THANKSGIVING 2022

This Thursday is the holiday we call, “Thanksgiving Day.”  Being grateful to God is something we do each and every day. For Christians, every day is a Thanksgiving day!. 

Have you noticed?  People who choose to recognize even the smallest blessing and make gratitude a habit, are happy, positive people.  Because they focus on God supplying, they have confidence in God and trust He will continue to provide blessings. And He does!

People who choose to only look at negative situations and make complaining a habit, are miserable people.  Because the focus on what they don’t have, they lack confidence in God to provide and supply what they need.

What you think about and the habits you make are choices.  And what you choose will bring you results.  Choose to make gratitude a habit!  There is always so much we can thank God for!

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Check out my 2 latest podcasts – they are both about gratitude!
#79 – A Great Benefit Of Gratitude (4:07)
In this podcast discover a great side benefit that comes with being thankful to God.

#80 – Don’t Forget Them All (4:14)
In this podcast I share two ways I have used to develop and increase my gratitude to God.

Below are some links to past Thanksgiving posts from ConfidenceAndJoy.com 

Some forgotten history of the pilgrims 

A Psalm for Thanksgiving 

What Washington and Lincoln said

Lots of history related to the pilgrims and Thanksgiving

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Check out His Word podcasts, all under 5 minutes!  You can access all of them right here. And, you’ll find links to share individual ones you think might bless someone.  There’s also a list of platforms you can use to subscribe, and it’s free.

Check out my YouTube channel;  recent video zoom teachings and over a hundred (most under 2 minutes) inspiring and encouraging videos for practical Christian living.  “Like” them!   Subscribe!   Share!  Thank you!

OVER 1,000 DOWNLOADS – THANK YOU!

His Word podcast has over 1,000 downloads!  Big thanks to all who are enjoying and sharing these short podcasts! (all under 5 minutes) 

You can access all of them right here. You’ll also find links to share individual ones you think might bless someone.  If you haven’t already, subscribe for free and you’ll never miss an episode.   His Word podcasts are free and available on most platforms. See list below.

THANK YOU!

Platforms Where You Can Subscribe

Buzzsprout:  https://hisword.buzzsprout.com

Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/show/0RJH4qKhrrCmbmoE46oz5T

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5idXp6c3Byb3V0LmNvbS8xOTAxOTU5LnJzcw== 

Amazon:  https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/da81f13f-3401-4e23-8c14-be9b25e29ac9/his-word 

Stitcher:  https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/his-word

iHeart:  https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-his-word-91241573/ 

Podcast Addict:  https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/3771666 

Podchasher:  https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/his-word-3787726 

Pocket Cats:  https://pca.st/7mgh5cd0 

Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/us/show/3286132 

Listen Notes:  https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/his-word-mike-a-verdicchio-UJRNtnygFPT/ 

Player FM:  https://player.fm/series/his-word 

Podcast Index:  https://podcastindex.org/podcast/4683991 

TuneIn: http://tun.in/pk3LG  

ELECTION DAY 2022


Tuesday, the 8th, is Election Day here in the USA.

Regardless of the outcomes of the election, it will not change God’s Word.  It may result in some better people in our government, or it may not. We can pray for better people to be in office.  We can also pray for those who are not good for our country to no longer be in power.  We can do what God said to do in I Timothy:

I Timothy 2:1-4
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

And We Can Vote.

Meanwhile,  Christians with a knowledge of God’s Word have a great message to speak! We can lead people to the new birth!  We can help people to realize and understand their rights, privileges and abilities God has given each born again one!

We can pray to have open doors to speak God’s Word to those who want to know.  And we can pray for people to turn to God.

Regardless of the outcome of the election on Tuesday, it doesn’t change God’s Word. You are who God says you are, you have what God’s Word says you have, and you can do what God’s Word says you can do!

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Check out His Word podcasts, all under 5 minutes!  You can access all of them right here. And, you’ll find links to share individual ones you think might bless someone.  There’s also a list of platforms you can use to subscribe, and it’s free.

