Thank You Lord! Praise the Lord!

http://www.onlinechristiansongs.com/2010/08/thank-you-lord-lyrics-don-meon.html

The Truth about Halloween

http://www.av1611.org/halloween.html

Our Hope is in the Lord, Maker of Heaven and Earth

The Way of Jesus Christ

Christian Economics:

If we, as the Body of Christ, live this way, as demonstrated in the Bible, God's Holy Word, there will be no need among us, as God's ways will be fulfilled. 

Acts 2:44-45; Acts 4:32-35

And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles 'feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAxuGpO8uWU

Revelation Song ~ Phillips Craig and Dean

http://www.onlinechristiansongs.com/2010/08/revelation-song-phillips-craig-dean.html

http://www.onlinechristiansongs.com/2011/09/jesus-you-are-way-jeremy-camp-lyrics.html

Thank You Lord

For all you've done in my life
You took my darkness and gave me your light
Thank you Lord,Thank you Lord

You took my sin and my shame,
You took my sickness and healed all my pain

Thank you Lord,Thank you Lord

With a greatful heart, with a song of praise
with an outstreched arm, I will bless your name

Thank you Lord,I just want to thank you Lord

http://www.onlinechristiansongs.com/2012/07/thank-you-lord-by-don-moen.html

Does God choose who goes to Heaven?

The term predestinate in the context of salvation literally means: knowing who to choose or own before the beneficiary's decision will be made in agreement with the call to salvation. God who is omniscient already knew in eternity past who would respond in agreement with His offer of eternal life through Christ Jesus by faith (Ephesians 1:3,12).

God had predetermined that salvation would be by grace through faith in Christ crucified alone. Thus, all are afforded the opportunity to be saved (Titus 2:11). God never predestined that people would go to hell (2 Peter 3:9). As a matter of fact, hell was purposefully and exclusively prepared for Satan and his angels (Matthew 25:41). While it is both true and tragic that people are going to hell... they do so at their own choosing. God has purposed that people would be born to be born again (1 Timothy 2:4). This required God's offer of salvation and man's responsibility to receive God's gift of eternal life by faith. God will never save anyone without their consent (John 1:12).

Predestination has to do with more than just going to heaven. God has predestined that all who would believe on the Lord Jesus Christ would be conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). It is to every Christians advantage to grow in the likeness of Christ. Life eternal & internal do not exist apart from Christ (John 15:1,5). The biblical perspective of God's work of predestination unto salvation is that God achieved it for us so that we can freely choose to receive it by faith (Ephesians 2:8,9).

Sincerely, Dr. Arthur Belanger

Does the Bible have errors or is it inerrant?

Dear Dr. Belanger, Does the Bible contain errors, contradictions, or discrepancies? The reason I ask is that the church I attend uses various translations of the Bible and it is confusing and leaves me wondering if the Bible contains errors. Thanks for any assistance in this matter. God bless you. Ronald B, Toronto, Canada.

The answer is NO!

Yes, there are difficult passages, and there are verses that appear to contradict each other. We must remember that the Bible was written by approximately 40 different authors over a period of around 1500 years. Thus, we will approach some differences. But a difference is not a contradiction or an error. Even if we do not have a sufficient answer now, that does not mean the answer is not there. Many have found a supposed error in the Bible in relation to history or geography only to find out that the Bible is correct once further archaeological evidence is discovered.

The Devil's ultimate desire is to bring doubt to the reliability of God's Word by a provocative ongoing effort to mandate and produce multiple translations that are supposedly easier to understand? At best, modern translations breeds more questions about God's Word than it does faith in God's Word.

The unsuspecting Christian, having been manipulated to believe that they cannot understand nor appreciate the "old archaic" King James Bible is seduced to purchase the modern English Bible and unknowingly gravitate themselves to a representation of God's Word verses the revelation, inspiration, and preservation of the Bible. Modern English translations may be easier to read but they are not easier to understand. A Christian can only understand God's Word by the direct influence of the Holy Spirit (John 16:13).

