You can listen to today’s content with the web player above or read the content below. Now let’s explore Lover of Your Soul.

When someone says, “I love you,” you expect more than words. After all, words don’t prove the heart. Actions do.

Consequently, what does Lover of Your Soul mean? Although Jesus was a Teacher while He lived on earth, He was also the Lover of Humanity. When Jesus went to the cross, He took onto Himself the consequences for all wrongs done – ever! He suffered the punishment for all of it.

Since He did this, you don’t have to be punished. Yes, Jesus said, “I AM the Lover of Your Soul.” Then He totally proved it!

Jesus simply loves you as a whole person. As your Creator, He has a purpose for your life.

So, how is your love back to God? Jesus put it in simple terms, “If you love Me, you will obey Me.” (Jn. 14:15) Once again, the focus is on actions.

Since love is only believable by what you do, contemplate Deut. 11:22. “. . . carefully observe all these commands I am giving you to follow – to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to Him, and to hold fast to Him. . . “

Holding fast to God is pinning yourself to Him. So, loving God is choosing to stick like glue to Him in every thought, word, attitude, and deed. Consequently, since you make decisions with your will, you can pin yourself to the Lover of Your Soul.

Now, that list proves you love the Lord!

Because Jesus proved He’s the Lover of Your Soul, you can enjoy His love. Yes, curl up in it by faith. Yet, don’t stop there. Since that’s a child’s response to love, decide to grow up in your love for God. Love Him back and prove it by how you live.

Lover Of Your Soul Scriptures:

It’s time for the Easter story using Resurrection Eggs. If you have children, let them tell the story. This set is delightful for adults, too.

Read the Easter story from Scripture as you

You can listen to today’s content with the web player above or read the content below. Now let’s explore High Priest.

After God established the Old Testament priesthood, Aaron was chosen as the first High Priest. Because priests were chosen to perform sacrifices to cover people’s sins, they served God on behalf of Israel.

Incidentally, the High Priest had the sober responsibility of entering the Most Holy Place once a year to make a special sacrifice to God. Priests made extreme preparation to enter that sacred place. After all, if a mistake was made, he might drop dead in God’s holy presence. In that case, he’d be dragged out by a rope tied to his ankle (since no one else could enter).

The final Great High Priest, Jesus, ran ahead of you into the invisible, real Holy of Holies. Since no human could enter that place, and live to tell about it, it’s noteworthy that Jesus – a man – ran into the very presence of God. Jesus wants you to follow! So, follow Him!

Because Christ’s sacrifice made it possible for you to enter the Most Holy Place, you don’t need to fear death! In fact, Jesus wants you to live there in close relationship with God. Jesus, the Great High Priest, restores HOPE, making it firm and secure.

Run to this hope! Gratefully grab onto it – like grabbing onto the horns of the altar in the Most Holy Place – an Old Testament gesture showing a plea for mercy.

* If you’ve not heard about the term, “living stone” before, in just a moment, we’ll share a Scripture that helps explain it.

I made this set when my kids were small. They loved using it.

Cut a large, light color flannel fabric (ideally 2′ high X 3′ wide – but can be smaller) into a heart – a symbol of God’s great love. Then cut the following pieces from colored flannel.

Tell the Easter story with this set. I

You can listen to today’s content with the web player above or read the content below. Now let’s explore Sacrifice.

What does Sacrifice mean to you going into Easter week? Since we don’t practice sacrifices these days, why is it important to linger and ponder?

Let’s start in the beginning. When Adam and Eve sinned, that action cut them apart from God. Their disobedience stemmed from not trusting God’s character and intentions. Tragically, intimate relationship was permanently shattered.

Yet, God so loved His children, He sacrificed an animal to cover their sins, bodies, and lives. Sadly, the first sacrifice was made. Then, sacrifices continued for centuries. Consequently, many animals were sacrificed as stand-ins for people’s sins.

This temporary system was not God’s desire or original design. Plus, it was not sufficient by itself. So, He became human – to be the once-for-all Sacrifice. No more animal sacrifices.

Our once-for-all Sacrifice was called “The Word” before God packed Himself in a baby’s body – and was given a new name – “Jesus.” Remarkably, God proved His love for you – literally altering His person. Essentially, Jesus – the Sacrifice – engaged in an incredible life purpose:

In all these ways, Jesus became the Sacrifice for all sin . . . all people . . . all centuries . . . for you! Because God loves you deeply, He could not bear eternity without you. So, instead, He bore the consequences that would keep you away. With passion, strength, and great cost, our Sacrifice established a path for you to become the person He created.

What would you do without this provision? Incidentally, have you responded to this amazing Sacrifice?

To celebrate the joy made possible by Sacrifice, decorate your home and/or your room for Easter. Basically, find something meaningful that captures the message of Easter. Since simple displays often remind of special messages, focus on Jesus death and resurrection, new life, and spring.

