Are You Prodigal? :: By Nathele Graham

Published on: by RR7 Category:General Articles, Ron & Nathele Graham

 

It’s always easy to point fingers at others while we turn a blind eye to our own misdoings. Jesus told a parable about a son who decided to rebel against his father and live a wild and extravagant life his own way. We know this as the parable of the prodigal son. Actually, there were two sons, and each had their own way of rebelling.

Jesus had already told two parables of losing something of value and searching for it diligently. One was about a man with 100 sheep; one got lost, and the shepherd left the 99 to find the one that was lost. When the sheep was found, he rejoiced. When he arrived home, he called his friends together, and they all rejoiced over the sheep that was found.

“I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance” (Luke 15:7).

We know that the parable is about Christ as our Good Shepherd and His care for every one of the flock.

The next parable Jesus told was about a woman who had ten pieces of silver. That was a nice amount of money, but even just one piece of silver was very valuable. She lost one of the coins and diligently searched her home for it. She found her coin and rejoiced.

“And she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost” (Luke 15:9).

What joy and relief that woman felt. This is the joy God feels when someone comes to salvation through Christ.

“Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth” (Luke 15:10).

God the Father gave His Son for our salvation, and Jesus gave His life. Their love is amazing, so when one lost sinner is found, there is much rejoicing in Heaven.

The next parable is known as the Prodigal Son. A prodigal is someone who lives recklessly and spends money rashly. They have all the friends that money can buy and seem to be having a great life. Are they happy? Are they fulfilled? The focus of this parable is the youngest son. He had probably been living in the shadow of his older brother and was tired of it. There were rules in his father’s house, and this young man was ready to live his dream.

“And he said, A certain man had two sons: and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living” (Luke 15:11-12).

This wasn’t a wise choice by the son. The father loved his sons and allowed them free will. The younger son decided to go out on his own and live life his own way. That didn’t work out the way he wanted it to. With his freedom, he lived life by his own rules. It’s always interesting to me that people like the young son are drawn to sin. There was food, comfort, and safety in his father’s household, but the temptation to sin drew his heart away. So, off he went to a distant land and wasted all he had on a wild lifestyle that his father would not have allowed.

That young son was about to learn a harsh lesson. “And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want” (Luke 15:14).

We aren’t specifically told that this was a Jewish family, but it probably was since Jesus was telling it to a Jewish crowd. Well, the young man hit rock bottom. “And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine” (Luke 15:15).

This is something a Jewish person wouldn’t do unless they had no other option. Swine are unclean animals. The young man was not only feeding the swine but was so hungry that he wanted to eat the slop he fed them.

This was a hard lesson to learn, but he made his own choice and had to learn from his mistakes. Fortunately, this son finally woke up before it was too late. He could have died in his rebellion and been separated from his family, but he realized his sin that had separated him from his father.

“And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants” (Luke 15:17-19).

This young man was very repentant. To repent means to change your mind. He changed his mind about his rebellion and the “fun” of living a sin-filled life. He humbly returned to his father.

There was quite a commotion at home. The father had been looking for his son’s return. “And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him” (Luke 15:20).

The father had never stopped loving his son and was looking for his return. The son was still his son even though sin had separated them. It was the son’s choice to rebel and sin, but it was also his choice to humbly return home.

“And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: and bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry” (Luke 15:21-24).

End of story, right? No, it isn’t. Remember, there were two sons. The older son hadn’t rebelled but stayed with his father without rebelling. Was the older son concerned about his lost brother? Was he concerned that his brother might be hungry, cold, and sick?

“Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound” (Luke 15:25-27).

How would you feel if you were in this brother’s shoes? Would you resent the joy the younger brother’s return brought to the father? Would you be happy that your brother was home and safe? Maybe you would be a little jealous that he went out and had “fun” and came back and was treated as if nothing had been wrong. Many of our Christian brothers and sisters have rebelled against God and need to come back to the safety of the Father’s House.

The older brother showed that he had his own sin to deal with. “And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment; and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: but as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf” (Luke 15:28-30).

The older brother seems to know a lot about what his younger brother did. Unless he had spies in the land, how would he know his brother spent all the money on harlots? Instead of spying and accusing, maybe he should have tried to help.

