Author Archives: expressyourself4him

S.A.N.S. Episode 169: Cast Me Away

Posted on July 20, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Today’s song comes from the former lead singer of Life Savers Underground. Michael Knott is one of those musicians who is more famous as a producer of 35 albums. Michael has helped and mentored young artists through the years. While Michael’s alternative rock genre may not be to your satisfaction, Cast Me Away is a ballad that Michael speaks and sings from his heart.

Listen to my prayer, O God, and hide not Yourself from my supplication! 2 Attend to me and answer me; I am restless and distraught in my complaint and must moan 3 [And I am distracted] at the noise of the enemy, because of the oppression and threats of the wicked; for they would cast trouble upon me, and in wrath they persecute me, Psalm 55:1-3.

The inspiration behind Cast Me Away comes from Psalms written by David following his adulterous affair with Bathsheba. While I didn’t reference Psalm 32, David pours out his heart to God in prayer. Ashamed and convicted of his sin following an encounter with the prophet Nathan in 2 Samuel 12, David feels horrible. While all sinners deserve to be cast away, God still loves and forgives you, Romans 5:8.

by Jay Mankus

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Black and Blue

Posted on July 20, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Like any good movie, an audience will speculate in their minds how this story is going to end. Such is the case of Jesus who was sitting on the Mount of Olives when his disciples privately approached. Following a prophetic message about future events, the disciples wanted to know about what signs they should be carefully watching for or expecting. The remainder of Matthew 24 is a glimpse of future events.

And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not frightened or troubled, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in place after place; 8 All this is but the beginning [the early pains] of the [c]birth pangs [of the [d]intolerable anguish], Matthew 24:6-8.

While on the Island of Patmos, one of the oldest disciples receives another vision of the future in the passage below. One current event to closely watch for is a rise in deaths throughout the world. According to a 2017 study, on any given day, nearly 100,000 people die of natural causes across the globe. According to John, when death rates increase due to murder, famine, plagues like the Coronavirus, and animal attacks, the arrival of the 4th seal in the Book of Revelation is at hand.

So I looked, and behold, an ashy pale horse [[a]black and blue as if made so by bruising], and its rider’s name was Death, and Hades (the realm of the dead) followed him closely. And they were given authority and power over a fourth part of the earth to kill with the sword and with famine and with plague (pestilence, disease) and with wild beasts of the earth, Revelation 6:8.

Black and blue is often associated with bruising that occurs after an accident, fall or contact with another object. Due to the regeneration process, young people tend to heal quicker as bruises vanish over a short period of time. Yet, the older human beings get, bruises may not go over, sticking around for months. According to John, this black and blue colored horse is symbolic of death. When unnatural death rates increase dramatically, this future period of time could mark the beginning of the 4th seal in Revelation.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 168: Saved by Grace

Posted on July 19, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Today’s song comes from a Christian rock band that formed in Alabama in 1980. Not to be confused with the popular video game, Halo spent a decade touring churches and venues in the south. However, when Bob Hartman of Petra joined Halo in the early 1990’s, Halo received national recognition before breaking up in 1993. Like most quality groups, Halo had a great run during my final two years of college.

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.

Saved by Grace is a common expression that you will find in biblically based churches. The above passage serves as one of the inspirations for the lyrics of Saved by Grace. While the sound of Halo hasn’t aged well, it’s a reminder that there is a season and time for every musician. I’m grateful that I was young when Halo reached its prime. I hope you enjoy Saved by Grace.

by Jay Mankus

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Hear, Listen, and Heed God’s Voice

Posted on July 19, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Depending upon how well you sleep the night before and how you’re feeling when you get up, your mental alertness varies. If you wake up in a fog, you’ll overlook the obvious signs of God’s presence. Meanwhile, your ability to hear will be impaired until your body fully wakes up. On the other hand, if you’re well rested and possess a sound mind, hearing, listening and heeding God’s voice is possible.

And He said, Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord. And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; 12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire [a sound of gentle stillness and] a still, small voice, 1 Kings 19:11-12.

