The Tearing of the Veil..... Craig Denison

 The Tearing of the Veil

Craig Denison

Weekly Overview:

Living an unveiled lifestyle is the way in which we experience the fullness of what’s available to us in our restored relationship with God. It’s a powerful lifestyle of faith, direct encounters with our heavenly Father, and life transformation. It’s when we live our lives in light of the perfect sacrifice of Jesus that we begin to experience all his death was purposed to bring us. God longs for his children to walk in intimacy with him directly connected to his wellspring of love for us. May you experience a more tangible, loving, and powerful connection with your heavenly Father this week.

Scripture:“And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.”>Matthew 27:51

Devotional:

Matthew 27:45-54 says,

Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.” And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised,  and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”

At the death of Jesus, God turned what was the world’s greatest tragedy into our greatest triumph. With every crack of the whip, the bonds that entangled you and me to the sin and darkness of this world became a little looser. And with Jesus’ final breath the earth shook and the rocks split under the magnitude of the power of Christ’s sacrifice. Only God could take the greatest injustice and turn it into the world’s greatest good. Only God could take death and produce abundant life for all.

Out of everything that resulted from Jesus’ final breath, none was more important than God’s tearing of the veil. The veil that signified the necessary separation between God and man was ripped in two from top to bottom, from God down to us. The great chasm over which no man could cross was now covered by a bridge created by God’s wrath poured out on Jesus. The tearing of the veil represents the very purpose for Jesus’ death: that God could now once again have restored communion with his people. No matter how many or how horrendous our sins might be, Jesus’ death gained victory over it all.

Just as the saints who had fallen asleep were raised at Jesus’ death, you and I have been raised to newness of life. We are caught up in the glory of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. God has made unveiled, face-to-face relationship with him available to us once again.

If God would pay the price of Jesus’ death to have restored relationship with us, encountering him face-to-face must be the absolute best way for us to live. If God considers restored relationship with you worth the death of his only and blameless Son, he must place his highest value on total communion with you.

Maybe the concept of having real, tangible encounters with your heavenly Father is new to you. Maybe he feels distant. Maybe you come in and out of his presence day-to-day. Wherever you are in relation to God, know that nothing can separate you from him any longer. The death of Jesus was more powerful than any sin, lie, or belief. His death paid the entirety of your debt. There is nothing left to pay. Seek out a revelation of what it looks like to encounter your heavenly Father unveiled in prayer. May the Holy Spirit guide you into a lifestyle of continual, face-to-face, unveiled encounters with the living God.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on the chasm that separated you from God as the result of sin. Reflecting on your status prior to salvation will give you a greater appreciation for what Jesus has done for you.

“Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned.” >Romans 5:12

“Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; 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.” >Isaiah 59:1-2

2. Now meditate on the power of Jesus’ sacrifice. With his death on the cross, Jesus carried you across the great chasm that separated you from your heavenly Father.

“He 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

“And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.”>Matthew 27:51

3. Worship Jesus for the newness of life available to you through him. Give him thanks and praise for his love. Allow your affections to be stirred up toward him by the truth of Scripture.

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” >Romans 8:38-39

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” >John 3:16

“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” >2 Peter 3:9

Never doubt the grace of your heavenly Father toward you. Jesus has paid the price for every sin you will ever commit. He bore the weight of all of our sins on the cross. God poured out the entirety of his wrath over our sin on Jesus. All that’s left for you to do is live out the abundant life to which you have been called. Enjoy God and glorify him in response to his great love. May you be a child of God overcome by the goodness of your Father in heaven.

Extended Reading: Matthew 27

How to Succeed in Life (Joshua 1:8)..... By Lynette Kittle

 How to Succeed in Life (Joshua 1:8)

By Lynette Kittle

Today's Bible Verse: “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful” - Joshua 1:8

Countless individuals are searching for the secrets of how to thrive in this life. In response to this search, there are thousands of books, articles, podcasts and more available, telling people how to succeed.

Yet God outlined in His Word all we need to know to be successful in this life and the life to come.

