THE KINGDOM OF GOD
Today’s Reading: Romans 14
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 Forum is a rectangular plaza surrounded by the ruins of several important ancient government buildings at the centre of the city of Rome. Citizens of the ancient city referred to this space, originally a marketplace, as the Forum Magnum, or simply the Forum. For centuries it was the centre of Roman public life: the site of triumphal processions, venue for public speeches, criminal trials, gladiatorial matches, and the nucleus of commercial affairs. Here statues and monuments commemorated the city’s great men. The Forum today is a sprawling ruin of architectural fragments and intermittent archaeological excavations.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Romans 14:17
…For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
What a contrast! …the kingdom of man (Rome pictured above) and the Kingdom of God. Man is impressed by great buildings, pomp and circumstance. God is impressed by humble people who pray, read His Word and worship Him consistently wherever they happen to be.
The emphasis in today’s reading is about food in Rome. Almost all of the meat and vegetables sold in the markets had been presented to the gods as a sacrifice. This offended the consciences of those striving to be pure before God, particularly the Jewish believers (remember the dietary laws we read about in Leviticus). Many new believers in Jesus who started off in peace and joy have had their freedom withered away by legalism. Paul deals with this issue in several of his letters, notably Galatians. Here in Romans he raises the same issue and warns believers against being bound up in rules about appropriate food and drink. While the legalist may strive for righteousness, he or she will never achieve it. This matter caused Paul to take a stand against Peter (read Galatians 2:11-21). Paul declared that Christ died in vain if righteousness comes through the Law.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I’m learning that holy living comes through Your Holy Spirit living within me, not from keeping religious rules and regulations, not eating certain foods, etc. Please fill me up more and more with peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. By faith, I am truly free to be a faithful follower of Jesus in Your Kingdom! In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I don’t believe that when Peter and Paul disagreed they considered forming a separate religious denomination. As a teenager, I saw the once mighty soul-winning “Holiness Movement” almost destroyed by legalism (e.g. a certain way of dressing, etc.). Perhaps the “Old Order Mennonites” would be a modern example of outward religious dress codes. The main body of these precious people have moved away from these restrictions and are a great example of “peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” The “holier than thou” attitude produced by my own efforts is a huge turn-off for those people with whom I want to share Jesus. Every morning I open my heart to a new infilling of God’s Word and His Spirit. Then I just live life to the full. What peace! What joy! Early in my Christian life, I felt that I was dragging myself around by the scruff of my neck, trying to live as I should. One day, when I was 20 years old, I said to God, “I can’t live this way anymore!” I heard that inner voice of the Lord say to me, “Good, now relax and let Me live in you and through you.” What a wonderful freedom! I began to experience “peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
Yours for being filled, as much as our capacities will allow, with the Word of God and with the Holy Spirit. Lord Jesus, please grow my capacity. Amen!
David
Lynda, thank you for the link you provided yesterday to Softly and Tenderly by Willie. I remember hearing that being sung by a group, including my sister, at my church when I was a young teenager more than 50 years ago and I don’t remember having heard it since. For some reason I thought of it at Christmas when I saw my sister, who doesn’t go to church now, mentioned it and sang a few bars of it. She doesn’t remember it but I’m sure there was a purpose
So happy u enjoyed the rendition Willie sang, Eleanor. I love that old hymn too. Praying your sister trusts in the Lord yet and I love the way we don’t need to go by all the old rules and regulations that block God’s holy spirit from living in us, as Rev. David taught this a.m. My husband and I have bacon every a.m.:-).
The scenery in this hymn is breathtaking:
https://youtu.be/CxA0TFe3-Uo
Yes, He takes us just where and as we are, then changes us to be who we really are, Praise His Holy Name!! Without condemnation!
Irene, Irene, I am sending BIG BIG BIG Hugs to You! TY, TY, Yes that is just what God does;He takes us just where and as we are;then changes us to be who we really are! I am still going through that change! PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME!
Amen, Amen.
Eleanor, I agree with you that there was a purpose in your mentioning that song to your sister. I do pray that she would remember the words, that her heart would soften and she would ask the to Lord into her life.
Loved the Scriptures and David’s comments, we are so blessed to have this blog everyday.
Blessings to everyone, Edward will have 9 more treatments after today. Praise God he is almost finished. Eleanor M.
Thank you, Eleanor M. I haven’t followed the comments every day but I pray for comfort and healing for Edward
You and yours have my prayers and thoughts.
Thanks Eleanor and Blessed. I do appreciate the prayers. What a bond we all have all have in the Lord.
Hope you are ok Beverlee.
Blessed by today’s blog. What a relief when we let go of standards and follow Gods leading.
Blessings all saints in Christ
Perfect timing as always… let go let Jesus and relax!! Thabs so much!
Blessed by this word as always!!
Your sister in Christ
Linda
I have a hanging on my glass door which says”Let Go,Let God”. Which is so similar to yours. I believe, if I remember righty that it came from Dr. Schiller, Hour or Power, many years ago. Blessings on you and every reader of this blog.
I sure enjoy listening to Bobby Schiller or Schullier. His sermons are very meaningful to me…..Blessings to all
I also pray for Beverlee Kay!
Eleanor;
praying for complete healing for Edward; praying he will be very strong and happy upon completion of the treatments, praying he will have drawn closer to God and share his testimony with many……I have known people who did not believe at all; something happened in their lives that brought them to their knees and months and months of treatment and PRESTO! several of these loving people when on to become great witnesses to others going through what ever the treatments were! AMAZING GRACE!
keep us posted; may God grant you good health also Eleanor…..
PTL! I have had the experience of hearing God say (after I tried everything to fix a problem and got fed up and said O K it;s Yours Lord) I was just waiting for you to give me permission to act now, I can`t help but laugh…..Yes God is so good! We are greatly blessed and highly favoured and our sins are completely forgiven through the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ,amen amen amen
Amen Sah!