“And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; And after the fire a still small voice.”  – 1^st Kings 19:12

There’s a saying that “Big doors swing on little hinges,” that’s an illustration of how a small voice or encouraging word can make a big difference in the whole picture.

In a world that is screaming to be heard and demands that we give in to fleshly living, because of how loud and in public they are, they can begin to persuade us that they are in control. When the lifestyles of those that oppose God are in front and personal, we can begin to feel defeated.

In 1^st Kings 19, we read the account of Elijah. After being threatened by Jezebel, he had become discouraged and was ready to quit.

Vs 4 “But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, LORD, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!”

Sometimes I feel like I am limping into Church after being beat down all week from a world gone wild. If it weren’t for my daily devotional time with the Lord, I don’t think I could make it.

I like the illustration here as God brings forth a series of turbulent conditions that would bring cause for anxiety and fear, but God was not in them, it was in the end that God shows up “and after the fire, a still small voice.”

It is important to always remember that God is still in control, with all the noise and confusion, we can still have a Hope that will carry us through and deliver us safely home. It’s the “carry us through” part that can be exhausting. That’s why gathering together with like-minded believers in Christ can give us the reminder that we’re not alone. It’s the Elisha’s and the remnant that God provides that confirms with the Holy Spirit tells us that He is still mighty to save.

The advice given to Elijah was to “Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you.” The picture here is of physical food, but for us as believers it’s our daily bread that gets us through the day. Paul tells us in Ephesians 5, “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is”.

We cannot allow ourselves to become distracted by the turmoil and confusion that the world and news media are feeding us. Maybe in our current state we can say “then came a protest and the people demanding to be heard, but the Lord was not in that” (1^st Rob 3:16).

I know it can be hard not to get angry and feel like giving up but I believe the Lord would have us to encourage one another. We have an account in the Old Testament of when the Children of Israel gave in to the masses and God became angry with them. There is a warning in Hebrews 3:13 “but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”

So, listen for that “Still small voice” that wants to instruct us and keep us in the love of God. Amen!

Written by Rob Russomano: Rob Russomano is married to Terri, he is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a full time staff member. He is also available as a speaker of the grace of God with a message of Hope for church events. You can contact him at rrussomano@americaskeswick.org.

The Daily Bible Reading: Ezekiel 31-36| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “Because of the empty tomb, we have peace. Because of His resurrection, we can have peace during even the most troubling of times because we know He is in control of all that happens in the world.” – Paul Chappell

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

“The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But the prayer of the upright is His delight.” Proverbs 15:8

“To open blind eyes,
To bring out prisoners from the prison,
Those who sit in darkness from the prison house.”

Isaiah 42:7

I think one of the most useful street signs is Dead End. It takes away any doubt about going down that street. I was always instructed when headed in the wrong direction in life that the path I was taking was a “Dead End.”

Recently, I was directing a truck driver into our maintenance yard, he followed me all the way until we reached the gate. What he saw must have seemed like a dead end, and it would take a long time for him to get out of this unknown yard. After my consistent waving and drawing him in, he finally creeped his way towards this seemingly unchartered way. What he didn’t know is that our yard is designed for a truck his size to easily make a circle and face the way out. I approached his open window and asked “were you worried?” He said, “I thought for sure this was a dead end.”

The portion of scripture in Isaiah 42 is prophesy of the coming Messiah. Among other descriptive attributes is His ability to “open blind eyes.” I shared with our relieved truck driver that he was at a place where we specialize in showing men and women in bondage a way of escape by introducing them to Jesus, and that we would not lead him down a dead end road.

I love moments like that, when out of nowhere God reminds me of the message I am to carry for Him. A moment of reflection of my own journey when I too was a prisoner who sat in darkness. I too was a man weary and lost but was also skeptical of this idea of being a follower of Christ. Where would it lead me, how do I know if I’ll ever get out and could this be a “Dead End?”

Where else can you find yourself worshiping God and praising Him in the midst of a simple delivery? What a boost of refreshment on a hot summer day that I could reflect on the greatness of God. At the same time, feeling a burden for the truck driver who seemed very anxious to get on his way when I started the “Jesus” talk.

