Author Archives: expressyourself4him

My Lot in Life

Posted on July 4, 2023 by expressyourself4him

If I had a dollar for every time someone told me that the Bible was no longer relevant, “merely a book that’s out of date with modern times,” I’d be a millionaire. Perhaps, this one question drove me to attend seminary and become a high school Bible teacher. I spent a decade of my life seeking to bring the accounts of the Bible to life. This quest led me to words of Jacob, reflecting upon his lowly life of a herdsman and shepherd.

These twenty years I have been with you; your ewes and your she-goats have not lost their young, and the rams of your flock have not been eaten by me. 39 I did not bring you [the carcasses of the animals] torn by wild beasts; I bore the loss of it; you required of me [to make good] all that was stolen, whether it occurred by day or by night. 40 This was [my lot]; by day the heat consumed me and by night the cold, and I could not sleep, Genesis 31:38-40.

When teachers first asked me as a child what I wanted to be when I grew up, I was urged to shoot for the moon so to speak. I dreamed of being a marine biologist as well as a famous golf course architect. Despite working hard to pursue each of these goals, my life hasn’t worked out exactly how I had hoped. Subsequently, as I recently studied the life of Jacob, I had to come to grips with my own lot in life. While this may change, I’m currently a blue-collar worker.

[I thank my God] for your fellowship (your [a]sympathetic cooperation and contributions and partnership) in advancing the good news (the Gospel) from the first day [you heard it] until now. 6 And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you, Philippians 1:5-6.

If I ever met you for the first time, you could tell from my hands that I like to work in the dirt. Although my dream of designing golf courses never materialized, I enjoy hardscaping, landscaping and recently completed a synthetic golf course using a brick wall as a backdrop. Rather than write a typical Independence Day blog, I wanted my readers to consider their own lot in life. If you’re not sure what your lot is or want to make more of a difference in life, follow the apostle Paul’s advice in Romans 12:1-2 so that next year you can celebrate how God has blessed your life.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Household Gods

Posted on July 3, 2023 by expressyourself4him

When I first studied Genesis 31, I thought I had found a typo in my Bible. The end of Genesis 31:19 reads Rachel stole her father’s household gods. I assumed that Rachel took possessions that she thought were rightfully hers. However, in the passage below, Moses clearly states that Laban possessed images of gods worshipped by the people in Paddan-aram.

So Laban went into Jacob’s tent and into Leah’s tent and the tent of the two maids, but he did not find them. Then he went from Leah’s tent into Rachel’s tent. 34 Now Rachel had taken the images (gods) and put them in the camel’s saddle and sat on them. Laban searched and felt through all the tent, but did not find them. 35 And [Rachel] said to her father, Do not be displeased, my lord, that I cannot rise up before you, for the period of women is upon me and I am unwell. And he searched, but did not find the gods, Genesis 31:33-35.

This passage struck a nerve in my soul, causing me to wonder, “what households gods do I possess?” Is the Lord lifted up on high or do I display graven images that have led guests and visitors astray? Meanwhile, what kind of activities, games, or hobbies inside my home distract me from spending more time daily with the Lord? – Mark 1:35-36

Then God spoke all these words: 2 I am the Lord your God, Who has brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 You shall have no other gods before or besides Me. 4 You shall not make yourself any graven image [to worship it] or any likeness of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5 You shall not bow down yourself to them or serve them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, Exodus 20:1-5.

Compared to Canaan, growing up in Paddan-aram was likely a much more suitable place to become a good and decent human being. Yet, every city has bad influences which divert your attention toward idle practices. According to Moses, Laban had collected images of gods worshipped in Paddan-aram or nearby towns. If the book of Genesis serves as God’s ultimate display of free will, the Ten Commandments places a limitation on exercising free will, starting with household gods.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Turning Your Attention Toward Love and Service

Posted on July 2, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Every human being experiences peaks and valleys in life. Depending upon your level of inspiration and motivation, you might have your mind set on higher aspirations and goals to achieve. As Jesus prepares his disciples for life on earth following his death, resurrection and ascension into heaven, He turns his attention toward love and service.

