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 1/15/2020
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” Romans 12:1 (ESV)
In the early Jewish faith it was more than just tradition to offer sacrifices to God, it was a requirement of His law. Yet, when Christ Jesus gave Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for the sin of all mankind on the cross at Calvary, that was the fulfillment of the sacrificial law. Paul exhorts the readers of this epistle — then and now — that God now required a different sacrifice than burnt offerings on an altar. Here Paul calls for Christians to present themselves as holy, acceptable sacrifices, just as the sacrificial animals were to be without blemish. In order to do so, we must guard our thoughts, our words, our actions, and be faithfully executing good and righteous works for the Kingdom. In so doing, we will present our bodies as living sacrifices by obeying the commands of God. Even Samuel knew in the days of sacrifices that obeying God was more important to Him than the offering of sacrifices. “And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.” 1 Samuel 15:22 (ESV) So how is your sacrifice? Does it need a little work before it is presentable before God? What are you waiting for?
Jessica Ford
Communications Director
Alive Ministries USA
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).