Author Archives: expressyourself4him

When God called Noah to build the ark, there are 2 passages in the Bible often overlooked, Genesis 6:14 and Genesis 6:22.  One of the most essential components to enabling the ark to continue floating after the flood was the pitch.  This tar like substance served as the covering to waterproof the seams of wood on the ark.

However, covering each and every seam required a high attention to detail, on the outside and inside of every piece of the ark where the gopher wood was attached.  I’m sure there were times that Noah felt like cutting corners or he didn’t have the energy to do a thorough job on each seam.  Any compromise to any section of the ark would result in a titanic like disaster, resulting in the death of the human race.

According to the end of Genesis 6, Noah did everything just as the Lord commanded.  Each human needs to follow in the steps of Noah, covering the outside and inside of their lives with the pitch of the Holy Spirit, Romans 8:9-12.  We can’t do one side without the other.  If we just cover the outside of our lives, we are fooling those around us.  If we fail to cover the inside, our soul with the Holy Spirit, we are fooling ourselves.  As the apostle Paul says in Romans 13:12-14, we must put aside our deeds of darkness, clothe ourselves with the armor of God by covering ourselves with Christ.

by Jay Mankus

When God created mankind in Genesis 1, He was pleased with this creation, calling Adam, “very good!”  In Genesis 2, God began to walk and talk with Adam in the garden.  The Hebrew word for walk means to teach people the way of the Spirit of God.  Before the fall, God was trying to teach Adam to think like our heavenly Father while living on earth.

The apostle Paul teaches Christians in the beginning of Romans 8 about an ongoing war.  This war is not between nations or people.  Rather, this war is between your mind and your flesh.  Galatians 5:16-18 eludes to this conflict between the Spirit and our flesh.  When Adam and Eve were separated from God after being kicked out of the garden, they lost the ability to walk in the Spirit.  Thus, they lost the ability to think like their heavenly Father.

On this Father’s Day, there will be many presents received by dads.  There will be hugs and words of thanks.  However, the greatest gift a father could receive today is an anointing from the Holy Spirit to think like the Father.  Joshua 1:7-8, Psalm 119:9-11 and Romans 12:1-2 give us an aid to follow to think like the Father.  If Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost, Luke 19:10, then all fathers can begin to think like their heavenly Father by keeping in step with the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25.

by Jay Mankus

As I continue to wrestle with the direction for my future career path, I am not looking forward to a mediocre life.  Hosea 4:6 has 2 translations depending upon the version you choose to read.  My people, Israel, perish for a lack of knowledge is the main translation in most versions of the Bible.  However, another version says God’s people are perishing for a lack of vision.  I believe the next step of faith God wants me to take is toward a vision of greatness.

Colossians 3:17 and 3:23 say whatever you do work at it with all your heart.  Philippians 2:12 talks about working out your salvation with fear and trembling.  Matthew 5:48 quotes Jesus, “be perfect as your heavenly father is perfect.”  The overriding theme for these passages call people to strive to do their best.  However, in life after one failure or a series of setbacks, people often settle for second best, leftovers or a mediocre life.

God sent a flood to give Noah and his family a new leaf on life, a fresh start in this fallen world.  God told Israel to kill the Canaanites, whom surrounded the promised land, to prevent Israel from being corrupted by the life they were living.  God even sent his one and only son to die on a cross, John 3:16-17.  Why did God do this?  Ultimately, God’s main reason is that He had a vision for greatness for each of his children.  As Matthew says in chapter 9, the harvest is plenty, but the workers are few.  Come out of your daze, fog or uncertainty by walking toward the light where a vision for greatness awaits!

by Jay Mankus

There are several outlets to find and listen to your favorite kind of music.  Whether you are driving in your car or going to grab a bite to eat, music is often heard in the background.  However, I have recently discovered when I go a day or two without listening to worship music, I am not the same person.

Without worship music playing in the background, I tend to lack enthusiasm, motivation and being in tune with the Spirit.  In John 15, Jesus talks about being connected to the vine.  According to Jesus, apart from the vine, who is Jesus, we can do nothing.  Likewise, when you allow yourself to go a period of time without reading God’s Word, praying or listening to worship music, we become nothing.

According to Psalm 150, God created us to worship Him.  When we experience worship, not just on Sunday, but 7 days a week, we fulfill God’s purpose for our lives.  Since we were all created with different tastes, the style of worship is not important.  What is important is that people begin to develop a heart for worship, taking time each day to give thanks for our Creator and Lord.

by Jay Mankus

Blind Hope is a song from the group Stave’s Acre.  If this song was done by a well known artist or released by a secular label, Blind Hope would be a smash hit.  However, the life of a Christian alternative rock band is often lonely and obscure.

This song is like my struggle to find a new full time position.  As I apply for various positions each week, I am filling out each application in blind hope, praying for an open door.  Like the group Stave’s Acre who likely felt the song Blind Hope would receive national attention, I often wonder why I haven’t been successful.

