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

GOVERNMENT

Today’s Reading: Romans 13

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 Temple of Hephaestus, also known as the Hephaisteion, or earlier as the Theseion, is a well-preserved Greek temple; it remains standing largely as built. The temple was officially inaugurated in 416-415 BC. It is a Doric peripteral temple, and is located at the north-west side of the Agora of Athens, on top of the Agoraios Kolonos hill. From the 7th century until 1834, it served as the Greek Orthodox church of St. George Akamates.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

Key Verse: Romans 13:8

Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.

Not only does Paul not advocate the overthrow of the government, he actually tells us to be good subjects. Caesar, the Emperor, was the focus of the official “religion.” Social concerns, such as human rights, were unheard of. Paul was following the Lord Jesus, who said when asked about paying taxes, “Render, therefore, to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s…” (Matthew 22:21a). The state and man’s religion have gone hand-in-hand throughout most of human history. Imposing buildings, such as the one pictured above, have been created to impress the people with the authority of the state and the state religion. Those early believers in Jesus were meeting in their homes, not in magnificent temples. Paul taught that their power was in “love,” not in revolution or in political activism. Loving is not optional for the follower of Christ. It is a debt that we must pay. No wonder thousands of Jews, Greeks, and Romans believed in Jesus as Saviour and Lord. Amen!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, please remind me daily of my debt of love. It’s payback time. You have loved me and I need to love You and others in return. Please show me the practical ways to express love today. I pray this, dear Jesus, expecting Your Holy Spirit to motivate me. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I have a grandson-in-law who is a police officer. I pray for his safety each morning. He is responsible for three of my great-grandchildren. The other day, he and his partner made a major drug bust. We could agree that he was acting, as Paul wrote, “as God’s minister to you for good” (Romans 13:4a).

I received an e-mail recently which is a positive example of one way to influence government decisions. It was from Pastor Wally Magdangal, who was reflecting on our past involvement with him. It was in 1992, just days before Christmas, that I received a fax from Amnesty International that Pastor Magdangal was about to be executed by the Saudi authorities for the crime of baptizing Muslims into the Christian faith. While we were live on air with 100 Huntley Street across the continent, I was able to reach, by telephone, the Saudi Ambassador at his embassy in Ottawa. I read the fax on national television and, of course, he denied that his country would do any such thing. Thank God, the pastor was released on Christmas Eve and was on a flight back to his home in the Philippines Christmas Day. Here’s a quote from Wally’s e-mail. “You appealed for my life and freedom back in December of 1992. I am alive today and serving THE LORD JESUS CHRIST because of Christians like you who prayed for me and advocated for my release from the death sentence in Saudi Arabia.” All who gave financially to pay for the TV airtime, and even the long-distance phone call, have a part in Wally’s release. Most days my “do what is good” is a little, unnoticed thing; but God takes notice, and that’s what counts.

Yours for loving one another,

David

P.S. Something special happened to me on this day in 2012. Following a time of fasting and prayer, which ended with the Sunday evening service, I went to sleep as usual. At exactly 4:00 a.m. Monday I was awakened abruptly. I know that the Lord downloaded His call to do this blog. It happened again the same way two months later. On the digital clock it again read “4:00 a.m.” … the Lord reconfirmed to me the start date of the blog, Sunday, June 3rd, 2012, the day after our 50th anniversary on television (you can click here to find out more details from the  video I put on the “About 100 Words” section of my blog).

YOUR REASONABLE SERVICE

Today’s Reading: Romans 12

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 Pantheon (from Greek meaning “all gods”) is a building in Rome which was originally built in 27 BC as a temple to the seven deities of the seven planets in the state religion of Ancient Rome. It is the best preserved of all Roman buildings, and perhaps the best preserved building of its age in the world. It has been in continuous use throughout its history. Since the 7th century, the Pantheon has been used as a Christian church.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

