Posted on February 15, 2023 by Elizabeth Welte in Freedom Fighters
“Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end” — Hebrews 3:12-14 (NKJV)
How many of you have sat in your seat during a Wednesday night prayer service and wondered why it seems that what you’re doing only results in your prayers to God just endlessly bouncing off the ceiling? And don’t tell me I’m alone in this because when the praise report is being asked for its almost as if you can hear a feather slam onto the floor after it has floated ever so gently to the ground. It’s as if no one is getting any answers to anything they’re asking of God? “Make your request known, hmph.” Oh,well, maybe not in your church…sorry.
Anyway, not to sound too text-bookie here but constant, earnest prayer keeps faith alive and makes certain the receiving of every one of the qualities which make us in the image of God. So, there’s that, but sometimes we tend to forget that, in prayer, you’re asking for God’s purpose first, not yours. Aunt Betty needs surgery, and the congregation gets it, but telling Him what you think the doctors should be looking for and then saying that Aunt Betty has so much left to do here may not fly. After all, Aunt Betty could have a heart and a walk like Enoch’s so maybe YHVH wants her home. Just sayin’…
However, I can say of late, that when I’ve taken myself off the request list during my own morning prayer time, God does God sized things that I never woulda asked for. That doesn’t mean I ain’t asking Him for His peace, protection and provision for my life, it’s just that asking Him for anything beyond the daily bread seems senseless these days. Besides, the ripple effect of lifting others in that earnest prayer mentality has had its benefit. I lift my son and daughter-in-law up to His Throne every day and the benefit of that will greatly change my life. Let’s just say that praying through Psalm 128 has had its increase……and when they let me, I’ll tell all ya’ll about it. ‘Nough said there.
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” — Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)
Doesn’t it seem logical that when our faith in an invisible God begins to take shape the first reaction would be to talk to this God? Now, I’m sure there are many of us who had that God-size faith in a foxhole prayer said when we were in a jam and we needed some sorta divine intervention to save us from ourselves, right? Yeah, so, we ain’t talking about that kinda faith, that kinda faith seems so, kinda, pulled up to a drive through window and ordered a #1 to go kinda faith. And a word of warning, those foxhole prayers are the ones that bounce off the ceiling and lands back at ya in a God-size way with a God-size offer of salvation. So, if you really aren’t interested in a relationship with a loving God, don’t do the foxhole prayer, you might get saved. Just sayin’…
There are two things to glean outta that Hebrews 11:6 verse once you get the notion that its impossible to please God without faith. “Must believe that He is” and “he who comes near”. The first is of a stronger faith, more than the foxhole, an Enoch kinda faith, one that says you believe Him beyond His existence kinda faith. The second is kinda more special, if ya wanna double check on this (Bible Gateway will back it up) but in the RSV translation you’ll read, “he who draws near to God”. Now it doesn’t have any more punch than “he who comes near to God” but somewhere in the Book of James you’ll read, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” Apparently drawing near to God, as viewed through the lenses of Hebrews, is the goal of life.
So, all of this adds up to say that most of us really had that “human faith” in those foxhole moments and when what we were asking for seemed to be in the will of the Divine…presto change-o…they happened. But if the true God actually revealed Himself in those moments where you knew it was a distinctive presence, it just may have been a gift freely given, something you knew you didn’t deserve, a revelation that El Elyon wants to establish a relationship with you.
I was drinking my last drink and ingesting my last substance when it happened to me. I had no clue of Psalm 128 at that time, but I went in that foxhole with nothing but human faith and came out equipped to pray through His word when the battle has grown too mighty or when life is about to change. Either way, pray, Amen?
Written by Chris Hughes: Chris is a child of El Elyon, a son, a husband, and a father. He has an education in Biblical doctrine and is a graduate of The Colony of Mercy, 11/2003. He has been a Freedom Fighter contributor since 2008. You can email him at cphughes515@verizon.net.
