Monthly Archives: February 2022

When Anyone Strays from the Truth

Posted on February 3, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Now that most of your New Year Resolutions have been broken, where do you go from here? Well as February begins, maybe you can reboot 2022 with more realistic goals? Yet, if you were the baby brother of Jesus, being honest and forthright with God is a good place to start. The sooner you acknowledge your own shortcomings, the freer you become to turn this year around.

[My] brethren, if anyone among you strays from the Truth and falls into error and another [person] brings him back [to God], 20 Let the [latter] one be sure that whoever turns a sinner from his evil course will save [that one’s] soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins [[a]procure the pardon of the many sins committed by the convert], James 5:19-20.

One of Jesus’ disciples refers to the concept of being spiritually governed in 1 Peter 1:14. Do you want to be influenced and led by the Holy Spirit as in Galatians 5:25? Or do you prefer to fall back to the days of being governed by your sinful nature? Heck just trying to eat right and healthy is a daily struggle for me. Yet, like the apostle Paul in Romans 7:14-15, I hate being a slave to sin.

[So] if we say we are partakers together and enjoy fellowship with Him when we live and move and are walking about in darkness, we are [both] speaking falsely and do not live and practice the Truth [which the Gospel presents]. 7 But if we [really] are living and walking in the Light, as He [Himself] is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses (removes) us from all sin and guilt [keeps us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations], 1 John 1:6-7.

Whenever you stray from the truth, you’re merely being reunited with your former way of life. You might feel good for a while reminiscing, but faith involves entering into a new fellowship. You may be able to fool your co-workers or family members, but you can’t fool God. Therefore, come clean by being honest. This goes against everything the world says to do, but confession leads to freedom and healing. May the rest of 2022 be filled with grace, mercy and forgiveness.

by Jay Mankus

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The Focal Point

Posted on February 2, 2022 by expressyourself4him

A focal point is the point at which rays or waves meet after reflection or refraction. In the context of ornamental horticulture, a focal point is the center of attention. While the focal point is usually the front door of a house, columns, gardens and statues are architectural features that are also highlighted. From a spiritual perspective, Jesus isn’t merely an accessory, He’s the Centerpiece and Focal Point of Faith.

But they have not all heeded the Gospel; for Isaiah says, Lord, who has believed (had faith in) what he has heard from us? 17 So faith comes by hearing [what is told], and what is heard comes by the preaching [of the message that came from the lips] of Christ (the Messiah Himself), Romans 10:16-17.

My higher education in golf course design never made it past my internship in my final year of college. Since I worked early in the morning, I ended up as an overachiever doing a double internship in youth ministry. Sometimes I wonder why God allows individuals to head down paths in life that end up in dead ends. Perhaps this occurs so that believers refocus their attention on the focal point of faith.

Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I tell their faults and convict and convince and reprove and chasten [I discipline and instruct them]. So be enthusiastic and in earnest and burning with zeal and repent [changing your mind and attitude]. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears and listens to and heeds My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will eat with him, and he [will eat] with Me, Revelation 3:19-20.

One of my favorite passages in the Bible is listed above. While certain verses are self explanatory, others require time to reflect upon the spiritual truth hidden within. John received a vision of a door with only one handle. Apparently, God’s side does not have a handle, symbolic of free will given to all human beings. While you can’t physically see God, subtle signs are present daily if you’re paying attention, Romans 1:20. Like the words of Hebrews 12:1-2 that compares life to running a marathon, fix your eyes on Jesus, the focal point of the Christian faith.

by Jay Mankus

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Cleaning Out the Closet of Your Past

Posted on February 1, 2022 by expressyourself4him

As my wife and I prepare to move this summer, I find myself going through my closet once a week to figure out what else I need to get rid of. Over the past 25 years, I’ve accumulated a vast collection of golf attire and jackets. While I don’t wear every shirt, some of these remain on hangers as they hold great sentimental value. Yet, at some point I have to let go by cleaning out the closet of my past.

So kill (deaden, [a]deprive of power) the evil desire lurking in your members [those animal impulses and all that is earthly in you that is employed in sin]: sexual vice, impurity, sensual appetites, unholy desires, and all greed and covetousness, for that is idolatry (the deifying of self and other created things instead of God). 6 It is on account of these [very sins] that the [holy] anger of God is ever coming upon the sons of disobedience (those who are obstinately opposed to the divine will), Colossians 3:5-6.

The Bible refers to a different kind of closet. Rather than doing a load of laundry, the apostle Paul refers to actions, behaviors and lifestyles you engaged in prior to becoming a Christian. These selfish desires need to be removed permanently, but many new believers find it hard to let go of their past. Just like the clothes still hanging in my closet, you need to rid your life of any former impulses and sensual desires.

That each one of you should know how to [c]possess (control, manage) his own [d]body in consecration (purity, separated from things profane) and honor, 5 Not [to be used] in the passion of lust like the heathen, who are ignorant of the true God and have no knowledge of His will, 6 That no man transgress and overreach his brother and defraud him in this matter or defraud his brother in business. For the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we have already warned you solemnly and [e]told you plainly. 7 For God has not called us to impurity but to consecration [to dedicate ourselves to the most thorough purity], 1 Thessalonians 4:4-7.

In the passage above, the apostle Paul provides a pep talk for anyone struggling to change for the better. Too many people make a public profession of faith, but live most of their lives like a chameleon, blending in depending upon their environment. Perhaps this explains the command in Matthew 16:24-27 to deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Jesus. As you take steps toward cleaning out the closet of your past, you’ll begin to experience glimpses of the abundant life that Jesus promised in John 10:10. May the start of a new month kick start the remainder of 2022.

by Jay Mankus

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