Watchman: Billy Blankenship--ud. 5/24/2010

   In the terms of which the word "forsaken" is normally used, it is most always a sad situation or circumstance. The American Heritage Dictionary, tells us that: Forsaken means: To give up-to renounce-to leave altogether-to desert-abandon-to object to-or reject.  

    Although our message will be leading in a different direction, I might add importantly, the same meaning applies to our sins when we ask God to forgive them. We should renounce-leave altogether-desert-abandon-and reject, our past and future sins.

   The forsaking of sin is not the purpose of this message at all. But the actual trials and tests we, and others have gone through in life. I trust that by the time you have finished reading this message you will have been encouraged, and, perhaps more compassionate to those "forsaken".  For we will off-times find ourselves in the same situation in our own Christian walk with Christ. May our hearts be softened, as we read of others who have had the misfortune of being "forsaken" in life. Let us now look into the Blessed Word of God, to see if we can find any such examples within it's pages.

     One of the greatest hurts that a Christian, (or non-Christian) can have, is the hurt of "being forsaken"! I will attempt in this simple message, to bring out the various ways that a person can be forsaken, and the results. There are so many things that we seem able to accomplish in life when our friends and brethren are standing with us, and, while our family is by our side. But many times this is not the case, and, like the beloved Apostle Paul, we feel forsaken-stranded-and alone.

     It sometimes seems difficult for me, to think of this wonderful man of God who is spending himself unselfishly and sometimes under extremely difficult conditions, to have brethren that he loved, to just leave him in the midst of his Ministry and labors for the Lord. It was obvious why Demas left Paul-"he loved this present world"! Like so many of the Ministers, and,  ministries today, they have left the Lord for the love of this present world, and it's fleeting riches. Men who once preached the true riches of Christ, are now preaching for: "TRUE RICHES FOR THEMSELVES"!

     In order to twist the scriptures, and take out of context the true meaning of God's Word, these "Wolves in sheep's clothing", will go to any length, to deceive God's people. Let us look just a little into the heart of Paul, to see IF he had great riches.

     Paul had left his coat at Troas with Carpus. Why? Perhaps Carpus had no coat at the time, and Paul being the man of God he was, would rather Carpus have the coat than himself. I am sure if Paul "had great riches", he could have bought another coat somewhere, rather than have Carpus return it. Paul always "preferred his brother" ahead of himself.

     Dear friend, no matter who has forsaken you in life, you can truthfully say like the apostle Paul: THE LORD STOOD WITH ME!   Jesus left us with these great words of encouragement, I will NEVER leave thee nor forsake thee. NEVER!!!

     What a promise! Does that mean He will be with us in the times when we are forsaken by men,  and sometimes our own brethren? Yes, a thousand time yes! There have been various times in my own personal life, when I have been forsaken! By friends-loved ones-brethren-and even ministers of the gospel, but in all instances I have found in these 41  years I have been serving the Lord, (many times very poorly I am afraid) I have found that: He has never-ever-forsaken me-not even once! We serve a wonderful Savior, and though tears may come at night, there will be joy in the morning.

     Although we think it is no big deal to be forsaken by the world, it still hurts big time when forsaken by a friend, (especially a brother or sister in the Lord.) As the Lord entered into the greatest trial of His life, we have these chilling and heartbreaking words that tell us somewhat, of how He must have felt while facing the Cross.

     Many times  poor Old Peter gets all the blame, and, although he did deny knowing the Lord, the Bible tells us that THEY ALL FORSOOK HIM, AND FLED. They were ALL guilty of forsaking the Lord! By leaving the Lord and running, they too were denying (forsaking) the Lord.

     Have you ever been in a situation, where you thought you could count on certain friends- while having a problem perhaps, or, where you thought you needed the support of others? Then, just when you needed them the most,  they were no where around, or, they decide they didn't want to get involved. There was no one there to help you! Forsaken! A terrible feeling, I have been there a few times in my life.

     These are not "fun times" to be sure. It has been said: That a man may go through many trials-fight the devil for months-bear up under the many onslaughts of Satan, but just one word of criticism-ridicule-a lie perhaps from a brother or sister in the Church, and a man may crumble. He trusted his brother! For he knew that his brother-his friend-would not forsake him or do him any harm! Then he falls-crushed and wounded-not knowing what steps to take-for the Lord will not let him retaliate.

     Only the God of Heaven, knows of all the children that have been abandoned and (forsaken) by their parents! Untold millions! As you see the love and compassion of even the animals, how they fight and care for their own-you wonder what has happened to the human race! I have mentioned this story many  times in the past, but it bears repeating. I watched on TV, the real live drama taking place-where a cat had been in a burning house, and the mother cat brought out two of her kittens. But there were more kittens in the house, so she dashed back into the house to find another kitten.

     People watched in amazement, as the mother cat realized, (there was still yet one more baby kitten) in the burning house. Her hair already smoking from the heat, she quickly charged back into the house for the third time, for the other baby must be rescued! She dashed through the burning house, and finding her last baby kitten,  ran out of the house while she was literally on fire!  She had lost her ears! They had been  burned off in the last attempt to find her baby kitten. But her baby was safe! Forsake her babies because of a fire? NEVER!!

