Author Archives: expressyourself4him

Under the Power of the Evil One

Posted on May 24, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Whether you receive your news from cable, social media or local television, current events suggest that the world is falling apart. Beneath the surface, there are spirits of anger, hatred, and rage that result in chaos, violence and war. New Testament authors in the Bible point to a supernatural force that incites unknowing individuals toward evil acts. The apostle Paul provides a scapegoat: the fallen angel Lucifer.

We know [positively] that we are of God, and the whole world [around us] is under the power of the evil one, 1 John 5:19.

One of Jesus’ disciples makes a powerful declaration in the passage above. Members of the body of Christ know God without a doubt, absolutely through a daily personal relationship. Whether you fellowship with other believers, pray or study the Bible, faith results in spiritual clarity. Meanwhile, anyone who does not seek God end up falling under the influence and power of the evil one.

In which at one time you walked [habitually]. You were following the course and fashion of this world [were under the sway of the tendency of this present age], following the prince of the power of the air. [You were obedient to and under the control of] the [demon] spirit that still constantly works in the sons of disobedience [the careless, the rebellious, and the unbelieving, who go against the purposes of God], Ephesians 2:2.

The apostle Paul points to the Devil’s past. the archangel Lucifer who was kicked out of heaven. Despite losing his eternal destiny in heaven, this prince of the power of the air maintains his angelic powers. Ezekiel 28:14-15 details that 1/3 of the angels were banished from heaven along with Lucifer. These fallen angels now serve the Devil as real spiritual demons. This is the powerful force that is present on earth which corrupts human beings who aren’t strong enough to resist the power of the Evil One.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 112: I Can’t Quit

Posted on May 23, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Today’s featured song comes from a group that I discovered on You Tube. While listening to a mix of Christian dance songs from various artists, Capital Kings kicked off this collection. I debated between “the Paradigm” and “I Can’t Quit.” While both songs have an exceptional beat and sound, I Can’t Quit contains more inspirational lyrics that most people can relate to in a world filled with defeat.

For he who sows to his own flesh (lower nature, sensuality) will from the flesh reap decay and ruin and destruction, but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint, Galatians 6:8-9.

In the passage above, the apostle Paul addresses this topic. Human nature has a way of weakening downtrodden souls to lose heart. When you heart isn’t into what you are doing, minds tune out which results in the act of quitting. Whatever circumstance or situation that you are currently facing, remember the Capital Kings song I Can’t Quit so that faith prevails as you learn to press on day after day.

by Jay Mankus

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Are You Sure About That?

Posted on May 23, 2022 by expressyourself4him

I was never a great student; always taking me twice as long to complete an assignment than my fellow classmates. It wasn’t until 10th grade that I was diagnosed with a learning disorder. Subsequently, as I was preparing to study for a test, I was always skeptical. When I couldn’t keep up with a fast-talking teacher during a review session, I would lean over a ask a friend, “are you sure about that?”

I write this to you who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) the name of the Son of God [in [c]the peculiar services and blessings conferred by Him on men], so that you may know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that you [already] have life, [d]yes, eternal life, 1 John 5:13.

The passage above serves as a slice of certainty. For anyone doubting the Bible’s authenticity, John provides directions to settle any questions that you may have. However, there are three requirements that you must commit to before you can be absolutely sure. First you must adhere to the teaching of Jesus, trust in God’s promises, and rely on Jesus’ strength when you’re weak, Philippians 4:13.

And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us, 1 John 5:14.

When these three spiritual disciplines are exercised daily, feelings are transformed into faith. Doubt is replaced by boldness and confidence. This new found assurance in God’s power will propel your prayer life from a do to list into a purpose driven life. As your focus turns toward seeking and fulfilling God’s will, the Holy Spirit will begin to guide your steps along the way, Galatians 5:25.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 111: Only After You

Posted on May 22, 2022 by expressyourself4him

I stumbled upon Sixteen Cities a decade ago shortly after I lost my teaching position. Sixteen Cities provides a good blend of ballads with contemporary worship. While this group began in Portland, Oregon, Sixteen Cities is now based in Dallas, Texas. When I was working maintenance, cutting acres of grass weekly, Sixteen Cities kept me company. Only After You quickly became one of my favorites.

Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but [only] one receives the prize? So run [your race] that you may lay hold [of the prize] and make it yours, 1 Corinthians 9:24.

When I recently listened to the lyrics of Only After You, the image provided by the apostle Paul in the passage above came to mind. As a former high school coach, most athletes don’t like to run. Rather than run in circles around a track, chasing after God’s will for your life provides a greater purpose. While you may not have a clue about God’s will, the more you run with God, the clearer this path will become. I hope you enjoy this classic song.

by Jay Mankus

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From Time to Time

Posted on May 22, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Starting a few years ago, I decided to use a different translation of the Bible each time I study the New Testament from Matthew to Revelation. My most recent study involves the Classic Amplified Bible. This version opened my eyes to the words of one of Jesus’ former disciples. John took great joy whenever a Christian visited with the goal of sharing their faith. Unfortunately, this only occurred from time to time.

In fact, I greatly rejoiced when [some of] the brethren from time to time arrived and spoke [so highly] of the sincerity and fidelity of your life, as indeed you do live in the Truth [the whole Gospel presents], 3 John 1:3.

When something in your life isn’t important or a priority, you only experience this from time to time. From John’s perspective, he watched Jesus present the Gospel every day for three years. Jesus didn’t wait to share God’s love until the disciples reached their appointed destination for the night. Rather, Jesus seized every moment, walking, talking and loving along the way, stopping to perform miracles daily.

I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my [spiritual] children are living their lives in the Truth. 5 Beloved, it is a fine and faithful work that you are doing when you give any service to the [Christian] brethren, and [especially when they are] strangers, 3 John 1:4-5.

John explains in the passage above why Christians should live out God’s Word daily by sharing their faith. When God uses you to comfort or encourage someone in the form of a divine appointment, the joy you experience from this encounter is amazing. Perhaps, this is the what the abundant joy that Jesus promised in John 10:10 feels like. Rather than casually share your faith from time to time, search for daily opportunities to pass on God’s love.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 110: Awaken Love

Posted on May 21, 2022 by expressyourself4him

While the Bible calls Christians to live by faith and not by sight, most people rely too much on their feelings. When you’re in a good mood, enjoying life and loving others is easier. However, if you let your daily circumstances dictate how you act and behave, love tends to die. In today’s song by Lacey Sturm, she sings about her desire to awaken love.

Let everything you do be done in love (true love to God and man as inspired by God’s love for us), 1 Corinthians 16:14.

While visiting the Church of Corinth, the wealth of Christians persuaded some to have ulterior motives for loving. This is the reason for the warning in the passage above. Everything you do should be inspired by love. If you want to be true to God, love should be awakened so you can pass it on to others. Knowing what the Bible says without applying it daily is meaningless. Therefore, may Lacey’s song inspire you to awaken love today.

by Jay Mankus

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Absolute Confidence

Posted on May 21, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Confidence is the belief, feeling, or inner desire that you can rely on someone or something. Whether you’re a gifted academic, natural athlete or possess unique trade skills, certain talents come with ease. The more this special quality is fine-tuned, individuals begin to develop an absolute confidence in their ability. The Bible speaks of a spiritual absolute confidence.

We know [absolutely] that anyone born of God does not [deliberately and knowingly] practice committing sin, but the One Who was begotten of God carefully watches over and protects him [Christ’s divine presence within him preserves him against the evil], and the wicked one does not lay hold (get a grip) on him or touch [him], 1 John 5:18.

According to a member of Jesus’ inner circle, absolute confidence is conceived when individuals become born again. This spiritual conception comes from the Holy Spirit who gives Christians everything they need for life, 2 Peter 1:3-4. The apostle Paul compares the Holy Spirit to an invisible force that you can feel and sense as you walk through life, Galatians 5:25.

