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The Rat Race

There are an awful lot of people who think that instead of being in the human race, they are in the rat race. What does that mean? Why do they think like that?

The life we live as human beings has often been described as a “rat race.” You have probably heard common phrases like, “Another day in this lousy rat race,” or, “Welcome to the rat race,” or similar phrases.

The term “rat race” more than likely came from the rat’s desperate struggle for survival. It very strongly implies an endless, self-defeating pursuit. There is no question in my mind that the life of a rat is a deplorable and disgusting existence to say the least.

Are You A Rat?

But, on the other hand, it is contemptible to say that human beings are like rats. More importantly, it is devastating to those that accept it as so.

Let’s think logically for a moment. Are we to believe that the Creator’s intention was for billions of people to be all over the earth struggling to survive due to a limited supply? That sure sounds like the life of a rat to me! Are we really supposed to believe that the Almighty would be that shortsighted? Are we all supposed to struggle for survival like rats because there is not enough to go around?

I think not!

Let’s start with the bare basics. Every morning, you and billions of others wake up breathing oxygen. There is plenty – abundance for everyone! And as you roll out of bed, it’s comforting to know that planet earth is still orbiting the sun so there is plenty of sunshine across the whole planet for another day.

In fact, when you really take a look at God’s creation it becomes very obvious that He is a God of abundance!

Let’s Add Up The Apples

I read that each apple contains about ten seeds. That means one apple has the potential to produce ten apple trees. Each apple tree can produce around two thousand apples per season. With ten seeds in each apple, one apple tree, one season, has the potential to produce twenty thousand more apple trees. And, a good apple tree can produce apples for one hundred years or more!

The signs of the Creator’s abundance are everywhere: in the plants, the trees, the flowers and everywhere you look. (Well, almost everywhere.) With all the great abundance and obvious design for abundance, why are so many people lacking in their lives?

It was never the intention of the Creator for the human race to be a rat race. It was never His plan for people to live with fear, anxiety and have no peace. It was not His design for people to spend their days worrying about the daily necessities of life, completely absorbed in trying to earn a living.

He Has Provide An Endless Supply

God is a God of abundance and He has provided an endless supply. He intended for us to enjoy our lives by enjoying all He has provided for us. But He also gave every one of us free will to choose.

Every person has to choose what they want to believe and accept. What we believe and accept is what we will attract and bring into our lives.

Doubts, worries, and fears will do nothing but cut you off from the flow of His abundance. It’s like putting your foot on a hose. The supply is there and it is flowing, but you are interfering with and impeding the flow.

Thinking negatively and talking negatively will bring negatives into your life. Thinking poverty or lack and talking poverty or lack will bring poverty and lack into your life.

The Creator is unlimited in His ability to supply and provide for every one of His children. The signs of that great abundance and supply are so obvious. How could we dare to think otherwise?

When we decide to think and talk of His abundance and His prosperity, His care and His protection, His endless supply and His endless love we attract those same things. When we focus on those things, they expand, and we will begin to see His abundance and prosperity flow into our lives.

Mike Verdicchio

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This Economic Mess Just Isn’t Fair!

What happened? Who is responsible for this economic mess? This is not my fault and it just isn’t fair!

Sound Familiar?

As our children were growing up, I told them many times that life is not fair. No one ever said it would be; and, it really never will be. Things will happen that will affect you that are just not right. At times, you will be treated unfairly.

What is very important is not the “what” or “why,” but rather how you respond to those kinds of situations. Today, many people are angry, and who can blame them? Some have lost their retirement savings. Others have lost their jobs. And that just isn’t fair is it?

So, Now What?

So, how do we respond to an event of this magnitude? Politicians blame other politicians. Poor people blame the rich. Some people want the government to put a band-aid on everything and make it all better.

All of that is a waste of time. It doesn’t solve anything. And, it doesn’t help or change your personal circumstances.

Here’s a Big Surprise: Life Isn’t Fair!

I’m sure we could all look back on our past and remember incidents in our lives where we were injured or treated unfairly. Once, in second grade, I was accused of something I did not do, and on top of that I was called a liar when I denied it. That was very unfair.

