Month: January 2021

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Thought of the Day 2/2/2020

“For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will stand upon the earth.” Job‬ ‭19:25‬ ‭(ESV‬‬)

Job just may be the one human who we can say suffered the most on this earth, between physical pain and ailments and emotional distress of the loss of family and possessions. The friends who came to bring comfort to him in the midst of his suffering only seemed to bring more stress, anxiety, and even anger. They may have been able to accuse Job of not being the most humble man alive, or perhaps being hypocritical, but Job wants one thing for certain on the record. Job wants it known to these friends (and any in generations to come who might hear of the sufferings he endured) to understand that he still had faith and trust in his Redeemer. He knew that even if he was not delivered from his physical ailments, or restored his worldly possessions, that in the end the God he had always trusted in was a living God who would ultimately redeem Job to Himself for all eternity. Can you state with the confidence of Job that you know your Redeemer, the living God, and that He will restore you to Himself for all eternity?

Jessica Ford
Communications Director
Alive Ministries USA

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Thought of the Day 2/3/2020

“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love Him and keep His commandments, to a thousand generations,” Deuteronomy‬ ‭7:9‬ ‭(ESV‬‬)

This great passage from the Old Testament separates God from the idols who were worshipped by the Egyptians the Israelites had just been rescued from, as well as those worshipped by the peoples in the land around them. These idols were described as: “…silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see. They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell. They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat.” (Psalms‬ ‭115:4-7‬ ‭ESV‬‬) Unlike all of those idols, or false gods, the God that had delivered them out of captivity had proved He was faithful in keeping His promises and showing His love to His chosen people. If they, and if we, would “love Him and keep His commandments”, He will remain steadfast and faithful, pouring out His love on His children.

Jessica Ford
Communications Director
Alive Ministries USA

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Thought of the Day 2/4/2020

“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Romans‬ ‭5:3-5‬ ‭(ESV‬‬)

Rejoice in suffering? This seems like an oxymoron if ever there were one! It is human nature to reject, grieve, and even despise sufferings that come our way. However, for the born-again follower of Christ, it is indeed joyful to know that we are following in His footsteps through trials, suffering, and even persecution in this world. “and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.”
‭‭(Romans‬ ‭8:17‬) Any amount of strife or suffering we are subjected to in life, if we are submitted to the Lord, will eventually produce endurance, character, and hope. It is with these fruits that we will be drawn closer to our Lord and Savior and His love for us that “has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us”. How are you responding when suffering comes your way?

Jessica Ford
Communications Director
Alive Ministries USA

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Thought of the Day 2/5/2020

“casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.” 1 Peter‬ ‭5:7‬ ‭(ESV‬‬)

We are not simply called to cast all of our anxieties, or cares, upon our Lord because it is the easy or rational thing to do; rather, we are called to do so because it is so difficult. What am I saying? Satan is very crafty when it comes to working to destroy people’s lives, especially the Christian person’s walk with God. “casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” (1 Peter‬ ‭5:7-10‬‬‬) He is a ravenous, relentless lion seeking any and all that he can “devour”, and one of his favorite ways to do this is through stress, anxiety, or worry. It can be over something of grave importance or even something of no significance, but either way, if the devil has us worrying instead of trusting our Lord and Savior, he has us right where he wants us. Where does God wants us? He wants us safe in His arms, trusting Him to provide for us and care for us, and wants us unloading our burdens of anxiety on Him instead of letting them drag us further down and further from Him. “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved.” (Psalms‬ ‭55:22‬) It is like the often shared on Facebook quote says: “If we trust the puzzle maker to put all the pieces in the box — why don’t we trust God with the pieces of our life?” This should be especially true when we face something anxiety provoking or worrisome, for we know: “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John‬ ‭4:4‬)

Jessica Ford
Communications Director
Alive Ministries USA

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Thought of the Day 2/6/2020

“And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes‬ ‭4:12‬ ‭(ESV‬‬)

Just as it is easier for a person to be attacked alone in a dark alley, it is easier for a person to be overtaken by the temptation of the devil when they fight alone. This is why we have the exhortation to not be neglectful about meeting with fellow believers: “not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews‬ ‭10:25‬) Should one believer fall under the attack of the enemy, those who are gathered around that believer in the unity and hope of Christ Jesus will be able to withstand Satan’s attack. A “threefold rope” is a strong rope woven together from three individual ropes, but unravel the individual strands and it becomes weaker. Likewise, when we do not fellowship with other believers to strengthen and encourage each other, we too become weaker in the fight against evil.

