MY 1000TH BLOG “I’VE NEVER SEEN THE RIGHTEOUS FORSAKEN”

As this is my 1000th blog, I said to Margaret “what should I write about today for this important (number) blog”. Immediately she quoted a  verse from a Psalm to me, which is also a favourite of mine, and her suggestion really witnessed to my spirit.

In the late 1950″s and early 1960″s one of the highlights of our year for us was the BEULAH HEIGHTS CHRISTMAS CAMP, sponsored by Richmond Temple Melbourne our home church. The church would invite top preachers from the U.S, and the U.K. to come and minister the Word of God, plus they would also invite a well known Gospel singer (one year was Andre Crouch) but the singer I am thinking of was an African American called Arche Dennis who sang a song entitled “I’ve never seen the righteous forsaken”. This is what I want to write about today.

taken from Psalm 37:25 KJV I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

N.L.T. Once I was young, and now I am old. yet I have never seen the godly abandoned,
Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging bread.

MESSAGE I once was young, now I’m a graybeard—not once have I seen an abandoned believer, or his kids out roaming the streets.

I CAN STAND WITH KING DAVID AND DECLARE THIS IS MY TESTIMONY TOO.

I also want to echo with King David Psalm 52:1 KJV that not only in the past and in the present but in the future the goodness of God ENDURETH CONTINUALLY, and 1John 1:9 AMP.N.T. He is faithful and just (TRUE TO HIS OWN NATURE AND PROMISES)

I guess everything I mention here today you will find somewhere in the previous 999 blogs, I want to highlight the awesome blessings the Lord has given me over these past almost 70 years since I became a Christian..

Paul wrote to his spiritual son Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:13 NLT If we are unfaithful,
HE REMAINS FAITHFUL, for He cannot deny Himself. I have never publicly backslidden, but in the early years I was not always faithful, but thank God HE’S ALWAYS BEEN FAITHFUL TO ME.

I THANK GOD FOR:

MY SALVATION

I have mentioned many times and will sure again speak of the day I was “translated out of the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of His dear son” Col. 2:13 KJV. A day I will never forget

THE HOLY SPIRIT LEADING ME INTO TRUTH

I was saved in a church that did not practice the Sacraments of Baptism (by immersion) or Holy Communion, I thank God for these sacraments.

THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT

I thank God for the 2 ladies for sharing with me the truth of Acts 2:4 that the Believer can still receive this experience and be introduced to the Gifts of the Holy Spirit including having a prayer language.

THE SPIRIT FILLED/SURRENDERED LIFE

This is a ongoing developing truth to me and the hunger to live this way 24/7

THE CALL INTO MINISTRY

As a 14 year old I sure had no idea when in my heart I heard the Lord say “Come follow me” where it would take me.  this has included:

• Pastoral Ministry
• Teaching ministry
• Bible College Ministry
• Discipleship & Mentoring Ministry
• Missions Ministry
• Teaching and preaching in at least 25 different nations
• Blogging simple encouraging messages
• Intercession
• This list can go on and on, as the Lord has opened door after door of opportunity and ministry for me.
• I thank God for a Godly, loving supportive wife who has walked with me personally and totally supported and encouraged my ministry and constantly encouraged me to press into God and be open to the holy Spirit’s leading, as well as to ever increasing understanding of the Word of God, and refusing “to throw the baby out with the dirty bathwater.

I thank God for our 2 sons and their wives who are loving and serving God with all their hearts, and for our 5 grandchildren who also doing well in every way.

So, what does the future hold, I sure don’t know, BUT I KNOW WHO HOLDS THE FUTURE. I am very aware of the aging process going on in my body, and am so glad the Lord has given me fresh ministry opportunities to replace much of my public ministry, and I sure want these to be anointed even more and touch more and more people for the Kingdom of God and as always TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY.

I want to conclude this blog with words of a favourite song:

I shall not fear though darkened clouds may gather round me;
The God I serve is one who cares and understands;
Although the storms I face would threaten to confound me,
Of this I am assured: I’m in His hands.

I’m in His hands, I’m in His hands

whate’er the future holds I’m in His hands

The days I cannot see, have all been planned for me

His way is best you see, I’m in His hands.

What though I cannot know the way that lies before me,
I still can trust and freely follow His commands;
My faith is firm since He it is who watches o’er me;
Of this I’m confident: I’m in His hands.

In days gone by my Lord has always proved sufficient,
When I have yielded to the law of love’s demands;
Why should I doubt that He would evermore be present
To make His will my own? I’m in His hands!

I TRUST MY TESTIMONY IS A BLESSING TO YOU.