Last in this life can mean first in the next. This is why nice guys finish last, in this world!

And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.
Luke 13:30

Mirror. Good to see you too!

Luck? You know I don't believe in luck!

Hi Laura! Fancy meeting you here!

Thanks. Nice to meet you!

You too Patsfan!

Hello beautiful!

Thank you SKPCG. Now what could that that possible stand for?

Thanks Ladywolf!

OK, I admit, I am not exactly new. I mean I am sort of new, just not brand new.

I have been hanging around the forums for a few weeks now, reading and or viewing from a distance. Most of the time I post in the Christian Singles forum.

But I would like to begin to get to know some other people. Just because I am a follower of Jesus doesn’t mean that I do not desire and require friendship with those that may not share my same beliefs.

While yes, I am a firm believer in the word of God, specifically the bible, that doesn’t mean that I intentionally separate myself form those who don’t. I am a real person. I love all kinds of people and I won’t try to push you into believing exactly the way I do.

I have been many places in my life. Being a believer does not in any way make me better than anyone else. But I can say that through this journey I have gained a considerable amount of wisdom, so please do not be offended if I should offer my opinions from a biblical perspective.

So what am I saying? I am saying that I, as a person, need and desire interaction just as much as the next guy. It gets kind of lonely taking a stand for righteousness. It takes a lot more courage these days to stand up and say that I believe in God than it does to deny that.

Friends are becoming harder and harder to find in this world, and friends are what I seek. And a friend is what I aim to be. So, having said all that, feel free drop me a line and maybe tell me a little about yourself. Thanks.

Michael

Healing Thoughts

I love it when research and science begin to catch up to God.

The bible is very clear on the fact that our thought life plays a huge role in how are bodies respond. The renewing of our minds by the word of God is one of the key principles to living a successful Christian life.

Recently, by recommendation, I purchased a copy of the book, Who Switched Off My Brain”, by Dr. Caroline Leaf. http://www.drleaf.net/osc/


“Since 1981, Dr. Caroline Leaf has researched the human brain with particular emphasis on unlocking its vast untapped potential.

She has been received all over the world by a variety of audiences due to her unique ability to link the scientific principles of the brain to intellectual and emotional issues in a simple and practical way”

The above text shown in green is a direct quote taken from Dr. Leaf’s website. A link to her site is provided above. For the remainder of this blog, all text shown in green was also taken from said site.

As I discovered in her book, Dr. Leaf is also a professing believer in Jesus Christ and links several of her findings directly to certain passages contained within the bible. Not surpisingly, much of the vast amount of her research has led her right back to what God has been trying to speak to us all along.

“87% to 95% of the illnesses that plague us today are a direct result of our thought life. What we think about affects us physically and emotionally. It's an epidemic of toxic emotions.”


"The average person has over 30,000 thoughts a day. Through an uncontrolled thought life, we create the conditions for illness; we make ourselves sick! Research shows that fear, all on its own, triggers more than 1,400 known physical and chemical responses and activates more than 30 different hormones. There are INTELLECTUAL and MEDICAL reasons to FORGIVE! Toxic waste generated by toxic thoughts causes the following illnesses: diabetes, cancer, asthma, skin problems and allergies to name just a few. Consciously control your thought life and start to detox your brain!”


She goes on to say:

How many "could-have", "would-have", "should-have" statements have you made today?

How many "if onlys" were part of your inner vocabulary today?

How many times have you replayed in your head a conversation or situation that pained you, or one that hasn't even occurred yet?

How many scenarios have you created of the unpredictable future?

How much is speculation taking out of your day?

How passive is your mind?

How honest are you with yourself?

Are you at cross-purposes with yourself - going through the motions, but not really committed to the goal, saying one thing but meaning another?

How distorted is your thinking? Are you forming a personal identity around for example, a disease? Do you speak about "my arthritis", "my multiple sclerosis", "my heart problem"?

Do you ever make comments like "nothing ever goes right for me"; "everything I touch fails"; "I always mess up"?


The book gets pretty in depth about how our brains function, and to be quite honest, I need to read it again, a little slower this time, to be able to better understand. But it blessed me greatly by being able to relate her findings to some of my own favorite scriptures and it only helped me to solidify that which I already knew to be true.