When you bear (produce) much fruit, My Father is honored and glorified, and you show and prove yourselves to be true followers of Mine. 9 I have loved you, [just] as the Father has loved Me; abide in My love [[a]continue in His love with Me]. 10 If you keep My commandments [if you continue to obey My instructions], you will abide in My love and live on in it, just as I have obeyed My Father’s commandments and live on in His love. 11 I have told you these things, that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy and gladness may be of full measure and complete and overflowing, John 15:8-11.

Based upon the accounts of four first century historians, Jesus was a master storyteller, painting a vivid picture in the minds of his audience. This was accomplished by using analogies and parables that common folk could understand. As Jesus talks to his disciples in the passage above, his goal is to turn their attention toward loving and serving one another in His absence.

This is My commandment: that you love one another [just] as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love [no one has shown stronger affection] than to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends, John 15:12-13.

Jesus doesn’t use empty words like modern leaders who follow the motto, “do what I say, not as I do.” Jesus practiced what he preached as He was about to lay down His own life for His friends on Good Friday. Jesus gave many hints to His fate such as John 14:1-4. Nonetheless, 3 days later Jesus conquered death on Easter Sunday, leaving His disciples with one final plea: turn your attention toward love and service, 1 John 4:18-21.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

The Crossover Connection Week 22: A Modern Version of Run DMC

Posted on July 1, 2023 by expressyourself4him

As I go through my own music collection, I continue to search the internet for the opinion of other Christians. My goal is to blend top artists with groups that were influenced by popular secular artists. My latest search led to a list: 13 Of The Greatest And Most Famous Christian Rock Bands. Number one on this list is P.O.D., a group I featured on my year long series Sing A New Song. While it’s unfair to limit any group to a specific genre, P.O.D. reminds me of a modern version of Run DMC.

For the wages which sin pays is death, but the [bountiful] free gift of God is eternal life through (in union with) Jesus Christ our Lord, Romans 6:23.

P.O.D. is short for Payable On Death. While one site categorizes P.O.D. as nu metal, this group is essentially a mix of rap, hard rock and metal. Music videos like Youth of the Nation highlight the target audience of POD. The lyrics of this song speak to teenagers who are struggling to get through life. Perhaps, this has led many Christians to place P.O.D. at the top of their all-time lists. As you listen to the lyrics of the attached You Tube this week, may the lyrics and sound speak to those of you who grew up listening to Run DMC.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Living a Dream or a Nightmare: You Be the Judge

Posted on July 1, 2023 by expressyourself4him

According to the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, past mistakes documented by the Bible serve as a history lesson. Prior to the introduction of the Ten Commandments and Book of Leviticus, the goal for godly living was to habitually walk with God like Enoch and Noah. Since rules about marriage had not been unveiled, descendants of Abraham learned by trial and error. When it comes to relationships, Jacob was either living a dream or experiencing a nightmare of bitter women.

When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, she envied her sister, and said to Jacob, Give me children, or else I will die! 2 And Jacob became very angry with Rachel and he said, Am I in God’s stead, Who has denied you children? 3 And she said, See here, take my maid Bilhah and have intercourse with her; and [when the baby comes] she shall deliver it upon my knees, that I by her may also have children. 4 And she gave him Bilhah her maid as a [secondary] wife, and Jacob had intercourse with her. 5 And Bilhah became pregnant and bore Jacob a son. 6 And Rachel said, God has judged and vindicated me, and has heard my plea and has given me a son; so she named him Dan [judged], Genesis 30:1-6.

The expression “be careful what you wish for” dates back to the second century before the birth of Christ. Aesop’s Fables states “be careful what you wish for, lest it comes true” was recorded around 260 BC. As for Jacob, grandson of Abraham who was promised descendants as numerous as stars in the sky, having lots of children was likely something he talked about. However, once Rachel and Leah gave him their maids to serve as secondary wives, this seems like a dream rather than reality.