Another time I tried out for football in high school. There was one spot left and the choice was between two of us. I wasn’t that good of a player, but I was a whole lot better than the other kid. But, I was not chosen. When I asked why not, I was told that it would have really hurt the other kid’s feelings if he wasn’t chosen, so they picked him.

Now the sad part is that I carried the hurt and resentment from both of those incidents for a long time. But carrying all that garbage around for all that time was not profitable for my life to say the least. And, honestly,  those incidents were not critical to my life or well-being.

Yes, There Are Some Very Serious Situations We Must Deal With.

But, on the other hand, today many people are facing serious situations that are not fair. They are not responsible for the stock market, the housing industry, or the credit market. These situations are very real. But it is extremely important how we respond.

I can relate.  When I lost my job of 16 and a half years with CBS Radio I had to make a conscious effort on how I was going to respond.  I had to decide if I was going to focus on the current circumstances and be full of resentment, or move forward on a new adventure.

Trying to figure out who is to blame will solve nothing. Being upset and angry is a waste of your precious time and energy. Allowing yourself to become full of fear will not help you to get to a personal solution. These are not responses; they are reactions.

First Things First

First, stop and take breath. You are still breathing! You are alive!

Don’t allow yourself to emotionally react without thinking. Next, stop dwelling on what you have lost or may loose. Instead, look at what you have and be thankful. Thank God every day for everything that you have!

Then, ask God to help you with your personal situations. Look to Him for guidance and direction. Could there ever be a time when the situation would be so bad that God could not help? If there is, then you need to get another God!

Finally, manage your life and your affairs with wisdom and discretion. (I did not say, “With fear.”) Acting out of fear will only bring negative results into your life. Think things through and make the best decisions that you can. If you need financial counsel, then get it.

And Here Is What Is Most Important!

Above all, put your trust and confidence in God as your Supplier! No, it doesn’t mean that you just put your head in the sand and act like nothing is going on. It doesn’t mean that we do nothing and think, “Well, God’s just gotta do something.” No. We trust God for His help, but we take action without fear, moving ahead one step at a time.

It is easy to sing praises unto God when everything is going just fine. It’s easy to say that we love God and that He is so wonderful when there is no pressure. But when you are up against the wall, you will find out if you really believe that He is really real!

I am convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that our God is both able and willing to help, regardless of the stock market, the housing industry, or, the global economy for that matter. Do whatever you need to do to get convinced of that!

Refuse to react. Refuse to be motivated by fear. Instead, respond with trust in our delivering and powerful God, Who loves you unconditionally! God is still on the throne!

Mike Verdicchio

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Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential by Joel Osteen

For the most part, ministers and preachers don’t usually endorse another preacher’s book or course unless they belong to the same denomination.  Most of the time, they won’t even recognize it.

Well, I guess I’m different.  If I read something that I believe is helpful, I tell people about it.  Such is the case with this book by Pastor Joel Osteen.  Do Joel and I agree on all of our beliefs?  Most likely not, but why should that stop me talking about his book?

It was very inspiring because it was so positive!  Joel has a simple but powerful way of telling people to dream big and trust God.  Some criticize him for teaching people to expect great things from God.  But honestly speaking, if God has already promised us great things, and then instructed us to pray to Him, wouldn’t it be logical to expect great things from our God?

The dominant message in the book is that achieving a successful, prosperous life occurs when you put the past behind you, and stop worrying about the future.  Instead, make the most of each new day.

Pastor Osteen encourages people to use their God-given strengths and talents to achieve their goals. He offers seven steps: Enlarge Your Vision, Develop a Healthy Self-Image, Discover the Power of Your Thoughts and Words, Let go of the Past,

Perhaps part of Joel Osteen’s huge popularity is his very positive message.  I don’t know about you, but I want to hear a positive message.  I want to hear that I too can have confidence and trust in God and receive His blessings.

I bought Joel’s second book, but I haven’t finished it.  I honestly must say that I like the first one a lot more.  But perhaps I should wait until I finish it sometime and then write a review.  I just know that for some reason, I couldn’t put this one down.

