Author Archives: Pastor Mike

TORN – Day 13

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TORN – Day 13
The Veil of His Flesh
 
“By the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh.” (Hebrews 10:20)
 
Today’s Scripture reading is 1 Peter 1:18-21
 
We have seen how the curtain was torn in two. However, something far greater was also torn. Today’s Scripture verse makes it clear. Jesus’ flesh was torn as well. Who can imagine the horror and agony of crucifixion? It is not a pretty picture. Nevertheless, our hope and confidence rest in this promise: You have been redeemed “with the precious blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:19).
 
Prayer: “Savior, you opened the way to the Father for me through your flesh. The words of praise that come to my mind are…”

 

TORN – Day 12

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TORN – Day 12
A New and Living Way
 
“Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins.” (Hebrews 10:12
 
Today’s Scripture reading is John 14:1-7
 
The old way: “Every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices” (Hebrews 10:11). All those sacrifices, all that blood, all that death. The new way: the veil was torn, and all this changed to become a “new and living way” (Hebrews 10:20). Jesus is alive – we are alive.
 
The way through Jesus is the way of the abundant life! Life filled with joy, hope, and peace!
 
Prayer: “Jesus, you bless me with an abundance of…”

 

TORN, Day 11 – A Time to Tear and to Mend

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TORN – Day 11
A Time to Tear and to Mend
 
“A time to tear and a time to mend” (Ecclesiastes 3:7)
 
Today’s Scripture reading is Psalm 85.
 
Tearing and mending are opposites, but as Jesus suffered and died, they formed one seamless act. We read in Psalm 85, “Unfailing love and truth have met together. Righteousness and peace have kissed!” At the cross, the love of the Father met the truth of our disobedience. Peace and righteousness came together as one.
 
As the curtain in the temple was torn in two, God’s plan for our salvation was coming together. In the tearing, God’s relationship with his creatures was being mended. How is God leading you to do some mending in your relationships?
 
Prayer: “Jesus, your flesh was torn so that I could be one with you and one with others. Help me to mend relationships in my life, especially…”

 

TORN – SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT

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TORN – SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT
 
Enjoy today’s Lord’s Day (Sunday) to rest and rejoice in the goodness of God. Be sure to join with God’s people today in worship.
 
Today, on this “Little Easter,” rejoice in the angel’s message as the disciples saw that the stone had been rolled away from the tomb: “He is not here! He is risen from the dead!”
 
Pray a prayer of thanks today that, in his rising, Jesus proved that he alone has the power to roll away the stone, whatever it may be in your life.

 

TORN – Day 10

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TORN – Day 10
Just as I Am
 
“There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)
 
Today’s Scripture reading is Psalm 25:1-10
 
Here are the words to the classic hymn, “Just as I Am:”
Just as I am, without one plea
But that thy blood was shed for me
And that thou bidst me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
 
Just as I am thy love unknown
Has broken every barrier down
And to be thine, yes thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
 
Prayer: “Dear Jesus, thank you for removing every barrier, especially…”

 

TORN – Day 9

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TORN – Day 9
Making Peace
 
“In him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” (Colossians 1:19-20)
 
Today’s Scripture reading is Romans 5:6-11.
 
Peace is not an easy thing to restore – not in the heart, not in the home, and certainly not in the universe. Consider this: Jesus died to make peace in the universe, on the earth, and, most important of all, in your heart.
 
When Jesus breathed his last breath, the curtain tore and a door was opened once again, and “you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, Jesus has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before God.” (Colossians 1:21-22)
 
Prayer: “Jesus, in you there is peace. Help me to remember that, especially today in the light of ….”

 

TORN – Day 8

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TORN – Day 8
No longer hidden

“But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.”
 
Today’s Scripture reading is Isaiah 59:16-21.
 
Curtains separate and hide. The Temple curtain (veil) represented the separation of a holy God from an unholy, sin-stained people.
 
The cross changes everything. God is no longer hidden from us. Jesus suffered the penalty of our sins, and we are now clean and worthy in his sight. Now we have this blessing from Numbers 6:24-26: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you, the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”
 
Prayer: “Lord, I often feel unworthy to draw near to you. By faith in Jesus, give me boldness, especially with…”

 

TORN – Day 7

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TORN – Day 7
The Dividing Wall

“He himself is our peace…and had broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility.” (Ephesians 2:14)

Today’s Scripture reading is Isaiah 59:1-155.

Walls are often used to keep people separated from each other. Sometimes we build virtual walls to keep us separated from people we don’t like or who have offended us.
Thankfully, Jesus doesn’t do that. Instead, in his death, he has broken down the wall of hostility between us and God.
Prayer: “Jesus, you were crushed with the wrath I deserved. Help me to show my thanks by knocking down the walls in my life that separate me from others.”

 

TORN – Day 6

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TORN – Day 6
Go Away

“He who opens the breach goes up before them; they break through and pass the gate, going out by it.” (Micah 2:13)

Today’s Scripture reading is Isaiah 45:15-25.

Think about if God would tell you, “Go away!” How terrible that would be. But he doesn’t! Instead, he invites us into his presence through the blood of his beloved Son. We can always come to God confidently in prayer.

Prayer: “Jesus, you have broken down every barrier. Give me the confidence to come to you now with…”

TORN – Day 5

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TORN – Day 5
Top to Bottom

“Thee is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

Today is Day 5 in our prayer journal. Our Scripture reading is Ephesians 2:1-10.

Today, think about how the debt and shame of our sins were paid by Jesus on the cross. Because the curtain was torn in two, we now have the confidence to enter into the presence of God.

Prayer: “Jesus, your blood alone cleanses me. Your death alone gives me life. You alone, Jesus, give me the strength to…”