When Leah saw that she had ceased to bear, she gave Zilpah her maid to Jacob as a [secondary] wife. 10 And Zilpah, Leah’s maid, bore Jacob a son. 11 Then Leah said, Victory and good fortune have come; and she named him Gad [fortune]. 12 Zilpah, Leah’s maid, bore Jacob [her] second son. 13 And Leah said, I am happy, for women will call me blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied); and she named him Asher [happy], Genesis 30:9-13.

Legend has it that former NBA star and Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain slept with over 1,000 women over the course of his life. Perhaps, Chamberlain was trying to one up King Solomon who accumulated 700 wives and 300 concubines, 1Kings 11:3. Nonetheless, whoever Jacob spent the night with, the other 3 were left disappointed and heart broken. Although Jacob did help fulfill God’s promise via children, this dream life could have its nightmares. You be the judge.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Expressing Your Dependence Upon God

Posted on June 30, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Attention spans vary depending upon the situation, the topic, and the time of day. For example, if you’re in church and you have plans to do something afterward, your mind may wonder back and forth between the sermon. At the end of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, He ends with a call to action. “Don’t just listen, but put my words into action.” How you respond will express your current dependence upon God.

 If a person does not dwell in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken-off] branch, and withers; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. 8 When you bear (produce) much fruit, My Father is honored and glorified, and you show and prove yourselves to be true followers of Mine, John 15:6-8.

Prior to the introduction of the Ten Commandments in the book of Exodus, one common theme runs through the book of Genesis. This can be summarized by Moses’ description of Noah and Enoch’s lives: habitually walking with God. Genesis 5:22 and Genesis 6:9 set the standard for all those who seek to keep in step with the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25. This is how modern Christians should express their dependence upon God.

And why should you be anxious about clothes? Consider the lilies of the field and [x]learn thoroughly how they grow; they neither toil nor spin. 29 Yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his [y]magnificence (excellence, dignity, and grace) was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and green and tomorrow is tossed into the furnace, will He not much more surely clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not worry and be anxious, saying, What are we going to have to eat? or, What are we going to have to drink? or, What are we going to have to wear? 32 For the Gentiles (heathen) wish for and crave and diligently seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows well that you need them all. 33 But seek ([z]aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness ([aa]His way of doing and being right), and then all these things [ab]taken together will be given you besides. 34 So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble, Matthew 6:28-34.

The middle portion of Jesus’ sermon listed above is a convincing argument of why believers should place their hope and trust in God, Proverbs 3:5-6. Unfortunately, many minor miracles are overlooked daily. The half glass empty mindset casts doubt, sometimes leading to second guessing if a lifelong commitment to Jesus, Romans 10:9-10, is really worth it? However, those who take the plunge called faith put it all on the line by expressing your dependence on God to provide day after day. May today’s Scripture challenge you to go all in for Jesus.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures

Posted on June 29, 2023 by expressyourself4him

The origin of the idiom “desperate times call for desperate measure” comes from the proverb, “Desperate diseases must have desperate remedies.” Historians credit the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates as the source of this concept. While studying the life of Jacob in the Old Testament, he finds himself in an awkward situation requiring desperate measures.

When Rachel had borne Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, Send me away, that I may go to my own place and country. 26 Give me my wives and my children, for whom I have served you, and let me go; for you know the work which I have done for you. 27 And Laban said to him, If I have found favor in your sight, I pray you [do not go]; for I have learned by experience and from the omens in divination that the Lord has favored me with blessings on your account. 28 He said, State your salary and I will give it. 29 Jacob answered him, You know how I have served you, and how your possessions, your cattle and sheep and goats, have fared with me. 30 For you had little before I came, and it has increased and multiplied abundantly; and the Lord has favored you with blessings wherever I turned. But now, when shall I provide for my own house also? 31 [Laban] said, What shall I give you? And Jacob said, You shall not give me anything, if you will do this one thing for me [of which I am about to tell you], and I will again feed and take care of your flock. 32 Let me pass through all your flock today, removing from it every speckled and spotted animal and every black one among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats; and such shall be my wages. 33 So later when the matter of my wages is brought before you, my fair dealing will be evident and answer for me. Every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats and black among the sheep, if found with me, shall be counted as stolen. 34 And Laban said, Good; let it be done as you say, Genesis 30:25-34.

