I Have Never Seen the Righteous Forsaken

He Will Not Forsake His Saints

 [1] Of David.

37:1 Fret not yourself because of evildoers;
be not envious of wrongdoers!
2 For they will soon fade like the grass
and wither like the green herb.

3 Trust in the Lord, and do good;
dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. [2]
4 Delight yourself in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

5 Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act.
6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,
and your justice as the noonday.

7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;
fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way,
over the man who carries out evil devices!

8 Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath!
Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.
9 For the evildoers shall be cut off,
but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.

10 In just a little while, the wicked will be no more;
though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there.
11 But the meek shall inherit the land
and delight themselves in abundant peace.

12 The wicked plots against the righteous
and gnashes his teeth at him,
13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
for he sees that his day is coming.

14 The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows
to bring down the poor and needy,
to slay those whose way is upright;
15 their sword shall enter their own heart,
and their bows shall be broken.

16 Better is the little that the righteous has
than the abundance of many wicked.
17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken,
but the Lord upholds the righteous.

18 The Lord knows the days of the blameless,
and their heritage will remain forever;
19 they are not put to shame in evil times;
in the days of famine they have abundance.

20 But the wicked will perish;
the enemies of the Lord are like the glory of the pastures;
they vanish—like smoke they vanish away.

21 The wicked borrows but does not pay back,
but the righteous is generous and gives;
22 for those blessed by the Lord [3] shall inherit the land,
but those cursed by him shall be cut off.

23 The steps of a man are established by the Lord,
when he delights in his way;
24 though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong,
for the Lord upholds his hand.

25 I have been young, and now am old,
yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
or his children begging for bread.
26 He is ever lending generously,
and his children become a blessing.

27 Turn away from evil and do good;
so shall you dwell forever.
28 For the Lord loves justice;
he will not forsake his saints.
They are preserved forever,
but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.
29 The righteous shall inherit the land
and dwell upon it forever.

30 The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom,
and his tongue speaks justice.
31 The law of his God is in his heart;
his steps do not slip.

32 The wicked watches for the righteous
and seeks to put him to death.
33 The Lord will not abandon him to his power
or let him be condemned when he is brought to trial.

34 Wait for the Lord and keep his way,
and he will exalt you to inherit the land;
you will look on when the wicked are cut off.

35 I have seen a wicked, ruthless man,
spreading himself like a green laurel tree. [4]
36 But he passed away, [5] and behold, he was no more;
though I sought him, he could not be found.

37 Mark the blameless and behold the upright,
for there is a future for the man of peace.
38 But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed;
the future of the wicked shall be cut off.

39 The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord;
he is their stronghold in the time of trouble.
40 The Lord helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.

WORDS of WISDOM

When 'Helping' Is Hurting
Whoever says to the guilty, 'You are innocent,' others will curse... (Proverbs 24:24 NIV)
Ever lied to protect the reputation of someone you love? Or covered up for them? Or rushed in to 'help' without being asked? We're not talking about acts of compassion where help is genuinely needed, we're talking about 'enabling,' which is a destructive kind of helping. It's natural to want to protect a loved one from the painful consequences of their actions. But by letting them off the hook you end up feeling angry and victimized because you did something you didn't want to do; something that wasn't your responsibility.
The Bible says it's a mistake to say to the guilty, 'You are innocent.' By continually rescuing them you lengthen the valley they must go through in order to come out whole on the other side. Paul said, '… Wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?' (Romans 7:24 NIV). Sometimes people have to reach the 'wretched' stage before they acknowledge their need, just like the prodigal hit bottom before he got serious about his sin problem. And his father let it happen. It's called tough love for a reason! 'When [the prodigal son] came to his senses, he said '…here I am starving to death! I will… go back to my father and say… I have sinned''' (Luke 15:17-18 NIV). By crossing the line between caring and caretaking, you hurt the person you're trying to help by implying they can't handle the truth or learn their lesson. So back off, and place your loved one into God's hands. He loves them even more than you do. (~The Vine, Bob Gass)





