Author Archives: expressyourself4him

As the first century church grew in Acts 6, so did the complexity of its overall needs.  According to Acts 6:1, members of the church began to overlook Acts 2:44-45, causing Grecian widows to go without a proper supply of food.  Since nursing homes didn’t exist, it was up to the church to provide for the poor and needy.

Instead of over committing, the apostles were wise in their reaction to this crisis.  Each of the 12 knew their calling was to the great commission, Acts 1:8.  The apostles didn’t care about who got the credit, they were concerned about using the gifts God had blessed them with by ministering to people using the Word of God.  They were also not being arrogant by their response in Acts 6:2, rather they wanted to find people who had the gift to service to fill this need in the church.

As problems arise in your life, family or church, we need to follow the example of the apostles in Acts 6:4.  We must give our attention to prayer.  Prayer in the anchor of our faith and unleashes the power to keep us on track spiritually.  As prayer becomes a focal point in our life, we can begin to develop a mindset like the apostles, refusing to neglect our God given calling.

by Jay Mankus

When I was in 3rd grade, every boy eagerly anticipated recess.  Anytime the weather was decent, the boys played kick ball, with the 2 tallest being captains, choosing their team.  Once every class arrived, students lined up along the pavement, where bases had been painted on the blacktop.  This daily ritual allowed us to unleash our hyperactivity as well as develop a pecking order of who was the best athlete and who was the worst.  I was never the first player taken, but I usually was selected in the 2nd or 3rd round.  Unfortunately, the same 2 clumsy boys were always the last ones picked, or as some of the cruel kids referred to as the leftovers.

Recently, I was asked to be the manager of Greater Newark’s All-Star team.  After I selected my 2 coaches, last weekend we had a draft to select the top players for our 12 U team.  Like my 3rd grade kick ball experience, the first 10 players were pretty easy to choose.  However, as we got down to the last few selections, it took much more time and thought to select the final 3 players.  While the last 2 players who were left over got to play kickball, every year there are thousands of kids left off of their local All-Star teams roster.  Hopefully, those not chosen will use this as motivation to improve the following year, like Michael Jordan who got cut from his junior high school basketball team.

Once Jesus revealed to his disciples that he was going to die in John 13, he begins to talk about heaven.  John 14:2 says that there are many room in heaven which Jesus is preparing for us.  Later on in John 15:13, Jesus talks about laying down your life for your friends.  According to Matthew 12:46-50, those who do the will of God the Father is considered family.  While all of us have probably been left off of a team, been over looked for a promotion or bypassed by another person, Jesus wants you to be on his team, spending eternity in heaven.  However, the choice to be on this team is up to you, Romans 6:23.  Choose the less traveled road, Matthew 7:13-14.

by Jay Mankus

Last weekend I attended two graduation parties of a few of my former Bible students.  While talking to a former co-worker I ran into my friend Bill, a man I served with on a church board as an elder for 3 years.  Over the last 6 years, Bill has had 3 strokes.  Bill was able to fully recover, regaining his speech after the first two strokes, but this most recent stroke has been debilitating.

As Bill and I talked face to face for the first time in nearly 4 years, I could tell by the expression on his face that his inability to communicate like he always had was frustrating.  However, I give Bill credit for not shying away from others, pouting or isolating himself from others.  Bill is fighting against the odds, attempting to make a full recovery God willing from 3 strokes that could have killed him.  Bill may not have his voice fully back, yet his does have his life and his wife.

My conversation with Bill revealed that I have been taking the obvious for granted.  I spent the first 21 years of my life suffering from a severe speech impediment.  Like Bill, each day for me was a struggle to spit out what I truly wanted to say.  Part of me gave up hope that I would ever be able to clearly express myself.  However, a prayer group, a few friends from church and a retreat in Friendship, Maryland allowed me to be healed from stuttering.  Although God does not heal every ailment, like Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:7-9, all of us must give thanks to God for every day and breath so that we will no longer take the obvious blessings in life for granted.

by Jay Mankus

The apostle Paul addresses the need for Christians living in the city of Corinth to take their thoughts captive, 2 Corinthians 10:5.  Like modern day cities, Corinth was filled with idolatry, immorality and paganism.  Paul knew if the Corinthians became apathetic, they would likely blend into their culture.  Many Christians are fighting the same battle the Corinthians fought years ago, yet the temptations appear to be ever increasing.

While the Lord sows seeds of righteousness and truth daily, Satan is planting seeds of doubt, defeat and apathy, trying to steal the biblical truth sown in your heart, Matthew 13:19.  Joshua understood this reality, urging the Israelites to hide God’s Word in their hearts, Joshua 1:7-8.  The Psalmist also understand the invisible ongoing battle and the weapon necessary to fight back the urge to be apathetic, Psalm 119:9-11.

When things aren’t going your way, your mind can race in the wrong direction, causing panic, worry and uncertainty.  However, Paul wants us to battle through life, to fight the good fight of faith by taking our thoughts captive.  Once we allow our minds to become transformed through the Bible, Romans 12:1-2, we can began to make each of our thoughts obedient to Christ.  Faith comes from hearing message of God’s Word which is Christ, Romans 10:17.  Therefore, as we wrestle against the spiritual forces at work in life, Ephesians 6:12, resist the urge of apathy by submitting to God, James 4:7.

by Jay Mankus

Hebrews 13:8 serves as a constant reminder to who God was, who God is and who God will be in the future.  “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.”  When Abraham was in a great pickle in Genesis 22:6-11, against all odds, the Lord provided a sacrifice, a substitute in place of his son Isaac.  Abraham was so moved by this experience he uses the Hebrew term Jehovah-Jireh to describe this place, Genesis 22:14.  The Lord provides is a fitting name, describing the nature of and awesome power of God.  If God can perform such an amazing miracle in Abraham’s life, then why limit God’s power today.

