Category: Thought of the Day

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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

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Thought of the Day 1/24/2020

“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

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Thought of the Day 1/26/2020

“Every branch in me that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” John‬ ‭15:2‬ ‭(ESV‬‬)

Any good gardener knows that it is important to prune your crop and rid it of unfruitful “branches” that those which are healthy will thrive and bear even more than if you did nothing. In this same sense, Jesus equates these unfruitful branches with those in His kingdom who are not bearing fruit or doing work to further the Kingdom by spreading the Gospel message and making disciples. He also tells us that even those branches which are fruitful must be pruned from time to time to remove the unhealthy or diseased parts, which equates to the remnant of a sinful lifestyle in the born again believer. Each of us will undergo pruning by way of rebuking, correction, disappointment, illnesses, etc., all to ensure that we remain as spiritually healthy and productive as possible. Is there something on your branch you need to allow the Lord to prune?

Jessica Ford
Communications Director
Alive Ministries USA

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Thought of the Day 1/27/2020

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalms‬ ‭19:14‬ ‭(ESV‬‬)

Unfortunately in today’s world, when we hear the world “pious” our first thoughts tend to go towards someone who is egotistical, self-righteous, vain, or even hypocritical. However, I believe we can rightly call the Psalmist here a pious man, though not under those definitions. He was pious in that he had the true hope and desire that he would be wholly, completely devoted to His Lord. With complete devotion unto God comes the desire to maintain only pure and righteous thoughts, speech, and even actions. This was the piety the Psalmist possessed as he so desperately pleaded to God to redirect his words and thoughts of his heart from their carnal leanings toward God’s righteous will for his life, all for the honor and glory of God. What kind of piety are you exhibiting? How are your thoughts and what kind of words are you allowing to come forth from your lips?

Jessica Ford
Communications Director
Alive Ministries USA

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Thought of the Day 1/28/2020

“Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless, but sin overthrows the wicked.” Proverbs‬ ‭13:6‬ ‭(ESV‬‬)

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.” I am sure most everyone has heard this quote before (though mistakenly believe it to have been said by Aristotle). When this was written by Will Durant, he was attempting to simplify Aristotle’s philosophy. However, this quote could be applied to today’s verse as well. You see, when we continue in righteousness, righteousness itself will keep our hearts and minds from wandering and going astray from God’s Word and His will. The contrary is also true: When we do not keep our eyes on righteousness, we will find sin overthrowing us and putting our life into chaos. So, what acts are you repeating? How are you striving to live each day? What is your “habit”?

Jessica Ford
Communications Director
Alive Ministries USA

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Thought of the Day 1/29/2020

“”One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.” Luke‬ ‭16:10‬ ‭(ESV‬‬)

When it comes to wealth in the terms of money or other materialistic gain in this world, as Charles Ellicott is widely said: “To be faithful in that is to acknowledge that we have it as stewards, not as possessors, and shall have to give an account of our stewardship.” Knowing that what we have and gain comes from God, we must remain faithful stewards — whether with little or with much wealth. In doing so, we will prove ourselves faithful stewards of the Kingdom of God. Contrarily, when we act dishonest, neglectful, disobedient, or even ungrateful for what we have, it sheds light on the nature of our hearts. So what kind of a steward are you?

Jessica Ford
Communications Director
Alive Ministries USA

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Thought of the Day 1/30/2020

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
‭‭James‬ ‭4:7‬ ‭(ESV‬‬)

If you have been a reader of Alive Ministries USA’s posts for some time, you will probably recall founder Rev. Christopher B. Cain referencing our late father, Rev. Clifford L. Cain, when saying “what is the ‘therefore’ there for?”. In the case of today’s verse, we need to jump back a few verses to see what James tells us in verse 4: “You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” (James‬ ‭4:4‬) You cannot serve two masters (Matthew 6:24); you cannot be a friend of the world while simultaneously being in perfect harmony with God. In order to be in harmony and at peace with God, you must submit yourself fully to Him and to His will for your life. In doing so, you must also make an active choice to resist the devil and all of his temptations that will try and pull you away from God. Once you have made these two distinct decisions, you will begin to draw closer to God and He in turn will draw closer to you (James 4:8). Are you fully submitting to God and actively resisting the devil? That is our prayer for each and every one of you!

Jessica Ford
Communications Director
Alive Ministries USA

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Thought of the Day 1/31/2020

“give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” ‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:18‬ ‭(ESV‬‬)

Note: “…in all circumstances”. This exhortation to give thanks is not for when God has met a specific need, answered a particular prayer, or in general “life is grand”. It is in fact an exhortation to give thanks to our Creator and Savior in ALL circumstances, good or bad. The two verses preceding this one compel us to: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-17). Again, it is noted to be doing these things “always” and “without ceasing”, not merely when we feel God has “done right” by us. If we practice these actions of always rejoicing no matter the season we are in, keeping in constant communication with Him through prayer, and thanking Him for all He does for us each and every day (even the things we do not see), it is then we will find ourselves in line with His will for our lives. When we are aligned with the will of God for our lives, how can we not “give thanks in all circumstances” knowing that He is working all things out for good (Romans 8:28) to accomplish His will and His perfect plan? A truly beautiful circle of love, grace, mercy, truth, and peace!

Jessica Ford
Communications Director
Alive Ministries USA

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Thought of the Day 2/1/2020

“I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.” Psalms‬ ‭16:8‬ ‭(ESV‬‬)

If you have put your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, you ought always to keep that in the forefront of your mind. Having Him as the One you have trusted for salvation, surely you can trust Him when the battles of life take their stance against you, as He will always be beside you as your “shield and buckler” (Psalm 91:4) who is faithful to protect you. With this trust and understanding of the shield and protection you have from your Lord, you can remain unshaken and free of fear and anxiety, even amidst the fiercest foe. Do you trust Him?

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