Category Archives: General

TORN – Day 18

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TORN – Day 18 – Tuesday, 3/22/22
The Touch of a Hand
 
“By whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God.” (Romans 8:15-16)
 
Today’s Scripture reading is John 20:24-29
 
Those who believe in Jesus and take him as Lord are born again by the Spirit and become children of God. Through Jesus, those who know and believe in him can truly call God their Father.
 
The Holy Spirit eagerly invites us to call out for God’s attention: “Abba! Father! (Galatians 4:6), as children so naturally do with their parents. Sitting on the throne, Jesus gives us permission to approach our Father with anything and for any reason!
 
Prayer: “Abba, Father, I am so glad to be your child because…”

 

TORN – Day 17

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TORN – Day 17 – Monday, 3/21/22
The Man behind the Curtain
 
“Jesus entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.” (Hebrews 9:12)
 
Today’s Scripture reading is Hebrews 7:15-28
 
Remember the scene in “The Wizard of Oz” where Dorothy and her friends are standing before the mysterious and great wizard? They are all afraid as they see the smoke and fire. But then little Toto the dog pulls away a curtain revealing that the terrible wizard is no more than a man with a machine.
 
Thank God we have much more than a fake wizard behind the curtain! We have a great High Priest who, unlike other priests who offered the blood of animals, offers his own blood, securing our eternal redemption. Hebrews 7:25 tells us that there behind the curtain is our great High Priest, who lives to pray for you!
 
Prayer: “You, O Christ, are my great High Priest. Your presence at the throne gives me confidence, especially right now when….”

 

TORN – Third Sunday in Lent

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TORN -Third 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.
 
Think about these words from 1 Corinthians 15:55-57:
“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
 
Thank God today that Jesus triumphed over the grave, taking the dread out of death!

 

TORN – Day 16

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TORN – Day 16
Nothing But the Blood
 
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.” (Ephesians 1:7)
 
Today’s Scripture reading is Colossians 1:15-23
 
The blood of Christ shed for me? Yes! In Jesus we have redemption. What was lost has been restored through his blood!
 
What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
 
Prayer: “Jesus, I don’t deserve to stand before you. Only by your blood do I dare to step forward and share what is on my heart…”

 

TORN – Day 14

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TORN – Day 14
Paradise Reopened
 
“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.” (Revelation 21:3)
 
Today’s Scripture reading is Matthew 13:13-17
 
Embroidered on the temple curtain was a panorama of the heavens. When the veil was torn, the message was clear: paradise reopened! This was foreshadowed three years earlier at Jesus’ baptism. When he came up out of the Jordan’s waters, the heavens were torn open and God spoke, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). Then at the cross, as Jesus took his last breath, the veil was torn open and the centurion declared, “Truly this man was the son of God!” (Mark 15:39).
 
These two events are connected by one message: the life and sacrifice of Jesus pleases his Father. Paradise is open again for those who call Jesus Lord. Reflect on a time that heaven seemed closed or that God seemed distant, and give him thanks that paradise is open to you, now and always.
 
Prayer: “Jesus, you are the Son of God! I declare it with you. You alone are…”

 

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…”