Jacob was a mamma’s boy who was likely walked all over by other dominant personalities his entire adult life. Uncle Laban used and abused Jacob for nearly two decades. Jacob’s come to Jesus moment occurs in a dream where God revealed to him Laban’s deception. Subsequently, God provides Jacob with a plan in the passage above to ensure he receives a fair share of Laban’s herd.

And Jacob noticed that Laban looked at him less favorably than before. 3 Then the Lord said to Jacob, Return to the land of your fathers and to your people, and I will be with you. 4 So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field to his flock, 5 And he said to them, I see how your father looks at me, that he is not [friendly] toward me as before; but the God of my father has been with me. 6 You know that I have served your father with all my might and power. 7 But your father has deceived me and changed my wages ten times, but God did not allow him to hurt me. 8 If he said, The speckled shall be your wages, then all the flock bore speckled; and if he said, The streaked shall be your hire, then all the flock bore streaked, Genesis 31:2-8.

While Jacob’s response to Laban’s shady business practices isn’t turning the other cheek, God uses this plan to teach Laban a life lesson about sowing and reaping, Galatians 6:6-7. As Jacob secretly puts God’s plan into action, one day Laban’s sons realize their once great inheritance has been slowly shifted into Jacob’s growing herd. When desperate times call for desperate measures in your own life, listen to the Lord for advice so that keeping in step with the Holy Spirit will be possible.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Crafty Cunning and Treacherous

Posted on June 28, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Crafty is having or showing skill in achieving one’s ends by creative, deceitful or evasive ways. The first mention of this term in the Bible is in association with the Serpent in the Garden of Eden. Based upon the account of the prophet Ezekiel, the archangel Lucifer was kicked out of heaven along with 1/3 of all the angels in heaven. This crafty serpent planted the seed of doubt into Adam and Eve’s mind which eventually gave birth to sin.

Now the serpent was more subtle and crafty than any living creature of the field which the Lord God had made. And he [Satan] said to the woman, Can it really be that God has said, You shall not eat from every tree of the garden? 2 And the woman said to the serpent, We may eat the fruit from the trees of the garden, 3 Except the fruit from the tree which is in the middle of the garden. God has said, You shall not eat of it, neither shall you touch it, lest you die. 4 But the serpent said to the woman, You shall not surely die, Genesis 3:1-4.

According to the apostle Paul, there is no one righteous as all have fallen short of God’s glory, Romans 3:23. This is the direct consequence of original sin. From a spiritual perspective, sin is like catching a common cold that lingers without seeking any help or treatment. As public education becomes more and more sexualized as early as kindergarten, it doesn’t take much for the innocence of a child to be lost forever.

[Isaac] said, Your brother came with crafty cunning and treacherous deceit and has taken your blessing, Genesis 27:35.

Prior to Genesis 27, Jacob was a momma’s boy. Moses describes Jacob as a shy, quiet and insecure teenager. Yet, once influenced by a loving mother, Jacob placed pleasing his mother over doing the right thing. As my Junior High principal used to say, “it takes two to tango.” Even if something isn’t your idea, if you join in and participate, you’re just as guilty, Psalm 1:1. If you notice your own children, slip sliding away from God, pray that any crafty, cunning or treacherous spirit is broken.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Casting a Shadow on God’s Help

Posted on June 27, 2023 by expressyourself4him

The lyrics of the classic Who song “Who Are You” popped into my head after reading today’s features passages. Every human being is wired in a specific way. I call this our default mode based upon our DNA and upbringing as a child. Despite how gifted and talented you may be, deficiencies exist as everyone falls short of God’s glory, Romans 3:23. If you ever struggle with doubt, you likely cast a shadow on God’s help in and over your life.