Key Verse: Romans 12:1-2

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

“Beseech”… We are strongly urged to make a 100% do-or-die commitment to God. Paul did this. He practiced what he preached. The daily discipline of participating with me in this blog is a renewing of our minds. We are being exhorted here in chapter 12 to a very practical Christianity. Here is the way to get along well with others. Here is the recognition of the spiritual gifts that we receive from God. No believer is left out. We can find our place here. Let us take time right now to consider our position in this list. Are we using these gifts which differ “according to the grace given unto us”? If not, why not? By exercising our gifts every day, we will, with absolute certainty, “overcome evil with good.” AMEN!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, our reading for today is a perfect example of how You lived Your life while functioning as a Human Being here on earth. You never used Your Divine Essence to lift Yourself above the struggles common to mankind. I give myself anew right now to Your life within me. I ask for an increased measure of faith and grace to live minute by minute as a person who is becoming more like You. In Your all-powerful Name I pray, AMEN!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

[Note: Originally written January 13, 2017]

Some Great News for me! I’m being discharged from hospital today! Norma-Jean is coming in for 10 a.m. to be instructed by the M.D. on caring for me, giving IV’s at home, etc. Our daughter and son-in-law, Ellen and Nizar Shaheen, have built an extension on their house for us. Ron was there yesterday putting up the blinds. We’re ready! Our bed, dresser, chairs, are in place. I’m finding it hard to contain my enthusiasm!

I’ve just read on my lap-top the blog postings of the late Julia Bayer. One of my nurses directed me to Julia’s blog. HERE is a link to her writings so you can see and hear what has been blessing me for the last two hours (scroll down for previous posts).  I know it will bless you too. That’s why I’m passing this onto you. Julia was just 26 when diagnosed with ovarian cancer. 100 Huntley Street did a video feature on Julia a while back (click HERE to watch it). The following is a quote that jumped out at me from this young lady’s blog…

“He’s not a god detached from human experiences and emotions. He’s not a god eager to rule with an iron fist. God, who created the universe by spoken Word, chose suffering. In doing so, He chose relationship instead of vengeance in response to our rebellion. I don’t know of any other religion where the god chooses suffering out of love for humanity. The humility and unconditional love demonstrated by Jesus’ death on the Cross is my ultimate source of hope and joy. As I experience some of the darkest moments of my life, I will continue to fix my eyes on Jesus, because He knows suffering and He loves me. Praise God!” (Hebrews 12:1-3).

Yours in praising God for the lives of precious people like Julia Bayer who are now in His presence,

David

P.S. Below is a photo of the interior of the Pantheon in Rome (see the photo caption above for a brief historical summary).

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

THE JEWS AND THE GREEKS

Today’s Reading: Romans 9-10

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 Stoa of Attalos in Athens is recognized as one of the most impressive stoae (covered walkways) in the Athenian Agora (market place). It was built by and named after King Attalos II of Pergamon who ruled between 159 BC and 138 BC. It was rebuilt between 1953 and 1956.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

Key Verse: Romans 10:12-13

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

“Jew and Greek” could also be written, “Israeli and Gentile.” God has every right to choose His people. He chooses all those He knows in His foreknowledge will call on His Name! We may want to ask God for the same deep concern Paul experienced for his people, according to the flesh, the Jewish people. Paul had great sorrow and continual grief in his heart for Israel. He longed for their salvation. He showed the depth of his intercession when he was willing, if necessary, to be separated from God in order that they might be saved. This kind of prayer, and Paul’s continued witness for Christ, resulted in many more thousands of Jews becoming believers in Jesus. For at least the first 100 years, the core and leadership of the Christian Church was Jewish. God responds with strong initiatives to bring people to Himself when we pray as Paul prayed. The promise of our key verse happens over and over and over again. On the 100 Huntley Street telecast the hosts try to give an invitation to call on the Name of the Lord Jesus in every program. (click here to watch 100 Huntley Street).

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, as Your disciples asked You, even so I ask You the same: “Lord, teach us to pray.” Not just the words to say, but to actually do my praying with greater fervency than ever before. In Your strong Name I pray. Amen! Amen! Amen! Amen! You promise, Lord Jesus, through Your brother, Jerusalem Pastor James, that “The fervent effectual prayer of a righteous man [or woman] will avail much” (James 5:16b). Read James 5:13-20.

