Over and over again, Paul encourages us to ‘not lose heart’ and ‘be of good courage’… why? Is it not that he recognizes life is not easy and to do what’s right and good, we struggle with opposition and heartache? God does not promise to remove these struggles, He promises to walk with us through them, using them to prepare us for what is of greater importance than anything in this life… an eternal life of enjoying His presence. In this chapter of our lives we must walk by faith, which reveals what our hearts truly love, and it is our choice to love God ‘because He first loved us’ that sends us in a trajectory towards an eternity with Him. To love ourselves more and willfully reject God culminates in an eternal life of despair without Him and all aspects of His perfect nature. We already see the evidence of these choices in our lives today. People don’t choose to kill themselves because they rest in the promises and hope of Love… they do so because they are blinded to the reality of these truths by their own willfulness.
Why does Paul repeatedly remind us to ‘not lose Heart’ and ‘be of good courage’? Because God is at work! He is making us ‘adequate servants of a New Covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life” (2 Cor 3:6). Therefore, we have a glory that doesn’t fade, hope that is never ending, and liberty anchored in ‘knowing, with an understanding that is being renewed Day by Day, that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us to our Heavenly Father with you, and that these momentary light afflictions we struggle with daily, are producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond All comparison.’
I understand wanting the pain to stop; I understand how it wears you down and you want to give up… even rejecting what you know to be true if the pain would only stop! I know many who have struggled for most of their lives with heartache, acute pain, and abuse… we all know some level of pain; but what I know to be true is that without the pain… we would not know God. With only pleasure to entertain us, we would wallow in insatiable boredom, miserable and discontent, desiring it All to end in death. Wake up and don’t lose heart! There is hope… for God is at work! Look up and be of good courage, fix your eyes on Jesus who is producing a faith in you that is likened to His; that is for the Joy set before Him, He endured ‘the momentary afflictions (His was the rejection by His Creation and the agony of bearing the curse of sin in the cross) He despised its shame, and having accomplished your salvation, He sat down in the presence of our God. I pray you consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself for doing what was right and good, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
James brings our focus in a little tighter on how we view our circumstances when he writes, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ‘Let’ perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.” (James 1:2-8) When we are able to view each circumstance as an opportunity to glorify our Savior and Lord, and as a way to reveal His Love for us so that others see it and accept Him, joy takes over and swallows up all misery and hopelessness. It was true of Jesus at the cross; it can be true right now for you….
Just choose wisely….
Praying 4 U
Written by David Brown: David Brown is a husband, father, grandfather, Pastor with a Masters of Religious Studies and a Professor of Philosophy and Comparative Religions. Dave is the Associate Pastor of Pemberton’s First Baptist Church. He is the author of two devotional books, “From a Chair by the Window.” And “#PrayerWinsThe Day”.
Think About This: “Those who try to hang on when God is trying to move on will always be miserable.” – Joyce Meyer
This Week’s Verse to Memorize: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:8-9
America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
4.8
Based on 383 reviews
America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
4.8
Wanda Read
17:45 26 Sep 23
praise God for this place and all staff
Dinah Lopez
17:06 19 Sep 23
Beautiful property. Woodsy, nice lakes and a lot of land to explore. A great place for Christians to gather. They also have indoor auditoriums.
Andrea Rowe
01:30 18 Sep 23
Great banquet food.Great piano performance.
Melissa Williams
10:55 15 Sep 23
The warmest, most loving people working together on a mission of love for the Lord. This place is a treasure and I look forward to going every chance I get.
marilyn clinton
09:26 10 Sep 23
Food is not great.
Linda Hamadyk
04:54 10 Sep 23
The entertainment was excellent. The servers were great enjoyed my evening.
Raquel Perez
13:04 03 Sep 23
Amazing, relaxing, friendly and the most important part, the presence of God!!!
Doug Anderson
11:39 29 Aug 23
Had an amazing experience here for two nights!Stayed in the newly renovated rooms - very nice and clean.Amazing and helpful staff, maintenance, chaplains, etc.Everyone is very warm and friendly.Student summer staff were joyful and... respectful.They really take care of pastors and all of their guests.Such an atmosphere of hope, healing and restoration! Highly recommend for personal and group retreats.read more
Albert Spangler
14:15 25 Aug 23
This is an amazing place where you can feel God's presence and find peace.
Carol Swill
05:06 24 Aug 23
America's keseick is a wonderful place of peace and restoration. The combination of the physical and emotional feeding, together with the bible conference really works.I loved the Bible studies, and i loved the 'vacation stuff'- the pool, the... beach, the games,the music, walking around the lake- it all worked togetherread more
Karen Downs
18:43 31 Jul 23
Awesome place. Great place for children and awesome place to relax and enjoy
Richard Donato
18:14 14 Jul 23
Great place
Rubbins St Louis
18:57 12 Jul 23
Great place to visit and have fellowship with other believers. I love taking in God's word.
Loida Rojas LLM
06:03 04 Jul 23
They need to remodel all the dorms
Vince Dizol
04:56 26 Jun 23
Beautiful retreat center. You can feel the presence of God in the beauty of His natural creation in this place! Great pool and jacuzzi area as well as basketball / volleyball court!
Google Rating
4.8
Based on 383 reviews
America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
4.8
Wanda Read
17:45 26 Sep 23
praise God for this place and all staff
Dinah Lopez
17:06 19 Sep 23
Beautiful property. Woodsy, nice lakes and a lot of land to explore. A great place for Christians to gather. They also have indoor auditoriums.
Andrea Rowe
01:30 18 Sep 23
Great banquet food.Great piano performance.
Melissa Williams
10:55 15 Sep 23
The warmest, most loving people working together on a mission of love for the Lord. This place is a treasure and I look forward to going every chance I get.
marilyn clinton
09:26 10 Sep 23
Food is not great.
Linda Hamadyk
04:54 10 Sep 23
The entertainment was excellent. The servers were great enjoyed my evening.
Raquel Perez
13:04 03 Sep 23
Amazing, relaxing, friendly and the most important part, the presence of God!!!
Doug Anderson
11:39 29 Aug 23
Had an amazing experience here for two nights!Stayed in the newly renovated rooms - very nice and clean.Amazing and helpful staff, maintenance, chaplains, etc.Everyone is very warm and friendly.Student summer staff were joyful and... respectful.They really take care of pastors and all of their guests.Such an atmosphere of hope, healing and restoration! Highly recommend for personal and group retreats.read more
Albert Spangler
14:15 25 Aug 23
This is an amazing place where you can feel God's presence and find peace.
Carol Swill
05:06 24 Aug 23
America's keseick is a wonderful place of peace and restoration. The combination of the physical and emotional feeding, together with the bible conference really works.I loved the Bible studies, and i loved the 'vacation stuff'- the pool, the... beach, the games,the music, walking around the lake- it all worked togetherread more
Karen Downs
18:43 31 Jul 23
Awesome place. Great place for children and awesome place to relax and enjoy
Richard Donato
18:14 14 Jul 23
Great place
Rubbins St Louis
18:57 12 Jul 23
Great place to visit and have fellowship with other believers. I love taking in God's word.
Loida Rojas LLM
06:03 04 Jul 23
They need to remodel all the dorms
Vince Dizol
04:56 26 Jun 23
Beautiful retreat center. You can feel the presence of God in the beauty of His natural creation in this place! Great pool and jacuzzi area as well as basketball / volleyball court!