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…”

 

TORN – Day 27

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TORN – Day 27 – Friday, 4/1/22
Tell Yourself
 
“You shall not be intimidated by anyone, for the judgment is God’s.” (Deuteronomy 1:17)
 
Today’s Scripture reading is Romans 5:12-21
 
Judgment belongs to God, and in Christ, he has declared us not guilty. Always remember this: God has forgiven you – all of your sins. Tell yourself this! We may not always feel forgiven, but we need to trust God’s Word, and his Word tells me we are!
 
Prayer: “Jesus, when I forget, speak to my heart your words of…”

 

TORN – Day 26

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TORN – Day 26 – Thursday, 3/31/22
He is Running Toward You
 
“His father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20)
 
Today’s Scripture reading is Luke 15:11-32
 
When the prodigal son was returning home in shame, before he could even say anything, his father ran toward him. In the culture of the day, the dad was bringing shame upon himself by running. He didn’t care – his child was returning home! Then with a robe, sandals, and a ring, the father restored the dignity of his child.
 
We can imagine that the man running in this parable is Jesus. He is running toward you. In love, he has taken all of your shame upon him. None of us is worthy, but we are wanted. We are treasured by our Savior!
 
Prayer: “Jesus, I am not worthy, but you love me anyway. Thank you for running toward me when…”

 

TORN – Day 25

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TORN – Day 25 – Wednesday, 3/30/22
Forgiven is Forgiven
 
“By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.” (1 John 3:19-20)
 
Today’s Scripture reading is Psalm 19.
 
Believing God forgives me is one thing. Forgiving myself is often harder. You and I may not always feel forgiven, but God’s word is our anchor behind the veil. God has the final word. It is a settled issue. It applies to past sin, present sin, future sin.
 
The details of what we have done and why we did it are irrelevant. Sin is sin. Paid is paid. Forgiven is forgiven.
 
Prayer: “Jesus, I know you forgive me. Help me to forgive myself for…”

 

TORN – Day 24

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TORN – Day 24 – Tuesday, 3/29/22
Greater Than Our Heart
 
“Whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart.” (1 John 3:20)
 
Today’s Scripture reading is John 21:1-17.
 
Christian philosopher Søren Kierkegaard once wrote, “If you hear it rightly, take the forgiveness of all your sins quite literally, then you will be able to go away from the altar, divinely understood, as light of heart as a newborn child, upon whom nothing, nothing weighs heavily.”
 
Life is sweet when this is true. But in order to go away in peace, you have to realize your need in the first place. But sometimes shame and fear in our hearts hold us back from this peace that God promises.
 
But God is greater than our hearts. He knows the feelings that haunt you. Be at peace! – not in your promises to do better, but in his promises, promises that he keeps because of the cross.
 
Prayer: “Jesus, help me to take you at your word of forgiveness when it comes to…”

 

TORN – Day 23

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TORN – Day 23 – Monday, 3/28/22
If I Only Had the Nerve
 
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.” (Psalm 56:3-4)
 
Today’s Scripture reading is Psalm 56.
 
“If I only had the nerve,” sang the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz. What gives us the “nerve” to come into God’s presence, assuming he wants us to listen? The words of Hebrews 4:16 invite us to come: “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace.”
 
Do you have any fear? Take God at his word – he wants to be near you. Trust in him: “I will trust, and not be afraid” (Isaiah 12:2).
 
Prayer: “Jesus, Lion of Judah, you are no cowardly lion. Give me courage in my life right now so that…”

 

TORN – Fourth Sunday in Lent

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TORN – FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT
March 27, 2022
 
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.
 
On the evening of the resurrection, the disciples hid behind locked doors out of fear. Jesus stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you” (John 20:19). And then he showed them his hands and his side. On this Sunday, this “Little Easter,” where do you need Jesus to speak this word to you: “Peace be with you”? His peace is there for you, there in his wounds. It’s there that you can find healing and hope. Sometime during this day, look for the opportunity to speak this word to someone in your life: “Peace be with you.”

 

TORN – Day 22

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TORN – Day 22 – Saturday, 3/26/22
Redemption Rock
 
“Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.” (Isaiah 26:4)
 
Today’s Scripture reading is Psalm 46
 
In Princeton, Massachusetts, you’ll find Redemption rock. At this site in 1676, the release of a minister’s wife from her native captors was negotiated atop the rock. Long before that moment, our redemption was secured upon the Rock, Jesus. The anchor of our hope is securely fixed on him. Reflect and give him praise through the words of “Rock of Ages.”
 
Rock of Ages, cleft for me
Let me hide myself in thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From thy riven side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure:
Cleanse me from its guilt and power.
(Augustus M. Toplady, 1740-1778)
 
Prayer: “Jesus, you are my eternal Rock. My hope is fixed on you. I need to remember this right now…”

 

TORN – Day 21

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TORN – Day 21- Friday, 3/25/22
Throne of Grace
 
“Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand.” (Romans 5:1-2)
 
Today’s Scripture reading is Isaiah 6:1-8
 
Picture it: you are standing before the throne of God himself. What gives you the right? In the palace of any king, one must be introduced and invited. In today’s reading, we see how Isaiah responded: “Woe is me, for I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips” (Isaiah 6:5). But then his lips were touched with the burning coal. Suddenly, he has the boldness to volunteer for an unknown assignment: “Here am I! Send me” (Isaiah 6:8).
 
What made the difference? Mercy and grace. The throne of justice and power has become the throne of grace.
 
Prayer: “God, your mercy and grace surround me. Give me the boldness I need to…”