Still, few Christians are reading their Bibles on their own and failing to set aside time to study God’s word. Instead, hectic schedules have taken prominence, pushing God’s word to the back burner behind work, family, and even Church life in priority.

Because believers aren’t feeding on God’s word on their own, they’re not growing because, “Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness (Hebrews 5:13).

The Holy Spirit Will Teach Us

As well, often Christians believe they are inadequate or knowledgeable enough to read and study their Bibles on their own, not understanding how God has given us the best teacher we could possibly ever have to help us understand.

“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26).

In not realizing how God’s Word is alive and active, many are missing out on personally having the Holy Spirit reveal and teach them His truth.

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitude of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

God’s Word Will Lead Us In Truth

Because many believers lives are so full, they look for resources where they don’t have to do the digging and studying on their own, looking for outlets where the Word can be spoon-fed to them and someone else tells them what God’s Word says.

While sitting under excellent Bible teaching can bring much understanding, sitting under ones who stray away from God’s truth can have devastating effects.

How many Christians have unknowingly sat under false teaching not knowing they were being led astray, because they weren’t able to recognize the error in biblical teaching, unequipped to discern the truth?

Sadly many Christians are getting their biblical training secondhand instead of reading it for themselves, letting others interpret it for them, telling them what it means and how to apply it to their lives.

Handle God’s Word Correctly

As well, many believers are leaning on their own understanding rather than what God’s word teaches, thinking they know what it says but not really knowing it.

Yet God calls us to “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

It’s vital for us to know God’s word for ourselves because His words are able to go deep within us and transform us. “But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil” (Hebrews 5:14).

Was Psalm 69:9 Jesus' Life Verse?..... by Alex Crain

 Was Psalm 69:9 Jesus' Life Verse?

by Alex Crain

“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4)

There’s a good chance you won’t find the term “life verse” in a theological dictionary. For anyone who hasn’t heard the phrase before, “life verse” has become a semi-popular term used by Christians to describe the fact that a certain part of the Bible can be a long-term, recurring source of encouragement… perhaps, throughout one’s entire life.

I’ve heard some Christians say that the act of singling out a life verse can lower a person’s view of the rest of Scripture. In other words, a life verse can be a bad thing. That seems a little picky though. Really, how bad can it be for a Christian to recognize the good effect that a certain Bible verse has on his attitude toward God, life, and whatever problems he’s facing? Besides, doesn’t it sound a little pompous to say, “My life verse is the BIBLE?”

To be honest, I’ve never given much thought about the merits or demerits of life verses. More than once I’ve had to stop and ask myself why I am even writing a devotional about them. But here’s what sparked my interest in the subject. Recently, I saw a phrase in Romans 15:1 that made me curious if Jesus, perhaps, had a life verse during His time on earth.

Paul quotes an Old Testament phrase in Romans 15:3 that Jesus (apparently) had the habit of thinking on as He walked the earth. If this is so, I’m not sure how Paul would have known this. We can speculate that perhaps other people who were close to Jesus during His earthly life may have observed Him quoting it on a fairly regular basis. Maybe Paul overheard something about it during the days he spent visiting the other apostles. Or, possibly, it was revealed to Paul directly during his three-year period of discipleship before he ever met any of the early church leaders in Jerusalem (cf. Galatians 1:15).

Whatever helped Paul to learn about the mental habits of Jesus, what is clear is that the Lord Jesus Christ characteristically overcame temptation for any and all self-indulgence. “Christ did not please Himself,” is the near context of the Old Testament quote that Paul cites next. The way that the rest of the verse strikes me is that Paul seems to imply that Jesus overcame temptation while meditating on a phrase from Psalms 69:9, which says: “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.” This passage from Psalm 69 would have been a clear reminder to Jesus that the scorn He received on earth was actually the scorn that people bear in their hearts for God. Such a verse would align His expectations about this life and reinforce Him in His earthly mission.

