In December of 1971 I accepted a new radio job in Panama City, Florida. We drove there all the way from Denver in our VW Bus. Kathy’s dad let us use his gas card for the trip and that was very helpful. We arrived with around forty or fifty dollars.
It was very close to Christmas, and because of the pay cycle, I would not receive my first check until January 10th. Coincidentally, the owner of the radio station gave everyone a
This short podcast [3:30 ] comes just in time for those who made some great resolutions or goals for the New Year that don’t seem as exciting now as they were on January 1.
It’s all about a great key to reaching your goal. It’s about
I was walking through the family room a few days ago while Kathy was watching a movie about Queen Victoria. Not really my cup of tea. (No pun intended.)
But I overheard a line from the movie that caught my attention. Someone giving advice to the young queen told her she was
Many people have goals and resolutions for this brand New Year. Do you?
The reason most people set goals or have resolutions is because they want to be
A New Year is upon us; 2013 is here. A New Year with exciting potential and hope for a grand year ahead! Yay!
Uh, what planet am I talking about here?
I realize that for some people, being optimistic in this day and time seems
I don’t know when it started but somewhere along the line I was taught to pray to God. Prayer has always been a part of my life since I can remember. As a child, I remember asking God for things I needed.
Many people pray to God every day; there are others who pray only when there is an emergency, and there are those who do not pray. But almost everyone has heard about prayer. If God does indeed hear your prayers, that would mean two other, almost unbelievable things are also true.
The simplest definition of prayer is talking to God. Whether it is praise, thanks, or petitions, prayer is speaking to the Almighty. Whether it is in a quiet moment or during a stressful emotional time, it is speaking to the Creator.
Does He hear when we speak to Him? “Well of course He does,” someone may quickly reply. But how do we know that He really does hear the words we speak to Him?
He Said So
For those who believe the Bible is God’s Word, you can see verses of scripture that plainly say God hears when we speak to Him. One such verse is in the first epistle of Peter, where it says, “His ears are open unto their prayers.” It says something very similar in Psalm 34.
So, according to what God says in His Word, He does hear our prayers. This is the first thing that is almost unbelievable. Why? Because if you think about it for a minute, it shows just how big God really is.
His Ability
What if every single person on the planet decided to pray to God at exactly the same time? Yes, He would hear all the prayers. That kind of ability is beyond our comprehension.
Have you ever had more than one person trying to talk to you at the same time? If you are a parent to more than one child, then you understand what I’m saying. I don’t know about you, but I can only focus on what one person is saying at a time.
There is no quantification mentioned in the scriptures of God’s ears being open to our prayers. In other words, His ears are always open to all our prayers. That means He not only hears your prayers, but my prayers, too.
It is remarkably awesome to consider the great ability of the Creator of the heavens and the earth. He said in His Word that His ears are open to our prayers. That means whenever anyone speaks to God, no matter who or how many, or when, or where, He hears.
His Willingness
There is something else that is almost unbelievable. Have you ever considered why His ears are open to our prayers? It is because He decided that He would keep His ears open to all prayers to Him.
Have you ever turned your phone off because you did not want to be interrupted with a call or a text? Have you ever told someone, “Let’s talk about this later” because you just didn’t have the time right then to handle it? In our lives, many times we are too busy to deal with everyone who comes our way.
But God is not only big enough to hear every single prayer. He wants to hear every single prayer. He is willing to hear every single prayer! He is the One Who decided to keep His ears open to our prayers.
Pray
Considering God’s ability and willingness concerning prayer gives us a little more insight on why there are so many scriptures encouraging us to pray to God. He is not only willing and able to hear our prayers, but the Bible also says that He is a very present help in time of need. That should inspire us to talk to Him more.
Seeing His ability and willingness concerning prayer inspires me to not only ask for His help, but it inspires me to trust Him and believe that He will help. I can have confidence in God because I can see His ability and His willingness. I can then pray and believe that He will indeed help me and answer my prayers.
Mike Verdicchio
2012
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There are some links below of stuff I’ve posted previously during this time of year, including Joseph and Mary on Facebook. Below, is a short video [3:19] by Mike Huckabee. He answers the question, “Where was God?” It’s sad that what he says
From the Category, “The Eastern Eye”
[The Bible is an “Eastern” book. It was written many years ago in the “East” which today we refer to as “The Middle East.” As such, there are many customs and idioms that are not familiar to the “Western” mind.
In understanding the Scriptures it is important for us to understand the culture, but it doesn’t mean that we should necessarily follow that culture. Rather, it is in the understanding of the Eastern culture that we gain light and understanding about many things in the Bible.]
(At the end of this post there is a beautiful song by Lisa Tracy, called, “Simeon and Anna.)
There is an event recorded in the second chapter of the Gospel of Luke that happened soon after Jesus was born that many overlook and most never talk about. However, this event carries great significance as well as a tremendous lesson in God’s faithfulness. It’s the record of Simeon and Anna.
Background
A brief look at the Old Testament Law requirements helps us better appreciate the event in the temple 41 days after Jesus’ birth. Firstly, Jesus was, according to the Law, circumcised 8 days after his birth. It was at his circumcision that he was named Jesus.
There were two other laws that Joseph and Mary obeyed. They brought Jesus to the Temple to present him before the Lord. They also offered a sacrifice.
