OF HIM, THROUGH HIM, TO HIM (Romans 11:36a)
Suggested Reading: Romans 11
(click scripture link to read online)
In St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, this statue is probably the world's most famous religious sculpture. Michelangelo carved it when he was 24 years old, and it is the only one he ever signed. He called it "Pieta" (meaning "pity"). The beauty of its lines and expression leaves a lasting impression on everyone, as it portrays Mary holding the lifeless body of Jesus after he was taken down from the Cross.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Romans 11:33
Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgements and His ways past finding out!
We might want to read the key verse at least twice more, stopping and meditating on the words, “depth,” “riches,” “wisdom,” “knowledge,” “unsearchable,” “judgements,” and “His ways.” There are many ways to describe God, but let us think of just three of them. (1) omnipresence, (2) omnipotence, and (3) omniscience. These are fairly common words amongst believers, but we may need a reminder: (1) being present at all times. (2) all powerful. (3) all knowing and all wise. (1) He is everywhere and sees everything, and we have a very limited perspective. (2) He creates and sustains everything, and we are weak in every sense. (3) He knows all, and we know very little. Colossians 1:9-18 is an excellent expansion of these thoughts. We should not judge ourselves too harshly if we do not understand some things we read in Scripture. We simply need to rely on our ever-present, all-powerful and all-knowing God to teach us the things we need to know.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I pray with King David, “Teach me Your way, O Lord…” (Psalm 27:11). As Jesus said, “My sheep know My voice,” and I’m doing my best to listen to Your thoughts. I’m a slow learner, but I believe I am learning. I ask for more of Your presence, more of Your power, and more of Your wisdom, at least as much as You know I can handle. Thank You Lord. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
When Norma-Jean and I went to plant a congregation in Canada’s atomic energy centre (Chalk River – Deep River, Ontario), one of the first things I did was to buy an old school bus to pick up children for Sunday School. On one side I painted, “Teach me Your way, O Lord,” and on the other, “Study to show yourself approved unto God.” I had taught public school in Chalk River seven years earlier, and I learned some valuable lessons. For example, I met almost daily for several months at 7 a.m. with a boy who some would say was a slow learner. I knew that was not true. He was very intelligent, but totally distracted from his studies by other things. With the school inspector’s permission, this boy gained two whole years worth of lessons in six months and as a result, he caught up with his age group. I’ve been easily distracted throughout my life, but God has given me “special ed.” It happens early in the morning and has become a pattern in my life for decades now. This blog is part of the personal tutoring God gives me. Another area of learning for me has been interviewing for TV about 14,000 people. I’ve learned so very much. Below is a link to one of those interviews with a former criminal and maximum security prisoner, Ernie Hollands. God was so pleased that He moved my friend, Stan Watrich, to put that interview into Russian and distribute it in the prisons in the countries of the former Soviet Union. Ernie and I have the Russian language recorded over our English words. How amazing is that! (click here for part of the interview) Talk about God giving special attention. WOW!!!!!
Yours for experiencing God’s special attention,
David
“The yearning to know what cannot be known, to comprehend the incomprehensible, to touch and taste the unapproachable, arises from the image of God in the nature of man. Deep calling unto deep, and though polluted and landlocked by the mighty disaster theologians call the Fall, the soul senses it’s origin and longs to return to it’s source.” – ( A.W. Tozer)
Thank you for quoting this man of God. I love his writings.
I enjoy you comments each day. God bless you.
correction “your comments:
Thank-you Elizabeth. I too have been a fan of A.W. Tozer for many years. God bless you!
We call on Col 1:9-18 when praying for fellow saints in our church. Such a blessing!
Col 1:9-18: For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood,[a] the forgiveness of sins. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the pre-eminence.
Thanks for the link to the Ernie Hollands video, David. Awesome passion for the Lord–that He would save a sinner like me! Let us glorify Him by serving Him!
Amen and Amen.
Viewed the “Pieta” in Rome. Thanks for sharing this picture. For me, It is one of the most beautiful marble sculptures by Michelangelo, a blessing to have seen. Divinely inspired!
Thanks so much for this, David! I remember hearing Ernie a number of times
at Full Gospel Business Men’s breakfasts and conferences! A lot of people were saved after hearing his testimony back then, and now you’ve shared this interview and we’ll pray many more people will understand this miracle
that is given to all who ask!