What's Your Dream? (Part 1)
He dreamed still another dream... (Genesis 37:9 NKJV)
When it comes to dreams, Joseph teaches us two important principles:
1) Keep your dream alive! The story's told of a couple who loved mushrooms and bought several pounds of them from a roadside vendor. They made mushroom omelettes, mushroom salad, mushroom soup, and even concocted a mushroom dessert. Their cat gobbled up the leftover mushrooms. Later the lady went into her kitchen and found the cat lying on the floor, gasping for breath. She immediately phoned the vet who said they'd probably gotten some poisoned toadstools and advised they go to the hospital. After having their stomachs pumped the couple came home expecting to see their cat lying lifeless on the floor. Instead the cat was in the corner with a brand new litter of kittens. What they thought were death pains were just birth pains! When it seems that your dream is gasping its last breath, keep believing God; you're closer to giving birth than you've ever been.
2) Dream again, only bigger! Joseph dreamed a second dream, an even bigger one! '"… This time, the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me…' (Genesis 37:9 NKJV). If you've abandoned your dream because of discouragement, rise up and reclaim it. If you've already fulfilled it, ask God for a bigger one. You say, 'But the challenge looks too big for me.' It's not too big for God, you'll never out-dream Him. In His Word He asks, 'Is anything too hard for the Lord?…' (Genesis 18:14). You may die with your dream on the drawing board or under construction or left to be completed by another, but you must seek God and dream again! (~The Vine, Bob Gass)

What's Your Dream? (Part 2)
The butler and the baker of the king... had a dream... (Genesis 40:5 NKJV)
When you have a dream:
1) You must cultivate the companionship of other dreamers. By interpreting the dreams of the butler and the baker, Joseph was introduced to Pharaoh, who also had a dream, one that changed Joseph's life. So build relationships with people who also have a dream, who strengthen your faith and shape you into the right person. '… Iron sharpens iron… so a man sharpens… his friend' (Proverbs 27:17 NKJV).
2) You must be both forgetful and fruitful. Your willingness to forgive and forget sets you free from the past; your willingness to try something new opens the door to the future. '…Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,' (Philippians 3:13 NKJV). 'Forgetting' and 'reaching' call for sequential action: forget, then reach! What you refuse to get over, you'll live under. What you refuse to forget, you'll drag like a ball and chain through life. 'But I've tried to forget and I can't.' God will help you! 'Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: 'For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father's house.' And the name of the second he called Ephraim: '…For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction,' (Genesis 41:51-52 NKJV). Note the words 'God has caused.' God can help you to get over it and move on. 'Does that mean I won't be able to recall the event?' No, that's amnesia. It means you won't want to recall it. God will give you the ability to reframe it, glean wisdom, and become successful because of it. (~The Vine, Bob Gass)

WHO’s Bad

 

 

I surely want everyday I live to be B. A. D.

 
 

While shopping   at a local Wal-Mart, a woman spotted a man with an acronym on his shirt that had
B.A.D.  Being the person that she was (curious), she stopped the man and asked, "What does
B.A.D. Stand for?"   And trust me; you'll be amazed at what his response was. He replied
B.A.D. stands for: "Blessed And Delivered".   That thought stuck with her as she finished doing her shopping that day. So she came up with a little advice for you today.  

1. When the enemy tries to attack you, be
B.A.D.    
2.. When things don't seem to be going right on your job, be
B.A.D.  
3. When things are not looking good in your marriage, be
B.A.D.    
4. When folks scandalize your name, just be
B.A.D. 

 
 

Get with somebody who you know that you can be
B.A.D. With!!!  

May God Bless You And Have A
B.A.D.  Day!  

Any person that can kneel before God can stand before anything.  

IT WOULD BE GREAT IF YOU SHARED THIS WITH PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE THAT YOU WANT TO HAVE A B. A. D. DAY!!!!

WELL, WELL, WELL

Matthew 25:14-30 (New International Version)

The Parable of the Talents

 ²³"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant!

 

Well done my good and faithful servant is one of those bible verses that have always stood out to me.

As a silly kid always joking around and getting a laugh out of everything, I can remember when I first heard that verse. The first thing came to my mind was STEAK.

