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.]

Jesus’ disciples came to him one day asking about how to increase their faith. He gave quite an answer.  In fact, the two examples he used in his answer are very enlightening.

Concerning increasing their faith, or believing, he told them that if they had faith the size of a mustard seed they could say to a sycamine tree, “Come up out of there by the roots and go plant yourself in the sea.”  And then he said the tree would obey.

In his answer he used a mustard seed and a sycamine tree.  The mustard seed of the lands and times of the Bible is the smallest of all seeds. If it got into your eye, you would hardly be aware if it.  Yet that mustard seed will grow into a tree, as big as the apple trees here in the United States.

How Much?

So, how much faith do you need?  How big does it have to be?  The disciples were concerned about increasing their faith so that they could do more, or produce more.  Jesus said that all you need is a speck.

That means that when it comes to faith, or believing, it is not the size or amount. Rather, you either believe or you don’t believe.  But when you do believe, the results are tremendous, big enough to uproot and replant a sycamine tree.

The sycamine tree mentioned in the Bible is the wild fig tree.  And although it produces fruit year round, usually six times a year, most people do not eat the fruit because those figs are very bitter.

What is very interesting is that although the sycamine tree is small, it has an enormous root system. The roots of that tree are varied in size and spread so far and wide, and deep, that even today with our modern machinery it would be impossible to pull out a sycamine tree without leaving some of the roots behind.

But Jesus said that if you have faith, or believing, the size of a mustard seed, you would be able to say to the sycamine tree, be plucked out by the roots.  The smallest amount of believing can remove this bitter fruit tree with all of its extensive root system.  And not only remove it, but replant it in the sea; replanted under the water far from you.

Have You Ever Thought Abut This?

Consider this for a moment.  Was Jesus teaching his disciples how they could get rid of literal trees?  Was this a lesson in agriculture?  Or is there a much deeper meaning?

I believe he was teaching that we Christians, by believing who we are and who God has made us to be in the new birth, can pluck out negative issues in our lives.  In the epistles it talks about putting off the things of the old man nature.  It talks about casting down things that are contrary to the Word of God.  It talks about forgetting things of the past, laying aside every weight and sin that holds us back.

We all have areas in our lives that we would like to change.  But, do any of us have as many issues as the sycamine tree has roots?  Jesus was teaching that we can address those issues specifically.  By believing who you are, a child of God, empowered with His power, you can command those issues to leave.

For example, you can say to anger, “Anger, be removed from my life and be cast away in the name of Jesus Christ,” and if you believe who you really are, it has to obey you!  Whether it be anger, bitterness, ingratitude, sickness, ugly habits; it doesn’t matter; you, by believing, and by the power of God, can remove them from your life.

He Said You Can Do The Impossible!

It sounds impossible, yet Jesus Christ used an example of something that was impossible.  He was teaching them that with faith, believing, you can do the impossible.  As a matter of fact, it wasn’t the only time he taught them that they could do the impossible.

On another occasion he told them that if they believed, and didn’t doubt, they could say to a mountain, be removed and cast into the sea.  Do you think that he was instructing them on how to change the landscape?  Or, again, was he teaching a deeper truth?

In our lives there are times when we face what seem to be insurmountable obstacles.  We encounter roadblocks that keep us from where we are headed in life.  And yet, as big as those mountains may seem, by believing God, and believing who God has made us to be, and not doubting in our hearts, we can speak directly to the mountains to remove them.

There are two things that Jesus said we could remove by believing and speaking to them directly: the sycamine tree, with its bitter fruit and enormous root system, and a mountain.   He was clear that it wasn’t the amount of faith or believing that we have, just that we have it.

Now I am absolutely certain that if God gave you revelation to remove a literal sycamine tree, and you believed Him, you could indeed remove the tree and send it  into the sea.  The same would be true for a literal mountain.

And yes, I can certainly see those two examples as Jesus teaching about believing to do the impossible.  If God reveals something to you that is impossible, by believing and not doubting in your heart you can operate His power and do it.

In addition to that, having Scriptures in the epistles that talk about putting off, and casting down, etc., we can begin practicing the instruction that Jesus gave us, can’t we?  We can start to specifically address the issues in our lives we want to remove, instead of either complaining or settling.

And as we get into the habit of speaking directly to those issues and roadblocks, by the authority of the Christ in us, we can begin to get rid of our doubts to the end that we simply believe. All we need is faith, or believing, the size of a mustard seed.

