I “RECKON”
Today’s Reading: Romans 5-6
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).
A view from high atop the il Vittoriano in Rome. You can see the Colosseum and much of the city to the south from here.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Romans 5:8, 6:23
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us…For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
What an encouragement! Sublime truth! When we stand firm on the foundation of God’s truth we truly have peace. We are free from guilt. We move into the future with full confidence in God’s infinite love. Eternal life is ours now. We don’t have to wait until we die to find out where we will spend eternity. This assurance is not presumption. It’s simply and humbly taking God at His Word (God would never lie to us!), confessing that Word, and believing that Word at all times. Amen! Chapter six states the fact that we who believe are dead to sin. Romans 6:11 states the truth that we are to “reckon” ourselves “dead indeed unto sin.” “Reckon” is a mathematical term. Just as sure as 2 X 2 = 4, so it’s a fact that we who believe have died with Christ on the Cross. He bore our sins, and us too. The gift of faith enables us to believe this, and that same faith enables us to live our lives as dead to sin and “alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” We may want to read these chapters again in the next 24 hours. Let us read slowly and deliberately, soaking in every Word. Jesus said, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, I confess the fact that I am dead to sin!!!…and that I’m alive to God. I truly believe this. Therefore, I will not let sin reign in my mortal body. Lord Jesus, You reign as my absolute Monarch. Your power enables me to do only what is right. Thank You for victorious Christian living. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Along with learning and believing the truth that sets me free, I had to learn what John taught in his first epistle, chapter one. I realized that I must make a daily choice to “walk in the light.” Again and again, I read and quote from memory 1st John 1:5-10. If I had not made this truth an integral part of my daily life, I would’ve been discouraged. God’s Word is light. I learned that in order to walk in His light, I must read His Word without fail each day. This blog is my way of turning on a light in the darkness, so that I’ll see the path ahead, not stumbling and falling into sin. John was writing to his fellow believers, reminding them, and himself, that no one can say “we have no sin” and “we have not sinned.” I recognize that I am being constantly cleansed in God’s eyes by the Blood of Jesus Christ. God sees me through the lens of Jesus’ sacrificial death on my behalf. Thank You, thank You, thank You, Jesus!!!!!
Yours for walking every day in the Light of God’s Word,
David
P.S. For many years now I have tried my best to be faithful each morning to quote under my breath, so as not to waken Norma-Jean when I first wake up, Galatians 2:20. “I am crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
https://youtu.be/PaeQ7tHlXhM. I hope this comes through okay. If not, a Google search of “Have Thine Own Way” (on piano with words is available on line). Lovely prayer. Blessings all.
Beautiful.
Lovely song/piano, Doreen.
Amen
Love this I haven’t sang it in
many years. The words are so meaningful. Thanks Doreen
Thank You, Father, for Godly leaders and teachers who show You to us. Bless and keep them in Your care. Help all Your children to be strong in You. We commit the battles for Truth, for Life, for Salvation, and for deliverance to You, Lord. You are the Commander of Heaven’s armies, and we ask You to have Your way on this Earth. Thank You, Lord God, for intervening in our lives, for saving us. We ask You to intervene throughout this Earth, in Jesus’s great name, amen
Amen to your prayer Rob.
Thank you Lord Jesus for saving us.
Amen
Aman Rob.
Yes Lord, in Jesus, we pray.
Amen Rob and Laur. In Jesus’ mighty name, we pray.
Amen to your prayer,Rob.
Amen Rob in Jesus Name.
Just a note to say that, as a believing and praying Christian, I am extremely sad about the change in government in the U.S. I was terribly sad in Canada when the Liberals won, a party that openly said it admired communist China because of its ‘basic dictatorship’, a party that said any hint of ‘Canadian values’ was xenophobic, a party that openly bought the media’s support and banned or restricted any media sources that refused to follow the government narrative. The incoming government in the U.S. is more of the same: it is supported by the LGBTQ2Eetc activists, Planned Parenthood, and the ‘anything-but-the-God-of-the-Bible’ lobbyists.
