Under Pressure...When You Don't Know What To Do

It happens, Christians will make and follow through with decisions that leave them vulnerable to worldly influences.  It is during these times that God will apply pressure with the intent of bringing about repentance and a renewed confidence and contentment with His perfect will.

The only advantage a Christian can employ under pressure and overcome is an unveiled openness before God. The opposite of this is a self-willed, miss-guided heart that ultimately results in a sense of futility in all that we do and become. We impoverish and weaken ourselves all because we will not trust and obey God with ALL our heart.   It is for this reason that God applies pressure in our lives. Unless we experience the pressure of facing every deception about ourselves we will claw to the depths of our hearts before we give the Holy Spirit our consideration.

When a Believer Leans to their own understanding... they are certain to suffer disillusionment.   When we really see ourselves as the Lord sees us, it is not the terribly offensive sins of the flesh which shock us, but the awful nature of the pride of our own hearts opposing Jesus Christ.

If you are faced with the question of whether or not to open, and surrender your heart; then make a determination to go through whatever pressure God has permitted... surrendering all that you have and all that you are to Him. You will take great pleasure in knowing that you are not your alone. Amen.

Sincerely, Dr. Arthur Belanger

Are there present day prophets? How to know the difference between false and true prophets of God

A prophet is someone in whom God speaks to and through. They stand between God and man to proclaim to man God's Word. When the prophet spoke as the mouthpiece, they were inspired and without error. The prophet, though, is not a puppet or a mindless repeater of what they hear. Instead, they retain their own will, mind, and thoughts as they speak of and for God.

God would put His words in their hearts and mouths (Deut. 18:18; Jer. 1:9). A prophet was God's servant (Zech. 1:6) and messenger (2 Chron. 36:15). 

Prophecies fell into three categories: 1. concerning the destiny of Israel, 2. the messianic prophecies, and 3. eschatological prophecies. The term Law and Prophets refers to the canon or inspired writings of the OT which are divided into two categories: 1. The Law is the Pentateuch, known as Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. 2. The Prophets are all the rest of the OT books.

Are there prophets amongst us today? Yes! There are false prophets and God's prophets. False prophets consistently mix foretelling with forth telling. Discerning believers know the difference between the two. Since the completion of God's Word is a reality, there is no need for foretelling. Yet, God continues to call and equip believers toforth tell the Word of God (Acts 13:1,5; 2 Timothy 4:1,2) 

Sincerely, Dr. Arthur Belanger 

God's Plan For Your Life

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing. John 15:4-5

Is the theory of evolution Biblical?

The theory of evolution is a theory that all living things have arisen by a materialistic evolutionary process from a single source, which itself arose from a dead, inanimate world. This theory is also called the molecule-to-man theory.

The Creation model, on the other hand, demonstrates that all basic animal and plant types were brought into existence by acts of a supernatural Creator using special processes which are not in operation today.

The work of Creation By God is the absolute beginning of the temporal and material world.The biblical evidence declares that God created the original heaven and earth from nothing (Genesis 1:1,2), and specifically noted in verse 2 of Genesis. 1, that when it was conceived by God, the mass was without form and void, and without life. The remaining account of Genesis 1 simply explains the process of Creation in detail throughout six literal days. There is simply no implication in the Bible for the gap theory or any theory for that matter. Man and creation did not originate from something that was dead. We were created by the living God. 

The cult of Evolution/Gap theory evolved from the imagination of man and is in direct conflict with the Word of God. It is a manipulated and perpetual attack against the integrity of God's Word. Thank God we have the Bible.T

Sincerely, Dr. Arthur Belanger       

"The Great, Subtle Lie" of Contemplative Spirituality

http://www.christian-mommies.com/special-features/bible-studies/the-great-subtle-lie-of-contemplative-spirituality/

Daily Devotional: Calling on God for Help

It happens, Christians fall, fail, and falter. When these things become a pattern in our lives, its time to start over. The wonderful thing about God's grace is the assurance that we can start afresh. God is ready to help. The danger in not recognizing one's need to start over often results in greater complicity with vain pursuits and the diminishing of discernment.