Christians who understand the importance of depending on the Holy Spirit for illumination of God's Word are assured we have the infallible preservation of God's Word. In no possible way is the preserved Word of God inferior to the original. God never intended for that to happen (Psalm 119:89).

The King James Bible is God's provision of His revelation perfectly preserved for an English speaking world that is increasingly becoming universal in these last days. Unlike the many modern English translations... The King James Bible is NOT a representation of God's Word... It is the revelation of God's inspired Word by virtue of preservation. God did not preserve the original manuscripts... He did, however, preserve the origin of His Word to this very day.

The seduction of our day for toleration of equality between Bible translations has incapacitated the effectiveness of many New Testament Churches. Many do not believe it necessary to embrace a Bible that carries heaven's exclusive claim to the English-speaking and listening world. The result is an ambition of ideology over theology which spells tragedy.

With all that being said: Make no mistake about it... the Bible has NO mistakes.

Sincerely, Dr. Arthur Belanger

Loving Others and Loving God

³⁴ Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
³⁵ For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
³⁶ Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
³⁷ Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
³⁸ When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
³⁹ Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
⁴⁰ And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. KJV Matthew 25:34-40


So, Jesus is saying here that what we do unto others, we are truly doing to Him, our Father, who loves us with a love beyond anything we've known before. It is an endless love, totally selfless and unconditional. So, how do we want to treat our Father in Heaven? Do we want to love, serve and obey Him with all our hearts, minds and souls? How we love people is how we are loving Him, right now. So, how can we better love others? There are endless ways in which to love. Sometimes it is just being there for someone to lend an ear to listen. Sometimes it is by praying for them. What about the people who have less than we do? The ones who have no family to care for them, or who have no home to live in? We can feed and clothe them and share with them all that God has given to us. We can freely love them, unconditionally, with all our hearts. There are so many avenues to serve in and so many different kinds of ministries. God has blessed us all with gifts given to us solely for the purpose of sharing them with others. What are your gifts? The gift of teaching? Counseling? Music? Healing? Whatever your gifts may be, don't be afraid to use them or allow them to collect dust, for they were only given to us to be given away to others. There are countless numbers of needy people in this world. We can't go out alone and help all of them, but we can each help those whom God places in our lives, and in that way, we all truly are our brothers' and sisters' keepers. This is what God wants us to do after all, to do His Will and share His Love. The greatest way to share His Love is to share His Gospel of Truth and Grace with others, that they may be made free in the Lord as well. However God chooses to accomplish that in your life is a beautiful and divine gift. God bless you all my brothers and sisters in Christ. 

36Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38This is the first and great commandment. 39And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. KJV Matthew 22:36-40

My Beloved daughter . . .
You need never be afraid to stand up and do what is right, My child. I will always go ahead of you and prepare the way. I rescued Daniel from the mouth of the lions and delivered David from the hands of his enemies. Can you trust that I am strong enough to handle any situation? I truly want what is best for you. Take courage and walk in My strength, not your own. Face every situation head-on—armed with the sword of the Spirit, the belt of truth, the armor of righteousness, and the shield of faith. You never need to turn your back and run—I will empower you and protect you. Just stand firm and pray and you
Will find the strength and passion to Stand!
Sheri Rose Shepherd ~~~~~Jennifer

What’s Right with KJV-Onlyism?

By David W. Daniels

A friend just showed me the website of a Christian minister who has begun speaking out against “KJV Onlyism.” Wait a second. God wrote only one Book. So what’s the problem with me trusting and submitting to that one Book, God’s preserved words in my language, the King James Bible? Why did they decide to name-call and label our simple trust in God’s words “KJV-Onlyism?” You’ll understand in a bit.

Anything But-ism

Have you ever tried to get these guys to state what they do believe? It’s harder than it looks. Try asking them this: “If not the KJV, what Bible do you accept as your absolute authority? What words will you submit to?”

They may hem and haw about the “Original Greek and Hebrew” (which nobody has) or say “I like so-and-so version.” But nail them down. Or at least, try to. What you’ll find is they have no absolute authority. So they’ll accept almost any Bible—anything but the King James!