I appreciate so much all you have done over the years and all you are doing now.
David, I wept when I read your blog today. My husband got saved at a Full Gospet meeting in Wetaskiwin Alberta. When Ernie Holland spoke. That was in 1980. I was saved in 1973 and prayed for my husband for 8 years. God is so faithful. My husband served his Lord until he went to be with The Lord in 2007″ God bless you David, and may God heal you completely . I love your daily log.
Thank you Doreen for you’re personal testimony. It is so encouraging for me who was saved 6 years ago thanks to Huntley Street and pray day and night for my husband,children and relatives salvation
Do love and pray to be as bold and passionate as Earnie in sharing my conversion and Love in our Saviour Jesus Christ !
God Bless you David as we all pray for you’re healing in Jesus’name Amen and Amen
Sorry, Beverlee I didn’t see your message until right now as I was out yesterday. It’s interesting that you should ask me where I got the book on Romans by Dr. Charles Ratz. First of all I was honored to have him as my teacher, but the book I am reading I thought I got from Crossroads but a slip of paper fell out of it saying it was a free book from Stan Watrich, Master’s Foundation in 1996. You might want to check their website to see if they still have some but probably not. This copy was published by Gorden and Gordon Associates Inc. P.O. Box 490, Station “U”, ON. and distributed by Full Gospel Publishing House, 6745 Century Avenue, Mississauga, Ont. L5N 6P7. I hope that is helpful. It is interesting that you should mention your friend, Stan Watrich today, David. Thank you Beverlee for your kind words. I hope you can get a copy, but if not there are probably lots of commentaries right on the internet. David, I remember those interviews with Ernie Hollands. What a fireball for the Lord! I still look forward to these blogs, David and all the replies. God bless you all today.
Thanks, Ger. Really appreciate your reply. Awesome that you, like David, had him as your teacher. Bless you!
I believe with you Scott
Thank you for the interview Ernie was very passionate for everyone to know who God is and believe.
Along time ago I found a video that someone was going to throw away at a yard sale. I just took it off my shelf , and I’m going to listen to it again it is called Life Changing Highlights from 100 Huntley street favorite interviews and on the back of the case has Earnie Holland name amone others on it . I was surprised to find it
God Bless you David
Lianne Hogg
Thank you so much for today’s blog including the link to Ernie Holland’s testimony – made me cry – it was so powerful. Reminded me of as a young Christian I pleaded with God to save my husband who was an alcoholic. God so transformed him that like Ernie he was so on fire for God because of the freedom he experienced, he shared Christ with everyone. He came from a large family and all turned against him, but God used him to pray with each one before they passed away. I’m so thankful to God for hearing my heart’s cry – I know I can come to God with any problem and He hears and does answer prayer. My husband is now in heaven and I miss him terribly, but I thank God for His daily comfort. I miss him so much but God does comfort.. Thank you for this powerful ministry David – you truly are a wonderful, powerful and transparent teacher and I appreciate you. God bless you and your family..
Can we have the text at the top of the page put back on.
It was “Having trouble viewing this – click here.
I am not getting the photo’s – however, the text is wonderful and I enjoy it thoroughly – Thanks for your help – Blessings David and prayers for your health.
I really enjoy reading your blog every day. I haven’t travelled the world much so it is great to see the pictures from the Holy Land, Rome and Greece. I also love the personal stories you have to tell about your life and your family. I appreciate the links to the testimonies of your guests from your show 100 Huntley Street. May God continue to bless you in the coming year. 🙂
I wrote lovely comments today (Saturday) about David’s entry but they were not published. Can you tell me why????????????????
Thankyou, David and fellow bloggers You all an encouragement to me. Prayer is important to our relationship with God and others!!!!
So enjoy your Blog, David!! And everyone’s comments, so nice to read, everyone on fire for God!!
Praying for your healing David!! Amen, Amen &
Amen!!
Nancy
Hi David,
Started reading your blogs and came across the January 12th one. Am enjoying them and glad you received the Russian DVD interview of you and Ernie. On December 29, 2012 a major TV station in Lutsk, Ukraine aired the entire interview to a potential viewing audience of 1.5 million people. Praise God, He is still using Ernie’s life changing story around the world. We are now working on the Spanish DVD for Cuba. When completed will send you copy. Blessings!! Stan Watrich