are you waiting for?

Jessica Ford
Communications Director
Alive Ministries USA

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Thought of the Day 1/16/2020

“Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God! Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground!” Psalms‬ ‭143:10‬ ‭(ESV‬‬)

This should be the cry of every believer’s heart and soul. Faith is not simply one moment in time when you choose to believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross (and rose from the grave three days later) to pay the price of your sins to make right your relationship with your Creator God. Rather, faith is a journey throughout our time here on earth. It involves putting our trust in what we cannot see but what we feel and what we know to be true. It also demands that we not remain stagnant in our journey; we should constantly be seeking God’s will for our lives that we might walk on that “level ground” He has prepared for us. How are you doing on your faith journey? Do you need a fuel up? Reach out to God right now — wherever you are and whatever you are doing — and ask for His guidance.

Jessica Ford
Communications Director
Alive Ministries USA

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Thought of the Day 1/17/2020

“From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised!”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭113:3‬ ‭(ESV‬‬)

Not just on Sunday morning. Not just when speaking with your “Christian friends”. Not only when things go “right” or the way you want them to in life. “From the rising of the sun to its setting” — or, at all times and in all things — “the name of the Lord is to be praised!” “He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”” (Luke‬ ‭19:40‬ ‭ESV‬‬) We should not wait for the stones to cry out; rather, we should busy ourselves with shouting the praises of our Lord and Creator from sunrise to sunset each and every day!

Jessica Ford
Communications Director
Alive Ministries USA

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Thought of the Day 1/18/2020

“Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭21:2‬ ‭(ESV‬‬)

How true is this? I am certain we all know at least one person that genuinely believes they know everything and can do no wrong. Most likely, if we can be honest with ourselves, we too can all too often try and justify the wrongdoings (read: sin) in our lives as having the right motives or calling ourselves “only human” to brush off the severity. However, there is no way to justify not following God’s will and plan for our lives — we are either following Him or we are being disobedient to His commandments. God knows our every thought, every true motive, our true heart’s desires in life; so why try and talk our way out of it? If there is something you have been trying to convince yourself, God, or others that is right in your life that you know truly is not what God has designed you for, repent of that to Him right now and seek His wisdom moving forward.

Jessica Ford
Communications Director
Alive Ministries USA

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Thought of the Day 1/19/2020

“For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭7:10‬ ‭(ESV‬‬)

What is the difference between these two types of grief Paul is writing about to the Corinthians? First we need to know that they are both tied to sin. Paul is writing about the grief that follows sin, and what fruit it will bear in us depending upon the type of grief and our reaction to it. The first type of grief is “godly grief” which is when an act of sin brings us to our knees in sorrow and repentance by seeing that disobedience as a wedge that has been placed between us and our Lord. The second grief is a “worldly grief” which may mean we have no care at all after considering the act of our sin, or only feel guilt or shame based on the world around us (societal standards, peer pressure, etc.), and find ourselves non-repentant for that act of sin. These two types of grief have enormously different outcomes as they will either lead us further to God or further from Him. Godly grief and repentance will have us seeking forgiveness and desiring to live more righteously and following His Word and will; and worldly grief may only be brief before we “move on” and continue in a pattern of sinful living. When you recognize sin in your life, what type of grief are you experiencing from it?

Jessica Ford
Communications Director
Alive Ministries USA

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Thought of the Day 1/20/2020

“But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” Amos‬ ‭5:24‬ ‭(ESV‬‬)

So often in the days of this prophet true justice was nonexistent. It was always prevented by bribery, the piety of the religious leaders of the time, etc. Here Amos pleads for justice and righteousness to reach everyone so that it cannot be avoided. With the metaphor of justice rolling “down like waters”, he implored God to reach the hearts of all mankind that they might turn from their sin entirely and seek repentance and God’s will. Will it take God pouring out justice and righteousness like mighty streams of water to bring you to repentance for the sin in your life, or are you ready to come to Him right now?

Jessica Ford
Communications Director
Alive Ministries USA

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Thought of the Day 1/21/2020

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” James‬ ‭1:5‬ ‭(ESV‬‬)

Sometimes we are presented with an opportunity, a task, a question, or a crossroads that leaves us wondering what step(s) to take next. Often, it can even seem overwhelming to make a decision because fear, doubt, anxiety, and their friends, can come alongside us and cause us to worry about all the possible outcomes before we have made even one move. This is where wisdom, true wisdom (which only comes from above), comes into play. With it, we can step boldly into the unknown having the confidence that our Lord is with us each step of the way, and in fact has walked the path before us. So, worry or wisdom? Which will you choose the next time you are faced with one of life’s hurdles? Turn to God who gives His wonderfully true wisdom freely and graciously!

Jessica Ford
Communications Director
Alive Ministries USA

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Thought of the Day 1/22/2020

“Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalms‬ ‭37:4‬ ‭(ESV‬‬)

Alright! The verse we have been waiting for! Just be happy with God and He will give you whatever you want! Wait. Is that what this verse really means? Well, there are certainly many false teachers out there that would lead you to believe so; however, there is a slight problem. The problem arises with “desires”, and what desires do you have — ones that line up with God’s will and righteousness, or carnal desires of wealth and prosperity? In order to obtain any of the “desires of your heart” you must first “delight yourself in the Lord” by following His direction for your life, reading, studying, and applying His Word to your life, maintaining a healthy prayer life, and fellowship with fellow believers. These actions will tune your heart to God so that what you desire is what He desires for you and through you. So yes, God will give you the “desires of your heart”, if you will make your focus Him and His will for you.

Jessica Ford
Communications Director
Alive Ministries USA

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Thought of the Day 1/23/2020

“”Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Matthew‬ ‭7:7‬ ‭(ESV‬‬)

Here is another verse, like yesterday’s, that all too often gets used in the “prosperity” mindset and message. This is not a “free for all” offering of whatever you want in life from God. This is an exhortation to always be in communication with God in prayer (ask), always be about the Father’s business (seek), and push through the sin nature that keeps the door between you and God locked (knock) by repenting and seeking His forgiveness. When you follow these guidelines and look to God for His wisdom and direction, you will find that the path He has planned for you will be clear and well lit!

Jessica Ford
Communications Director
Alive Ministries USA