It’s easy to look at these two sons and pass judgment. There’s a good chance one of them describes you. Are you the prodigal who has professed to be a Christian but turned your back on the Father and embraced a life of sin? Are you spending your riches on harlots, or maybe you’re the harlot? If you’re still in that lifestyle, it’s time to repent and humbly return home before you die in rebellion. God knows what you’re doing and all the excuses you have to justify your right to sin. There will come a time of judgment.

“Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire” (1 Corinthians 3:13-15).

Good works won’t bring salvation, but they will bring rewards on the day you stand before the Bema Seat of Christ. Humbly repent of sin and return to a right relationship with God.

Christians all belong to the family of God. “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12-13).

How do you react when you see a brother fall into sin? Do you encourage them to return to the family, or do you condemn them as sinners deserving of damnation? Maybe you smugly look down on a weaker brother or sister, knowing that you don’t do any of those vile things called sin. Pride is also a sin that God hates.

“A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit” (Proverbs 29:23).

Be careful when judging a brother or sister that you don’t let self-righteous pride get in your way of God’s love and forgiveness.

In the parable, the father’s feelings are evident. His joy over the prodigal son’s return was evident, but the hurtful words and attitude of the older son caused him grief.

“And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found” (Luke 15:31-32).

In looking at the two previous parables, I see the two brothers reflected there. In Luke 15:4-7, a man has 100 sheep but one goes missing. You might say it was a prodigal sheep. The sheep was lost, but the shepherd looked for that sheep. When the sheep was safe at home, there was great joy. The next parable (Luke 15:8-10) was about a woman who lost a coin. Unlike the sheep, the coin had no idea it was lost. The woman knew and searched diligently for that lost coin. Like the older son, the coin was cold and unfeeling but still valuable. If the older son sees his coldness and returns to a right fellowship with his family, there will be joy and celebration.

Are you prodigal and rebelling, wasting the blessings that God the Father has given you? Are you hard-hearted and cold to a prodigal brother who has returned? Which sin is greater? God the Father loves you and wants to welcome you Home. Your faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ needs to rule your life. Show your love to Him by being faithful and share His love with others who are struggling and lost.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com
ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

Recommended prophecy sites:

www.raptureready.com
www.prophecyupdate.com
www.raptureforums.com

All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.

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5 Sep 2022

Published on: by RR7 Category:Prayer Center

“Professing to Be Wise, They Became Fools…”

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Prov 1:7). “They glorified him not as God, neither were thankful, but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools” (Rom 1:21-22).

Before we begin with prophetic concerns: Donald Whitchard, Rapture Ready writer, has to stop writing his weekly biblical series and focus more on a serious medical condition (he’s faced with either kidney dialysis or a kidney transplant). He’d like to thank those who’ve been so kind to read and react to what he’s presented these past few years in the closing days before Jesus takes us home. You may reach him at his email address: donaldwhitchard@gmail.com. His YouTube Channel: “The Reality City Review,” is shown weekdays at 10:00 AM (CDT) -USA (live). His website is www.realitycityreverend.com. You can purchase his book, The Scope of Biblical Prophecy, at www.parsonsporch.com.

IN THESE LAST DAYS OF NOAH AND LOT RETURNED…

ACLU Fought Chemical Castration of Sex Offenders, Yet Supports Same Drugs for Kids as so-called “Gender Affirming” care.

American Academy of Pediatrics Ignored/Silenced Doctors’ Major Concerns Over Trans Agenda. AAP causes’ great harm’ with drug cocktails to youngsters; pushes ‘unsafe’ policies based on ‘shoddy’ evidence.

Scientific journal Nature Human Behavior calls for suppression of research that contradicts LGBT ideology.

Hospital Promoting Disputed Puberty Blocker Study Hid Mistakes, Avoided Questions. University of Washington researchers strategized with Seattle Children’s Hospital.

California Advanced Bill to Make it a Sanctuary State for Those Wanting to “Transgender” Their Children. Children Taking Puberty Blockers in the U.S. Has Increased Dramatically.

