Author Archives: expressyourself4him

Passage of the Day:

Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone.¹⁰ For my enemies speak against me; those who wait to kill me conspire together.¹¹ They say, “God has forsaken him; pursue him and seize him, for no one will rescue him.”¹² Do not be far from me, my God; come quickly, God, to help me.¹³ May my accusers perish in shame; may those who want to harm m be covered with scorn and disgrace.¹⁴ As for me, I will always have hope I will praise you more and more, Psalm 71:9-14.

Reflection:

The older I become, the less hope I have in some of my dreams of ever becoming a reality. Perhaps, the Psalmist is taking a moment to reflect upon his own life, realizing that he isn’t young anymore. Meanwhile, as more and more enemies vocalize their hatred, King David is overwhelmed by all the people conspiring to kill him and claim his throne. Yet, as David turns to prayer to express his emotional concerns, something supernatural occurs. The Lord shifts his attention toward hope and praise.

Prayerful Action:

My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds, of your saving acts all day long—though I know not how to relate them all.¹⁶ I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign Lord; I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone, Psalm 71:15-16.

Clinging to a Glimmer of Hope this Fall:

King David’s life is a like a series of peaks and valleys from a lowly shepherd to a war hero. From a musician for royalty to the leader of Israel. While David possessed a heart after God, his sinful nature was as hungry and out of control as a drug addict. Although God forgives sin, there are always consequences that one must face. Nonetheless, when you turn to the Lord in prayer, a moment of despair can quickly be transformed into hope and praise.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

Staying optimistic through unexpected trials in life isn’t easy. However, as the Holy Spirit begins to change Christians from the inside out, hope and change often follows.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,¹⁹ to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.²⁰ We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.²¹ In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. ²² May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you, Psalm 33:18-22.

Reflection:

I’ve experienced numerous times in life when I’ve felt hopeless. This lonesome road was due in part from a lack of progress and success. The longer this feeling persisted, the more fleeting hope became. According to a Psalmist, hope comes from acknowledging and experiencing God’s unfailing love. To the active learner, reading and studying the Bible is where I was introduced to the concept of hoping in God’s unfailing love. If you have ever been forgiven or experienced the grace of God, you know what hope is. This is the message that the Psalmist addresses today.

Prayerful Action:

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres, 1 Corinthians 13:6-7.

Clinging to a Glimmer of Hope this Fall:

One chapter in the Bible is known as the love chapter, popular for weddings. The purpose for this chapter is to demonstrate to the Church at Corinth that without love, your faith is meaningless. Love is meant to be a byproduct of faith, James 2:26. When Christians realize the depth of God’s love for human beings, this can transform your personal relationship with Jesus. May today’s song help deepen your understanding of God’s love.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

I was introduced to today’s song shortly after graduating from college. May today’s lyrics deepen your hope in God’s unfailing love.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, “Praise be to you, Lord, the God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.¹¹ Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.¹² Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.¹³ Now, our God, we give you thanks,  and praise your glorious name.¹⁴ “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. ¹⁵ We are foreigners and strangers in your sight, as were all our ancestors. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope, 1 Chronicles 29:10-15.

Reflection:

The context of David’s prayer occurs as preparation for the building of God’s temple is about to begin. Just as Moses asked the Israelites to bring offerings in preparation for the construction of God’s tabernacle, a temporary place of worship, King David urges Israel to provide the necessary resources for a permanent structure. Although David wanted to build this temple, God chose his son Solomon to complete this special project. Whenever you’re denied or rejected in life, hope seems like a shadow. Yet, as Christians learn to seize each day that God gives them, hope becomes a reality.

Prayerful Action:

And give my son Solomon the wholehearted devotion to keep your commands, statutes and decrees and to do everything to build the palatial structure for which I have provided.” ²⁰ Then David said to the whole assembly, “Praise the Lord your God.” So they all praised the Lord, the God of their fathers; they bowed down, prostrating themselves before the Lord and the king, 1 Chronicles 29:19-20.

Clinging to a Glimmer of Hope this Fall:

Sometimes hope comes from getting behind a cause that God and the Holy Spirit is behind. In this age of self-absorbed and self-seeking individuals, hope is found in becoming part of something bigger than yourself. Despite David’s sinful and weak moments in life, his final years on earth was focused on getting behind a permanent temple to worship the Lord. When you’re on your own, following the desires of your sinful nature, the only thing others will see is your shadow. However, when God’s people begin to pursue God’s calling, hope and a sense of purpose follow.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

When you lose sight of God, hope becomes a mere shadow. Yet, when you reach out to the Lord for help, spiritual progress gives birth to hope.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! ² Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.”^{[b] 3} But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.⁴ I call out to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain.⁵ I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.⁶ I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side, Psalm 3:1-6.