     While people watched "mama cat" on television, her fame went out all across America for such heroism. The heroism of a MOTHER CAT to save her young!

     Is it true, that there is more compassion in the heart of an animal, than a human being for their offspring? I watched just this night on Television, while a man stood by his wife who was giving birth to their child in the hospital. He made this statement: "We love our baby to much to keep it-we will just give it to someone who cannot have a baby, or, give it up for adoption". What "great love" this Dad and Mom had for their offspring! They had less love than the mother cat, who sacrificed her life for her last baby kitten! They said they didn't even want to see the baby! Is this the reason we ABORT nearly five  thousand babies a day in America?

     Heaven will not be short of babies! FOR AMERICA ALONE, HAS SENT UP CLOSE TO FIFTY  MILLION BABIES IN THE LAST FEW YEARS.. GOD HELP AMERICA!

     I was "forty one days old" when my biological mother gave me away! She did give me to my Grandmother, but I have often thought growing up as a child, "what did I do that was so bad at forty one days old, that she would give me away"? She could have at least attempted to raise me for a while, for she later had another baby girl. But she gave my sister away also! (I might add, that my Dad had been killed one month before I was born.) Being forsaken by parents, is a terrible crime on the children. From time to time, there may be extenuating circumstances that would merit such a thing, but not often.

     My precious grandmother raised me-fed-clothed-and sent me through grade school, on a $13.00 a month ADC check (For the both of us!) When I graduated to High School, we received a whopping $21.00 a month. But I was never forsaken! There was enough love given me by my Grandmother,  to last for a life time. No electricity-no running water-no indoor plumbing-and little to eat most of the time. If it had not been for a good neighbor, I would have went hungry many nights.

     True fatherhood, involves a father being in the home, training and loving his children, in the context of a committed marriage relationship.  In the 2006 issue of Centers for Disease Control,  40% of U.S. births occur out of wedlock. The U.S also has the  second highest divorce rate in the  world!  Before many of these children reach age 18, they have already spent much of their life away from their father. 

     Due to the  abondment of many of the Boys, those that wound up in prison, refused to send even a "fathers day" card home,  due to the hatred of their father.   Also, when men shirk their responsibility, and  fail to provide for their families, they cause untold suffering on their families.  Fathers not only provide, but they also protect their famiy.  A wife or child, feels secure when Dad is around, for they are sure of his protection.

     Dads also teach!  That is their responsibility, especially with boys.  Boys, look up to a father figure, and respect his judgement, (even if they don't always take his advice).  Dr William Pollock, a Harvard Psychologist and auther of "Real boys", says, divorce is difficult for children of both sexes, but it devastating for boys.  They need the discipline and training, of how to be a man. He also said, that with troubled boys, the common theme is distant, uncaring, and uninvolved  fathers.   Any of you lazy Dad's listening out there today?

      Children can handle, and accept most any situation, "if they know that they are loved". My Grand Mother, would literally have died for me if necessary. Today, it seems nothing at all to just walk off and leave their  "offspring", like a puppy beside the road,  or forsake them altogether, if it will help us accomplish their  selfish wants and responsibilities. It may be another woman-a bottle of whiskey-what ever it is that will keep us from doing our God given responsibilities. One thing that never seems to be (forsaken) is: THE BOTTLE!

     I have seen men give away the food they have in the house for the family, for a bottle of whiskey! The Apostle Paul stated:

     What a scathing accusation from the beloved apostle. I have known of Ministers who have forsaken their families, to marry another brothers wife, and continue to preach the gospel! At the same time, make no attempt to provide for the first family they had started. One man who once preached the gospel, angrily told me, having forsook his beautiful wife and daughters for a MAN, "You don't know my heart"! "I am still a Christian, and only God is my judge." I said: "young man, you are bound for hell, unless you repent, and both you and your (man friend) will spend eternity together, and you can rest assured of that". I feel led to add this bit of advice: Those of you reading this message, and are living in adultery, may say that you can not live without one another! Well, you will have your wish! Unless you repent, (you both) will be in Hell together, for eternity. IS IT WORTH IT?

     We are told in the Bible,  that God will forgive any sin, with the exception of "blasphemy" (speaking in a derogatory manner, or, attributing the works of the Holy Spirit to the Devil) against the Holy Spirit-which will never be forgiven in this world or the world to come. Too the many Dad's that have deserted (forsaken) their families, (for what ever reason), after reading Paul's accusation on desertion, and non providing for the family, I believe,  this must take place in the life of the one asking for forgiveness of his sins, if he wants to serve God. Again, this my thinking, but I believe it to be true.

     Then, there is also the being "forsaken" by your own children! How many Mom's and Dad's, long to see their children and their grandchildren, but for whatever the excuse they seldom if ever see them? Mom's and Dad's that have spent most of their good years, trying to provide all the necessities of life for their children, many times do not get as much as a phone call, or, a birthday card. Most parents, at least the godly ones, never want finance or some tangible object from their children. Just a phone call, or letter can do wonders for the uplifting of the spirits, and showing the appreciation of a job done to the best of their ability to raise their children.