Anyone who has ever battled depression for an extended period of time, turns their attention to within. This fragile state of mind causes me to block out what’s going on around me. My main concern is dwelling on my pathetic state, seeking a pity party from others I come in contact with. Subsequently, you may end up like Elijah who isn’t hungry and would rather sleep, hoping his situation improves in the morning.

Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears and listens to and heeds My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will eat with him, and he [will eat] with Me, Revelation 3:20.

According to a vision received by John, God will try to get your attention. John uses the analogy of God knocking on a door, perhaps the door to your heart. If you’re sober, you’ll have a better chance of listening, seeing, and sensing the presence of God. Yet, John suggests hearing and listening is just step 1 and step 2 of this process. The final call is heeding the advice God gives you. Ready, set and engage God.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 167: Isn’t It Amazing

Posted on July 18, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Today’s song comes from one of the godfathers of Christian music. Mark Farner was spreading the gospel through a combination of rock and roll and soft rock in the 1970’s. My spiritual mentor Ken Horne introduced me to Isn’t It Amazing in high school. While I wasn’t sure of Christian music, the lyrics of Isn’t It Amazing gave me hope that prayer could change my life by healing a severe stuttering problem.

For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it], Mark 11:24.

When it comes the prayer, what’s the worst thing that could happen beside praying for patience. As a stuttering fool afraid of embarrassing myself in public, I had nothing to lose. Ten years after I began asking Jesus for complete healing of my speech, my miraculous request was answered. Subsequently, Mark Farner isn’t the only one who can sing “Isn’t It Amazing what a prayer can do.”

by Jay Mankus

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Shaken by the Wind

Posted on July 18, 2022 by expressyourself4him

As someone who has traveled throughout the continental United States, every place has unique features. Over the past 50 years, I’ve been shaken by down drafts, earthquakes, tornadoes and waterspouts. When the earth stopped shaking and the winds died down, I had time to reflect upon what I experienced. Natural disasters are God’s way of showing me life is more important than physical possessions.

And the stars of the sky dropped to the earth like a fig tree shedding its unripe fruit out of season when shaken by a strong wind, Revelation 6:13.

One of John’s visions that comprises the Book of Revelation is something you’d see in a Science Fiction catastrophe film. Yet on this particular day rather than observing shooting stars in the sky, stars are plunging to the earth. Like a large meteorite striking the ground, this event will forever alter human life on earth. According to John, people will seek shelter in caves high in the mountains.

And as He saw [k]one single leafy fig tree [l]above the roadside, He went to it but He found nothing but leaves on it [[m]seeing that in the fig tree the fruit appears at the same time as the leaves]. And He said to it, Never again shall fruit grow on you! And the fig tree withered up at once. 20 When the disciples saw it, they marveled greatly and asked, How is it that the fig tree has withered away all at once? – Matthew 21:19-20

Fig trees are mentioned more than 50 times in the Bible.  Fig tree were extremely important for both nutritional and economic reasons in ancient times. When Jesus came across an unproductive fig tree in the passage above, he curses it and immediately this tree withers. One of Jesus’ disciples uses a similar analogy in the top passage. As seasons change, the wind will either die down or intensify. Therefore, as seasons in life signal a transition, keep in step with the Holy Spirit so you’re not shaken by the wind.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 166: Love Your Never Dies

Posted on July 17, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Today’s song is great to fall asleep to when you can’t sleep. This isn’t because Your Love Never Dies is boring. Rather, it’s about a child who was mentored by his father who has since passed away. Despite this absence and void in a young man’s life, what Vincent learned has remained deep inside of his heart. This testimony comes in the form of a soothing ballad that was popular in the 1990’s.

Whoever says he abides in Him ought [as [d]a personal debt] to walk and conduct himself in the same way in which He walked and conducted Himself. 7 Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the message which you have heard [the [e]doctrine of salvation through Christ], 1 John 2:6-7.