For information on purchasing Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential BY Joel Osteen, click the link below.  I will take you to the lowest price on Amazon.

Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential

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Becoming a Millionaire God’s Way, by Dr. Tom Anderson

Becoming a Millionaire God’s Way: Getting Money to You, Not from You, by Dr. Thomas Anderson.  (Foreword by Robert T Kiyosaki)

In the summer of 2008, I had the pleasure of having lunch with Dr. Anderson and his wife.  It was delightful hour or so, and we talked about a number of things.  I really appreciate that this book is based on what he found by searching the Scriptures, applying what he learned in his own life, and then getting the results.

A number of years ago, prior to having lunch with Dr. Anderson, someone handed me a copy of this book.  I thought to myself, “That’s a pretty bold title!”  And it really is.

I read the book and found it to be very straightforward and extremely practical.  I also recognized that this message is lacking in many Christian circles.

In the book, Dr. Anderson refutes the widespread idea that one must be poor to be a Christian, sharing biblical perspectives on money, business, and investment.

Many Christians have become convinced that God wants them to prosper, but they have become content with sitting and waiting for God to drop money into their laps. Dr. Anderson writes that the Bible teaches that God blesses the work of your hand, but if your hand isn’t doing anything, there is nothing for Him to bless.

He explains the process of experiencing God’s blessing through the increase and investment of wealth. “Becoming a Millionaire God’s Way” is an invaluable resource for those who are struggling to get by and want to see God’s blessings in their life.  It is also a great tool for anyone who dreams of being an investor or an entrepreneur but never knew where to start.

This book is designed around three primary goals: to inspire readers to educate themselves about finances, to offer practical information to give readers the chance to take action, and, to impart a passion for success that will compel readers to move forward.

Having lunch with Dr. Anderson I could easily see that he not only “practices what he preaches,” but that he has a passion for helping people to live dynamic Christian lives.

For information about getting your own copy of the book, “Becoming a Millionaire God’s Way: Getting Money to You, Not from You,” just click the link below to go to the best price on Amazon.

Becoming a Millionaire God’s Way: Getting Money to You, Not from You

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George Muller: Delighted In God by Roger Steer

I read this book in the late 70’s.  It was the first of many books that I have read about George Muller.  In fact, I have read this particular book two or three times. If you have never heard of George Muller, or read about him, this book is a must!

To say that this book is inspiring is an understatement.

Mr. Muller was a man who, because of his absolute trust in God, did some remarkable exploits that still astound people to this day.

He has been referred to as a man who knew how to get answers to prayers.  He personally documented thousands of answers to his prayers.  But Mr. Muller not only prayed, he trusted and believed God.

He was searching for a way to show the world about how faithful our God is to answer prayer.  So, in the early1830’s he embarked upon an extraordinary adventure.  Disturbed by the faithlessness of the Church in general, he longed to have something to point to as ‘”visible proof that our God and Father is the same faithful creator as he ever was.”

He supervised the building of five large orphanages housing thousands of children. And all of the funding came from prayer.  All of it.  Muller simply prayed for everything required. Provision came to the orphanage work on an almost daily basis, in the form of food and supplies, as well as financial gifts.

Mr. Muller was diligent to keep a diary in which he recorded all prayer requests and the answers, including the specific amounts of monetary gifts.

Some of the stories you will read in this book are remarkable and astounding. And, even more remarkable, he never, ever went into debt.  God continued to answer his prayers and provide, year after year after year.

He never asked anyone for a single penny; no one except God.  And God answered and provided for years.  He was more successful than anyone could have believed possible and he is as much an example to our generation as to his own.

The later part of Mr. Muller’s life was spent preaching around the world.  In his 17 years of traveling, beginning in 1875, he visited over 40 countries.  Muller died peacefully in 1898 at the age of 92.  His legacy of praying and trusting God will continue to inspire people in generations to come.

This book will inspire you!  To get information about purchasing it, simply click the link below to get the lowest price at Amazon.

George Muller: Delighted In God (HistoryMakers)

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Based on a True Story

I like to watch movies based on true stories.  Recently, I saw for the first time the movie, “Music of the Heart.”  It is the amazing story of Roberta Guaspari who started an amazing violin program in East Harlem.

