Author Archives: expressyourself4him

Pawns of the Devil

Posted on August 12, 2014 by expressyourself4him

According to Webster, a pawn is someone used by others for their own purpose.  Pawns vary from a dupe to a puppet and in extreme conditions, a hostage.  When you consider Jesus’ insight in John 10:10, there are 3 stages to pawns of the Devil.  Initially, time is used to steal children away from God.  To further this separation, ambitions, dreams and goals are plucked, one by one, killing any hopes of emotional, physical and spiritual prosperity.  Finally, like a self-fulfilling prophecy, lives are destroyed figuratively and literally.

Pawn #1 is subtle, using amusement, entertainment and obsessions to lure committed followers off the narrow road.  Throw in a little compromise, enjoyment and worldly pleasures and before long, priorities began to change.  One of the signs of Satan’s success is a lukewarm spirit, causing souls to lose focus of what’s truly important in life.  Add an onslaught of trials and those pure in heart wander into uncharted waters, opening their eyes to a whole new world like Eve.  If you look across the fence long enough, you might find yourself on the other side.

Pawn #2 is merely a byproduct of time.  Once temptation begins to dig its claws deep into hearts and minds, the outcome shouldn’t be surprising.  Spiritual neglect is replaced by bad habits, careless behavior and loose lips.  The presence of a disciplined life is a distantly memory, kicked to the curb by fleshly desires.  Hooked, lined and sinking fast, the light of Christ fades into addictions of darkness.  At some point, individuals become puppets of the Devil, accomplishing his will through a hypocritical and tainted testimony.

Unless intervention occurs, Pawn #3 resembles a tsunami.  The first wave starts by destroying marriages and or relationships near and dear to your heart.  Isolated, the second wave brings financial ramifications as consumption, gambling and waste make their way to your shores.  Just when you think the storm has subsided, the surge is relentless building in size and wrath.  If you survive, a pitiful soul remains, a shell of the person you were before the pawns of the Devil entered your life.  For those still standing, remember the words of Peter, a failure himself, resist the devil by keeping the faith, 1 Peter 5:8-9.  May this revelation encourage hearts to draw near to the One true God, 1 Timothy 2:4.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Where Did the Summer Go?

Posted on August 11, 2014 by expressyourself4him

Boredom, enjoyment and time have a unique connection.  When experiencing something dull or uninteresting, time seems to drag, slowing down to a crawl as you check the clock regularly.  On the other hand, as you indulge in a leisure activity that you love, times often flies by at warp speed.  Perhaps, this may explain where the summer went.

At the end of June, I got the news of my promotion at work.  Initially, time ticked away at a normal pace.  Yet, by the time families book this weekend, plan that weekend and try to fit in some old acquaintances, September is on the horizon.  Unfortunately, the older I become, time appears to vanish, with entire months disappearing from the calendar.  Where did the summer go?  Maybe its stored away in one’s heart, separating the cherished memories from the moments you would like to forget.

As for now, the Lord’s brother provides great advice for those trying to make sense of time, James 4:13-15.  Since today has enough trouble of its own, each soul must savor the remaining days of summer.  Although you may not be able to check off something from your bucket list, a day at the beach, fishing, taking a drive in the country or watching the sunset will certainty relieve stress.  Before Labor Day arrives, soak in the sun while you still have time.  Feel free to share what your favorite summer pastime?

by Jay Mankus

 

Leave a comment

Posted in truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

A Day Away Can Lead to Years of Regret

Posted on August 10, 2014 by expressyourself4him

If you take my life as exhibit A, its scary how easy it is to ruin a routine.  After nearly 6 months of developing a disciplined Bible reading and prayer time before work, I decided to take yesterday off.  While driving in my car, a thought crossed my mind, “a day away from God can lead to years of regret.”

During my tenure as a high school teacher, I participated in several seminars related to life skills.  I recall one evening at Black Rock Retreat Center as the key note speaker spoke about choices.  Essentially his message concentrated on Ideas have consequences.  Thus, as one’s world view is formed, the choices you make influence your actions, behavior and the words that you choose.  Whether you’re talking about running, working out or spending time with God, a day away can lead to years of regret.

As I look back on my life, distractions reflect where your heart is, Matthew 6:19-22.  When eating, sleeping and watching television becomes more important than the Lord, my priorities have swayed in the wrong direction.  If I let this occurrence become a pattern, regret is a likely fate.  Therefore, whenever you start to slip sliding away from God, react quickly before a spiritual slumber sets in.  In your weakness, Christ can be strong, 2 Corinthians 12:7-12, but you must surrender to obtain the power of the Holy Spirit.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

Leave a comment

Posted in truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Another Hypocrite Behind the Driver’s Seat

Posted on August 9, 2014 by expressyourself4him

When I get behind the wheel of my car, something happens to me.  Like an out of body experience, a spirit of impatience changes my personality inside.  All it takes is a few slow drivers, especially in the left hand lane and I become another hypocrite behind the driver’s seat.

