ALIVE TO GOD
Suggested Reading: Romans 7
(click scripture link to read online)
The Arch of Titus is a first-century honorific arch located on the Via Sacra in Rome, just to the south-east of the Roman Forum. It was constructed in 82 AD by the Roman Emperor Domitian, shortly after the death of his older brother Titus, to commemorate Titus' victories, including the Siege of Jerusalem in 70 AD. The Arch of Titus has provided the general model for many of the triumphal arches erected since the 16th century. Perhaps most famously it is the inspiration for the 1806 Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France, completed in 1836.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Romans 7:24-25a
O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God–through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Jesus said in Matthew 26:41, “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Yesterday’s blog dealt with the word “reckon,” which means “consider it a fact” that we who believe are crucified, dead and buried with Christ. Therefore, the old sin life has no power over us. There’s a horror story here. The Romans would, from time to time, chain a dead rotting body to a living prisoner. Imagine carrying that around. The sin life is one of unbearable stench and disease. Who is our Deliverer from sin…from this “body of death”? The answer is found in verse 25. He is “Jesus Christ our Lord!” He lived a pure and holy life, and He lives within the believer. Therefore we are free from sin. Amen!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Dear Lord, as You’ve helped me to remember Galatians 2:20 each morning for years, please keep it coming…”I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith in the Son of God, who loves me and gave Himself for me.” Please Lord, give me the grace and the consistency to keep quoting (mostly under my breath) this powerful motivator for holy living. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
My son, David Reynold, is a professional photographer. His award-winning photography blesses us each day here on 100words.ca. When he was 9, 10 and 11 years old and had done something worthy of punishment, I would send him to his room to await my arrival. I’d find him on his knees, begging God to make him a good boy, and to help him to not do the wrong thing ever again. One time, I noticed that he looked at me with one eye, the other covered with his hand, in order to see how I was reacting to his prayer. When I would laugh, he knew he had disarmed me and that I would forgive him, as he and I both knew God had already done. In recent years, despite of attacks by Satan and by cruel people, he has led amazing world missions projects, raising millions of dollars for missions, and overseeing those projects on the ground. I’m proud of all my children.
Yesterday, David Reynold left for Jordan and the Palestinian Authority territory, in order to complete, at great personal sacrifice, the rest of the photos needed for my blog, particularly for the next Old Testament books of Joshua to Psalms. May God go with you, my son. Thanks for helping your Dad make this blog unique among blogs by your excellent photography. I love you.
Yours for a life lived in abandon to God,
David
P.S. Three days after the birth of our latest great-granddaughter, Jadice Elizabeth Patterson, my other son, Ron (the grandpa), took a picture of her in the same pose as her 3-D ultrasound (taken at 30 weeks gestation). I can’t understand how pro-choice people, many of them people of good will, could approve of the one baby being ripped apart in the womb, yet so caring and nourishing toward the newborn. Canada has absolutely no laws protecting the life on the left (see photo below). This is truly sad and just plain evil!
“Christ lives in me”, I’ve quoted part of Galatians 2:20 because I think it’s key. To the redeemed believer, Christ now resides. No longer do you have to worry about going it alone, Christ is with you, He lives in you? Isn’t that a comforting thing to know? Jesus is isn’t far away at all, for you are redeemed when you are in Him, and then He comes to live in you, through the power of the Holy Spirit. I couldn’t imagine having a dead rotting corpse chained to me on a daily basis, but isn’t that what many of us do when we don’t act through the power of the Holy Spirit? That stinking old sin nature re-appears, we focus on ourselves (the “I”) and then we wonder if the Christian life works at all? Let’s not forget that it’s not about us, it’s all about Christ. As David sets out for us an example, it doesn’t hurt to recite to ourselves Galatians 2:20 daily, and remember that we were bought at a price, Christ became our sin-bearer (He took upon himself our sin), we’re now a forgiven people in Him, our slate is wiped clean of past, present and future sin, we’re now redeemed in Christ and and have the surety of hope here in the physical realm and security of a home with Him in Heaven forevermore! Oh what comfort, Amen!