If you don’t care that your children are being taught that they can choose their own gender, if you don’t care that the media is not holding our government to account, if you don’t care that religious freedoms are being shredded at the hands of those who hypocritically say they care about diversity, then by all means keep on supporting the leftist parties of North America. But, if you care about freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom in our schools, freedom of assembly, indeed freedom of thought, then use the weapons of our warfare that God has provided: prayer, speaking out, trusting in God, and using the gifts God has given to make a difference in this decadent generation.
Father God, please forgive us of our apathy and laziness, as well as the rebellious spirit of our countries that is causing people to turn away from You. We need You for the very air we breathe, for the spark of life in us, for the strength we need to live and to love each day. Help us turn back to You, Lord God, and recognize, affirm and praise You as our Maker, as our sustainer, as our Saviour. Help us not to point the fingers at others and say they are the problem, when it is we who need to turn from our own selfish ways and follow You. Please help us to do it, Lord, and to use our time well in service of You and Your Kingdom. In Jesus’s great name, amen
A message from Anne Graham Lotz, to remember our position in Christ:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BVz1mjdRbM
Amen to your prayer, Rob !
Amen Rob! I believe this election was not between Trump vs Biden or Republican vs Democrat but Good vs Evil. I’m praying for our good Lord to hear our prayers, forgive us, reveal all lies, fraud and corruption. I’ve heard Biden, his son and many others have been bought buy the Chinese. So very sad that they’ve sold their souls to the devil and they’re bring the country down with them. But, it’s not over yet. The prophets say Trump will have a second term. God willing, he will.
Amen, amen and amen.
I strongly agree with you Rob.
Great link to Anne Graham Lotz, Rob. “Remember your position. You’re a child of the King. Jesus is seated on the throne.”
I agree with you Rob. We need to turn to prayer and connect with God. Everyone need be on their hands and knees in prayer, with the Bible in front of us, praying for a healthier Canada and USA. Truly, that’s what this is all about. It isn’t about blaming or hating but it doesn’t condone violence and murder, either.
Trudeau has made a shambles of once true Canadian family values, making radical and devastating changes for the purpose of getting and staying elected. How will we ever get that righteousness back in society? For the next generation? But just as you said–to stand up in voice and lay down in prayer–because our God is stronger.
In the case of our US neighbour, just because someone says he is a Christian does not make it so. I believe Trump used the claim to get elected. He has held close to policies and issues that truly matter but he does not act like a Christian. Democracy is about the vote of the people. Ultimately, God is in control of everything and that includes who gets voted in. People always say that when it is the politician or party they want voted in. When Trump was sworn in, everyone said it was because he is a Christian, some Pastors prophesied it, and God ordained it.
Jesus would never perpetrate violence but He will save us. He turns the bad into good, uses adversity to shape us and make us stronger and can overturn any leaf. He would never call on mob mentality, hatred, violence and murder. That is not our God. But He will clean up the mess because He instills us to have compassion for one another and forgive. Our King is alive and reigns.
Trump is an evil, dangerous man and it is fearful having him remain in a position of power when he uses and manipulates people for his own personal gain. Surely, God is calling us to turn away from the television and news broadcasts and be in prayer and the Word with Him, and Him, alone.
We are sorry God for being so foolish to get so swept up in all of this drama. It is the devil trying to lead us astray, away from You. We ask for Your forgiveness, cleansing of North America and for Your protection. We give You all the glory and praise. In Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.
The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale. Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. Proverbs 18:10-12
The Lord will keep you from all harm- he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Psalm 121:7-8
You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalm 32:7 NIV
I know we don’t always agree and it is not my intent to be so outspoken as to upset anyone with a differing point of view, so please forgive me. The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.
Well said, both of you Rob and Beverlee. Both of you express my thoughts completely. Have been on my knees early this week praying for our countries and situations closer to home. Thank you.