In reality, Blind Hope is the presence of the Holy Spirit.  In the absence of progress or lack of success, a still small voice, the whisper of God gives people hope.  As I wrestle with the uncertainty of my future, I am putting my hope in Jehovah-Jireh, who provided a lamb as a sacrifice in Genesis 22:14.  If God can save Isaac’s life, then God will find me a position in the near future.

by Jay Mankus

Throughout the course of my life, the Holy Spirit has periodically revealed why God has allowed or not allowed things to occur.   While I am befuddled by the events of the last 6 months, there is one thing I am certain of, everything happens for a reason.  All I have to do is take a glimpse of my past to see God’s hand over my life, Philippians 1:6.

Back in 1994, I was 1 under par the last 50 holes I played during a golf event in Indiana.  This led to a conviction to pursue playing professional golf via the Tommy Armour Tour and Canadian P.G.A. Tour in 1995.  Although I failed to accomplish any of my goals, this led to an opening to become a head golf professional in Chicago.  During the initial stages, I played in my first Player’s Ability Test, having to shoot 155 for 36 holes on a 6,500 yard links course to qualify for stage 1.

Only 4 players out of over 50 shot 155 or better, unfortunately, I was not one of them missing by 2 shots.  God divinely intervened causing many strange things to occurs, preventing me from ever becoming a head golf professional.  I played so well one of my playing opponents who did qualify told me after the round he couldn’t believe I didn’t qualify.  I hit 26 out 36 greens in regulation, which means I had 25 birdie putts and 1 eagle putt.  However, I had 79 putts combined for both rounds, saw a wind gust bend the pin keeping a chip in birdie out of the hole and I found the water twice.

God ordained these events to lead me back into ministry as a Bible teacher.  If I succeeded in becoming a head golf professional, I would have missed at on the eternal blessings God had in store for me coaching golf and teaching Bible at Red Lion.  Therefore, I believe the failures I am experiencing today are leading me to a future endeavor.  The hardest part is the waiting and uncertainty about where, when and what.  Keep the faith until the next door of your life opens.

by Jay Mankus

In a world of political correctness, the golden rule still applies and is an easy principle to live by.  “Do unto others as you want others to do unto you,” Matthew 7:1-5.  Unfortunately, even Christians struggle to live out this lesson taught by Jesus.  Some where along the way, people have lost the ability to treat one another in a fair and decent manner.

Recently, I have been dumbfounded by the lack of caring I see between Christians.  I am not sure if certain people think they are exempt from certain principles of the Bible, but there is a growing disconnect between leaders and servants.  One of the things I learned from my parents is that there is a right and a wrong way to treat people.  However, I see an ever increasing mentality of do as I say, not as I do.

Its no wonder that young people are confused today.  There are not enough Tim Tebow’s in our culture who are the real deal, living out their faith instead of just talking about it.  Rather, it appears there are more people like Ananias and Sapphira in our communities, living a lie.  Pray for your local neighborhoods that people skills will be revived, the proud will be humbled and genuine believers will shine like stars, Philippians 2:14.  When this occurs, the golden rule can once again become a vital part of society.

by Jay Mankus

In the book Revolution in the Church this question is brought to life, who is the rebel?  In Mark 1:35-39, Jesus starts his day early, withdrawing to a place of solitude to begin His day in prayer.  As the masses following Jesus and his disciples begin to request various things, Jesus can not be found to confirm these requests.  However, after communicating with His heavenly Father, God had other plans for Jesus and his disciples on this day.

When the Holy Spirit speaks to people today in  a dream, through scripture or a rhema, sometimes the message you receive may not align with your theology or your churches doctrine.  If you test what you hear with scripture and it is consistent with the Bible, you may be labeled as a rebel in your church.  In the case of the disciples, they believed God wanted them to help those people following them.  Nonetheless, God had a different plan which Jesus received as He prayed.

Thus, the question arises, who is the rebel or how should churches define this term in the context of the church.  Over my 10 years as a teacher, there were times that I was outspoken.  Sometimes I may have over stepped my bounds, yet in most of these situations I was following the convictions of my heart.  In his day, Jesus was considered a rebel because He fulfilled the will of His Father.  Rebellion against scripture is one thing, but if you keeping in step with the Spirit, Galatians 5:25, then you are a rebel for the gospel, seeking to fulfill the great commission.

by Jay Mankus

Over the past 24 hours, my kids and I have been researching, testing and developing a product we can make for a nice profit margin.  Pictures have been taken, the product assembled and posted on Ebay for sale.  Only God knows the final outcome, but at least I am following my convictions and trying to provide for my family.

My idea is creating and selling customs sets of Lasso Golf.  As seasons change, so will the color and design of my product.  With the 4th of July on the horizon, I have designed a red, white and blue theme with 3 red lassos, 3 white lassos and 3 blue lasso.  Although the original design for lasso golf has blue, yellow and red, red, white and blue looks sharp in the summer sun.

This project may fail, be somewhat successful or the beginning of a new career path.  Regardless of the outcome, at least I have found something I am passionate about.  Only time will tell, yet I am fanning into flame a gift that God has blessed me with, 2 Timothy 1:6.  Please check out Ebay, 4th of July Lasso Golf Set and provide me with some feedback so I can perfect this product.  Have a blessed day!

by Jay Mankus