Author Archives: expressyourself4him

Is it the Devil or My Own Sinful Desires?

Posted on October 21, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Comedian Flip Wilson popularized the phrase “the devil made me do it,” back in the 1970’s. A few years later the first Stars Wars film introduced the dark side as an alternative excuse for why someone makes a bad decision. While Jesus did battle a real Devil early in the first century, the apostle Paul makes the best argument in Romans 7 and Romans 8 for why people continue to sin and fall short of God’s glory daily.

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. 5 Then the devil took Him into the holy city and placed Him on [b]a turret (pinnacle, [c]gable) of the temple [d]sanctuary. 6 And he said to Him, If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, He will give His angels charge over you, and they will bear you up on their hands, lest you strike your foot against a stone. 7 Jesus said to him, [e]On the other hand, it is written also, You shall not tempt, [f]test thoroughly, or [g]try exceedingly the Lord your God, Matthew 4:3-7.

Galatians 5:16-25 highlights the internal struggle that every human being faces. You can follow Jesus by keeping in step with the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25. Or you can choose to fulfill any earthly pleasure that you may have by indulging your fleshly desires, Romans 8:5-8. Free will offers everyone daily opportunities to decide for yourself like the archangel Lucifer and 1/3 of the angels in heaven.

We know that the Law is spiritual; but I am a creature of the flesh [carnal, unspiritual], having been sold into slavery under [the control of] sin. 15 For I do not understand my own actions [I am baffled, bewildered]. I do not practice or accomplish what I wish, but I do the very thing that I loathe [[b]which my moral instinct condemns]. 16 Now if I do [habitually] what is contrary to my desire, [that means that] I acknowledge and agree that the Law is good (morally excellent) and that I take sides with it. 17 However, it is no longer I who do the deed, but the sin [principle] which is at home in me and has possession of me, Romans 7:14-17.

Jesus’ earthly brother addresses the question: did the Devil make me do it or am I my worst enemy? James 1:13-15 clarifies that God is not to blame. Rather, enticement and lust continue to deceive and lead astray millions of people, especially Christians. Just like Eve in Genesis 3:3-6, a second glance at the Tree of Knowledge hooked her immediately. In Eve’s mind, the decision to sin was conceived. While one of Jesus’ disciples suggests that the Devil does know our weaknesses, 1 Peter 5:8, how you respond to temptation is often based upon your mindset, 1 Corinthians 10:13. Look for the way out of sinning.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 261: Next to Me

Posted on October 20, 2022 by expressyourself4him

 Sometimes when you hear a new song for the first time, it may take time to decide if you like it or not. When I first heard today’s featured song by Jordan Feliz, I was curious by his combination of folk rock and soul style of Christian pop. Jordan incorporates the parable of the Prodigal Son into the lyrics of Next to Me as a call to come back home to Jesus.

If you will listen diligently to the voice of the Lord your God, being watchful to do all His commandments which I command you this day, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. 2 And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you if you heed the voice of the Lord your God. 3 Blessed shall you be in the city and blessed shall you be in the field, Deuteronomy 28:1-3.

As I listened to a portion of the lyrics, I was reminded by the words of Moses. Prior to passing the baton to Joshua as Israel’s spiritual leader, Moses writes about blessings that come from God when believers are obedient. This is what Jordan sings about in the line “feeling deep down in his soul.” May Jordan’s message in Next to Me encourage you to draw close to the Lord.

by Jay Mankus

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What Will You Be?

Posted on October 20, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Americans spent $10.14 billion on Halloween in 2021. A majority of this amount is centered around one question: what will you be for Halloween this year? Die hard Halloweener’s plan a year ahead, trying to outdo their costume from the previous year. For one night every year, kids and adults roleplay the creature, individual or superhero they dress up as. Yet, the Bible speaks of a spiritual costume.

And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. 3 For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, Who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in [the splendor of His] glory. 5 So kill (deaden, [a]deprive of power) the evil desire lurking in your members [those animal impulses and all that is earthly in you that is employed in sin]: sexual vice, impurity, sensual appetites, unholy desires, and all greed and covetousness, for that is idolatry (the deifying of self and other created things instead of God), Colossians 3:2-5.

The apostle Paul writes about the mental preparation involved in being a biblical follower of Jesus. Once Halloween is over, as you leave your home daily, who will you be today? Will you put on your happy face, drag down your co-workers with criticism or lead by example? Just as Galatians 5:16-18 speaks of the internal struggle between the flesh and God’s Spirit, your thought life will dictate who you will be on any given day.

Clothe yourselves therefore, as God’s own chosen ones (His own picked representatives), [who are] purified and holy and well-beloved [by God Himself, by putting on behavior marked by] tenderhearted pity and mercy, kind feeling, a lowly opinion of yourselves, gentle ways, [and] patience [which is tireless and long-suffering, and has the power to endure whatever comes, with good temper]. 13 Be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has [freely] forgiven you, so must you also [forgive]. 14 And above all these [put on] love and enfold yourselves with the bond of perfectness [which binds everything together completely in ideal harmony], Colossians 3:12-14.