For example, at one point in the book she begins to talk about how discoveries have been made that prove that your heart actually plays a role in your thinking. Or better said, your heart has a brain. Your heart is in constant communication with your brain and can often send instructions to your brain, which is command central. Imagine that! Our hearts have a brain!


For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
Proverbs 23:7

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12

She also speaks of how our brains are like this huge pharmacy and that our thoughts actually provoke our brain to release and administer certain chemicals and electro-currents or whatever to different parts of our bodies.

That’s one of the very reasons why negative thoughts can wreak such havoc if allowed to just run wild. Likewise however, thinking the right thoughts, God thoughts, has the opposite effect and correct thinking will actually cause your brain to send whatever your body needs to be healed.

I find that very, very interesting.

I also recently learned that most of the drugs that are administered for pain don’t actually in and of themselves remove the pain. Like morphine for example. Morphine supposedly does absolutely nothing for pain, yet morphine communicates with your brain and causes it to release endorphins. So it is actually your own brain that gives your body what it needs to be pain free.

In yet another study, it has been proven that a portion of our brain is actually voice activated. What? Voice activated? Is this saying that the words that we speak can actually administer life and or death? Yep, that’s what this is saying.

A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Proverbs 18:20-21

I could go on and on from this point as many of you know that I am big proponent of the power of words. But instead I want to make one final but ever so important point.

Notice above how she asks the question, “How honest are you with yourself”. Are you man or woman of your word? Do you tell a lot of little white lies? Do you keep appointments? Do you say what you mean and mean what you say? Can you be counted on to follow through with what you speak?

I know I am asking myself those very questions and certainly taking note more often of when I fail. I am attempting and have made it my goal to be a man of my word. I think I am pretty reliable in that area now. More so to others though than to myself.

And here’s why that’s important:

Your body responds not only to the way you think, but also to the words you speak. If you are someone that tells lies and doesn’t honor your own words, then your body really isn’t going to believe the things you say. Over a period of time your body will eventually even begin to ignore you, after all, rarely does anything you say actually prove true. Or rarely do you actually follow through with the words you say.

But, if you are a man or woman of integrity, and you do keep your word, then when you speak to your body in the name of Jesus, and command sickness to leave, then your body will stand up, pay attention, and take heed, because it believes that what you say will actually come to pass!


For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
Mark 11:23-24

Now that’s powerful. I don’t know if that lights your fire fire or not. It does mine. If your fire isn’t lit after grasping that concept then I might have to think your wood is wet!

I have got to try and bring this blog to a close. I know how much you dislike long-winded blogs, and most of mine are. But I post this today, for me, and for you, that we will begin to really and truly believe God and take Him at His word and allow that word to be the primary focus of our attention. He is not a man that He should lie. And when we feed ourselves on His promises and allow those truths to flow through our minds, changing not just our individual thoughts, but our entire thought life, then it is those very words that will flow through every organ and every tissue of our bodies bringing forth healing and health. Amen.

He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
Psalms 107:20

My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
Proverbs 4:20-22


In love,
Michael

Thanks MorningSong. I definitely needed this today!

That was a great word my sister, thanks!

Mirror, if I have wrongly accused you of deception then I certainly and by all means apologize.

But when you said:



That really got got under my skin because essentially what you were saying is that Jesus does not make all things new.

Of course I coupled this with some of your ealier comments on other posts stating that Jesus is not coming back.

I completely understand that I, in no way have all the answers, neither do I claim to. But the Word of God is very clear that there will be a brand new earth and that God the Father and Jesus the Son will dwell on that new earth, with us, for eternity.

There are so many scriptures that speak this truth but one in particular that Jesus spoke himself was:

1Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

2In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
John 14:1-3]


And then in verse 16 He says:
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;


If you look that phrase another Comforter up in the Greek it means another of the exact same kind.

So I agree with you in the fact that we do have here with us now, The Holy Spirit of God, a Comforter and Teacher and Healer, exactly as was The Lord Jesus, but that Spirit is not Jesus Himself.

He's Coming Back!

And.....

Let me say thanks to all others that commented. I can't respond to each of you right now but your thoughts and comments are appreciated.

Mirror, you are always welcome here. So is everyone else. Again, I apologize if I wrongly accused you and may the peace of God rule and reign like an umpire in your heart!

Michael

It was in order before someone snakelike kept coming to the Garden (forum) and tempting them to doubt God's word.

Mirror, why do you insist on coming to a Christian forum and continuing to disagree with everything that the bible has to teach?

