Day 304 Reformation Day

 

10/31/2025

 

Today is known as Reformation Day which is a Protestant Christian observance that commemorates Martin Luther's act of posting his 95 Theses to the door of All Saints' Church in Wittenberg, Germany in 1517. The theses was a list of objections to practices found in the Catholic Church which sparked the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. The tenets of this movement included: salvation by faith, the authority of scripture, and direct access to God. It is always celebrated on October 31st, because that is the day Luther performed his act of defiance towards what he considered a church that had strayed. I'm not sure that I have ever seen this day celebrated as such, but I was aware of the movement from history. So I learned something new today. That is always a positive thing.

Martin Luther was concerned with making things better, changing abusive practices of the Catholic Church in his time to conform to Biblical moral standards and values. It could be compared to the reign of King Josiah of Judah who was responsible for restoring true worship to God's house upon locating the book of the law. He was remembered for making many reforms in the land during his reign. Sadly, Luther did not remain as kind to the Jewish people, and this lead to antisemitism in his time. He is not alone in his opinions and feelings about the Jewish people, as the errant Replacement Theology is widely practiced in the church today. This is the belief that the church has replaced the covenant God made with His chosen people and established a new covenant since the religious leaders of Israel denied that Jesus was the Messiah. They feel that the Old Testament is no longer relative, so only the New Testament which speaks of Jesus is valid. I have spoken about this misconception previously, but if there remains doubt, a quick reading of Romans, chapters 9 - 11 should settle any disputes.

Otherwise, the day has been rather full, as it was a day of catching up on my reading, and it gave me a little extra time for personal reflection. It was also the birthday of a dear friend from New Mexico who passed away shortly after I moved to Virginia. I will always miss her, as she encouraged me to continue to write, and she made me laugh when times got tough. She always had a way of brightening my day, even when she struggled with her many health challenges. I know she's happy being home with Jesus, but I selfishly wish she'd stayed here awhile longer. My scripture verse for today seemed to fit the occasion well: "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!" (Psalm 34:8) I can honestly say that Irma made the most of every moment, and she tasted of the goodness of our Lord, sharing His light with others. If someone needed a place to stay, she would open her home and invite them in. Every time someone visited, she made sure that they had something to eat. It always amazed me that there was always food prepared just in case! She knew I loved enchiladas, so magically they were always ready when I stopped by. She always made me feel part of her family and loved. Perhaps this was her way of bringing reformation to the lives of others.

Many thoughts passed through my head today, as I rummaged through some old cards and letters looking for one particular item. I've been trying to clean up some things, as my usual neat freak habits have waned since being here, so I cannot seem to locate anything I am looking for. When I neatly packed for the move, I think I didn't organize things very well, and although I've had four years to correct that mistake, things are still in a state of confusion. If there's a free spot on the table or any flat surface, it becomes a spot to stack another pile of important papers until I can file or sort or discard them. I was successful in cleaning off the kitchen table, filing most of the papers, while stacking a few on the dining room table, just until I can move them to the bedroom desk. I think I need to go back to work so I'll become organized again! 

My mismanaged papers are a far cry difference from the disorganization in our nation and world today. It is not surprising to me in light of the prophetic Word of God, but what I cannot understand is the lack of reaction and action from the church. How long will it take before those who call themselves servants of the most high God to get off their pews or get out from behind the podium and actually pray, on their faces before God, for a real revival that will truly reform this world?! Back in Luther's day change was made because someone was bold enough to shake the foundations of what was then known as the established church. We talk about our nation being founded on the principles of moral law, but I don't see any morality or sense of godliness left in this world. Certainly things have riled up since the murder of Charlie Kirk, but there is much more to be done, not just in Charlie's memory, but for the cause of Jesus Christ, and the God we are supposed to be serving. 

Right now our United States government is in a shut down, because seemingly mature and some godly men are actually behaving like despots. Rather than work together in unity displaying a strong and "united" government, they are showing the world the opposite. In case you have not noticed, the world is in chaos and being held captive by a handful of power-hungry people whom someone put in office, and I am not referring to our President, whom God Himself put in office to aid in the reform a corrupt nation. The world is being held captive in a web of deception, and it is time to wake up. New York City is about to vote in a man who clearly has stated a socialist view for government as his goal. He also is antisemitic, and the city has the highest population of Jewish American citizens in the country, to my understanding. It is interesting to note that this man, who has openly stated his antisemitic views, is being supported by a Jewish Senator. Nonetheless, just listening to what he considers the be an acceptable way of overseeing the affairs of the city is appalling. Would having someone with true godly morals, who happens to be in another party, be worse than this type of rule and law? It seems as if no one is able to think for themselves any more. It's follow the leader, regardless of whether the leader has any common sense or allegiance to the flag of the United States. Certainly this is my humble opinion, as everyone is allowed to have, or at least some are without being hauled off to jail, but something needs to be done. This nation is seriously overdue for a revival where God comes down and rocks the world back into shape. When the people, beginning with the church, realize the deep web of sin they have fallen into by doing nothing and caring only about themselves, only then can true reformation and sanity be restored to a nation and world that has clearly lost its way. If my words are not enough to stir the heart, check out the words of God written in the Bible, that is if you still have one and aren't relying on the Almighty AI on an electronic device.

"If my people, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14)