THE ONLY LIVING GOD
Carey Madding
Today's Scripture: “And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him.” Mark 16:6, ESV
Theme: Jesus was crucified, died and rose; He is risen!
RELIGION
Most every religion or tribal belief system in the world has some similar characteristics: supreme beings, miraculous powers, concern and/or interference in mere mortals’ lives. Most have a standard of behavior and require offerings, sacrifices, or some sort of self-denying rites to show faith. Many religions have sacred texts, or a flood story, and a few even have some pseudo versions of a god/human union which produces godlike offspring.
When I was a child, I wanted to grow up and be a missionary, so I asked for a book on world religions and read it constantly. Do you know what? I began to doubt my own faith. I remember lying in bed one night and thinking, “I’m pretty sure the little Hindu girl in India believes just as much and as strongly as I believe, and she is just as confident in her faith.” So how do YOU know that faith in Jesus is the way to God?
RELATIONSHIP
Two things make Christianity different. First, our Savior has risen! He is alive! Secondly, He wants to have a relationship with each one of us. Jesus wants to speak and guide, comfort and teach every one of His children. Because Jesus is alive – the only God who is living, not made of wood, stone, or metal – He is able to relate to you. Jesus has not only experienced every pain and sadness you have experienced, but He has overcome them all, from temptation to death!
Jesus Christ and His victory over the grave and over hell make Him “the Living God.” In turn, this allows me to trust that I personally know and believe in the One True God, and in no other. Because He is alive and wants to know and communicate with me, I can continue to grow in my relationship with Him each day.
Make It Personal: Do you know the Lord wants to know you? He wants you to have confidence that you know Him, also! The Apostle John says we can know we have eternal life! If you are unsure, reach out to a believing friend or pray the prayer of salvation below. If you are a believer, but do not sense God’s presence, cry out to Him. Ask His Spirit to guide you and speak to you. Then read the Word of God; listen quietly in prayer; obey what you sense Him saying to you, so that you will grow in your ability to hear and understand the Living Lord’s plan for your particular life!
Pray: Lord, I admit I am a sinner. I believe You – the Messiah, the only Son of God – came and died for my sins. I believe You rose again to defeat sin, death, and hell forever. I want You to be the Lord of my life. I ask You to teach me by Your Spirit and speak to me through Your Word. Help me trust and obey You all the days of my life. Thank You for saving me. Thank You for accepting me into Your kingdom. I worship You. In the powerful Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Read: 1 John 5:12-14; John 3:16; Acts 16:25-34
Weekly Memory Verse: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14, ESV