Check out my YouTube channel;  recent video zoom teachings and over a hundred (most under 2 minutes) inspiring and encouraging videos for practical Christian living.  “Like” them!   Subscribe!   Share!  Thank you!

CHEERING FOR?

There’s A Lot Of Cheering Going On These Days

There seems to be a lot of noise and cheering going on these days.  And alongside all the noise and cheering, there is also a lot of confusion, fear, and anxiety. Our country is  very divided. 

There are some who are excited and cheering that soon we will all be driving electric cars; maybe free college; free healthcare and, who knows, maybe free food for all! 

On the other hand there are others who are excited and cheering that come voting time there will be a wave of new representatives who will make everything right and save our country. 

It’s true, economic times are not going well. Anyone who buys anything knows they are paying a lot more. On top of that hardship there are disturbing words that the economy may be headed for even more dire times. And we see and hear about other serious issues as well.

But…

But it’s sad that in these turbulent times, there is little cheering for God. Instead of trusting and relying on Almighty God and His precious promises, far too many people are living with fear about their future. As born again Christians we do not have to live with fear.  “I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4   

A good starting point in the midst of all the noise, cheering, and confusion would be to first of all accept that God’s Word is true, period.  Trusting and believing God means trusting and believing His Word.

Do you believe God is still able and willing to do for you what He has promised in His Word? God has not lost any of His power and ability.  Concerning His promises, God is always reliable. Now that’s something to cheer about!

There will always be facts, situations, and challenges.  But none of that ever changes God’s promises to you and me. Nothing that happens to us or around us ever changes or negates God’s promises to us.

We hear about inflation, recession, the government’s doing this and doing that, but does any of that change what God has promised us?  No!  God is still both able and willing to bring His promises to pass in your life. Regardless of the noise and the cheering, we can choose to believe and trust God!  It doesn’t mean what’s going on around us isn’t real.  It means that God’s Word is always true.

Look What He Said!

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:19

That is something to cheer about!

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.  II Corinthians 9:8 

Yes!

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,  Ephesians 3:20 

Yay God!

Those promises, and many others, are worth cheering about!  But more importantly, they are well worth believing!  It is by believing God’s promises that we receive them into our lives.  Jesus said, “Fear not; only believe.”  

We can choose to get caught up in all the noise, confusion, fear and anxiety. Or, we can choose to put our focus on what God has promised us and believe Him!  And we not only have many exceeding great and precious promises in God’s Word, but we can read in His Word about others who believed Him and received His help and deliverance.  

Now that’s something to cheer about!

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Check out His Word podcasts, all under 5 minutes!  You can access all of them right here. And, you’ll find links to share individual ones you think might bless someone.  There’s also a list of platforms you can use to subscribe, and it’s free.

Check out my YouTube channel;  recent video zoom teachings and over a hundred (most under 2 minutes) inspiring and encouraging videos for practical Christian living.  “Like” them!   Subscribe!   Share!
Thank you!

RECESSION FEARS

Who Do You Trust In Difficult Times?


There’s been lots of chatter for many months on the news, social media, and around the dinner table, about the economy. Inflation. Recession. Gas prices. Unemployment. Stock market. Interest rates. Etc. None of the talk we hear these days is very positive, joyful, or encouraging.

Everyone realizes the highest gas prices ever not only makes filling our vehicles more expensive, but it affects the cost of everything we buy. Some try to define or explain the words used to describe what’s going on. But the bottom line is, we all know it is costing all of us a lot more to live.

Meanwhile, politicians will never cease to make promises. However, it is much more beneficial for us to trust the promises of God! The Bible says, “God is not a man that He should lie…”

In difficult times, rather than trying to understand definitions of economic terms, or have high hopes in a politician’s promise, we can choose to believe God’s Word. The Bible says, “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

The Bible also says, “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.” (II Corinthians 9:8)

Some may hear or read those great promises and others like them, and say “Well that sounds really good, but what can God do in my situation? I don’t have enough to make ends meet.” Or. “Getting a raise at work is out of the question.” Or, “I’m on a fixed income.” Or, “I just lost my job!”

