“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Romans 5:3-5 (ESV)
Rejoice in suffering? This seems like an oxymoron if ever there were one! It is human nature to reject, grieve, and even despise sufferings that come our way. However, for the born-again follower of Christ, it is indeed joyful to know that we are following in His footsteps through trials, suffering, and even persecution in this world. “and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.” (Romans 8:17) Any amount of strife or suffering we are subjected to in life, if we are submitted to the Lord, will eventually produce endurance, character, and hope. It is with these fruits that we will be drawn closer to our Lord and Savior and His love for us that “has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us”. How are you responding when suffering comes your way?
Jessica Ford Communications Director Alive Ministries USA
“casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 (ESV)
We are not simply called to cast all of our anxieties, or cares, upon our Lord because it is the easy or rational thing to do; rather, we are called to do so because it is so difficult. What am I saying? Satan is very crafty when it comes to working to destroy people’s lives, especially the Christian person’s walk with God. “casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” (1 Peter 5:7-10) He is a ravenous, relentless lion seeking any and all that he can “devour”, and one of his favorite ways to do this is through stress, anxiety, or worry. It can be over something of grave importance or even something of no significance, but either way, if the devil has us worrying instead of trusting our Lord and Savior, he has us right where he wants us. Where does God wants us? He wants us safe in His arms, trusting Him to provide for us and care for us, and wants us unloading our burdens of anxiety on Him instead of letting them drag us further down and further from Him. “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved.” (Psalms 55:22) It is like the often shared on Facebook quote says: “If we trust the puzzle maker to put all the pieces in the box — why don’t we trust God with the pieces of our life?” This should be especially true when we face something anxiety provoking or worrisome, for we know: “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)
Jessica Ford Communications Director Alive Ministries USA
“And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12 (ESV)
Just as it is easier for a person to be attacked alone in a dark alley, it is easier for a person to be overtaken by the temptation of the devil when they fight alone. This is why we have the exhortation to not be neglectful about meeting with fellow believers: “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 10:25) Should one believer fall under the attack of the enemy, those who are gathered around that believer in the unity and hope of Christ Jesus will be able to withstand Satan’s attack. A “threefold rope” is a strong rope woven together from three individual ropes, but unravel the individual strands and it becomes weaker. Likewise, when we do not fellowship with other believers to strengthen and encourage each other, we too become weaker in the fight against evil.
Jessica Ford Communications Director Alive Ministries USA
“Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that You, O Lord, are God, and that You have turned their hearts back.”” 1 Kings 18:37 (ESV)
Today’s verse comes from the passage in the Old Testament where Elijah puts the prophets of Baal, a false “god”, to the test against God Almighty. They both set up altars with sacrificed bulls for offerings. After waiting all day for Baal to show himself, it was to no avail, even after the prophets begin yelling to him and cutting themselves, as was the custom of Baal worshippers. So here is Elijah now taking up the challenge and calling out to God to show Himself to the prophets of Baal as well as those who would have gathered to watch this showdown. Elijah even makes it more difficult for God by digging a trench around the altar and pouring water over the bull and altar, but this would be no match for the great power of Jehovah, God Almighty! The plea which is presented in today’s verse is that God would show Himself in such a powerful way that those who had once followed after Him would realize their error and return their hearts to Him. This should be the plea of every believer today, that any who have strayed from their walk with God would experience Him in such a powerful way as to bring them back to Him through repentance. Will it take a mighty showing of His power to draw you closer to Him, or will you come humbly before the throne right now?
Jessica Ford Communications Director Alive Ministries USA
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)
Theologian Charles Ellicott once wrote concerning this passage that: “the Spirit of God is never absent from His word.” The Word of God, the Holy inspired writings left to us in the Bible, deliver to us God’s great and perfect plan for all of mankind. When we follow His Word we are in step and in close communion with Him. When we are not in His Word or being disobedient (either unknowingly or deliberately) to it, beware that it will call us out. His Word, which is “living and active” will stand before us to accuse us on Judgement Day. This is why it has been described as “sharper than any two-edged sword”; the truth within the Word of God cuts straight to the “heart” or the soul of man — and, Lord willing, will lead to conviction and repentance. There is no greater mirror for the soul than the Word of God which sets forth His Holy and righteous standards. I would challenge you to open up the Word and see what state your soul is in; there is no time like the present to make sure all is right between you and God!
Jessica Ford Communications Director Alive Ministries USA
“”So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12 (ESV)
The so-called “Golden Rule”. If only more of us would put this into practice! If we would look at others and knowing how we would wish to be treated morally and emotionally by them would so act towards them, how much brighter would this world be? Jesus calls this “Golden Rule” “the Law and the Prophets” because He is stating that it summarizes the Old Testament law. Such a simple rule yet how often are we putting it into action? Try and enact this rule with someone you come into contact with tomorrow and see if it does not make your world just a bit brighter!
Jessica Ford Communications Director Alive Ministries USA
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8 (ESV)
God has given each and every one of us unique gifts, not to be squandered or hidden away, but to be used for “every good work”. It is imperative to trust Him to provide “all sufficiency” — whether this be the financial stability you need, basic necessities, or character traits to enable you to reach others for the Kingdom. Whatever need you have, if your trust is in God, His grace will provide! Do you trust Him? Are you using the unique gifts He has given you?