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

In my prayer life, it’s a fact that the more fervently I’ve prayed, getting up earlier and earlier in the morning to cry out to God, the more of God’s will I saw happen. I’m constantly reminded that the Lord is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9b). The obvious fact is that the greater my level of fervency, the greater creative means of presenting the Good New of Jesus are found, and the more people come to Christ. For example, over 60% of all information people receive now comes from the Internet. On 100huntley.com, exciting new material is being added daily as God’s people pray and give sacrificially…and a lot of past material is there too. As a 80-year-old Evangelist, I can hardly believe that many of my messages and interviews from the past are now present, and will continue to be there, God willing, into the future. As an example, here is an interview I did years ago with George Foreman, the only person to win twice the world’s heavyweight boxing championship — click here.

Yours for the whole world to be saturated with messages from the heart of Jesus!

David

DON’T WORRY, BE HAPPY

Today’s Reading: Romans 8

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 Trevi Fountain is in Rome, Italy. Standing 26.3 metres high and 49.15 metres wide, it is the largest Baroque fountain in the city and one of the most famous fountains in the world. The song, “Three Coins In The Fountain,” comes from here. Prayer is effective reality, not superstition, like the wishes made here.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

Key Verse: Romans 8:38-39

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord…

All the verses in Romans 8 are keys which unlock the amazing provisions God has for us. Therefore, we may want to read this chapter over and over again until we are absolutely sure that we have made every word an integral part of our being.

Here are some random thoughts… (1) “The law of the Spirit of life.” This is like the law of aerodynamics. When the power is applied to the aircraft engines, the law of gravity is overcome, and we rise to new heights. Today, apply the power of the Holy Spirit and rise above sin and death. Amen! (2) Just imagine; no don’t just imagine, actually do it. Call the God of the universe “Abba,” or in our language, “Daddy.” (3) Our key verses, like dozens of other promises of God, offer the perfect antidote to worry, fear, and uncertainty. So lift up your head. Go into the world with total confidence. Nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing can separate us from the Lord Jesus and His love!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, You cannot lie. You’ve promised me Your constant presence, and I believe You 100%. Please grant me a new consistency in faith in You, so that I won’t worry, fret, or have any fear. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

These new technologies (such as the Internet) are a complete mystery to me. I understand almost nothing. I do understand, however, that NOTHING can separate me from God’s love. That’s the most important understanding in the universe. This amazing ability that God has to be able to give individual attention to billions of us is mind boggling. He’s far more sophisticated than the Internet, and He never goes down. God placed the physical laws in His creation concerning the Internet (millions of messages simultaneously). Man did not really invent the Internet; man simply thought God’s thoughts after Him and discovered it. Like North America, it was there all the time. The Native people knew that, and Columbus discovered it for the rest of the world.

Yours for communicating God’s love in person and through every available technology,

David

P.S. The great cathedrals of Europe contained magnificent sculptures. Most of them represented Bible people.They were created to communicate visually to a largely illiterate people. In my childhood we had something called “flannel graph.” Remember that? We are in a visual age. Have you checked out 100 Huntley Street’s video website lately? Why don’t you do a little exploring there today? Visit www.100huntley.com.

The central statue in Rome’s Trevi Fountain is of Neptune, god of the sea, riding a chariot in the shape of a sea shell, being pulled by two sea horses.

ALIVE TO GOD

Today’s Reading: Romans 7

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 Arch of Titus is a first-century honorific arch located on the Via Sacra in Rome, just to the southeast of the Roman Forum. It was constructed in 82 AD by the Roman Emperor Domitian, shortly after the death of his older brother Titus, to commemorate Titus’ victories, including the Siege of Jerusalem in 70 AD. The Arch of Titus has provided the general model for many of the triumphal arches erected since the 16th century. Perhaps most famously, it is the inspiration for the 1806 Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France, completed in 1836.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