Most of the time, these kinds of movies inspire us.  That is certainly the case with the movie, “Miracle,” one of my favorites.   It is based on the true story of the USA Olympic Hockey Team in 1980.

But, my all time favorite is “Seabiscuit.” To watch and see the three main character’s lives change is remarkable.  I love the line in the movie, which comes up at least twice:  “You don’t throw away a whole life just because it’s banged up a little.”

Those movies are inspiring!

Movies like that really can inspire us, can’t they?  We think, “If Roberta could accomplish all of that she did with so many obstacles to overcome, then I can accomplish what I want to as well.”

“If the USA could beat the unbeatable Russians, then I can win and be successful too.”

“If Charles Howard could regroup after all that he went through, well then, so can I. If Tom Smith could find a new direction and purpose, so can I. If Red Pollard could let go of his past and become who he really wants to be, then so can I.”

Here’s my point

If movies based on true stories inspire us, why shouldn’t the stories in the Bible inspire us as well?  Too often, Biblical stories are dismissed as fables, myths, or, just something that somebody made up.

Movies about true stories are identified as, “based on a true story.”  The records you read in the Bible are not just based on a true story; they are the actual and real true stories!  No embellishment, no Hollywood additions, no adapting the screenplay was necessary to make it fit into a ninety minute time frame.  What you read is what really happened.

Many of those stories have a miraculous triumph or a supernatural event in the story.  Perhaps that’s why some people might just dismiss the story.  They think that something like that could ever happen.

If movies based on true stories can inspire people, just think how much more the true stories in the Bible could inspire people, if they only accepted them as being true.  They could really lift a person’s confidence toward God to new heights.

This is a true story

One of those stories is about a woman and her son who found themselves right in the middle of a famine.  This was something completely out of their control.  They didn’t cause the famine.  But there they were with no food.

It had come down to the woman having only a little bit of food left for one more meal.  She was going to prepare it for her and her son, eat the meal, and then die.  That was it.

But then, God did something remarkable.  The woman shared some of her last bit of food with a man of God.  He then stayed with her for over a year, and during that time, that little bit of food never ran out.  All around her was famine and starvation, but in her house, day after day, there was food to eat.

How inspiring is that record if you choose to believe that it really is true?  How much more confidence in God does that give you in light of your own circumstances?  How much more trust in God to help you supply what you need does that give you?

If He did it for her, then He could do it for me too.

On the other hand, if you choose to not believe it, what does that story do for you?  Absolutely nothing, it is just entertainment.

One must wonder and ponder carefully why there are such records in the Bible.  Are they there for our amusement?  Are they there make the book bigger and more impressive?  Are they there because someone had a wild imagination?

Or, are they divinely inspired and placed so that those who want to have more confidence and trust in a powerful and delivering God can read them, get inspired, and grow in their confidence and trust in God?

Easy answer!

Mike Verdicchio

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How Do You Define Prosperity?

The United States of America is often described as a “land of opportunity and prosperity.” Many businesses and companies in the USA have documented a “prosperous year.” In fact, over the centuries, many individuals from the United States of America have been called, “very prosperous.”

But the question I have for you is, “When you hear the word, ‘prosperity,’ what does that mean to you?” When you hear that word, what do you think of? Perhaps a better question might be, “Are you a prosperous person?”

Most people equate the word “prosperity” and the phrase “being prosperous” with money. In other words, the more money you have, the more prosperous you are. If you are lacking money, then you are lacking prosperity. But what is the standard?

How Do You Define It?

The dictionary definition of “prosperous” is, “having success, flourishing, well off, favorable.” And, Biblically, to prosper simply means to have success.

But what exactly is the standard? Who decides what is or isn’t prosperity? How do you know if you are a prosperous person? You are the only one who can define prosperity for you. The fact is, it really doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks about your life. What matters is what you think. It really is totally up to you to determine what being prosperous means for you.

There Are Two Major Downfalls

There are two major downfalls in defining prosperity. The first is the most common. It is called “denial.” That’s when people know that they are not prospering like they want to, but, they see no way to get there. So, they decide to just settle for what they have now, and try to convince themselves, and everyone else, that they are content.