Think About This: “Not only is prayer the highest honor that can be granted to any being, it’s the most profitable investment in all the world.” — A.W. Tozer
This Week’s Verse to Memorize: “For the word of the Lord is right, And all His work is done in truth. 5 He loves righteousness and justice; The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.” Psalm 33:4-5
This place is beautiful! Great for a little getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Robert Rodriguez
1711813203
The bestest place
Florence Ibrahim
1711601879
Christan true and very clean and good food and speaker blessed bmy soul love it my home and will always come back again again for ever in the lord. Room was so beautiful . They work so hard to make you happy. Will try to bring family member to be... blessed hear also. I support all that they do to help men and woman find god. When I come to Keswick I didn't want to go home . That how happy and blessed I'm. Always pray for all of them daily. So glad I found this blessed placeread more
Ross Fichter
1710505821
Stayed here while we were visiting my in-laws at The Pines Living Facility. Exactly what we needed for lodging -- inexpensive compared to most motels without any loss of accommodations, and very Christ-centered environment. Plus they serve a great... breakfast every morning. No TV in the room, but that was not an issue for us, since there is nothing worth watching anyway. Staff were extremely friendly and did their jobs well. This place is a gem and a blessing to all who walk on their beautiful property.read more
Manuel Chávez Martínez
1709498094
Es un lugar maravilloso para disfrutar la palabra de Dios
Pianista Benjamín Arias
1708802888
Bien
William Dundas
1708697460
This place holds a special place in my life journey. I was Baptised there as I RE-DEDICATED myself. It was Febuary at night, so my review may not give it the right justice. What I can say, there were a ton of relaxing, peaceful locations to... re-connect with JESUS. Obviously, there was a pool, several lake's with benches. Gathering locations to celebrate, and break bread. A very wholesome Resort.read more
Adrian Obrien
1707934719
Spontaneous invite to girl talk! Loved it! Speaker was on point, fellowship and food , how better to start Valentines?
Ivelisse Romero
1707021027
Beautiful place to separate yourself for the Lord. Soo peaceful no technology which I love. Just you nature and God. I was there for a women's retreat.
Jennifer Crabtree
1706843166
A wonderful Christ- and family-oriented place! Beautiful grounds and welcoming staff. We thoroughly enjoyed our time at the conference we attended as well as the community hymn-sing. Highly recommend.
Jason Zimolong
1706837733
They've been a 5 star treatment and resort...doing God's work!
Patricia Simpson
1705193514
Peaceful little spot, so close to home 🩵
James Kolchin
1704151396
It's A Good Place To Have Retreats And They Have GREAT FOOD AND GREAT MUSIC
Kaia Leeds
1703475382
This was a very nice place!! I sang here with my school!!
Google Rating
4.8
Based on 427 reviews
America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
This place is beautiful! Great for a little getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Robert Rodriguez
1711813203
The bestest place
Florence Ibrahim
1711601879
Christan true and very clean and good food and speaker blessed bmy soul love it my home and will always come back again again for ever in the lord. Room was so beautiful . They work so hard to make you happy. Will try to bring family member to be... blessed hear also. I support all that they do to help men and woman find god. When I come to Keswick I didn't want to go home . That how happy and blessed I'm. Always pray for all of them daily. So glad I found this blessed placeread more
Ross Fichter
1710505821
Stayed here while we were visiting my in-laws at The Pines Living Facility. Exactly what we needed for lodging -- inexpensive compared to most motels without any loss of accommodations, and very Christ-centered environment. Plus they serve a great... breakfast every morning. No TV in the room, but that was not an issue for us, since there is nothing worth watching anyway. Staff were extremely friendly and did their jobs well. This place is a gem and a blessing to all who walk on their beautiful property.read more
Manuel Chávez Martínez
1709498094
Es un lugar maravilloso para disfrutar la palabra de Dios
Pianista Benjamín Arias
1708802888
Bien
William Dundas
1708697460
This place holds a special place in my life journey. I was Baptised there as I RE-DEDICATED myself. It was Febuary at night, so my review may not give it the right justice. What I can say, there were a ton of relaxing, peaceful locations to... re-connect with JESUS. Obviously, there was a pool, several lake's with benches. Gathering locations to celebrate, and break bread. A very wholesome Resort.read more
Adrian Obrien
1707934719
Spontaneous invite to girl talk! Loved it! Speaker was on point, fellowship and food , how better to start Valentines?
Ivelisse Romero
1707021027
Beautiful place to separate yourself for the Lord. Soo peaceful no technology which I love. Just you nature and God. I was there for a women's retreat.
Jennifer Crabtree
1706843166
A wonderful Christ- and family-oriented place! Beautiful grounds and welcoming staff. We thoroughly enjoyed our time at the conference we attended as well as the community hymn-sing. Highly recommend.
Jason Zimolong
1706837733
They've been a 5 star treatment and resort...doing God's work!
Patricia Simpson
1705193514
Peaceful little spot, so close to home 🩵
James Kolchin
1704151396
It's A Good Place To Have Retreats And They Have GREAT FOOD AND GREAT MUSIC
Kaia Leeds
1703475382
This was a very nice place!! I sang here with my school!!