Now, notice what Paul tells the Romans immediately after his quotation from Psalm 69. See especially verse 4…

2 “Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me." 4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”

“For whatever was written…” is a phrase that conveys reasoning. Paul is making an argument for something here. Teasing out his argument a little, I believe Paul is saying:

“Look at Christ’s example of how He dwelt on Psalm 69:9. Scripture gives encouragement and instructs our thinking. It was this biblical perspective that propelled the Lord Jesus with endurance to fulfill the Father’s will and not live for Himself. That’s what you and I are to do.”

Remember, Paul was writing to Jewish and Gentile Christians around 56 AD who were all meeting in segregated house groups throughout Rome. They weren’t exactly the picture of Christian charity and unity. They were looking out for their own preferences—“pleasing themselves” to borrow the language of Romans 15:3. A few chapters back, in Romans 12:1Paul pointed out that they were to be transformed by renewing their minds. Now, in chapter 15, Paul seems to show how that’s exactly what Jesus did.

Whether or not Jesus had a “life verse,” He did let Scripture “dwell richly” in Him (Colossians 3:16). And that’s what Christians are to do as well. Isn’t it interesting that Paul doesn’t just command it? He gives not only reasons but an example—the example of Christ Himself.

Intersecting Faith and Life: Looking at Christ’s example here, how can we doubt or downplay the role of meditating on God’s Word moment by moment as we go through life? In His humanity, Jesus let the truth of God’s Word constantly shape His perspective. This filled Him with encouragement and hope. Let’s do the same today.

A Prayer for Vision..... By Victoria Riollano

 A Prayer for Vision

By Victoria Riollano

“What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, I want to see,” he replied. Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” Luke 18:41-42

Lord, let me see again.

Tucked in Luke 18 is the story of a blind man who simply wanted to see. In the story, Jesus is walking by with a crowd of people. Hearing the commotion coming down the street, the blind man asks what is happening. He is informed that Jesus is walking past. Not knowing if he would ever get the chance to be face-to-face with Jesus again, he cries for the Lord. 

So, he called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Those who led the way admonished him to be silent, but he cried out all the louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Luke 18:38-39

I am always amazed at his response. When faced with opposition, he cried all the louder. Rather than being silenced, he knew that if Jesus was near, healing was available to him. He knew that Jesus could instantly restore his sight. With a word from Jesus, his life could be transformed forever. When he cried out, Jesus did not leave him in anticipation or disappointment. He responded.

Jesus stopped and directed that the man be brought to Him. When he had been brought near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” “Lord,” he said, “let me see again.”  “Receive your sight!” Jesus replied. “Your faith has healed you.” Luke 18:40-42

Out of all the requests in the Bible, this one feels so relevant. Although I’ve never been physically blind, I have experienced times when I felt like my vision was gone. Death of a loved one, betrayal from close friends, and disappointment within myself left me feeling sightless. I felt like I couldn’t see God. Even more so, I couldn’t see how He could still use me. Drowning in doubt, depression, and self-pity, the days ahead weren’t something I looked forward to but something I dreaded. My hope had faded and without a word from the Lord, I am not sure where I would be today. I needed to reach a point where I saw myself and the Lord in a new and radical way.

I needed the Lord to help me to see again.

I needed the Lord to help me to feel again.

I needed the Lord to teach me to believe again.

I believe the blind beggar felt the same. When the opportunity came, it didn’t matter what anyone had to say, he knew he wanted to be restored. By faith, he cried out to God and believed for a miracle. Today, you may find yourself in this same scenario. You may find yourself frustrated by the circumstances and unsure of how to be set free from your affliction. I want to encourage you that God sees, and God knows. He is here to speak life into your situation and to bring healing. 

He asks that you show up, ask for what you need and believe.

And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. Isaiah 65:24 

Dear Lord,

I thank you for that you are omnipotent. You have all power and glory in your hands. I thank you that you hear my cries and that you know exactly what I need. Father, I thank you for helping me to see again. Help me to see your heart, your plan, and your goodness. Even when I don’t understand, help me to praise you beyond what my natural eyes can see. I trust you for every step.

In Jesus name. Amen.