After writing about putting to death your old self, Paul transitions to putting on Christ like qualities. Unfortunately, maintaining a positive perspective on life when things don’t go your way isn’t easy. What will you be can change in an instant if prayer and daily Bible Study becomes part of your routine. Therefore, if you want to be Jesus the other 364 days of the year, put an end to bad habits of your past and start putting on the love of Jesus.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 260: New Creation

Posted on October 19, 2022 by expressyourself4him

When I hear Mac Powell’s voice on the radio, I immediately think of Third Day. Prior to beginning his solo career, Mac was the founding member of the Christian rock band, Third Day. Mac and Roland Hayes were both inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame due to their long run of hit songs with Third Day. One of Mac’s most recent songs is New Creation.

I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me, Galatians 2:20.

One of the first messages I heard when I first started attending a Methodist youth group in high school was becoming a new creation in Christ. Subsequently, when I first heard Mac’s song on Christian radio, I went back in time to this simple yet crucial call. As you listen to New Creation, may you be inspired to follow the apostle Paul’s advice in the passage above.

by Jay Mankus

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The Topic that Freaks Churches Out

Posted on October 19, 2022 by expressyourself4him

While documentaries and numerous Cable shows on Unidentified Flying Objects have reduced the stigma on this topic, you will still get strange looks if you appear too excited to discuss aliens and UFO’s. Modern day churches have similar issues that are taboo, especially televangelists who prefer to paint a positive spin on life to maintain online donations. Yet, outside of horror films like the Exorcist, bringing up demons remains a topic of conversation that freaks out most church members.

And Jesus summoned to Him His twelve disciples and gave them power and authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out, and to cure all kinds of disease and all kinds of weakness and infirmity, Matthew 10:1.

As a child, I wasn’t much of a reader until I discovered Daniel Cohen. Cohen was the In Search Of author of books. Rather than listen to Leonard Nimoy on television, Daniel Cohen introduced me to mysterious phenomena like the possibility of a Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monter and Unidentified Flying Objects. Subsequently, as an adult, topics like demons and a real-life Devil who serves as the ruler of the air, Ephesians 2:2, doesn’t seem all that far-fetched to me. This belief was confirmed when I was confronted by a demon while assisting Mark, a Stephen’s ministry counselor during a home visit with an alcoholic.

But when the unclean spirit has gone out of a man, it roams through dry [arid] places in search of rest, but it does not find any. 44 Then it says, I will go back to my house from which I came out. And when it arrives, it finds the place unoccupied, swept, put in order, and decorated. 45 Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and make their home there. And the last condition of that man becomes worse than the first. So also shall it be with this wicked generation, Matthew 12:43-45.

Perhaps, too many Christians are afraid to talk about demons in public, like the former stigma of opening up about alien encounters. After watching a rerun of Cold Case Files on A&E, the detective interviewed a serial killer who blamed a Succubus, a female demon, for persuading him to rape and kill women. If this is the case, how many other attacks, crimes, and unsolved mysterious can be attributed to demonic influences? It doesn’t take much to look at tragic stories on social media to imagine the possibilities. If Jesus took demons seriously 11 times in the gospel, churches need to unveil this spiritual aspect of life.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 259: Good Morning Mercy

Posted on October 18, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Jason Crabb is a frequent guest and host on the Trinity Broadcast Network’s Praise program. When you’re a multiple Grammy and GMA Dove Award-winner, God opens doors to use your spiritual gifts. While listening to K-Love Radio on my way to work, I was introduced to Jason’s most recent hit song Good Morning Mercy.

But this I recall and therefore have I hope and expectation: 22 It is because of the Lord’s mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness, Lamentations 3:21-23.

One of my favorite passages on mercy comes from the prophet Jeremiah. Known as the weeping prophet due to the mostly negative messages God gave him to share with Israel, Jeremiah’s words in the passage above are refreshing. Perhaps this passage served as the inspiration for the lyrics of Good Morning Mercy. As you listen to today’s song, remember that everyday God’s mercy is available and waiting for you to embrace.

by Jay Mankus

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A House of Horrors

Posted on October 18, 2022 by expressyourself4him

As cable and streaming services continue to feature horror films this month, the Bible contains a villain unlike any depicted by Hollywood. The backstory of this man from Gerasa comes to the surface as Jesus asks a series of probing questions. Apparently, this man left home as he was afraid that he might hurt his wife or children. Subsequently, he moved out to live alone in a series of catacombs.

They came to the other side of the sea to the region of the Gerasenes. 2 And as soon as He got out of the boat, there met Him out of the tombs a man [under the power] of an unclean spirit. 3 This man [a]continually lived among the tombs, and no one could subdue him any more, even with a chain; Mark 5:1-3.