20 Major League Baseball Teams Promote or Financially Support Groups Performing ‘Gender-Affirming’ Surgery on Children.

Texas: Armed Antifa militants’ stand guard’ outside ‘kid friendly’ drag show. Antifa were even “armed like snipers on the 3rd floor of the parking garage.” They carried a sign, “Keep Roanoke Gay,” and escorted attendees. About 20 children and multiple self-proclaimed teachers attended. (footage of event.) There was lack of action by police (probably told to stand down) against Antifa’s intimidation and in not shutting down the over-capacity event.

U.S. Air Force ordered to use gender-neutral language.

Canadian bank bans customer for questioning presence of LGBT rainbow flag on banking phone app during “pride” month in June.

Urge Ballsy to Cancel Crude Male-Genital grooming Ad. The remarks in the ad are disgusting as a man in an open robe with one leg propped up shaves his private parts.

ABORTION ABOMINATION

Democrat Party’s abortion extremism. Mainstream media is portraying pro-life views as electorally toxic. No matter what they claim, it’s Democrats, not Republicans, who are extremists on abortion.

And Another Depopulation Agenda

Canada Pushing Euthanasia. Welcome to World of Government Health Care. Alan Nichols, 61, was euthanized. His illness? Hearing loss. Nichols’ family said hospital staff pushed him into it. Many disabled or ill Canadians report this push for them to die.

Canadian Virtual Hospice promotes activity book to mainstream euthanasia for kids. Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) Activity Book says, “These activities will help you think about medical assistance in dying by someone in your life, for ages 6–12, but may help younger or older children.” The book explains the procedure; says it “does not hurt.” MAID to MAD initiative pointed out similarity between “Medical Assistance in Dying Activity book” and “Me and My Illness” activity books Virtual Hospice provides, both aimed at children.

APOSTASY AND DOCTRINES OF DEMONS

More Indoctrination of the Youth:

Disney goes satanic: New ‘cartoon’ features girl dubbed the Antichrist. This leftist corporation that openly promotes LGBT agenda points and links itself to body mutilations of children through transgender ideology has a new so-called adult “cartoon,” “Little Demon,” featuring a girl of about 13. “There’s no more putting this off. Your dad is the devil, and you’re the Antichrist,” the cartoon mom tells her. One of the voice actors expressed approval that it normalizes “paganism.” Animation attracts children, and they know it.

Cult of the lamb Video Game. Deceived minion reports online call it creepily adorable. The dark lord in the game, called The One Who Waits, says, “You see me here in chains, reduced to nothing. But it has not always been thus. I was bound to this wretched place by the Bishops of the Old Faith. They betrayed me and left me to rot. Each of the four chains that bind me are guarded by one of the Bishops. Destroy the Bishops, and you break the chain. Break all four, and I will be freed. I gave you life anew, vessel, and now you must repay the debt. You know what must be done. To defeat the bishops, you will need to become stronger. Sacrifice a follower to absorb more power – this will aid you in your quest to free me.”

If the player agrees to serve this dark lord whose follower ID is 666 (see under Trivia), they draw power from him and can earn an achievement called Deal with the Devil. The player can build his own cult “in the name of your shadowy savior.” There are rituals, curses, Tarot cards, spirit guide, sacrifices, etc. One million units were sold the first week. Watch video warning about it at this link.

Pennsylvania High School to Host ‘After School Satan Club’ Event at High School in Dillsburg.

Mankind Playing gods

Scientists score major breakthrough in drive to create ‘synthetic’ humans. With stem cells, they were able to grow a mouse embryo with brain, beating heart, and foundations of all organs, described as “a new avenue for recreating the first stages of life.” Their goal amounts to growing humans in a lab to cultivate their organs. Attempting to reverse-engineer God’s sacred creation of life will not end well.

Climate Change Agenda: Ruse for Totalitarian Global Government (& Mother Earth-Gaia worship)

Canada: installing weapons armories, interrogation rooms for Ministry of Climate Change. It’s recruiting Climate “Pollution” Officers. Emit too much carbon or use too much fertilizer, and you may be on the Climate Communists’ hit list. Reported last week: French Govt to Recruit 3,000 ‘Green Police’ over Climate Change.

