Author Archives: expressyourself4him

What Can God Give You?

Posted on March 4, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Giving is one those traits which either comes naturally or has to be acquired. As the son of an immigrant, I was taught to be frugal and thrifty. My grandmother on my dad’s side of the family always kept the plastic on the outside of couches and mattresses so that these items would last as long as possible. While I grew up with a couple of rich neighbors who got whatever they wanted, I had to work at giving. Over time, God tested me, providing opportunities for me to give which I passed and failed.

And Abram said, Lord God, what can You give me, since I am going on [from this world] childless and he who shall be the owner and heir of my house is this [steward] Eliezer of Damascus? – Genesis 15:2.

The context of the passage above occurs as Abram begins to doubt that he will become the father of a great nation. From a logical perspective, Abram’s wife Sarai was unable to have children and their biological clock for having children at their old age was becoming less likely. This dire situation prompted Abram to ask, “what can you give me God?” If I was placed in this situation, I’d probably ask God a similar question.

And He said to him, I am the [same] Lord, Who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldees to give you this land as an inheritance. 8 But he [Abram] said, Lord God, by what shall I know that I shall inherit it? – Genesis 15:7-8

Up until this point in their relationship, God blessed Abram with possessions and great wealth, but no children. Based upon Sarai’s irrational decision in Genesis 16, this issue was driving a wedge into their marriage. While human beings struggle to see beyond today, God is a supernatural being who is often multiple steps ahead of us. Therefore, the next time you doubt’s ability to provide, Matthew 6:33, recall the vast miracles in the Bible to calm anxiety, any concerns, or worry about your own future.

by Jay Mankus

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The Crossover Connection Week 5: A Mix of Bob Dylan and the Doors

Posted on March 4, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Bob Hanson was featured last February in the first week of my Sing A New Song year long series of blog posts. I stumbled upon Bob at a Christian bookstore in Ohio while I was in college and have been a fan ever since. Bob’s career as a musician spanned more than a decade, releasing four albums: Nuff Said, The Traveler, New Heart New Mind, and Know His Heart. When your style of music doesn’t fit into the Christian industries little box, artists like Bob Hanson become a distant memory.

To make it your ambition and definitely endeavor to live quietly and peacefully, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we charged you, 12 So that you may bear yourselves becomingly and be correct and honorable and command the respect of the outside world, being dependent on nobody [self-supporting] and having need of nothing, 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12.

My goal for the Crossover Connection is bring awareness to talented musicians who were inspired by secular musicians like Bob Dylan and the Doors as a child. Although I wasn’t able to find a best of collection on the internet, the Nuff Said album has been ranked as one the top 100 Canadian Christian Rock Albums of all time since 1994. This one album contains a half dozen songs that I still enjoy today. For anyone wondering, “who the heck is Bob Hanson, I hope that Bob’s music will leave a lasting memory and touch your soul as you listen to Nuff Said this week.

by Jay Mankus

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The Revival I’ve Been Praying For

Posted on March 3, 2023 by expressyourself4him

My first experience with a revival began on a bus ride home from Kings Island Amusement Park. Two teenage girls expressed a similar sentiment, “that was fun, but I need something more to quench my spiritual hunger.” As I joined this conversation, Cathy Force had a vision of a Church Lock-In centered around prayer and fasting. A few weeks later with input from my leadership team, the Twelve Hours of Power became a reality. In less than a day, I saw lives completed transformed by this one event.

And when you spread forth your hands [in prayer, imploring help], I will hide My eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood! 16 Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes! Cease to do evil, 17 Learn to do right! Seek justice, relieve the oppressed, and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless, plead for the widow. 18 Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be like wool. 19 If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; 20 But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken it, Isaiah 1:15-20.

Fast forward thirty years and America is not what it used to be. I grew up with School House Rock as commercials during Saturday morning cartoons featured “the Great American Melting Pot,” celebrating our differences but united under one flag and country. Today, current events are littered with stories about how racists America is and has been in the past. Subsequently, when I can’t decide on what to pray for, I’ll scan Fox News for a specific prayer focus. Yet, recently, the only conclusion that I’m come to is that only a true great awakening in the form of a revival can mend and repair this divided and divisive nation.

Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working], James 5:16.

