Tag Archives: abundance

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Pressure

Life with no pressure?  Not hardly.  There will always be pressure of some kind; it is part of life.

How do you deal with pressure?  I have seen some people allow pressure to really stress them out.  They worry, expect the worse, and just mentally tie themselves in knots. Many times their prayers are prayers of desperation, not expectation.

Have you ever been there before?  I have.  It doesn’t work very well, does it?

Then there are those who put all their focus and attention on a solution. They are bound and determined that come hell or high water they will figure it all out by themselves.  Maybe not even conscious about it, they simply God out of the equation.

And there are those who say and think that it is all in “God’s hands” and He just has to take care of it because He promised to supply all that we need.  Those people sit and wait for God to do something while they take no action.

Where Is The Balance?

Yes, it is true that God has promised to supply all that we need.  Yes, He has promised to not only supply what we need, but to supply it in abundance.  But does that mean that we simply do nothing and wait for that supply to just drop out of the sky?  You’re going to get a stiff neck doing that!

Remember when Jesus was teaching and he used the example of birds?  He said that the birds didn’t sow or gather into barns, but instead, they were fed by our heavenly Father.

Now some may say, “See, God takes care of it all; we just need to wait for Him to do it.”

Well, just how does God feed the birds?  Does He open their little beaks each morning and drop a fresh worm down their throat?  No. He does it trough the wonderful food chain that He has provided. But guess what?  It is up to the birds to leave the nest and go out and get their worms.

Jesus Christ then went on to say that we are better than the birds. That’s really quite a statement, isn’t it?  If God provides for the birds then He will certainly provide for us as well.

The balance is first recognizing that God is the One Who gives and provides.  We become absolutely confident in His promises to provide abundance for us as He has promised.  And then, we take whatever action we can, so that we can receive the abundance that he has provided and promised. In other words, we get out of the nest and go get our worms!

I choose to take responsibility for my life by taking responsibility for my actions.  And since God has promised that He will provide, I will pray, look for, and expect to find and receive His gracious provision.  My complete trust is in my God.  How about you?

Mike Verdicchio
2010

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Why Are People Poor?

Today I am posting an article that I published a couple of years ago about poverty.  Just like then, I am sure today there will be people who will not agree with what I have to say.  So, see what you think.

I believe what I wrote two years ago is still true, even during these very uncertain economic times we are living in.

Poverty

The cause of poverty is not a lack of money.  Does that statement shock you? It’s true.  A lack of money may be an effect of poverty, but it is not the cause of poverty.

The cause of poverty is poverty thinking.  Poverty comes from poverty beliefs and poverty attitudes; it comes from a poverty mindset.

Not having Money Is Not Poverty

Here’s another statement that might shake you. Not having money does not mean you’re impoverished.  Let me explain.  Suppose your checkbook gets all the way to zero.  You are flat broke now.  But, being flat broke now does not mean that you will be flat broke permanently. It absolutely does not guarantee that you will forever stay flat broke.

There are countless millionaires who at one time or another were flat broke.  Why didn’t they stay flat broke?  Some have even confessed going broke a number of times.  A lack of money is not the issue.  What’s in your mind is the issue.

Why Are People In Poverty?

Have you ever asked someone who is indeed in poverty why they are in that state?  They will tell you exactly why. They will give you one poverty-minded statement after another.  They will point out every lack that they have.

They come from a poor family.  They lack education.  Good jobs are hard to come by these days.  The price of everything today is too high.  They never get a decent break like a lot of other people do.  The government doesn’t really care about them enough.

They have ingrained these thoughts into their minds and hearts. They have allowed that kind of thinking to actually take root in their heart, and become their belief system.

Is There A Choice?

What we choose to believe is what we will manifest in our lives.  This universal law works with accuracy and precision no matter who the person is and no matter what the circumstances are.

I have visited a number of foreign countries.  It is just amazing to me how anyone in the United States can stay in poverty.  There is so much wealth, abundance and opportunity in the United States that it staggers the mind.

Now just above the poverty line there are those who are just struggling to get by. Many are working very hard to make ends meet each month.  Some work two and three jobs.  They are labeled as the “lower middle class.”

They may put forth a great effort, but they still seem to get nowhere except just above the poverty line.  They will stay there because that’s what they choose to believe.

Life Is Not Luck Or Fate

So, is that their fate?  Nothing could be farther from the truth.  Are we to believe that some people are just blessed with a better life than others?  Does the God show more favor on some but less on others? No!

Once you identify and accept that you are in a certain category in life and you really believe that in your heart, that is where you will stay. It really makes no difference where you are today. Whether you qualify as in poverty, just above poverty, lower middle class or middle class, none of those descriptions really mean anything unless you continue to accept them as true for your life.

The point is, where you are today is a result of your own belief system.  Wherever you are today in life is a direct result of what you have decided to believe.

You Can Change Your Life

If you can accept that truth, you can change your circumstances because you recognize what very few ever recognize.  The power to change your life is in your brain. The thoughts that you consistently entertain will form your own personal belief system.

Change your life and your circumstances by first changing your thoughts, hour by hour and day by day.  Fill your mind with thoughts of where you want to go, not where you are today.

You may not be in poverty, but, are you where you really desire to be in your life?  If not, why not?  Do you need to change your thoughts to form a new belief system?

Get honest with yourself and really examine your thoughts.  A good indication of your thoughts is what comes out of your mouth.

