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…”

TORN – First Sunday in Lent

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TORN – FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT
 
Traditionally, during Lent, Sundays are a time of rest and celebration – sort of a “Little Easter.”
 
Today, take time to read and pray over 2 Corinthians 5:19, “God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them.”
 
Reflect and give thanks for the rest and peace that is yours today. When Jesus was buried, so were your sins. God does not keep count of any of them any longer. Rest not only from the routine of the week, but in the work and resurrection of Jesus!
 
Also, be sure to meet with other believers for worship today!

TORN – Day 4

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TORN – Day 4
Unbound Compassion
 
“My steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you. (Isaiah 54:10)
Today’s Scripture reading is Isaiah 54:5-10.
 
Today, think about the love and compassion of God.
 
Prayer: “Thank you, Jesus, that once and for all my guilt and sin are pardoned. In the torn veil, there is hope and peace for…”

TORN – Day 3

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TORN – Day 3
Cherubim Keeping Watch
 
“You shall make a veil of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen. It shall be made with cherubim skillfully worked into it.” (Exodus 26:31)
 
Today’s Scripture reading is Genesis 3. There we find that cherubim (the plural of cherub) were placed in the garden “to guard the way to the tree of life.”
Prayer: “Jesus, you died on a tree so that nothing could stop me from coming to you. Savior, I come near to you today because…”

TORN – Day 2

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“The veil (curtain) shall separate for you the Holy Place from the Most Holy.” (Exodus 26:33)

Today is Day 2 in our prayer journal. Our Scripture reading is Exodus 26:31-35.

Complete this prayer: “Jesus, your death opened the way for me, but sometimes I lack the confidence to come to you, especially when…”

TORN – Day 1

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Today we begin our Lenten journey “Torn.” Matthew 27:51-52 says that when Jesus died, “the earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs were opened. The curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.”

Over the next 40 days, we will find out how the curtain being torn gives us both the courage and the authority to come near to God.

Many of us have the printed prayer journal. Today is Day 1 (Ash Wednesday). The Scripture reading is Romans 8:31-39.

Call or email us if you would like a copy of the prayer journal.