Key Verse: Romans 7:24-25a

O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God–through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Jesus said in Matthew 26:41, “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Yesterday’s blog dealt with the word “reckon,” which means “consider it a fact” that we who believe are crucified, dead and buried with Christ. Therefore, the old sin life has no power over us. There’s a horror story here regarding that “body of death” referred to in our key verse. The Romans would, from time to time, chain a dead rotting body to a living prisoner. Imagine carrying that around. The sin life is one of unbearable stench and disease. Who is our Deliverer from sin…from this “body of death”? The answer is found in verse 25. He is “Jesus Christ our Lord!” He lived a pure and holy life, and He lives within the believer. Therefore, we have all we need to be free from sin as long as we surrender our all 24/7!!! Amen!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Dear Lord, help me to remember Galatians 2:20 each morning…”I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith in the Son of God, who loves me and gave Himself for me.” Please Lord, give me the grace and the consistency to keep quoting (mostly under my breath) and believing 100% this powerful motivator for holy living, confessing it as fact! Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

My son, David Reynold, is a professional photographer. His award-winning photography blesses us each day here on 100words.ca. When he was a young boy and had done something worthy of punishment, I would send him to his room to await my arrival. I’d find him on his knees, begging God to make him a good boy, and to help him to not do the wrong thing ever again. One time, I noticed that he looked at me with one eye, the other covered with his hand, in order to see how I was reacting to his prayer. When I smiled, he knew he had disarmed me. I would emphasize the error of his ways and forgive him as he and I both knew God had already done. In recent years he has led amazing world missions projects, raising millions of dollars for missions, and overseeing those projects on the ground. He and his wife Kathy are currently leading a unique God-birthed initiative in Uganda. Thanks David Reynold Mainse for helping your Dad make this blog unique among blogs by your excellent photography. I love you.

Yours for a life lived in abandon to God,

David

P.S. For some reason I feel compelled to put the pictures below on the blog. Three days after the birth of our great-granddaughter, Jadice Elizabeth Patterson, my other son, Ron (the grandpa), took a picture of her in the same pose as her 3-D ultrasound (taken at 30 weeks gestation). I can’t understand how pro-choice people, many of them people of good will, could approve of the one baby being ripped apart in the womb, yet so caring and nourishing toward the newborn. Canada has absolutely no laws protecting the life on the left (see photo below). This is truly sad and just plain evil! The sin in our human hearts must break the heart of God.

Jadice Patterson at age 4!

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.”

THE PROMISE OF GOD

Today’s Reading: Romans 4

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 distant dome is St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. St. Peter’s draws pilgrims from all over the world. Few are disappointed when they enter the intricately decorated basilica beneath Michelangelo’s vast dome (an interior photo is below). A memorial structure was erected on the site of St. Peter’s tomb in the 2nd century, and the first great basilica, ordered by the Emperor Constantine, was completed around AD 349. In the early 1500’s, the German monk Tetzel was raising money to build the present St. Peter’s Basilica by promising salvation by works (money actually), and the reaction to his teaching, which was so contrary to the book of Romans, was a major thrust towards reformation.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

Key Verse: Romans 4:20-21

He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.

Romans gives us so much excellent teaching that it is impossible to cover it properly in this 100words.ca blog. However, it might be good to review the first four chapters. Notice that the words “circumcision” and “uncircumcision” are repeated 17 times. They indicate that Paul is addressing both Jews and Gentiles. Key words, such as righteousness, faith, law, all, and sin appear at least 60 times in Romans. Abraham provides the great example of righteousness apart from his works, and apart from the keeping of the Law, which was not given until 500 years later. He is known as the father of righteousness by faith for both the Jew and the non-Jew. Faith is simply believing that God tells the truth. God promised a child to Abraham and Sarah. Abraham believed that God spoke the truth. Isaac was eventually born! Abraham’s faith was stronger than the physical fact of their old age. Abraham’s faith was stronger than the confusion and fear he must have had when God told him to offer Isaac as a sacrifice. That faith was not based on Abraham himself, but on the fact that God cannot lie. God keeps His Word. Amen!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I pray for the same gift of faith You gave Abraham. May I always take You at Your Word and act upon it. May I not stumble in unbelief but, having heard from You, may I simply obey You. In the Name of the One who always obeyed His Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I studied Romans under the teaching of Dr. Charles Ratz. His book on Romans is a classic. Before this blog is posted, I’ll check to see if it’s available for sale online (click here). There are other thorough study guides in Romans which are excellent. I recommend additional resources, like the following online Bible study tools (note the various commentaries at the end of each chapter of Romans…click here).

