Dear Pilgrim,

I think we can all agree that we are on a journey of faith. Considering all that we have celebrated in Passion Week 2023; the journey begins at our faith in His resurrection.

The word beginning is important in the Bible, such as we find in Genesis 1:1; “In the beginning...”

We all know Solomon was called the wisest man in the Bible. He has this to say: “The end of a thing is better than its beginning; The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.” Ecclesiastes 7:8

David said of God’s words: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.” Psalm 111:10

“Your word is true from the beginning: and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.” Psalm 119:160

Isaiah adds this insight into the Omniscience of God: “I have declared the former things from the beginning; They went forth from My mouth, and I caused them to hear it. Suddenly I did them, and they came to pass.” Isaiah 48:3
“For since the beginning of the world men have not heard nor perceived by the ear, nor has the eye seen any God besides You, who acts for the one who waits for Him.” Isaiah 64:4

Mark begins his letter with this affirmation: “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” Mark 1:1

This all leads up to this passage I have on my heart today, found in the Book of Mark:
“For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows…
For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be.” Mark 13:8,19
THE BEGINNING OF SORROWS

In Matthew 24 verse 5 is a stern warning concerning false Christs, followed by a list of cataclysmic devastating things that will come on mankind. These things are spoken of as birth pains. Could this be what we are seeing taking hold of people worldwide today?

THE GREAT RIFT

I read a report this week that the Great Rift in Africa is splitting open in Kenya. It is reported that a fifty-foot-wide crevice has opened in the Great Rift and is causing great concern; even suggesting that it could split off and make a separate continent. Vernel and I have been there with a team for a conference several years ago. When I read the article I thought, could this be a sign as well. Do you know where this rift is finished on the continent? It geographically finishes on the Mount of Olives, in Jerusalem.

Yesterday, we celebrated Christ’s resurrection. Today I call your attention to the fact that he will return just as He has prophesied. It is Zechariah who tells us how and where He is going to return. Just as Jesus rose from the dead and ultimately ascended into heaven, Zechariah reminds us that, on this day, Christ’s “feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the mount will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley” and that one day “the LORD will be king over all the earth.” Zechariah 14. The ultimate triumph will be when He returns, and God has made the earth His footstool.

The beginning of sorrows is like a two-edged sword for those who believe; It is a watchword for those who refuse Christ, and it will be unimaginable how great these sorrows will be, because the earth has never experienced such woe.

Keep looking up child of God, for He is looking down. He is coming for those who are looking for Him.

I appreciate your trust and support of all our team does from week to week to serve; especially this week as we rejoice in the response of those who came to Christ yesterday. Our Hispanic Congregation and our French Speaking Congregations join with us in pursuing His Passion and thank you for your investment in souls.

He Lives World Without End.

Pastor Cleddie Keith

May this day and every day bring with it the blessings of the Lord to you and yours,

Today, I was thinking of The Power of Recall and I thought about Lamentations chapter three, where Jeremiah is going through unspeakable trial and tribulation. Things changed when he writes, “I recall to mind as Jeremiah did these words in chapter 3:
GREAT IS YOUR FAITHFULNESS
THEY ARE NEW EVERY MORNING
IT IS BECAUSE YOUR COMPASSIONS FAIL NOT
THAT WE ARE NOT CONSUMED

Jeremiah said, “I recall this to mind, therefore I have hope”. Then he goes on to say, “The Lord is my portion, says my soul therefore I hope in Him.” Often in my life I have found that the only thing I can do is wait, which is not always a bad thing. “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isa. 40:31).

It is good to remember this, when our soul speaks up, we need to listen. Our soul will line us up with the Word of God.

Have you ever noticed that our brain is not mentioned once in the entire word of God?

However, our mind is mentioned in several Bible verses, 96 different times to be exact.

Paul wrote to the church of Thessalonica these words:

1 Thessalonians 5:14, KJV: “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men”. I think this is an interesting choice of words, in that the word feeble means; It implies faltering, stumbling, fainting. It means to be weak, sickly. I was reading and found this choice bit of information to pass on to you:

During the Passover, when the firstborn sons of Egypt were being killed, the Israelites who had put the blood of a lamb around their doorframes were being healed. Any Israelite who had suffered with a physical ailment was made whole as they ate the meat of the lamb they had slaughtered. They applied the blood, and they partook of the lamb, and it brought healing to them. God simultaneously judged the Egyptians and restored the Israelites. God always has a way of preparing us for the journey that lies ahead of His people.

