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24 Hours

Do you watch a lot of TV?  How much is a lot?  It’s probably nobody’s business how much you watch, anyway, right?

I was curiously searching the other day and found that we Americans watch TV on average 5 hours a day. Wow. That’s 35 hours a week in front of the tube (not counting another 10 hours a week on the internet.)

Then I found, from people who like calculating numbers, that it is estimated that by age 65 a person will have spent around 9 years of their life in front of the television.  Even if that figure is high, it is startling to think that you and I could spend even one year of our lives watching TV, isn’t it?

This intrigued me, so I searched some more and found some statistics from 2010.  One said that 66 percent of US households have three or more TV sets. Another said that said that 49 percent of Americans think they watch too much TV.

Don’t worry, I’m not going to go off on a rant similar to Peter Finch in 1976 in his role as Howard Beale, in the movie Network.  Nor am I judging anyone or being critical.  We all make our own decisions on what we do with each twenty four hours we are given every day.

Increased Ratings = Increased Revenues

I’ve heard it said a number of times in a few different ways, but the essence is still the same:  when we watch TV we are watching other people living their dreams, having fun and making money.  That was one of those statements that when I heard it for the first time, I wished that I hadn’t heard it.

But it’s true isn’t it?  The more people that watch a certain show, the better the ratings and income for those involved.  But what does watching a TV show do to improve our lives?  Yes of course we need to relax and “chill out,” but we still all only receive 24 hours every day.

Now again, I’m not judging or telling anyone what to do.  I don’t watch very much, but I do like the History Channel and sports once in awhile. My wife Kathy likes Dancing with the Stars.  But what if someone decided to cut out just one hour a day of TV watching and instead did something to improve their life?

Imagine what you could learn or develop in just one year after putting 365 hours into it.  Even one hour a week would yield you 52 hours of learning and growing.  What could you learn?

What’s Your Suitcase Look Like?

Once, many years ago when I felt I too overloaded with not enough time, someone said something to me that I have never forgotten.  They said that each day we all get a 24 hour suitcase; some people have just learned how to pack better than others. Too often you hear people say, “If I just had more time…”  The truth is we never get any more time than the 24 hours we are given every day.

It is always a good exercise to stop and take a look at how we are using our 24 hours.  Evaluate your time and then make some decisions.  Make the time to do something that will improve and enhance your life, spiritually, mentally, and physically.

Mike Verdicchio
2012

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Money Matters

It’s Another Podcast!

Remember in the movie, It’s a Wonderful Life , when George Bailey asked Clarence, “You wouldn’t happen to have $8,000, would you?”  He answered, “Oh no; we don’t use money up there.”  Then George said, “Well it comes in pretty handy down here, bub!”

In our culture, we all need money.  And in the times we live in, we are witnessing an economic crisis that is worldwide.  Our deep seated core beliefs concerning money and finances play a big part of our financial prosperity.

Having a lot of money is not an indication of one being spiritual, just as lacking money and living on a shoe string is also not an indication of one being spiritual.  But did you know that certain attitudes and beliefs will prevent you from accepting and receiving God’s abundance?

In this podcast, [15:52] I take a brief look at something that is not only foundational to understanding the topic of, “Receiving God’s Abundance,” but it is often overlooked by many, many people.

Enjoy the podcast!

[If you cannot see the player below, just click the title above]

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Who Want To Be A Millionaire?
How Much Money Do You Make?
We Are Reminded Every day

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You Are What You Think

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “You are what you eat.”  That’s true in a sense.  But you know what is even truer?  You are what you think.

No question that our physical diet directly affects us, right?  I have found that as I age, my body doesn’t seem to respond very well to things I could eat when I was younger.  When I was younger I was really not that concerned with what I ate; but I am now.

However, equally, if not even more so, we all ought to be very concerned with what we are feeding our minds, or, what our minds are feeding upon.   Most people feed on a consistent diet of negatives, and in addition actually anticipate negatives.

Want An Example?