If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of [b]the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him. 6 Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting). For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the billowing surge out at sea that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind. 7 For truly, let not such a person imagine that he will receive anything [he asks for] from the Lord, James 1:5-7.

Jesus’ earthly brother, one of Joseph and Mary’s other children, compared doubt to a crashing wave in the midst of a storm. The longer doubt remains in your mind, fear will spread throughout your life. James may be referring to what C.S. Lewis called theological virtues in Mere Christianity. While any human being has access to Cardinal Virtues like temperance, prudence, justice, and fortitude, faith, hope and charity are limited to only those who possess a personal relationship with Jesus.

Every good gift and every perfect ([d]free, large, full) gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of all [that gives] light, in [the shining of] Whom there can be no variation [rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [as in an eclipse], James 1:19.

However, even Christian’s struggle with doubt, especially when you experience trials and tribulations. This is when the Devil fills believer’s minds with ungodly beliefs. If these unwholesome beliefs aren’t corrected by Scripture, even prayers lifted up will cause a shadow on God’s ability to help. Therefore, the next time anxieties strike you like a powerful wave of doubt, remember who the Giver of all good and perfect gifts. This knowledge should turn an overcast sky into a bright sunny day, full of faith.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Living Your Life Based Upon the Children You Bear

Posted on June 26, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Whenever parents are expecting their first child, there is usually some sort of conversation about what their name will be. Two lists will be made, names will be added and crossed out until an ultrasound determines the sex of your soon to be child. As I recently studied the life and children of Jacob, two interesting observations stuck out. First, it appears that Jacob allowed Leah and Rachel to name all of his boys. Second, Leah and Rachel based their overall success in life on the total amount of children they helped conceive.

 When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, she envied her sister, and said to Jacob, Give me children, or else I will die! 2 And Jacob became very angry with Rachel and he said, Am I in God’s stead, Who has denied you children? 3 And she said, See here, take my maid Bilhah and have intercourse with her; and [when the baby comes] she shall deliver it upon my knees, that I by her may also have children. 4 And she gave him Bilhah her maid as a [secondary] wife, and Jacob had intercourse with her. 5 And Bilhah became pregnant and bore Jacob a son. 6 And Rachel said, God has judged and vindicated me, and has heard my plea and has given me a son; so she named him Dan [judged], Genesis 30:1-6.

In the absence of television and social media, activities and conversations were likely an integral part of daily life in the Old Testament. The storyteller of the family would likely recount funny and meaningful events depending upon the audience. At some point, Jacob would have revealed the blessing that he received from Isaac as well as God’s promise to have numerous descendants, like counting stars in the sky on a clear evening. This topic likely triggered a competition between two sisters who appear to place their success is life based upon how many children they each bear.

And Bilhah, Rachel’s maid, conceived again and bore Jacob a second son. 8 And Rachel said, With mighty wrestlings [in prayer to God] I have struggled with my sister and have prevailed; so she named him [this second son Bilhah bore] Naphtali [struggled]. 9 When Leah saw that she had ceased to bear, she gave Zilpah her maid to Jacob as a [secondary] wife. 10 And Zilpah, Leah’s maid, bore Jacob a son. 11 Then Leah said, Victory and good fortune have come; and she named him Gad [fortune], 12 Zilpah, Leah’s maid, bore Jacob [her] second son. 13 And Leah said, I am happy, for women will call me blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied); and she named him Asher [happy], Genesis 30:7-13.

Like two guys trying to outdo their friend, Leah and Rachel go back and forth, thanking God for each child born either by them or their maid. Unfortunately, Jacob appears to be caught in the middle, trying to please two fragile women and their maids. As this quest continues, the twelve tribes of Israel are being formed, named after Jacob’s sons. While Leah may be the winner on paper, bearing the most children, Rachel’s first boy that she conceived is the most famous, Joseph. Despite this sibling rivalry, it’s clear from Moses’ words that God is still in control through it all.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.
← Older Posts
Newer Posts →