The way I see it is, we all come to that crossroad, one sign says “Dead End” and the other “Jesus.” Although our truck driver friend seemed to pull off the property and back on the road without a hitch, without Jesus, he’s heading down a dead end street.

Are you thankful today that God has opened your eyes? Are you aware that even though things may seem difficult and you can’t see a way out of your trials, that Jesus has made a way of escape? Maybe a tour through Isaiah 42 to be reminded that God has made a way out for all who call upon His Name. Amen!

Written by Rob Russomano: Rob Russomano is married to Terri, he is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a full time staff member. He is also available as a speaker of the grace of God with a message of Hope for church events. You can contact him at rrussomano@americaskeswick.org.

The Daily Bible Reading: Ezekiel 25-30| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “Where sin has been removed death can only interrupt the earthly life and usher in the heavenly.” – John MacArthur

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

“But to You I have cried out, O Lord, And in the morning my prayer comes before You.” Psalm 88:13

“I have given them the glory You gave Me, so they may be one as We are One. I am in them and You are in Me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that You sent Me and that You love them as much as You love Me.” – John 17:22-23 (NLT)

Once upon a time, in the crumbling Empire of Rome, there lived a young philosopher whose name was Augustine. Augustine would grow up to become one of the Churches earliest theologians, but he didn’t start his life in a very Christ-like manner. Apparently, it is his mother who was the Christian in the family as his father would claim the Name above all names on his deathbed. Augustine wouldn’t make his conversion until he was 31. He would hear a childlike voice that would tell him to “take up and read” and when he did, he would land in the Book of Roman, chapter 13, verses 13-14…

“Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.”

He would then go on to write about his transformation in a book titled “Confessions” which would go on to become a classic in Christian theology, but that is not where this is going today.

In Augustine’s time, a branch of Germanic people known as the Visigoths began an all out assault against the Roman Empire. In 410 A.D, the Visigoths plunged into the very heart of the Empire and left Rome in ruins. Romans were left in a deep state of shock and many of them saw this as punishment for abandoning “The Gods” for Jesus Christ. Augustine, however, saw this an opportunity to be able to separate church from state. I feel his point was quite simple…keep your focus heavenward, never mind Christianity beginning the official religion of the Roman Empire and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Back then, many critics came forward and pointed to Christian bigotry (sound familiar?) as being “the crack” in The Empire. It undermined people’s freedom to practice whatever they wanted to practice in order to worship whatever they wanted to worship because Christianity had become the official state religion and that displeased “The Gods.” But in all honesty, with hindsight being 20/20, it was really immorality and corruption, not Christianity, that led to Rome’s collapse. Like it does with all empires…there are no expectations. If we look at the way the tapestry of America is beginning to fray, I think you’ll agree that we are in very dangerous waters ourselves. Yes?

Augustine wrote a book titled “The City of God” and in it, he discusses there being two cities we deal with. One of course is the city of God, where people focus on a pursuit of knowing God and living in His ways. Then there is the city of Man, where “itself is ruled by its lust to rule.” The people in the city of God willingly bow their knees to Jesus while the people in the city of Man are forced to theirs. My question for you today is, how do you see it happening around you and which city do you see yourself being a citizen of?

So as I close for today, I leave you with two parting thought’s. The first is from Augustine himself, “These two cities were made by two loves: the earthly city by the love of self unto the contempt of God, and the heavenly city by the love of God unto the contempt of self.” And now from me, “keep your focus heavenward, never mind Christianity beginning the ‘official religion’ of America and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Amen?

Written by Chris Hughes: Chris, a graduate of The Colony of Mercy (11-2003) is married (Kathy) with two adult children (Kevin and Karen) and has been a Freedom Fighter contributor since 2008.

The Daily Bible Reading: Proverbs 10| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “The city of God, a city on its knees, is a diverse city, stronger for the differences of its individual inhabitants, but united in its pursuit to establish God’s goodness upon the earth for all of humanity.” —- Toby Mac

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

“But to You I have cried out, O Lord, And in the morning my prayer comes before You.” Psalm 88:13