Sometimes when I click to bring up the Map to show where the picture was taken, instead of the map coming up I get this message “Internet Explorer has modified this page to help prevent cross-site scripting.” If you go to Goggle and type in that message it tells you the reason for this and how your web page manager can adust the web page to prevent thisl Highly technical jargon that I don’t understand but perhaps others might.
Thanks and I enjoy your daily blog immensely
Bill Masterson
What a daunting and exciting mission for Reynold. We are so fortunate!
I share your views on abortion. There is video on UTube entitled “The Silent Scream”, which depicts the reality and cruelty of abortion. I will not post the link here, as its content may be too disturbing for some to see. I am challenged today by your message and our reading. Thank you!
Amen!!!
Thank you Reynold!!! Safe trip…we are praying for you!
The reflections of Paul in Romans 13-25 just blow my mind away–so philosophically put. Non-believers cannot seem to wrap their heads around the faith Christians live by. Paul so eloquently spells out the deeper levels of understanding, in this passage. Nothing is ever as it appears on the surface, there is always so much more behind everyone, and every thing. Praise God, it is He! Our Redeemer lives and breathes in us!
Thanks for sharing, David, about Reynold. I pray that Reynold be protected by the light of Christ, as he journeys into the Palestinian territory for the purpose of this blog. Let the Spirit breathe through him and keep him safe.
The photos of Jadice certainly reflect the miracle and beauty of God’s creation.
Thank-you to both Reynold and Ron,both your photo’s are amazing!! Thank-you,again David,for the Daily Blog!!
The pictures of Jadice,today,I just can’t stop staring at,they are truly AMAZING!! As is our Father God!!
What a precious pictureof Jadice Elizabeth, and to know that the Lord knit all of us like that, we serve such an awesome God!
Praying for safety for Reynold, and thank you Pastor David for your insights on the book of Romans.
Blessings to all!
David,
You have rvery right to be proud of your children, they are are a credit to you and Norma Jean.
You were addressing pro-choice and we are the very fortunate recipients of corageous women who decided to allow their child to live. Throughout my life and ministry I have often brought up the idea of hearing from those that lived. A chaplain colleague of mine told me that was a “no brainer” – exactly I replied. In the end “life” always cries out – whether from the grave or the womb. I think it is Eccelesates which says – ” He has placed eternity in our hearts.” (paraphrase). This is not to condemn those who felt they had no choice or have regrets, it is just that seldom do we hear from all sources but those who were given life. Because of 2 courageous e women our lives have been so blessed by a som and daughter and 4 grandchildren. Already their decision has given life to 8 people. Thank you God for life.
Phyllis, your words, “In the end, ‘life’ always cries out–whether from the grave or the womb” are really powerful. Thank you so much.
Amazing Grace to have such a faithful Love that abides forever!
These amazing pictures posted side by side are powerful evidence of the reality that life is indeed life from the moment of conception. “Well meaning” pro-choice people must need to work really hard to ignore such a glaring truth. This self-deception must be countered with love, and an unwavering conviction to stand for the TRUTH in the face of the political correctness that so pervades our culture.
These amazing pictures posted side by side, must have been a divine inspiration!
One would have to work pretty hard at self-deception to deny the powerful reality that they represent!
Thankyou so much David for this incredible blog, it is so edifying to see God at work in hearts of His children. Gal.2:20 is a blessed reminder of Who should be in control.Thankyou God!!!!
The two pictures of Jadice Elizabeth Patterson side by side are just beautiful. We certainly are fearfully and wonderfully made. Only a Master designer could do that. May she be a blessing to everyone that she interacts with as she grows older.
Thanks for the photos of Jadice. They are amazing! Thanks for your blogs. We enjoy them. May God continue to bless you.
Hello
I agree with all stmts. above.
I celebrate my faith with firm conviction and absolute certainity in my forgiveness.
But at certain times in my life I made more aware of God’s forgiveness, mercy and grace. (like now)
I cannot help it
I weep and I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ or of the one I love.
