| Over the years, countless songs have expressed the ideal manner in which to regift Jesus to a lost and dying world, Luke 19:10. Camp fire songs like “Pass It On” convey how a little spark from the love of God can produce a spiritual fire within another human being. Hymns such as “Be Not Afraid” supplies a message of hope for those who follow Jesus, promising rest for weary souls. Modern lyrics from hits like “If We Are the Body” by Casting Crowns questions why acts of believers in Christ aren’t consistent with the words of Scripture, Romans 12:4-5. | ||
| http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJL7Eis0Rb0 | ||
| The concept of regifting refers to giving or handing down something that you don’t need anything or find appealing. Unfortunately, this mentality influences who we love, for how long and the extent to which faith is displayed. Consequently, innocent bystanders are confused by inconsistencies within the church and by those who claim to be Christmas worshipers. Thus, poor examples of regifting Jesus will leave many at home this holiday season. | ||
| http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeTpISSA5x8 | ||
| If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, then the quality of regifting Jesus lies within your heart. Philippians 2:4 suggests that wounded individuals might need to heal before they can begin to successfully impact others for the good. Whatever your current condition is, may you look to the Lord for strength, Philippians 4:13. During these weak moments in life, may the power of the Holy Spirit empower you to regift Jesus in a genuine and loving manner. | ||
Author Archives: expressyourself4him
Regifting Jesus
Abracadabra
In a world where self gratification is in a tug of war with reality, a growing trend is emerging which is disappointing, but not unexpected. Like the old Steven Miller Band song, Christians are waiting for God to snap his fingers, to magically make all of life’s problems vanish from thin air. Instead of pulling a rabbit of a His hat, God has taken a back seat, allowing Satan to temporarily be the ruler of the air, Ephesians 2:2.
Today’s white magic was foretold by the apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 as the devil himself masquerades as an angel of light. I am not sure if the Hollywood rumors are true, yet some insiders claim that a few desperate for fame, power and success have sold their soul to the devil in return for what he offered Jesus in Matthew 4:8-9. Jesus went far out of his way to convince people in his day to avoid falling for this trick, Matthew 16:26. Unfortunately, the impatient seek alternative measures that include the dark side of life.
Rather than say Abracadabra, God’s ways are different from man’s plans or vision of life, Proverbs 19:21. Open from the beginning, the Lord seeks to move individuals, little by little, Exodus 23:30. Perhaps this may explain Israel’s 40 years of wandering in the desert prior to entering the Promised Land, as there weren’t mature or ready enough to handle success. Persuaded by humility, the Lord slowly brought his children along until the time was right, Ecclesiastes 3:11. May we all learn this difficult lesson as we seek to fulfill John 10:10 and Romans 12:2.
by Jay Mankus
Grace With Obedience
The apostle Paul introduced the doctrine “by grace through faith” in Ephesians 2:8-10. The context of Paul’s message refers back to his words to the church in Rome. In human terms, it’s impossible for man to keep the Jewish law, Romans 3:9-12, as sin past down through the curse on placed upon Adam in Genesis 3 prevents anyone for deserving or earning eternal life on their own merits, Romans 6:23. Only when an individual places their trust in an unseen Messiah, is heaven a reality, by grace through faith in Christ Jesus.
On the other side of the spectrum, we find James, the earthly brother of Jesus. Based upon his actions mentioned in the 4 gospels and his only book, one of the catholic letters, readers will hear what they think is a contrary teaching. Possibly reflecting of his own lack of faith, not believing his brother was the son of God, the Lord’s brother places an emphasis on actions inspired by faith, James 2:14-26. Prior to Jesus’ resurrection, James was void of any belief. However, James points out that true faith, breeds action. Each go hand in hand, as once an individual claims to have faith but does not convey or display it, they are merely living a lie as James himself did until his big brother rose from the grave.
Finally, Moses relays words directly from God in Exodus 23:24-26 to the Israelites on their way to receive the promised land. God’s initial expectations are to follow the first few commandments, mainly to avoid creating or worshiping other gods or things on earth. In return for obedience, God will bless food, water and the health of his people. One might suggest this is the origin and inspiration behind saying grace before you eat today, seeking blessing from the Lord of all. Beyond this, the Lord promises to protect babies in their mother’s womb and supply long life as long as faith and obedience are woven together. Regardless of where your allegiance lies, may the Holy Spirit guide you with a spirit of obedience accompanied by grace.
by Jay Mankus
State of Hysteria
For the drama kings and queens, worry warts and pessimists, hysteria is a relatively normal state. This condition of emotional distress often leads to melt downs or what I call tizzy’s, an adult version of a tantrum. Blowing things out of proportion makes for great reality television, at least from a ratings perspective. However, have you ever thought about what force or inspiration is ultimately behind hysteria?