The Christian life is possessed with a perpetual state of needing help. Asking God to help will always be desirable when the heart has an understanding of the grace of God. Christians who are growing fervently and faithfully in and by the grace of God are aware of God's dependability. There is nothing more obvious about God than His faithfulness. A Christian will never be an imposition to God. Yet, many Believers feel very unsure and uncomfortable in asking Christ for help.  It is this thinking that is the number one reason why believers inflict themselves with unnecessary  problems... it is rooted in unbelief.  Very dangerous!

It is an absolute fact that each of us will experience the bitter sting of desperation? Desperation literally means to: suffer unbearable anxiety and despair. Sometimes, our lives will experience, even require a major disruption in order to fix our attention firmly on the Lord. Never disregard your moments of desperation as obstacles. They are tools in the hand of our Master. Though sometimes painful, these times can become our most life-altering moments, depending on how we respond.

Take a moment to be still before God. Meditate on the person of Jesus and His friendship. Thank God, that He is forever with you.. Although we may not realize it, moments of desperation reveals what we truly think about Christ. God wants you to be comfortable with asking Him for help (Hebrews 4:16). The longer you wait to ask, the weightier your burdens will become. Asking God for help is not impossible. If you will not ask God for help, you will find yourself becoming impossible. Yes, it will likely cost you much to ask God for help; if you don't, it will cost you the most. Remember, the day you stop asking God for help is the day you start asking for trouble.
Starting over must begin with a determination to identify with Jesus Christ as His disciple. There is no other way to be stripped of the blinding effect of self-interest. We are not here for self-realization, but to know Jesus Christ as God's only means for life that makes living so meaningful. Amen!
Sincerely Dr. Arthur Belanger              

Christians Serving God...

The deception that many of us ignore or are ignorant of is the tendency of measuring our devotion to God through our service for God.  True devotion to Christ is compelled by who Christ is and not merely demands to serve.  Devotion to God is a direct result or outcome of God's faithfulness and graciousness to us  (2 Corinthians 5:14a). 

It is quite possible to serve God without devotion to Him(Matthew 5:8).   However, it is impossible to be devoted to God and not serve him (Joshua 24:15).

If you are a believer attempting to walk in the likeness Christ, you can be sure that the Holy Spirit will be assertive within your spirit when confronted with a situation or decision that would take you outside the will of God. Because it all boils down to a life of unreserved dependence upon Christ.

Many Christians are very discouraged because they lack a sense of  accomplishment or success in their service for Christ.  Success as a goal is a cruel slave master masquerading in a deep rooted  and subtle display of pride.   There is only one thing a Christian can succeed in... Faith in God (Hebrews 11:6).  Faith in God acknowledges the faithfulness of the living God.  Success is a finite  treasure. 

A biblical devotion is always instigated and nurtured  by the grace of God and is an infinite treasure of eternal value.  God's grace is the standard of service that becomes the statement of our service and life.

Sincerely Dr. Arthur Belanger 

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 1 John 2:15-17

The Truth, The Life, The Way

Let what God puts in your heart be what you do. Listen to the Lord and you shall walk in peace and light forever. He will guide everything in total divine perfection and grace. Trust in Him alone and you will have "the peace which passeth all understanding". God's love shall always be with you on the Path of Life in Jesus Christ...the Truth, the Life and the Way.

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6

The Love of God

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:28-39

King James Version (KJV)

What it means to love one another with God's love

Tonight, I had an experience that really tested what was in my heart. It was just another example of the new heart that God has put within me and how he truly has changed me, how He changes us when we accept Him into our hearts and belong to Him.


