“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“”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!
JessicaFord Communications Director Alive Ministries USA
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” Ephesians 6:11 (ESV)
What is the “whole armor of God”? “Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,” (Ephesians 6:14-18 ESV) In order to resist the devil, we must cling to the Truth of God’s Word, stand firm in our faith, rest assured in our salvation, and live a peaceful and righteous life full of prayer and commitment to God. When we do these things, we can resist the devil and his ploys to keep us from God; and when we resist the devil, he will flee from us (James 4:7). So, gear up with the armor of God and prepare yourselves for the spiritual battle that surrounds us all daily!
Jessica Ford Communications Director Alive Ministries USA
“There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand.” Proverbs 19:21 (NKJV)
We make lots of plans in our lives. Many spent time coming up with New Year’s resolutions, but how many of us actually followed through with them? We make all kinds of plans in our hearts, but it is not those plans that last, it is the counsel, or purpose, of the Lord that stands.
What we do in life matters, and as human beings we want to plan for our future, even if we do not write those plans down. Our heart has its goals, and those goals are often changing. It is a good thing that the Lord’s purposes and His counsel stands and does not change like our plans.
God’s Word is the anchor for our life. We know we need wise counsel for life, but how many of us seek it in His Word? As believers it is not as if we see things from an unbelieving perspective, but sometimes it appears as though we behave as if we are unbelievers. We know TRUTH, and we know it is found in the written Word of God. We know that the written Word of God is infallible and perfect in every way, yet how many of us who profess to believe in God actually read our Bibles? How many of us actually have read our Bibles completely through? We must be in the pages of HIS story if we want to be anything other than a footnote in history. You cannot live an effective life for Christ apart and outside of the Word of God, you just cannot do it.
We must seek Wise Counsel! It is time that believers develop a hunger for the Word of God. We must go beyond a desire for just the milk of the faith as though we are newborn babies. We must seek out the meat and potatoes of the faith, piece by piece and bite by bite. If you have not read your Bible through, I encourage you to do so. We must go through the Word of God daily. I encourage you to be in your Bible every day. Start the day out in the Word. You do not have to start with an aggressive reading such as trying to tackle the Bible in ninety days. You can start with a Bible reading plan that will get you through the entire Bible in one year. I am going through the plans, the Bible in 90 days and the Bible in a year on YouVersion’s Bible app. You can find me on there. After I finish the plans I will likely start again but invite you to join me this time. If you set aside just as little, and I am not encouraging you to ever offer God your least, time as fifteen minutes you could have the entire Bible read in a year.
In this life I cannot guarantee you much. What I can guarantee is that Jesus is Lord, and if you have a relationship with Him your life will radically and dramatically change. I can guarantee that God will never leave you or forsake you if you truly are SURRENDERED to Him. I can guarantee that reading your Bible daily will absolutely change your life. I can guarantee that you have many plans in your heart, many of which will not last or even see the light of day. I can guarantee you that what will last is the Counsel of the Lord. Do you know Jesus as Lord and Savior of your life? Have you SURRENDERED FULLY to JESUS? If not, today is the day, now is the appointed hour. You can always reach out to us privately and confidentially. We are here for you if you would like to know more about salvation or want someone to pray with you.
Father, we praise Your mighty name! Lord, and we ask You to place a severe hunger and thirst for Your Word in our HEARTS. Give us a burning desire to want to know You intimately and deeply and earnestly. Lord bless all who read, hear, and share these words. Bless those who receive them with peace and full acceptance. Bless all those who labor in this ministry for Your glory, honor, and purposes. Counsel us, Lord. In Jesus’ MIGHTY name I pray, Amen!
Blessings in Christ, Rev. Christopher B. Cain Minister of Evangelism and Discipleship Alive Ministries USA