I’m sure it’s not just me. Surely, you’ve been there, too. Your computer, phone, or device just isn’t cooperating. So, you refresh. If that doesn’t work, you turn it off – and back on again. Plus, you take care of any updates. Worse case scenario, you back-up data and re-format your device. Honestly! A lot of management! Similarly, there’s management needed for a mindset to work well. However, it involves certain reboots, re-starts, updates, and even re-formats to have a positive mindset work.

Let’s see what Scripture says.

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In our last article/podcast, “Refuse To Refuse,” we talked about living with hope. Since hope is so critical, it’s worth a look at how God tethers you to hope. Actually, it’s challenging to be a Jesus follower in today’s world. Equally, to live without hope is tragic.

Let’s explore how God tethers you to hope – and exactly what a tether is.

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“No thank you. Perhaps some other time. Nah, not doin’ it! No – I don’t think so. Ask me next week.” Those are some ways people refuse something. But, what does it look like to “refuse to refuse.” Remarkably, this little phrase has been behind many world-changing events. It’s made heroes out of ordinary people. That means you and I can be heroes-of-a-kind. Interestingly, refusing to refuse provides constructive action that makes significant differences in your life. Often, it’s your best choice!

So, let’s look at “refuse to refuse.”

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I don’t know about you, but the words – “It’s for your own good” – conjure up numerous memories. Think back to your childhood. Surely, you had adults and various others who had influence in your life . . . and said – “it’s for your own good.” Chances are, most of those folks were trying to cast a purposeful vision forward into your life. Plus – don’t you sometimes say the same thing now as you attempt to influence someone you care about? Whether or not you do – God does. In case you didn’t know, that phrase – “for your own good.” – is straight out of Scripture.

Now, let’s explore exactly “what” is supposed to be for your own good.

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Have you ever seen a good three-strand cord? It’s super strong! Basically, it’s impossible to rip apart. In fact, it looks strong enough to hold a ginormous military ship with aircraft landing strip, or perhaps a cruiser with intimidating deck canons and torpedoes – securely to a dock.

Today, we’ll explore a three-strand cord, but in a slightly different way. Essentially, your “past, present, and future.” You are a three-strand cord through all tenses of your life. Consequently, your history, your current scenario, and your future options are woven into one strong cord.

Past, Present, Future: A Three-Strand Cord

“A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” (Ecc.4:12)

God loves humanity! He created their design to flourish.

God weaves your past, present, and future together creatively. Remarkably, He’s had your life cord in mind before creation. In other words, you’re always on His mind always. Your life matters!

It’s hard to break a three-strand cord. However, much depends on how you respond to God’s creative weaving. God weaves His tenacious love into your three-strand cord life. But you must say “yes” or “no” to His weave. His unlimited creativity makes each tense matter.

Let’s explore.

It’s hard to imagine a “less than healthy” past could contribute anything to a three-strand cord. Rather, it seems only a successful, positive past would be strong enough for such a cord. Not so. Christ redeems a whole life when you accept Him. Actually, even a good past (outside Christ) isn’t strong enough for a durable three-strand cord. God weaves your past in with tenacity and beauty when you completely surrender to Him.

Consider the Apostle Paul who literally hunted Christians. Incidentally, he knew they could be jailed, tortured, or killed. His past is rather despicable. Yet, his past was woven into his three-strand cord in a remarkable way to bring glory to God.

The Lord chose this man with a less-than-respectable past to be “His guy.”

Incredibly, the same is true for you – whatever your past.

The only life tense you have any control over is your present. Sure, there are things you can prepare for in your future. You can also “call on” experiences in your past. However, your present is where you live.

Every thought, attitude, word, and deed takes place here – in your present. Essentially, today becomes tomorrow’s yesterday when all current choices are gone. Subsequently, this is the power of the present. Your will gives you the only control you have.

God steadies you if you let Him. Jesus makes Himself available to you at all times. In –

Jesus is with you. Here and now, in the present.

Some folks have made incredible contributions by “being present” each moment. Many have changed history, medical advancement, discovery, inventions, and so on. Most have the power to quietly make a significant difference in daily details.

Incredibly, the same is true for you – whatever your prese

There are lots of resources about boundaries. Equally, there’s lots of confusion about that topic. I’ve heard many opinions about setting boundaries. Some are helpful. Others are uninformed. A few are arrogant. And some are rather judgmental. Basically, it seems many folks are unsure about boundaries.

So, is “boundaries” just another “buzz” word? What does God think about boundaries? And why would you set boundaries in your life?

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Have you ever wondered if God cries? Well, He does. In fact, God weeps! I suppose most people don’t think about it. Nevertheless, it likely happens more often than you or I can imagine. When God weeps, He connects with you and me. Actually, that’s quite comforting. Plus, it gives permission to you to weep when your life overflows with disappointment.

What does God weep about?

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