Despite my prayers prior to entering my vehicle, the influences of the sinful nature leave my feeling like the apostle Paul in Romans 7:15.  The slightest error made by my fellow drivers erupts into an explosion of complaining, emotional distress and an occasional honk of the horn.  In my quest to fulfill Matthew 5:48, most trips behind the steering wheel often result in conviction, a painful reminder that I have a long way to go, Romans 3:23.

The imagery of 1 Corinthians 13:11-12 illustrates the fact that everyone has room for improvement.  Each soul has major flaws, needing to be transformed from a child into a mature Bible believing adult, Romans 12:1-2.  Unfortunately, there will always be growing pains and along the way, don’t be surprised if you see another hypocrite behind the driver’s seat.

by Jay Mankus

 

Leave a comment

Posted in truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

A Heart is a Terrible Thing to Waste

Posted on August 8, 2014 by expressyourself4him

Whether you’re young and healthy, worn and middle aged or old and decrepit, the heart serves as a thermostat.  Age is a state of mind as the heart regulates the moods of individuals.  If the wisest king in history suggested that a heart is the well spring of life, Proverbs 4:23, than the heart is a terrible thing to waste.

Eating right and exercising is just one aspect to maintaining a healthy heart.  Inside the human body, an invisible virus is lurking.  This cancer feeds on sin, spreading beyond the heart into minds and souls.  If left unaddressed, lukewarm spirits can enter the heart.  This disease influences actions, encouraging compromise, inconsistency and a life void of passion, Revelation 3:15-16.

In view of this potential disaster, guard your heart by taking your spiritual temperature daily, Matthew 6:19-24.  Meditate on God’s Word, the Bible, Joshua 1:8, so that your mind will be steered in the right direction, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5.  Finally, to discourage temptation from entering the equation, put to death any earthly nature that puts your heart in danger, Colossians 3:5-9.  By exercising your heart spiritually, fulfilling Matthew 22:37-40 can become a reality.

by Jay Mankus

 

Leave a comment

Posted in truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Rocky Road

Posted on August 7, 2014 by expressyourself4him

On the way to see the wizard, Dorothy, Toto and the cast of misfits she picked up on the way to Oz didn’t always have a smooth journey.  The scarecrow, tinman and lion all had major flaws, but the company they provided on the yellow brick road was worth the risk.  Alone, Dorothy would have not been able to overcome the rocky road that the wicked witch brought forth.  Together, working as a team this motley crew, defeated the enemy, setting the witches servants free.

In life, I wish you could travel from point A to point B without any obstacles.  However, each day has its own set of detours, pot holes and road blocks.  One day you have a teaching job, the next day you don’t.  Others have seen marriage vanish before their eyes.  Meanwhile,  accidents, tragedy and illness ends the life of some way too soon.  Essentially, life is a rocky road with twists and turns that no one other than God can foresee.

Subsequently, the Bible warns its readers of the nightmares that greet individuals, James 1:2-4.  Although some suffer more than others, trials come in various shape and sizes.  Perhaps, as unfortunate events enter one’s life, faith and trust increases, forcing believers to climb, crawl or walk along a narrowing path, Matthew 7:14.  Looking back over the past 5 years, I thank God for the rocky road that I’ve endured.  As a disciple once said, “sometimes you have to go through fire to be refined for future endeavors,” 1 Peter 1:6-7.  May the rocky roads that you’ve encountered prepare you for future blessings in God’s time, Ecclesiastes 3:11

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Uninspired

Posted on August 6, 2014 by expressyourself4him

Creative, innovative and stimulated, words synonymous with inspiration.  Normally, words flow for me, like water trickling over a majestic waterfall.  Yet, today is one of those days where silence reigns.  Although my mind is enduring writer’s block, my heart still dreams of a time writing pays the bills.  Uninspired, I press on to take hold of that which Christ has called me to do, Philippians 3:12-14.

In life, there are 5 basic stages of motivation: pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action and maintenance.  Achieving goals require discipline, inspiration and reflection.  If you fail to set aside time for the things that you love, don’t be surprised if you lose joy for living.  Its no wonder that misery loves company as the uninspired spend more time breaking dreams and dashing hopes than casting vision for others to follow.

If the stages of motivation aren’t nourished, boredom, depression and displeasure will move in.  One of the keys to life is establishing, maintaining and nurturing balance in one’s life.  If you miss a beat like me, you’ll find yourself uninspired, struggling to find a reason to get up in the morning.  Depending upon the mood this blog finds you in, don’t forget the promise of Galatians 6:9-10.  When a spirit of depression tries to invade your soul, fight back with prayer.

by Jay Mankus

 

Leave a comment

Posted in truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Deliver Us From Evil

Posted on August 5, 2014 by expressyourself4him

The fast pace of life can cause individuals to overlook the obvious.  In a rush to keep up with the bills, stress has blinded me from an important biblical truth.  According to Jesus, one of the things you should pray for on a daily basis is protection from evil, Matthew 6:13.  The outline what Christians refer to as the Lord’s Prayer or Our Father suggests evil is a by product of giving into temptation.  Perhaps this might explain the apostle Paul’s warning in Ephesians 4:26-27.

