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

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

"I am the resurrection and the life, he who believes in me, even if he dies, will live." - Jesus

Ground Zero For Humanity... Christ Crucified... Humanities Only Hope.

The Gospel is not the gospel of men, but the gospel of God. By it, the revealed truth of God's love is manifested and judgment on sin is sure and the certain defeat of death and the devil. There is nothing in time or eternity more certain than what Jesus Christ accomplished on the Cross. 

The cross is ground zero for humanity and eternity. God the Father made redemption through the blood of His only Begotten Son the foundation by which we stand reconciled unto HIM.  There is no hope for anyone apart from the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the pressing issue between God and humanity.

There is only one position in which we are right with God, and that is in Christ Jesus by virtue of is atoning work at the cross. He came to this world to destroy the work of Satan and the power of sin. Sin is a matter of reality that breads the lie that we are sufficient in ourselves. It is the very fact of sin that explains why Christ came to this world; and sin is the explicit cause of all sorrow and death.  Yet, it is in Jesus Christ only that death, sin and Satan are defeated. 

The heart of reality is the Cross of Jesus Christ. It is not the baptism of the Holy Spirit that changes people, but the power of the gospel of Christ. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is not an experience separate from Christ; it is the evidence of Christ in you. We must be careful not to substitute the Cross of Christ for causes. Beware, lest your preferences persuades your doctrinal belief and shipwrecks your devotion to Christ and His Cross. Amen!

Sincerely, Dr. Arthur Belanger

A Prayer straight from the Heart

Lord, high and holy, meek and lowly, Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision, where I live in the depths but see Thee in the heights; hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold Thy glory.

Let me learn by paradox that the way down is the way up, that to be low is to be high, that the broken heart is the healed heart, that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit, that the repenting soul is the victorious soul, that to have nothing is to possess all, that to bear the cross is to wear the crown, that to give is to receive, that the valley is the place of vision.

Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from deepest wells, and the deeper the wells the brighter Thy stars shine; let me find Thy light in my darkness, Thy life in my death, Thy joy in my sorrow, Thy grace in my sin, Thy riches in my poverty, Thy glory in my valley.

Loving you always in Him, Aaron Tabor, MD

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       

A Short Note...

And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. Mark 13:13 I've been dealing with the topic of persecution recently as it has come up a couple times recently in my life. It's been a huge lesson for me. As Christians, we are all persecuted in some way because the world truly does hate Jesus Christ and unfortunately not all will be with Him. My heart aches for them and I pray for them, but it is all in God's hands and His perfect Love. All we can do is trust in Him alone and do what He asks of us and never keep quiet in the face of darkness. We must not be afraid to share His Truth always! I thank God everyday for saving my life and all the lives of my brothers and sisters in Christ. We all must endure to the end and live for His Glory alone.

"The Great, Subtle Lie" of Contemplative Spirituality

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

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. 1 John 4:18

Making the Right Choice: The Battle of Wills

It is not unusual for Christians to resist God's known will over their own will.  The apostle Paul spoke very directly about this matter in his epistle to the Believers in Galatia (Galatians 5:17).  

Discerning and choosing to obey God's will begins with an understanding that  Bible is not a catalog of multiple options. The Bible is God's provision for direction that is moved by eternal values. Yet, so many believers feel very uncertain.  Many feel this way because they are nurtured by circumstances that leave them suspect of God's leading. The only  choice God demands of us is to trust Him. All other pursuits will rob us of a tenacious desire to obey God.

The clear evidence that a Believer is led by the Holy Spirit will be evidenced by a decisive act of trust characterized by pure obedience to the will of God based on sound knowledge of God's Word.

The highway of reality is the Bible. The Holy Spirit will never direct us contrary to the Word of God. Thus the fundamental concern for the believer is to understand the Word of God as the only means for direction. The Bible is the only resolve that instills a pure ambition for the glory of God. Hiding God's Word in our hearts is the only way to be discerning of God's direction and purpose.

Sincerely Dr. Arthur Belanger