The problem for these guys is that if they willingly submit to what God actually said, they cannot “squirm out” of any of His commands or teachings that they don’t like. They don’t have that problem with modern Catholic and so-called “text-critical” Bibles. These give lots of “wiggle room” for Bible disbelievers to feel comfortable in their sin. If they don’t like one version, they’ll switch to another one that allows them their “personal preferences.”

Loophole Bibles

One popular “preference” these days is homosexuality. From 1984-2010 the NIV claimed “homosexual offenders” would not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9). This left a huge loophole. Many homosexuals claimed, “I’m gay, but I’m not an ‘offender,’ so that verse doesn’t apply to me.”

The Message Bible is even worse, saying their sin is reduced to being “all lust, no love” in Romans 1:27. And it turns a clear list of gay behavior and nine other specific sins in 1 Timothy 1:9-10 into this mishmash: “…riding roughshod over God, life, sex, truth, whatever!” (The Holy Ghost does not convict people for the sin of “whatever!”)

Many assume they have the right to lie. There are 20 Bibles on the market that grant them permission, by omitting a single word in John 7:8. As a caller claimed on a Christian radio show, “It’s okay for me to lie, because Jesus lied to His brothers!” (See Look What’s Missing, Chapter 1.)

God’s Words Only

By contrast, the King James Bible has been proved (tested and approved) for over 400 years. God has used these words powerfully to convict the hearts of millions of believers. As He said to Jeremiah:

“Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?” (Jeremiah 23:29)

Every word of scripture is inspired and profitable (2 Timothy 3:16-17). And I can be sure of what God said, what it means, and how I must behave, because I have the scripture clearly written in English, the King James Bible.

“KJV-Only” simply means “God’s Words Only.” We trust it as our only written, absolute standard for faith and behavior. All the “Anything But-ists” seem to trust is their personal preferences, which can (and do) change from Bible version to Bible version. You can take your pick.

Just remember that one day we’ll have to give account to God for whichever we choose (Romans 14:12).

Forgetfulness

One of the most prevalent issues God has with His children is their forgetfulness.  The Bible is littered with the forgetfulness of God's people.   The primary reason we are forgetful  is the plague of  our own desires and how competitive they are with the prompting of the Holy Spirit.  

Often, our desires are met with difficulties and pressure that tempt us to say:  I can handle this.  If I sense that I'm losing control,  I'll just quit.  I won't let it get out of control.   The problem with such thinking is that in the erosive grip of our vain desires, the heart is increasingly desensitized to the precious memories of God's gracefulness.   A desensitized heart cannot sense the deception and increasing danger of forgetfulness.  Note 2 Peter 1:9... But he that lacketh these things (referring to verse 8 of God's goodness) is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hathforgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

Forgetfulness can be dangerous, whether it is intentional or an oversight.  The Israelites littered their history with forgetfulness as they allowed themselves to be seduced by the allurements of the world.  The more we allow ourselves to be tempted with the pleasures of this world or allow ourselves to be intimidated by the pressures of life;  we become less inclined to remember the goodness of God. 

How could Israel turn from God and worship idols after God blessed them repeatedly?  Ultimately, Israel took God for granted.  As we observe the Israelites,  we should ask ourselves... do we allow God's blessings to nurture a spirit of gratitude that draws us to greater transparency with Him... or do we allow the deception of self-sufficiency cultivate a pattern of forgetfulness?

The only advantage a Christian can employ under pressure and avoid falling victim to the danger of forgetfulness is an unveiled openness before God. The opposite of this is a self-willed, ill-guided heart that ultimately forgets the source of blessings that lead us to a sense of futility in all that we do and become. We impoverish and weaken ourselves all because we will not remember or habitually meditate on God's goodness. 

Fortunately,  God does not forget us.  It is for this reason that God applies pressure in our lives that stirs remembrance of His graciousness.   If you are faced with the question of whether or not to yield your heart to the indwelling Holy Spirit;  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 forgotten. Amen.

Sincerely Dr. Arthur Belanger 

You say...God says...

God is love

1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

19 We love him, because he first loved us.

20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

King James Version: 1 John Chapter 4

Seven Things A Christian Loses In Sin... What Are They?

