Author Archives: expressyourself4him

S.A.N.S. Episode 340: Thicker

Posted on January 8, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Chasing Furies song Thicker reminds me of one of Jesus’ parables. When Jesus shared the Parable of the Sower in public, the disciples were confused and dumbfounded. Subsequently, these 12 men approached Jesus in private to understand the point of his analogy. Jesus was trying to stress the importance of soil types, the environments in which you live. If you allow yourself to be surrounded by negative influences, you will struggle to grow and mature as a Christian.

As for what was sown on thin (rocky) soil, this is he who hears the Word and at once welcomes and accepts it with joy; 21 Yet it has no real root in him, but is temporary (inconstant, [i]lasts but a little while); and when affliction or trouble or persecution comes on account of the Word, at once he is caused to stumble [he is repelled and [j]begins to distrust and desert Him Whom he ought to trust and obey] and he falls away. 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is he who hears the Word, but the cares of the world and the pleasure and delight and glamour and deceitfulness of riches choke and suffocate the Word, and it yields no fruit, Matthew 13:20-22.

At the present time, the beginning of 2023, you may find yourself trampled, compressed by heartaches in life. Maybe rocks are your problem, holding you back from sprouting to your full potential? Then again, sticker bushes and thickets could be the source of your pain, suffocating your life from experiencing joy, John 10:10. Whatever your stumbling block may be as you enter 2023, may the lyrics of Thicker help you start to spiritually weed your current environment so that the soil you dwell in improves immensely this year.

by Jay Mankus

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Jesus Belongs to You

Posted on January 8, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Belonging refers to an affinity for a group, place or situation. As a loner for most of junior high, the first group that welcomed me was the Concord High Cross Country team. Over a four-year period, my coaches and teammates become like a second family to me. As a junior in high school, a Methodist Youth Group provided the same sense of belonging. As I joined an accountability group and Bible Study, these teenagers became my spiritual family. Jesus made this possible by his selfless act in Romans 5:8.

For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father [of Eternity], Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and of peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from the [latter] time forth, even forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this, Isaiah 9:6-7.

According to a vision from an Old Testament prophet, a Savior would be born unto us. Speaking for Israel, this Savior would be for an entire nation. However, as the apostle Paul wrote to the Church at Rome, his ministry offered this same Savior to the Gentiles as well. While Jews in some cities tried to kill Paul, this didn’t stop him from extending God’s free gift to all nations, Romans 6:23. If I could condense Paul’s words to one sentence, Jesus belongs to you, for unto us a Savior was born.

For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten ([d]unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him, John 3:16-17.

The passage above was spoken to a Pharisee named Nicodemus under the cover of darkness. Jesus’ inner circle, James, John in Peter, were likely somewhere in the vicinity, perhaps eavesdropping on this conversation. While it’s unclear if Jesus or the Holy Spirit revealed the full conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus on that night, these words to one man now applies to you as well. Jesus didn’t come to condemn the world, but to save it as Jesus belongs to you as long as you freely accept God’s free gift into your heart, Romans 10:9-11. May this verse convince you that Jesus belongs to you.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 339: All Fall Down

Posted on January 7, 2023 by expressyourself4him

I remember playing as a kid, repeating what others exclaimed, “ashes to ashes, we all fall down.” At the time, I had no idea what this meant but I was just trying to fit in. As an adult, I discovered that the expression: “Ashes! Ashes! We all fall down,” is related to the black pallor that a patient’s skin has in his last days and to the cremation of Black Plague’s victims. The Bible has another explanation for why human beings all fall down.

As it is written, None is righteous, just and truthful and upright and conscientious, no, not one. 11 No one understands [no one intelligently discerns or comprehends]; no one seeks out God. 12 All have turned aside; together they have gone wrong and have become unprofitable and worthless; no one does right, not even one! – Romans 3:10-12.

At the height of the Roman Empire, many Roman Christians felt superior to other believers scattered throughout the world due to Nero’s persecution. Subsequently, the apostle Paul addresses this superiority complex in Romans 2-3. The climax of Paul’s message is mentioned in the passage above. Despite how disciplined and educated that you may be, everyone falls short of God’s glory. May the lyrics of Sarah Masen’s song All Fall Down keep you humble and meek in 2023.

by Jay Mankus

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Embrace Progress Over Perfection in 2023

Posted on January 7, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis was a textbook that my high school students became familiar with at Red Lion. Yet, as their Bible teacher, one phrase has stuck with me the past twenty years, “success is the process of arrival.” Like the words of the apostle Paul in Philippians 3:12-14, Christians don’t arrive in heaven on earth. Rather, the sanctification process of God’s grace takes a lifetime to complete. Therefore, embrace progress over perfection in 2023 as success is a process, not actually arriving.

