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“The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee” (Deuteronomy 33:27).

What is the largest number you know? A googol (“the figure 1 followed by 100 zeros”)? A googolplex (“a 1 followed by a googol of zeros”)? That is a big number. Bigger than my imagination. Yet no matter what number we come up with, there is always a larger number. Just add one to your large number, and you have a larger number. The same is true if you go the other direction: keep subtracting one, and there is no stopping the negative numbers either. Our number system seems to have no ending point on either end of the number line. That must be why we use arrows on the line.

God, too, has arrows on all ends of Who He is. He has no beginning and no ending. God is eternal. Because He is eternal, His love is eternal. His forgiveness is eternal. His promises are eternal. His mercy is eternal. That is mind blowing! There is no end to the love, mercy, forgiveness, and promises of God. There is no end to any of His attributes.

There is no end to Who God is.

My response:

» Have I made God out to be smaller than He really is?

» Do I think God cannot forgive me or love me?

» Will I talk to God, knowing that He is far bigger than I can ever imagine?

“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.” (John 11:25–26).

The twins’ babysitter, Kathryn, asked the boys what they wanted to do.

“We like you reading to us best,” said Samuel.

“Fine, go get your books, and I’ll take our drinks outside. Okay, guys?” Kathryn told them.

Antony held up a book, “Let’s read this one; it’s our top favorite.”

Kathryn smiled as she saw that the book was the Easter story from Mark, chapters 15 and 16. “Here we go, then,” she said and began reading.

***

When the story was over, Kathryn closed the book.

“He died,” yelled Antony excitedly.

“He went away, but came back again, alive. Jesus is alive!” Samuel shouted. “Clever Jesus. That’s why this book is our top favorite!”

Samuel and Antony are right to be excited. Jesus rose from the dead, which is called His resurrection. Through Jesus’ resurrection, we see the proof of His divine power, because He rose from death by His own power. He conquered death itself, the grave, and all the powers of humanity. Through Jesus’ resurrection we see the proof of His being the Son of God with all power and the ruler of the universe.

Through Jesus’ resurrection, we who have believed on Jesus as our Savior have the promise of our own resurrection when we die. Those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ can live in His victory over death, and have eternal life.

Jesus died on the cross. He was laid in a tomb. On the third day, He rose again.

My response:

» How do I feel about the Lord Jesus actually dying on the cross, then becoming alive again?

» Is the Easter story about Jesus one of my favorites?

» Do I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ?

“And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses” (Mark 11:25–26).

She told lies about you. Half-truths were scattered all over school. He beat you at the contest unfairly. She is the one who started this fight. It is so unfair.

People are going to disappoint you. People are going to be unkind. Life is not fair. You cannot control how others respond and react. What you can control is how you react and respond. Knowing that God has forgiven you should motivate you to forgive others.

From what have you been forgiven? Lying? Unkind words? Rebellious attitudes? Wrong thoughts? If you are a child of God, He has completely forgiven you. Wow, this is huge! When we think about our daily sins against a Holy God, it is mind blowing.

God forgives. He doesn’t have to forgive, but He does because He loves us so much.

My response:

» When someone is unkind, says something not true, or is just plain mean, will I forgive him?

» Will I forgive even if that person never asks for forgiveness?

“And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity [“sin”; “act of unrighteousness”]: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell” (James 3:6).

When Smokey the Bear talks to children about fire safety, he always tells them, “Only YOU can prevent wildfires.” He lets them know how to prevent wildfires too: they should avoid playing with matches or leaving fires unattended.

The Bible mentions another kind of fire safety. James 3:6 warns that our tongues can commit iniquity (“sin”). James even compares the tongue to a fire because, like a fire, sin destroys. The Bible tells us to avoid sins with our tongues, such as calling people names or telling lies, because name-calling and telling lies hurt us and others.

Do these warnings mean that fire and tongues are always bad? No! Smokey the Bear points out that fire can be good. Fire helps clear out brush and trees for plants that need sun to survive. Sometimes fire teams will start fires on purpose if an area has plants that need more sunlight.

Tongue fires can be used for good too. When God created humans, He made our tongues to glorify Him. The Bible tells us about some “fire teams” who used their tongues for good. Paul’s tongue told people that Christ came to save them from their sins. Esther used her tongue to ask the king to spare God’s people. You can create good tongue fires too, just like Paul and Esther. You can speak words that are kind, that show love, and that share Jesus with others.

Since the tongue is the most powerful part of your body, it can be the most dangerous or the most righteous (“good”). Your tongue can help others and bring glory to God. What you say can help clear away “brush” so people can see the Light, the true Son of God.

While our tongues can destroy through sin, they can also glorify God through righteous speech.

My response:

» Have you ever used your tongue to set a wildfire going?

» How can you use your tongue to spread goodness instead of evil?

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).

What does it mean when someone is not available? Maybe your mom has taught you to take a telephone message for her when she cannot come to the phone. She has probably told you to say something like this: “I’m sorry, but Mom is not available right now. May I please take a message?” When you tell someone that your mom is “not available,” it may mean she is not at home, or it may mean she is giving the dog a bath and is up to her elbows in soapy water. Whatever Mom is doing, the point is that the person trying to call her cannot reach her. The caller will have to wait or try again later.

Sometimes we can’t reach people when we need them. We get their answering machines or their voicemail messages when we try to call them. But God is never out of reach when we call on His name. The Bible tells us that He is “a very present help”—especially when we’re in trouble. One translation of the Bible has this wording in the margin: “abundantly available for help.” When you go to God in prayer and ask Him for help, He is always available! In fact, He is very or abundantly available. He is ready, willing, and eager to help you. You must come in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ (John 14:6). You also must not be hanging onto any sin that you’re unwilling to confess when you come to Him (Psalm 66:18). But as long as you’re coming in obedience to these conditions, you can come to Him for help any time at all.

What kind of trouble can God help you with? Maybe you’ve started attending a new school, church, or club, and you’re finding it hard to make friends. God can help you reach out to others. Maybe you’re upset because your brother or sister has treated you unfairly. God can help you forgive and love in return. Maybe you’re worried about a family member who is sick. God will listen to you and carry your burden for you so you don’t have to worry. Whatever your problem, nothing is too great or too small for God to care about and help you with. Don’t hesitate to come to Him and ask His help. He is always available to you.

God is always available to help us.

My response:

» What problem do I need to take to God for His help?