ROME
Today’s Reading: Romans 1-2
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).
The Roman Colosseum is the embodiment of both the grandeur and cruelty of the great Roman Empire. Capable of seating 50,000 spectators, the Colosseum hosted spectacular games that included gladiator exhibitions, fights between animals, prisoner executions and, strangely enough, naval battles. Untold thousands of humans and animals met their deaths within this popular attraction of ancient Rome.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Romans 1:7
To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints…
Today’s reading is a huge jump from Moses to Paul, Deuteronomy to Romans! The statistics prove that this two-year journey through the Bible, back and forth between the Old Testament and the New, is the most successful in actually completing a thorough reading…an excellent goal for this New Year!!! Please enlist your friends!!! Set a time to call a friend daily and compare notes…or post comments on the blogs. This can be the greatest Christian growth period ever!!!
Note the word “ALL” in the key verse…could it be that this would even include the Emperor? It would be almost 300 years yet before Emperor Constantine claimed himself to be a believer in Jesus. There was a great deal of work to do in the meantime. The Apostle Paul, writer of the book of Romans, begins here with the Jewish people who lived in Rome. It is believed that Paul wrote to the Romans in 56 A.D. from Corinth during his third missionary journey. It is not his first letter to the churches, but it is placed first because of its length and its vital importance to the understanding of salvation. Millions of people have followed “The Roman Road” to a personal faith in Jesus. The mileposts on the road are: (1) Romans 3:23 – “All have sinned.” Confess that we are sinners in need of the Saviour. (2) Romans 6:23 – “The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Receive God’s gift by confessing that we have received Jesus into our lives. (3) Romans 10:9-10 – Believe that God raised Jesus from the dead, and tell someone that we have received Him, believed in Him, and that we now believe we have eternal life in Him.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, I am walking “The Roman Road” again today. I confess before You my faith in You, and I commit to You that I’ll seek an opportunity to confess You with my mouth. Keep me daily, I pray, in the centre of Your will and purpose for me as a believer. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
It is believed that for a person in a coma, hearing is the last sense to go. The person cannot confess with their mouth, and I’ve told several in a comatose state to think their confession. I’ve seen eye movement that I think may indicate they’ve done it. As well, I’ve sought to minister to stroke victims who can’t speak, and they’ve confessed by nodding their heads in answer to a direct yes or no question. Some totally deaf people may not be able to speak a clear confession with their mouths, but have no doubt about it, their expressions of joy and their body language tell the story of their faith. For me, the moment I confessed Jesus with my mouth, I knew I was right with God. Just to confirm that faith, the next day after I went forward at an evangelist’s call, this 16-year-old went to the creek behind the house where I was living, and over and over as I walked along, I repeated John 6:37 and prayed, “You said, Lord Jesus, that if I come to You, You would receive me. You cannot lie! I’ve come to You. I believe in You. I know that You have received me.” By repeating that several times, it finally got through to my mind, my spirit, my heart and my soul. I’ve never doubted my eternal salvation since that time 64 years ago. Hallelujah!
Yours for all who are in Rome (our key verse) and for all who are in Canada, (where I am right now), and for all who are in the places where this blog is being read (where you are),
David
P.S. This is a blog for busy people, but Romans is such a powerful teaching book that if time permits, I suggest reading each chapter twice rather slowly so as to let the message saturate our entire beings!!!
Well my hearing is going already – just got new hearing aids! I’m hearing things I haven’t heard for a while! I pray that the Lord will heal that situation. We can hear His Voice very clearly through scripture & I praise Him for that & the Mainse family, especially David.
I have heard that is the difficulty in wearing hearing aids because of the very fact you can’t block out sounds and hear every single thing. I hope God helps you adjust to them and they end up being perfect for you. I do not look forward to the day my hearing starts to go. God bless you, Doreen.
Yes Doreen, I also hope you will soon be able to adjust to the hearing aid.
My husband Edward is almost half way through his radiation on his ear.. Also we saw the hematologist yesterday for his MDS and leukemia . Pleased to say he is stable and will be checked on every three months. Many thanks to all who prayed for him. New Years Blessings to all, Eleanor M.
Continued prayers for you and your husband, Edward, Eleanor. God’s blessings on you, both, dear sister-in-Christ.
Thank you dear Beverlee.
God bless you Eleanor, we are thankful that you husband is stable, it has been quite a journey HOWEVER remember that God is with you ALWAYS! He is right beside you right now! He is with your husband! What a blessing and we will continue to pray for complete healing for your husband! Lord God we declare that this husband is completely healed in Jesus Name amen
My sentiments exactly BEVERLY. And may God richly bless you, Doreen.
Blessed
God bless you Doreen! PTL that you can hear much better. I pray you will Hear God`s Voice saying “come unto me all those who are heavily burdened and I will take care of you. You are the righteousness of God!“
Paul’s words in Romans 1 and 2 ring so true. Through Him we received grace and apostleship to call all to the obedience that comes from our faith in Jesus. Just as Paul, we are to spiritually encourage through our faith, which gives us strength. Our praise is from God, which glorifies Him. We, saints, are not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes. No finer words of wisdom ring more true in our ears. Wishing all saints a blessed day in the Lord.
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lam 3:22-23 ESV
Great Is Thy Faithfulness – Chris Rice
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0k1WhFtVp0o
Amen Beverlee!
Taking my time reading the Book of Romans and imaging the setting in which it was given by the Apostle Paul. Apparently there were tensions between Gentile and Jewish believers and between believers and the secular society. Prayers for your husband Edward Eleanor and for your adjustment with hearing aides Doreen. That verse and song has been my theme song over the years Beverlee. Thanks for posting. Going to listen to it now.
Amen, Ger. I am delving more into Romans, as well. Just listened to a sermon by Derek Prince on Romans 12.
Thank dear friend I appreciate all prayers from my blog friends.
Have to check that out too. Thanks!
Derek Prince–How To Find Your Place–Wow!!!
https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/98516310579297951/
I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it the Word of God, Powerful and true!!
The scriptures in Romans are a guide for us to bring us to the truth and encourages us in the importance of extending the good news to those who are in darkness leading them into the Gospel of Light through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Paul witnessed both to the Jew and Gentiles.
Thanks to the Mainse family who continue to bring this fresh manna to us daily.
In particular Ron and Ann and Reynold who are carrying on that which was begun in David’s heart, a way to reach the lost, and encourage us.