The steps of a [good] man are directed and established by the Lord when He delights in his way [and He busies Himself with his every step]. 24 Though he falls, he shall not be utterly cast down, for the Lord grasps his hand in support and upholds him, Psalm 37:23-24.

I guess you can say King David learned this lesson the hard way following his affair with Bathsheba. After being rebuked by the prophet Nathan in 2 Samuel 12:1-11, David’s imperfections turned into a generational sin. Perhaps, the words in the passage above are David’s attempt to embrace small steps of spiritual progress. Whenever anyone stumbles in life due to acts of disobedience, you have to learn all over again how to keep in step with the Holy Spirit.

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 1:6.

The apostle Paul touches on embracing progress over perfection. Paul understood that Jesus calls his followers to strive for perfection in Matthew 5:48, but faith is a lifelong process. Therefore, while you will have periods of backsliding, idleness or rebellion like the prodigal son in Luke 15, God still has a plan for your life. Just as the prophet Jonah didn’t go to Nineveh the route God intended, embrace progress over perfection so that God will finish the work that He began in you this year.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 338: Resolution

Posted on January 6, 2023 by expressyourself4him

I first discovered Ska music in college. The origin of Ska began in the late 1950s and was the precursor to a rockish version of reggae. The Ska genre of music combines elements of Caribbean mento, Big Band with American jazz and rhythm and blues. Ska is characterized by a walking bass line accented with rhythms on the offbeat. The O.C. Supertones were one of the first Christian Ska bands to hit it big in the United States.

Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth. 16 But avoid all empty (vain, useless, idle) talk, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, 2 Timothy 2:15-16.

As a new year has begun, many are still scrambling to figure out what changes you are going to make in 2023. Subsequently, beginning 2023 with the O.C. Supertones song Resolution may help some of you make a decision of how or what you want to change for the better. Are you going to devote every day to reading the Bible and prayer? Will you be disciplined to eat healthier? Or is it time to set a realistic work out plan in 2023? Whatever you decide, today is a great day to make your resolution.

by Jay Mankus

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A Plausible Origin of Greek Mythology

Posted on January 6, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Just as Moses was commissioned by the Lord to write down the oral traditions of Israel to Jewish families about to enter God’s promised land, Greek Mythology started during the Bronze Age. The poet Hesoid, 700 years before the birth of Christ, penned the first written documentation of Greek Mythology. While Zeus is believed to have had over 100 children with 7 different women, the three main offspring mentioned in Greek Mythology are Ares, Heba, and Hephaestus.

When men began to multiply on the face of the land and daughters were born to them, 2 The sons of God saw that the daughters of men were fair, and they took wives of all they desired and chose, Genesis 6:1-2.

According to ancient traditions, Zeus was the ruler of all gods, serving as the god of the sky, thunder and lightning. Zeus ruled from Mount Olympus, the home of the Greek gods. When I read today’s passage last week, one of the interpretations Bible scholars put forth is that angels described as sons of God were able to have children with the daughters of earth. Although it’s unclear if these male angels were able to come down to earth in human flesh, this portion of the Bible provides a plausible origin for Greek Mythology.

Then the Lord said, My Spirit shall not forever dwell and strive with man, for he also is flesh; but his days shall yet be 120 years. 4 There were giants on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God lived with the daughters of men, and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown, Genesis 6:3-4.

When you consider the fact that archeologists have unearthed skeletons of giants, it’s not so farfetched to conclude that one or more of these bones are from a race known as the Nephilim. Meanwhile, these giants were also incredible athletes who went on to become renown warriors. Is Moses describing the origin of Greek Mythology or were some of these historical events mixed with other fables, passed down through oral traditions? Whatever the original source is, today’s passage provides a plausible explanation for what is now known as Greek Mythology.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 337: Epidermis Girl

Posted on January 5, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Today’s song speaks to a desire to go beyond the physical aspect of love. The term epidermis means the surface epithelium of the skin, overlying the dermis. Unfortunately, too many men place appearance as a top priority in a future mate which causes many Christians to fall into the same trap as Samson. Despite Delilah’s impure motives, it only took one night to be there this woman before Samson fell in love, head over heels.

Then Samson went to Gaza and saw a harlot there, and went in to her. 2 The Gazites were told, Samson has come here. So they surrounded the place and lay in wait for him all night at the gate of the city. They were quiet all night, saying, In the morning, when it is light, we will kill him. 3 But Samson lay until midnight, and [then] he arose and took hold of the doors of the city’s gate and the two posts, and pulling them up, bar and all, he put them on his shoulders and carried them to the top of the hill that is before Hebron. 4 After this he loved a woman in the Valley of Sorek whose name was Delilah, Judges 16:1-4.

