“If you want to hear God speak, read your Bible out loud.” ~ Piper

I was asked this week to provide a ‘prayer service’ for a family who was mourning the loss of a father. It is one thing to encourage those I teach to seek answers to their questions in what is anchored in truth… but something entirely different to stand among a group of hurting people who do not know that The Truth they need is found in the person of Jesus Christ. I spoke about walking with The Shepherd who desires to guide you through the ‘valley of the shadow of death’ and in whose presence we can ‘fear no evil’ and ‘have no want.’  I encouraged them to seek comfort for their wounded hurt in His presence where ‘He makes us lie down in green pastures and drink from still waters.’ I offered them the comfort of His Words that “restore our soul and would guide them through their pain along ‘paths of righteousness for His names sake.'” But still seeing the emptiness in their eyes, I left feeling I had failed them, yet hopeful knowing that God’s Word does not return void, being able to pierce through the darkest places. Having prayed with them… asking our God to light the way to Himself so they might find hope, I am confident that all that can found in Christ is made available to those who seek Him.

Paul writes, “I once thought these things (that is position, wealth, birthright, knowledge, respect, religious tradition and rituals employment, and self righteousness) were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the ‘infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.’ For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ” (Philippians 3:7-8).

Does your heart beat like Paul’s, desiring Christ above all else? When you do finally read the Bible, is it to gain some trinket of knowledge… or is it to intimately ‘know’ the One who gave His life for you? Paul desired to ‘know’ Christ above all else, not for position, knowledge, or wealth, but because Jesus loves Him with His life, and desires to bring Paul into the presence of God. It did not matter the cost, because Jesus is ‘the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no one comes to The Father but through Him.’ (John 14:6)

That is the truth those who are hurting need to find, and you to intently know. Thank God His Word does not return void and that He is at work in our lives today.

Choose wisely…

“Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” (John 17:3)

Praying U choose Christ today

Written by David Brown: David Brown is a husband, father, and grandfather with a Masters of Religious Studies and a Professor of Philosophy and Comparative Religions. Dave is a member of Pemberton’s First Baptist Church.

The Daily Bible Reading: Leviticus 8-10| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “Do you think the devil is impressed by anyone’s Bible knowledge or degree-certificates? Not at all. Satan fears only holy, humble men and women who know God.” – Zac Poonen

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy, Psalm 33:18

 

“Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.” — Proverbs 22:6 (NLT)

My daughter, Karen, never ceases to amaze me. Just when I get used to seeing her crowd surfing at concerts on that Snapchat stuff, she goes and does something that makes my heart sing with joy. This past week she was featured in her college newspaper, “The Waltonian” (she goes to Eastern University) for a devotional she wrote. I am so moved as a father and a writer in my own writ that I wish to share it with all of you. So, without further ado, here’s Karen….

“Being an athlete that has a faith in Christ is weird. Athleticism, at its core, is all about displaying your own strength, power, and abilities and faith in Christ is supposed to be, at its core, all about displaying His strength, power, and abilities. Essentially, calling yourself a Christian Athlete is contradictory. On top of all of that, how is it that we glorify God with how fast we can run, how well we can head a soccer ball, or how hard we can spike a volleyball? Romans 12 is a great chapter that really reminds us of the major keys of how we ought to live, and you bet I’m about to tell you to pull out your Bible and read it.

However, most relevant to the topic at hand, Paul, the author of Romans, commands those with spiritual gifts to use them and commands others to not discourage them from using their gifts. Similarly to being an athlete, God has gifted us with physical abilities that we are at an obligation to use in order to glorify Him. To those that are able to wake up and run ten miles and still go about their day, do it, simply because God allows you to. We should compete because it becomes a tool for the Lord and we become a servant to the Kingdom of God, something all believers in Christ have been commissioned to.

Competing allows us to be a witness for Christ, a seed to plant, a Bible to read; sometimes we are the only vessel for Christ someone may come across. Of course being an athlete does not mean that this is the only way to glorify God, but the same would apply to those with a beautiful singing voice or those with the ability to minister to the lost. It is advantageous for believers to manifest what God has gifted us. Athleticism is a way to worship Christ and a reminder to thank Him every second that He has gifted us with bodies that can endure double-over time, two hour lifting sessions, and 6AM practice.

