Thought of the Day 1/9/21

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm‬ ‭46:1‬ ‭(ESV‬‬)

We just came through a year of what many would call utter turmoil and chaos. From the pandemic to the election drama, there seemed to be nowhere to escape trouble in 2020. This new year so far has not looked to offer much relief, however, as many still face significant stress from loved ones dying, being sick or out of work from COVID-19, struggling with the difficulties of virtual schooling, juggling monies to keep the lights on and food on the table, etc. Amidst all of this there is still strong division in our country as well as the daily struggles of health, personal relationships, job difficulties, natural disasters, and so much more that keep the assaults coming. It is no wonder that so many today seem to be at their breaking point, and that suicide remains among the leading causes of death in the United States. Sadly, too many of us buy in to the false narrative that we have to be “strong enough” or take on our problems “alone”. There is a friend who is closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24) who is ready and waiting for us to call upon His name. When we call on Him, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Present. He is always with us just waiting for us to reach out to Him. Will you call upon His name today and allow Him to be your refuge, strength, and help?

Jessica Ford

Communications Director 

ALIVE Ministries USA

Thought of the Day 1/8/21

“Therefore You are great, O Lord God. For there is none like You, and there is no God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears.” 2 Samuel‬ ‭7:22‬ ‭(ESV‬‬)

King David here has just heard from God that his throne will be established for all future generations and lead to the Messiah, Jesus Christ. David, though considered even today one of the greatest kings of all time, regarded himself of lowly origin as the youngest of his father’s sons and “just a shepherd boy” (considered by some nations at that time the lowest occupation). However, God had chosen David to lead the nation of Israel and to be the earthly bloodline through which our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ would arise. David heard these words from God and had heard the promises of the Messiah passed down from the spiritual elders of past generations. There is truly none like God so faithful to keep their promises, so pure and righteous in character, so full of grace and mercy for those of us who do not deserve it. May we join in David’s praise of our Lord today that there is none like Him, and worthy is He to be praised!

Jessica Ford

Communications Director

Alive Ministries USA

Thought of the Day 1/7/2021

One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.” Proverbs‬ ‭11:24‬ ‭(ESV‬‬)

It would seem if one person freely gives of what they have they would be in more want than the person who keeps for themselves what they have; however, today’s verse tells us the opposite. For when we give freely of our money, our time, our talents, our compassion, our friendship, God seeks to richly bless us. Do not mistake this as a get rich quick scheme or some sort of prosperity gospel for it is not. God will bless those who give all those aforementioned things freely with no regard for what they will get in return. How can you begin to give more freely today?

Jessica Ford

Communications Director

Alive Ministries USA

Thought of the Day 1/1/2020

“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah‬ ‭43:19‬ ‭(ESV‬‬)

Here it is: January 1st of a new year and the often used verse for “New Year’s”. What exactly is this “new thing” the prophet Isaiah speaks of here? God was giving His people a promise through Isaiah that they would be delivered from their captivity in Babylon. Greater than this, though, is that He was also declaring what He would do in the future for all mankind. God was telling His people that He would send a “way” — a way back to Him, to reconcile a right relationship between the lost sinner and God. This “way” is none other than Jesus Christ. As you start this new year off, set down the list of resolutions you wrote that you probably will forget about by next week and ask yourself this: Am I right with God? When I take my last breath, what happens to me next? If you cannot be sure of the answers to those questions, please reach out to us so we can help show you from God’s Word how you can be sure.

All of us at Alive Ministries USA want to wish you a happy and healthy 2020!

Jessica Ford
Communications Director
Alive Ministries USA

Thought of the Day 1/2/2020

“Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things! His right hand and His holy arm have worked salvation for him. The Lord has made known His salvation; He has revealed His righteousness in the sight of the nations.” Psalms‬ ‭98:1-2‬ ‭(ESV‬‬)

Take a moment to think it over: God had such a great love for us that though we as sinners were separated from Him, He would not allow that to be our final fate. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, as the intermediary and redeemer of our sins. All we have to do is trust Jesus as the Son of God and seek forgiveness for our sins that keep us from God. Once we have been made right with God our hearts, being made clean, will burst forth with a song of praise to the One who created us and loves us with an everlasting love. Are you right with God, and this able to sing this song of praise? If not, please contact us for more information on how you can become redeemed by the blood of Christ.