What do you expect to hear when someone asks you, “Did you hear what happened?”   Are you expecting to hear something really good and positive?  Are you expecting to hear of a miracle and someone receiving healing?  Are you expecting to hear something really good?

I wonder what the person asking would think if you responded to that question by saying, “If it’s something negative I don’t want to hear about it.”  They might look at you like you’re crazy or something.

But honestly, outside of something negative happening to family and close friends, what good does it do you to hear yet another negative?  And we hear them all day long, don’t we?  On the news, at work, with family and friends, we constantly hear about negative events.

How Much?  Try This Out.

Take a piece of paper and pen with you wherever you go, and for just one day, make a check mark every time you hear something that is negative.  And make a check mark on the other side of the paper every time you hear something that is positive, uplifting, or encouraging.

Try it for one day.  You will be amazed.  Talk about a diet of junk food!  And guess what?  That does not even include any negative self talk, or the negative things you think and say to yourself, about yourself.

Now I realize that everyone is different; some people hear less negatives in a day than others; others have trained themselves to eliminate destructive self talk.  But, if you know someone who is very, very negative, now you know why.

Room For Improvement

All of us, myself included, no matter where we are today, can improve our attitude, and thus improve our lives.  Start by listening a lot closer to your own self talk.  Is there more positive self talk, or more negative self talk?

Some people go as far as to suggest that you shouldn’t listen to any negative thoughts that you are having, but I disagree. Whatever those thoughts are, you need to get to the bottom of it. Once you do, you will be able to change your core beliefs.

For example, if you are having thoughts of failure; thoughts of not being able to do this or do that, then the question is, why do you think that way?  Ask yourself that question. Then, listen to the answers.

Whatever the answers are, you next need to ask yourself why you think those are valid answers or reasons.  And, then do the same with the next answers.  The point is, keep digging until you get to the bottom of it.  

I can guarantee you that when you get to the bottom of it, whatever it is, it will be opposite to what God promises you in the Bible, and who He made you to be as a Christian.  At that point, make a conscious effort to release it, put it off, cast it down, and then replace it with God’s promises.

Make The Time

You may need to repeat this simple exercise over and over for specific issues.  It may take some time and effort.  But what you are really doing is changing your core beliefs, and our lives are a direct result of our own core beliefs.  So, isn’t it worth it to make the time and effort to get our core beliefs to work for us and not against us?

Finally, what do we allow our minds to feed on?  I know we can’t lock ourselves in a closet with our fingers in our ears.  But, we can control how much of the “news” we listen to, and instead, replace that with an uplifting, encouraging inspiring book.  (I’m highly in favor of the Bible, by the way!)

If you’re driving you obviously can’t read a book at the same time.  Instead, utilize a media player of some sort so that you can expose and feed your mind that which is uplifting, encouraging and inspiring.  It’s your time and it’s your mind.

Most everyone knows what changes can happen when we have a very good physical diet.  But very few have ever explored how dramatically ones life can change from a very good mental diet.  Every day, every minute, every thought, the choice is ours.

Mike Verdicchio
2012

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Are You Clear?
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He Shook Off The Viper

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.]

On his way to Rome, the Apostle Paul was shipwrecked and ended up on the island of present day Malta, which is referred to as Melita in the Bible.   It was miraculous that in the midst of a horrendous storm, everyone made it to shore safely.

On that cold, rainy night, Paul and others were gathered around a fire to warm themselves.  The barbarous people of the island kindled the fire.  Barbarous simply means that they spoke a different language.

The account in Acts 28 goes on to say that Paul gathered a bundle of sticks, but after putting them on the fire, a viper came out of the fire and fastened itself on his hand.

In the lands and times of the Bible, those warmed by a fire were expected to contribute to the firs.   This is why Paul contributed to the fire by placing a bundle of sticks on it.

A Deadly Viper

This viper that attacked Paul was very deadly; it was six to eight inches long with a very pointed head.  According to Bishop Pillai, these vipers could sink their fangs an inch deep into your skin, and then release their deadly poison.  After this type of viper strikes, it dies.  It is very difficult to pull the viper out even after it is dead.