Grammatically, a “Christian Athlete” would imply that Christian is an adjective, which is almost how faith is that to be “I’m tall, athletic, blonde, and Christian,” but Christian is the noun and athlete is the adjective. Our identity is found in Christ, not the other way around. God is too glorious and awesome to be found in our identity. Ultimately, calling yourself a student athlete comes with enough assumptions, don’t let Christian athlete become another stigma. Naming yourself as a follower of Christ means more than putting Philippians 4:13 in your Instagram bio or giving glory to Him only after a win, it’s about being that example of what an athletic Christian looks like and setting yourself apart at a meet or game.

A ref or official should be able to look at an Eastern jersey and recognize that this student won’t give them a hard time, will be an encouragement to others, and keep a level temperament. Sports should just be another realm of ministry to us not a pedestal to climb upon. There is a Celtic Prayer that asks “…not to fly from the world, but to be involved with the world. I am in the world but also in the presence of Jesus.” The rest of the world wants to put athletes on that pedestal and as Christians we should put Jesus in front of us on the pedestal.”

I hope this has spoken to your heart today it the way it spoke to mine. I wanna thank my little girl for her permission to share this so I can take the week off and use her devotional in place of my own work. I can’t express to all of you fathers out there enough on the value of having a daughter that saw Jesus in me enough to see Jesus in her. Our walks are being watched more than we realize. So fathers, “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. (Eph 5:15-16). I wonder if she wants to partner with me on a book project? Hmm…

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 31| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “To a father growing old nothing is dearer than a daughter.” — Euripides

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. Romans 14:6

 

 

“But for you who fear My name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in His wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.”

—  Malachi 4:2 (NLT)

“Even if all I touch are His clothes, I know I will be healed.” She had been an outcast for 12 years, all her money had been spent on doctors, she wasn’t supposed to be intermingling with the crowd… but there was this “Miracle-Man” she had heard about and she desperately wanted to be made pure enough to rejoin the community. All of a sudden Jesus stopped and asked, “Who just touched my robe?” Then, He waited for a reply. The disciples were like, “Rabbi, there’s a crowd. Who isn’t touching you?” He gazed out across the crowd and then, shaking with fear and amazement, she stepped forward and said, “I touched you.” She began to tell Jesus her story.

I’m gonna put on my Hebrews glasses for this Freedom Fighter and take a look at Scripture through Jewish eyes. The first thing I need to get into is something Jesus would have been wearing, and that is a tallit. “What is a tallit?” Well, I’m glad you asked. To be very basic about it, the tallit was what we refer to as a prayer shawl. It could be adorned with fringes, but for the Hebrew, the corners needed to have a tzitzit. ‘What are those?” Well I’m glad you asked. A Tzitzit was what we can refer to as tassels, and these were to be placed at the four corners of the tallit to remind YHVH’s children of the 613 mitzvot (commandments) in the Torah. Each tzitzit had 613 threads…you can research any other questions you have.

Next thing, a word that I used in today’s title and that word is remez. Jesus used a method of teaching that gave a remez or a “hint” back to the Old Testament. Other rabbis were using it as well, but we’re talking Jesus Christ here, the One who has been since the foundation of the earth, so He’s the expert. He wasn’t going to teach the accepted interpretations of the Torah because He had “s’mikhah”, the authority to teach new interpretations, which ticked off those wacky Pharisees. To be honest, I think Jesus taught the proper interpretations. That’s my opinion, feel free to disagree.

Now an example of a remez can be found in Matthew 21:15-16 when the Pharisees became indigent as the people were shouting “Hosanna to the Son of David” and in response to their question, “Do you hear what their saying?”, Jesus quoted from Psalm 8:2, “You have taught children and infants to give you praise.” Now those wacky Pharisees would’ve known the rest of that verse, “silencing your enemies and all who oppose you.” Implying that they were Jesus’ enemies…then the next morning Jesus would curse a fig tree. Anyway, how do these things tie together? I’m glad you asked…

The woman in my opening paragraph would have been in synagogue hearing readings from the scrolls on the assigned days before her infirmary. When the teaching would have ended the rabbi, wearing his tallit, would raise his arms and the tzitzit would be draped over them, like wings, and the rabbi would bless the crowd. She would have heard the verse from Malachi that I have used in my opening today. She would have put her faith into Jesus being that “Son of Righteousness” since stories of His healings would have begun to circulate around Galilee. But she was not allowed to be in the crowd when Jesus would raise His “wings” to bless the crowd, so what’s a girl to do? She goes on a hunch because she was given a remez… “Daughter, you are well because you dared to believe. Go in peace, and stay well.” said Jesus.