 The Lord deals with sinners and Christians differently in the context of sin.  First.  God deals with sinners judicially.  Secondly, God deals with Christians parentally.  God chastens His rebellious children by using consequential principles to the point of their repentance. King David is a classic example and the parable of the prodigal son also demonstrates God's work in the life of His redeemed children in a parental context.

One of the truly great and far reaching blessings of salvation is God's dealings with the subject of sin.  The repenting sinner is immediately and eternally saved from the penalty of sin, provided with victory over the power of sin, and guaranteed final removal from the presence of sin in the future.  But what happens when the Christian neglects to use the accessible and available power and falls into sin?  How does God view sin in the life of His child?

1. The evidence of sin.  God views even His own children, those who have been washed in the blood of the Lamb of God as not without sin (1 John 1:8-10).

2. The effect of sin.  The child of God immediately loses the following six things upon sinning. A seventh may be lost.

• The loss of light  - A Christian's perspective is dulled due to a pre-occupation for survival or a vain pursuit for self significance.  1 John 1:6
• The loss of joy - A Christian becomes discouraged due to believing a lie. 1 John 1:4.
• The loss of peace - This is when a Believer often feels lonely and vulnerable.  1 John 3:4-10.
• The loss of fellowship (not relationship).  The Believer's fellowship with God, and perhaps with other Christians is broken.  Complaining becomes the norm. 1 John 1:3-7.
• The loss of love for God, Church, etc.  The Believer at this point is in serious trouble.  They become vulneralbe to the seductive wiles of the devil. 1 John 4:12.
• The possible loss of health and even physical life - 1 Corinthians 5:17.

3. The preventiveness against sin.

• The Word of God - Psalm 119:11; 2 Timothy 3:16,17.
• The Intercession of the Son of God and The Spirit of God - Romans 8:34.
• The ministry of  the Holy Spirit - John 7:37-39; 14:26.

The relationship one is privileged to have with Jesus Christ is deeper than any relationship the human mind has ever or could ever realize.   Salvation by God's grace; gifts the Christian with the mind of Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit which is both personal and perpetual.   One of the most important aspects of God's grace is the gift of inseparability (Romans 8:38,39). This is why the thought or possibility of a true Christian continuing in sin is unscriptural (Romans 6:1,2).   As a believer, 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.

If you are truly saved, there will be characteristics that will assure you of your salvation...  (Read More >>>)

Sincerely, 
Dr. Arthur Belanger      

Are You Spiritually Grateful? Take The Contentment Test

No one is immune to temptation. Even committed Christians can become spiritually prideful, arrogant, and self assured, leading to discontentment. Often the more intimate our fellowship with the Lord, the quieter and more discreet the temptation is. Jesus knows perfectly how crafty and sly our enemy is. Our Savior is always in initiative mode as our Shepherd providing us with spiritual discernment. Discerning Christians know that a discontent believer is just one thought a way from backsliding (Learn more about the clues to backsliding: Click Here)

Are You Spiritually Grateful? Take The Contentment Test

Answer each question with a yes or no and keep a count of how many "no's" you have.

1. Do you fear that if you totally surrendered to God, you will have to give up a certain habit?

2. Do you hide your religion under pressure?

3. Is there anything you want to change about the way you look that originated with God's creation of you?

4. Are you inwardly jealous when someone you know gets something you cannot afford?

5. Do you often dream of having things you never expect to be able to get?

6. Have you complained about your means of transportation recently?

7. Have you complained about your clothes this week?

8. Do you complain about the weather occasionally?

9. Do you think that you could finally be happy if you had just a little more of...?

10. Do you worry about who will take care of your physical needs?

11. Have you complained about your income recently?

12. Have you bought anything on credit this month that you will not be able to pay when the bill comes in?

Give yourself one point for each question that you could honestly answer with a NO. 

1-6 points: You are very discontent and probably unhappy and un-spiritual. This Spells Trouble for you via decisions you are or will make.

7-9 points: You have much to learn about contentment.

10-11 points: You are fairly content but God has more for you.

12 points: What you have, you have by the grace of God; do not be proud.

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Hebrews 13:5

Sincerely Dr. Arthur Belanger