Not only does God’s Word tell us that God does not lie, and therefore all His promises are all true, and He will bring them to pass for us when we believe Him, but there’s something else to keep in mind.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:8 & 9.

Just how high are the heavens? No one knows! God’s thoughts and His ways are that much higher and greater than our thoughts and ways. In other words, God has solutions you and I would never even think of! And guess what? We can read about that all over the Bible! God brought about solutions that were so fantastic! He did things people would have never even dreamed of.

How about crossing the Red Sea on dry ground. Dry ground! Who would have ever thought of that as an option? How about the widow who all she had left was a pot of oil? God multiplied that oil so that when she sold it she had enough to pay all of her debts and live off of the rest! How about Jesus Christ feeding thousands and all he had was five barley loaves and two small fishes! And they ended up with twelve baskets of leftovers!

In many places in God’s Word we see those who did not, with their own talents and resources, have enough. But when we put our absolute confidence and trust in God, no matter what we have, it is enough!

Politicians may make promises. Economists may make predictions. News outlets and social media may promote gloom and doom. Who do you choose to trust? Why not trust God and go to Him in prayer.

God’s Word is true, He does not lie. He is completely trustworthy and His promises are true. In difficult times, we can go to God in prayer, casting all our cares on Him because He cares for us.

We stay persistent in prayer, confidently trusting His promises, expecting to receive from Him, because,

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”              Isaiah 55:8 & 9.

You might be interested in the latest “His Word” podcast, #56, “Do You Have Enough?

A SMALL PODCAST MILESTONE

Podcast #50 Has Posted!

A couple of days ago I posted His Word, Episode #50.  It’s a small milestone for this podcast. 

Thanks to all who have listened to one or even all 50 of these short, (under five minutes) podcasts, both here in the USA as well as eight other countries. If you haven’t listened yet, just click here.

On this occasion, I thought it might be appropriate to tell you just why I’m doing these podcasts.   

First of all, to shed some light from the Bible, His Word, on certain topics. As I always say at the beginning, “topics you might be interested in.”  With my nearly 50 years of studying His Word, sharing some of what I have learned and continue to learn may be helpful. It may be encouraging.  It might connect some dots.  It might inspire one to look further in His Word for even more understanding. That’s why I end each podcast with the phrase, “Enjoy reading His Word.”

Secondly, they are intentionally under five minutes, which makes them easy to share with someone. I say “easy,” because so often when someone shares a link, whether it’s an article, a video, or a podcast, the one receiving the link will many times first look to see how long it is.  So, 5 minutes? That’s short enough for the recipient to check it out.  And so, thus, it affords the sender the opportunity of sharing some of God’s Word with someone! 

Oh, and I do realize on all the podcast platforms there is a share button, but I’ve also dedicated a page here on this website – It has each and every His Word podcast, with a specific link for each one if you want to copy/paste.  So, please by all means, join me in sharing His Word. 

And, thirdly, there is so much negativity online, news feeds, social meidat – lots of  fear, hate, division, frustration, sadness, and so on, that I thought hearing some Good News online might be a bit of fresh air.  A break from all the gloom and doom.

So here we are at #50 –  650 downloads from nine countries, including the USA. I’m very grateful – I think that’s a good start for a new podcast.  

By the way, Episode #50 is about the greatest freedom ever given to human beings!  Check it out, and, enjoy reading His Word!

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

246 Years - Will We Continue?

On Monday, July 4th, we celebrate the 246th anniversary of the United States of America. It is a great blessing to live in this country with all the freedoms that we have. Many Christians pray that we can continue to keep the freedoms our US Constitution affords us. However, the greatest Freedom ever extended to mankind is the freedom we have from the completed work of Jesus Christ. God has given those who believe in Jesus eternal life, which is freedom from death! 

