PRODIGAL SUN
APRIL 2023
Let your light so shine before men that they
may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)
Last month earthquakes in Turkey and Syria
were part of the message. This month we have the tornado that devastated
Rolling Forks, Mississippi. As is Turkey/Syria the monster attacked in the
middle of the night. So very many people left their earthly estate that
night and will awake to their eternal award or eternal condemnation.
Probably not one of those lost gave a thought before going to bed that this
would be their last night on earth.
Each one of those mentioned above is/was
special, created in the image of God for His pleasure, and purposes, but did
they know? Did they know that fulfilling God’s purposes would give them a
fulfillment in life that nothing else on earth could ever compare to both
in this world and the one to come? Did anyone ever share God’s Word
with them? It is too late for them now for it is appointed for man once to
die and after that the judgment. (Hebrews 9:27)
I reviewed photo footage made recently in
Turkey and in Mississippi. I want to remember the fleetingness of life and
possessions to keep a proper perspective. Last month I mentioned that the
chaos sweeping the world would sweep across our land. So you are not
mislead, it is not something that is coming, but is here now and will
continue to increase in intensity.
Years ago, when Katrina struck New Orleans I
prayed about taking a crew and equipment down to help out. What the Holy
Spirit impressed on me was, “No, you don’t have to go to it, it will come to
you.” Disasters will continue to sweep the world including our nation. This
article goes out to several states, even Africa. Only God knows who may see
it on the website. Regardless of where you are in the world the chaos will
touch, even overwhelm you. Only those in a sincere relationship with the
King of Kings (Jesus) will be able to withstand the physical and spiritual
attacks. It is only by obedience to the Holy Spirit’s directions you will
know which path to take. Consider this promise found in Isaiah 30:20-21; And
though the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of
affliction, Yet your teachers will not be moved into a corner anymore, But
your eyes shall see your teachers. You shall hear a word behind you saying,
“This is the way, walk in it.”To those who desire the truth God will send
it, and it will align with His Word untwisted, veiled, or perverted.
Multitudes today have been fed a poisonous diet that appears right but leads
to physical and spiritual death. Whether it is in popery, the prosperity
gospel, and now most evangelical circles any deviation from what God
proclaims in His Word is perversion. Whether it is extorting money,
neglecting the widow or homeless, murdering your unborn and born children
the path leads to eternal condemnation. Acknowledging your sin to a
Righteous God, asking Jesus to forgive you for your part in His crucifixion,
turning from the old life, and embracing the new with Him cleanses you from
all sin. Then come what may in this world you are secure in Him for all of
eternity. The Holy Spirit will begin and empower the transformation process
in your life.
My original desire for this month was to
bring to remembrance some of those who have gone before us and the debt of
gratitude we owe them for the Gospel now available to us. We used to hear of
certain well known heroes of the faith, and often their martyrdom, but
reading the history of the Church since the days of the original apostles
makes it abundantly clear that the Bible we so easily neglect today was paid
for in blood by those who cared enough to preserve it for you and me. They
loved enough to be willing to pay whatever the cost. Governments and church
leaders have tried for centuries to either eradicate or regulate the Gospel
message. Often it was to suit political agendas. Pursuits of money, pride,
and power were, and still are central in the attempts to destroy the
credibility of God’s Word or it’s interpretation. God’s intent for His Word
was for ALL men, women, and children, not just the ‘elite.’ Keeping the
general populace unlearned/ignorant except for brainwashing curriculum kept
those ‘elite’ in control.
There are many faithful followers of Christ
all over the world, even in our country as hard as that may be to believe at
times. Here in the West we have permitted minorities to silence the
majority. Instead of taking firm Biblical stands we have compromised the
foundation that made this the most powerful and wealthiest nation on earth.
Because of that we will enjoin third world status. The teacher mentioned
being pushed in the corner on the first page I believe now represents the
faithful teachers that have been pushed aside, silenced, mocked, or at least
ignored until now. In the midst, even despite the intensifying chaos that
will appear to reign, those of like faith and character will have God
granted grace to minister to hearing ears and breaking hearts.
A change of subject...Have you been getting
an increasing number of donation requests? I’ve never before seen such a
massive volume, many are from organizations I’ve never heard of. Most send
cards, checks(to be returned with yours of course), membership cards,
address labels, emotion stirring pictures, cheap articles of clothing, etc.
I’m sure it is a sign of what is really going on in our economy, but one
gets the impression that all of these organizations have hired the same
marketing agency that has run out of innovative ideas to get us involved.
Now, saying that, I’m going to get out of character and attempt to do some
fund raising. If you could donate to possibly the world’s most powerful
ministry that uses 100% of all donations for the purpose named, would you?
(All overhead expenses are covered by it’s members dues.) That ministry is
the Gideons International. They distribute full Bibles and New Testaments
all over the world. They will also come to your church and share the history
of their 125 yr old ministry. They share the simple gospel of Jesus Christ
and freely give New Testaments or Bibles so you can search out the truth for
yourself. You can contact locally or mail to Gideons International PO Box
140800 Nashville, Tennessee 37214-0800. I picture all of those scriptures as
mini-hydrogen bombs awaiting detonation in the enemies camp!
Love and Blessings to all!
kenhayesfleming9@gmail.com
Kenneth H. Fleming
www.wbcis.com
502 Market Street
(814) 687-3707
Fallentimber, Pa. 16639