While traveling to visit my children this past weekend in college, I heard an interview of the Class President at Asbury University in Kentucky. This student gave an update on the revival on campus as well as what sparked this movement of God. When I got home, I discovered that another revival started 77 nights ago, as nearly 300 people have shown up to North Main Community Church in Barbourville, Kentucky to have an encounter with God. I don’t know how or when this movement of God will cease, but if visitors are transformed and commence similar movements in their hometowns, America still has a chance to return to it’s spiritual heritage of faith.

by Jay Mankus

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Descendants of a Living God

Posted on March 2, 2023 by expressyourself4him

The lyrics to Casting Crowns song City on a Hill does an excellent job of portraying how easy it is for a community of believers to disagree. Due to built-in stereotypes that are ingrained within our minds, trying to convince someone from a different background is extremely difficult. This is the dilemma in City on a Hill as differences divided one another based upon preconceived notions that made each group think they knew better than the others. The apostle Paul tried to unite the Church in Corinth, 1 Corinthians 12:1-12, highlighting that each member plays a specific part of the church.

The Lord said to Abram after Lot had left him, Lift up now your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward; 15 For all the land which you see I will give to you and to your posterity forever, Genesis 13:14-15.

Before Israel ever existed, one man questioned God’s ability to form a new nation with an aging man and a wife who was unable to have children. Although self-help gurus may give a convincing argument today, there is only one living God that exists. However, if Sarai was able to have children right away and Abram was younger, perhaps they would have taken some of the credit for their future family. Yet, like many situations in the past and present, the weaker human beings become, this opens the door for God to perform miracles beyond your imagination.

And I will make your descendants like the dust of the earth, so that if a man could count the dust of the earth, then could your descendants also be counted, Genesis 13:16.

At this early stage in the Bible, Abram and Sarai are still childless. Descendants of a living God seemed unlikely due to the age of this couple. Nonetheless, the longer Abram and Sarai wait, desperation results in the birth of Ishmael via the maidservant Hagar. This is another example of when a believer doesn’t fully trust God, Proverbs 3:5-6, trying to force the issue rather than let faith takeover. As you read the book of Genesis, you find out how descendants of a living God come to fruition. However, today another story is being written about future descendants. May you possess that faith and patience to let God figure out the details for your own life.

by Jay Mankus

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Igniting a Fire Inside Your Heart

Posted on March 1, 2023 by expressyourself4him

I didn’t understand the concept of a spiritual fire until my second semester of college. After indulging my sinful nature, the entire first semester, inside I felt like the popular Foreigner song “As Cold as Ice.” Despite warnings from older Christian friends, I had my own prodigal son experience, chasing popularity and the party scene. When you live a lie for three months, I began to feel dead inside or as Pink Floyd once sang, “Comfortably Numb.”

And he [Abram] believed in (trusted in, relied on, remained steadfast to) the Lord, and He counted it to him as righteousness (right standing with God), Genesis 15:6.

After most of my floor funked out, there wasn’t as many distractions so I began to turn back to God. This spiritual U-Turn began at James Madison University during a Fellowship of Christian Athletes Retreat. My roommate for the weekend was the quarterback of Delaware’s football team. Despite his size and stature, Dave had a great heart and welcomed me with open arms. Following Friday nights Icebreaker, my heart was receptive to the people I met and speakers which followed.

For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the [[d]full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue). 4 By means of these He has bestowed on us His precious and exceedingly great promises, so that through them you may escape [by flight] from the moral decay (rottenness and corruption) that is in the world because of covetousness (lust and greed), and become sharers (partakers) of the divine nature, 2 Peter 1:3-4.

Like a series of building blocks, each session tied together, sparking a sensation in my heart that I had never experienced before. As Saturday night led into early Sunday morning, students gathered in a conference room for an open mic. One by one, athletes shared about how God touched them, reflecting upon Bible studies and keynote speakers. Just as Abram experienced a spiritual turning point in his life, this was the moment I made Jesus the Lord of my life, Romans 10:9-11. The Holy Spirit ignited a fire inside my heart that still burns today, prompting a stutterer to face my fear of speaking in public. Before graduating college, this spiritual fire sparked a miracle, healing me from my stammering past. While I’m still a sinner, this spiritual fire is real and still burns.

by Jay Mankus

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When God Makes You Laugh

Posted on February 28, 2023 by expressyourself4him

The book definition of sarcasm is the use of irony to mock or convey contempt. Yet, most teenagers use sarcasm as a coping mechanism; a way to prevent their hopes from being ripped out of their hearts. When I struggled to express myself in high school due to stuttering, sarcasm helped ease the pain deep down in my soul. Subsequently, sarcasm and sarcastic friends made me laugh when I really wanted to have a pity party.

