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Hooked, Lined and Sinking

Posted on March 22, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Whenever anyone has made up their mind to do something, whether good or bad, it’s nearly impossible to prevent them from acting out what has been conceived within their mind. Jesus’ earthly brother, son of Mary and Joseph, compares this to a hungry fish. While some fish are smarter than others, a particular bait is too enticing to resist. From a spiritual standpoint, this is called hooked, lined, and sinking further and further away from a sound mind.

But before they lay down, the men of the city of Sodom, both young and old, all the men from every quarter, surrounded the house. 5 And they called to Lot and said, Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us, that we may know (be intimate with) them, Genesis 19:4-5.

As someone who has lived in the city and country, every area possesses what locals refer to as relatively safe and unsafe places. As a new resident to South Carolina, I may have ventured into danger without knowing about it. Nonetheless I try to stay alert so I don’t wander into trouble. Unfortunately sin clouds the minds of the addicted and those struggling with bad habits. Anyone who falls under the influence of temptation will likely emulate the enticed fish in the passage below.

Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted from God; for God is incapable of being tempted by [what is] evil and He Himself tempts no one. 14 But every person is tempted when he is drawn away, enticed and baited by his own evil desire (lust, passions). 15 Then the evil desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully matured, brings forth death, James 1:13-15.

While Lot lived in a he city of Sodom, he kept to himself based upon Moses’ description. However as two angels visit Lot, it’s clear that the residents are open about their sexuality. Moses’ words highlight the enticement and lust inside their hearts. When human beings don’t care about changing for the better, it’s like a hooked fish sinking closer and closer toward death. Wake up before it’s too late.

By Jay Mankus

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The Maga Narrative of the Bible

Posted on March 21, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Maga is an acronym former president Donald J. Trump created to highlight his 2016 campaign slogan: Make American Great Again. Some opponents of Trump responded by claiming that America was never great to begin with. Regardless of the various opinions that do exist, the spiritual solution to make America great again begins inside human hearts, Romans 10:9-11. As lives are transformed from the inside out, homes, neighborhoods and towns can change for the better.

This [Jesus] is the Stone which was despised and rejected by you, the builders, but which has become the Head of the corner [the Cornerstone]. 12 And there is salvation in and through no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by and in which we must be saved, Acts 4:11-12.

The author of the passage above was a first century doctor. This physician also served as a Paul’s historian, recording the details of his numerous missionary journeys. The context of this passage begins with John and Peter, two of Jesus’ disciples, addressing military and spiritual leaders. The rejection Luke mentions occurred on Good Friday when Jesus was sentenced to death, crucified on a cross. Despite this decision, Jesus has become the cornerstone of the Christian faith thanks to the resurrection three days later.

And how can men [be expected to] preach unless they are sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who bring glad tidings! [How welcome is the coming of those who preach the good news of His good things!] 16 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 10:15-17.

The apostle Paul points to the spiritual Maga narrative of the Bible in the passage above. According to Paul, faith comes from hearing the message of the good news about Jesus Christ, John 3:16-17 and Romans 5:8. From a modern perspective, faith comes from hearing and reading the Bible, Joshua 1:8. Whenever children, women or men develop a spiritual hunger, Matthew 6:33-34, faith gradually changes your mindset from the world toward heaven, Colossians 3:1-4. As long as this spiritual hunger continues, making America Great Again becomes possible when God is on your side, Philippians 4:13.

by Jay Mankus

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Is Anything Too Hard for God?

Posted on March 20, 2023 by expressyourself4him

I was introduced to the concept “is anything too hard for God” in the attached video from the film Facing the Giants. While the wording is slightly different, the same biblical truth applies nothing is impossible with God. Unfortunately, we live in an age where Judeo Christian practices have been under attack. This invisible war began in the 1960’s when public Bible readings and prayer was banned from public schools. Some may say faith in America has been all downhill ever since these court decisions.

And the Lord asked Abraham, Why did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I really bear a child when I am so old? 14 Is anything too hard or too wonderful [b]for the Lord? At the appointed time, when the season [for her delivery] comes around, I will return to you and Sarah shall have borne a son, Genesis 18:13-14.

The Bible’s version of is anything too hard for God begins with a surprise visit from three men. As Abraham welcomes these new guests, a feast is prepared. At some point during dinner, these men ask where Abrahm’s wife is, in the tent next door. According to Moses, God was present and speaks loud enough to make sure Sarah can also hear the news by this time next year she will give birth to her first child. As an old woman, well beyond the age of bearing a child, Sarah laughs sarcastically to herself, “yeah right.”

