Walk Properly in Daylight (Romans 13 ESV)

 I'm always curious and somewhat astonished when God's Word lumps certain immoral actions together, some of which may not be considered as bad as others.  Yet, here is a Bible verse that sees them all on par.

"Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkennes, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy" (Romans 13:13 ESV).

In my mind quarreling and jealousy are not near as bad as the others included on that list.  Perhaps, what they could lead to though, if left unchecked, is where the evil lies.

It's kind of like the Pharisee and the Tax Collector's attitudes and stances as they prayed and even why they'd come to pray in the first place.

One came to exalt himself, telling God how good he was - how morally upright he was.  In contrast, the tax collector humbly admitted his sinfulness, begging God for mercy.  "I'm a sinner," he outrightly confessed (see Luke 18:9-14).

Self-righteousness does not justify us.  So when we think one type of sin is worse than another, or that because we've lived a good-living life and haven't hurt anyone, we are justified in God's sight, we are blind to truth.

As Paul encouraged the Roman congregation of Jewish and Gentile believers,

"Cast off the works of darkness" (Roman 13:12 ESV).

Darkness that we think is light.  Let's understand how God sees us and our acitons.  Instead let's, 

" ... put on the armor of light ..." and "walk properly as in the daytime"                (Romans 13:12 & 13).

Allow the light of God and His Word to illuminate even to our most inner and intimate thoughts and intents of heart.

Paul adds something of major import ...

"But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires" (Romans 13:14 ESV).

Don't put temptation in temptation's way to test your own temptation thresholds.  We need to search our hearts and minds in the 'daylight' of God's Word and Holy Spirit conviction, thus avoiding all the immorality, even the bits we think aren't that bad.

                                                    ~  ERC  May 2026  ~

Based on Romans 13 ESV.

Sing, When We Walk With the Lord (Trust and Obey), along with the Isle of man Methodist Church choir.

Book Review - Disposable Wives - By Lynda Drews - Publication Date: 12 May 2026

 

Disposable Wives is of interest but not exactly a riveting read.  In fits and starts it did briefly grab my attention but then lagged where details bogged the story down.  However, I did keep in mind that this book is based on true life events.  Some accuracy in those details needed telling, I believe.

A  reader will encounter the story mainly through Pauline's and Xavier's eyes.  Pauline was a sister to Elvira who was one of Jean Philippe Sosquet's unfortunate, disposable wives.  Xavier was many things but functioned largely as a translater in this story.

One is taken through the runup to the alleged crimes, through the trials and what came afterwards.  How could one truly like a book though that's about such a dispicable man.  Yet,  I feel some small spark of justice has been done by mention of the three respective wives.  They have not been completely lost to buried history.

                                             ~  Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger  ~

                                                            May 2026

Disclaimer:  This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.

Read review on Goodreads.

Heart Burn (Romans 12 ESV)

 

Once the people of God begin to humbly walk in a Christian way - remembering that no matter the walk of life and cultural and/or religious background they are from - they will be more unified, walking in the Spirit and in the unity of the Spirit God gave them.  There will be a bond of peace.  They will be more able to,

"... present [their] bodies as a lving sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God"               (Romans 12:1 ESV).

This will be their "spiritual worship," their way of life.

There will be transformation and renewal of mind, discernment of God's will.  All very important as is not thinking too highly of themselves (vs 2 & 3).  There will be love and genuine affection for each other and together, their service for the Lord will be

 "fervent in spirit" (v. 11).

There will be rejoicing, patience, constant prayer and so much more.  You will see it when you read Romans 12.  

Harmony.  This is not just a work the Lord loves, rather the action, and state of being in harmony He wants.  Harmony.  Unity.  Paul pushes these points and explains how to achieve it.  Jesus and Gentiles alike being addressed here.  Please, please, please, I hear in Paul's words ...

"If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all" (vs 18).

Ths is the pro-active actions the assembly of believers in Rome could work on.  This is part and parcel of the "Christian Way".  It would take guts, they'd have to be living sacrifices.  They'd have to sacrifice, daily, all their own thoughts, ideas and opinions that stemmed from their upbringing whether religious and/or cultural.  Instead they'd need to seek out the better, more excellent way in Christ.

New thinking according to their "new creation in Christ" being.  And if they wanted to get revenge - leave it to God because

 "vengeance belonged to Him" (see v 19).

Furthermore, if they really and truly were concerned for their enemy, they'd be radical.  What?  Feed them?  Give them drink when and where needed?  They'd find out what those enemies needed and supply it.  That will get to the enemy and, 

"heap burning coals on his head" (v 20).

I'd think even on your own.  Perhaps not on your head but on your heart - you'd have heart burn.  Because, to be able to do genuine good to anyone you consider an enemy, the heart will need certain emotions burned away.  Emotions of anger, rebellion, revenge, and the like.  Showing goodness and kindness will cost and therefore, a sacrifice of our natural inclinations.  