Easterners believed if a man murdered and then ran away, escaping the law, a viper would hunt him, find him, and justice would be served.  That is why when the people of Malta saw the viper hanging from Paul’s hand, they assumed he was a murderer who had escaped justice and was now getting what he deserved: death.

But Paul did not die; he operated a power that is far greater than deadly viper poison – the power of God.  The record says he simply shook off the viper into the fire and felt no harm.  It was miraculous to shake it off, considering how vipers attach to the skin, and it was also miraculous that he was not harmed at all from the viper.

Can We Shake Off?

What about the circumstances and situations that we are confronted with?  Can we shake off the venomous vipers of negatives and remain unaffected by them?  We have the ability to put off, or cast down, whatever thoughts we choose, and then to replace those thoughts with the truth of God’s Word.  We also have the ability to operate the power of God.

The type of viper which bit Paul would typically leave the victim dead within 20 minutes after the strike. There was no cure, and there was no way to pull the viper off.  And yet, Paul just shook it off, and the people of the island couldn’t believe that he didn’t fall over dead.

It was after a period of time, when Paul showed no signs of any harm, that the natives changed their minds and declared that Paul was a god.  That is certainly understandable, isn’t it?  They believed that their god would send a viper to execute justice, and since in this case the deadly viper had no effect, they concluded the man must be a god.

Stranded For Three Months

Paul and those with him were stranded on that island for three months waiting for another ship.  But Paul ministered to the people on the island, including bringing healing to the father of the chief man on the island.  The incident with the viper certainly opened some doors for Paul to minister and teach.

A number of years ago, while briefly visiting the island of Malta, I took a trip to what is called, St. Paul’s Bay, the area they believe Paul and the rest from the ship landed.  It was exciting to be where Paul may have been in what was an awful, life threatening situation.

But, God delivered him and everyone else on the ship from a very deadly storm.  He ended up on the shore, obviously soaking wet on a cold rainy night.  Then, as he tried to get warm by a fire, a viper attached to his hand!

What happened in Paul’s mind in the few seconds from the attacking to the shaking off, I do not know.  I do know that in one sense, because of everything that had just happened, it wouldn’t seem like the ideal time to be peaceful.  But he obviously trusted and believed God.

And even though we may not end up with a viper hanging on our hand, we still do face our own circumstances and situations, some more serious than others.  We must choose to mentally shake off the fear and worries, and replace them with the promises from God.  We have the ability to put off whatever thoughts we choose, and then to replace those thoughts with the truth of God’s Word.

Acts 28:1-11
And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.

And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.

And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffers not to live.

And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.

Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously.

And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.

So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:

Who also honored us with many honors; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.

And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.

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)

More Eastern Eye Articles

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Do You Care?

This might be kind of blunt; what do you think? I’m not pulling any punches on this one.

In this short podcast [7:05], there are two things you either care about, or don’t care about.  The question is do you really care?

Enjoy the podcast!

[If you cannot see the player below, just click the title above]

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The Choice Is Yours
Are You Righteous In His Eyes?
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Are You Willing?

Across the country, springtime flowers are in bloom. Each one of them will hopefully grow and reach its potential.  Here in Arizona our citrus trees are in full bloom; we certainly anticipate them reaching their potential.

Without sounding too philosophical, isn’t life all about growth and potential?  The question is, are we willing to change. I am. Are you?

When you bring a new puppy home, you know it will not be a puppy forever.  You train the little doggy and it soon grows and hopefully reaches its potential.  And if you’ve ever had the honor of bringing home a new baby, well, then, you know the baby is going to grow up to be an adult.

Now of course it’s lots of fun to talk about flowers and trees, and little babies and puppies.  But let’s take a look at human adults. We’ve all grown up physically, but what about spiritually, mentally, socially?  Have we all reached our potential?

If trees and flowers are nurtured in a good environment they will grow and reach their full potential.  The same is true with little puppies. And, to a degree the same is true with little babies.  But there is however, an important variable for humans. God gave us free will to choose, and for us, that changes things dynamically.