Jessica Ford Communications Director Alive Ministries USA
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)
We are HIS. God created each and every human in His likeness (Genesis 1:26). This means those who are born-again believers following after God’s Word and heart, as well as those who openly reject Him. In order to walk in the good works that God has prepared for us, however, we must become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) and wholly submit to following after God and His will for our lives. When we are fully surrendered to Him, His grace and mercy pour over us to empower us to fulfill the good works that God predestined us to accomplish before He even created us! Are you fully and wholly surrender and committed to God and His will for your life?
Jessica Ford Communications Director Alive Ministries USA
“Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples! Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; tell of all His wondrous works!” Psalms 105:1-2 (ESV)
How do people know about Jesus unless we preach His Gospel? Some people say that they are not called to preach, and while they may not be called to be a pastor, the fact is all are called to preach and to make disciples of Christ. The Great Commission given by our Lord and Savior is found in Matthew 28:19-20 and says: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
We do not have to go and preach the Gospel and make disciples in our own power, nor should we, but we do have to obey this Great Calling that we are all called to. Fortunately, the preceding verse assures us that we do not have to do this of ourselves. “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matthew 28:18) Because all authority in Heaven and earth is given to Yeshua the Messiah, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we can bodly “Go therefore into all the world preaching the Gospel” because we go in the power and authority which Christ has, and that He has commissioned us with to carry out the work of preaching the Gospel.
How can people know Jesus if they do not hear the Word preached? The book of Romans assures us that we must preach or people will not hear the Gospel. “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” (Romans 10:14)
Today’s verse reminds us that we are to “give thanks to the Lord; call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples! Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; tell of all His wondrous works!” The work of preaching is not all done from behind a pulpit as we have been conditioned to believe. The work of preaching is done in our praise of God, our proclamation of His deeds and wonderous works, even in our thanks to Him. The Gospel is preached far more by how we live, act, and in what we say in the presence of others than it is from the pulpits. We have been conditioned (by design of our adversary, in my opinion) to believe that being effective means title, authority, and numbers. Nothing could be further from the truth. It has always been my belief that with modern technology we could see revival sweep the world in less than a week, and probably in one day if the body of Christ actually engaged in the fight and lived as Christ lived. Even Jesus said we would do greater things than He did. “”Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12)
How is that possible? How can we do greater works than Jesus did? It is possible when we surrender our body to THE body of Christ and become the hands, feet, and mouth of God. Rather than allowing the sinful and lost world to define what it means to be a Christian, why do we not allow the King of Kings and Lord of Lords to define what it means to be a Christian. You do not take years to pull someone from a burning building — you yank them from the flames! Why then do we allow fear and intimidation to rule the day and keep us thinking that we have to just keep living in secret as if somehow our neighbors will get the Gospel through osmosis? People will never just absorb the Gospel you hide in your heart, but they will hear the Gospel you boldly proclaim, and they will see the Gospel that you unapologetically live out.
We have to realize that if we love JESUS we must obey Him. If we say we love people, how can we be silent? We need not believe that we have to be an eloquent speaker to be effective;Moses was not and he even tried to argue that point with the very God who chose him! God chose you too! Just like Moses we are called to lead people out of bondage and slavery to sin by preaching the Gospel. Do you not believe that the God who spoke through Moses and parted the Red Sea, stabilizing water into two walls and forming dry ground so that the nation of Isreal might pass through the Red Sea, is capable of speaking through you and stabilizing your shaking voice and knees? God will hold you up! It will be Him that speaks in you and through you, you just have to let Him. The good news is that it gets easier as you obey, and it is His power that sustains you, not your own.
Who needs prayer today? Who needs the Gospel? Who is that person whose life is in flames and needs to be snatched out of the fire today? Who will do it if not you?
Father, I praise Your MIGHTY name. Lord, empower us to preach the Gospel today. Show us who needs You right now. Show us the approach to take and the words to say to connect with them. Empower us to proclaim the Gospel, to speak of your GREAT and wonderous works and to lift up the precious name of Jesus, Yeshua the Messiah, wherever we go. Bless all who read, hear, and share these posts. Bless all who labor for this ministry and those who support us in prayer. In Jesus’ MIGHTY name I pray, Amen!
Blessings in Christ, Rev. Christopher B. Cain Minister of Evangelism and Discipleship Alive Ministries USA
“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,” Philippians 2:5 (ESV)
Today’s verse is a call to each Christian man, woman, and child to align their mind and their heart with Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior. What exactly was “this mind” that Paul writes about here? Well, we need to go back a verse for the answer. “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4) Jesus cared about those He encountered as the God-Man here on earth. Truly cared. He walked this earth a humble, compassionate, non-respecter of persons who would speak just as easily to the poorest outcast as the richest man in any city. He wanted to show the people He encountered that He cared for and deeply loved them all. He did this not only for those people, but as an example for the way we are to live our lives today. The people that are in your “circles”, coworkers, acquaintances, and even the strangers you meet each day — do they see this kind of care lived out by you?
Jessica Ford Communications Director Alive Ministries USA