Luke 13:19:
It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.

Luke 17:5 and 6
And the apostles said unto the Lord, increase our faith.

And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.

Matthew 11:23
For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

Ephesians 4:22
That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

Colossians 3:8
But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

II Corinthians 10:5
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Philippians 3:13
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but [this] one thing [I do], forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

Hebrews 12:1
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

I Peter 2:1
Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

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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There are a number of different reasons why some people are afraid to trust God for His help.  But it seems that in the troubling days we are living in, a few more people each day are at least considering the possibility of receiving help from God.  Perhaps this article can be of great assistance to those wondering if they really can trust God to help them.

Why are some people afraid to trust God? Some are afraid of the answer they might receive.  Others are afraid that they are not worthy of receiving His help.  Still others fear that God may not give them what they really need.  But are these really valid reasons, or are they just suppositions or assumptions based on falsehoods?

Some are afraid to trust God because they have heard that God gives you sicknesses or problems just to test your faith.  It’s pretty hard to put your trust in someone who just might bring disaster in your life, isn’t it? I don’t believe that God brings misery and tragedy into your life to test you.  That is not the action of a loving God.

Others have a hard time trusting God because they just don’t feel like their life has measured up to the standard that they think warrants having God’s blessing on their life.  In other words, they are afraid that they don’t deserve God’s help or His blessings, because they haven’t been as “good” as someone else said that they should be.  Some sincere religious soul has duped them into thinking that they must earn God’s love.

Others are afraid that God’s answer might bring them help in a way that they would not like.  In other words, if they ask and trust God for housing that they need, they are afraid that His answer might be a one room apartment and that they would then need to be thankful and just accept it.  But that is just the opposite of what is promised in the Bible. The Bible says that God supplies all that we need.

He Is Not Testing Your Faith

God does not rain problems down on your life to test your faith.  God does not bestow His love and blessings on those who have earned it and deserve it.  (Who would qualify?)  And, God does not answer our prayers with inferior results that do not supply our needs.  Those assumptions are erroneous, and those who teach such are teaching error and are actually preventing people from receiving from a loving and kind God.

So, we are left with a decision.  We can either choose to not trust God based on what people say, or we can choose to trust God based on what He says.  There are countless scriptures where God encourages us to trust Him.  The Bible is full of exhortation for us to call upon Him for help.  And, He has made promise after promise that He will indeed help us.

What does it really mean to trust Him?  Is it some kind of blind faith?  Is it more than just saying that we are trusting in Him?  What can we expect from Him when we do indeed trust Him?

How To Trust God

To trust God is to have absolute confidence in Him and simply accept and believe what He has promised us.  It is not a casual request to someone who may or may not be interested in helping.  It is not going through some religious motion or notion of saying a prayer and then hoping for the best.

Trusting God means that we have no doubts; we are convinced.  We recognize that He is unlimited in His resources to supply.  We recognize that He is the One Who said that we ought to ask for His help.  We accept and believe that what He has promised He is willing and able to perform on our behalf.  That is how to trust God.

We have many examples in the scriptures of those who believed and trusted God and received genuine help from Him.  Those examples cover aspects of life including healing, finances, peace and safety, to name a few  If they trusted God and received the help that they needed, so can we.

We each choose what we are going to believe. We can choose to believe some sincere soul who claims to speak for God but is in fact not speaking truthfully according to the scriptures.  Or, we can choose to accept what God says and take Him at His Word, putting our complete trust and confidence in Him.  If we truly want the results that we are looking for, we would be wise to trust in God.

Mike Verdicchio
2012

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It’s Another Saturday Night Podcast!

But, tomorrow is Mother’s Day, so let me first wish all the Moms a very Happy Mother’s Day! My Mom is 82 and I am very thankful for all she did for me.

This short podcast [13:59 ] is a recap of the teaching I did last Thursday as I finished up a series called, “Receiving His Abundance.”  Those who think God wants you to be poor may not like what I have to say about, “greed.” Plus, I’ll give you the “bottom line” on “need.”

Listen and see what you think.

Enjoy the podcast!

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Money Matters
Money Matters Two
Money Matters Three
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When some people pray to God, they not only present their request to Him, they also instruct Him on how He is supposed to take care of it.  That sounds a little presumptuous and arrogant, don’t you think?  Of course no one would ever admit that they are engaged in ordering the Almighty around, but that’s really what they are doing.

