Awards ceremonies, interviews of key athletes after a game, and other similar events are often times we hear the person in the spotlight say, “I thank God….” Truly God deserves all the thanks and praise for any and all accomplishments. But when I hear them speak of God questions come to my mind, “Who do they mean? Who is the “God” they are talking about? Are they merely referring to some “higher power” or some deity of some religion or do they know the true God; the God of the Bible?”

The Bible, God’s Holy Word, makes it very clear that there is only one true God and He is much more than just some generic “higher power.” He is a living, loving personal being who hates our sins. BUT, instead of just condemning us or destroying us, He did all the work to save us from the punishment we deserve. Below I will share about how great a sacrifice of love He made to save us. Now, in the power of His love and responding to all that He has done for us, He helps us to return love to Him and share it with our fellow man. With those few sentences we see the greatness of God. Yet the Bible tells us so much more.

As the Bible says there is one God and how much He loves us it gives us even more details. It reveals that one God is three persons; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Looking at the Bible’s references to each person we have come to link certain tasks to each, although all are involved with all of them. God, the Father, is our creator who makes and sustains us and everything around us. God, the Son, is our redeemer. He became one of us, taking on our flesh, born as Jesus. Living the perfect life we cannot live, He sacrificed that life for us. Suffering and dying for our sins He took all of God’s wrath upon Himself so that our sins are now all forgiven. His rising to life again is the declaration that He has truly accomplished that great work. Going back to heaven He sent the Holy Spirit to be with us. So the Holy Spirit is the one who brings us to faith, works to keep us in the faith, and makes us to be God’s people.

The true God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, continues to work in us and with us as we go through our daily lives. Even though we still sin, God forgives. As we deal with the ups and downs of life God loves us and walks with us. He is our ever-present help in trouble and a faithful companion with which to share life’s joys.

The Bible has more to teach us about God. Please visit or contact: St. Paul Lutheran Church, Fredonia (672-6731), Immanuel Lutheran Church, Gowanda (532-4342), or Trinity Lutheran Church, Silver Creek (934-2002).