In July of  1776 the American colonies declared their independence. In the late 1780s, the Constitution of the United States of America was ratified. That constitution included the Bill of Rights

There are those today who deny the Christian heritage of our country. Below is a link to a rather exhaustive article that examines that topic quite thoroughly. While a number of articles I have read in the past simply included some quotes as proof of our Christian beginnings, this article cites many sources, including authors, correspondences, and accurate historical facts. It includes a very interesting section of the much contested “separation of Church and State” debate.  

I encourage you to take some time to read it. Below is most of the conclusion of the article. Here’s the link to the entire article.

Excerpt from the article, Did America have a Christian Founding,”   by Mark David Hall, Ph.D.

Conclusions:

So did America have a Christian Founding? History is complicated, and we should always be suspicious of simple answers to difficult questions. As we have seen, there is precious little evidence that the Founders were deists, wanted religion excluded from the public square, or desired the strict separation of church and state. On the other hand, they identified themselves as Christians, were influenced in important ways by Christian ideas, and generally thought it appropriate for civic authorities to encourage Christianity.

What do these facts mean for Americans who embrace non-Christian faiths or no faith at all? Although the Founders were profoundly influenced by Christianity, they did not design a constitutional order only for fellow believers. They explicitly prohibited religious tests for federal offices, and they were committed to the proposition that all men and women should be free to worship God (or not) as their consciences dictate.

As evidenced by George Washington’s 1790 letter to a “Hebrew Congregation” in Newport, Rhode Island, the new nation was to be open to a wide array of individuals who were willing to assume the responsibilities of citizenship:

Yet it does not follow from this openness that Americans should simply forget about their country’s Christian roots. Anyone interested in an accurate account of the nation’s past cannot afford to ignore the important influence of faith on many Americans, from the Puritans to the present day.

Christian ideas underlie some key tenets of America’s constitutional order. For instance, the Founders believed that humans are created in the image of God, which led them to design institutions and laws meant to protect and promote human dignity. Because they were convinced that humans are sinful, they attempted to avoid the concentration of power by framing a national government with carefully enumerated powers. As well, the Founders were committed to liberty, but they never imagined that provisions of the Bill of Rights would be used to protect licentiousness. And they clearly thought moral considerations should inform legislation.

America has drifted from these first principles. We would do well to reconsider the wisdom of these changes.

The Founders believed it permissible for the national and state governments to encourage Christianity, but this may no longer be prudential in our increasingly pluralistic country. Yet the Constitution does not mandate a secular polity, and we should be wary of jurists, politicians, and academics who would strip religion from the public square. We should certainly reject arguments that America’s Founders intended the First Amendment to prohibit neutral programs that support faith-based social service agencies, religious schools, and the like.

Finally, we ignore at our peril the Founders’ insight that democracy requires a moral people and that faith is an important, if not indispensable, support for morality. Such faith may well flourish best without government support, but it should not have to flourish in the face of government hostility.

Link to the article:
Did America have a Christian Founding,”   by Mark David Hall, Ph.D.

May the light of God’s Word live in the hearts and lives of the people of the United States of America. God, please help us, for we certainly do need your help!. May God give us representatives who will indeed uphold the Constitution of the United States of America. 

Previous posts:

Independence Day 2019

Independence Day 2018

FATHER’S DAY 2022

Happy Father’s Day, Dads!

For Father’s Day this year, I’m posting both the audio and the transcript from a podcast from His Word, called, “Who Is The Father?”

Some people say all the people on this earth are children of God. Is that true?  In this short podcast (4:03), I shared a tremendous truth about who “the Father” is.


Transcript:
Welcome to His Word – short podcasts about what God has to say about topics you might be interested in – not my words, but His Word.  Today’s podcast: Who is the Father?

If you’re even a little bit familiar with His Word,  the Bible, you probably notice that in the Old Testament, God almighty is referred to as God, or the Lord God. Like in the very first verse of the Bible, in the beginning God created the heavens and the Earth.

However in the New Testament we see God many many times referred to as Father. That is something you don’t see in the Old Testament but you do see quite often in the New Testament.