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. 17 Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said in his heart, Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a son? – Genesis 17:15-17

Despite God’s character and nature in the Old Testament of being righteous and just, there are accounts which reveal the Lord’s sense of humor, 1 Kings 18:15-29. When God calls Elijah to have a spiritual duel with the worshippers of Baal, there are several jabs taken by Elijah, suggestions on why Baal isn’t responding. However, sometimes God will speak to you or send someone into your life to reveal a promise from God that makes no sense logically speaking.

And [he] said to God, Oh, that Ishmael might live before You! 19 But God said, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son indeed, and you shall call his name Isaac [laughter]; and I will establish My covenant or solemn pledge with him for an everlasting covenant and with his posterity after him, Genesis 17:18-19.

When a woman is past their prime according to Google, via Don Lemon, having a child over the age of forty is rare. As for Sarah, she was approaching ninety, which is why Sarah likely laughed sarcastically at the news she would give birth to a child. Sometimes God makes you laugh when you need to be cheered up. However, when you serve a supernatural God, Sarah’s laughter was no joke as God was serious and does fulfill His promise in Genesis 21:5. There is a time for everything so don’t be surprised the next time God makes you laugh.

by Jay Mankus

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When the Word of the Lord Arrives

Posted on February 27, 2023 by expressyourself4him

When it comes to planning, some like to wing it, others procrastinate until a deadline arrives while the organized are precise; knowing exactly what they want to do and when. To those who attend church regularly, most people just show up, some have their quiet time before and others wait in eager expectation for what God is going to do at some point during the service. To those paying attention, you’ll know when the Word of the Lord arrives.

After these things, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram, I am your [a]Shield, your abundant compensation, and your reward shall be exceedingly great, Genesis 15:1.

The context of the passage above occurs immediately after the events of Genesis 14. Highlights of this chapter contain Lot being taken as a prisoner of war, Abram forming an army and the successful defeat of the contries which captured Lot, Abram’s brother’s son. During his triumphant return, the King of Sodom offers Abram a generous reward, plunder from this battle. Rather than accept this gift, Abram tells this king to divide this among the allied forces that fought with Abram’s men.

And the tempter came and said to Him, If You are God’s Son, command these stones to be made [[a]loaves of] bread. 4 But He replied, It has been written, Man shall not live and be upheld and sustained by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God, Matthew 4:3-4.

The Word of the Lord arrives in the form of a vision for Abram. God compares Himself to a shield of protection and an abundant compensation in the form of blessings. Receiving this gift from the King of Sodom would have comprised Abram’s faith and made this king feel like he added to Abram’s wealth. Just like the Devil who tried to tempt Jesus with food at the end of his 40 day fast, the King of Sodom was just as persuasive. Yet, when Christians look for the way out of temptation, 1 Corinthians 10:13, the Word of the Lord keeps you in step with the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25. Go and do likewise.

by Jay Mankus

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The Tithing Trend Setter

Posted on February 26, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Trend setters lead the way in actions, fashion or ideas. This individual may be laughed at, mocked or teased initially, but if this movement catches on, a trend setter is born. While visiting Egypt in the middle of a severe famine, God moved Pharaoh to bless Abram with many servants. Although Moses doesn’t provide a timeline of specific dates, these men would become the core of Abram’s Army who rescued Lot and other prisoners of war taken from Sodom.

Melchizedek king of Salem [later called Jerusalem] brought out bread and wine [for their nourishment]; he was the priest of God Most High, 19 And he blessed him and said, Blessed (favored with blessings, made blissful, joyful) be Abram by God Most High, Possessor and Maker of heaven and earth, 20 And blessed, praised, and glorified be God Most High, Who has given your foes into your hand! And [Abram] gave him a tenth of all [he had taken], Genesis 14:18-20.