You hear phrases like, “Oh, I don’t really need this or that. I can get by without it. I’m really happy with what we have and where we’re at.”

I am not talking about being grateful for the things that you have, neither am I in any way judging anyone. Being grateful for what you have is important. But, at the same time, this doesn’t mean you can’t be grateful, and still set your sights higher, too.

You Define It For Yourself

Every person really needs to determine what prosperity is for them. A lot of people who would like to see more prosperity in their life have decided to just settle for what they have now, and then call that prosperity. That’s just not honest. That is denial.

The other downfall in defining prosperity is the total opposite. It is called, “greed.” These are people who think that prosperity means acquiring everything that they can possibly get their hands on. In other words, no matter what they have, it is never enough. They have a, “whoever gets the most, wins” attitude. That is greed.

I do not pass judgment on people who have a lot of wealth. No one has the right to judge the rich or the poor. As I said, each person needs to define what prosperity means for them. But isn’t it interesting that for the most part, society hates those who have a lot, and feels sorry for those with lack?

Promises Of Abundance!

Those who have read the Bible know that there are many promises of prosperity in the Scriptures. Time and time again you can read promises of abundance. And, there are also warnings to watch out for greed. But too often, the Christian world has focused only on the warnings about greed and ignored the promises about prosperity and abundance.

Good, sincere, God loving people have been taught that to want any more than what they have right now is just being greedy. If that is true, then who are all those promises of abundance from God intended for?

When it comes to your prosperity, you are the only one who can define it. You simply decide what you want in your life. And, if along the way, you decide to change and redefine it, then go ahead and redefine it. It is your prosperity!

Since God has promised us prosperity, I really believe that it is something that is between you and God. Don’t pay attention to those who judge you. It is none of their business!

Just stay honest with God, and avoid both downfalls: greed and denial. Remember that He wants you to prosper. His supply is endless, and so is His love for you.

Mike Verdicchio

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Lottery Winners Are Broke!

I am not surprised that in this economy lottery sales are up, all over the country.  Some of the information in this article may surprise you.  it may even stun you!

Have you ever seen or heard news reports about lottery winners becoming broke? Can you imagine? They have no money left!

Many lottery winners, especially those who take a lump sum are now poor. How could that possibly be? Many people think that if they could just win the lottery, their whole life would change for the best. They think that once they win all that cash, then all their problems will disappear. Therefore, week after week they buy lottery tickets, hoping to win.

I once read about a woman who won the New Jersey lottery twice! She won in 1985, and then again in 1986. She won millions. The money has been gone for a long, long time now, and she lives in a trailer. She said, “There are a lot of people out there like me who don’t know how to deal with money. Hey, some people went broke in six months. At least I held on for a few years.”

From 16.2 Million Dollars To Living On Social Security

There was a man in Pennsylvania who took home 16.2 million dollars after taxes. He had a lump sum of 16.2 million dollars! All of that money is gone and he now lives on social security. These are not isolated incidents. Circumstances just like these continue to happen repeatedly. What is the reason?

So many lottery winners are broke because winning the lottery did not change their mental attitude about finances. Receiving a big chunk of money did not change their poverty mentality. Their poor, poverty thoughts simply continued to bring to them what those thoughts have always brought to them – poverty. A recent study of people who come into a windfall shows that they will typically prioritize buying a house as number one in a list of twelve choices, while investing is at number eleven.

Who Wants To Be Poor?

I’ve never met anyone who said, “I like being poor.” It’s just the opposite, is it not? Most poor people would readily admit that they don’t like being poor. They are tired of just getting by. They are tired of scrimping and doing without just to make ends meet. They are tired of one financial crisis after another.

Perhaps you have noticed that poor people tend to talk a lot about their lack. Therein lies the problem. Those who have great lack always talk about their great lack. They will tell you all day long how lousy things are, how they never get a break and how their boss is greedy. And, worst of all, they think that none of this plight is their fault. They see themselves as victims in this cruel life. They don’t see anything changing. They see themselves destined and shackled to a life of misery, unless of course, they win the lottery.

