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Your Attitude: Asset Or Liability

What is your attitude about the direction of your life?  How do you feel about your life today, right now?  For most people, if things are going well, their attitude is good.  But when things are not going well, their attitude is bad.

It’s true that we are living in some very troubling economic times not only here in the United States, but around the world.  But regardless of what’s going on elsewhere, for those going through difficult times, their real concern is about their own life; and rightly so.

Much has been written and taught about attitude, and I’m sure you’ve heard different things over the years yourself.  Someone once said, “Our attitude determines our altitude.” My question is, if you are going though some challenging times, what is your attitude?

Bad Times And Feeling Low

It seems for most people, during difficult times, their attitude becomes pretty low; it bottoms out.  How can you possibly have a good attitude when things are lousy in your life?  How in the world can you stay positive and happy when you are trying to deal with so much pressure?

Have you ever noticed that when things in your life are going really well you don’t need to work on having a better attitude, do you?  Life is great, things are going well, and your attitude is just terrific.  But in facing adversities our attitude slips, doesn’t it?

But here’s a great key that few realize.  Most people wait for things to get better before they change their attitude. But the fact is, attitude has a direct correlation in how long their adversity will last.  Our attitude can either be an asset or a liability, a help or a hindrance, a friend or an enemy.

Because of the way God designed our minds to work and function, our own attitude can be one of our greatest assets, or one of our greatest liabilities.  The choice is ours.  We really can change our attitude, regardless of our circumstances.

To discover if you need an attitude adjustment, think about how you think, act, and talk when things are going really well.  Now, if you are going through some difficult times, what are you thinking, how are you acting, and what are you saying?  Is there a difference?

Is Attitude Really That Big Of A Deal?

Attitude is defined as our disposition, our emotions, our mood, or how we feel.  Our disposition, emotions, mood, and feelings are a product of our thoughts.  And I’ve heard people say things before like, “Oh, I’ve tried that being positive stuff; it doesn’t work for me.”  To that I would say that you may want to stop and evaluate that kind of thinking, actions and speech.

John Maxwell has often said, “Attitude isn’t everything, but it’s the main thing that makes a difference in a person’s life.”  Will your attitude turn the global economy around?  No. But always remember that it’s not what happens to us, but what happens in us, that determines the outcome in our lives.

We cannot control things that happen to us.  But can absolutely control what’s going inside us.  We can choose the thoughts we think, which will evoke emotions, which then fuel the actions we take, or don’t take.

In difficult times, work harder at being much more selective of the thoughts you choose to entertain.  You can look at your present situation and declare that you are in this mess because of something.  Or, you can look at your present situation and declare that you will absolutely succeed in spite of everything.

An Awesome Advantage

And here’s the really good news.  Saint and sinner alike can utilize the way God designed the brain to work and get results.  But we who are Christians, knowing that God is our Father, have a great advantage.  We can pray and ask for His help and His guidance.

God won’t make us think the right thoughts.  But when we choose to do just that, we can certainly be anticipating His help and solutions regardless of the circumstance or the odds.

Is your attitude an asset for you right now, or is it a liability? If the latter, then stop and make some mental changes right away.  The Bible says to guard your heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life.  Each one of us determines whether our attitude is an asset or a liability, a help or a hindrance, a friend or an enemy.

Mike Verdicchio
2012

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You Might Also Enjoy:
Stop Looking Back!
The Garden Of Your Mind
Are Weeds Growing In Your Head?
Opposite Thoughts

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The Love Of God Part 2

It’s Another Podcast!

It is a scientific fact that laughter is healing.  Of course that truth has been in the Bible for centuries.  But, do you about the physical effects that love has on the human body?

In this short [10:30] podcast, Part 2 of, “The Love Of God,”  I’ll give you a quote from an MD about love that will blow you mind.  Just how powerful is the love of God?

If you haven’t heard Part 1, scroll down, or just click here and listen to it first.

Enjoy the podcast!

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

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You Might Also Enjoy:
The Love Of God Part 1
John 3:16 Compilation
Love Heals

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The Love Of God Part 1

It’s Another Podcast!

You hear people frequently talking about love.  “Loving others with the love of God,” “walking in God’s love,” “loving people with God’s love,” are a few of the phrases we hear, right?

The Bible says we are to love our neighbor as ourselves.  We will only really love others to the degree that we love ourselves.  A great key in loving and accepting yourself is to see how much God really loves you, and that His love for you never changes.

In this short podcast [9:13], Part 1, find out if and why God loves you, and, what His love to you is based on.

Enjoy the podcast!

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

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You Might Also Enjoy:
John 3:16 Compilation
Do You Deserve God’s Favor?

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What Did You Do?

It’s Another Podcast!