A child may grow up in a lousy environment and yet, because of free will choices, the child can still grow and matures to full potential.  On the other hand, another child may grow up in a very good environment, but because of free will choices, that child will not reach positive full potential.

That’s Nice, But What About Me?

How about you and me today? Is there any room for growth?  Have you reached your full potential?  Have I? Is there something about myself that I need to change? What about you?

There are two general opinions about the need for change.  They are opposites.  One recognizes the need to change, while the other denies it.

For some people, they do not want to even consider changing.  They are happy where they are.  They say things like, “I am fine in my own skin. I like me just the way I am; This is who I am.”

It’s not a question of knowing who you are right now, or being fine in your own skin.  The question is, have you reached your potential; and if not, do you want to grow and reach it?

It’s Too Much Work

For lots of people the thought of change means work. The truth is, many people become comfortably lazy.  They looked around one day and discovered there was no school teacher or parent keeping them accountable for their growth.  They then made a free will decision:  I have arrived and I like where I am. No more homework for me!

I am not trying to be critical of people who have no desire to change or improve their lives.  That is their choice and they are free to choose how to live their lives. Nor am I saying that we should all be engaged in daily activities that rival the training of Olympic athletes, or those pursuing a doctor’s degree.

I am simply asking if there something in my life that I can change and improve.  Or, have I reached my full potential?  I would like to think that since I am still alive there is still room for growth.

For those who truly desire to continue to grow and develop and change, it is not about beating yourself up. It is not looking in the mirror with disgust and disappointment and feeling like a failure.  Rather, it is looking in the mirror knowing there is more for you, and, that you are willing to change to get it.

It Takes Courage

One of the few places courage is talked about is you in front of a mirror. That’s because no one sees that courage but you.  Do you have the courage to take action to change something in your life?  Are you willing?

It takes real courage to be honest with ourselves and tell ourselves, “I need to change that; this is what I am going to do.”  That is not beating yourself up and feeling sorry for yourself. It is loving yourself enough to recognize a change is needed, and then being willing to take the necessary action to grow and change.

God designed the life that we see with our own eyes every day.  Springtime is a reminder to me of starting over: new flowers, new shoots, new buds and new growth.  And yet, every day can be springtime because we have been given free will to choose the thoughts we will think every day.

For each of us, in addition to areas we might like to change, there might be areas in our lives where we haven’t reached our full potential.  Why not live the life God gave us to its fullest?  Why not explore the possibilities of continued growth?  Are you willing?

Mike Verdicchio
2012

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Remembering

This time of year many people pause to remember and reflect on the sufferings and sacrifice of Jesus Christ.  All this week, whether privately, a fellowship in a home, or at a church building, many Christians  will consider the savior of mankind.

Then, this Sunday, many will also recognize and remember.  Jesus Christ gave his life for you and for me, paying the full and complete price for our sins, and, paying the full and complete price for our physical healing as well.  And, three days and three nights after he was buried, God raised him from the dead!

This week I decided to put  links to 4 previous posts:

How Brutal Was It?  A short video with three different versions of Isaiah 52:14, a verse that graphically prophesied the extreme physical punishment that Jesus would endure for all of mankind.

Was It A Lie?   An article about a lie that has been going around for centuries.  It is the biggest lie ever told.

The Women Found Out First  A podcast about a very unique point concerning the resurrection of Jesus Christ, that almost no one mentions.

3 Words  A podcast about 3 words spoken on two different occasions.

Not only is Jesus Christ alive, but one day he is coming back!

Mike Verdicchio
2012

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The Other Thing

It’s Another Podcast!

Several days ago I did a podcast called, Two Things.  I shared something personal – two things that I thank God for every morning and why.

I mentioned on that podcast that there were actually three things, but I wanted to focus on the Two Things.  Well today, this short podcast [4:35] is about the other thing, and I’m sharing it because I think you will be very inspired.

Enjoy the podcast!