I was thinking why make a bible verse just to show us how the Lord likes his steak. Then my smile turned to a frown when I was told no

It's not steak that he wants well done. IT'S HIS SERVANTS. I was baffled,,, thinking He wants us well done,,& this is the same God that took

Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego from the fiery furnace!!! LOL

 

After reading the Parable of the Talents and some pondering on the word I came to the conclusion that he really does want us well done. Not well done in a sense of being cook but he wants our inner works and thoughts to reflect what our outer appearance shows.

I did a little cooking at a sports bar as a younger man and one of our specialities was steak. I knew absolutely nothing about steak at the time other than how to eat it with some rice gravy and cornbread. But, after a few disgruntled customers and a talk in the back office I got it together real fast. One thing I quickly learned is that a steak can look nice and ready on the outside but you cut into it and find that it is no more cooked than when it came out of the package. The only thing now is it has a little seasoning. HMMMM! This reminds me of some Christians today. We have to examine ourselves and ask AM I seasoned or sure.

You see at the sports bar I found that everyone likes his or her steak cooked a certain way, but the father we serve specified, well done.

When the Lord looks at our life and examines use from inside out what will he find?

 

Seasoned or Sure; Just like meat when its cooked can easily give a cooked appearance depending on the temperature its being cooked at and the seasoning.

Most times its not until it is really cut or bite into you can actually tell if its done.

You see its very easy to talk the Christian talk and walk the Christian walk but when the doors are closed lights are off and bible is put down are you still well done or just medium rare.

You know brown on the outside hot and red on the inside but red and pink in the center. Even though medium rare is almost medium well and medium well is almost well done

It's still just almost, and it was specified WELL DONE MY GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT when the order was placed.

 

Matthew 25:14-30 (New International Version)

The Parable of the Talents

 ¹⁴"Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. ¹⁵To one he gave five talents^[a] of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. ¹⁶The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. ¹⁷So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. ¹⁸But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.

 ¹⁹"After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. ²⁰The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.'

 ²¹"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

 ²²"The man with the two talents also came. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.'

 ²³"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

 ²⁴"Then the man who had received the one talent came. 'Master,' he said, 'I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. ²⁵So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.'

 ²⁶"His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? ²⁷Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.

 ²⁸" 'Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. ²⁹For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. ³⁰And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

 

Just like the three men in the parable. Its not what you have been giving that matters but what but what you do with it that counts.

In the end when the Lord opens the book of life we want him to be able to say WELL Done my good and faithful servant. Through thick and thin you have served me and followed my commandments.

No X-ray machine or MRI can look and see what our father sees. A surgeon can cut as deep was they want but only our Father in heaven can Look and say well done.

 

BE Blesses! Deacon J Jones

The Perfect Storm

Matthew 8:23-27 (New International Version)

Jesus Calms the Storm

 ²³Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. ²⁴Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. ²⁵The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!"

 ²⁶He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

 ²⁷The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!"

 

The Lord says if I call will you answer?

If I say Move will you move?

When I say stand will you stand?

 

One clear blue sunny day a vessel sets out on a charted journey. The crew has all supplies needed for the trip onboard. The weather has been verified and it looks like smooth sailing. As the ship gets a few miles out, the bright blue sunny sky begins to look cloudy and grey. Soon those grey skies are echoed by the sounds of thunder and with the sun hidden the only light that can be seen is the continuous stretch of lighting that illuminates the sky. It appears that the plans of the captain and crew may be slightly altered by an unexpected storm. Pretty soon the crew begins to worry and get a little tense asking the captain if he thinks they should turn around and head back. The captain ask the crew member if he has double checked to make sure they have everything they need in case the weather gets more intense. With a strange look, the crew member answers yes but still wondering why the captain has not answered him about turning back and seems to be dead set on continuing this journey.

Filled with fear and anger the crew member goes to his cabin on board and pulls out a small transmitter radio, desperate to get a signal he tries over and over but he cannot hear anyone and it appears no one can hear him. He runs back up on the deck too access the weather only to see that the waves are bigger the storm has grown stronger and it feels as if the boat will capsize at any moment. Every emotion in his body seemed to rush to his head as he stormed back up to where the captain was, asking him what is your problem? Can you not see what you are leading us into? Have you not taking the time to see that this storm can kill us and wipe this boat off the map! Once again the Captain replied 'have you checked to make sure we have all we need. Filled with anger, fury and fear the young crew member began to cry. With compassion and love the Captain let go of the wheel and wrapped his arms around the young man. He asked him, who am I?

