I serve a risen Savior, He’s in the world today
I know that He is living whatever men may say
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer
And just the time I need Him, He’s always near

He lives, He lives
Christ Jesus lives today
He walks with me and talks with me
Along life’s narrow way
He lives, He lives
Salvation to impart
You ask me how I know He lives
He lives within my heart

In all the world around me I see His loving care
And tho’ my heart grows weary I never will despair
I know that He is leading thro’ all the stormy blast
The day of His appearing will come at last

Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King
The Hope of all who seek Him, the Help of all who find
None other is so loving, so good and kind

Alan Jackson
Words and Music – Alfred Ackley, 1933

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One morning I was feeling a bit sad…life wasn’t going as I had envisioned.  And I was wondering why God wasn’t answering my requests and my desperate pleas.  Then, in the mail, I received a beautiful card with some much-needed reminders.  In it was this Scripture:

For the Lord your God is living among you.
He is a Mighty Savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness.
With His love, He will calm all your fears.
He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.
Zephaniah 3:17 NLT

As I walked up the stairs to enjoy my quiet time, I was thinking about that verse, and this song sprang into my mind.  Christ lives!  He lives in me.  He walks with me and talks with me.  He is my Hope and my Help.  No one loves me like He does.  Whenever I need Him, He is always near.  Christ is my Savior and He takes great delight in me.  He actually rejoices over me with singing!  (If that doesn’t lift your mood, honey, you DO have problems!)  In a matter of moments my whole perspective had shifted.

All of this reminded me of another card I had received earlier in the week that contained this Scripture:

Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you;
do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen…yes, I will help you;
yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 AMP

Another card I received reminded me that God is with me ALL the time and that ‘God is my Strength and Power, and He makes my way perfect’ (2 Samuel 22:33 NKJV).  God reminded me through these ladies and these cards that I have no reason to be dismayed or discouraged.  I have nothing to fear.  Christ lives and He holds me in His VICTORIOUS right hand.  (I just love that phrase!)  Christ alone is my Strength and my Power.  He loves me and ‘makes my way perfect.’  Who am I to question His plan?

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Lord Jesus, thank You for the much needed reminder that You are alive and live within my heart.  Thank You for walking with me daily, talking with me, and calming my fears.  I am so very blessed that You take great delight in me and rejoice over me with joyful songs.  Thank You for the lesson I learned through all of this and giving me the words to share it with others.  In Your holy name, Amen – So Be It!