Reflection:

There are seasons in life when trials seem to never end. These unfortunate events have a way of sucking the joy for life out of you. While the testing of your faith is an ongoing process, sometimes you need time to recover before your next spiritual growth spurt begins. This is the mindset of King David as he cries out to the Lord in prayer. Unfortunately, David is simply experiencing the curse for his previous actions in 2 Samuel 12:9-10. Despite all of David’s imperfections, the turmoil of having your own son rise up and attempt to take away your throne brought him to a place of believing this trial would not cease.

Prayerful Action:

From the Lord comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people, Psalm 3:8.

Clinging to a Glimmer of Hope this Fall:

Many Christians forget that you still reap what you sow, Galatians 6:7. While human beings often blame God during seasons of trials and turmoil, this spiritual principle continues to exist today. Blessings and curses are not merely an Old Testament occurrence in Deuteronomy 28. Rather, when you experience gut wrenching situations like King David, cry out to the Lord for answers. Then and only then will you begin to see a glimmer of hope in the ongoing spiritual storm in your life.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

When Christians allow the words of the Bible to inhabit their thought life, hope is conceived that turmoil will cease. May the lyrics of Inhabit help you see the big picture of how the Lord works in mysterious ways.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons^[a]: ² Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ³ I thank my God every time I remember you. ⁴ In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy ⁵ because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, ⁶ being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. ⁷ It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. ⁸ God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus, Philippians 1:1-8.

Reflection:

Based upon the words above, the Church at Philippi brought fond and specials memories to Paul. As the spiritual father who led members of this congregation into a personal relationship with Jesus, these individuals have become part of Paul’s daily prayers lifted up to the Lord. Over the years, I heard a couple of pastors refer to Philippians as Paul’s love letter to a church that held a special place in his heart. Yet, as Christian’s past and present enter into the partnership of fulfilling the Great Commission, Acts 1:8, all must hope that God still has a plan for your life.

Prayerful Action:

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will, Romans 12:1-2.

Clinging to a Glimmer of Hope this Fall:

This future plan doesn’t require magic or scientology to become a reality. Rather, in a letter to the Church at Rome, Paul points out the biblical dedication and heavenly mindset to ascertain God’s calling and will for your life. When you offer your body up to the Lord as a living sacrifice, where Christians surrender all aspects of their lives to Jesus, this is the starting point. As Christians learn to keep in step with the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25, lean on the Bible like Jesus in Matthew 4:1-11. Like the words of Joshua 1:8, reading, meditating upon and studying the Bible starts the renewing of your mind. Depending upon your degree of commitment, God’s future plans for your life will be revealed in HIs time, Ecclesiastes 3:11.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

May today’s song serve as a daily prayer to renew the hope within your soul that God still has plans for your life. Let the Words of God speak to your heart this fall.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Lord, see how my enemies persecute me! Have mercy and lift me up from the gates of death,¹⁴ that I may declare your praises in the gates of Daughter Zion, and there rejoice in your salvation.¹⁵ The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug; their feet are caught in the net they have hidden. ¹⁶ The Lord is known by his acts of justice; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands.^{[c] 17} The wicked go down to the realm of the dead  all the nations that forget God.¹⁸ But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish, Psalm 9:13-18.

Reflection:

As an adult, I don’t enjoy dealing with adversity. Yet, God has taught me the importance of hanging in there as the storms of life come crashing ashore. I’ve learned more spiritually in the past 2 years due to the afflictions I’ve experienced than the past 20 years combined. Most people run from trials and tribulations, leaving before God teaches them the intended life lesson. Unfortunately, most people have to endure catastrophes like Hurricane Helene or Milton to see what’s really important in life. After experiencing 9 days without power, I have a new perspective on life and mow I know the hope of the afflicted.

Prayerful Action:

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds, Psalm 147:3.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

The next time you find yourself picking up the pieces of a shattered life, God wants you to come as you are. May the lyrics to Come as You Are help you comprehend the hope of the afflicted.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, ²¹ and since we have a great priest over the house of God, ²² let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. ²³ Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. ²⁴ And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, ²⁵ not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching, Hebrews 10:19-25.

Reflection:

The world is full of dead ends requiring detours that may result in additional stumbling blocks that prevent you from getting where God wants you to be. At the end of this chapter, the author of Hebrews records one of the most famous passages in the Bible, the Hall of Faith-Hebrews 11. Today’s featured passage sets the stage for the foundation of the spiritual warriors mentioned. When you draw near to God with a sincere heart, believing without a doubt in the assurance that faith provides results in unswerving hope.

Prayerful Action:

“Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. ¹⁵ But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord,” Joshua 24:14-15.

