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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

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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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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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Where Does Your Help Come From?
How Big Is Your God?
Are You The Legs?

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Live Today

Not a day goes by that we do not hear the news of someone dying.  Whether it is a single fatality or multiple, we hear about death every day.  Most of the time, we do not know those who have lost their lives; there are other times when we do hear of someone we know who has died.

Regardless of whether I know who has lost life, it always saddens me to hear that kind of news.  You probably feel the same way.  The Bible says that death is an enemy, but one day it will be destroyed.

This past weekend, someone close to me shared in a letter that someone close to her, whom I didn’t know, was gone. Then, I heard a very similar situation on the phone as well.  In addition, I also found out this past weekend that my uncle died.

It is never pleasant news to me, whether I know the person or not.  And, of course, when I do know the person, it becomes very unpleasant news.  Perhaps that is because it is so final. When someone dies, there are no more options; life is over.  Yes, this life is over, but there is a life to come.

The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Corinthians said that “if in this life only we have hope, we are of all men most miserable.”  Honestly, if this life was all there was, and nothing else beyond, then what would be the point of anything?  If there was no hope of a future life, truly, there would no reason to live.

It is not only interesting, but really remarkable, that in the Bible many times death is referred to as the word, “sleep.”   Using the word, “sleep” not only softens the harshness of the word “death,” but it also communicates the hope that we as Christians have.

For us, when we die, we are simply sleeping; we will wake when God’s Son from heaven returns.  Until then, as the Bible declares, the dead know nothing, until he returns and then we shall be made alive again.  This time, we shall all be changed; the corrupting in the grave to incorruptible, and those mortals alive at his coming shall be changed to immortals.

The great Hope that Christians have is not a myth, a pipe dream, or some fantastical wish.  It is very real; it is a Hope that is very much alive.  Jesus Christ is going to come back one day, and when he does all those who are born again will meet him in the air, and so shall we ever be with him for all eternity!

So, yes, the news of someone dying is sad, and it does indeed bring sorrow.  But as the Bible says, our sorrow is not like those who sorrow with no hope.  We are sad, but we know, with absolute certainty, what is coming in the future.

He really is coming back.  Today, we are one day closer to that magnificent day that we all so anticipate.  But, until then, we go on living, doing our best to live and enjoy the life God has given us to live, today.

Mike Verdicchio
2012

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He Promised
True Comfort In Times Of Sorrow
Another Birthday

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Free Or Under The Law?

[If you haven’t read the previous article, Are You Righteous In His Eyes,  reading it first will give you much greater understanding of this follow up article]

In the last article, I talked about how the Bible shows that we cannot become righteous by our own works.  Rather, because of the completed works of Christ, we as born again Christians have been made righteous.  We are righteous in His eyes. The Bible says that nothing can separate us from His love.

I then asked, if that is true, then what happens when we fall short and do something that is not right?  That question usually brings out two different groups:  the “legalists” and the “free in Christ” group.  And both groups adamantly believe that they are right.

Guess What Happened To My Friend?

In addressing this issue, let me briefly share an incident with you.  I recently heard from an old friend that I have not seen or spoken to for around thirty years.  I performed his wedding back in the eighties, and we simply lost touch with each other.

He told me that it has been on his and his wife’s heart for many years to own their own home.  Recently, a very loving and giving believer gave them a substantial monetary gift.  They used the gift to purchase a home.

They were able to pay the full price for a home that was selling as a short sale.  They bought the home, free and clear, for 20% of what it was worth four years ago.  It is bought and paid for.

So What’s The point?

I share that incident with you to make a very important point.  We learn from the scriptures that Jesus Christ paid the price for all sins.  It was one payment, once and for all, for all sins.  The price has been paid in full.

Do you think it would be silly for my old friend to now make payments for the house he owns, that is completely paid for?  What would you think if he were to do that, month after month?  I think we can all agree that it would not be necessary for him to do so, and we would try to show him that the house is indeed paid for.

So why do some Christians think that we still have to pay for our sins when the Bible is so clear that Christ has already paid the price for all sins?  Now of course most don’t say it in just those words, but what they are saying indicates that one needs to do something to become righteous in God’s eyes.

Ever Asked Yourself This Question?

Here’s a question that ought to really make you think. What is God’s forgiveness of our shortcomings based on?  Is it based on how bad we feel for doing something that was not right?  Is it based on promising to not do it again?  Is it based on doing as many righteous acts as possible in order to atone?

Or, is it based on Jesus Christ paying the price and obtaining forgiveness for us all?  The Bible states that as a born again one, we have redemption; we have been made righteous. We have forgiveness.  For many Christians, what Jesus Christ accomplished for every single believer is far too misunderstood.