And the Lord said to Satan, Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who [reverently] fears God and abstains from and shuns evil [because it is wrong]? 9 Then Satan answered the Lord, Does Job [reverently] fear God for nothing? 10 Have You not put a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have conferred prosperity and happiness upon him in the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land, Job 1:8-10.

One of the reasons why evil exists in this world is due to a lack of prayer coverage. Based upon the oldest book in the Bible, Satan complained that God was placing a hedge of protection around Christian leaders. Only when this hedge was removed, did Job become vulnerable to spiritual attacks. The act of sin is merely a byproduct of losing faith by giving into natural desires. The end goal is to become filled with Christ’s strength so that the Devil will not lay a hand on you. This is absolute confidence.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 109: Walking on Water

Posted on May 20, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Today’s featured song comes from a group that began in South Carolina. Need to Breathe decided to broaden their audience by crossing over to reach a secular audience. Although I never found one of NeedtoBreathe’s albums to be incredibly amazing, they have been consistent over the past two decades. The longer this group sticks around, the bigger their following has become.

And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified and said, It is a ghost! And they screamed out with fright. 27 But instantly He spoke to them, saying, Take courage! I Am! Stop being afraid! 28 And Peter answered Him, Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water. 29 He said, Come! So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water, and he came toward Jesus, Matthew 14:26-29.

As for Walking on Water, the passage above contains one of the most fascinating stories in the Bible. Who needs a boat when you can walk on water. Yet, for Peter, he went from thinking Jesus was a ghost to getting out of his boat to imitate Jesus’ miraculous act. However, the moment Peter took his eyes off of Jesus, he began to sink. If you want to do the unthinkable today, keep your eyes fixed upon Jesus.

by Jay Mankus

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The Day Demons Were Driven Out

Posted on May 20, 2022 by expressyourself4him

For Jesus, this day started out like any other. Getting up early, taking a walk in the wilderness, and spending time in prayer. Yet, when the disciples woke up, they began to panic, unaware of Jesus’ morning routine. According to John Mark, a frantic search for Jesus began until he was found sometime after the sun rose. Rather than follow the whims of the disciples, Jesus went to the exact place where God wanted him to go.

And in the morning, long before daylight, He got up and went out to a [u]deserted place, and there He prayed. 36 And Simon [Peter] and those who were with him followed Him [[v]pursuing Him eagerly and hunting Him out], Mark 1:35-36.

How you ever felt like you woke up on the wrong side of the bed and never felt right all day long? Have you thought you knew exactly what you want to do today only to find out it was a waste of time? Based upon the passage above, the 12 disciples were in a full-blown panic. Instead of asking God for help, the disciples were frantically searching for Jesus. These were the emotions racing through the minds of these 12 men before Jesus led them to the place where God wanted them to go.

And they found Him and said to Him, Everybody is looking for You. 38 And He said to them, Let us be going on into the neighboring country towns, that I may preach there also; for that is why I came out. 39 [So] He went throughout the whole of Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons, Mark 1:37-39.

This group traveled to Galilee where Jesus began to preach, teach, and heal. John Mark doesn’t go into specifics on who were demon possessed, but something Jesus said scared the hell out of these demons. Perhaps this encounter was similar to the slave girl that followed Paul around in Acts 16. Whatever the circumstances, the truth that Jesus spoke struck a nerve. Before the day was over, the power of the Holy Spirit was unleashed as these demons were driven out for good.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 108: Dear Agony

Posted on May 19, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Breaking Benjamin is one of the first groups I discovered from doing searches on You Tube. Breaking Benjamin isn’t a spiritual based rock band, but has produced songs with deep meaning. Such is the case of today’s featured song Dear Agony. The lyrics remind me of letters that I wrote to friends in college as I poured out my heart about what was going on in my life.

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.

Lead singer Jackson Burnley IV sings about finding the enemy deep within you while singing Dear Agony. Like any emotional experience that you endure in life. agony has a way of sucking the joy and life out of you. The passage above coincides with Dear Agony as the wages of sin result in death. This is the ultimate form of agony, eternal separation from God. If you’re not sure about the afterlife, remember the words of 1 John 5:12-13 so that you will know for sure about your future.

by Jay Mankus

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