Last time I titled the podcast, “What Did She Do?”   This short podcast [7:09] is the follow up that I promised I would do, and I’m calling it, “What Did You Do?”

If you haven’t heard the last podcast, you might want to give it a listen first.  It was about response to a total stranger, and this one relates to your response to someone you know, who is basically being a jerk!

Enjoy the podcast!

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

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You Might Also Enjoy:
What Did She Do?
The Forgiveness Decision

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What Did She Do?

It’s Another Podcast!

Guess what happened to my wife on the way to the post office the other day?  It has probably happed to you too.  It has happened to me as well.

But, what was her response?  Find out in this short [5:29] podcast.  You will find it very practical the next time it happens to you!

Enjoy the podcast!

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

Don’t Be Shy – Leave A Comment!
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You Might Also Enjoy:
Get Up And Get Dressed
Who Is To Blame?
Having Some Problems

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The Garden Of Your Mind

For most of the country, spring planting will be in a couple of months.  Here in Arizona, we start early.  In the past, Kathy and I purchased little plants, but this year, we are planning to grow some things from seeds.

Coincidentally, while listening to a business conference call recently, I heard a reference made to thoughts using the analogy of seeds. Perhaps you too have heard this reference. I have talked and taught about thoughts being like seeds before many times.

I Never Heard That Before

However, also during that call, gratitude was called something I had never heard it called before.  Have you ever noticed that if someone shares a topic you are very familiar with, in a different way, it can give you even greater insight?  That’s what happened to me.

I have studied and taught about gratitude for years.  There was even a time when consistently for years I kept a daily gratitude journal, endeavoring to grow in that very important area of my life.  And yet, considering gratitude as a seed communicated the truths of gratitude even greater to me.

We all have many plants growing in the garden of our minds. Thoughts really are seeds in our minds.  Those seeds will grow into plants as we nourish them.  However, not all of the plants in our garden are profitable to us. Some are weeds and we need to consistently tend to our garden.

We nourish the garden of our mind by reinforcing certain thoughts.  For example, a person may have a failure plant in his garden.  He helps that plant grow by reaffirming that he is a failure; he helps it grow by reliving and remembering his past failures.

What Are You Manifesting?

What we manifest in our lives is a direct result of the garden of our minds.  It doesn’t matter what you want in life; what you sow you will reap.  Our belief system and our core beliefs are a direct result of the plants that we have and continue to nourish.

Fleeting thoughts are like seeds blown in from a breeze.  They do not get planted, watered and nourished unless we chose to do so.  And likewise, we can remove whatever plants we choose to in the garden of our mind.

On my conference call, gratitude was referred to as a seed for increase.  What a fabulous way to look at being grateful.  I know there are some who preach that you better be thankful for what you have because that’s the right thing to do, but that’s not the true heart of gratitude.

Gratitude is not going through the motions and doing what you are,”supposed to do.”  True gratitude is much more than saying, “Thank you.”  It is recognizing what you have, and having true, heartfelt gratefulness.

Here’s What Happens

When your focus is not on what you lack, but rather on what you have, your thoughts are about the blessings that have come into your life.  Being truly grateful is actually planting a seed for increase because your focus is on what God has increased to you.  As you nourish that in the garden of your mind, it becomes a very beautiful plant that manifests itself in your life with more abundance.

Now of course, that doesn’t mean that you ignore or never address the needs that you do have.  But having a dominant attitude of gratitude changes your focus. You can actually eliminate the negative thoughts about the things that you need.  Instead, you can remain cognizant of what you do have and that gives you confidence that God can and will provide the things you need now.

Take some time on a regular basis to just think of or write down your blessings.  Train your mind to focus on what God has already blessed you with and give Him true and heartfelt gratitude.  Cultivate and nourish your gratitude, realizing it is indeed a seed of increase that can become a solid oak in the garden of your mind.

Mike Verdicchio
2012

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You Might Also Enjoy:
Are Weeds Growing In Your Head?
Opposite Thoughts
Stop Looking Back!

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Go Into Your Closet

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 is an abundance of verses in the Bible relating to the topic of prayer.  Jesus spoke of it often.  In the Matthew’s gospel, Jesus talked about praying in your closet.

When he spoke about going into a closet, he was not referring to a literal closet,  but he was making a very great point about our prayer life.  Right before suggesting going into the closet, he told them how not to pray.

He told them to not be like the religious hypocrites of the day, those who loved to have everyone see them pray.  Those who prayed like that wanted people to see just how “spiritual” they were.  Jesus said that was their reward.

Where Is Your Closet?

But he then told his followers to go into their own closet, shut the door and then pray.  The closet is the closet of your mind where you can be quiet – not just physically quiet, but more importantly, mentally quiet.

The spirit of God dwells in us and we can get quiet.