A lot of us have used the term, “That guy just can’t take a hint” and I’m gonna be bold enough to say neither can we. Oh, sure it is fun to connect the dots in Scripture because it does give them life, but if we aren’t gleaning the remez that Jesus has given us in His teaching we’ll miss the meaning. And that is that the Gospel message is all over the Old Testament and Jesus points it out in all of His teaching. I suspect that the apostle Paul, being a Pharisees’ Pharisees, would have picked up on all the remez he was given as well.

So, what about us? Are we looking for those hints when we read the words of Jesus or are we just content with them just being righteous words? May that not be! The Bereans didn’t have a “New” testament to go on and they found out God’s word was far beyond righteous…they found God’s Word was prophetic and TRUTH. May we see it as they did. 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: Jonah| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “Begin to rejoice in the Lord, and your bones will flourish like an herb, and your cheeks will glow with the bloom of health and freshness. Worry, fear, distrust, care-all are poisonous! Joy is balm and healing, and if you will but rejoice, God will give power.”— A.B. Simpson

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Psalm 106:1

 

Exodus 20:3 – You shall have no other gods before me.

How is it not possible to love a God who loves us no matter what we have done? Easy, just ask anyone who walks the face of our planet to give up one of their beloved earthly possessions and see what the response is. Too many times we look at “STUFF” more than to God for our pleasure. And those of us that have been through any kind of addiction really put those things first – drugs, money, alcohol, pornography, and the list goes on.

The Bible may have spoken of the gods that Egypt worshiped in the days of Moses, but it is no different than the things we put before God in this day and age. Anything that we put before the almighty God is not worth having at all. He knew you before you were born and He knows everything in your heart and what your our entire lives will be like.

Giving all of yourself should not feel like a sacrifice, it should feel like a truly pleasurable experience. Matthew 4:10 – “For it is written; worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.” Let’s praise the one true king!!

Written by Robert Breault. Robert is a full time staff member in our Food Service department.

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 117-118| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “If we exalt money, status, or sex above the Word of God, we are living in idolatry. Every time we inwardly submit to the strongholds of fear, bitterness, and pride, we are bowing to the rulers of darkness. Each of these idols must be smashed, splintered, and obliterated from the landscape of our hearts.” – Francis Frangipane

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Psalm 106:1

THE RIPPLE EFFECT OF A CHANGED LIFE

September 25, 1897

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Someone once said to Dwight L. Moody that “the world has yet to see what God will do with and for, through and around the man who is fully and wholly consecrated to Him.”  That statement is certainly true of the life of William Raws, founder of the Colony of Mercy.

William Raws’ life was radically changed on February 17, 1886 when he trusted Christ as his personal Savior in the Germantown section of Philadelphia. His bondage to alcohol was broken and Raws was gloriously saved. In his own words, William Raws said, “One day, fairly dying from the effects of rum, unable even to keep hot rum brandy on my stomach, I staggered penniless to my room and fell against an old arm chair…Although under the influence of drink, a poor dying drunkard, a swearing, lustful, sinful man, I cried unto God. He heard my cry and saved me. For days and nights thereafter I could neither eat nor sleep. I was on the verge of delirium tremens…But peace came at last and victory through our Lord and Savior.”

Raws went on to begin the Whosoever Gospel Rescue Mission in Philadelphia but was burdened years later to begin a work in the country for men to escape city life and get alone with God. On September 25, 1897, the family and some friends met around an old pump organ and sang ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS’ NAME. The crowd pooled their resources of $1.87 and claimed the promise from Philippians 4:19 — But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” God birthed the ministry of THE COLONY OF MERCY. And the rest is history.

Thousands of lives have been transformed by the power of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ because of the transformed life of William Raws. The ministry continues over a hundred years later with the good news that Christ can set men and women in bondage to sinful addictions free and that  through Christ, they can live victoriously.