The last 2 years have been a time of absolute joy with my Lord.
For one whole year He woke me up with hymns.
This morning He woke me up with the old hymn.
I surrender all
All to Jesus I surrender
At times I battle great nightmares not b/c of lack of faith but b/c of my background but God is good and He comforts me.
David’s great grand daughter is absolutely beautiful.
She will be loved and well taken care of.
I wish that all children would experience the same care and love.
But sadly we know that to be true.
So many women/girls that have had abortions need grace and mercy extended not shame and blame.
They suffer so much with the shame of it or have atonement babies.
As I have shared before my dtr.s g/f had an abortion.
We could not talk her out of it.
Then one year later she had an atonement baby.
That she is raising herself with help.
I had 2 friends who had abortions along with my mother(due to health reasons)
It was not an easy decision nor was it a right one but who am I to point a finger.
Many women who are pregnant need guidance and the children need so much love and practical help.
One day I hope to be able to have a ministry with children.
It is absolutely apalling how mistreated children are outside the womb
It is an awesome story of the Children’s ministry in New York city.
The man who was left by his mother on the street God raised up to help other children just like himself.
Abadoned, lost, forsaken by all but not by God.
I highly recommend the movie “Les Miserables”
Watching it makes me u aware of God’s love in a most unlovable world.
Many people have done evil things.
I know I have.
Individuals, churches, governments, organizations, etc.
Our sin nature individually and collectively have created many horrible situations on this planet earth and in our lives and in our own homes.
God’s redemptive power is the most liberating and life saving thing that u can ever share with individuals, governments, and countries.
Christians are the salt and light of the world but if u cannot have a converstation to share that information b/c u come across as accusatory, or blaming or pointing fingers or just not that real.
Many people believe that Christians are the angriest, most judgemental people on the earth
They are wrong of course but having completed a degree in Social Work about 4 years ago u would not believe what is being taught about Christians.
U would not believe what is being taught in universities or what young people believe about Christians b/c of that.
The line separating a Christian from a non – Christian is very wide indeed.
People are so deceived and so lost.
I remember what that was like.
Do any of u?
We all need that open door
So thank God for 100 Huntley street and other org’n that promote the Gospel of Christ.
That is why I believe so much in coming along side of an individual.
To never give up on an individual b/c God does not.
To pray but also offer practical support.
Birthright is an excellent org’n that supports and there r many others.
But the women who have had abortions also need to experience God’s unconditional love and acceptance.
Shaming them will not allow God to heal them but will allow the enemy to continue to perpetuate the lie that they are unloveable and that they are the worst sinners on the planet.
I sometimes wonder how many babies there must be in heaven.
And the fact that many countries practice female infanticide(sp)
They have an ultrasound and find out that they are having a girl and they have an abortion b/c a male is valued more.
Hatred of women is not what God promotes.
Anytime I share that God loves women
He made them
When Jesus walked the earth the women followed Him
In His lineage is a prositute, an outcast, etc.
Matthew outlines is all in his gospel.
Didn’t Apostle Paul become all things to all men in order to lead one to Christ.
I understand that the Holy Spirit draws the individual.
But we can believe and we can hope and pray.
That one day people will change.
Billy Graham says to pray for all people.
Knowing that all will not be saved but u do not know what ones will be saved b/c of your prayers.
God makes no distinction of sin.
All sin is sin
We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
Murder, gossip, judgement etc.
Although I have never been to a church where self-righteousness was being repented of?
Or pride or anger or anything else for that matter.
We are always called to repent of our behavior but the behavior springs out of a heart that has been deceived or destroyed by satan or our sin nature or a combination thereof.
It is absolutely wonderful that Father God has blessed all the bloggers and all of 100 Huntley St.
I rejoice in that and I also support 100 Huntley st on a monthly basis etc.
Also other orgn’s as well.
But I do not want to boast in that but in the fact that I am saved and Christ Jesus loves me and died for me.
To be perfectly honest
My heart is drawn more to individuals outside the circle
Than the ones in the circle.