PLAGUE, PESTILENCE…

Another planned-demic? Monkeypox Vaccine Insanity. USDA issued Emergency Use Authorization for “high risk” children. Just like coronavirus Event 201, the reported monkeypox outbreak was prefigured by a “simulation” a year prior. The 2021 exercise focused on a “fictional” scenario of an “unusual monkeypox strain” that would wreak global havoc.

FDA expected to authorize new Covid booster shots this week without testing completed [not that clinical trials prove safety]. FDA and vaccine makers say they’re confident the shots will work safely.

DEA Issued Warning Over’ Emerging Trend’ of Rainbow Fentanyl Across U.S.

…AND THE COVID PLANNED-DEMIC

Blood damage explains many harmful impacts of COVID vaccines.

Pandemic Justice Overdue Because of Crimes Against Humanity. COVID vaccines/boosters provide far more health risks than benefits, but a collusion of leftist media and govt agencies control information to the public. They’re masters of propaganda.

LAST DAYS TRAITORS (This could actually be the title of most of the sections since they’ve caused it)

Watch: IRS Coaching College Students on How to Take Down Small Business Owners.

Biden Slammed Across Political Spectrum for Optics and Divisive Speech. Against a blood red and black background in his speech at Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, he demonized millions of Americans for their political views, calling them “extremists” who present a threat to the U.S.

China Weaponizing the Chinese Worldwide to Support Chinese Communist Party.

Meat Produced in Other Countries Has U.S. Label, meaning it was just repackaged and relabeled in the U.S. The trouble began when Obama’s USDA began allowing meat to be sold without disclosing country of origin. More and more small ranchers are going to go out of business, and a meat shortage in the future is likely because of reliance on meat from other countries. Our dependency on other countries for basic commodities never works out well.

BORDER DISORDER

Biden Regime’s Lawless Border of Horrors: Pregnant 12-year-olds, Drowned Babies, ‘Rape Trees,’ Organ Harvesting… Since Biden took office, nearly 3 million illegal migrants have crossed the U.S. border. There are horror stories of women and children exploited by cartels: held captive in ‘stash houses,’ some as sex slaves, others trafficked, kidnapped, organs harvested, ransomed, impregnated 12 to 14-year-olds, victims as young as 3 showing signs of brutal rape, “rape trees” where women’s undergarments are strewn as trophies to mock CBP agents and mark numbers of rapes by smugglers and cartels.

Texas’ Officials Frustrated Over Illegal Immigrants Streaming In, Sends Busloads to Chicago, the third Democrat city where Texas officials have sent illegal immigrants. New York City and D.C. are the others.

PITTING NATION (ETHNIC) AGAINST NATION (ETHNIC): Marxist Agenda

No Whites or Asians Allowed: Pfizer’ Breakthrough Fellowship’ Flagrantly Violates the Law. Pfizer offers college students multiple internships, fully funded master’s degree, and several years of employment at the pharmaceutical giant. Only “Black/African American, Latino/Hispanic, and Native American” students can apply.

ECONOMIC AND FOOD INSECURITY

“Worst Yet to Come”: Civil Unrest Set to Surge Worldwide as Socioeconomic Pressure Builds, Report Warns. Soaring food, energy, and shelter inflation have led to what could be a new era of civil unrest worldwide. Unrest has been observed in Sri Lanka, Peru, Kenya, Ecuador, Iran, and Europe. Research forecasts a broader wave of discontent is just ahead.

Stop Freaking Out About Drinking Recycled Poo-Water, Expert Says. Head of U.K.’s Environment Agency says this as countries and states around the world move towards recycling sewage.

Another U.S. Food Processing Plant Catches Fire; Growing List. A poultry food processing plant in California caught fire this past week.

Feds Declare Emergency for 4 Midwest States After Oil Refinery’ Unanticipated Shutdown’ Due to Fire. Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin.

Median rent in U.S. topped $2,000 a month in June; increases show no sign of stopping. Millions fear eviction in the next two months.

Americans taking out loans through buy now, pay later apps to purchase groceries. Many have fallen behind on payments. Many service providers charge late fees, so purchases quickly become expensive if payments aren’t made in time.