Jesus, in His humanity, was Jewish. You’ll remember that Jesus was circumcised when He was eight days old (Luke 2:21). The late Dr. Nelles Silverthorne, a research pediatrician at Sick Children’s Hospital in Toronto, was often a guest on the 100 Huntley Street telecast. He declared that the blood coagulation properties were greater at eight days old than at any time before or after. He said that God’s instructions to His Jewish people were medically accurate. This man of faith raised the first oxygen tent, gave the first civiliian injection of penicillin and, among other firsts, developed the vaccine used around the world for whooping cough. Most of all, he gave a crystal clear testimony to his faith in Jesus Christ.

Yours for the righteousness which is by faith,

David

Here is an interior view of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

THE GOD OF BOTH JEWS AND GENTILES

Today’s Reading: Romans 3

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).

This is known as the Mamertine Prison. Tradition tells us that Paul and Peter were both held in this prison before they were martyred (a photo of the inside of the prison is below). Upon entering the city of Rome, “Julius, a Centurion of the Augustan Regiment” (Acts 27:1) handed Paul over to the Prefect of the Praetorian Guard (the commanding officer). The official duty of the Prefect was to keep in custody all accused persons who were to be tried before the Emperor. “Now when we came to Rome, the Centurion delivered the prisoners to the Captain of the Guard; but Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him” (Acts 28:16).

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

Key Verses: Romans 3:28 & 29

Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the law. Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also…

Justification (a declaration of righteousness before God) by faith was the reason given for the Protestant Reformation. The story is that Martin Luther, a Roman Catholic Priest, travelled to Rome for the purpose of gaining favour with God and an inner assurance of his salvation. He probably visited the prison pictured above. It is reported that as he ascended a stairway into a church, step by step on his knees, reciting prayers on each step, he jumped to his feet, exclaiming the Scripture, “The just shall live by faith.” He returned to Germany where he nailed his declaration of salvation by faith, and not by the keeping of the law, to the the door of a church, along with many other theses. As they say, “the rest is history.” What Luther and many others hoped would be a reformation in the Church became a high wall of division. The action of the Church courts, and unwise people on both sides of the issue, eventually produced different denominations. It could’ve been different. For example, Acts 15:1-11. Why was there not a new denomination or an independent church body formed in the first century? We may want to take time now to think about that question.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, help me to always “hold the truth in love.” I pray You will enable me to be part of resolving strongly held differences as Peter was in Acts 15. I ask for greater wisdom. You promised that if I would ask You would give wisdom liberally (James 1:5). Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

Paul wrote his “epistle of joy,” Philippians, from prison. I can’t imagine myself having such an overcoming experience in Christ as to be able to rejoice so enthusiastically in similar circumstances. I do know that God does give grace to endure, but seldom in advance of the trial. He does so as we have need.

Concerning divisions in the church, Jesus prayed for all who profess to follow Him, “…that they all may be one” (John 17:20-23). I have seen the power in working together for winning people to Jesus. During the 1970’s and 1980’s, many walls came down between denominations. I was asked by the Archbishop Cardinal of Toronto to preach a mission in Varsity Stadium sponsored by the Roman Catholic Arch Diocese of Toronto. Literature on the assurance of salvation by faith was distributed to thousands as they responded to my Billy Graham-style invitation. There was a strong sense that Jesus’ John 17 prayer request was being answered by the Father with a loud “Yes.” I believe that God is more than willing to continue to say “Yes” to Jesus’ prayer. I pray for much more of God’s unconditional love to expand my capacity to love and to overflow my life with His message of salvation.

Yours for an answer to Jesus’ prayer, unhindered by pride in a denomination or by human self-righteousness,

David

P.S. My eldest son, David Reynold, and his wife Kathy, live in Uganda where their mission is to be a part of the answer to Jesus’ prayer for unity among Christians in that country. Here’s a link describing their work. Please remember them in your prayers. Thank you so very much!

Inside the Mamertine Prison, this metal grate in the floor covers where the prisoners were lowered into their prison cell. The first time Paul was imprisoned he was in a private house; however, the second time he was probably here, under Nero, who had him beheaded.