Romans. .week 1. .Fast Fact

Wanted to share a couple of interesting cultural facts with you this morning. .
these trinkets were taken from my chronological study bible notes from early into chapter 1. .

Rome was the capital of the Roman Empire that had spread over most of Europe, North Africa, and the Near East. In New Testament times, Rome was experiencing a golden age. The city was wealthy, literary, and artistic. It was a cultural center, but it was also morally decadent. The Romans worshipped many pagan (pagan is just a word for people who don’t believe in A God. .they believed in many gods) gods, and even some of the emperors were worshiped. In stark contrast to the Romans, the followers of Christ believed in only one God and lived by his high moral standards.

Christianity was also at odds with the Romans’ dependence on military strength. Many Romans were naively pragmatic, believing that any means to accomplish the intended task was good. And for them, nothing worked better than physical might. The Romans trusted in their strong military power to protect them against all enemies. Christians in every age need to be reminded that God is the only permanent source of our security and salvation, and at the same time he is “our Father”!

How many times do we as self-sufficient human beings. .

tend to rely on things other than God to protect us??

Our finances, our plans, our family, our friends??

Or worse yet. .our OWN self?? It is certainly tempting!!

I’m certain that we can’t even fathom the magnitude of idol worship of various gods such as what went on in that era. .

but I’m sure it was beyond our wildest imagination. .and not very pretty either!!

Finally. .I found this next truth to be quite profound. .
because I hadn’t put 2 and 2 together to make the connection myself. .
In verse 1:10. .
we find Paul praying for the opportunity to go to Rome to see the church in person. .
there are also a few other places within the epistles. .
that Paul describes his intent to go to Rome. .
and each time he noted that HIS plan was ultimately thwarted by God. .
My study bible makes this note. .

When you pray continually about a concern, don’t be surprised at how God answers. Paul prayed to visit Rome so he could teach the Christians there. When he finally arrived in Rome, it was as a prisoner (see Acts 28:16). Paul prayed for a safe trip, and he did arrive safely—after getting arrested, slapped in the face, shipwrecked, and bitten by a poisonous snake. When we sincerely pray, God will answer-although in His timing and sometimes in ways that we do not expect!!

I know that people. .many people. .

find the bible to be “boring”. .

but the more I read, and remember, and learn. .

the more that the stories, like this one, as they come together in my mind are just FASCINATING!! You can find the story for yourself unfolding through Acts 27-28!!

Hoping that God is speaking in mighty ways to your hearts as you work through the book of Romans. .
and you might consider reading at least a few chapters in different translations as you go too!

So. . .on to the weekly FAST FACT!!

What is the best vacation that you have ever had??

I LOVE vacations!! But my husband’s idea of vacation and MY idea of vacation. .

are much different!! I want to go and do and see and taste. .

anything and everything that I have never had access to before. .

anything that seems weird or foreign or crazy!

Him. .low key, on the water, same activities year after year after YEAR J

So. .we have been fortunate enough to make some compromises over the last few years. .

and have REALLY enjoyed a few short little vacations without kids. .

my favorite. .

TOTALLY the trip that we took with our friends Lane and Cindy a couple years ago to New York City. .

We enjoyed sightseeing. .a carriage ride back to our hotel. .

dining on sushi (which even HE loved). .

trying new cocktails (saki, a Japanese wine. .NASTY. .don’t waste your time. .better yet, go to your medicine cabinet and take a big swig of the rubbing alcohol bottle in there. .now you have tasted Saki!). .

we learned how to call for a taxi and to navigate street maps! Central Park in fall foliage is AMAZING. .and so are lamb gyros from the street vendors!!

Oh. .and a lovely photo next to Dum Dum from Night at the Museum!

Can’t wait to hear your stories!!

Enjoy your day!!