Posted on January 17, 2024 by Elizabeth Welte in Freedom Fighters
“You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred.” – 2 Timothy 3:1-2 (NLT)
Every morning that I am allowed to arise, I realize one simple truth…I really ain’t nothing too special. Oh, I may be privileged with being one of Bill Welte’s Freedom Fighter writers but in the very basics of the day … I am nothing too special. I wake up telling myself it’s a good day to die to self, but in that I’ll have a moment of failure. I will understand that I am to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with my God. But then I find myself huffin’-n-puffin’ towards somebody’s Grandmother at the grocery store while she sifts through her coupons after they ring her up (don’t go to Wal-Mart with me). I’ll love the LORD my GOD with everything I got, but loving that coworker is gonna be the end of what little bit of patience I got. Who can save me from this body of death?!
Then I turn on the news…I may not be so bad after all (now don’t quote me on that).
First thing I gotta acknowledge is today’s passage of Scripture. It was written a really long time ago by a guy who once thought himself the bees-knees when it came to Kingdom principles. But one encounter on the road to Damascus with Jesus later and his life was radically changed. His ministry focused in on how to follow what Christ taught and how to apply His principles in your everyday life. Now this warning that he wrote to a younger man had been written during a time period in history when the Roman Empire’s methods of attrition were considered worthy of a Saturday afternoon matinee, all done to entertain some poor excuse of a god/Emperor named Caesar and those who were to worship him. Now it’s a few thousand years later … and ya know what? This kinda behavior hasn’t gone away.
So, with that, I can’t say that everything’s bad out there in Hollywood, but what I can say is the theology that is coming out of there is idolatry on steroids. It truly believes that it is the compass pointer for good moral conduct and is in a tizzy over the President-elect. Now in the world of politics we’ve got “elected public servants” who have forgotten they are “elected public servants” and are right in step with that Hollywood mentality. They both argue the definition of “role model” without regard to what behavioral pattern they’re attaching to and both Hollywood and Washington D.C. are acting like the rest of us will fall apart without them. I say…THROW THEM TO THE LIONS and see if their god/gods will save them.
Alright, so maybe that won’t happen to them (still…might do them some good) but it did happen to a guy named Daniel. Daniel lived in time that can pretty much reflect our own. A law was signed that ALL praise and worship was to be given to King Darius the Mede but was really intended to remove Daniel from his position in King Darius’ government. Daniel had a moral code that was God honoring and he did whatever he could to maintain it. Of course, those of us who know the story remember that Daniel was thrown into a lion’s den. But the coolest part of this is that the GOD he gave his praise and worship to protect him and convince King Darius that Daniel’s God was truly GOD.
And I believe this is the position we’re gonna have to take. Things are looking pretty iffy out there in Secularland. It seems that they are willing to devour their own just to have a say so but that doesn’t mean and shouldn’t mean it has to be us. If we open The Book that the citizens of Secularland wish we would keep closed, we will find this encouragement; “They stumble because they do not obey God’s word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them. But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for He called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:8b-9)
Remember my brothers (and sisters) that this race isn’t meant for the swift, its meant for the strong and if your strength has its foundation built on the ROCK that is Jesus Christ you will run until it’s time to go home. Amen?
(Originally posted: 11/15/2017)
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the doctrinal and theological views held by America’s Keswick.
Written by Chris Hughes: Chris is a child of El Elyon, a son, a husband, a father, and has recently become a grandpop. 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: “God, send me anywhere, only go with me. Lay any burden on me, only sustain me. And sever any tie in my heart except the tie that binds my heart to Yours.”― David Livingstone
The Daily Bible Reading: Mark 7-9. You can download our 2024 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here.
This Week’s Verse to Memorize: “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore, the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.” – 1 John 3:1
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 428 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!!