Even the sun itself shall be transformed.

Your beief is that Jesus is not returning, or that He has already. And you beieve that this life we have now is it. This is life eternal and these are our glorifed bodies.

That is so very far out of line with everything that the scripture teaches and also with the way the Spirit speaks to those of us who do believe.

And to be frank, I don't have the time to come here and argue each and every post you try to sabotage.

If you're looking for an argument, the General Religion Chat is just the place for you.

1 Corinthians 15:50-55

50Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

51Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

54So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

55O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?



Peace.

Out Of Order


Something is terribly wrong. Things are out of order. The world is in chaos. But not for long!

As I wrote in a previous blog, I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book "Heaven" by Randy Alcorn. It has completely changed my perspective on eternity and the future state of the believers. I have come to a greater revelation that this future state is however, not only for believers. Well, let me rephrase that, it's not only for humans that believe. But a closer look at the Word of God teaches that it is all of creation that fell when sin entered the world, not just humans.

Everything is completely out of order. Nothing is as it should be. Life for not only us, but also for the animals, the plant life, the atmosphere, the galaxies, even the entire universe, since the fall of man, can be likened to fitting a square peg into a round hole. While it can be done, it often just takes too much effort and never feels quite right.

Often when we think of "creation" our thoughts are immediately drawn to thoughts of people. While God is most definitely the creator of people, He is also the creator of all things. Everything. Things we can see and things we cannot see.

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
Colossians 1:16


All of creation cries out with an invisible cry, longing to be returned to the state in which they were designed to dwell. You can see this in the sad eyes of a puppy dog, or the squinted gaze of a cat perched in a window, longing for that which once was. You hear in the loud cracks of thunder that rumble the earth or fierce waves of the sea as they crash violently against a barrier wall. You can also see it by the fact that entire species of plants become extinct, extreme changes in weather patterns, or perhaps as a fallen star shoots across the sky. Everything is completely out of order.

Paul speaks in detail of this:

Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children,including the new bodies he has promised us. We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.)it.
Romans 8:18-25 NLT


You see, people, or believer's, are not the only ones that are groaning. Nor are we the only thing that is going to be redeemed. All of creation is. Notice these passages say "the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children ". It also says, "creation has been groaning......And we believers also groan" We are not the only ones suffering as a result of the curse. All of creation is. But not for long!

Here's the Good News!

And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
Revelation 21:5


and......

Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Matthew 19:28 NIV


Thank you Jesus!


The redemptive work of Christ goes way, way beyond the salvation of our souls. It extends to the renewal of all things. We shall live and move and breath on a brand new earth. And even greater than that is the fact that the new heaven itself will come and join itself with us and we shall live forever in the very presence of God.

Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
2 Peter 3:13


So my friends, take heart. You may have been starting to feel as though life has passed you by. Maybe physically or emotionally you are growing weary and you feel like your best opportunities are behind you. Perhaps dreams you once knew have crumbled, you marriage has fallen apart, or you have lost all hope. http://mingle2.com/topic/show/217482

I encourage you today to set your sights on eternity. Life on this current earth is but for a moment. While this world we live in can be filled with evil, deceit, and decay, the earth itself and all of creation was never intended to be that way. The great news is that we get to enjoy forever the wonderful experience of a brand new life on a brand new earth in brand new bodies and in the very presence of a God that will never ever change. Isn't that awesome news?


It get's greater later!


That's all I can share for today and besides this blog is growing too long already. The heart cannot absorb what the attention span cannot endure. Let me leave you with the following quote which I borrowed from Randy's book:


I once scorned ev'ry fearful thought of death,
When it was but the end of pulse and breath,
But now my eyes have seen that past the pain
There is a world that's waiting to be claimed.
Earthmaker, Holy, let me now depart,
For living's such a temporary art.
And dying is but getting dressed for God,
Our graves are merely doorways cut in sod.
-Calvin Miller
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


I love you brothers and sisters,
Michael

Thank you MorningSong!

I have to agree with you Mirror in the sense that Jesus is already here, in spirit. And that He lives in the hearts of all believers.

But, I have to blatently disagree with your theory that there is no second coming as you have been suggesting for some time now.

The bible makes it very clear that there will indeed come a day when a physical kingdom will be established. However, that kingdom is not going to be on this earth, but yet on the new earth.