After childbirth, the mother was considered ceremonially unclean for a period of time. That means she would not be allowed to be involved with anything considered sacred, including entering into the Temple. So, when her time was right, Joseph and Mary traveled the six miles from Bethlehem to the Temple in Jerusalem for two ceremonies: Mary’s purification and the presentation of her firstborn.
According to the Old Testament, the firstborn belongs to God. Scholars tell us the presentation ceremony included a formal presentation of the child to the priest. Token redemption money of five shekels was then paid.
Purification
The details concerning the purification are recorded in Leviticus 12:1-8, which you can read at the end of this post.
When the days of her purification for a son or daughter are over, the mother is to bring the child and a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin offering to the priest. Thus, two offerings were required.
The Law also stipulated that, “if she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons; the one for the burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for her, and she shall be clean.”
As noted in Luke, Chapter 2, Joseph and Mary did not bring a lamb of the first year, but instead brought a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. Some have suggested they did this because they were so poor. God Almighty, the God of abundance and prosperity didn’t have His only begotten Son grow up in poverty; there is a deeper reason.
This child, Jesus, was no ordinary child; he would one day sacrifice his life for the sins of the whole world. John the Baptist referred to him as “The lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” For this reason, Joseph and Mary opted for the turtledoves or pigeons for their sacrifice.
Simeon
While Joseph and Mary were performing these two laws, a man by the name of Simeon came into the Temple. The Bible tells us that he was just and devout, and, waiting for the consolation of Israel. We also learn that the holy spirit was upon him, meaning that he had the spirit from God.
God had revealed to this man that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. What a fantastic promise! People had been waiting and expecting the Christ for hundreds and hundreds of years, and God promised Simeon that he would see him before he died.
The Bible says that he “came by the spirit into the Temple,” which means God revealed to him that he should go into the Temple. He did, and then he took up Jesus in his arms and praised God. What a fantastic moment in his life that must have been.
Anna
And then, an elderly woman named Anna came in right at that moment. The Bible tells us that she was a prophetess, which means she also had the spirit of God. From the context we can certainly conclude that God sent her in at that moment as well.
The Bible gives us much more information about Anna than Simeon. In the culture of the lands and times of the Bible, women did not have as much credibility as men. There were certain things that women were not permitted to do.
For most of us reading this record today, the extra details about Anna may not be as important as they were to readers of the Gospels in the first century. So, God lovingly added a number of details to show what a wonderful woman Anna was.
The prophetic words that both Simeon and Anna spoke are full of great truths. We’ll save that discussion for another time. But consider how those words must have inspired and encouraged Joseph and Mary, who had the responsibility of raising this child.
Great Significance
One of the things that is so significant about the event of Simeon and Anna is the mention of God’s spirit, upon both Simeon and Anna. It was the spirit of God directing two people, who had God’s spirit, to go and see the Christ.
It is significant because part of Christ’s work was to restore and make available the spirit of God to all of mankind. Jesus spoke of the spirit, or comforter, to come on a number of occasions. On the day of Pentecost, Christ’s work having been accomplished, Peter encouraged those listening to him to receive the gift of the holy spirit.
A Great Lesson
A great lesson one can take from this event is the faithfulness of God Almighty. First, God promised, in the Scriptures, to send a savior, a redeemer. He kept His word and sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.
Secondly, God made a special promise to Simeon. He promised him that he would not see death before he had seen the Christ. Again, God kept His word; Simeon saw the Christ.
There are things that God has said in the Scriptures that will take place in the future. Because He is faithful and does not lie, they will absolutely happen. He has promised to send His Son back to gather us together, and it will happen.
There are also promises in the Bible to you and to me. We receive those promises into our lives when we accept them as true and believe God. When we do, we will absolutely receive what He has promised.
And there are times when God will specifically reveal something just for you. You can choose to believe what He tells you. Doing so, just like Simeon, you will receive what God has spoken to you.
God Almighty is faithful to His Word, whether written or spoken. He says what He means and He means what He says. He is absolutely, completely trustworthy.
Here is a song by Lisa Tracy, called, “Simeon and Anna.”
http://confidenceandjoy.com/wp-content/audio/Podcast/Simeon
Luke 2:21-38
And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
(As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
Leviticus 12:1-8
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean.
And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.
And she shall then continue in the blood of her purifying three and thirty days; she shall touch no hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying be fulfilled.
But if she bear a maid child, then she shall be unclean two weeks, as in her separation: and she shall continue in the blood of her purifying threescore and six days.
And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin offering, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest:
Who shall offer it before the Lord, and make an atonement for her; and she shall be cleansed from the issue of her blood. This is the law for her that hath born a male or a female.
And if she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons; the one for the burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for her, and she shall be clean.
John 1:36
And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!John 15:26
But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, [even] the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:Acts 2:38
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Mike Verdicchio
2012
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Resources
There are a number of books that you can read to get insight on customs, manners, idioms and meanings from the Eastern culture in which the Bible was written. The best I know of were written by Bishop K. C. Pillai. I have had the pleasure of listening to many recorded teaching by him.
He wrote three books, and they are hard to find, and are usually over priced. But, if you want to you can check this link to see what Amazon has to offer. Light Through an Eastern Window
Another great resource that I have used for years is a book called, “Manners and Customs of the Bible,” by James Freeman. Mine was printed in 1972 and I know they have newer additions. For the newest edition, just click the link and it will take you to Amazon. The New Manners and Customs of the Bible (Pure Gold Classics)
This short podcast (12:15) contains highlights from a teaching I did recently.
Understanding these two very important points can lead to what some may call,
