“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” Deuteronomy 6:5 (ESV)
This verse comes from the first of three paragraphs of the Shema, a Jewish prayer said daily. Moses commanded the Israelites nation to recite the Shema as a means of reminding themselves of their responsibilities as followers of God to keep Him in the forefront of all that they do, say, and think each and every day. While we may not be under that Mosaic commandment to recite the Shema, it is still of great importance for us to be memorizing and reciting scripture to ensure that we have “hidden Thy word in my heart that I might not sin against Thee” (Psalm 119:11). When you spend time each day, hopefully many times throughout the day, in prayer and mediation on God’s Word, you are more likely to live your life in such a manner as to follow His will and to be able to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might”. How well are you loving God today? Will you take a few quiet moments with Him right now?
Jessica Ford Communications Director ALIVE Ministries USA
Contact us by messaging us using the Facebook page ‘send message’ button, at aliveministriesusa@gmail.com, on Twitter (@alive_usa) or on Instagram (@aliveministriesusa).
“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” Proverbs 16:3 (ESV)
The word commit here, when translated from the original Hebrew, means to “roll unto the Lord”. We are called to seek God’s divine assistance with all of our burdens — physical, emotional, spiritual, financial, and so on. God desires to be our rock and our strong tower no matter what circumstance we are facing. When we commit our burdens to the Lord our “plans will be established” — or will prosper — because we will have aligned our thoughts with God’s will. Today we may be experiencing more burdens than usual due to the worldwide health and financial crisis caused by the coronavirus. Now, more than ever, we need to put our trust in God and God alone to help us carry those burdens. Fellow mankind, governments, and even charities can only offer mild support or temporary relief at best, whereas God can take away your anxiety and carry your burdens for you as He bestows His peace which surpasses all understanding. Have you trusted Him as your God? Have you given Him your burdens?
Jessica Ford Communications Director ALIVE Ministries USA
Contact us by messaging us using the Facebook page ‘send message’ button, at aliveministriesusa@gmail.com, on Twitter (@alive_usa) or on Instagram (@aliveministriesusa).
“The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” (Psalms 34:18 KJV)
If you have a broken heart today, be of good courage because God draws near to the brokenhearted! The good news is that even if you are broken today, you do not have to stay that way. God wants to see deliverance in your life, not just from brokenness and pain, but from everything that is weighing you down. The word contrite is defined as meaning: “Feeling or expressing remorse or penitence; affected by guilt.” That expression of remorse is called REPENTANCE. The Webster’s 1828, which is the standard for any serious student, says contrite is defined as: “Literally, worn or bruised. Hence, brokenhearted for sin; deeply affected with grief and sorrow for having offended God; humble; penitent; as a contrite sinner.” While words may be used differently, that should never take away the true meaning they have, because words have power.
The words of this verse have power and they cut to the heart. They SCREAM into your brokeness, your pain, your guilt, shame, self-doubt, self-loathing, into whatever burdens sin has caused you to be ensnared by, and these words say “I the Lord am near to the broken hearted”. God is near to the brokenhearted for two reasons, in my opinion. Number one, God cares about all your hurts and needs. Number two, and most importantly, God is near to the brokenhearted because when you are broken you are no longer puffed up with pride and you are able to see your own pain, brokenness, and limitations. When you can see that it is a very short step to conviction of sin or to a contrite heart. God wants you to have a contrite heart because it causes you to be lead by that guilt or remorse into a repentant state wherein you pour the brokenness and sin out of your heart and allow God to pour Himself in. Salvation is a work of God; even repentance itself is a work of God in you. Allow the brokenness to shatter the darkness of your heart, the human heart condition and blood disease we call sin. Allow the brokenness to bring you to your knees and be real with God. You do not have to find God, He is right there with you; He has never been lost, it is we who have been lost. Cry out to God in recognition that it is He who, like a good shepherd, has left the ninety-nine and has come to find YOU, the sheep that has gone astray. Do not allow pride to get in your way. We all like sheep have gone astray the Bible says. None of us are righteous, no not one.
The Bible tells us a lot about salvation, but here is all you truly need to know to begin your walk with Christ today. We need to recognize the sin in our life, and turn from it. Literally tell God your sin and ask Him to take it away. He will.
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:9-10 KJV)
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13 KJV)
Just cry out to God. You could say something like this:
Father, forgive me of my sin. I ask that You come into my heart and save me. Cleanse me of the wickedness and corruption and power sin has over me. Free me by the blood of Jesus which was poured out for me. I confess that Jesus is Lord and I believe that You raised Him from the dead that I might die with Christ and have new life through Him. Pour out Your Spirit into my heart; take me and remake me as You have always wanted me to be. Jesus, be my Lord and Savior. In Jesus’s PRECIOUS name I pray, Amen!
Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you SHALL be saved.
Are you broken, hurting, in pain, feeling lost, depressed, guilty, or dealing with shame and regret? The answer is a relationship with Christ. If you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, dive deeper into the Word and allow it to perform the necessary surgery in you! If you do not know Jesus, now is the time! Why cling to the sufferings and brokeness of this present age when you can have FREEDOM, HEALING, and RESTORATION now and everlasting life in Christ?
