"A man on a jetliner was quietly reading his pocket New Testament. A man sitting next to him noticed this and said, 'I don't go much for religion...I don't see any sense...in following a Christ who has been dead 2,000 years." 'What did you say?' asked the first man. 'Christ-dead? Why, that couldn't be, for I was just talking to Him just a few minutes ago!' " - Encyclopedia of Sermon Illustrations

A young Jewish student, who was attending the evangelistic services of Alfred H. Ackley in the early 1930's, posed the question - "Why should I worship a dead Jew?"  Brother Ackley answered forthrightly, emphatically, and with great passion and exuberance - "He lives! I tell you, He is not dead, but lives here and now! Jesus Christ is more alive today than ever before. I can prove it by my own experience, as well as the testimony of countless thousands."
 
This particular encounter with this student so stirred Ackley that shortly afterwards he wrote the words to the well-loved and famous hymn called - "He Lives" -
 
"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."(one of three stanzas)
 
CHORUS: "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."
 
(Info from Amazing Grace - 366 Inspiring Hymns for Daily Devotions)
 
Indeed, the God Whom we serve is alive and in sweet fellowship with us every day. Before ascending into heaven, the Lord Jesus gave us a beautiful promise that would hold true throughout the test of time. He left us with these words -
 
Matthew 28:20 - "...and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world..."
 
As the songwriter wrote - "No never alone! No, never alone! He promised never to leave me, Never to leave me alone." We have His glorious promise that He will be with us.
 
However, notice that the Lord Jesus did not say "I will be with you." He said - "...I am with you..." He, Who is the Great "I AM THAT I AM," is everything that we need at the moment.
 
He is our very present help in time of trouble.
When we need someone to fight for us, plead our cause, take our part, or be on our side, He is there. Whenever we need someone to carry us through our difficult times or to bear us up, He is there for us to strengthen, assist, counsel, guide, and direct us.

He promised that He would also be with us whenever and wherever we joined together in fellowship with other believers -
 
Matthew 18:20 - "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them."
 
Every time that we assemble together with other believers in the place of prayer and praise, to do His service, or to fulfill His will - He manifests His presence. He inhabits the praises of His people. He's in our midst to strengthen, comfort, encourage, refresh, restore, or revive us.
 
Because we have opened the door of our hearts to Him and allowed Him full access and reign in our lives, He dwells with us in sweet and intimate communion -
 
Revelation 3:20 - "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me."
 
As a gentleman, He knocked at the door of our hearts rather than forced His way into our lives. He initiated the reconciliation that was so needed between us and God. He called out to us through the preaching of the Gospel. We responded and because we did, we entered into the most joyful fellowship ever known to man.
 
1 John 1:3 - As the Apostle John said in his Epistle - "...and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ." 
 
We share in blessed attachment or union with the Father and the Lord Jesus.
We share the same feelings, affections, desires, and plans.
We are united in character, spirit, and purpose.
We love the same Truths and work together for the same goal.
This is fellowship! And, oh, what fellowship it is!
It is Joy Divine - Blessed Sweet Communion!
 
The Lord Jesus sups with us. Supper among the ancients was always considered to be the main meal. This image presented denotes intimacy and friendship between the believer and Christ. The Lord Jesus manifests His presence to us, sharing His graces, comforts, and many blessings with us.
 
Something changes in us each time that we fellowship with our Master.
We are transformed and made anew -  becoming a different person.
A certain confidence, openness, boldness, and freedom takes over our being.
Everyone around us notices the difference.
 
Read what transpired in the lives of Peter and John after they had "been with Jesus" -
 
Acts 4:13 - "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus."
 
God took two "unlearned and ignorant men" and transformed them into two mighty, bold, daring, and undaunted witnesses for Him. Those around them knew that they were not men of letters or those having a respectable education. They were not men who were in the public eye in a position of authority among the people. Yet they spoke with such assurance and clearness. Their words had an irresistible authority about them. What was their secret?
 
"They took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus" - These leaders knew that Peter and John were Christ's followers or disciples. They spent quality time with Jesus and were trained by Him. They took on His Spirit and became unlike other men.
 
The Truth of the matter is that we - as believers - are not living our lives in our own power any more. Our testimony is that Christ now lives in us. He is our source of life and strength. We are in perfect union with Him. We derive all of our grace, power, might, boldness, insight, knowledge, and wisdom from Him.
Colossians 3:3 - There is never a time for boasting, for we are "dead" and our life is "hid with Christ in God" -
 
Galatians 2:20 - "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me, and gave Himself for me."
 
There are so many evidences about us to prove that our God is indeed alive. As Alfred H. Ackley so forthrightly stated - "I can prove it by my own experience, as well as the testimony of countless thousands." As witnesses for the Lord Jesus, we, too, can boldly shout a Big "Amen" to what our brother has said.
 
The Lord is with us "alway" - every day and at all times.
Whenever and wherever we gather together with other believers for His Glory or to promote His kingdom cause, He is in our midst.
We enjoy sweet friendship and communion with the Lord Jesus as we partake of His many graces and blessings.
His Presence transforms us. We're never the same after spending time with Him.
Others readily recognize the difference.
There's a Life being lived out through us. It's supernatural - beyond this world.
As we go about our day, we're not operating in our own strength and wisdom.
 
Perhaps the greatest and finest evidence that proves that the God Whom we serve is alive is how we, as His people, cannot be overcome by life's twists and turns. In fact, many times in the past, the Church has experienced her finest hour when she was under the severest of attacks. Though calamities, troubles, and dangers beset her, she could not be overcome. The Gates of Hell simply could not prevail.
 
We have a promise from our God to explain - 
 
Isaiah 43:2 - "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee."
 
As the Light shines the brightest in the darkest of areas, so the Lord Jesus' Presence is more evident when the believer is undergoing the worst of difficulties and dangers.
 
"When thou passest through the waters...and through the rivers...when thou walkest through the fire..." We cannot escape it. Troubles will definitely come our way. It's a sure thing!
 
In the Scriptures, "waters" and "fire" denote calamities of the worst kind or imminent and threatening dangers. The "waters" are those circumstances which seem to be so overwhelming. The "fire" represents the troubles that seem to consume or prevail.
 
Nevertheless, in spite of it all, God has given His promise to His children - "I will be with thee..."
The Mighty Presence of Jesus in the believer's life causes him to pass "through the waters" and to walk "through the fire." The "waters" and "rivers" cannot and will not overflow. The "fire" and the "flame" cannot and will not burn nor kindle upon him.  The Life of Jesus that is now in his life is greater than all. 

Is He a dead God as so many attest today? Indeed He is not!
He lives! Our lives are living proof that He lives!
 
Why not let the world know today that you have been with Jesus?
Let them see your boldness and sense the Supernatural Life being lived through you, causing you to prevail against all odds and opposition.  

May God Bless His Word.
Connie