Jesus taught this: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” Matthew 22:37

Often, I have found it necessary to call to mind Isaiah 26:3, “Thou wilt keep [him] in perfect peace, [whose] mind [is] stayed [on thee]: because he trusts in thee.” When Jesus delivered the demon-possessed man in Gadara, people went out to see Jesus and here is what they found:

“And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.” Mark 5:15 It is in looking at this verse we can understand what it means as we read in the Amplified Bible, Romans 12:1-2, when Paul is writing to the church and says: “Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].”
My soul is singing out loud this morning,

I woke up this morning with my mind stayed on, Jesus, Yes I woke up this morning with my mind stayed on Jesus. And it feels so GOOD TO KEEP YOUR MINDS STAYED ON JESUS, HALELLUJAH, HALELLUJAH, I’M FREE, I’M FREE, I’M FREE.
Once again thank you for your blessings to our lives and to the well being of Heritage Fellowship, it is our pleasure serving and being a part of your lives. You are in my prayers today and on my mind.

His Servant and yours,
Pastor Cleddie Keith

Dearest Friends in Harvest,

The story is told of a fisherman who had a large tank on the side of his fishing boat. It was perforated so that the water of the sea passed right through it. He would put the fish that he caught in this tank to keep them alive and fresh for the market, but he found that after they had been kept in there a few days they lost their firmness and flavor. . Their life in the tank was not their natural life. They did not have to struggle for their food, and they were safe from their enemies. Such a life of ease produces deterioration.

There was another fisherman there who also kept the fish that he caught in a tank on the side of his boat, but he always brought his fish to market in good condition. After his death his daughter told the secret. He always put a catfish in the tank and it kept the fish in fear of their lives all the time and they always had to struggle to keep out of his way. It was like their natural life in the sea. The afflictions and misfortunes which distress the children of God are not all to be explained as chastening for their wrong doings. There may be the catfish in the well placed there by Him who knows all th1ngs to keep them in the best of condition. Those who live in comfort and ease usually never amount to very much for the Lord. God, in choosing man, always selects those who have gone through trials and hardships.
A noted violinmaker went out into the timber to select his own timber for the making of his violin. He always chose the wood from the north side of the tree because he said it was used to the hard beating storms from the north and was tough and would stand more strain. This he said was better suited for violins. Those who have withstood the stormy trials and hardships of life are the ones who are best fitted for His service.

I read one time that the devil brings his brats and leaves them on your door steps but you do not have to take them in and give them a bed, keep them warm from the elements, feed and clothe them and finally adopt them. I had never heard this before but he took it even a step further, temptations are the devils children. The parable of the good shepherds faithfulness to his flock of sheep would be of no consequence if there were no wolf. For that matter the war lines of Philistia and Israel, where the Giant Goliath would come out and offer his challenge, “Give me a man to fight with”, would have never been complete without a shepherd boy that answered his war cry. Remember what David said in response to his arrogance, “THE BATTLE IS THE LORD’S”.

In high school I was interviewed after winning the Golden Gloves welterweight Championship. The reporter asked me what I was thinking when I was in the ring? I told him I was thinking I must hit him more times than he hits me. That is how you win the match, just fight one more round, knowing that the one that fights one more round always wins.
The victorious are always fighting the good fight of faith.

Thank you for your love and blessings as we continue to lift up our eyes to the fields, for they are white unto harvest.

It is HARVEST TIME.

CLEDDIE AND GAYNELL KEITH

Good day to you, my friend; where and when this letter reaches you,

Have you ever thought about revival and how through history the record is that it always rested upon the shoulders of a faithful few. Consider with me the verse found in Isaiah 52:1: “Awake! Put on strength, Oh Zion. For as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.”

Looking back, I can tell you from my experience there has always been a group of believers who have paid or prayed the price for revival. Always remember God works through the church. Let’s start here;

Matthew 5:14-16: “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it
gives light unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify
your Father which is in heaven.”

The church is more than a building; it is a light house. It is the place where God dwells:

Ephesians 2:19-22:
“19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the
saints, and of the household of God;

20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself
being the chief corner stone;

21 In whom all the building fitly framed together grows unto a holy temple in the Lord:

22 In whom ye also are built together for a habitation of God through the Spirit.”
A forgotten destiny is the greatest apostasy. Therefore, knowing the church (the ecclesia), the
family of God is to be redemptive in its nature. Let us never forget our calling and purpose:

Matthew 28:19-20:
“19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I
am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

If you look at the statements concerning the church, you will recognize that the strength of any great church is unity, obedience, faith, and the abiding presence of God. The Holy Spirit stirs people. He convicts the sinners and bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God. It is when each of us feel that we are a part of Zion, that our participation is important, and the church begins to thrive. I believe the church is the most important part of any society. You can consider the consequence of it if it fails. When the church fails souls are lost for eternity.