Whether you tend to follow directions, live on the fence or like to play the role of a rebel, evil is on the other side of the door called temptation.  Good intentions don’t mean a thing unless you walk with the king, 1 John 2:7.  Words are meaningless without action as many, me included, need a heart transplant to our feet from evil, Psalm 51:10-11.  If anyone thinks you can walk in the dark and just turn on the light whenever you want is fooling yourself.  Compromise will derail souls, convincing minds to believe in lies, 2 Corinthians 614.

If there as anything communities, families or schools can do to create a hedge of protection is to ask God to deliver us from evil.  However, this must be combined with the James 5:16 principle as confession lays a foundation for spiritual change.  God doesn’t honor lukewarm prayers.  Rather, by putting your heart, soul and mind into prayer, cry out to the Lord, believing your prayers will be answered, Matthew 21:21-22.  May the Holy Spirit fill you with perseverance to stay motivated to fight this unseen battle, Galatians 5:16-18.

by Jay Mankus

 

Leave a comment

Posted in truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Is Jesus Missing?

Posted on August 4, 2014 by expressyourself4him

I was watching a chick flick with my wife earlier in the day when I came across a catchy punch line.  Viewing “A New Town” on the Hallmark Channel, an ambitious woman seeking to become a CEO, volunteers to oversee her companies new acquisition in New Alm, Minnesota.  Beside the culture shock of leaving the city of Miami for a small northern town, her liberal beliefs clash with the religion of rural America.  When asked if she had found Jesus, her response, “I didn’t know he was missing,” didn’t go over so well.

In professional sports, a similar line is often used to explain athletes who have turned their lives around following battles with alcohol, drugs and the law.  Finding God, Jesus or religion is a common theme of the source behind these transformations.  However, the success rate is not 100% as many are unable to completely break free from bad habits of their past.  While victims of sin tend to blame God for their travails, Jesus isn’t the one missing, we are.

A relationship with Jesus is no different than any other thing that you want in life, you get what you put into it.  Matthew 16:24-26 illustrates this concept like a blue print for how to find Jesus.  Unfortunately, most people follow the path of the actress in A New Town, forfeiting their soul on the way to the top of materialism.  The next time you feel abandoned by God, don’t be deceived by the father of lies, John 8:44.  Rather, reflect upon Jesus’ words in the sermon on the Mount, Matthew 6:33 so that the blessings of God will convince the world that Jesus is alive.

by Jay Mankus

 

1 Comment

Posted in truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Making Sense of Domestic Violence

Posted on August 3, 2014 by expressyourself4him

Unless you’ve been out of the country on vacation, most talk shows listeners and television viewers have gotten an earful from the Ray Rice saga.  After videos showed the Baltimore Ravens star running back beat up his girl friend during the NFL off-season, a recent 2 game suspension for Rice has been perceived too lenient in the public’s eyes, creating a back lash against NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.  As Hall of Fame Induction weekend has arrived, the topic of domestic violence won’t go away.  Even Steven A. Smith wasn’t exempt from criticism, given this week off by ESPN after claiming woman shouldn’t provoke men.

Anyway, as ESPN, Fox Sports and local sports channels replay Ray Rice’s apology earlier this week, commentators are at a loss, unable to comprehend Rice’s actions.  Well, to be honest, if everyone’s actions we’re video taped like Jim Carrey in the Truman Show, there would be a lot of hand scratching going on.  Nonetheless, there is an important biblical lesson to learn from this unfortunate incident, often the mind and body do things without any logical or rational explanation.  The apostle Paul makes this clear in Romans 7:7-20 as he confesses to losing control despite being disciplined and spirit filled.

Whether you are a pastor, law abiding citizen or criminal, no one can escape the reality of Romans 7:15.  Beneath the surface, souls are losing an invisible battle, Galatians 5:16-18, enabling the flesh to take over.  Once in the driver’s seat, the ugliness of mankind rises to the forefront in the form of acts of the sinful nature.  If you add alcohol to this equation, the probability of violence escalates.  Colossians 3:1-17 gives a blue print for overcoming domestic violence or any other sinful behavior.  If you want answers, the truth can be found in 1 Thessalonians 4:1-2.  Eliminating domestic violence from your life starts with a Christ-like attitude and ends with fruits of the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:22-23.  May the transformation detailed in Ephesians 5:1 prevent you releasing your anger on or toward another individual.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.
← Older Posts
Newer Posts →