“Timothy, please come as soon as you can. Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus has gone to Dalmatia.” – 2 Timothy 4:9-10 (NLT)
When I finished up my studies with Lancaster Bible College, I felt like a weight had been lifted off of my shoulders. I had just turned 50 years old and I was finally a college graduate. Not too bad a feat for a guy who spent many years before that never finishing anything he ever started. About the only thing I could manage at one point was barely getting up in the morning to go to work and, even in that, I couldn’t stay at one job for any serious length of time. Basically, I had no idea how to be or stay committed to anything but to my own selfish self… and I was barely able to do that.
However, Jesus Christ radically changed the way I looked at making and keeping commitments. Matthew 5:33-37 says to me, that if you even have a sliver of doubt in the making of a vow or commitment don’t even bother, because if you change your mind and don’t keep your word you become a liar; it’s that simple. This is an important concept to understanding because when you find yourself reading Luke 14:25-33 you’re going to hear what Jesus says you must do in order for you to BE a disciple of His and not just giving Him your divine lip service.
“For in the multitude of dreams and many words there is also vanity. But fear God.” (Ecclesiastes 5:7)
Our Bibles are full of guys (and gals) who find themselves on the wrong end of breaking a vow before God. Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 4:32- 5:11) are prime examples of what it looks like to get all caught up in the moment, make a huge commitment, only to change their minds once they saw the money their “selfless act” produced. It was as if they had gotten temporarily magnetized by the moving of the Holy Spirit amongst God’s people. Their heads may have been saying what an awesome thing they’re involved with, but once the world showed them how much value their stuff had, then the magnetic poles of their hearts collapsed.
“Luke, the beloved doctor, sends his greetings, and so does Demas.” – Colossians 4:14
We got another character in Scripture that had been temporarily magnetized by the moving of the Holy Spirit amongst God’s people. I’ve written about him in the past but every once in a while, he’s a good thing to bring up. Demas, who is sometimes called “Paul’s Judas,” sounded like he was on fire for the things of God and was totally on-board to be in service of Him, BUT as fast as he’s mentioned right along side of one of the most popular Gospels writers — POOF!!— he went back into Thessalonica. I don’t think there’s enough Bible verses written about him to even make a paragraph, but still, leave a popular ministry, and apparently, everyone knows about it.
However, there’s a part of me that now understands Demas. I mean, hanging out with the likes of a former wacked-out Pharisee who can start riots over statues can get very intense. But when the world shows that it punishes those who dare speak out against those statues, well, that changes things. I don’t see Demas as a guy who was afraid of The Gospel. I see him as a guy who was afraid of those who themselves are afraid of The Gospel, and wanted those to embrace The Gospel instead of buying a statue. After all, the bill comes due, always. Right?
John Phillips would say this of Demas, “The Holy Spirit matched Demas up with Mark, Aristarchus, and Luke to fortify him for the hour of temptation that lay ahead. He could have learned much from each of these men. He failed, though, to Take advantage of the opportunity. When the time of testing came, Demas the diligent became Demas the deserter.” Wow, this is like a Biblical shot to the gut ain’t it? As for the men that Phillips mentioned, I’m gonna do some research into them and I hope you would as well.
In the meantime, don’t fool yourself into thinking that you aren’t Demas material because you believe yourself strong in your walk. People punishing the faithful is part of the norm, especially in today’s world, and we’re never really quite braced for impact, aren’t we? So, when you read into Demas, I hope you don’t just see the surface, see what wasn’t mentioned about him. Was he a man of prayer? Was he a scholar of God’s Word? He served Paul, did he serve God’s children? Good questions to ask yourself before your magnetism collapses and you find yourself walking the road to Thessalonica. 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 the old man was something that could be lifted out, like an onion could be pulled out of a garden, then we’d all feel very proud of the fact that we’d be de-unionized and debunked. But the terrible part about crucifying the flesh, is that the flesh is you.” — A.W. Tozer
This Week’s Verse to Memorize: “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;” – Hebrews 1:1-2
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!!