Over the last year, I have left my phone in some strange places: a cooler pocket, golf bag pocket, baseball equipment bag and hidden compartment in my car’s console.  Unfortunately, my brain has been tired in each of these situations, causing me to forget about my phone’s whereabouts for hours, days and weeks.  While in church this morning, I began thinking my phone slipped out of my small pockets yesterday afternoon at my team’s baseball field.  Failing to be able to retrace my steps, I asked the Lord for insight, praying for discernment.  In an instant, I heard a small still voice, “check the game ball bag.”  Sure enough, as soon as the service was over, I checked my car and there was my phone, in my sweat suit pocket.

As the the future, God brought to my attention the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:7-12.  Jesus leaves us 3 promises in this passage.  If you ask God for something, you will receive an answer.  If you truly seek the Lord with all your heart, soul and mind, you will find Him.  If you don’t receive an answer or clear response from God, keep on knocking by being persistent in prayer like the widow in Luke 18:1-8.  These 3 promises provide hope to broken and desperate people.  If you have faith and believe, God can do amazing miracles in your life, Matthew 21:21-22.  Therefore, claim these promises in prayer and remember, God has, God is and God will continue to do mighty things for those who cling to Jesus.

by Jay Mankus

Sometimes you work hard, try your best and still fail.  However, there are other times when you may not feel 100 percent, but things go your way, resulting in a sense of accomplishment.  In sports, some times a fraction of an inch is the difference between victory and defeat.  In life, every day is like a bag of mixed results.

The key to life is learning how to respond to the mixed results presented each day.  James, the half brother of Jesus, proclaims that Christians should consider trials a pure joy, James 1:2-4.  James understood that mixed results help develop our character, test our patience and lead to maturity over time.  If things always went your way you would be spoiled and if things never went your way you would expect failure daily.  Therefore, mixed results are beneficial to us in the long run.

Unfortunately, we live in a culture which often keeps records or score.  If you allow yourself to get caught up in this mentality, you can have the joy for life sucked out of you.  Thus, take the good with the bad, trying to stay even keel.  In the end, the Lord will use mixed results to help you grow in wisdom.

by Jay Mankus

Those people who are against alcohol will quote Proverbs 20:1 to support their argument.  Meanwhile, those people who like to drink will reference John 2:1-11, claiming Jesus hung out with sinners.  However, there is another view often overlooked, one that is from a mother’s point of view.  This unique perspective comes from King Lemuel’s mother.

In Proverbs 31:4-7, Lemuel reflects upon the lessons he learned from his mother about alcohol.  His mother warned him not to drink wine or crave beer, knowing that if consumed this will likely cause her son to forget God’s decrees and laws.  According to his mother, alcohol can also hinder one’s judgment as a ruler, forgetting the rights of people.

King Lemuel’s mother made one exception for alcohol, for the perishing or anyone in anguish.  In fact, most drinking establishments, whether they know it or not, use her logic to appeal to their customers.  King Lemuel’s mother understood that alcohol can numb pain, whether it is health, money or every day problems.  Unfortunately, alcohol is used as an escape, instead of going to the only One who can heal your pain, Matthew 11:28-30.  Or as one of Jesus’ disciples suggested, cast your cares upon Jesus for He cares for you, 1 Peter 5:7.

by Jay Mankus

Five years ago a national survey was done on income per household.  Families were asked if they were making enough to pay their monthly bills, meet the needs of their family and if not what amount did they need to enjoy life without undue stress.  The results of this survey found that those making between 75 and 100K were by far the happiest.  Those making less than $75,000 per year could not provide for the needs and wants of every family member.  People making over $100,000 per year found that they never had enough to buy the things they really wanted.

The findings of this survey highlights truths from Proverbs 30:8-9.  Agur discovered the same principles the people of this survey uncovered, “Give me only my daily bread.  Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, “who is the Lord?”  Or I may become poor and steal and so dishonor the name of my God.”  This passage of scripture puts money into its proper perspective, trust the Lord to provide for your needs, but don’t get greedy.  In the end, God knows best, especially what our daily bread should be.

I am sure everyone would love to win the lottery, retire and do the things you have always wanted to do.  However, money changes people as Agur suggests in this passage.  Therefore, be careful what you wish for and prayerful about what you need.  Remember the Lord’s Prayer and claim the words of Jesus so that each and every day the Lord will give you and your family daily bread!

by Jay Mankus

People have natural inklings that they often follow.  Some people enjoy being behind the scenes, living life in the background of others.  Meanwhile, others enjoy the limelight, seeking to become the center of attention or wanting to be on stage, in front of everyone.  However, amidst an argument, Jesus reminded people of his own calling, serving others, Matthew 20:28.

Since I lost my job in January, I have had several opportunities to serve others.  In February, I donated my time to help re-sod a baseball field in Newark.  I have spent most of this Spring serving our local community as a coach.  Finally, I have spent the last month helping prepare, plan and run the state golf tournament.  Although I probably should have invested more time searching for a full time position, I felt led to sacrifice my energy and time by serving others.

When serving, you should never say what’s in it for me to avoid impure motives.  However, even when you give your time to a certain calling or need, there will always be someone who complains, is unhappy or miserable.  Unfortunately, there are many things in life that you can’t control, especially people.  The apostle Paul in Galatians 1:10 helps put serving into perspective.  You will never please people, therefore, whatever you do make sure that it is pleasing to the Lord, Colossians 3:17.

by Jay Mankus