He Lives!

Galatians 2:20

New International Version (NIV)

20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

John 14:23

English Standard Version (ESV)

23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

Zephaniah 3:17

English Standard Version (ESV)

17 The Lord your God is in your midst,

    a mighty one who will save;

he will rejoice over you with gladness;

    he will quiet you by his love;

he will exult over you with loud singing.

A favorite Easter hymn from my youth to today is "I Serve A Risen Savior" or as some would call it, "He Lives!"  It was written by Alfred Henry Ackley, a 20th Century composer of Gospel music.  Alan Jackson sings it without any embellishments just like I learned it decades ago.  Yes, I know He lives.  He lives within my heart.

Alan Jackson - He Lives

Jesus Lives!

John 3:16

English Standard Version (ESV)

For God So Loved the World

16 “For God so loved the world,[a] that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:36

King James Version (KJV)

36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

And I'm so glad!  My salvation was sure and real for me even at a young age, because I had asked Jesus into my heart.  A sister and I once practiced a special number for church, "He Lives!"  I loved it, even though my talent for singing was dubious.   Something happened and our song was cancelled but it's probably just as well.  I may have embarrassed my sister terribly, since she could carry a tune.  My singing in church since then has always been done in the pews; although, I've done plenty of singing in my car or at home alone.    I still love the hymn, so I'll sing it along with Alan Jackson.   And if you ask me how I know He lives, I'll answer with all sincerity and certainty, "He lives within my heart."

Alan Jackson - He Lives