Eyes filled with tears the young man gazed up and said what do you mean? Once again the Captain asked who am I? The crew member said you are the captain. The Captain asked how long have I been in charge of this vessel. The young man said well as long as I can remember. The captain asked him,,, is this the first storm I have guided you through a storm or a rough patch? Taking a deep breath and catching his composure the young man said no captain we have been though many storms together. Being as I am the captain of this vessel and everything on it including you is my responsibility, do you think I would lead you into a storm or on a path not knowing how get to our destination in one piece?

You see son before we left you had it all planed out. The weather was nice, water was calm and everything was fine. But I knew about this small rough spot that we would hit. But because I knew we could make it I decided not to go around it but rather through it. It would have been easy for me to re-alter the route but sometimes I just have to see what my crew is made of. I had to see if you trust me and my judgement enough to stand your ground hold up the fort and let me do my job, I mean I am the captain right?

 

Just as the captain finished his statement the sun began to shine rain ceased and waters laid flat. The young man began to cry again feeling foolish for doubting his father who was also his Captain. The Captain told him it was alright and he was not upset at him for his emotion getting the best of him but he wanted him to be mindful that he only has the best interest for him and just wanted him to trust his judgement in the rocky times as well as the good.

 

Just as the Captain in the story we have a Captain in our lives that we have to trust no matter how big the storm may be. No matter what the situation looks like we have to be mindful that he knows what's best for use even when it doesn't seem to make sense. Our father in Heaven loves us. He created us in his own image. So if you really and truly trust him why would you doubt that he would give you a promise only to destroy you. People of God we really have to learn to TRUST STAND Have Faith & Believe.

 

Trust In His WORD

Stand On His Promises

Have Faith and be unmoved

Believe that he will because he can

THERE is no Such Thing as a Perfect Storm Only a Perfect GOD

 

 

 

 

WEAPONS OF WAR

• Prayer
• The Word of God
• Fasting
• Walking in obedience and consecration
• Walking in love, repentance and forgiveness
• Casting out unclean spirits
• Walking in fellowship
• Walking in agreement
• Walking in humility
• Walking in submission
• Holy communion
• Anointing with oil
• Praise and thanksgiving
• Positive confession and guarding the tongue
• Generous giving to the work in the body of Christ
• The name of Jesus
• Faith
• Hardwork
• Persistence
• Planning

Facing the Giants

1 Samuel 17:4-38 (New International Version)
4 A champion named Goliath who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. He was over nine feet [a] tall. 5 He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels [b] ; 6 on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. 7 His spear shaft was like a weaver's rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. [c] His shield bearer went ahead of him.
It’s funny that even now in our lives we come face to face with GIANTS. For some of us this occurs on a daily basis. How we stand up to these giants is key!



Ask yourself how exactly do I face the GIANTS in my life……..
Sometimes things in life can simply just tower us, beat us down, and bully our spirit Just as the Giant did in the passage.



Example: When situations arise in life that bully the faith that we have and make us second guess the promises of God. Situations look way bigger than they are.
When I searched the word Giants I found a few different definitions for Giant but the one that stood out the most for me was ... a giant is a mythical figure of superhuman size and strength…..When we break down the word mythical we get the word MYTH which is fiction, fantasy, or tall-tale. Which means when we come face to face with giants in our life they should be merely mythical as well. My father in the faith has thought us that “Truth will change Fact” meaning: Yes: my bills don’t look like they will be met this month and my faith is being challenge, but I will not let the fact that I see my account compared to my bills lead me to believe there is no way out & waver my faith. I will not let this giant in my life bully me. Because I have access to THE way out and to him what I see has nothing to do with the power he can perform on my behalf, as long as I trust in him and keep my faith in him. He has the power to make what is wrong right and what we are facing crumble before our feet.
Back to passage…..

8 Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, "Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us." 10 Then the Philistine said, "This day I defy the ranks of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other." 11 On hearing the Philistine's words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.
When the enemy calls you to the frontline what will you do? Do you stand your ground or about face & flee? “FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH” All fights we face are not & defiantly don’t have to be carried out in the physical. On a Christian level it is a Spiritual fight we face. ARE you prepared?