The group Bleach sings about wanting to go deeper, beyond the epidermis to find out what’s inside the heart and soul of a woman. Rather than endure the hardship, pain and suffering that Samson went through, basing your feeling and love on physical features isn’t worth it. May the lyrics of Epidermis Girl convict you to find a woman who like David, 1 Samuel 16:7, is set on pursuing the desires of God’s heart.

by Jay Mankus

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How to Keep in Step with the Holy Spirit in 2023

Posted on January 5, 2023 by expressyourself4him

As I continue my study of the Old Testament in 2023, I have noticed a correlation between keeping in step with the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25, and habitually walking with God. Moses describes the spiritual life of Enoch and Noah to habitually walking with God. Rather than being consumed with unwholesome addictions, bad habits, and lustful cravings, these two godly men kept in step with God’s Spirit. Inquiring minds want to know, how is this possible to accomplish while living in 2023?

Let your eyes look right on [with fixed purpose], and let your gaze be straight before you. 26 Consider well the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established and ordered aright. 27 Turn not aside to the right hand or to the left; remove your foot from evil, Proverbs 4:25-27.

One of the wisest human beings to ever walk the face of the earth chimes in on this topic in the passage above. King Solomon claims that being task and goal oriented isn’t enough to keep in step with the Holy Spirit. Rather, you need to be vision oriented, living with your eyes daily fixated on Jesus, Hebrews 12:1-2. When considering where to go and what to do like Jesus in Mark 1:35, ask yourself does this activity align with God’s will? Whatever you decide, following the advice in Proverbs 4:27 will guide you in the right direction to keep in step with the Holy Spirit.

Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us, 2 Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God, Hebrews 12:1-2.

The context of the passage above occurs immediately following the Bible’s Hall of Faith, Hebrews 11. The individuals recognized for this lifetime achievement award each demonstrated the ability to keep in step with God’s Holy Spirit. Subsequently, when the author starts with therefore to begin a new chapter, this a call to follow in their spiritual footsteps of faith. You can’t clearly keep in step with the Holy Spirit until you strip away and throw off any addicts, bad habits and unwholesome cravings from your life. As you mature spiritually by daily confessing your sins to God, fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith. While this process will take weeks, months and years to complete, somewhere along the way you will keep in step with the Holy Spirt, Galatians 5:25.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 336: God’s Grace

Posted on January 4, 2023 by expressyourself4him

One of my older friends from high school was a former member of the Crips. Like the attached video, this young black man left one of the famous gangs in New York City. However, in my friend’s case, his mother moved abruptly one night, afraid her son would never get out of this gang. Needless to say, no one at my high school ever messed with this dude as if anyone did, he could make a phone call and within 24 hours this person would be history.

For it is by free grace (God’s unmerited favor) that you are saved ([c]delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God, Ephesians 2:8.

From a spiritual perspective, it doesn’t matter who you’ve been associated with or where you’ve been in life as God’s grace is the great equalizer. All it takes to get right with God is a spirit of confession and contrition. As various prodigals finally come to their senses, God’s grace is new every morning, Lamentations 3:19-22. Therefore, as a new year begins, may God’s grace be constantly on your mind like the song by Trin-I-Tee 5:7.

by Jay Mankus

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Seizing This Season

Posted on January 4, 2023 by expressyourself4him

I was introduced to the concept of seizing a season through the 1984 film starring Kevin Bacon Footloose. When a pastor’s son in Utah was killed coming back from a dance, the small town that Ren McCormack moved to banned playing all secular music in public. When prom season arrived for seniors, Ren went to the local town council to change this law. While speaking to a room full of anxious students, Ren proclaimed, “this is our time.” Five years later, Robin Williams clarified seizing this season in the film Dead Poets Society, Carpe Diem, seize the day.

To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven: 2 A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted, 3 A time to kill and a time to heal, a time to break down and a time to build up, 4 A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, Ecclesiastes 3:1-4.

Following the great flood recorded in the Bible, God promised to never interrupt the four annual seasons on earth for the remainder of its existence, Genesis 8:22. While reflecting upon every circumstance and situation that happens within a calendar year, King Solomon declares that there is a season and time for everything. However, in wake of the freak injury resulting in a cardiac arrest to Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin on Monday Night Football this week, seize today as tomorrow isn’t guaranteed, James 4:14.

Not that I have now attained [this ideal], or have already been made perfect, but I press on to lay hold of (grasp) and make my own, that for which Christ Jesus (the Messiah) has laid hold of me and made me His own. 13 I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own [yet]; but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward, Philippians 3:12-14.

The apostle Paul provides what it takes to seize this first season of 2023 in the passage above. The mindset that Paul details includes three key character traits. First, you need to remain hungry for achieving more in life by avoid becoming complacent. Second, you need to forget what has happened in your past by focusing on what’s God’s will for your life in the future. Finally, when you keep your eyes on heaven’s prize, fulfilling the great commission in Acts 1:8, you will seize every new day that God gives you this season to shine the light of Jesus on a dark and dying and dying world.

by Jay Mankus

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