ROMANS 1

This chapter introduces the author Paul as the disciple assigned to spread the word of God about Jesus to the Gentiles. Paul was very thankful to God because of the faithfulness of the people in Rome. Here, he expresses his longingness to be with the people in Rome and to preach God's teachings. He said that it is his obligation to teach to all types of people. He said that he is proud of the gospel as it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes. 

"For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: 'The righteousness will live by faith.' - Romans 1:17

In this chapter, Paul mentioned that some people are no longer recognizing the glory of God and instead they worshipped idols. He said that though they know that God made it easy for people to understand his commandments, some people chose not to follow Him. This is because in the first place, some people stopped recognizing God. Without God in people's lives, they will be led astray and will have more tendency to commit sin. They will no longer be able to determine whether what they are doing is against God's commandments. These people will commit sin and also agree to their fellowmen who also commit sin.

This chapter reminds to always go to God and ask for wisdom from Him. It reminds me to guard my mind and my heart. Just like what have been discussed in the Feast last May 4. We can see God in everything but not everything is good. We should filter the thoughts or ideas that we are getting specially in our media because not all of them are Godly. If we are not familiar with God's teaching, we might be led in the wrong direction. So one solution is that we need to have a strong foundation for our faith in God. Just like immunity system for our health. If we have a strong immunity system spiritually, nothing ungodly will destroy our spiritual health. We have to always be close to God through prayer, attending masses or prayer meetings and reading the Bible. Let us make God the center of our lives.

Acts 27-28

Acts 27  

This chapter describes the difficulty and danger that the sailing of Paul and his friends has to go through just to reach Rome. They boarded ship from Adramyttium. In the middle of their sailing they were caught by a storm. Paul told people who sailed with him to be courageous and have faith with God as an angel told him that they will reach Rome alive. 

            ..."Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has

              graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you."   - Acts 27:24

On the fourteenth night, they were still sailing on Adriatic Sea. On the dawn of that day, Paul convinced them to eat so that they could survive. They have not eaten in the fourteen days of their sailing. After eating, they threw the remaining grain into the sea so that their boat will become lighter. During the daylight, they saw the bay with a sandy beach and they swam to it. They left the ship and it was eventually broken by the pounding of the surf. All of them reached the land safely. 

Acts 28 

The land that they reached was called Malta. Natives of that place welcomed them and they thought that Paul was a god because a snake hanged on his hand and after he shook it off into the fire, Paul did not suffer any illness. Paul also treated the father of Publius who has fever and dysentery and other islander who were also sick. Because of these, people from Malta were thankful and they gave Paul and his people things that they needed.

After three months, they sailed to sea using an Alexandrian ship. They reached Syracuse first and stayed there for three days and then after that they reached Rhegium. Two days later they reached Puteoli. From Puteoli, they met some brothers and asked them to spend a week with them. After that they came to Rome. In Rome, Paul was allowed to live alone with a soldier to guard him. 

There in Rome, Paul preached the good news about Jesus from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. He boldly preached about the Kingdom of God and about the Lord Jesus Christ. 

"Therefore, I want you to know that God's salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!"

- Acts 28:28

I thought it was easy to read the Bible. But it is not. When I was reading these two chapters, I was just reading it because it is my goal of being able to read all the chapters of Bible. I know and I believe that I can get wisdom from this most wonderful and greatest book in the whole world. Indeed, it is very challenging for me. But I read it anyway. I read it lightly. I cannot comprehend it easily in one reading. I have to read it again. I think I have read it five to seven times before I was able to get the significance of these chapters. 

When I first read these chapters, what came to my mind was that Paul is just documenting the places that they went into before reaching their final destination which is Rome. I thought it was just for the purpose of like putting it in history. For giving information on the places or the trace of the sailing that they did before reaching Rome.

But after reading it several times, I have realized that Paul has to experienced hardship and he has to wait minimum of three months just to reached Rome. I have realized that it was a great challenged for Paul to go to Rome. It was like a trial as well. Other people would easily give up if that happens to them. But since Paul knows his mission and purpose, he pushed it through anyway. He was courageous and patient and he did his job excellently. When he reached Rome, he did not relax but he did his mission courageously and boldly. He spread the good news to people of Rome. He spread the good news about Jesus not only to the Jews in Rome but also to the Gentiles. 

What is the lesson that I got? I say that we just have to be persistent and disciplined in life specially in pursuing our dreams and goals. It would not be an easy sailing. We will be tested. But if we will only focus on our goals, dreams or missions and through our faith in God, then we will be victorious.