My boyfriend Ram and I decided to try out a new restaurant tonight on the beach near my house. When we arrived, the person at the front, who appeared to be the manager, came up to us. We motioned where we would like to be seated and he swiftly and somewhat rudely turned us aside to the opposite side of the restaurant. It seemed very strange to me and I could feel something wrong with his action but was not able to quite put my finger on just what was going on. 


Our service throughout the meal was very good as was the food and the view of the ocean. It was a wonderful night together as we shared our food and thoughts. However, toward the end of the meal, or the perceived end of the meal on the part of the manager, we were told we would need to leave soon. We were brought the check earlier than is normal during a meal. The manager himself came over twice to see if we had paid the bill yet, on the second occasion telling us that there was a reservation for the table and we needed to leave. (This did not seem to be the kind of restaurant that would even take reservations.) We were rushed and could not even relax during the remainder of the meal. We finally paid the bill and just got up and left.


At first I did not realize what was going on, but as we walked away from the restaurant I began to understand. It dawned on me that he did not like us and that there was a feeling of racism very present each time we had an encounter with this man. I had never been in a situation like this before so at first I was not sure how to react. My initial feelings were of surprise, shock and anger. We were already down the street at the time when we decided we needed to say something to the manager. Ram walked back to the restaurant and I waited and watched nearby. We were there quite a while and no one came to sit at the table we had been made to leave. In fact, another couple was seated in the original area we had wanted to sit in, but were made clear we were not allowed to sit in. 


Sitting there watching them talk, I had a peace come over me and began to sing songs in praise of God. Often, singing can be a most sacred prayer for me. God had taken away any anger I felt at the situation and replaced it with peace and love. In my heart, God spoke of the need to pray for this man. There was nothing to be angry at. He was simply a lost soul, someone who does not, at present, know the love of our Lord. When Ram returned, we prayed together for this man, filled with only God's love in our hearts. 


When we have God's love in us, we love one another. We love people because He loves us and loves them and His love so fills our hearts. 


I am learning what it really means to be a servant of Jesus Christ, what it really means to be a Christian and to walk with the Lord. It is so completely different than the experience of being in the world. To know God and to be filled with His Love is to be renewed, transformed and completely changed. Before belonging to Christ, one is lost, hopeless. foolish and ignorant to the truth of Life. Although, one does not always realize this until being saved, until being held in the arms of Christ. We are His children and He loves us with an unwavering, unmoving, unshakeable and unconditional Love. Nothing in the world will ever fill us or complete us but Him. He is all we've ever needed. His Love endures through all things, strengthens us and wakes us up spiritually to the Truth of Life and all the beauty He has intended for us to have. 


We must pray for our enemies (or those who are ignorant, foolish, wicked, souls lost in darkness, souls without the love of God in them). We must love our neighbors. Through God's eyes, we see the truth. With love, we overcome all. For God has overcome the world. He has saved us and we shall pray that others will be filled with God's love as well. 


And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. Mark 12:29-31 KJV

Sin, Repentance and Forgiveness - God's Love

We all commit sins. It's a part of being human. It is important to remember that even if we make a mistake and commit a sin that we know God still loves us. He will not leave us. We are His, we belong to Him in Christ Jesus forever.
It can be easy to get caught up in guilt for that sin. Sincerely repent and ask God's forgiveness and His help with whatever you are dealing with. God loves you and always will. 
He gave His life for us to redeem us to Himself. He did this to cover all our sins with His purity and love and we are forgiven for everything. We have salvation in the Lord. 
This does not mean however that because God has forgiven us that we should go out and willfully sin, for that is against the Lord and is like driving another nail into Him on the cross that He died on for us. 
What it does mean is when we fall, He is there with us, carrying us, never ever letting us go. Remember that. You are never alone. God is with you.

~ Hebrews 10:16-23 “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God;Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)” (KJV) ~ To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. Acts 10:43 KJV ~ Psalm 86:5 “For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.” (KJV) ~ Psalm 55:2 “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.” (KJV) ~ Ephesians 1:7 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” (KJV)

Verse of the Day

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:16-17 KJV