Jessica Ford
Communications Director
Alive Ministries USA

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Thought of the Day 2/7/2020

“Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that You, O Lord, are God, and that You have turned their hearts back.”” 1 Kings‬ ‭18:37‬ ‭(ESV‬‬)

Today’s verse comes from the passage in the Old Testament where Elijah puts the prophets of Baal, a false “god”, to the test against God Almighty. They both set up altars with sacrificed bulls for offerings. After waiting all day for Baal to show himself, it was to no avail, even after the prophets begin yelling to him and cutting themselves, as was the custom of Baal worshippers. So here is Elijah now taking up the challenge and calling out to God to show Himself to the prophets of Baal as well as those who would have gathered to watch this showdown. Elijah even makes it more difficult for God by digging a trench around the altar and pouring water over the bull and altar, but this would be no match for the great power of Jehovah, God Almighty! The plea which is presented in today’s verse is that God would show Himself in such a powerful way that those who had once followed after Him would realize their error and return their hearts to Him. This should be the plea of every believer today, that any who have strayed from their walk with God would experience Him in such a powerful way as to bring them back to Him through repentance. Will it take a mighty showing of His power to draw you closer to Him, or will you come humbly before the throne right now?

Jessica Ford
Communications Director
Alive Ministries USA

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Thought of the Day 2/8/2020

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews‬ ‭4:12‬ ‭(ESV‬‬)

Theologian Charles Ellicott once wrote concerning this passage that: “the Spirit of God is never absent from His word.” The Word of God, the Holy inspired writings left to us in the Bible, deliver to us God’s great and perfect plan for all of mankind. When we follow His Word we are in step and in close communion with Him. When we are not in His Word or being disobedient (either unknowingly or deliberately) to it, beware that it will call us out. His Word, which is “living and active” will stand before us to accuse us on Judgement Day. This is why it has been described as “sharper than any two-edged sword”; the truth within the Word of God cuts straight to the “heart” or the soul of man — and, Lord willing, will lead to conviction and repentance. There is no greater mirror for the soul than the Word of God which sets forth His Holy and righteous standards. I would challenge you to open up the Word and see what state your soul is in; there is no time like the present to make sure all is right between you and God!

Jessica Ford
Communications Director
Alive Ministries USA

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Thought of the Day 2/9/2020

“”So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew‬ ‭7:12‬ ‭(ESV‬‬)

The so-called “Golden Rule”. If only more of us would put this into practice! If we would look at others and knowing how we would wish to be treated morally and emotionally by them would so act towards them, how much brighter would this world be? Jesus calls this “Golden Rule” “the Law and the Prophets” because He is stating that it summarizes the Old Testament law. Such a simple rule yet how often are we putting it into action? Try and enact this rule with someone you come into contact with tomorrow and see if it does not make your world just a bit brighter!

Jessica Ford
Communications Director
Alive Ministries USA

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Thought of the Day 2/10/2020

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭9:8‬ ‭(ESV‬‬)

God has given each and every one of us unique gifts, not to be squandered or hidden away, but to be used for “every good work”. It is imperative to trust Him to provide “all sufficiency” — whether this be the financial stability you need, basic necessities, or character traits to enable you to reach others for the Kingdom. Whatever need you have, if your trust is in God, His grace will provide! Do you trust Him? Are you using the unique gifts He has given you?

Jessica Ford
Communications Director
Alive Ministries USA

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Thought of the Day 2/11/2020

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians‬ ‭2:10‬ ‭(ESV‬‬)

We are HIS. God created each and every human in His likeness (Genesis 1:26). This means those who are born-again believers following after God’s Word and heart, as well as those who openly reject Him. In order to walk in the good works that God has prepared for us, however, we must become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) and wholly submit to following after God and His will for our lives. When we are fully surrendered to Him, His grace and mercy pour over us to empower us to fulfill the good works that God predestined us to accomplish before He even created us! Are you fully and wholly surrender and committed to God and His will for your life?

Jessica Ford
Communications Director
Alive Ministries USA