[If you cannot see the player below, just click the title above]

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The Choice Is Yours

Each day, we all make choices from the time we wake up until the day ends. At this moment you are reading this article because you made a choice to do so. I Hope you choose to read the whole article.

Looking at choices on a bigger scale, your life today is a sum total of the choices that you have made.  In other words, your life, and mine too, is a combination of years and years of choices.  We can all look back and see some bad choices as well as good choices.

Now some people disagree with this kind of thinking.  They do not accept that their own life and destiny is in their own hands.  They fail to see that their choices of thoughts and actions have anything to do with where their life is today.

Is your life in a mess today because of the economy?  Are things difficult for you because of what the government is doing?  Have the actions of other people caused you to suffer?

Life Without Challenges?

We all face challenges.  And of course there are many things outside of our control that can and do affect us.  But for someone who chooses to take responsibility for his or her life, they see those things as simply challenges.  It is an opportunity for them to choose to overcome the challenges and be successful.

But instead, some continue to choose to whine, complain and blame. It is a real day of awakening when a person realizes that their thoughts and actions are a result of their own choices.  People choose to whine, complain and blame.

But those who choose to take responsibility to overcome their challenges will be successful. Those who choose to whine and complain and blame will continue to sit in misery.  Each one of us really chooses our own destiny.

Why Is It Easier For Some?

Why does it seem so much easier for some people to be solution oriented while others feel hopeless and helpless?  The answer is choices.  Years of choices mold us into who we are today.

Over the years, you and I have chosen to think certain thoughts.  Over the years, we have chosen to nurture certain emotions.  And over the years, we have chosen to do certain things.

All of those choices have actually fashioned and molded us into who we are this very moment. It’s why we think the way we think and act the way we act.  That’s also why it can seem to be difficult to think differently.

If we have “programmed” ourselves by choosing certain thoughts and actions over the years, what about choices today?  How can we choose a different way of thinking if we have already set our mental program to think a certain way?  Do we really have a choice now?

The Brain

I continue to marvel at how God designed the human brain.  It is absolutely fantastic.  Scientists say that even with all that we now know about the brain, we still know very little.

Yes, we do indeed have a choice, every day, to think the thoughts we want to think.  The thoughts that we think that are contrary to our current belief system, our minds will try to reject. We mentally resist thoughts and ideas that we do not believe to be true.

For example, a person who sees himself as a failure with no possibility of ever rising above poverty will meet any thought of being successful with resistance.  Yes, the idea might sound really good at first, but then their core beliefs kick in and negate it, saying something like, “Come on now; you know that is not for you; you know who you really are.”

But just as we built our current belief system one thought and one action at a time, we can change that belief system, one thought and one action at a time.  When we choose to introduce new thinking we need to listen to the resistance and objections from our own mind.  We must then consciously kick those thoughts of rejection out.

Put Off And Put On

The Bible refers to this process as “putting off and putting on.”  We have a choice.  We can choose what to put off and what to put on.  We do it with our clothing every day, right?  Well why not do it with our thinking every day?

We can choose to continue to put off mentally the thoughts we don’t want and replace them with the thoughts we do want.  At the same time, we can act or carry ourselves in accordance with the new choices that we are making.  We will see a change if we consistently choose to put off the wrong thoughts, and instead choose to think the right thoughts.

One thought at a time, and one action at a time we can build for ourselves the life we desire to live, despite the challenges that we are faced with.  The choice is ours.

Mike Verdicchio
2012

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Choices
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Beware Of The Leaven

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.]

There was an occasion when Jesus told his followers, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.”  On another occasion, he compared the kingdom of God to leaven.  Understanding the leaven of Bible times gives us great insight to what he was communicating to them.

When reading the word “leaven” in the Bible, many people think of the properties of yeast, that which causes the dough to rise. But that is not the purpose of the leaven used in Bible times.  In fact, their bread was flat and as such, causing the dough to rise was not a concern.

Leaven was very thin dough, made from flour and water; kind of a soupy substance. They would take this thin dough and put it into a two or three gallon pot, and tie off the top with a piece of linen.