Shutting the door refers to getting rid of, or shutting out, foreign thoughts, negative thoughts, worrying thoughts and wandering thoughts.  In getting rid of those thoughts, we can then keep our minds stayed upon God.  We can talk with Him and listen for His still small voice.

You would probably agree that there are times when it may be a little difficult to simply shut the door.  Situations we are dealing with can cause stress and anxiety.  Obstacles we face can cause worries and fears.

How Can You Close The Door?

When you are faced with challenges that make it difficult for you to get quiet mentally, so that you can go into your closet and shut the door, you need to “cast all your cares upon Him for He cares for you.”  There are two different words translated “care” in that verse.  The first word “care” means anxiety, mental pressure.

The second word, “care,” means to take the action necessary so as to provide what it is needed.  So we cast, throw out, give all our anxiety, worry, fears, etc to God.  He then observes the situation and we are confident that He will provide a solution.

The Bible talks about putting off and then putting on, casting down, laying aside, etc.  When we are endeavoring to go to our closet and shut the door, we may need to put off the worries and fears by casting them all upon our God.  Then we replace those damaging and discouraging thoughts with the truth, the words of God.

We can get quiet by first addressing the negative thoughts of worry and fear; we release those thoughts by casting them upon our loving God and Father, knowing He cares for us.  We replace them with the truth of what God’s Word says about us.  Then we can have quiet prayer time with our Father, talking and listening.

Shutting the door would also include wandering thoughts.  Our minds do like to jump here and there and everywhere sometimes.  When you are in prayer time in your closet, keep the door closed; don’t let your mind wander.

What a much better method it is to pray this way, instead of like the hypocrites Jesus talked about who just loved for people to see them praying.  Which method would you rather do?  Which method do you think produces better results?

Mathew 6:5 – 7
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites [are]: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen [do]: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

I Peter 5:7
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

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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To Believe Or To Not Believe

It’s Another Podcast!

No, today’s podcast is not a re-do of Shakespeare, but rather some great insight on a word that is used every day in Christianity.  The word is, “faith.”

Interestingly, in the Bible, the same Greek word that they translated as, “faith,” is also translated as, “believe.”

Have ever heard or wondered about, “having more faith,” or, “believing bigger?” What do you do when you thought you were believing but didn’t get the results?.  This podcast offers you powerful insight that could bring you the results you have been looking for.

Enjoy the podcast!

[If you cannot see the player below, just click the title above]
http://confidenceandjoy.com/wp-content/audio/Podcast/2-06-12-To

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You Might Also Enjoy:
You Gotta Have Faith
How To Overcome Obstacles

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Strangers In The Street

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.

You may have read something in the Bible that seemed a bit odd: people lodging in the street.  In our culture, thinking of someone spending the night in the street conjures up all sorts of unpleasant pictures.  But, when reading the Bible, we must always remember their culture.

A verse in the book of Job states that “the stranger did not lodge in the street.”  Instead, someone opened his doors to the traveler.  This was very common in the lands and times of the Bible.

In small villages there was usually a village common that was similar to what we would call a park.  That is the area referred to in the book of Job and other places in the Bible as “the street.”  In the late afternoon or early evening, it was very common for travelers to rest and spend the night in that area of the village.

In the Bible times and culture, hospitality was very important.  They believed that if they showed kindness to someone in need, they were showing kindness to God. They believed that if they gave something to someone, even a cup of water, then it was understood that it had been given as unto God.

In that culture they believed that the more they served you, the more they served God.  That is why it was common for them to invite travelers, who would be total strangers to them, to spend the night in their home instead of in “the street.”  They invited them to their home so that they could show them hospitality.

This reminds me of a verse in the book of Hebrews.  There it talks about remembering to show kindness to strangers as there have been some who did so, not knowing those strangers were in fact angels.  That is something to think about, isn’t it?

Job 31:32
The stranger did not lodge in the street: [but] I opened my doors to the traveler.

Genesis 19:1-3
And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;

And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant’s house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.

And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.

Hebrews 13:2
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Mike Verdicchio
2012

Leave A Comment!
Do you have some thoughts about this?  We’d love to hear what you think.  To leave a comment if you are receiving this post via email or RSS, just click the title above and scroll to the bottom of the post and type in your comment.  If not, just scroll to the bottom of this post and type in your comment.

Share This Article!
To share this article on social media, like Facebook, or, Twitter, there are links below.

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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He Cares For You

It’s Another Podcast!

What do you think of when you hear the word, “care?”  Do you know what it means when the Bible says that God cares for you?

This short podcast [6:05] is a brief recap of something I taught on Thursday night.  It is not only inspiring, but very encouraging.

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

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You Might Also Enjoy:
Where Does Your Help Come From?
How Big Is Your God?
Are You The Legs?

Share This Podcast!
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There’s More!
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