So, what happens if they do defy the almost impossible odds? Winning the lottery may give them some cash, but it doesn’t change their mind set. They may be distracted for a while, but they still carry the same mentality wherever they go, and whatever they do. Deep down inside, they see themselves as poor and having nothing. Even though they acquire a great increase, they end up throwing it away, spending it away, or giving it away.

Where Is Your Attitude?

It is our habitual mental attitudes that do shape our lives. Our lives can and will change as we change our thoughts, and change what we dwell on. This is true for positive and negative thinking. The Bible says, “As he thinks in his heart, so is he.” That is absolutely true for positive thinking as well as negative thinking.

Negative thoughts are destructive thoughts that neutralize all your efforts and hard work. Positive thoughts are constructive thoughts that lead you to positive results.

Change your mind by focusing on the things you do desire, instead of thinking, focusing on and complaining about the way things are right now. Continue to think about where you desire to go and what you desire to accomplish.

Change always starts with thoughts first. When those thoughts get into your heart there will be change.

Mike Verdicchio

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How Much Money Do You Make?

“Excuse me?  That’s none of your lousy business how much money I make!”  Actually, the title of this article is just the title.  I’m not asking you to leave a comment at the end and tell me what you make!  It really is none of my business, but this makes for an interesting topic.

Often When I hear young people discussing their jobs with one another, one of the first questions is usually, “How much an hour does it pay?” I know for a number of years that is what I looked at in finding a new job; how much an hour would I earn?

Then, somewhere along the line I got into the annual salary question, so instead of how much an hour, it became, “How much a year?” There was a time in my life where my goal, my dream, and my vision, was to make $40,000 a year. I thought, at that time, if I could hit that mark I would be very well off, having everything I could ever need.

But, married with two children and taking a full time job in the early 90’s for a salary of $24,000 a year was a considerable distance from my goal. Yet, somehow that figure of $40,000 a year seemed to be etched into my mind. And I indeed attracted what I focused on. I soon hit my major plateau, my pinnacle of earning.

Now here’s the funny part. Not too long after reaching that milestone in my life, I began to see that that figure wasn’t quite as abundant as I thought it was. Can you relate? Have you ever been there before?

When you reach this juncture, there are two major considerations that can either help you along your way or hinder you.

Ask Yourself Honestly

First, you have to ask yourself honestly if you are greedy and unthankful for what you have. And by the way, it is not for anyone else to judge or decide if you are greedy and unthankful for what God has blessed you with. Only you know that.

I have seen it over the years, and you probably have too, that those who make less money than you are sometimes too quick to judge others. It is none of their business.  It should be between you and God.

But there are those who think that if you have a desire to increase your earnings, and thus increase your quality of life, you are being greedy.  Please, don’t get me started on that topic!

The second consideration that can either help you along your way or hinder you is to ask yourself honestly if you really can earn more than you are earning now. Your answer to this question is the key!

What Do You Have To Do To Get There?

You see, I knew what it took for me to go from 24 to 40. But now I had my sites set on 60, maybe even 80? But the question I had to answer was, “Do I have what it takes to get to that amount?”

Be very careful with this question. Do not put yourself into a boxed category, but rather, set your annual salary in your mind first. The picture you carry of yourself is what you will see happen in your life. That is the reason some people never move any higher than 10 or 12 dollars an hour. They would love to get an increase, but inside, they see themselves as a 12 dollar an hour earner.

Where Do You See Yourself?

With this second consideration, get truly honest. Anyone can simply state, “My goal is to make $95,000 a year!” It’s easy to say that, and there is nothing wrong with having an annual salary goal. In fact, it is an excellent idea!

But then you have to honestly figure out where you see yourself right now. Do you really believe that you can earn 95,000 a year? If not, then that is the part of the consideration that you need to work on. I’ve said it so many times that it sounds like a broken record: first change what’s on the inside and you will see the change on the outside.

If you desire to see an increase in your earnings, then put your focus on that amount, not the amount you are currently earning. Then, set out to do whatever you need to do to get there. It may be more education. It may be more experience. It may be meeting certain people.