According to John Mark, this man exhibited uncontrollable fits of rage, possessing supernatural strength. Sensing some sort of demonic possession, Jesus doesn’t stop his inquiry until discovering this man’s spiritual condition. Based upon the context of Mark 5:13, this Legion which spoke to Jesus was like something out of the Exorcist. The actual number of demons inside this man was two thousand.

For he had been bound often with shackles for the feet and [b]handcuffs, but the handcuffs of [light] chains he wrenched apart, and the shackles he rubbed and ground together and broke in pieces; and no one had strength enough to restrain or tame him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always [c]shrieking and screaming and [d]beating and bruising and [e]cutting himself with stones, Mark 5:4-5.

The number of demonic influences living inside this man is incomprehensible, even for Hollywood. Nonetheless, this sets the scene for one of the most memorable exorcisms in the Bible. Mark spends a total of 20 verses on this man living in a house of horrors, waking up from nightmares in a graveyard. Yet, in this story, there were no human murders, just a herd of hogs that drown in the Sea. This account reveals how Jesus can transform one man’s house of horrors into a peaceful sleep and in his right mind.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 258: Devil

Posted on October 17, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Anne Wilson made her debut as a Christian artist in 2021. Wilson’s version of “My Jesus” reached number one on Billboard ‘s Hot Christian Songs chart. Perhaps Anne’s timing was ideal like the words of King Solomon in Ecclesiastes 3:4. Regardless of the reason for Anne’s success, I was impressed my Wilson’s most recent single Devil.

Then Jesus was led (guided) by the [Holy] Spirit into the wilderness (desert) to be tempted (tested and tried) by the devil. 2 And He went without food for forty days and forty nights, and later He was hungry. 3 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 4:1-4.

When I heard this song on K-Love Radio a few weeks, I was immediately reminded of the passage above. After fasting for 40 days to prepare Jesus for his earthly ministry, the Devil tried to catch Him off guard. Jesus was tempted physically, mentally, and spiritually before telling the Devil to get lost. The lyrics of Devil reference the apostle Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 15:54-58. May Anne’s song bring you comfort the next time you are tempted.

by Jay Mankus

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You Make the Darkness Tremble

Posted on October 17, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Two Old Testament prophets write about Lucifer’s fall from heaven in Isaiah 14:12-14 and Ezekiel 28:14-15. According to the Bible, 1/3 of all angels were expelled from heaven along with the arch angel Lucifer, a.k.a. the Devil. The apostle Paul explains Satan’s new role on earth as the ruler of the air in Ephesians 2:2. Despite these supernatural powers, Jude 1:6-7 reveals how Jesus makes the darkness tremble.

You believe that God is one; you do well. So do the demons believe and shudder [in terror and horror such as [a]make a man’s hair stand on end and contract the surface of his skin]! 20 Are you willing to be shown [proof], you foolish (unproductive, spiritually deficient) fellow, that faith apart from [good] works is inactive and ineffective and worthless? – James 2:19-20

As someone who grew up in a military family, the Army drilled into my father a spirit of discipline along with a clear right and wrong. Whenever I wasn’t acting properly, my mother responded with the words, “wait until your father gets home.” Since the demons know they are on the wrong side of history, they tremble in fear of their future judgment just as I was frightened to receive the consequences for my actions.

And when this perishable puts on the imperishable and this that was capable of dying puts on freedom from death, then shall be fulfilled the Scripture that says, Death is swallowed up (utterly vanquished [h]forever) in and unto victory. 55 O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? 56 Now sin is the sting of death, and sin exercises its power [i][upon the soul] through [j][the abuse of] the Law. 57 But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Corinthians 15:54-57.

The real game changer occurred on Easter Sunday. Like Super Bowl 51, Satan thought he was victorious like the Falcons who were up 28-3 at halftime. Yet, when Jesus rose from the grave, the sting and power of death was conquered. The apostle Paul writes about this in Colossians 3:1-14. When a Christian’s mind dwells and focuses on God’s Word, this mindset also makes the darkness tremble.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 257: Waiting Room

Posted on October 16, 2022 by expressyourself4him

As an impatient person, the only thing worse than waiting is being stuck at a waiting room in the hospital. Sometimes you may be waiting for the birth of your first child or grandchild, but most times hospital waiting rooms are for unexpected emergencies. Due to building procedures, you’re left in the dark about the condition of a loved one.

Even youths shall faint and be weary, and [selected] young men shall feebly stumble and fall exhausted; 31 But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired, Isaiah 40:30-31.

However, the group LaRue sing about a different type of waiting room. LaRue is comprised of siblings Phillip and Natalie LaRue. The song Waiting Room refers to waiting for the love of Jesus to transform a Christian’s heart and life. As the apostle Paul suggests in 1 Corinthians 13, you may have good intentions but many acts are absent of love. May LaRue’s song inspire to put your faith into action, sprinkling the love of Jesus to your neighbors.

by Jay Mankus

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