Then the angel said to her, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you [like a shining cloud]; and so the holy (pure, sinless) Thing (Offspring) which shall be born of you will be called the Son of God. 36 And listen! Your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is now the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment, Luke 1:35-37.

Whether you’re talking about a small undersized high school football team playing the defending champs, a barren woman hoping to have a child, or a virgin teen conceiving a child through the power of the Holy Spirit, nothing is impossible with God. Yet, doubt still persists as the longer you live without experiencing or seeing a miracle, your hope will disappear. As Moses writes in Genesis 18, this earthly trial sets the stage for God to shock the world. Therefore, the next time doubt creeps into your head, repeat the words above, “is anything too hard for God?” Absolutely not!

by Jay Mankus

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The Transformation of a Princess

Posted on March 19, 2023 by expressyourself4him

As a former Bible Teacher and Youth Pastor, I’ve witnessed students change for the good and bad. One of the most memorable occurred during a Confirmation Retreat for 8th Graders. One of the girls who attended had a reputation for being cruel and mean. At some point, whether it was one of the ice-breakers, small groups discussions or something I said during this weekend, a spiritual transformation began in this girl’s life.

Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. She had an Egyptian maid whose name was Hagar. 2 And Sarai said to Abram, See here, the Lord has restrained me from bearing [children]. I am asking you to have intercourse with my maid; it may be that I can obtain children by her. And Abram listened to and heeded what Sarai said. 3 So Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar her Egyptian maid, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his [secondary] wife. 4 And he had intercourse with Hagar, and she became pregnant; and when she saw that she was with child, she looked with contempt upon her mistress and despised her, Genesis 16:1-4.

Unfortunately, most transformations occur gradually, over an extended period of time. Such was the case for Sarai, who struggled with self-esteem as an adult due to her inability to have a baby with her husband Abram. The label of being barren ate away at her soul, trying to force the issue with Hagar, her maidservant who she gave to Abram as a secondary wife. However, after Hagar got pregnant this only made Sarai more bitter and envious.

And God said to Abraham, As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai; but Sarah [Princess] her name shall be. 16 And I will bless her and give you a son also by her. Yes, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall come from her, Genesis 17:15-16.

Moments after God gave Abram the new name Abraham, the same thing happens to Sarai in the passage above. Recognizing the broken and crushed spirit of Abraham’s wife, Psalm 34:18, God’s new name Sarah means princess. Using the power of words like the book You Are What You Say, God speaks to Sarah’s future and not her past. The apostle Paul writes about this important principle in Philippians 3:12-14. This is the mentality which led to the transformation of a barren woman into a princess and the mother of Israel.

by Jay Mankus

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The Crossover Connection Week 7: A Hodge-pog of Classic Ballads, Metal and Rock-n-Roll

Posted on March 18, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Some artists or groups have accumulated such a vast collection of songs that their music identifies with a specific genre rather than mirror a classic secular band. Such is the case of Pillar, who is celebrating their 25th year in existence in 2023. Pillar’s past two and half decades of music can be best described as blending metal with rock and roll. I discovered Pillar in 2020 at the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic. While I get occasional vibes of Def Leppard and Twisted Sister, Pillar has its own distinct sound.

If I am detained, you may know how people ought to conduct themselves in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and stay (the prop and support) of the Truth, 1 Timothy 3:15.

One of my favorite Pillar songs is State of Emergency which capsulates the entire Covid-19 era in the United States. If you prefer metal over rock and roll, Pillar offers plenty of head banging songs like For the Love of the Game. Or if you want to slow it down to chill for a while, songs like Simply from the Where Do We Go from Here album should suffice. Listening to Pillar’s Greatest Hits Youtube may take longer than a week, but I pray that Pillar’s sound reaches those who enjoy this genre of music.

by Jay Mankus

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Lent or Bent?

Posted on March 18, 2023 by expressyourself4him

As someone who was raised in the Roman Catholic Church, Lent was one of those seasons in life where I was asked to give up some sort of bad habit for 40 days. As a former athlete, setting goals was a weekly occurrence, driven to reach new heights. However, depending upon what I gave up for Lent, an internal wrestling match began inside of me, Galatians 5:16-18. This spiritual test revealed if my faith way bent or broken.