Father, I praise Your MIGHTY name, and I ask that You speak to the hearts of the broken today. Lord, I know what it is like to spend years, even more than a decade, broken physically and sometimes mentally and emotionally. However, Father, the worst is when we are spiritually broken. It is worse because it often brings the other forms of brokenness with it and because it leads to so much pain and condemnation, both here on earth and after we die. The biggest reason, Father, that spiritual brokenness is the worst is because You are right there the whole time, reaching out, speaking through even creation itself testifying that You are God and You want to deliver us. Spiritual brokeness is the worst because the consequences are eternal and the solution is so simple yet some refuse to just believe in You. The answer is simply faith in Christ and Christ alone. Heal the brokenhearted who come to You today by faith in Christ and empower them to do so. I thank You, Lord, for all things that You do. Bless us in Jesus’ precious and Holy name I pray, Amen.
If you have asked Christ into your heart today, reach out and let us know so we can encourage you.
Blessings in Christ, Rev. Christopher B. Cain Minister of Evangelism and Discipleship ALIVE Ministries USA
Contact us by messaging us using the Facebook page ‘send message’ button, at aliveministriesusa@gmail.com, on Twitter (@alive_usa) or on Instagram (@aliveministriesusa).
“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2 (ESV)
When you get a flat tire or your car breaks down on the interstate, you call a tow truck or roadside assistance to help you. Now, what if you just lost your job? Your spouse? Experienced the death of a loved one? Sure, you can pick up the phone and call a trusted friend, another relative, a counselor or pastor, but even the best advice that they can offer pales to the healing you could receive. To receive this healing, peace, and comfort, we must turn to God, our Creator, in times of great turmoil and stress; for only He can truly offer everlasting help.
Do you need that kind of today? We would love to help join you in prayer, please reach out to us in any of the ways listed below, or join our livestream tonight on FB at 9:00pm EST.
Jessica Ford Communications Director ALIVE Ministries USA
Contact us by messaging us using the Facebook page ‘send message’ button, at aliveministriesusa@gmail.com, on Twitter (@alive_usa) or on Instagram (@aliveministriesusa).
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” 2 Corinthians 3:17 (ESV)
Those of us readers here in the United States are beginning to look forward to the upcoming holiday weekend of July 4th, which celebrates America’s Declaration of Independence from England. Plans are being made to gather with family and friends, cookout menus are being compiled for the next trip to the grocery store, boats are hitting the waters, homes are being decked out with American flags and patriotic decorations. It is truly a blessing to be able to celebrate the freedoms we have in this country when we look at other countries around the world who do not have those same luxuries. However, there is a freedom of greater importance than Independence Day. This freedom is found when one confesses their sin before God, repents, and (in acknowledging who Jesus Christ is and what He did on the cross and three days later) has those sins washed away and experiences true freedom. Freedom to allow God’s grace and mercy to cover you and lead you to become the man or woman that God created you, in His image, to be.
While I do wish my fellow Americans a blessed and Happy 4th of July coming up, what I truly wish is for people all around the world to experience this true freedom found only in God through faith in His Son Jesus Christ! If you would like to know more or to have someone pray with you, please reach out to us in one of the ways listed below. You can also join our weekday livestream here on Facebook at 9:00 EST this evening!
Jessica Ford Communications Director ALIVE Ministries USA
Contact us by messaging us using the Facebook page ‘send message’ button, at aliveministriesusa@gmail.com, on Twitter (@alive_usa) or on Instagram (@aliveministriesusa).
““You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” Exodus 20:16 (ESV)
Fake News! This is a phrase I am sure we are all familiar with in this day and age. It seems that all manner of media, news, and even personal social media accounts are propagating false stories or accusations against someone they do not like. It has become the “norm”. This can also occur by the less common face to face interactions in our technology driven society. Moses here in today’s verse is relaying a message to the Israelites, and in turn to all future children of God, to be extremely careful that we do not “bear false witness” against any fellow man. Whether this be in a court of law by making false reports or testimony, or through gossip or even perceived “innocent” discussion about one’s character or behavior with another person. If what you are saying is not the truth and does not lift up the person being spoken about, then you are being a false witness. We are reminded by Paul in his letter to the believers in Rome to: “Pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.” (Romans 14:19 ESV)
Choose your words carefully and with great thought to whether they will harm or edify the person you are speaking about.
Jessica Ford Communications Director ALIVE Ministries USA
Contact us by messaging us using the Facebook page ‘send message’ button, at aliveministriesusa@gmail.com, on Twitter (@alive_usa) or on Instagram (@aliveministriesusa).
“For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” Romans 10:10 (ESV)
The distinction here in this verse is that in ordered to be justified in our faith we must believe in our hearts — surrender our hearts and lives fully to God — and not just fall on the understanding of what Christ did at Calvary and through His resurrection. It needs to be a “heart knowledge” and not a “head knowledge” in order to be saved through faith in Christ Jesus, the Son of God. When we confess this heart knowledge openly with our mouths to God, with true repentance for our sins that Jesus bore on the cross, it is then that we are forgiven our trespasses and transformed into a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Have you accepted this heart knowledge and made this confession openly God? Do not hesitate because we are not guaranteed tomorrow, or even our next breath!