     Most of the time  when the children fail to contact their parents, the parents also lose out on the joy of seeing and holding their grandchildren. It might not be a big thing to the children, but to the grandparents it is a very beautiful gesture of love and concern by the children. When this never happens, they feel "forsaken" and rightly so. Being forsaken, or abandoned-rejected-is not a small thing.

     Even Jesus cried out: MY God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Psalms 22:1

     Many Mothers and Fathers today, are "filed away" in some rest home, because of the lack of concern, and love. Out of sight-out of mind! Although there are circumstances in which this may have to be done, it most often happens because of lack of love and compassion for the parent. I believe that God is watching personally, when parents are set aside (forsaken) like an animal, and when no care or love is provided when it is possible to do so.

     You may go to some rest homes, and the parents that are there, have not seen their children for many months, if that often. The only one to give a kind word are the "workers" at the homes. They sit there lonely, dejected-forsaken-by the very ones that they have given their labor of love too over the past many years. Let us show compassion for our Elders, for if we live, some times "what goes around, comes around" the old saying goes.

     Whither it is from our family-friends-or brethren-being "forsaken" is a hurtful, and sometimes heart wrenching thing. A "truck driving friend" of mine, once told me on his lunch hour: "Bill, my wife has just left me after 19 years of marriage, for another woman"! Forsaken after 19 years of marriage! This man was devastated, and I can understand why. Jesus cried out: My God, my God, WHY? WHY have you forsaken me? WHY have you rejected-WHY have you abandoned me-WHY? Many things had happened to Jesus. He had been falsely accused-lied on-spat on-beaten, deserted by (His friends) crucified, but His cry was to the Father: WHY have "you" forsaken me?

     Many times in our lives, we may be forsaken. We will never know the reason WHY in most cases. God may hide the reason WHY! As I close, let me add one thing. How many of us have "forsaken" the Lord, in our many obligations in life? Do we "forsake" the reading of His Word each day? Have we "forsaken" our prayer life, our time with Him? Have we "forsaken" our time of fellowship and intimacy with Him? Are we even trying to reach others  those that are lonely and (forsaken) with the gospel, the story of Jesus? If Jesus the Son of God, longed for fellowship from His Father, how much more for the human race for the fellowship.

     These are perilous times, and we see America being abandoned -(forsaken) by nearly every country in the world, with the exception of Brittan. Many preachers today, have "forsaken" the Word of God from the Pulpits, as they try and have "user friendly services".

     The Holy Spirit,  is many times replaced by "hype-and feel good messages, that neither save or help the sinner, or Saint"! No warnings from the pulpit, of the imminent danger from "all sort of enemies" from without, and within. Powerful prayers services, have been replaced by worthless church programs, that satisfy the "parishioners" but neither God or the Holy Spirit is pleased. Entertainment, is high on the list of church programs today, disguised as "worship services"!

     Our neighborhoods are "forsaken", from the Godly concerns of Christians today looking for the lost sheep, while expending every effort to sell some product for the "church" so called. Working for Jesus they are told! All the while, the people are told that Jesus could come back "at any second" to take them to heaven, while they have been "laboring" for the Lord. Do you know of ONE church in your neighborhood, that is trying the bible method of going into the "Highways and Hedges, and compelling them to come to the house of God? Do you know of even ONE church, that is going into the neighborhoods and just "asking" them about their soul, and inviting them to church?

     We are told many times by the Pastor, to "Not forsake the assembling of our selves together". while we "forsake"  sometimes the entire neighborhood, or town  in which we live! We always need to remember, that if "people wanted to come to your church, they would have already been there"! They won't know that you really care for them, unless you go into "the highways and hedges (neighborhood) where they are". Then and only then will they believe, that you care for them. You will have shown it by your love-your concern-they will not feel forsaken, for they will believe that your church (and you personally) really do care about them.

     Take the time today to pray for your Pastor, and your neighborhood. The forsaking of reaching our neighborhoods is a terrible sin, and don't think it isn't!   Dear one, we do not have much longer to do anything for the Lord. America is in a terrible spiritual-wicked-backslidden-God hating position today, she needs a warning from the people of God.

     Our neighborhoods need more than a "hot meal" delivered to their door. They need to hear from the Church, in a special concerned and passionate way today, that there is a Hell, and, that it will be forever hot, and, if they are not born again they will forever stay there! Will you today pray for God's leading in your life? Let us not FORSAKE our duties. If you are not a Christian, please ask God to forgive you of your sins, and come into your heart . Do it today. Please check out our newest message: "ANOTHER WARNING FROM GOD" -under the "favorites section" of this web site. May God bless you in your effort to serve Him.

Brother Bill

If there is any spiritual matter that you are concerned with, please write us at the address below.

Southland Global Missions
P.O. Box, 598
Matewan, WV. 25678

Email address:  hopeforamerica@yahoo.com

Email address: globaloutreach2@msn.com

Web Site: http://www.sigm.net/

Check out:   http://70.87.66.50/~watchman/poems/Closethebook.html