Jessica Ford
Communications Director
Alive Ministries USA

Thought of the Day 1/3/2020

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 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 ‭10:24-25‬ ‭(ESV‬‬)

Make sure when reading that first verse you do not read it like this: “And let us consider how to stir up one another”. I’m afraid far too often that is as far as most of us, professed followers of Christ or not, get. We tend to be “pot stirrers” instead of “people stirrers”, encouraging and uplifting each other in Jesus’ name. The next verse reminds us of the importance of gathering together with like-minded followers of Christ (going to church, joining a Bible Study group) so that we are better equipped with the Word of God in order to be “people stirrers” who can in turn lift each other up and be an encouragement to one another. In today’s society and world, there are so many things that point to that “Day” being near that it is ever more important to assemble together and be “people stirrers” and not “pot stirrers” so that the children of God may be fully equipped to withstand the spiritual battles now and those that are surely to come. What kind of a “stirrer” are you?

Jessica Ford
Communications Director
Alive Ministries USA

Thought of the Day 1/8/2020

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Romans‬ ‭8:18‬ ‭(ESV‬‬)

We all experience suffering at one point or another in our lives. The Apostle Paul experienced sufferings like we may never even come close to. Many of the letters he wrote that appear in the Bible were written during his imprisonments. He was also beaten, shunned from the very people he had so zealously stood beside before his conversion, and so much more. Yet, here he was stating that any and all sufferings he would face here on earth absolutely paled when compared with the glory that would be revealed in Heaven. Knowing that God has great things to reveal and make known to us in our eternal home should cause us to look upon the sufferings this broken world brings as not even worth comparison. Where is your focus?

Jessica Ford
Communications Director
Alive Ministries USA

Thought of the Day 1/10/2020

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalms‬ ‭73:26‬ ‭(ESV‬‬)

The Psalmist here in today’s verse understands the brevity and fragility of his own life. He understands that circumstances will arise where, in sickness or trials or even death, he will not be mentally, emotionally, or physically strong enough to overcome them. However, he also holds an important treasure in knowing that God will always be the strength for him when he cannot overcome what life puts in front of him. When contemplating trials of this life, and even ultimately death itself, are you able to say with such confidence as the Psalmist that God will be “the strength of [your] heart and [your] portion forever”?

Jessica Ford
Communications Director
Alive Ministries USA

Thought of the Day 1/11/2020

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears My Word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” John‬ ‭5:24‬ ‭(ESV‬‬)

There is a HUGE difference between simply hearing the truth of God’s Word (and His saving grace), and believing it! There are many self-proclaimed “Christians” sitting in church pews who will unfortunately find out when they leave this world that they must sit in judgement before God for not only their sin but not believing His Word. Those who have believed the truth that they have heard from the Word of God, however, will pass “from death to life” when they leave this temporary world for their eternal home. So, where do you fall? Have you only heard or have you believed and trusted the truth of God’s Word and redemption power?

Jessica Ford
Communications Director
Alive Ministries USA

Thought of the Day 1/12/2020

“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;” James‬ ‭1:19‬ ‭(ESV‬‬)

If ever there was a verse that flew directly against our very human, sinful, nature — this just might be it. Especially today with technology so attached to our fingertips. How easy it is to not “hear” exactly what someone is trying to say to us, if we are even taking the time to truly listen in the first place. How sadly commonplace it is to be someone with a “short fuse” or to speak without even thinking about it. The unfortunate thing is, once spoken, words cannot be taken back. Sure, we may be able to apologize and even may be forgiven, but the words have still been spoken. How much better off would we be if we devoted ourselves to slowing down, even just minutely, to take the time to truly listen to those around us, only speak once we have judged that our words are the correct ones (and are edifying and not hurtful), and take a deep breath before “exploding”? I know, it is all “easier said than done”; but if we continue on in those behaviors with this as an excuse and an escape, we are not living the way our Lord and Savior intends for us to live.

Jessica Ford
Communications Director
Alive Ministries USA