Do I then believe that we have a license to sin?  We don’t need a license to sin!  We have free will to do whatever we chose to do.  The more you see, understand and believe what Christ accomplished for you, the more you will do good things out of a heart of love and gratitude to our Father and to His Son.

Isn’t it quite obvious that none of us are perfect and that we all have and all will fall short from time to time.  But never let anyone tell you that your shortcomings can undo what Christ has already accomplished for you.  Nothing you do, or don’t do, can separate you from the Father’s love.

What You Do, Or, Don’t Do, Has Nothing To Do With It!

Nothing you do, or don’t do can cause you to lose eternal life. If it could, it wouldn’t be called “eternal,” would it?  Nothing you do, or don’t do, can make you righteous.  God has already made you righteous, not because of your works, but because of the complete work of Christ.

Yes, when we fall short we feel lousy and can begin to feel those emotions of guilt and condemnation.  But we must not allow those feelings to rule in our hearts.  We must believe and accept God’s forgiveness, pick ourselves up and keep moving forward. We must believe that we really are who God says that we are, and, that we really do have what He said that we have.

The more you focus your attention on your faults and weaknesses, the more you will be disappointed, and the more distant you will feel from God.  The more you focus on who God made you to be, the more grateful you will be and the closer you will feel to God.

You are not only righteous in God’s eyes, but His Son has made you free; free indeed!

Mike Verdicchio
2012

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Are You Righteous In His Eyes?
How To Receive More Of God’s Favor
Is He Willing?
Who Wants This $50 Dollar Bill?

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Are You Righteous In His Eyes?

Guilt and condemnation are two of the most defeating and deflating emotions we experience.  When we do something that we know is not right we feel guilty.  Then, we condemn ourselves, and as a result, our confidence toward God diminishes because we no longer feel righteous in His eyes.

But what is it that makes us righteous in His eyes?  Is it doing all the right things? Righteous, biblically means to be acceptable and blameless according to an established legal standard. In this context it would be God’s established legal standard.

So what is it that makes us righteous in the eyes of God?  Many religious people will say that doing right things makes you righteous and doing wrong things makes you unrighteous.  That would mean that we are made righteous by our own works.

Promoting Guilt And Condemnation

Those who adopt this view have doctrines that actually promote guilt and condemnation.  They make sure you hear the long, long list of deeds that will make you unrighteous.   They preach God’s disappointment and displeasure with your actions.  And of course, none of us are perfect, and so we feel guilt and condemnation.

The solution, people are told, is to try harder and do more good works so they can be righteous in His eyes.  Pray more; read the Bible more; give more; in other words, do, do, do.  And so then people resolve to do better and try harder, and do more good works, but then, they fall short, again.

This cycle is repeated over and over with very sad results.  Some people just give up, ashamed, feeling like they can never stand before God.  Others spend their whole lives doing and doing and they never have any time to develop a personal relationship with God.  But something very critical is missing from this picture.

But What Does The Bible Say?

The scriptures plainly tell us that we, by our own works, can never be righteous in God’s eyes, so why do people keep trying and trying?  No works, no matter how many or how great, will ever grant you salvation.  Works never make you righteous in God’s eyes.

The Bible is clear that salvation is a gift from God, “…not of works lest anyone should boast.”  Eternal life and God’s spirit are gifts that cannot be earned.  And in addition, to the shock of some people, the Bible also declares that those who are born again, are righteous in God’s eyes because of Christ’s complete redemptive work.

Now, logically, if we are indeed righteous in His eyes and have eternal life, because of what Jesus Christ did for us, can we lose it by doing something wrong?  No! If we could lose it, then it would not be eternal life.  If we could lose it, then Christ’s completed work was incomplete and he would need to come again.

Jesus Christ completed his Father’s work.  Shortly before he gave his life for you and me, he said, “It is finished.”

We Just Can’t

We can not on our own make ourselves righteous, nor can we on our own obtain eternal life; he already did it for us. And now, as a result, the Bible states that nothing can separate us from God’s love.

If that is all true, then what happens when we fall short and do something that is not right?  That question usually brings out two different groups:  the legalists and, the free in Christ group.  And both groups adamantly believe that they are right.

To the legalistic, falling short means that what you did wrong is sin and that separates you from God, otherwise you would have a license to sin.  The other group, those who see themselves as free in Christ, believe that they are free to do as they please without any laws.

I will address this conflict next time.  In the meantime, know that you are righteous in God’s eyes because of the completed work of his son, Jesus Christ.  If you have a comment, go ahead and post it below.

Mike Verdicchio
2012

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You Might Also Enjoy:
How To Receive More Of God’s Favor
Is He Willing?
Who Wants This $50 Dollar Bill?

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2012 – A New Year

It’s Another Podcast!