But, keep in mind that there are a lot of people who just do a lot of activities, hoping it will lead to them to success, but they still don’t see any increase. That’s why, regardless of any action that you take, be sure that you can see yourself earning the amount that you desire. If you don’t, then you will sabotage what you are doing on the outside.

God’s Promises Have Nothing To Do With The Economy.

And, anytime you ponder these matters, keep in mind that there are numerous verses in the Bible where God has promised you prosperity. He truly wishes above all things that you would prosper and be in health. It is His will that you prosper. He is the Source, and the Supply of our abundance. So talk to Him openly and honestly. Acknowledge Him in your finances and He will direct your paths.

Mike Verdicchio

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Do You Rely On Luck Or Fate?

Now i know that this article is going to cause some people to say, “Wait just a minute!”  I know that because hardly a day goes by that I don’t hear someone talking about how things that happen were just “meant to be.”  I heard it again today.  But take a few minutes and read this article, and feel free to leave your comments at the end of this article.

Do You Believe In Luck Or In Fate?

I believe in opportunities coming my way. I believe in God bringing people and situations into my life because I have prayed and am expecting those kinds of things to happen on a regular basis. But do I believe in luck and fate? No.

You hear people say, “Boy, look what happened to him, he sure is lucky.” They think that if they were “that lucky” then good things would happen to them too. So, then the reason that good things don’t come their way is simple. They’re just not lucky. Isn’t that a lousy rationalization? Not to mention, it takes no responsibility for your life!

Other times you hear things like, “That was really wonderful what happened to her; I’m sure that it was just meant to be. It’s fate, you know.” But that is the same rationale all over again using different words! So, people conclude that reason things aren’t going well for them is because they just weren’t meant to be. It’s fate.

What About Accountability And Responsibility?

Surprisingly, many people see being successful as a matter of luck and fate. And that of course takes away any accountability and responsibility. Others even put the blame on God by saying, “Well if God wants me to be successful then He will make it happen for me.” So does that mean that the reason they’re not successful is because God doesn’t want them to be? That’s can’t be true because that kind of thinking contradicts scores of promises from God that you can read in the Bible.

I do believe in God helping because He promised He would. He promised He would answer prayers, and He promised He would help. So, the question is not, “Will He?” but rather, “Are you ready?”

I know, that sounds sill doesn’t it?  “What do mean, am I ready?  Well of course I’m ready!”  Yes, but the truth of the matter is that many people miss opportunities that are almost literally dropped in their lap. Why?

They Miss Opportunities Because They Are Not Ready.

Instead of anticipating, expecting, looking forward to something, knowing that there is something coming, some people just accept and settle for the way things are right now. As they go through each day, their attitude is simply trying to get through another one so that they can go home and relax. That’s not living, that is just existing!

Very few people prepare themselves for something bigger. Their focus stays on the daily grind and all their problems, but never on the possibilities. They won’t read books, they won’t investigate new ideas, and they won’t talk to other people. They just stay in their little world. And sad, but true, many, many opportunities pass right by them.

I wrote an article over a year ago entitled, “Fate.” In it, I said the following: “The Creator gave each and every one of us free will to choose. Each one of us can decide what we want to believe and what we want to do. And, with His help, there’s really no limit to what we can accomplish.”

So, What IS Meant To Be?

If anything is really “meant to be,” it is that God wants us successful and blessed in life.  He has lovingly provided all that we need. But, He also gave us free will to choose.

If we want to, we can accept “fate,” or, we can choose to make our own life the way we want it to be by believing His promises and acting on them.

You are in life today where you are because of what you have believed and accepted as true. You can change your circumstances by changing your thinking. You can choose to focus on the things that you desire instead of settling for the way things are now.

The only other choice is to accept fate. If you accept fate, well then, good luck. You’ll need it!

Don’t Buy Into It.

Instead of buying into the whole “luck and fate” fiasco, why not expect good solid opportunities to come your way? Believe and trust God to bring people and situations into your life because you pray and because you are expecting those kinds of things to happen to you on a regular basis. Throw luck and fate out the window. Take responsibility for your life and expect great things from God!

Mike Verdicchio