“ Often times we have watched a fight from the side line, explaining how & what we would do if that had been us, but when get in a fight of our own we get weak, tired, weary ,fearful and full of doubt. Do not be moved by the size of your enemy. Do not let him catch you off guard and if happens to and sweeps you off your feet, get back up dust yourself off and go back at it with him. Remember the word MYTH and the GIANTS? Yeah most problems are just all talk and if we feed in to it then we are already defeated before a punch is even thrown.
We have to be powerful Christians not Powerless Christians:
Even though the Word of God says that: "God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power..." [2Tm:1:7] - Most Christians are ignorant of this - and of those that do recognize the truth of this - most haven't any idea HOW to access or use the power.


Consequently the are unable to gain the victory over debt - disease - depression - divorce - addictions - lack - pain - oppression - sickness or any of the other devices that the devil throws their way. AKA GIANTS
Keys to Facing the Giants-
1. Can’t be Fearful but be Fearless…… afraid often suggests weakness or cowardice and regularly implies inhibition of action or utterance
No matter what the situation looks like, the pain it has bought or is trying to bring, the strife or grieve you are feeling, u have to stand fearless and look it in the eye declaring 2 Timothy 1:7: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind”
Isaiah 41:10 (New International Version)
10 So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Psalm 56:11 (New International Version)
11 in God I trust; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?



So don’t be fearful be brave
1. Speak up-I was studying bullies and how to deal with them. And in some cases if not most you can get a bully to back down by simply speaking up. Standing up for yourself letting him or her know that you are not going to take it anymore. For us Christian we have to speak life over our situations. When we are mad at someone or somebody and they push the right buttons we can get real loud and out of line, but when ol Satan comes with his tricks and games we get quiet. We forget the power and might we walk in and what God we serve and who is on our side. Sometimes we sit and won’t say a thing while he terrorizes our life. It’s like he holds us hostage while he goes and digs thru our property,,,,,[2Cor:2:14] Now thanks be unto God, which ALWAYS causes us to triumph in Christ..." like the song says,,,sometimes all we have to do is simply SAY the Name, ’JESUS’, we have to stop letting the enemy hold us hostage, we have the power…..



2. Have faith in a faithful God
Deuteronomy 32:4
He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.
Matthew 17:20 (New International Version)
20He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you
With that being said, if we can move the mountian, why cant we move depression, lack, bitterness, stirife or any other GIANT out the way!!!
Romans 1:17 (New International Version)
17For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last,[a] just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith.
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance ------ steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., esp. in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.
Theology. continuance in a state of grace to the end, leading to eternal salvation.




3. Last but not least, in order to take down a giant we have to brandish our weapons,,,we Christians have a right to bear arms but yet we conceal our weapons like its illegal,,,
We walk around with the word hidden. We only pray in private or at night before bed. We sing and Praise on Saturday at practice, Sunday at church or in the shower. But, when we get sneak attacked we wonder how it happened.
I don’t know about anyone here but I would not dare run up on anyone with a cocked and loaded weapon that was visible ….now if I don’t know u are packing then it might be a different story. But because we hide our power and the power that we walk in, it makes it very difficult to use it once the enemy has attacked.
Think about it, if I have been watching you & planning my attack, as the enemy does all the time, and I see u haven’t pulled your weapon out to clean it make sure it’s working right or even pop off a few shots and I know u keep it in your night stand or cd player in the car or maybe you stash your weapon at the church house and can only get to it on Sundays, when I attack how easy would it be for you to get to it????????



But if we stay suited in the armour all the time then the enemy will never have a chance to catch us off guard. That doesn’t mean he won’t attack because he still will try to penetrate our armour somehow but it won’t be as easy. We have to walk around like the people in the army. Lol, I use to get mad and say man they don’t have to wear that dang suit everywhere they just showing off,,,,,,but even so, with that showing off I know they have been thru some form of training and have some type of combat skill so really they just letting u know don’t mess with them. Sorta like saying Hey this is who I roll with and what I represent, lol.


Ephesians 6:11-13 (New International Version)
11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.


Luke 10:19 (New International Version)
19I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you