In the back of Abram’s mind, he put two and two together, giving God the credit for these 318 men and the Lord’s favor. Subsequently, as the King of Salem Melchizedek greeted Abram following his victory, this priest of the God Most High prompted Abram to give something back. This is the context which conceived the biblical principle of tithing. This makes Abram a true trend setter and the godfather of tithing to the Lord.

Will a man rob or defraud God? Yet you rob and defraud Me. But you say, In what way do we rob or defraud You? [You have withheld your] tithes and offerings. 9 You are cursed with the curse, for you are robbing Me, even this whole nation. 10 Bring all the tithes (the whole tenth of your income) into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and prove Me now by it, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it, Malachi 3:8-10.

One of the most famous passages on tithing comes from an Old Testament prophet. Malachi peels back the storehouses in heaven to reveal a powerful reality for those who faithfully give back to God. This life lesson is simple: you can’t out give God. Unfortunately, when Christians fail to tithe, this reveals a lack of trust in God, Proverbs 3:5-6. If the words of James 1:17-18, all God things in life come from heaven above. Therefore, don’t be afraid to follow Abram’s lead, by giving 1/10 of what you receive back to the Lord.

by Jay Mankus

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The Crossover Collection Week 4: The Bryan Adams of Christian Music

Posted on February 25, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Since I was born in the Summer of 1969, appreciating Bryan’s Adam’s music has been easy. When I first started attending Karaoke nights in college at Rick’s Cafe, the Summer of 69 was one of my go to songs to perform along with Can’t Fight This Feeling by Reo Speedwagon and You Might Think by the Cars. As Bryan Adams was releasing hit singles year after year, a friend from Ohio introduced me to another Canadian artist, a Christian band called the Kry.

Come now, you who say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a city and spend a year there and carry on our business and make money. 14 Yet you do not know [the least thing] about what may happen tomorrow. What is the nature of your life? You are [really] but a wisp of vapor (a puff of smoke, a mist) that is visible for a little while and then disappears [into thin air], James 4:13-14.

The Kry is rock group from Quebec, Canada who have been ministering to audiences for thirty years. While not every song sounds like Bryan Adams, their ballads remind me of Everything I Do, the theme song from one of the Robinhood films. The one song from the Kry which has left a lasting impression is When You Die. One You Tube Channel uses dramatic videos to illustrate how fragile life can be on earth as this song is playing. As you take this next week to familiarize yourself with the Kry, I pray that you will be touched by the numerous songs on the attached You Tube video.

by Jay Mankus

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The First Nightmare

Posted on February 25, 2023 by expressyourself4him

My first nightmare as a child occurred after watching an episode of In Search Of with my father. This particular documentary starring Leonard Nimoy featured Bigfoot and Sasquatch encounters with interviews of eyewitnesses. While drifting off to sleep later that night, all of sudden I found myself running for my life. Bigfoot was chasing me around my neighbor’s backyard as a sprinted, gasping for air as I woke up, sweating from my first nightmare.

When the sun was setting, a deep sleep overcame Abram, and a horror (a terror, a shuddering fear) of great darkness assailed and oppressed him. 13 And [God] said to Abram, Know positively that your descendants will be strangers dwelling as temporary residents in a land that is not theirs [Egypt], and they will be slaves there and will be afflicted and oppressed for 400 years. [Fulfilled in Exod. 12:40,] Genesis 15:12-13.

The book of Genesis contains several firsts in the Bible. According to Moses, Abram has the first nightmare recorded in the Old Testament. As this nightmare was passed down orally from generation to generation, horror and terror are associated with the raw emotions Abram experienced in the passage above. As a great darkness assailed and oppressed Abram in his sleep, God comes to the rescue to explain the meaning of Abram’s first nightmare.

On the same day the Lord made a covenant (promise, pledge) with Abram, saying, To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river Euphrates—Genesis 15:18

As an adult, I try not to read too much into my dreams. Yet, sometimes dreams serve as a warning to prevent you from doing something God doesn’t want you to do. However, this first nightmare is a foreshadowing of a future event which the author Moses experienced firsthand. Following 400 years of living as slaves in Egypt, God raised up Moses to free Israel from this dark period. The next time you find yourself shaking in your sleep, turn to the Lord in prayer so that you can escape the darkness of future nightmares.

by Jay Mankus

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