Wave of European Ammonia Plant Closures to Exacerbate Food Crisis. Shutdowns due to soaring natural gas prices are resulting in a fertilizer crunch worsening by the week, with as much as 70% of production offline.

Russia scrapped a Saturday deadline to resume flows via a major gas supply route to Germany, deepening Europe’s difficulties in securing winter fuel, after saying it found faults in its pipeline during maintenance.

Benchmark gas price in Europe up 550% in past 12 months. See posted photos of shockingly high energy bills.

Polish Homeowners Line Up for Days to Buy Coal Ahead of Winter. Millions relying on coal for heating now face shortages/price hikes; so far, they may be better off than those relying on Nat gas, whose price rises 10-20% daily. In Germany, searches online for firewood have exploded off the charts.

Scientists say cockroach milk 3 times more nutritious than cow’s milk. It’s a milky type of protein. One cup has 700 calories. When the left behind have little food (Rev. 6:5-6), they’ll consume whatever.

WEATHER EVENTS

Megadrought Threatening Millions of Americans with Loss of Water and Power.

Drought shrinking crops from U.S. Farm Belt to China’s Yangtze River basin, causing fears of global hunger. In America’s Midwest, some corn stalks are bare.

Heat Bakes California; “Lot of Records Could Be Tied/Broken.” And those with electric cars are told to avoid charging them.

California Wildfires: A number of wildfires are burning.

Oregon Wildfires. Hot, dry and windy conditions fueled wildfires across the state. Fires are expected to stay active until cooler weather.

Violent hailstorm in Catalonia region of Spain kills toddler; injures at least 50. Hail was 4 inches across.

Flooding deaths in Pakistan near 1,200. Monsoon season has been unrelenting. Hundreds of thousands homeless; waterborne infections spreading. [Only 1.27% are considered Christian (half Protestant, half Catholic). Most are Muslim, with a small percent Hindu, etc. So many without Christ.]

WARS AND RUMORS OF WARS: Tension between Israel and its enemies ramping up prophetically

Hezbollah (in Lebanon) amassing weapons on Israel’s northern border; blocking U.N. peacekeepers.

Iran calls for ‘Palestinians’ and Hezbollah to launch ground offensive against Israel.

Alleged Israeli airstrikes targeted Aleppo (northern Syria) and Damascus (southern Syria). Airstrikes targeted Aleppo International Airport. Afterward, strikes targeted sites near Damascus International Airport, Damascus-Daraa highway, etc. Recently, after Israeli airstrikes destroyed runways at Damascus International Airport, Iranian airlines suspected of smuggling weapons to Iran-backed militias in Syria and Lebanon reportedly began landing in Aleppo instead of Damascus.

Syria asked Iran not to attack Israel from its territory, as it would risk all-out war in the country.

Hezbollah to increase forces in Syria after Israeli attacks. Israel’s enemies want the world to believe Israel is the bad guy. However, Israel must conduct strikes to diminish Iran’s weapons getting to its proxies. Tensions are increasing, and it’s happening as Iran approaches nuclear breakout with or without a nuclear agreement.

Israeli Intelligence experts: Prepare for military confrontation with Iran or its satellites. The military option is the only one left once superpowers sign the nuclear deal. There’s no chance of preventing it; therefore, Israel must be ready to protect herself.

Israel is on its own against Iran. A bogus Iran deal now seems all but certain, and Israel can’t expect significant assistance from the U.S. Iran will have capability to operate directly and through its proxies under a nuclear umbrella. And Israel will face a threat it will be hard-pressed to handle.

Iran-Russia axis grows; new energy deal intends to dominate world market. When Russia’s Putin met with Iran’s Ayatollah to finalize gas and drone deals, he also visited Turkey’s Erdoğan. Bible prophecy students know this Russia-Arab coalition will invade Israel (Ezek 38–39), Battle of Gog and Magog.

Taliban officials in Afghanistan nearing contract for purchase of wheat, gas, and oil from Russia. Of course, Russia will attach strings to this agreement. And “-istan” nations are part of the coalition (see map) that attacks Israel.

God is going to punish all nations that will soon come against Israel! (Isaiah 17, Ezekiel 38-39, Zechariah 12 & 14, Joel 3).