OF HIM, THROUGH HIM, TO HIM (Romans 11:36a)
Today’s Reading: Romans 11
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).
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 judgments 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,” “judgments,” 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 about 14,000 people for TV. 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 translate 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 (the English version), and here for the Russian Version (the actual interview begins about 3 minutes in). Talk about God giving special attention. WOW!!!!!
Yours for experiencing God’s special attention,
David
So worth repeating, the end of Romans 11:
“Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!
For who can know the Lord’s thoughts?
Who knows enough to give him advice?
And who has given him so much
that he needs to pay it back?
For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.”
Amen Rob
Many years ago a young neighbour boy of us done something that landed him in prison. Last year his
Mother ask if he could write to me. I have written and received a few letters but just last night I received one that he had written on New Year’s Day, he was very down and I thought Lord help him and help me to know what to say. I believe he has received salvation, his Dad was a minister and passed with his only son in prison which was hard for both and all his family. I will write and send him a link to this program and pray he has internet access. Please pray for him as he struggles with life inside and pray that he is soon released and never returns to crime that put him there. May God bless him and may he bless others in the system, workers and inmates.
Agreeing with y in prayer, HJR. May God minister to him uniquely as He knows the circumstances and the intervention that will touch his heart. I continue to pray for J (the young man who overdosed during Christmas and New Years. Praying for wisdom for the family and strengthening for J. May he also come to know Jesus in a mighty way. Amen. Blessings all.
Amen to your prayer for J that he will
be blessed by Jesus Christ and made whole
in Him, in His Holy Name. Amen.
HJR….may God bless you for your kind and caring heart, and may He use you mightily to encourage this man.
I will pray along with you that God will give you the words to write, and may God Bless this young man & all who he comes in daily contact with.
HJR, I agree with you in prayer for this man
in prison that our Lord Jesus would heal his mind
and cleanse him from all unrighteousness.
Please God be merciful to him and fill him with
Your love and power to help others trust in You
for salvation, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
He is The Way, The Truth and The Life. Amen.
Hello everyone
I just thought I would give you an update on my progress yesterday I was doing okay but then last night I had a rough night because the painkillers that they had me on had stopped working the pain was so bad I was crying so now they have me on morphine oh I am still in hospital and will remain to be in hospital until the pain is under control because I don’t think they’re going to release me until that is in place so thank you for your prayers God bless you all amen
Holding you in prayer, Marilyn, 🙏❤️ for full healing, decrease in pain/swelling and a return home from hospital. In Jesus mighty Name. Amen.
Please pray for niece Samantha.
She hs a job interview today at 5 o’clock
God Bless You All.
Praying for you Marilyn, that the Lord will touch you and give wisdom to the medical staff. Praying for Samantha, that if this is God’s plan for her the door will open wide for her. In Jesus Name, Amen
Thanks for standing with me in prayer and I am standing with each of your requests
May God bless and provide healing and guidance for each one The Lord knows al our needs
I am also Praying for each request, the Lord knows each situation and I am asking Him to intervene for each one.
I am also Praying for each request, the Lord knows each situation and I am asking Him to intervene for each one.
Amen to all the prayers above,in Jesus’ Name, Amen.