Far too often we think that we see the only possible solution.  So, we petition God with our request, and add the solution to the prayer.  This is what I need, and this is how and when to get it done.  Have we forgotten that He is still God Almighty?

Remember the story in the Bible of the woman whose husband died leaving her and two sons with some debt?  In that culture, it was legal for the creditor to come and take away the two sons and have them work until the debt was paid off.  That scenario would of course been disastrous for the widow.

What Can She Possibly Do Now?

She needed money to pay that debt.  And again, in that culture, she couldn’t just go out and get a job.  She certainly was not going to get a “bail out” from the government!

So how was she to acquire the funds necessary to pay off the debt? The solution that God provided was so far outside of the nine dots that it is truly remarkable.  The man of God told her exactly what to do.

The only thing of value that she had was a little bit of olive oil in a cruse.  The first part of the solution was to borrow as many empty vessels as she could.  The second part of the solution was to then fill those empty vessels from her little cruse of oil.

The miracle was that she kept filling and filling until all the empty vessels were filled with oil.  The third part of the solution was to sell the oil.  The money she received was enough to pay all the debt, and, she had enough left over for her and her sons to live.

What About You?

Of course someone might say, “Well, that’s nice for her, but God would certainly never do something like that for me today.”  For those who choose to think that way and believe that way, they are right. He won’t.

Why do we choose to live outside of the supernatural?  Why do we dismiss the miraculous?  Why do we limit God by simply putting Him into a box that we have designed?

The God of the Bible is still today a God of unlimited resources and endless possibilities.  Do we believe that He has run out of His ability to provide solutions?  Do we propose that the only solutions He has are solutions that we can conceive?

Unfortunately, some people’s prayer life has become simply giving God orders.  These people tell God what the situation is, and then they tell Him how He is supposed to fix it.  And when He doesn’t comply, people get discouraged and think that He no longer answers prayers.

Stop Ordering Him Around!

We are instructed in Scriptures to tell God what our need is.  We are to let Him know our requests.  We are to cast all our cares upon Him because He cares for us.  But does it say we are to then tell Him how and when to answer?

It is always a great joy to me in my life when God answers a prayer in a way that I would have never considered.  Every time it happens I am reminded once again that God is almighty; He is a God of endless solutions and possibilities.

I’m not saying that God will always answer a prayer in a way that you would have never imagined.  But the point is, we need to let God be God and allow Him to do His part however He sees fit. Our part is to pray, to ask, and to let Him know what we need.  We pray and believe that He will answer our prayer.

If we truly believe and have confidence in God to answer our prayers, then we look for and expect an answer with patience.  We have our eyes open for possibilities and solutions that we may have never have even imagined.

No matter what situation you may be in, never doubt God’s ability.  He has unlimited resources.  He has solutions that you have never even dreamed of.  He is, after all, God Almighty.

Mike Verdicchio
2012

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It’s a special day for me; for us.

41 years ago today, on a Saturday afternoon, Kathy and I stood before a Justice of the Peace in El Paso, Texas.  We both said, “I do.”

We ate at McDonald’s and stayed at Motel 6.  We went across the border and each bought a floppy leather hat and a pair of sandals.   The next day, we returned to Carlsbad, New Mexico, and on Monday we went back to work.

I have often told couples that it is not who performs your ceremony, where the wedding takes place, or even who attends.  What is most important is the commitment that you make to each other before God.

Yes, it would have been really great to have had a wedding with lots of family and friends and a big celebration.  And while we have no memories of that kind of an event, we do remember driving home down the highway, windows open, floppy hats flapping in the breeze, singing and laughing.

That was 41 years ago.  Today, we no longer have the floppy hats, but we still enjoy being together, singing and laughing.  Marriage is a commitment; a decision that no matter what happens, the two of you, with God’s help, can enjoy your lives together as husband and wife.

I am so grateful, beyond words, for the commitment and loving support from my best friend through all these years.  And should we be blessed to live another 41 years, I look forward to more singing and laughing.

Happy Anniversary, Kathy!

Mike Verdicchio
2012

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It’s Another Saturday Night Podcast!

Promises And Warnings

There are some people who focus only on warning verses about money.  Others only like to talk about the verses of promises concerning finances.

God put both promises and warnings in the Bible for a reason and we shouldn’t ignore either, don’t you think?  Do you know what happens when you ignore the warnings, or, ignore the promises?

This short podcast [14:23] is third in a series. If you haven’t listened to the two previous podcasts, there are links below.