Love is one of those qualities that you can’t fake. You may try to live a Christian life without love, but you’ll be setting a bad example. In the passage above, one of Jesus’ disciples is blunt about how to distinguish real love from phony Christians. How you conduct yourself and walk illustrates your love for God or lack their of. May Vincent’s Love Never Dies inspire you to emulate the love of Jesus.

by Jay Mankus

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The Prayers of God’s People

Posted on July 17, 2022 by expressyourself4him

If you make studying the Bible a daily goal, human nature will cause you to skip a few days due to sheer exhaustion, a busy schedule or neglect. Yet, if you persist by making this practice a spiritual discipline, I can guarantee that you will learn something new every day. While local churches were closed due to Covid 19, reading the Bible is what kept me going spiritually.

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.

My latest insight came in the form of the passage below. While John’s words appear to be similar to the imagery of a first century doctor in Luke 15:8-10, Revelation highlights the prayers of God’s people. Meanwhile, Luke focuses on rejoicing angels in heaven who celebrate when anyone on earth repents by entering into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

And when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders [[e]of the heavenly Sanhedrin] prostrated themselves before the Lamb. Each was holding a harp (lute or guitar), and they had golden bowls full of incense (fragrant spices and gums for burning), which are the prayers of God’s people (the saints), Revelation 5:8.

Apparently, heavenly prayers of those who have passed away and are looking down on earth, Hebrews 12:1, use Old Testament practices found in the Torah. Just as high priests of Israel participated in wave offerings, Numbers 18:11, heavenly music plays as the prayers of God’s saints are offered up daily. May this vision provided by John from heaven inspire you to continue to offer up requests to the Lord.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 165: Does Anybody Love the Lord?

Posted on July 16, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Today’s song was ranked among the top 25 Christian tunes of the twentieth century. If I can recall on the countdown that took place on New Year’s Eve in 1999, another one of Crawford’s ballads also cracked the top 100. When it comes to inspirational Christian songwriters, I would rank Rick third all-time behind Bruce Carroll and Benny Hester. Does Anybody Love the Lord serves as an open ended question.

He who does not love has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did know Him], for God is love, 1 John 4:8.

In the lyrics of Does Anybody Love the Lord, Rick points out the spiritual giants of the past. You don’t have tell anyone that you love the Lord if you’re a person of grace, integrity and mercy. Unfortunately, most Christians have their own prodigal experience, leaving the Lord for a period of time. Rick urges modern Christians to become people of action, faith and works. May today’s song challenge you to deepen your relationship with Jesus.

by Jay Mankus

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How Wokeness Relates to End Times Theology

Posted on July 16, 2022 by expressyourself4him

During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on abortion Tuesday, Senator John Hawley asked Berkeley Law professor Khiara Bridges to explain what she meant by “people with a capacity for pregnancy.” Hawley speculated that Bridges was referring to women but wasn’t sure. This triggered a heated debate that went viral on social media with Republicans and the Woke each claiming to be the victor.

Now listen and give heed, O Israel, to the statutes and ordinances which I teach you, and do them, that you may live and go in and possess the land which the Lord, the God of your fathers, gives you. 2 You shall not add to the word which I command you, neither shall you diminish it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you, Deuteronomy 4:1-2.

The book of Deuteronomy consists of three speeches delivered to the Israelites by Moses on the Plains of Moab prior to entering God’s promised land. Deuteronomy serves as a remainder of God’s laws as Israel is about to receive one of God’s many promises. One of the most basic elements of obeying God is to not add or subtract from biblical principles. Anyone who does this is considered a heretic, holding an opinion at odds with what is generally accepted by the community of faith.

But the [Holy] Spirit distinctly and expressly declares that in latter times some will turn away from the faith, giving attention to deluding and seducing spirits and doctrines that demons teach, 2 Through the hypocrisy and pretensions of liars whose consciences are seared (cauterized), 1 Timothy 4:1-2.

The apostle Paul refers to end times when people begin to listen to what their itching ears want to hear, 2 Timothy 4:3-4. When the newest member of the Supreme Court, Ketanji Brown Jackson, was afraid to answer the question “what is a woman,” this is a clear sign of how influential the Woke Movement has become. Perhaps Arnold Schwarzenegger, Danny DeVito, and Emma Thomson were visionaries of men being able to have babies in the 1994 film Junior. Since God works in mysterious and strange ways, maybe it will be the Woke Movement ushering in the days leading up to Jesus’ second coming. Only God knows how this story ends.

by Jay Mankus

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