Category Archives: Rome

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4 Promises of God to Give You Hope & Security

In a world that disappoints us, we need to cling to the One who never will.

There’s not much we can be sure of today. We live in a world of broken promises, broken families, backstabbing friends, and personal failures. And that’s just at church. The church Paul wrote to in Rome felt the same.

Roman Forum

(Photo: Roman Forum. Courtesy of the Pictorial Library of Bible Lands)

The Roman Christians needed to base their lives on truth rather than on circumstances that seemed to challenge truth.

We’re the same aren’t we? After a lifetime of disillusions, we’ve come to expect little else. We often hope for nothing in hopes we won’t be disappointed. It’s easy to get sucked into the black hole of hopelessness. It happens because we live in an a culture that keeps God at arm’s length, one that claims His name but declines His Lordship.

God is a package deal. And when we refuse all of God then we miss all of what He has to offer.

In refusing all of God we’re forced to fill those gaps with substitutes that disappoint and fail us. But the Sovereign Lord, the Creator of the universe, offers true hope—and here’s why: He is the only one able to make good on His promises.

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome and shared 4 promises of God that also give you hope when you need it most.

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The Arch of Titus and Your Amazing Eternal Security

God Has Promised a Future for His People in Spite of Today’s Setbacks

It seems wrong to say it, but sometimes God’s promises in our lives seem sort of thin in light of current events. But the Arch of Titus in Rome gives us occasion to look beyond today’s bad news to our eternal security.

Arch of Titus

(Photo: Arch of Titus. Courtesy of the Pictorial Library of Bible Lands)

For almost 2000 years, this massive arch has stood in its spot in Rome, Italy, beside the famous Roman Colosseum. The two structures have a historical connection, both related to Jerusalem and the Jews.

These Roman landmarks stand as more than tourist stops in the Eternal City. When we consider their original purpose and compare them to Scripture, we have a reminder of hope, love, and eternal security.

Against the dark background of the Arch of Titus, we see hope for God’s people.

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How You Walk on the Appian Way Each Day

Paul's walk into Rome mirrors our journey through life.

Often roads get built for one reason, but God uses them in our lives for another altogether. The Appian Way of Rome proved it so in the life of the Apostle Paul. I walked the road recently.

Wayne walks the Appian Way

(Photo: Walking the Appian Way)

The Roman official Appius Claudius took the initiative to build a road in 312 BC as a means of transporting troops and supplies to and from Rome. In time, the road took his name and helped secure a Roman victory in the Second Samnite War. The Appian Way proved a huge success and eventually extended 350 miles southeast to the port of Brindisi. It served as Rome’s primary highway for centuries.

The restoration of the ancient Appian Way today allows both locals and tourists a beautiful walk in the footsteps of history.

When I walked the road recently, I thought about Paul who traveled along the same path.

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The Roman Forum and God’s Surprising Ways in Your Life

Paul’s experiences in Rome mirror the Lord's leading our dreams.

We have more to do in life than wake up, work hard, and come home only to rinse and repeat. Life amounts to more than a stack of paychecks and a few laughs. God wants so much more for us than that. The Roman Forum offers us a picture of this truth.

Basilica Julia, where Paul was condemned

(Photo: Basilica Julia in the Roman Forum. Courtesy of the Pictorial Library of Bible Lands)

The Apostle Paul was about 50 years when he penned his letter to the Christians in Rome. In fact, Paul held quite a portfolio in his hands:

  • 3 missionary journeys under his belt
  • Many churches planted
  • 6 books of Scripture to his credit
  • Thousands of people impassioned for God

If Paul’s career had stopped right there, no one would have protested. Everyone would have given him a standing ovation. Some might even urge him to start slowing down. But nothing doing. Paul dreamed of doing much more!

But not even he could fathom that his dreams would turn out with him standing in the Roman Forum.

Our lives and our dreams are the same.

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Touring Christian Rome – and 2 Sites that Make it Matter

Insight for Living Ministries' Pre-Israel Tour to Rome

Yesterday and today the Insight for Living Ministries pre-tour to Israel enjoyed touring Christian Rome—or the part of Rome usually associated with Christianity.

Touring Christian Rome

(Photo: Columns in the Roman Forum)

Much of the past two days also included other standard tourist sites in Rome both modern and ancient:

  • Roman Forum
  • Colosseum
  • Circus Maximus
  • Piazza del Popolo
  • Trevi Fountain
  • Pantheon
  • Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel
  • Arch of Titus
  • the Catacombs

Although these sites alone are worthy of a visit to Rome, there are 2 more that make it even more special for the Christian.

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6 Christian Sites in Rome You Should Know About

Rome is famous for the standard tourists sites. The Trevi Fountain, the Forum, Piazza Navona, the Colosseum, the Pantheon—and many other historic places lay alongside modern streets and buildings.

Arch of Constantine

(Photo: The Arch of Constantine in Rome)

But I’d like to show you 6 Christian sites, those sites relevant to believers, including one place that isn’t even on the map.

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Romans of his plans to see them:

I have had for many years a longing to come to you whenever I go to Spain—for I hope to see you in passing, and to be helped on my way there by you, when I have first enjoyed your company for a while (Romans 15:23-24).

To be sure, Paul would go to Rome—but not like he thought he would.

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