For eleven days they put that pot outside in the sun from 6 am to 6 pm.  After the eleven days, the pot was then brought into the kitchen.  Whenever they would bake bread, they added two or three spoonfuls of leaven to the dough.

Why Did They Add Leaven?

The leaven was added to the dough to sweeten the bread.  The two or three spoonfuls would permeate the dough.  It quite literally changed the dough.

The dough they prepared for bread was no longer just pure dough.  The properties of the leaven sweetened the dough.  It is important to recognize that leaven changes something.

In our modern dictionary, there are a number of definitions for the word “leaven.”   Most people think leaven and yeast are the same thing. However, one of the definitions that I have found says, “an element that produces an altering or transforming influence.” That definition is very accurate when considering the leaven used in Bible times.

Beware!

When Jesus gave his warning about the leaven of the Pharisees as recorded in the gospel of Matthew, his disciples got a little confused, and thought he was talking about bread.  However, he explained to them that he was talking about the “doctrine of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.”

Jesus compared their doctrine to leaven. They were supposed to be teaching people about God and the things of God.  Jesus quite clearly indicated that they had added their own ideas to the pure right doctrine of God.

In fact, you can read of Jesus confronting the religious leaders of his day and time directly.  On one occasion, he told them that they were worshiping in vain, teaching as doctrine the commandments of men.  Their message, what they were teaching, was no longer pure; they had changed it.

What Happened?

Have you ever wondered what happened to the pure doctrine of Christianity taught in the first century?  So many things that Paul taught and that are recorded in the epistles have changed.  How did that happen?

What happened to the pure doctrine in the book of Romans that says that nothing can separate us from the love of God?  Or, that there is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus?  And what happened to the pure doctrine recorded in Ephesians that states that we are saved by grace, “not of works?”

Through the years and even unto this day, leaven – the ideas, theories and commandments of men – continue to be added to the pure Word of God.  That is why we ought to ask ourselves why we believe what we believe.  Is it because someone said it, or is it because we can read and understand it from the Scriptures?

Another Comparison

Jesus also used the comparison of leaven with the kingdom of heaven.  The kingdom of heaven, sometimes referred to as the kingdom of God, includes all that God made available through the completed work of Christ. Because God so loved the world, the results of what Christ accomplished, has changed and continues to change the lives of men and women.

By accepting Christ as lord of all men and believing that God raised him from the dead, someone lost and without hope becomes saved.  They are forever changed.  They are now born from above, a child of God!

Specific information and details for those who are born again are found in the Church Epistles: Romans through Thessalonians.   In the book of Galatians, Paul, endeavoring to help them believe rightly, addressed some errors in their thinking and actions.

He told them that they had been doing well, but then something happened.  They were now thinking that they were right before God by doing the works of the Law; in other words, that they were made righteous by their good works.

In correcting that error, Paul pointed out to them that this kind of thinking came in from somewhere else.  It had permeated that group of believers.  Paul then told them, “A little leaven leavens the whole lump. “

We ought to do our best to rightly understand the Scriptures that are addressed to us as Christians.  We really need to ask ourselves, “Why do I believe what I believe?”  We can take Jesus’ warning seriously, and, at the same time, rejoice that his accomplishments continue to bring great change to those who are lost and without hope.

Matthew 16:6, 11, 12
Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

How is it that you do not understand that I spoke it not to you concerning bread, that you should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?

Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

Matthew 15:7-9
You hypocrites, well did Esaias [Isaiah]prophesy of you, saying,

This people draws nigh unto Me with their mouth, and honors Me with their lips; but their heart is far from Me.

But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Romans 8:38 and 39
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:1
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus

Ephesians 2:5, 8 and 9
Even when we were dead in sins, has quickened us together with Christ, (by grace you are saved;)

For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Matthew 13:33
Another parable spoke he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid [mixed] in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

Romans 10:9
That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved.

Galatians 5:6-9
For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision avails any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which works [is energized] by love.

You did run well; who did hinder you that you should not obey the truth?

This persuasion comes not of Him that called you.

A little leaven leavens the whole lump.

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)

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