Enjoy the podcast!

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Money Matters
Money Matters Two
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Have you ever been in a trying or difficult situation and thought, “What am I supposed to learn from this?”  If you have, or know others who have, it is because that kind of thinking is propounded by some people.  But, why is that?

Now of course you and I learn many things from various difficult situations that we face in our lives, no doubt.  We all make mistakes, and, hopefully, we learn from them.  I’m not denying that.

But posing the question, “What am I supposed to learn from this,” results in subtle undertones that the situation itself was given to me for the sole purpose that I need to learn something.  I do not ascribe to that kind of thinking, and I’ll tell you why.

Trying Times Are Not Fun

First of all, being in a difficult situation is never pleasant. Whether it is through my own mistakes, or something outside of my control, those situations are never a lot fun.  Wouldn’t you agree?

But then, if I then add to the current misery that this situation was given to me so that I could learn something, I have to wonder who gave it to me. Don’t you?  And there are some well meaning religious people quick to inform you that God is the one who gave you this misery, because you are supposed to learn something.

I believe that is foolish.  If you’ve ever read about the man Job in the Bible, then you know that he experienced an extremely difficult time.  He lost all his children, all of his wealth, and, almost all his health in a very short amount of time.  It was so bad that his wife encouraged him to just curse God and die.  But the record says that Job never charged God foolishly.

Whether openly, which some people do, or subtly, it disgusts me to hear God being blamed for troubles, hardships and evil.  The nature of the one true God is love and light, not hate and darkness.  To think that difficult times are engineered by Him so that you can learn something is very degrading to the Almighty.

The truth is that in difficult situations we certainly might learn something valuable, but on the other hand we might not.  A better question might be, “What can I learn from all of this?”  Of course, if we’re honest, we all know that in those difficult situations, what we learn is not our primary focus, is it?  The learning usually takes place once we’ve discovered a solution or resolution and we look back and reflect.

His Nature

The one true God is a God of love, light and deliverance; a very present help in time of need.  He does not send sickness, tragedy, or difficult times because you need to learn a few things.  However, there is another god mentioned in the Bible who has quite a different agenda.  He comes to steal, kill and destroy.

The evil in this world originates from, as the Bible calls him, “the god of this world,” among other names.  There is day coming when he will be completely destroyed.  But even so, I am also not one of those who constantly refer to the devil. I don’t say, “The devil did that; look what the adversary did to me now; Satan is really attacking this time,” or anything similar.

Even though I know that all the evil can be traced back to him, I refuse to even give him credit for his evil. Instead, I choose to put my focus on my loving God and Father.  The one true God is a God of solutions, even miraculous solutions at times.  The Bible states, “If God be for us, who can be against us?”

It’s Your Choice

As we go through this life we ought to continue learn and grow.  And certainly in difficult situations there are things we can learn.  But why not choose to keep your focus on the Giver, the Supplier, and the Healer? Focus on the truth in the Bible that nothing can separate you from His love.

By the way, the man Job had some friends who in his time of trouble tried very hard to get him to admit that his situation was the result of sin in his life.  But, once they were all done jawing, God asked Job to pray for them!  You would have thought it would be the other way around, right?

Then God not only healed Job, but He gave him double of everything that he lost.  God doesn’t steal, He gives; He doesn’t kill, He heals.

And, one more thought, just for fun.  Have you ever noticed that when something really good is happening in your life, no one ever says, “What are you supposed to learn from this?”

Mike Verdicchio
2012

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It’s Another Saturday Night  Podcast!

Money isn’t everything. I know that, but in our culture today we need money for just about everything.

Few understand the second part of the great Law of Giving and Receiving.  In this podcast, [19:55] I take a brief look at both parts of this law; it is something we all need to understand especially in light of what we are witnessing today; an economic crisis that is worldwide.

Our deep seated core beliefs concerning money and finances play a big part of our financial prosperity. Find out if you should really expect to receive back when you give;  find out how to tap into the unlimited resources of God Almighty.

Enjoy the podcast!

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

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

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

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

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

Increased Ratings = Increased Revenues

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

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

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

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

What’s Your Suitcase Look Like?

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

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

Mike Verdicchio
2012

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It’s Another Podcast!

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

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

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

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

Enjoy the podcast!

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You Might Also Enjoy:
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How Much Money Do You Make?
We Are Reminded Every day

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There’s More!
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Enriching Your Life Now!