TORN – Day 35

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TORN – Day 35 – Monday, 4/11/22
Compassion
 
“I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” (Isaiah 49:15-16)
 
Today’s Scripture reading is Lamentations 3:16-26.
 
As Jesus hangs on the cross, taking his final breaths, he looks to his mother and the disciple he loves, and says, “Woman, behold, your son!” And, to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” (John 19:26-27). Consider the irony and pain of this moment. There in his dying, while being torn away from his mother, Jesus shows such compassion for her.
 
Our God is a compassionate God, one who never hesitated to save us by sending his only Son. He has engraved our names on his palms and has given our names a permanent place in the Book of Life (Revelation 13:8). As Jesus’ beloved disciple would care for Mary, as God so lovingly cares for us, let us care for one another. Do you know someone who is alone right now? Write a letter of Easter joy, letting that person know that you care.
 
Prayer: “Jesus, even in dying, you showed such compassion. Guide me to show compassion to…”

 

TORN – Palm Sunday – Sixth Sunday in Lent

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TORN – Sunday, 4/10/22
Sixth Sunday in Lent
Palm Sunday
 
Today is Palm Sunday, the day we recognize and commemorate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on a donkey, amid the praises of the people.
 
Today is a day of celebration at CrossPoint – we will have palm branches and we’ll sing songs of praise to Jesus. Later in the service, we’ll take Communion together. Hope you can join us!

 

TORN – Day 34

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TORN – Day 34 – Saturday, 4/9/22
The Lamb
 
“Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!” (John 12:15)
 
Today’s Scripture reading is 1 Peter 2:22-25.
 
In preparation for the Passover, it was customary for a family to separate the sacrificial lamb from the flock five days before the Passover. It was also the custom for the family to bring the lamb into their home during these five days. In today’s verse, Jesus is entering Jerusalem five days before Passover, and when he arrives, he immediately goes to his Father’s house, the temple. It is here that he would spend much of the week preparing for what lay ahead. Today, reflect on the words of “The Lamb.”
 
The Lamb, the Lamb,
O Father, where’s the sacrifice?
Faith sees, believes
God will provide the Lamb of price!
Worthy is the Lamb whose death makes me his own!
The Lamb is reigning on his throne!
 
Prayer: “Savior, you came as both King and Lamb. Your sacrifice conquered all my sin. Guide me to…”

 

TORN – Day 33

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TORN – Day 33 – Friday, 4/8/22
The Narrow Place
 
“Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.” (Psalm 73:25)
 
Today’s Scripture reading is Romans 8:18-30.
 
When life narrows down, what gives you confidence before God? Is it your faith? Is it Jesus’ love? What if your faith is filled with doubt and fear? What if you are feeling unlovable and unwanted? If everything is taken away from you, where do you place your confidence?
 
When we stand behind the curtain, before God, our confidence will be in the Man who sits on his right side, holding out his nail-pierced hands. Because of him, we can “hold fast our confession” (Hebrews 4:14).
 
Prayer: “Jesus, I humbly ask you to be with me and give me peace in the areas of my life that are a struggle right now…”

 

TORN – Day 32

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TORN – Day 32 – Thursday, 4/7/22
Stir Up
 
“Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)
 
Today’s Scripture reading is 1 Corinthians 12:12-31.
 
Because of our sinful nature, we don’t drift toward holiness. We don’t gravitate toward godliness or obedience to the will of God. This is why we need each other in Christ’s church. “Let us consider” – an intentional action – “how to stir up one another to love and good works.” As Pastor Mike mentioned last Sunday, the word translated “stir up” or “spur” actually means to provoke sharply – to “light a fire under!” We need to actively spur one another toward growth and change.
 
We can only do this in the context of actually being together, which is why the passage goes on to say, “not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some.” We need to participate together in worship and fellowship. Otherwise, we will drift.
 
Prayer: “Jesus, thank you for the people you have given me in my church who encourage me to hold fast, people like…”

 

TORN – Day 31

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TORN – Day 31 – Wednesday, 4/6/22
Hold Fast
 
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23)
 
Today’s Scripture reading is Psalm 63.
 