Whether we realize it or not as Christians we are so blessed and have experienced God’s protection so much that we become unware of how hurting the world is outside our doors and what it does to individuals and families.
And we always want to pray for them but not invite them into our homes.
I love how in the gospels, people flock to Jesus.
He goes to homes where known sinners reside.
One time many years ago there was a picture of a young aborginial man on the cover of the newspaper.(in my hometown)
He was spitting at the camera.
He was being photgraphed b/c he had killed a child.
His g/f’s child
People were apalled and I was but my heart was drawn to ask what about this man?
Where did his anger come from etc.
I know our sin nature is the cause but what else had happened?
To make him do that.
I prayed.
Or another example of Jeffery Dahmer.
A young man who had killed and eaten young men.
His first picture looked like he was a monster.
Yet in prison he was born again and he was water baptized.
He had another picture taken (again on the front of a magazine)
He looked like light.
In his interview he said he knew he would die in prison b/c of his sins but he knew whr he was going
Hallejah.
That is what I love about our Lord.
He redeems the worst of sinners
Wasn’t Amazing Grace written by an ex slave trader
Yet now a days there are more people being trafficked than ever before.
Around the table in heaven
At the feast when Jesus takes us home.
I will be there sitting with many people who have been so forgiven and I will rejoice in knowing that there is no one, not one that the Lord cannot redeem.
Hallejah and I will love hearing their stories b/c it speaks of our Lord’s redemptive power.
Even individuals who have had abortions, those that did the abortionists and those who never did but gave the children up for adoption
As long as they called upon the name of the Lord.
They will all be saved and at the feast in heaven.
I rejoice in that.
I am rejoicing b/c my sister who was raped since the age of 9 just recently accepted the Lord
I am rejoicing b/c my husband who was caught in so much sin is free of it and we are able to pray together and speak of God and he does not experience so much shame that he wants to kill himself.
The enemy has lost.
Christ has won.
I am rejoicing b/c I am a Christian.
I am rejoicing b/c I can have conversations with another sister even though she has not come to the Lord I able to debate the topic with her.
I am rejoicing b/c my other sister who was raped repeatedly as a child etc.
now lives safely with a woman who attends the Salvation Army Church.
I am rejoicing that even though I experienced many horrible situations that make me cry as a child sometimes (but the Lord holds me close during those times)
I am saved and I can dance in my l/r with our Lord.
I am rejoicing that there will be a move of God world wide that the world has never experienced before or since.
I am expectantly waiting for that time.
I am rejoicing that at any day the Lord can return and take me home.
B/c Peter said we are a peculiar(sp) people, a holy nation, and even though we are eternal beings now this is not our home
Heaven is.
Hallejah.
Hallejah for God’s grace and mercy.
Hallejah that God is soverign.
Thank God for Christians authors such as Andrew Farley.
I absolutely was set free from reading his books.
God w/o religion and the naked Gospel.
Two excellent reads that I highly recommend to my fellow bloggers.
He articulated what I have felt for so many years.
God bless u each and everyone
May God’s light shine upon us all.
Our family members, our provinces and our Country.
May we all be filled with the boldness of the Holy Spirit to love the unloveable and the untouchables in our society so that the enemy does not win.
We know God has won in our lives and He has conquered death but they do not know.
In Christ
your eternal sister
Mellany
I agree that the pictures are extremely beautiful! I keep thinking they are heavenly
and that a book could be made up using all of them with a special descripton
relating to scripture etc.!! Just a thought! Yours in Him, Sharon
Congratulations on the birth of your great granddaughter. Life is so precious.
The photos of her in and out of the womb are wonderful. It is so obviously the same baby. Her value remains the same whether unborn or born.
Lovely, lucky baby to be born into your loving family!!
Thanks be unto God for His wonderful gift:
Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God
is the object of our faith; the only faith
that saves is faith in Him.
Nancy
Your great grand daughter is absolutely beautiful!!
I also don’t understand how anyone could harm, let alone kill, a precious little unborn baby. Breaks my heart and breaks my heart even more that it is legal.