Jesus loved the church and gave Himself for it; that is how important it is to Him. That is why we say, “We will work while it is yet day for the night comes when no man can work.” Once again thank you for your love for the church family. Your participation is vital, and your faithfulness is more than appreciated. It speaks of God working in and through us to fulfill the great commission.

I believe in you,
Pastor Cleddie Keith

MAY THE BLESSINGS OF THE LORD FIND YOU TODAY AND POUR OUT ON YOU FAVOR AND LOVE,

For several years a verse that has literally chased me down, is found in Exodus 23. Today I felt it necessary to share it with you as God has once again laid this truth on my heart and mind for you. Pay attention to the “I will” and “I am” found in this passage.

God’s Angel to Prepare the Way

20 “See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the
place I have prepared. 21 Pay attention to him and listen to what he says. Do not rebel against him; he
will not forgive your rebellion, since my Name is in him. 22 If you listen carefully to what he says and
do all that I say, I will be an enemy to your enemies and will oppose those who oppose you. 23 My
angel will go ahead of you and bring you into the land of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites,
Hivites and Jebusites, and I will wipe them out. 24 Do not bow down before their gods or worship
them or follow their practices. You must demolish them and break their sacred stones to
pieces. 25 Worship the Lord your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take
away sickness from among you, 26 and none will miscarry or be barren in your land. I will give you a
full life span.

27 “I will send my terror ahead of you and throw into confusion every nation you encounter.
I will make all your enemies turn their backs and run. 28 I will send the hornet ahead of you to
drive the Hivites, Canaanites and Hittites out of your way.29 But I will not drive them out in a single
year, because the land would become desolate and the wild animals too numerous for you. 30
Little by little, I will drive them out before you, until you have increased enough to take
possession of the land.

31 “I will establish your borders from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea, and from the desert
to the Euphrates River.

I will give into your hands the people who live in the land, and you will drive them out before you.32 Do not make a covenant with them or with their gods. 33 Do not let them live in your land or they will cause you to sin against me, because the worship of their gods will certainly be a snare to you.”

This passage reminds me of the communion blessings that are associated with the humbling of our hearts as we partake of the sweet bread of the soul. The parallels are similar, and the blessings are easy to see and understand. When we do as God’s word instruct us, then we reap the benefits of what He has died on the cross for us to receive. This is why I often say that when I receive communion, I have a personal revival which opens the door to the ability to live a devotional lifestyle. You make the difference in the lives of those who benefit from the ministries of HERITAGE FELLOWSHIP.

Your Loving Pastors,
Cleddie and GayNell Keith

Specific Prayer Points:

Job 22:28
You will also decree a thing,
And it will be established for you;
So light will shine on your ways.
James 5:16
...the effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

Wow, what a month! This one will go down in the books.

It is hard to believe that February 2023 has come and gone but the memories will last forever. It was as though God filled our calendar with his agenda. As a result, we are grateful for all that has taken place in Heritage, in the State of Kentucky, across the nation, and around the world. We live for seasons like this. The scripture speaks itself as found in Acts 3:19 (The Living Bible): “Now change your mind and attitude to God and turn to him so he can cleanse away your sins and send you wonderful times of refreshment from the presence of the Lord.”

Repent and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out, that time after time your souls may know the refreshment that comes from the presence of God.”

I have watched as old and young experience this season of refreshing which is sweeping the nation and once again my heart rejoices when God visits his church in such a beautiful manner. In the past I have said when God moves among His people everyone has a story to tell and this is the essence of the Holy Spirit moving among us. Kentucky has been blessed to be the epicenter of what God is doing and it is sweeping colleges and churches in vast numbers.

It all began with one sophomore student who at the end of her public confession of sin, cried out; I NEED GOD. What was a heartfelt plea became the spark that set hearts ablaze in what is called GEN-ZER’S. Don’t you think it wonderful what God can do with the testimony of one individual? It causes one to think of the woman at the well or the cripple at Gate Beautiful, or the young man in John 9, who was born blind. Each one of these powerful stories, are meant to build
our faith and create a passion in our heart for more of God. I look at the story of the man born blind as a good example of a man who had an experience and the scribes and Pharisees having a doctrine but no experience, their rules kept them from seeing Jesus for who He really was. I look at the woman at the well who found what she was looking for and it was Agape love, for that was the first time in literature that women were spoken of with value, it was as though Jesus called her lady. I look at the crippled man at the GATE BEAUTIFUL as an example of mankind at hopes door the temple of God and suffering from his birth with a defect. The greatest birth defect is found in the fact that we are born in sin and shaped in iniquity. “Born with our faces toward Hell”. It is the church that should be the panacea for ills of the community. Jesus demonstrated this for all to see as the lame man went walking and leaping and praising God through the temple
and He is still the remedy, Sin the Cause, Christ the Cure.