For those who are according to the flesh and are controlled by its unholy desires set their minds on and [d]pursue those things which gratify the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit and are controlled by the desires of the Spirit set their minds on and [e]seek those things which gratify the [Holy] Spirit. 6 Now the mind of the flesh [which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit] is death [death that [f]comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter]. But the mind of the [Holy] Spirit is life and [soul] peace [both now and forever]. 7 [That is] because the mind of the flesh [with its carnal thoughts and purposes] is hostile to God, for it does not submit itself to God’s Law; indeed it cannot, Romans 8:5-7.

In the middle of a letter to the Church in The Rome, the apostle Paul opens up about a similar struggle going on inside of him, Romans 7. While Paul was a former religious zealot who fought against the formation of Jesus’ first century church, knowing right from wrong and doing the right thing is hard. Although Paul had good intentions, he reached a point in his life where temptation was winning.

So then those who are living the life of the flesh [catering to the appetites and impulses of their carnal nature] cannot please or satisfy God, or be acceptable to Him. 9 But you are not living the life of the flesh, you are living the life of the Spirit, if the [Holy] Spirit of God [really] dwells within you [directs and controls you]. But if anyone does not possess the [Holy] Spirit of Christ, he is none of His [he does not belong to Christ, is not truly a child of God], Romans 8:8-9.

Subsequently Paul sets out in chapter 8 to highlight why this is going on inside of him. Whenever anyone attempts to change their life for the better, the sinful nature seeks to regain control. This is why changing your eating and exercise habits is so difficult. If this is your current reality this season of Lent, pray that the Holy Spirit enables you bend your faith back into shape.

By Jay Mankus

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Falling on Your Face in Disbelief

Posted on March 17, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Disbelief is the inability or refusal to accept that something is true or real. Most of the time, disbelief comes in the form of unexpected results like an accident, crippling condition or shocking outcome. From my perspective, most of the times in life that I’ve experienced disbelief has been due to disappointing events. However, sometimes there are positive moments of disbelief like when the Philadelphia Eagles finally won the Super Bowl in 2017.

And I will make My covenant (solemn pledge) between Me and you and will multiply you exceedingly. 3 Then Abram fell on his face, and God said to him, Genesis 17:2-3.

The context of the above passage appears to be brought on by humility as Abram is overwhelmed by the covenant God makes with him. This emotional display occurs when God’s grace and mercy is poured out upon you. I’ve attended several spiritual retreats where I couldn’t believe what God was doing in my life or in the life of a friend. Despite being an old man with a barren wife, Abran trusted God to figure out all the necessary details to make this a reality.

[Urged on] by faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and went forth to a place which he was destined to receive as an inheritance; and he went, although he did not know or trouble his mind about where he was to go. 9 [Prompted] by faith he dwelt as a temporary resident in the land which was designated in the promise [of God, though he was like a stranger] in a strange country, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was [waiting expectantly and confidently] looking forward to the city which has fixed and firm foundations, whose Architect and Builder is God, Hebrews 11:8-10.

The author of Hebrews reflects upon Abraham’s spiritual maturity in the passage above. While Abraham struggled with telling the truth early in his faith journey, falling on his face in disbelief served as a spiritual turning point. This simple act of humility prepared Abraham for God’s test in Genesis 22 where he’s asked to sacrifice his promised son Isaac. While everyone experiences moments of disbelief, don’t forget that Jesus holds keys to God’s kingdom, John 14:3.

by Jay Mankus

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Conditions to God’s Covenant

Posted on March 16, 2023 by expressyourself4him

The concept of faith isn’t a feeling that comes from a conversation between God and Abram. God doesn’t want how you feel when you wake up each morning to dictate whether or not you’re going to spend time with God. Moses came to the same conclusion when he addresses Israel prior to entering the Promised Land in Deuteronomy 28: The only condition that God places on His covenant with Abraham is the expectation that Abe will habitually walk with God as stated in Psalm 1:1-3.

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, I am the Almighty God; walk and live habitually before Me and be perfect (blameless, wholehearted, complete), Genesis 17:1.

Jesus brings up one condition in His Sermon on the Mount. While addressing proper and improper motives, Jesus turns to the Golden Rule, “loving your neighbor as yourself.” At the conclusion of a prayer called the Our Father by Catholics or simply the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus places a condition on God’s forgiveness. If you want God to forgive you, you must first be willing to show others the same grace by overlooking the those who have trespassed against you.

And lead (bring) us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. 14 For if you forgive people their trespasses [their [g]reckless and willful sins, [h]leaving them, letting them go, and [i]giving up resentment], your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their trespasses [their [j]reckless and willful sins, [k]leaving them, letting them go, and [l]giving up resentment], neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses, Matthew 6:13-15.