The story of Job is a story of unimaginable loss. He loses his wealth and then his children. Then his health fails in horrific ways. Finally, his wife’s faith collapses, and she says, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die” (Job 2:9). Behind the curtain, as God and Satan watched, how Satan must have smiled in glee. Then comes the victorious shout of Job’s faith, “Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” (Job 2:10).
 
In times of great loss and sorrow, how do you hold fast? Dead in our sin, we have no chance of hanging on, no hope of things turning around. We are held fast by God’s Word and faithfulness. We are held fast by the arms that stretched out for us on Calvary’s cross. What promises of God are holding you fast today?
 
Prayer: “Heavenly Father, your steadfast love is better than anything in my life…”

 

TORN – Day 30

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TORN – Day 30 – Tuesday, 4/5/22
Draw Near
 
“Let us draw near with a true heart in the full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” (Hebrews 10:22)
 
Today’s Scripture reading is Leviticus 16
 
Once each year, the Israelites observed an awesome event – the great Day of Atonement! This national holiday brought two truths together in a holy paradox. The first truth: God’s holiness makes it impossible for him to tolerate sin. The second truth: all human beings are sinful and deserve God’s wrath.
 
But on the Day of Atonement, God invited one person, the high priest, to enter into God’s presence on behalf of his sinful people. At that one moment, God’s holiness and the human sinfulness came together. But instead of destruction – atonement! Forgiveness! The promised Savior would come and therefore, sinners were not destroyed. Instead, their sin was covered.
 
Now, because of Jesus, the Day of Atonement is every day for us!
 
Prayer: “Dear Jesus, you cleanse all of me – my heart, my conscience, and my body. How do I thank you?…”

 

TORN – Day 29

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TORN – Day 29 – Monday, 4/4/22
He Never Gave In
 
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15)
 
Today’s Scripture reading is Matthew 4:1-11
 
To an outsider, it seems that because Jesus never sinned, he could not know what temptation was like – how strong temptation could be. But in our reading today, we see proof that just the opposite is true. Only those who try to resist temptation know how strong it is. Jesus knows the battle, yet he never gave in. He is the only One who knows the true depth of the struggle. He was tempted to lie and covet, to murmur disgust and pout with self-pity. But he met each and every temptation with the power of the Word. Now, as we struggle with temptation, he does not roll his eyes or shake his head in disappointment. He invites us to come to him, not only for forgiveness but for the strength we need to stand strong in the struggle. Today, think about some of the other temptations that Jesus might have battled.
 
Prayer: “Jesus, I am weak. You are strong. I give in – You never gave up. Thank you. Lead me not into temptation, especially when…”

 

TORN – Fifth Sunday in Lent

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TORN – Sunday, 4/3/22
Fifth Sunday in Lent
 
The veil is torn. The throne room is open. The way to God is open because of Jesus. But our flesh is still sinful, and our hearts are prone to wander. The life of a believer is full of mountains and valleys. One day, your confidence may be soaring, and the next day, you may feel as if you are standing on your last leg of faith. But our Savior remains the same steady source of forgiveness and mercy day after day.
 
The next time your confidence feels a bit shaky, put these nine words from Romans 5:8 on repeat in your mind: “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
 
Today is a day of worship – join your fellow believers in worship and fellowship today!

TORN – Day 28

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TORN – Day 28 – Saturday, 4/2/22
Drawn to the Cross
 
“I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself. (John 12:32)
 
Today’s Scripture reading is Matthew 11:25-30
 
There are some people that have such charisma that others are naturally drawn to them. The cross of Christ has that power.
 
Today, reflect on these words of “Drawn to the Cross.”
 
Drawn to the cross, which you have blessed
With healing gifts for souls distressed,
To find in you my life, my rest,
Christ Crucified, I come
Genevieve Irons, 1855-1928
 
Prayer: “Spirit of the Living God, breathe into me a breath of life, of hope, and…”