We are grateful to all who have for so long prayed for God to heal our land, knowing that He is the Balm of Gilead, moves us to hope for our nation and our children. Like the writer to the book of Hebrews pens in Hebrews 11:16; those that desire a better country, “God is not ashamed to be called their God”. I thought I would leave you with an interesting fact about the Ides of March. It is from Roman history but that is just an expression most would not understand the meaning. What does it mean?

It was a time to settle your debts. He paid a debt He did not owe; I owed a debt I could not pay, I needed someone to help me find my way. This is what happens when we accept Christ as our redeemer. He alone can set us free, for He paid sins debt on Calvary.

Thank you for investing in the lives of all that we are privileged to serve wherever Heritage comes in contact with a hurting world. It is good to welcome our Guatemala “23” Team home. They have been wonderful in their representation of Heritage on the mission field.

Yours for Souls,
Cleddie Keith

Greetings with heart felt prayers for you and your family,

The words to this song we sing in our services is playing in my heart and head this morning - “HE’S NEVER GONNA LET, HE’S NEVER GONNA LET YOU DOWN.” Isn’t it wonderful, knowing no matter what you are going through that our God is there with us regardless of what we are facing? Sometimes we need to be reminded of how good God really is to us, so let me remind you. I will begin with a familiar verse for most of us:

Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, stands in the way of sinners or sits in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Psalm 1:1-3, followed by several other fabulous eye-opening text:

Psalm 32:2
Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord...
COMPUTES NOT INIQUITY. (God has a computer with a delete button)

Psalm 34:8
O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trust in him.

Psalm 40:4
Blessed is that man that makes the Lord his trust, and respects not the proud, nor such as
turn aside to lies.

Psalm 65:4
Blessed is the man whom thou chooses, and causes to approach unto thee, that he may
dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy
temple.

Psalm 84:5
Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee...

Psalm 84:12
O Lord of hosts, blessed is he that trusts in thee.

Psalm 94:12
Blessed is the man whom thou chasten, O Lord, and teaches him out of thy law;

Psalm 112:1
Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that fears the Lord, that delights greatly in his
commandments.

Proverbs 8:34
Blessed is the man that hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my
doors.

Often, I speak of “an open heaven” and it is as though God is allowing Kentucky to experience what I mean when I chose these words. For the past two weeks, millions have watched on social media or personally have gathered in Wilmore, Kentucky, a town of 6 thousand people, to observe what God is doing on the Asbury Campus. Around the clock prayer, worship and the dynamics of a visitation from heaven is taking place there. People have reported being saved, healed and delivered in the sessions. Backsliders by the dozens have been overcome with the reality of their cold hearts toward God and repented publicly of their sin.

We realize that God has been moving in an unusual way in our Fellowship. For the last three years our intercessors have been praying without ceasing for a turn-around in our nation. Our declaration has been:

Isaiah 28:14-18 Amplified Bible

Therefore, hear the word of the Lord, you arrogant men
Who rule this people who are in Jerusalem!
Because you have said, “We have made a covenant with death,
And with Sheol (the place of the dead) we have made an agreement,
When the overwhelming scourge passes by, it will not reach us,
For we have made lies our refuge and we have concealed ourselves in deception.”
Therefore the Lord God says this,
“Listen carefully, I am laying in Zion a Stone, a tested Stone,
A precious Cornerstone for the [secure] foundation, firmly placed.
He who believes [who trusts in, relies on, and adheres to that Stone] will not be
disturbed or give way [in sudden panic].
“I will make justice the measuring line
And righteousness the mason’s level;
Then hail will sweep away the refuge of lies
And waters will flood over the secret [hiding] place.
“Your covenant with death will be annulled,
And your agreement with Sheol (the place of the dead) will not stand;
When the overwhelming scourge passes through,
Then you will become its trampling ground.
God has heard from on high and He is rending the heavens and coming down.

What has happened in the Commonwealth is spreading across America. We have heard the sound of marching in the tops of the Mulberry trees like David of old. This week we are blessed to have Rick Curry back with us on the weekend, to share with us a “look what the Lord has done” story that we have hosted for the last 28 years. We were born into the Kingdom for such a time as this.

Your loving pastor,
Cleddie Keith