When you consider each condition, one found in the Old Testament and another in the New Testament, what does this all mean? Well, God’s conversation with Abraham is similar to the apostle Paul’s words in Romans 8:5-8. God’s expectation for Christian is to habitually walk with God by keeping in step with the Holy Spirit. Meanwhile, Jesus’ condition on forgiveness ties into Paul’s analogy of becoming a new creation in Christ, 2 Corinthians 5:17. According to one of Jesus’ disciples, to love is to walk with Jesus, 1 John 1:7. While conditions to God’s covenant do exist, obedience to God and faith align with God’s call to die to self and clothe yourself with Christ, Colossians 3:1-9.

by Jay Mankus

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Can Faith Be Stolen?

Posted on March 15, 2023 by expressyourself4him

One of the statements of faith that I heard numerous times by Christians on the campus of the University of Delaware was “once saved always saved.” From a theological standpoint, I listened to several convincing arguments based upon the belief that the blood Jesus shed on the cross wasn’t wasted. When you add a few passages written by the apostle Paul where many is used instead of all, once saved always saved makes sense.

Listen then to the [meaning of the] parable of the sower: 19 [h]While anyone is hearing the Word of the kingdom and does not grasp and comprehend it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the roadside, Matthew 13:18-19.

However, at the conclusion of one of Jesus’ parables, the disciples were completely stumped, unable to figure out what Jesus was trying to say. Subsequently, disciples met privately with Jesus to discover what He meant by the Parable of the Sower. Based upon Jesus’ own words in the passage above, it appears that faith can be stolen as apparently the Devil can snatch away the spiritual seed sown in a new believer’s heart. Yet, the greater message is beware of the spiritual environment in which you plant yourself.

I am the Door; anyone who enters in through Me will be saved (will live). He will come in and he will go out [freely], and will find pasture. 10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it [b]overflows). 11 I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd risks and lays down His [own] life for the sheep, John 10:9-11.

Meanwhile, the disciple whom Jesus loved recounts another analogy about Sheep and their Shepherd. Jesus compares Himself to the lone gate in a fenced shepherd’s field. The Thief, likely the Devil, attempts to convince human beings that there are other doors that led to heaven, Acts 4:12. Meanwhile, Christians should expect ongoing spiritual warfare seeking to steal your spiritual joy, kill your attempts to discern and follow God’s will and destroy your faith. Hebrews 6 and 9 address the question if faith can be stolen in further details. If faith comes from hearing the Word, Romans 10:17, keep on reading the Bible before you reach an ultimate decision.

by Jay Mankus

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Not the Answer You Wanted to Hear

Posted on March 14, 2023 by expressyourself4him

As someone who grew up in a military family, discipline was always part of my childhood. Whenever I was unruly to my mother, I became fearful as soon as I heard, “wait until your father gets home.” Despite attending a public high school and state-run university, discipline played an important role. My senior year of high school I got an afterschool detention for taking during the morning announcements. As King Solomon wrote the Book of Proverbs, rules are designed for your own spiritual protection.

But [a]the Angel of the Lord found her by a spring of water in the wilderness on the road to Shur. 8 And He said, Hagar, Sarai’s maid, where did you come from, and where are you intending to go? And she said, I am running away from my mistress Sarai, Genesis 16:7-8.

Running away from home is one of those things that I thought about, but never did. Sometimes adults run away, sometimes in the form of divorce to try to start over from scratch. Following Hagar’s decision to run away from her jealous owner Sarai, Hagar believed that running away for good was the best decision she could make. However, the wilderness is not a safe place to live, let alone have a child all by yourself. Subsequently, this angel gives Hagar an answer that she didn’t want to hear.

The Angel of the Lord said to her, Go back to your mistress and [humbly] submit to her control. 10 Also the Angel of the Lord said to her, I will multiply your descendants exceedingly, so that they shall not be numbered for multitude, Genesis 16:9-10.

This same concept also applies to prayer. Some prayers result in clear answers in the form of blessings. Other times in life you will receive a clear no, often in the form of a closed door, denying you the career, job or position that you really wanted. The final way that God answers prayers is by subtle, “not now or not yet.” This response could be a way to test your patience or a way to prepare you for what God has in store for you in the future. If you’re presently like me, disappointed by the answers God has for you, read Luke 18:1-8 so you can discern and learn from a persistent widow who wrestled with God in prayer.

by Jay Mankus

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