“But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” Daniel 12:4 (NKJV)
A lot has changed in the sixty years that God has given me to exist. My first 12 years had been spent in Philadelphia where I was surrounded by relatives from what was called “The Old Country.” I had great and regular grandparents who were from Ireland, Italy, and Scotland, their accents were hard to understand at times but I feel privileged that it was part of my growing up. Hearing stories about where they were from could be heard from time to time around the dinner table. You could tell they missed where they were actually from but they made it clear that they had accepted their new home with gratitude. Oh, before I forget, they did make going to church part of their lives.
There’s a phrase out there that goes something like this, “back in the day.” I hear that a lot as well and it’s said as with a melancholy kinda tone. I get it, my generation (and others as well) wishes we could have what we had back then, kinda like my great and regular grandparents saying the same around the dinner table. So, given that little analogy, I think it is safe to say that wishing for the way it once was has not gone outta style yet. Although for some of us, me included, that had made a mess out of their lives and needed the salvation provided for us by Jesus Christ we take a “not going backwards” approach to living and we make being the church part of our lives.
But we’re all living in a world that has become faster in its moving towards its own end and one of things that can be said of it is that we can get instant information to it from the search engines provided for us by the world wide web whenever we want. The internet has brought us to a point where it is safe to say, out loud, that God already saw this coming and that a captive named Daniel, (who probably wished for the old days in the old country as well) would have an encounter with the archangel, Gabriel, concerning visions to the time of the end. Until then, take a gander at those seven churches in Revelation and see where you are now. Hmm…
“Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand.” — Daniel 12:10
I don’t believe that God intended for us to live in a world of fast-paced confusion. I mean there wasn’t any disorder in the Graden until disobedience happened and God had cursed the very earth that He created so that mankind understood the struggle towards holiness is real. But God is holier beyond holy in the grand scheme of all things and He calls out mankind in big way by saying, “The way of peace they have not known, And there is no justice in their ways; They have made themselves crooked paths; Whoever takes that way shall not know peace.” (Isaiah 59:8) You almost wanna ask why we are acting like six billion ants scurrying around trying to outdo each other at every turn when living holy in His peace is supposed to be the actual goal.
Jesus was clear about this as well when He said, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27) At every turn you’ll find one of the three in the Godhead tell you not to be troubled or afraid and yet mankind would reject this peaceful way of existence for a world full of hate and discontent. What we need to do, individuality, is reject the idea of confusion, which the official seal of Satan’s society, and turn to The Cross of Christ. Bold statement maybe, but putting it into motion, may not be that easy. Some of us would rather stay busy by keep up with the Joneses, that ain’t good either.
I don’t think it a bad idea to look “back in the day” and see what could have been now that you have more insight into what went wrong. However, somethings cannot be fixed that simply so moving forward is a better alternative but the way in which we do this should be God ordained and God honoring. Anyway…
Over the next few contributions to the Freedom Fighter devotional blog, I hoping to cover what it commonly known as “The Rat Race” and by way of introduction I hope you got that sense today. Until then I pray that you take what Jesus has said about His peace and keep it hidden in your heart. 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: “Compromise will take the pressure off. Satan will not bother a man who has quit fighting. But the cost of quitting will be a life of peaceful stagnation. We sons of eternity just cannot afford such a thing.” — A.W. Tozer
This Week’s Verse to Memorize: “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are,yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:14-15
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!