Restless
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Saint Augustine of Hippo (original Latin name Aurelius Augustinus) was born on November 13, 354 AD in Tagaste(now Souk Ahras) in Numidia (now Algeria). He was bishop of Hippo Regius (now Annaba, Algeria) from 396 to 430.He was one of the Latin Fathers of the Church and perhaps the most significant Christian thinker after St. Paul.
Augustine’s adaptation of classical thought to Christian teaching created a theological system of great power and lasting influence. His numerous written works, the most important of which are Confessions (c. 400) and The City of God (c. 413–426), shaped the practice of critical explanation and interpretation of the Bible, and helped lay the foundation for much of Christian thought in the middle ages and modern era.
In Roman Catholicism he is formally recognized as a doctor of the church. He died August 28, 430 AD, and his feast day is celebrated by Roman Catholics on August 28.
This illustrious African, and influencer of Christianity, was born to a wealthy Berber landowner who was a pagan; and a devout Christian mother, who later became St. Monica. His father’s pleasure seeking ways had a strong influence on Augustine in his early life. He forsook his Christian upbringing at age sixteen to attend school in Carthage, where he went into astrology.
St. Augustine was a womanizer, gambler and critic of the virtues. He fathered a son from a mistress before he turned twenty, lived with her for 10 years out of wedlock, and then dumped her so he could marry a socialite! Even after he entered a monastery he used to pray,
“Give me chastity, but not yet!”
St Augustine later got converted by a dramatic experience when a voice repeatedly told him to “read that book!” When he finally obliged and opened the Bible, he opened to Romans 13:11-14.
READ Romans 13:11-14
“And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” (Romans 13:11-14 NKJV)
St. Augustine read the scripture and immediately realized God was talking to him, and that was the turning point.
St. Augustine famously said later,
“God has made us for Himself; and we are restless until we find our rest in Him.”
There are many of us that have been trying to find happiness, joy, fulfillment, purpose and peace; but they seem very illusive, and slip out of our hands just when we think we have found them. Some get wealth and realize it is not there; some get fame, and realize it is not there; some get power, but realize, painfully, it is not there either! Some seek it in revelry and hedonism, but it is not there!
The only place we can find rest, is in Christ. God is telling us:
“Come now, and let us reason together. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.
Though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool!” (Isaiah 18-20)
Take this step of faith today.
MEMORY VERSE
“ The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.” (Romans 13:12)
QUESTIONS
1. Where have you been seeking happiness, joy, fulfillment, purpose and peace?
2. Do you know you can search and search, and not find them until you come to the Creator? Don’t waste time. Go to Him today. ( Visit ” http://mytd.org/2020/01/15/believers-prayer/ ” if you need guidance)
PRAYER TIP
God Almighty, help me to find rest.
Written by:
BENNY MALM
For:
TESTIMONY DEVOTIONAL
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