Clinging to a Glimmer of Hope this Fall:

Despite the patterns of disobedience demonstrated by the Israelites, Joshua remained faithful to the Lord. While being outnumbered 10 to 2, Caleb and Joshua gave positive reports on the Promised Land. After replacing Moses as Israel’s spiritual leader, Joshua mediated on God’s commands day and night, Joshua 1:8. When you become spiritually grounded in the Bible, Colossians 2:6-7, unswerving hope is conceived. This is the spiritual foundation that modern-day Christians should all seek.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

Today’s song helped me when I was struggling Christian in college. May the lyrics of Stumbling Block into a Steppingstone lead you toward an unswerving hope in Jesus.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: ² Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; ³ not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. ⁴ And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. ⁵ In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”^{[a] 6} Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. ⁷ Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you, 1 Peter 5:1-7.

Reflection:

When I was growing up, the church was the center of our local community. Whether this was attending Sunday School, a special outreach event like Lock Ins or Youth Group on Sunday nights, this is where I learned what it means to be a Christian. Unfortunately, nearly 50 years later, there are so many options outside the church to choose from. Due to a growing animosity of Judeo-Christian values, local and state governments are preventing the type of Christian fellowship that I experienced as a teenager at my high school. As these relentless attacks continue, finding hope at a local church is much more difficult.

Prayerful Action:

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings, 1 Peter 5:8-9.

Clinging to a Glimmer of Hope this Fall:

Peter’s analogy of the Devil is similar to the words of the apostle Paul in Ephesians 6:12. This ongoing spiritual battle is addressed by another disciple of Jesus in John 10:10. As you look to your community to find a church that fits your spiritual needs, the Devil wants you to focus on all the negative aspects of church. When you combine 1 Peter 5:8-9, Ephesians 6:12 and John 10:10, spiritual forces of evil are lurking around every corner, seeking to steal your joy, kill any glimpses of hope and destroy your life. This is what local churches are up against and why putting on the armor of God to remain hopeful in your local church.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

If you’re not careful, you might find yourself sitting back in a chair or pew, pointing out everything that’s wrong with your church. Fight back against this urge by becoming willing servant so that when visitors see your devotion, they’ll find hope in your church.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, ¹⁶ I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. ¹⁷ I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit^[f] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. ¹⁸ I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, ¹⁹ and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength ²⁰ he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, ²¹ far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come, Ephesians 1:15-21.

Reflection:

In my early years as a Christian, some of the decisions I made were emotional rather than keeping in step with the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25. However, when I entered youth ministry upon graduating from the University of Delaware, I reached a spiritual point where I no longer knew what to do. This unsettling reality led me to attend a Youth Ministry Trade School 6 months later. Based in Hopkins, Minnesota, Tentmakers gave me the knowledge, spiritual insight and vision from the Bible to build a successful ministry whenever God called me. From time to time, I’ll open up some of the large binders that I received to see how this information and theories apply to modern-day situations. When I became a high school Bible teacher and golf coach, I found myself exactly where God wanted me. This is the hope in God’s calling for your life.

Prayerful Action:

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus, Philippians 1:6.

Clinging to a Glimmer of Hope this Fall:

While I spent 10 years of my life fulfilling God’s call for my life, there have been plenty of years where I didn’t have a clue to God’s will for my life. After leaving youth ministry after 3 years, I lost my way, uncertain of where to go or what to do. Following my decade of teaching, I went through a similar transition before ending up at Amazon. If success is the process of arriving, part of determining God’s calling and will for your life is based upon trial and error. When you figure out what you’re not supposed to do or not gifted in, be confident that God is not done with you. Rather, through the various distractions in life, God will show you His calling and will.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

While the context of today’s song is about the lives aborted babies never had on earth, poising the question “what was I supposed to be” serves as a prayer and reflection. It’s never too late to ask God, “where do you want me and what plans do you still have for me?” May today’s song give you hope in God’s calling for your life.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. ³ We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.⁴ For we know, brothers and sisters^[b] loved by God, that he has chosen you, ⁵ because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. ⁶ You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. ⁷ And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. ⁸ The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore, we do not need to say anything about it,1 Thessalonians 1:2-8.

Reflection:

Whenever you begin working on a new project, the details necessary to complete this can be overwhelming. Progress takes time, which often means breaking your check list down into a series of steps. From a spiritual perspective, many citizens of Thessalonica initially rejected the good news about Jesus Christ as detailed by Luke in Acts 17:1-9. Nonetheless, God-fearing Greeks and some open-minded Jews placed their hope in Jesus, believing spiritual transformation was possible. This is where hope leads to the spiritual journey called faith.

Prayerful Action:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God., Hebrews 12:1-2.

Clinging to a Glimmer of Hope this Fall:

If hope is a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen, entering into a personal relationship with Jesus requires a will to endure. Like entering into the spiritual union of marriage, you have to believe that you’ll commit to this relationship through thick and thin. The author of Hebrews writes about playing the long game, viewing a relationship with God to running a marathon. You never know if you’ll finish this race, but hope for spiritual transformation will keep you going when you want to quit.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

Focusing on the negative often leads to broken relationships. However, when you remember the good, Philippians 4:8, hope for spiritual transformation will grow deep inside your heart and soul.

by Jay Mankus