Have you decided to do something different in this upcoming New Year?  I have, and I’ll tell you on this podcast.

Are you planning to have a better 2012 than 2011?  If you’re not, then listen to this podcast.  If you are, then listen to this podcast.

I am heading over to the Phoenix Rescue Mission in a couple of hours to teach tonight.  In this podcast, I share some of what I am going to share with them.

Happy New Year!

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

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You Might Also Enjoy:
Where Is Your Life Going This Year?
Happy New Day! I Mean, New Year!
Keeping Your Dreams Alive

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It Is A New Year

(This time of year, many people are talking about setting goals.  There are countless articles, books, and courses about goals. This article is about why some people do not even consider setting goals for the New Year.)

There are lots of people who don’t get very excited about another new year They simply expect another year of the same with a different date attached to it.  But there is a reason why they do not anticipate anything new and exciting in the days and weeks ahead.

One of the main reasons that people do not anticipate new and exciting things for the New Year is that they are very discouraged by where their lives are today.  Not only that, but they see no way for things to improve.  They have allowed disappointments and discouragements in the past to steal their hopes and dreams.

How can you arrive at the place in your life where you will no longer be disappointed or face any discouragement?  You can’t.  Everyone faces disappointments and discouragements.

It Happens To All Of Us

People who are discouraged and feel trapped hardly ever consider that everyone else in the world faces disappointments and discouragements, too.  We all face challenges, obstacles, disappointments, rejections, setbacks, etc.  Since we all face them, then it is our response to what comes our way that determines our futures.

You and I know people who seem to wallow in their troubles.  Looking at the New Year ahead, they often say things like, “I sure hope I have a better year than I did this last year.”  That statement, alone by itself, is not a statement of hope for the New Year, with a clear vision of what one wants to see happen, but rather it is a focus on the disappointments of the past year. What they are really saying is that they just don’t want any more disappointments coming to them in the coming year.

Now who doesn’t want a better year?  Of course, we all do.  But a better year than last year means different things to different people.

What’s Your Response?

For some, a better year is a year without disappointments. Others take an honest look at what they accomplished in the year ending, and decide where they want to go in the coming New Year.  Regardless of the disappointments and setbacks they experienced, their response is to keep dreaming big; they have vision and hope for the days ahead.

There is a big difference in the response, isn’t there?  One hopes that nothing bad happens, and the other hopes that something good happens.  Just like in all of life, our response is our own choice; we choose to respond and those responses really do determine our future.

Those with hopes and dreams for a brighter future have expectations for the coming year.  Many people like to break down the “big expectation” into smaller pieces so that they see their progress over short periods of time.  Some like to put dates on these short range expectations to further help them keep their eyes on what they are expecting for the year.

Shattered Dreams

A man recently shared with me some of what has happened to him in the past few years.  As unpleasant as it was, he was not complaining or looking for sympathy. We were having a discussion about the possibility of him doing something different that has great potential financially.

It was sad to see that he had lost the vision he once had for his life. He is not alone; I see people who desire to only have enough to pay their bills and buy their food.  Many have accepted that they will work until they die, or try to live off of social security.

A New Year?  What’s The Big Deal?

So, when it comes to a New Year, lots of people say, “What’s the big deal?” because they are not only discouraged at where their life is today, but they see no way for things to get any better. They need to stop and realize that while everyone faces disappointments, it is always the response to what life throws at you that is critical to your future.

Once you see and believe that, then you can stop allowing disappointments and discouragements to steal your hopes and dreams.  You can move forward knowing that God said that He will never leave you nor forsake you, that He will direct your path and that He will give you the desires of your heart!

You know, you just might be excited to write down some goals too!

Mike Verdicchio
2011

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You Might Also Enjoy:
Are You Clear?
What Happened To Your Dreams?
Don’t Give Up!

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This Is My Favorite

It’s Another Podcast!

I have a song for you on this short podcast.  Actually, right before the song, I admit to something personal – so don’t be shocked, okay?

In the comments below, feel free to let everyone know what your favorite is.

Enjoy the podcast!  And be sure to check out some of the related links below.

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

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You Might Also Enjoy:
Swaddling Clothes
Who Were The Magi? Part 1
Who Were The Magi? Part 2

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Christmas Tree Or Holiday Tree?

It’s Another Podcast!

It happens every year.  The battle over whether to call it a Christmas tree or a Holiday tree.  Separation of Church and State, right?

In this short podcast [9:16 ] I’ll tell you about a Jewish man who does not like it referred to as a Holiday tree.  And, I’ll give you a little history and background of the Christmas tree.  And, what about the big picture?

Enjoy the podcast!  (There are some related links below as well.)

Do you have some thoughts about this?  We’d love to hear what you think.  Just scroll to the bottom of this post and type in your comment.