Posted on January 4, 2023 by Elizabeth Welte in Freedom Fighters
“For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.”– 2 Peter 3:5-7 (NKJV)
Well, we’re in a new year. Not sure how you spent your NYE celebrations but, as for me, I spent my evening with my wife and in-laws, at God’s best kept secret, America’s Keswick. Keswick had faced a few challenges that looked like the Devil was throwing his monkey-wrench into the evening, BUT we serve a mighty God and He didn’t let the evening fail. Besides those grounds are “Where God Speaks to Hearts and Transforms Lives.” Satan can be a nuisance as he tries his best to deter the staff… BUT GOD!! It was very nice to ring in the new year with some of God’s people (everyone was invited but there wasn’t enough room) and to not be out in the chaos of this world. Just watch CNN’s version of bringing in the new year and you’ll understand what I mean.
And ya know, as things continue to deteriorate in “Secularland”, most Christians maintain a confident expectation that the solution to this whole mess will be “riding on the clouds, shining like the sun, at the trumpet call…and outta Zion’s hill, salvation comes.” Because at the very core of the Gospel message is the assurance that Jesus Christ returns, not as the suffering servant, as we read about in Isaiah 53, but as a conquering King, as we read about in Revelation 19:11-21; that His return is “just over the horizon.” As much as the residents of “Secularland” ridicule us over this confident expectation, the hope that is in us should tell us differently. As much as we try to warn these folks of their impending doom, there will be those left behind…sad, but true.
“But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:8-9
During morning devotional time with Jason Schack, a woman had shared her struggle with her sister accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. She said, “It was like trying to break a cement block with a hammer but then a miracle happened, and now at 75, she’s a child of God.” That was good news to hear, starting off her new year, but it raised questions. How many years of blessing did she lose out on because she lived under the fallacy that life just goes on until you die? Didn’t someone say something that could’ve changed her heart any sooner than now? That we’ll never know but praise God that now she can share the same hope that resides within her sister’s heart. Talk about a devoted faith that God can smash cement blocks…of which I’m chief (cement block that it)!! Now they both look for, with anticipated joy, on Christ’s return.
Many of us may feel that Christ shoulda already returned to put a stop on all this “woke” nonsense by now but Christ’s long suffering, as indicated in 2nd Peter 3, is most likely the reason He hasn’t. I know two sisters who now understand what that long-suffering looks like and their faith has been increased by that. So, what does that say about us? Have we lost our faith in His return? Well, if you’re living for Jesus, your faith shoulda never wavered and if it has then that’s why your nose should be in the 3rd chapter of 2nd Peter.
I don’t do too well with long-suffering myself. I’ve grown and live in a world that has become increasingly “instant pudding”, so patience isn’t a Fruit of the Spirit I possess in its entirety, but Amen for His grace! And as much as I also wanna see Jesus come back “riding on the clouds, shining like the sun, at the trumpet call” and clean up this mess once and for all, I need to be mindful that His delay may be because He is waiting for a full repentance. That doesn’t mean worldwide repentance either, that means your own. Maybe, just maybe, His long-suffering towards you is His gift to you so that you don’t perish in the final judgement. Hmm… and I’m saying this to myself as well.
We Christians are told to always “BE READY” in season and out of season so that you are able to share the hope that resides in you. I meet someone over the NYE celebrations that can attest to that and within her long-suffering to see her family member come to Christ, she is now ready to present herself at the Bema Seat. Jesus returning is still just over the horizon, but we got work to do. So be ready. 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: “If He is about to descend, on what account shall we be caught up? For the sake of honor. For when a king drives into a city, those who are in honor go out to meet him; but the condemned await the judge within…as He descends, we go forth to meet Him.” – John Chrysostom
The Daily Bible Reading: Job 1-5You can download our 2023 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here.
This Week’s Verse to Memorize: “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23
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!!
Geoffrey Brewster
1702920475
You can see GOD work in and throughAll that go there.
Sharon Bielski
1702502928
Went today early for Girl talk, it was great 👍
Pat Jacoby
1701871657
This is a wonderful place for family vacations, retreats, and conferences. They share a solid biblical view.
Google Rating
4.8
Based on 420 reviews
America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
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!!
Geoffrey Brewster
1702920475
You can see GOD work in and throughAll that go there.
Sharon Bielski
1702502928
Went today early for Girl talk, it was great 👍
Pat Jacoby
1701871657
This is a wonderful place for family vacations, retreats, and conferences. They share a solid biblical view.