God used the ordinary life of William Raws to impact thousands. He wants to take your ordinary life and doing extraordinary things. Are you willing to allow your life to have a ripple effect on others? Surrender you ALL to Him today. – Last week was the 120th anniversary of the Colony of Mercy. To God be the glory. From Real Victory for Real Life Volume 1

Rejoice! Pray! Give thanks!

Written by Bill Welte, President/CEO of America’s Keswick: Bill has been married to his child sweetheart for 40+ years, and has three married kids, one that is engaged, and 11 amazing grand kids. He loves music and is an avid reader.

The Daily Bible Reading: Numbers 29-32| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “He has been my Shepherd and has guided and kept me and supplied my every need. Tonight I can sing, ‘I love Him, I love Him, because He first loved me, And purchased my salvation on Calvary’s tree.’ I know from experience that His promises are sure, and He will supply our every need for spirit, soul and body.” — William Raws 

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Psalm 106:1

“Pray without ceasing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:17

We have been unpacking our theme verse for the year, and on this first day of a new week, I want to talk about this second command of the Apostle Paul to “pray without ceasing.”

Thanks for joining us on this journey as we meet daily through our Freedom Fighter blogs and emails. We appreciate your participation.

Prayer is one of those disciplines that we take for granted too often. We minimize its power, we make it the last-ditch effort when facing issues, and quite frankly, I believe we sometimes just plain forget about it if we are really honest.

We tell people, “I’ll pray for you,” but do we really do it? We use this phrase too often as part of our “Christianeeze.”

When Paul gives this admonition, he is not asking us to do something he himself has not practiced. He often starts out one of his letters telling his receivers that “we have not ceased to give thanks” or “we constantly are praying for you.”

Paul is not suggesting that we should be a bunch of monks and praying 24 hours a day. Pastor Warren Wiersbe writes: “’Praying with ceasing’ does not mean we must always be mumbling prayers. The word means ‘constantly recurring,’ not continuously occurring. We are to ‘keep the receiver off the hook’ and be in touch with God so that our praying is part of a long conversation that is not broken. God knows the desires of the heart (Psalm 37:4), and He responds to those desires even when our voice is silent.”

This type of persistent, on-going prayer is a reminder that God never hangs up on us. He constantly keeps the line of communication open. In fact, think about this – we could be in a room with 10,000 people all praying out loud at the same time, and our big, omnipotent God hears every prayer and individually focuses on YOUR prayers giving His full attention with BOTH ears.

My take away is that God delights it when we continue the conversation with him throughout the day. I need to learn to pray about EVERYTHING – not just the big things – but even the small things that you might not feel are not important in the big scheme of things.

Last week the power went out at 5:55 AM. We had a full house of guests at America’s Keswick. I have to confess that I totally blew it. I want to tell you that at that moment, I rejoiced, prayed, and gave thanks!

Unfortunately that wasn’t my first line of defense, but it should have been. I drove out our entrance way to see if everyone else’s’ power was off. It was at that moment the Holy Spirit tapped me and I sensed Him saying, “Really? How about asking me to take care of this problem?” I quickly repented of my sin and rejoiced, prayed, and gave thanks. I called my wife and she told me the power was back on.

My desire is to get to that place where I will pray about EVERYTHING first rather then get in a jam, or when things are messed up. He’s there. He’s listening. He’s waiting for you and me to cry out to Him.

Lord, help me today to pray without ceasing – to remember that you are there waiting for me to call on You. Amen.

Rejoice! Pray! Give thanks!

Bill Welte, D.D.
President & CEO of America’s Keswick

Written by Dr. Bill Welte, President/CEO of America’s Keswick: Bill has been married to his child sweetheart for 40+ years, and has three married kids, one that is engaged, and 11 amazing grand kids. He loves music and is an avid reader.

The Daily Bible Reading: Leviticus 19-21| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Think About This: Prayer is the means by which you will be freed from your earth-bound, time-bound thinking to participate in eternity. True prayer releases His power so that His power can accomplish immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine.

–Jennifer Kennedy Dean

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

And I prayed to the Lord my God, and made confession, and said, “O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments, Daniel 9:4

 

“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