According to Exodus 23:27-28, the God of Israel sends a spirit of hysteria into the land of Canaan. The purpose of this terror is to drive out the Hivites, Canaanites and Hittites out of their land. Like a stirred up hornet’s nest, God uses supernatural powers to accomplish His will. Without the numbers, strength or weapons, Jehovah Jireh delivers a promised land an ordinary group of people, unable to take the credit for this miraculous event.
If this happened in the Old Testament, I wonder if God has the desire to allow a similar state in the world today. Although, modern outbreaks of hysteria are likely from another force, demons using angelic powers. Some nations experience countless years of civil unrest. Meanwhile, others countries promote a generation of starving children. Somewhere in the middle, hysteria roams from city to city, resulting in hate crimes, violence and suicide.
God provides weapons against such spirits in Ephesians 6:10-20. With all but one defensive, the Word of God is double edged, able to go from defense to offense in one motion. May these tools help you build an invisible force field of faith around you, saving yourself from caving into the hysteria in this world. Keep the helmet of salvation tightly secured to guard your mind from suffering from spiritual amnesia, 1 Thessalonians 5:8. Finally, apply 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 daily as you take each thought captive, making each obedient to Christ.
by Jay Mankus
Empty Hands
When disaster, tragedy or the unexplainable strikes an innocent soul, God often get’s the blame. Accusations, complaining and questioning follow as people search for answers beneath the rumble left behind. In the background, overhearing these conservations, the Lord is disappointed, by empty hands, always taking yet never giving.
Lost in history are the words at the end of Exodus 23:15, “no one is to appear before me empty handed.” During the good times in life, God is like a friend we lose touch with, too busy to carve out any time in our daily schedule. Pride puffs up our minds, thinking we are the reason for success. Solomon was right in Proverbs 16:18 as pride foreshadows our fall, as individuals come crashing back to earth.
One could make the assumption that part of Jesus’ teaching in the parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30 relates to bringing God our best, not just the leftovers. Exodus 23:19 illustrates what full hands resemble, offering up your first fruits to God. Modern examples could be giving Jesus your first moments awake each morning, listening God’s Word first thing or giving your first paycheck of the month to the local church.
The next time you are tempted to grumble against the Lord, ask yourself this question. Did I give God my full, partial or little attention today? Depending upon your reply, maybe you need to fill your hands before you lift them up to the Lord in prayer. When you learn to give, God will pay it forward in His time, Ecclesiastes 3:11. As for now, gather before a poor witness causes countless to scatter from the faith, Matthew 12:30.
by Jay Mankus
Situational Ethics
When you stop for a moment and take a look at what’s really going on in the world around us, its head scratching. Students killing or sleeping with teachers? The glorification of abortion, giving woman who are pregnant the legal right to destroy human life? Lying as a religious practice to deceive curious minds about to realize the truth? Copy cat school shootings, seeking 15 minutes of fame? Nudity on public television and in prime time?
The only logical explanation for these bizarre acts is a growing phenomena, known as situational ethics. Instead of maintaining a set of moral absolutes, where there is a clear distinction between right and wrong, situations are now giving individuals other rational choices. Thus, in the heat of the moment or deep within the context of your trial, good excuses for sin can be made. Dictionary’s refer to situational ethics as a system that evaluates acts in the context of their circumstances rather than by a set of moral standards.
This concept is nothing new as Jesus indirectly mentions it during a famous sermon found in Matthew 5:21-26. Referencing the 6th commandment, the Lord chooses the word murder, not kill. Thus, in war, killing is acceptable since the situation dictates a kill or be killed mentality. When war breaks out between nations, right and wrong is turned upside down. How then can someone know what is right or what can individuals rely on for a moral compass?
In his book Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis devotes an entire chapter entitled Some Objections. Lewis talks about the Law of Human Nature which states “human beings have a curious idea that they ought to behave in a certain manner guided by their conscience, but despite these inclinations to do the right thing, they do not follow this law, breaking it through deviating behavior. Beside war, the herd instinct, self-preservation and motherly love steers people to take drastic measures based upon the extant of the storm or situation.
Today, these factors have blinded innocent hearts, naive minds and desperate souls from looking beyond the here and now. With tomorrow hard to reach for many, ethics don’t seem that important as surviving today is the goal. In John 18:33-38, a governor called Pilate called for a private meeting with Jesus. In his heart, Pilate knew Jesus was innocent. In fact, his own wife had a dream telling her to warn her husband about Jesus. Although the clear response was in view, the situation urged Pilate’s own sinful nature to do the wrong thing.
Life is like years of trial and error. I’ve spent 44 years getting it wrong day after day. Yeah, the easy thing to do is blame the situation or the hand you’ve been dealt by God. However, the temple within you expects more, 1 Corinthians 6:12-20. May the God above your situation take you to a better place this Christmas season. Reach out to the One who can so you the way, John 14:6.
by Jay Mankus