2 Peter Chapter 3 has some very pointed things to say about this topic.

Christian Job Description

1. Have peace with One Another

Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.
Mark 9:50


2. Love One Another

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
John 15:12


3. Be affectionate towards One Another

Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
Romans 12:10


4. Do not judge One Another

Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
Romans 14:13


5. Receive One Another

Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.
Romans 15:7


6. Admonish One Another

And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.
Romans 15:14


7. Salute One Another

Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.
Romans 16:16


8. Care for One Another

That there should be no schism in the body; but that] the members should have the same care one for another.
1 Corinthians 12:25


9. Greet One Another

Greet one another with an holy kiss.
2 Corinthians 13:12


10. Serve One Another

For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
Galatians 5:13


11. Do not bite and devour thereby being consumed of One Another

But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
Galatians 5:15


12. Restore and bear the burdens of One Another

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:1-2


13. Forebear One Another

With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Ephesians 4:2


14. Be kind to One Another

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:32



15. Forgive One Another

Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
Colossians 3:13


16. Teach and admonish One Another


Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Colossians 3:16


17. Comfort One Another

Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:18


18. Edify One Another


Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
1 Thessalonians 5:11


19. Exhort One Another


But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
Hebrews 3:13


20. Consider One Another


And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
Hebrews 10:24


21. Confess to and pray for One Another

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
James 5:16


22. Be hospitable and minister to One Another.

Use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
1 Peter 4:9-10



AMEN

Thank God for Death


How many of you would agree that death can be a blessing? Think about it. Life isn't easy. Life can be very painful. Life, on this present earth, is not God's greatest.

How many of you grew up believing that when Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit, God instantly became angry at them and banned them from the Garden? I did. I still hear that being taught and preached, even today.

Let's go back into the Garden for just a moment and take another look:

Genesis 3:22-24 (New Living Translation)

Then the Lord God said, “Look, the human beings have become like us, knowing both good and evil.
What if they reach out, take fruit from the tree of life, and eat it? Then they will live forever!”

So the Lord God banished them from the Garden of Eden, and he sent Adam out to cultivate the ground from which he had been made.

After sending them out, the Lord God stationed mighty cherubim to the east of the Garden of Eden. And he placed a flaming sword that flashed back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.

I see this as a complete act of love, grace, mercy, and kindness.

He did not banish them because they disobeyed him. He banished them because God did not want man to have to live for eternity in a fallen state. At this time, there was no way for them to be born again. Had they been left to partake of the Tree of Life, all men would have lived forever. Can you imagine having to live forever?

Think about those that are born deformed, or with mental illnesses. Think about cruel, rotten people. Think about the Hitler's. Think about the fact that there would never be a way to escape from evil. You would just have to live with it, forever, and ever.

But God was not about to let that happen. He was, and is concerned for mankind. He took immediate action steps to prevent us from having to live for eternity.

It was an act of Grace!

Not only did he get them away from the tree, but he also made certain that it would be guarded, insuring that this tragic event would never happen. He knew that there was a better way coming. He knew that one day his Son would be sent and sacrificed as an atonement for our sin.

Did you also know that God continued to walk and talk with Adam and Eve after this. If you read further along in chapter 4 you see examples of this. God did not remove himself from mankind as an act of punishment for our sin. He didn't do it then, and he certainly doesn't do it today.

Our sins are not being imputed against us. Adam and Eve's sin was prior the the law being given. There were approximately two thousand years that went by before the Law was given to Moses. Then there was approximately two thousand years while the Law was in effect. During that time, the middle two thousand years, God was angry and sins were being imputed. But they were not being imputed in the days of Adam & Eve, and because of Jesus bearing the brunt of God's wrath approximately two thousand years ago on the cross and faithfully filfilling all of the Law, today God is not counting our sins against us either.

Romans 5:13
For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.


I have to disagree with people that blame world's tragedies on God. It's just not God's nature to pour out his wrath on us. He poured out all of his wrath on Jesus. And that's the reason we call Him Savior!


GOD IS NOT ANGRY!

As a matter of fact, He's not even in a bad mood!

Michael

In the last days there will be very difficult times.

People will love only themselves and their money.

They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful.

They will consider nothing sacred.

They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control.

They will be cruel and hate what is good.

They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God.

They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly.

Stay away from people like that!

2 Timothy 3:1-5 NLT


Sounds a lot like today.