No doubt we've all felt these.  Our Lord will be well-pleased when we can be more like Him in these matters.  May God get the glory from our lives that reflect Him.  This is acceptable to Him.

                                                  ~  ERC  May 2026  ~

Based on Romans 12 ESV.

Sing, There is One Gospel, along with City Alight.

Mother's Day 2026 - While You Can

 Another year, another Mother's Day.  Lots of endearing words and sentiments flood the lines, read and said.  But for some people there are now only fond memories.

We love to remember the nurturing and wise actions of our Moms.  Granted some mother's haven't made the mark but I'd like to honor those who have.

Mothers teach and comfort, give unconditional love, are our top fan in our personal fan club and have enduring influence, even now, after she [they] has /have passed.

And so we lift our glasses in honor of her and good, noble mothers everywhere - the globe over.

Thanks to our Lord who gave us diligent, wise moms on whom we could rely.  Best of all to Mothers who feared the Lord and taught their children to love Jesus who first loved them.

We celebrate and give our Mothers honor and praise and thanks for all they've done for us from the womb to the tomb.

"Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate" (Proverbs 31:31 NIV).

Indeed, I deeply thank my own Mom, especially for the covering of prayers she prayed over and for me for all the decades of her life.

Mother's everywhere, let's encourage each other whatever stage of parenting we are at.  It's not an easy job but with God's help, we can do it.  Sit down and have a cuppa with yours while you still can.

                          HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY 2026!

                                                      ~  ERC  May 2026  ~

Proverbs 31:31.

Sing, My Beautiful Mommy, Living Water Worship Kids.

The Christian Way (Romans 11: expecially 1-2 and 13 ESV)

 

What a mastermind the apostle Paul must have been!  I would dearly love to know what his IQ must have been.  I suppose there were no such data collecting standards during his time but he must have been quite a genius.

Look at his writings and sleuth for his background bio to get some clue of it.   He often used his trump cards to great effect too.  It can be especially noted in the book of Acts in how he outmanuevers getting a whipping by stating his Roman citizenship or breaks up dissession against him and the like.

You can see how he levels the ground in Romans chapter 11 in a most elegant and eloquent way.  If you recall, this book of Romans was written to Christians on Rome.  The major cultural background had been Gentile believers until the returned-to-Rome Jews who'd become Christians had joined the congregation.

Of course there'd be cultural clashes!!

Even though the common denominator was that both cultures now had a new culture, that of being Christian, the influence of their Gentile-ness and their Jewish-ness was strong and vying for prominence.  This brought conflict.

Paul's letter sought to bring peace, awareness and a unity of Spirit in the bond of that peace.  Therefore, he starts this section of letter with stating,

"I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham ... God has not rejected his        people ..." (Romans 11:1 & 2 ESV).

For the Jews, this message likely brought assurance.  Paul could tie it to them directly, so they'd listen.  For the Gentiles, though, it may have ruffled feathers.

So Paul reveals another trump card down in verse 31.

"Now I am speaking to you Gentiles.  Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry ..."

Ah-ha!  He snags their attention too, and goes on to give word pictures of how neigher group should become arrogant nor force cultrueal beliefs upon the other.

I love what he tells them in no uncertain terms,

" ... do not be arrogant toward the branches.  If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root supports you ...." (vs 18).

They all had been

 "chosen by grace" (vs. 5), 

therefore it was 

"no longer on the basis of works" (vs 6). 

 And so Paul dealt with a major issue with aplomb, reassurance, and exhortation, pulling them together by God's grace, to see the Christian Way, unifying them to give God glory. 

 All glory be to God!

Amen.

                                                   ~ ERC  May 2026  ~

Based on Romans 11: especially vs 1-2, 13 ESV.

Sing, We Are One in the Spirit, along with Sounds Like Reign.

God's Righteousness (Romans 10: especially vs 3 & 21 ESV)

 

It's easily said ... 

"God's righteouusness". 

 But do we know what we're talking about?  I asked myself that.  "What does it mean?"

The easy answer is, "Oh, He is sinless, has always been sinless and will be forever sinless."  He is perfect, holy, faithful.  All this is 100% correct.  He is totally incapable of sinning.  Therefore, we say God is righteous.  He IS righteousness.

We cannot, should not be, ignorant of this but many are.  Many think they can become righteous by doing good deeds by being good, kind, and morally upright.  They don't harm anyone.  They think if they live like this long enough they'll hopefully earn enough merit to call themself "righteous" and to be righteousness.

Don't get me wrong.  A good-living person can be appreciated especially when their benevolence touches you.  But the thing is, that these types of people do have a major flaw.  That is, they

" have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God" (Romans 10:3 ESV).

You see, when God breathed into Adam's nostrils the breath of life, (see Genesis 2:7 ESV), Adam had not yet sinned.  He was capable of it but was as yet in an innocent state.  He had not yet done good or bad.  We know that he eventually did do wrong and sinned.  In that innocent state he could not be called 'righteousness'.