In reading the Gospels, Jesus Christ many times referred to God Almighty, the Creator of the heavens and the Earth, as Father. He said things like, “my Father, the Father, your Father” and so on. He introduced to the world that God almighty could be called Father. 

In the New Testament, for those who are born again,  His Word often speaks of God being our Father. Now one might ask, is this figurative, or is it literal? Is God really our Father, literally?

There are some who teach that we are all God’s children, all the people on earth are God’s children and therefore God is Father to all of us.  But His Word does not agree with that.

In a previous podcast, #4, I mentioned a discussion Jesus had with a religious leader named Nicodemus.  Jesus told him plainly that unless a person gets born again they cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven. Jesus said, “you must be born again.” 

In the Epistles of Peter, His Word speaks of the believers as being begotten of God, and, being born again of incorruptible seed. When a person gets saved, or born again, at that moment, God becomes your Father, literally – you are saved, you are born again.  And God made that so easy – confess or acknowledge the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, and His Word says, you shall be saved!  You have eternal life, you are born again and God is now literally your Father.

That’s why in a number of places in the New Testament, His Word speaks about those who believe in Jesus, those who are born again, that God is our Father.  And His Word also says, obviously,  we in turn are His children, children of God, sons and daughters of the Most High God!  What an awesome privilege!

So, who is the Father?  For those who are born again, the Creator of the heavens and the earth is literally our Father.  And His Word says we, His children, now have access to the Father.

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For more His Word podcasts, click the podcasts tab above.  From that page you can access all of them, and find links to share individual ones with someone else.  There’s also a list of platforms you can use to subscribe, and it’s free.

WHAT HAPPENED ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST?

It Was The Beginning!

 

This Sunday, June 5, many Christians will celebrate, Pentecost, remembering the events recorded in Chapter 2 of the book of Acts. But sadly, there are lots of Christians who do not realize the great significance of what happened that day.

What happened on that day?

Perhaps you’ve noticed “Pentecost” is not even included on most printed calendars?  Other important Christian remembrances are, but not Pentecost. And yet,  just 8 days before it happened,  Jesus specifically spoke about about it. In fact it was the last thing he spoke about before he ascended into heaven.

So what exactly are we remembering that warrants celebrating?  Some say that day was specifically and only about the Apostles receiving the holy spirit.  Some say it was a unique event relevant only for those living in the first century.  Others say that it is something about speaking in tongues.

But could that event have an even greater significance than most realize? Is it possible it was the greatest event to date in the history of mankind? What is the real significance of what occurred that day?

What Happened In The Garden?

In order to gain a greater appreciation

REMEMBERING THEM….

Memorial Day 2022

This year, Memorial Day is Monday, May 30.

Sometimes people get confused – Veterans Day, which is in November, is when we remember everyone who has served our country, at any time in any capacity.  Memorial Day, formerly known as, “Decoration Day,” is a remembrance of the men and women who died while in military service to the United States.

It began as a way to honor Union and Confederate soldiers following the American Civil War. After World War I, it was extended,  to honor all American military who died in all wars.  We remember those who gave their lives in service to our country.

Congress actually established an exact minute of remembrance. The National Moment of Remembrance Act, adopted in December of 2000, encourages every citizen to pause each Memorial Day at 3:00 p.m. local time to remember the brave men and women who died serving this country.

Take some time this weekend to thank God for the freedoms and liberties we still have in this country because over the years so many gave their lives.  But it is still up to each generation to protect and keep the freedoms we enjoy, because liberties and freedoms can quickly evaporate!

In these troubled and divisive days, continue to pray for our country, and pray for those in government positions who truly love our country and Constitution, for God to give them wisdom and courage to speak and do that which will insure our liberties and freedoms to continue.

If you don’t live here in the United States, take some time to pause and pray for God’s help and blessings on your country.

And, regardless of where we live, how very thankful we are for the ultimate sacrifice made by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!  He gave his life so we could have eternal life – the ultimate freedom – freedom from death itself!

Below are 3 very moving videos that help put this remembrance into perspective.

 THANK YOU!