You can change your life and your circumstance by changing your belief system.  And you can change your belief system by changing your thinking, one thought at a time.

Michael A. Verdicchio
2008

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Three Keys To Prosperity

It’s Another Podcast!

In these days of economic uncertainty, why in the world am I talking about prosperity?  Shouldn’t the focus be on surviving this economic fiasco?  Maybe.  And then again, maybe not.

God’s promises of prosperity are still true.

In this short podcast (9:51) discover three basic and simple keys to prosperity.  But, if you think that God’s will is for you to just survive and get by, then you don’t need to hear this.

Enjoy the podcast!

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

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Wait And See?

It’s Another Podcast!

Are you waiting for the right time to do something, or make a change?  Is there really ever going to be a right time when everything is perfectly in place?

This short podcast (4:34) is a pep talk for those who want to do something, but have been waiting and waiting and waiting.

Don’t wait, listen to this now, and see what you think.

Enjoy the podcast!

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

Leave A Comment!
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Are You Hanging In There?

It’s Another Podcast!

I am hearing this response a lot more these days: “I’m hanging in there.”  Lots of people are going through some difficult times, especially in light of the current economy.

In this short podcast (7:54 ) find out why statements like, “just hanging in there, are so defeating and what you can do about it.  You will discover some very simple keys on getting to the point of believing God and seeing His promises come into your life.

Enjoy the podcast

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

Leave A Comment!
Do you have some thoughts about this?  We’d love to hear what you think.  If you are receiving this post via email or RSS, just click the title above and then scroll to the bottom of the post and type in your comment.  Otherwise, just scroll to the bottom of this post and type in your comment.

Related Posts:
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Share This Podcast!
To share this podcast on social media, like Facebook, or, Twitter, there are buttons below.

For past articles, click on the, “Posts” tab above.  For past videos and podcasts, mouse over the “Posts” tab above.  Look for more videos as well as more podcasts coming soon to Confidence And Joy!

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Who Wants To be A Millionaire?

It’s Another Podcast!

In these days of economic uncertainty there is no lack of “get rich quick” schemes.  Those feeling desperate can many times buy into those kinds of offers.

In this short podcast, (about 3 minutes) I talk about one I heard recently about how you can become a millionaire!  And it is so easy! You gotta hear this!

Enjoy the podcast.

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

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Are Weeds Growing In Your Head?

I have written before about how thoughts can be “weed seeds.” Negative or destructive thoughts in our mind are very similar to weeds in a flowerbed or garden. They will grow and flourish unless we get them out!

Can The Words That We Speak Be Weed Seeds Too?

The Bible says that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. In order to speak something it needs to be in our mind or heart; and then we say it. Many times this happens simultaneously.

Speaking something reinforces the thought or belief to ourselves. For example, you may have heard someone recently say, “If things don’t change, we are going into a deep depression in our country.”

Those Are Words. They Plant Seeds.

Words that you hear can settle in your mind and take root. Then, the next thing you know you are telling someone else about a looming depression. And as soon as you say those words, just like thinking those words, it’s like nourishing that new “weed seed” in your mind. And, we all know how fast weeds can grow!!

I have no control over tiny seeds blowing into my flowerbed. Neither do you! But I do have control over what I plant in my flowerbed! So do you! And I doubt very seriously that you have ever planted a weed. I never have. Why? Because neither of us are that dumb!

So, if I choose to not plant weeds in my flowerbed or garden, why would I want to plant weeds in my head? The things that I choose to think about and say can and do plant weeds.

You Can Choose To Think About “Lack,” But…

If you think about and dwell on your lack, you will see your lack continue to grow. You nurture that lack by speaking about it, by telling yourself and others how much lack you have. And, your focus remains on what you don’t have, your lack! But instead, you can choose to think on abundance! Abundance? How can someone possibly choose to think on abundance when they have lack? How can you dare to plant an abundance seed in your mind during these very critical times?

Well, why not? Abundance and prosperity are promised by God in the Bible! Have you ever considered nourishing abundance and prosperity seeds in your mind and allowing them to flourish?

If you wanted a beautiful flowerbed, you would certainly have no qualms about planting the seeds to grow those flowers. You wouldn’t think that because they are just seeds, they won’t make a difference.

Those who have lack and continue to think about their lack and talk about their lack, will evidence nothing but lack. Each time they do, it’s like watering and fertilizing that lack seed. We certainly would never intentionally do that with a weed in the flowerbed, would we?

Have You Ever Had A Garden Or Flowerbed?

In the flowerbed, or garden we see and recognize the weeds. They are there. We then do whatever we need to do to get them out! We remove them! “It’s time for you to go!” And in its place, we plant what we do want to grow.

Why not take the time to water and nurture the seed of abundance? Yes but, what about the economy? Regardless of whether the economy is up or down, or sideways, it is never God’s will for you to lack. He has promised to supply all that you need so that your life is fulfilled, regardless of the economy.

He has promised to give you the desires of your heart, regardless of the economy. He said that He wishes above all things that you would prosper and be in health, regardless of the economy.

Those are really good seeds to plant in your mind! Why not try those out for a while? Replace the lack seeds with abundance seeds.

Take a look and see what’s growing in the garden of your mind. Take an honest look! What kind of thoughts are you thinking? What are you talking about? In every category of your life, get rid of the weeds and plant the promises of God!

Mike Verdicchio

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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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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