His actions showed that he had not submitted to the righteousness of God.

This helps me see the difference.  This is what the Jewish Christians in Rome needed to understand for themselves too.  Before calling the kettle black, they had to look at themselves first and see this.

God had given the Israelite nation of old, the Law to live by.  That's how they could calculate their wrongdoings and level of righteousness by how well they upheld those Laws of God.

In the final analysis they were unable to

 "establish their own righteousness" (Romans 1:3 ESV).  

And even though God ...

" ... held out [His] hands [all day long] to these disobedient and contrary people" (vs 21)

they did not submit themselves to God's righteousness.

This is the crux of the matter.  We cannot 'go it' alone, even if we think we can.  Adam and Eve thought they could.  They put the bandaid of fig leaves over their nakedness - the first ever 'cover up' of sin - but they still knew they were wrong.  They tried to hide from holy and righteous God.

Actually, in light of today's current events re: the Israel - USA - Iran war, verse 21 makes me want to cry.  God is beseeching Israel.

"But to Israel He said, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people" (Romans 10:21 KJV).

"All day long ..." God has been holding out His hands to them.  He did so way back in Bible times and I believe He is still doing so today.  If only they would not be ignorant of this stance!

And not only to those in Israel, but to those in the USA and those in Iran; hey, in fact to the world over ... God's hands are stretched out to one and all who would come willingly to seek Him and His righteousness.  Others have.  Why not you?

Let's not be foolish nations and people to go on living in ignorance.  God wants to impart and impute His righteousness to YOU!

Come as your are - whether you are a good-living person or a bad one.  Submit to Him through Jesus.  Be established in God's righteousness - believe.

                                                   ~  ERC  May 2026  ~

Based on Romans 10: especially vs 3 and 21 ESV.

Sing, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, along with Chet Valley Songs and Hymns.

The Stumbling Stone (Romans 9 especially vs 30-31 ESV)

 Curiosity may lead a reader of the letter to the Romans to wonder just to whom this letter was written.  Was it to the Jews?  Was it to the Gentiles?

It may be discovered that the group of Christians in Rome had been mostly of the Gentile variety.  They had been living by the faith that had saved them.  They had been made righteous by that which had not come from following the Halakha (Jewish religious law).  Rather, it had been by faith.  And it was through faith and Holy Spirit's guidance they now lived and led sanctified lives.

At that time Rome had opened up its borders once again to allow Jews who had formerly been expelled by Emperor Claudius around A.D.49.  They began to return roughly around A.D.52.

When returning Christian Jews found the congregation of Gentile believers things got somewhat topsy-turvey.  Confusion about needing to follow the Jewish laws spiked.  Thus, Paul's letter to the Roman believers.

He reminded them that it had been by faith in Jesus Christ that they'd been saved, not by works.  Not by following the Law.  This was part of the stumbling stone and "rock of offense" that needed to be navigated.

Picture someone intentionally placing a stone, not a small one, in the well-worn path hundreds of people filed by everyday, for years and years.  That walkway had been clear, with no serious obstacle for years on end.  Now, suddenly, a stumbling stone appears.

Half asleep morning pedestrians walk by, businessmen and women hurrying, hurrying hurrying by, clutching their briefcases, laptops and coffee, intent on getting to work and almost trip but see the stone last minute, managing to overcome this moring blip.  Even the blindman who traversed this way daily, 'saw it' with his trusty white cane.  He continued unhindered on his way to work.

Then some, at slightly slower pace, engrossed in their phone screens, came along and stumbled over that stone.  Flashes of anger well up, many cursing and kicking that stone.  How dare it be there, distrubing their addictive screen viewings! They finally circumvent the obstruction, and continue on their way in annoyance, huffing, puffing and spluttering.

The Jews of Rome stumbled in much the same way.  It was understandable.  They'd been taught since birth about adhering to all these Laws, as it was the way to righteousness and pleasing God.

But they had accepted Jesus as Savior through faith.  It was difficult though to separate and retrain their minds to give up the Law as a means of being made holy and righteous before God.  It was so very difficult.

Paul graciously leads them through it showing them the stumbling stone.  He could do it because he had gone through all this himself.

Jesus Christ had been the stumbling stone and rock of offense for him and them but now they must be reminded of the very way in which they'd come to Christ in the first place.  It had been through faith and not by works of righteousness.  Right?

It's so true even today, that after many years of thinking one way, having been brought up in one particular culture or another, that it could well clash with God's standards and values of Christian living.

What are the "stumbling stones" for you?  Are they going to trip you up?  We each need to examine them in the light of Scripture and by the guidance of the Holy Spirit if we sincerely want to navigate around the stumbling stones, to live well for Christ.

By God's grace, let's do that.

                                                   ~  ERC  May 2026  ~

Based on Romans 9: especially vs 30-31 ESV.

Sing, My Hope is Built on Nothing Less, along with Sovereign Grace Music.