PRODIGAL SUN

 

MAY 2024

 

Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

 

Have you ever taken an Easter season and tried, day by day, to visualize what Jesus was doing or enduring moment by moment? The Bible gives us accurate guidelines and events but our tendency is usually to rush through the high points to get to the conclusion. When you attempt to step into every moment a deeper dimension captures you as what Jesus the Man experienced becomes real, but more importantly personal as He did it for us – you and I!

 

By the time the mailed copies of this issue arrive many, possibly all, of this seasons decorations will be stored and we will be moving on to the next item on our agenda. Yet, the necessity for all He endured is fresh every day as the battle rages on for the souls of men, women, and children.

 

When He arose from the grave mankind’s sin had been atoned for by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. As the chorus from an old hymn says, “Up from the grave He arose with a mighty triumph o’er His foes; He arose a victor from the dark domain, and He lives forever with His saints to reign. He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose! His victory now becomes ours if we will accept it on His terms (freely by grace) and walk with Him. A full pardon had been issued for all of us, written in his precious blood. The power of that blood will never diminish, forever securing in heaven a place for us.

 

There is far more than the eternal security of a distant nature promised to those who will walk with Him fulfilling His plans. (Although that is more than enough!) He is a God of abundance and He wants us to spread it around; to be active in extending His Kingdom here on earth.

 

To do that He has given us gifts, the first being the Holy Spirit without whom we cannot victoriously walk in and share Kingdom principles. We see that vividly in the account of the Upper Room where Jesus had told his disciples to wait until they were endued with power from on high. It is unfortunate that today so many involved in ‘church’ activities and positions have no spiritual power. It is little wonder that Satan has so successfully penetrated churches due to a lack of spiritual power in the form of discernment.

 

In the book of John 16:12-13 it reads, Jesus speaking, “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.”

 

The promise in the preceding paragraph has been fulfilled as promised and is now available to ALL who will believe on and confess Jesus. The riches of this gift is only surpassed by the riches of the gift of His salvation but they are inseparable.

 

Psalm 34:8 says, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man that trusts in Him!” Now, let’s add to that this passage found also in Psalms. Psalm 139:13-16, “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.(womb) Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.”

 

This passage shows how much we are cared about by God. He has the ultimate plan for our life, each day was fashioned for our good before we were even conceived! This is all part of the Gospel message we are to spread. No matter how much we have messed up, no matter the sins we have committed, there is a Father in heaven waiting for us to grasp the truth that His Son has paid the price for our adoption and He is awaiting our decision to accept or reject His offer. Don’t be one of the vast multitude that will reject Him, or wait for a more convenient time. Behold, NOW is the day of salvation. Seek Him while He may yet be found.

 

The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse comes to mind, and those that died. Probably not one of the lost had any idea it would be their last day on earth. Those with a lingering illness that they know will result in their death shortly may be the most fortunate ones as they are directly confronted with what eternity will bring. This is where we all come in…

 

We all are gifted and equipped by God to fulfill a part in His Kingdom building business here on earth. It is a family business that will never have to declare bankruptcy. There are no layoffs and no need for unemployment negotiations. Just a willing walk with Jesus where He leads by the Holy Spirit.

 

Many are scrambling now to avoid going down with the American Ship by stashing gold, silver, food, guns, or whatever gives a sense of security. Then there are those with hopes in the next government administration. Another segment of our society has the ostrich syndrome – heads are buried in the sand ignoring what is going on, at least until something or someone comes along and kicks them in the exposed area.

 

The warning bells have been sounding for many years now and their clamor is becoming deafening. On July 17, 2016 I was given a message of which the following is a part, “The sad times are upon you, this nation I formed for My Glory, My Purposes. I am the saddest of all for many of the disastrous events about to unfold were unnecessary for My purposes to be fulfilled.” We, the professing church, cannot deny our responsibility in failing to hold ourselves, our children, church leaders, and our government to God’s plan. We are the assigned Keepers of the Faith. If we don’t do it, it won’t be done. 

If you are reading this it is not too late to enlist in God’s Army. All must volunteer as there is no draft. All of us have a place, a calling of importance. God does not compare giftings as to importance to His plan but the condition of submissive hearts. When He has your heart, a gift from you to Him, He has it all.

 

Be encouraged even as we are chastised. We are loved with a love we cannot comprehend. He is not a ‘fair weather’ friend! He will walk with us regardless of the circumstances.

 

kenhayesfleming9@gmail.com                                                                 Kenneth H. Fleming

www.wbcis.com                                                                                         502 Market Street

(814) 687-3707                                                                                           Fallentimber, Pa. 16639