If you would like more information or someone to pray with you, please reach out to us by one of the avenues listed below.
Jessica Ford Communications Director ALIVE Ministries USA
Contact us by messaging us using the Facebook page ‘send message’ button, at aliveministriesusa@gmail.com, on Twitter (@alive_usa) or on Instagram (@aliveministriesusa).
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15 (ESV)
Those of us who have been “called in one body” (those who have been made new through the grace of God in His gift of salvation through the work of His Son Jesus Christ on the cross and through His resurrection) are exhorted here, as were those at the church in Colossae, to allow the peace of Christ to rule in our lives. The Greek word that is used originally for “rule” comes from the term used to imply a governing force or body such as an umpire at the Olympic Games. With governing authority we are to allow the peace of Christ to be at work in our lives, even amidst the constant cycle of hate speech, riots, protests, pandemics, economic crises, sicknesses, losses (of jobs, loved ones, or relationships), or whatever other turmoil this world brings our way. There is so much hatred, pain, division, and fear in the world and rampant even in our own country right now. It is important that we focus on the “things above, not on things that are on the earth” as Paul encourages in verse 2 of this same chapter. When we put aside the fear and control that it has on us to allow God’s peace to rule our lives we will find a peace that surpasses all earthly understanding (Phillipians 4:7) and which can calm even the most restless and agitated areas of our minds and souls. If you have never experienced this peace I refer to, perhaps you have never accepted the gift of salvation God offers through the work of Jesus Christ’s death on the cross as payment for our sins and resurrection from the grave as a promise that we too might have the hope of eternal life through belief in Him. I would encourage you to make that decision today — please reach out if you would like more information or someone to pray with you.
Challenge: It is so easy just to say “the Bible says you shouldn’t worry, so don’t!”, but how do we get to the point of this peace I mentioned? I would challenge you to read all of Colossians chapter 3 today to see what it is we are to set aside in our thoughts and actions in order to be able to receive and focus on this peace. If you do not have a Bible or access to one at the moment, you can read it here: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians%203&version=ESV
Jessica Ford Communications Director ALIVE Ministries USA
Contact us by messaging us using the Facebook page ‘send message’ button, at aliveministriesusa@gmail.com, on Twitter (@alive_usa) or on Instagram (@aliveministriesusa).
“If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:25 (ESV)
It is pretty clear to the believer that you cannot continue walking in the ways of the flesh — or the world — and be following “the desires of the Spirit”. If you are unsure what the ways, or “desires”, of the flesh are, they are listed by Paul here in his letter to the Galatians in verses 19-21. Notice at the end of verse 21 that Paul warns: “I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:21 ESV) Now, this is not saying that if you have ever been drunk, or idolatrous, etc., that you will not enter into Heaven; it is saying that it after you have given your life over to Jesus Christ to redeem you of your sins, and continue to live a life that feeds the desires of the flesh, it is those who will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Now, if we walk in the Spirit, Paul tells us: “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.” Galatians 5:16-17 (ESV)
So who are you living for? The world and it’s desires of the flesh, or the Spirit and the fruits it bears (verses 22-23). As our verse today says, “if we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25 ESV), in order that we might produce the fruits of the Spirit and that we too might inherit the Kingdom of God.
Jessica Ford Communications Director Alive Ministries USA
Join our “Alive-Stream” Monday – Friday at 8:00EST (9:30 on Wednesday) on FB (Alive Ministries) or YouTube (Christopher B. Cain of Alive Ministries USA) for a time of prayer requests and study of the Word.
Contact us by messaging us using the Facebook page ‘send message’ button, at aliveministriesusa@gmail.com, on Twitter (@alive_usa) or on Instagram (@aliveministriesusa).
“What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:9 (ESV)
Paul here exhorts the people of the church of Philippi that the things they have heard of him, seen about him, the teachings they have heard and read from him, that they were to practice these things. In doing so, they were promised that “the God of peace will be with you”. So what does this mean for us? Let us look at Romans 15:4 — “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” So if all scripture is written for our instruction, today’s verse which was written to the Phillipians, is actually written for us as well. Therefore, we can apply this to ourselves to say: “What I have learned and received and heard and seen from the Word of God, I need to practice these things. As I practice them, the God of peace will be with me.” So, make today the day you begin to put these things into practice in your lives!
Jessica Ford Communications Director Alive Ministries USA
Join our “Alive-Stream” Monday – Friday at 8:00EST (9:30 on Wednesday) on FB (Facebook.com/aliveministriesusa) or YouTube (Christopher B. Cain if Alive Ministries USA) for a time of prayer requests and study of the Word.
Contact us by messaging us using the Facebook page ‘send message’ button, at aliveministriesusa@gmail.com, on Twitter (@alive_usa) or on Instagram (@aliveministriesusa).
