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Tuesday, October 21, 2014

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Ephesians 2:12-22
Psalm 85:9-14
Luke 12:35-38

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dry wall

"But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near through the blood of Christ. It is He Who is our Peace, and Who made the two of us one by breaking down the barrier of hostility that kept us apart." —Ephesians 2:13-14

The phrase rendered "barrier of hostility" above is literally "the dividing wall of the barrier." We all experience the pain of being separated by a dividing wall. Some experience this in troubled marriages; it feels like the Great Wall of China stands between you and your spouse. Invisible, dividing walls and barriers of hostility are all too often present in family relationships. Some who read this are in prison: for you, the "dividing wall of the barrier" is not invisible but is a physical, harsh daily reality. Others suffer hunger, persecution, poverty, and injustice due to the dividing walls of social classes based on money, prejudice, ethnicity, and power.

Whatever dividing wall stands in your life, bring that wall to Jesus. He is constantly praying that all His people would be one, as He and the Father are one (Jn 17:21). Jesus alone walks through walls (Jn 20:26). He breaks down the walls that keep people apart (Eph 2:14). The Lord broke down the walls of Jericho when His people came before Him in obedience, trust, and praise (Jos 6:20).

While behind the wall, "fix your eyes on Jesus" (Heb 3:1) instead of the wall. The Lord is writing on the wall to convict the hearts of people on both sides (see Dn 5:5). He stands by the wall with a measuring line, plotting its destruction (see Am 7:7-9). Only in Jesus do walls come tumbling down. Your body may be trapped but your heart, mind, and spirit are not. Pray: Lord, "by the help of my God I leap over a wall" (Ps 18:30) into Your arms.

Prayer:  Father, I am trapped behind a wall now, but by Your grace, I will live forever behind the walls of the heavenly city (Rv 21:14).

Promise:  "It will go well with those servants whom the Master finds wide-awake on His return." —Lk 12:37

Praise:  Louise led her kidnapper to give his life to Jesus. He felt Jesus take away the hatred from his life.

Reference:  (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 24, 2014

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