Category: Thought of the Day

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Thought of the Day 6/26/2020

“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).

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Thought of the Day 6/27/2020

““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).

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Thought of the Day 6/28/2020

“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).

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Thought of the Day 8/11/2020

“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).

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Thought of the Day 8/14/2020

“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).

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Thought of the Day August 15, 2020

“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).

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Thought of the Day 8/16/2020

“The Lord your God is in your midst, a Might One who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

If you have accepted the free gift of salvation through a repentance of your sins and a belief in the life, death, resurrection, and deity of Jesus Christ, then God Himself dwells within you. “Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him,, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” (John 14:23 ESV)

God makes the following promises to us in today’s verse:

  1. He will save us. “My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”” (John 10:29-30 ESV)
  2. He will rejoice over us with gladness. “For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your sons marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.” (Isaiah 62:5 ESV)
  3. He will quiet us with His love. “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:18-19 ESV)
  4. He will exult over us with loud singing. When translated from Hebrew, this portion of the verse could read: “He rejoices over you with a shout of joy.” The Israelites begin this portion of scripture in verse 14 by singing praises to God and shouting for joy in His honor, so it is fitting that God would join His people in being filled with joy as they sing praises to Him. Consider the reaction the angels in Heaven have when a lost soul is saved: “Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”” (Luke 15:10 ESV)

Hold fast to these promises today and rejoice in our God who is faithful to keep His promises! “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering for he who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23 ESV)

Jessica Ford

Communications Director

ALIVE Ministries USA

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Thought of the Day 8/17/2020

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” James 1:2-3

I am sure you have heard the saying: “In this world nothing can be certain, except death and taxes,” I would like to add a third to that list of certainties: Trials. Show me a person who has lived on this earth and not faced trials. Even our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who lived without sin (“He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in His mouth.” 1 Peter 2:22 ESV), faced numerous trials during His life on earth. He even assured His followers that they, too, would be persecuted for preaching in His name. “”Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves, and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 10:16, 22 ESV)

So, we should just accept our fate that life is full of trials and curl up in a ball and wait for death then, right? No! James, the earthly brother of Jesus, who had been skeptical of His claim of being the Messiah until James saw Him resurrected from the grave, here writes to us that we should count our trials as JOY! Wait, what? When I lose my job, a loved one, or my life falls apart around me because of my profession of faith in Jesus Christ I should be joyful? Yes! In each instance where we face a trial, God is at work allowing that trial to produce steadfastness should we hold to our faith throughout the trial. Need a good example? Read Joseph’s story in Genesis 37-50. Trial after trial besieged Joseph, but he remained faithful to God and it produced a steadfastness in Joseph and worked to save many lives during a devastating famine.

So, if you are facing a trial of your own today, do not give up or lose faith! “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28 ESV)

Jessica Ford

Communications Director

ALIVE Ministries USA

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Thought of the Day 8/18/2020

(Photo: Zachary P. Cain)

“But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7 (ESV)

“This is the message we have heard from Him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5 ESV) Most light — be it a lamp covered by a shade, a flashlight beam obstructed by an object, the sun’s imperfect surface, or a ray being distorted through glass or water — has imperfection to it. The Light here referred to by the Apostle John is Jesus Christ, the Light of the World (John 8:12). Jesus had no darkness in Him on earth as He is the perfect God-Man. John implores the readers of his epistle (this includes us) to walk in the same light that Jesus walked in while on earth. Meaning, we cannot go around claiming Christianity while living sinful, carnally focused lives. If our life is focused on Christ then we increase our fellowship with other believers and in doing so walk closer with God and are cleansed of our past sins (if we acknowledge them and repent before the Throne of Grace) by the blood of Jesus Christ. So are you walking in the Light?

Jessica Ford

Communications Director

Alive Ministries USA

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Thought of the Day 8/19/2020

“whoever Says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked.” 1 John 2:6 (ESV)

If we claim to abide in Christ Jesus, we are claiming that we are unwavering in our faith and walk with Him. If that is true, then we had better be walking (living) in the same way in which Jesus walked (lived) here on earth. If not, are we really abiding in Him or are we just offering lip service? “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps.” 1Peter 2:21 (ESV) Our actions should be uniform with our claims.

Jessica Ford

Communications Director

Alive Ministries USA