Author Archives: expressyourself4him

According to 1 Thessalonians 2:18, there will be times in your life when Satan will create havoc to derail you from doing what God is calling you to do.  Maybe you will be caught off guard, distracted by someone or something and pressured by an unseen force to not do or say what is on your heart.  As Paul was on his way to visit the Thessalonian church, Satan intervened, preventing Paul from fulfilling his assignment.

However, there are other times when a hindrance will come from the Lord.  After splitting from Barnabas in Acts 15:36-40, Paul joins forces with Silas and Timothy to form a new ministry team.  Paul felt led by God enter the province of Asia, yet the Holy Spirit kept them from this region.  Sometimes in life as in the case of David, the Lord is not ready for us or a region isn’t prepared spiritually to hear the gospel.  When David felt compelled to build the temple, God had other plans, waiting for his son Solomon, who was a man of peace, not of war like David to complete the temple.

Finally, the third and most common hindrance is described in Hebrews 12:1.  Sin is the most powerful force in preventing God’s people from completing their assignment.  Sin often keeps you longer than you first think, takes you where you never expected to go and can drag you down into the pit of hell if you are not careful.  James uses a fishing analogy in chapter 1:13-15.  Satan uses sin to lure us out of the safety of our heavenly Father.  If we like what is on Satan’s hook, we can be easily tempted, enticed and swallow the hook, unable to spit out this specific sin.

Therefore, remember the message of Romans 8, there is life through the Holy Spirit.  Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, Hebrews 12:2.  Set your mind on things above, putting to death any part of you that belongs to your earthly nature, Colossians 3:1-11.  As you strive to follow the assignment God has for you today, cling to prayer, Ephesians 6:18, to guide you along the way.

by Jay Mankus

A recent focus group was challenged to spend one week recording things they were thankful for during a specific 7 day period.  While each person was affected in different ways, there was one common feeling shared between everyone who participated.  Individuals discovered that this one week of reflection on thankfulness resulted in 6 months of joy.

Philippians 4:6 is one of the most quote passages of scripture relating to thankfulness.  However, the context of thankfulness is often misconstrued.  According to the N.I.V. Study Bible, thanksgiving is the antidote to worry.  What Paul is trying to say in chapter 4 that thankfulness is a state of mind.  When an attitude of thankfulness combines with prayer, the peace of God follows.

As I look back on the last several years of my life, God has brought numerous blessings to me and my family.  Although not every thing has turned out to my liking or plan, God has a reason for all things.  The practice of thankfulness transcends all understanding by allowing us to see things from God’s vantage point instead of our own selfish point of view.  As you try to practice thankfulness, remember Philippians 4:8-9.  When you take your thoughts captive by focusing on noble and honorable things, your perspective on life will be transformed like the people in this focus group.  Joy and the peace of God is only a thankful heart a way.

by Jay Mankus

Romans 3 serves as a constant reminder that everyone is hopeless, a sinner in need of a Savior.  Later on in Romans 7, Paul shares his own struggle, wanting to do right yet failing miserably.  While public education continues to focus on self-esteem, Christian education needs to remind everyone about grace.

Romans 5 highlights the relationship between grace and faith.  Although we alone are helpless, Paul declares that Christians are justified by faith, gaining access to grace by which we stand.  David understand grace probably better than any Old Testament character based upon his Psalms.  David realized his own weaknesses, clinging to the Lord with all his heart, soul and mind.  In his fall detailed in 2 Samuel 12, David leaned upon the grace of God in his prayers, Psalm 32 and Psalm 51.

In the self help world in which we live, accomplishments are great, but grace is eternal.  However, we should not pervert grace like the Romans tried to do in chapter 6, verse 1.  Roman sinners were likely dumbfounded by God’s grace, that they tried to justify their actions in advance.  As we all try to obey God and His commands daily, remember God’s grace, Ephesians 2:8 and be thankful for the mercy poured out to everyone.

by Jay Mankus

For the past 10 years, I have either coached high school golf,  help manage my two sons baseball teams and run with my two boys during the summer to prepare them for cross country.  As a coach, I have more control over the outcome and end result.  As a parent, I feel helpless, wishing for the best, yet unable to do anything.

With my oldest son James playing varsity golf as an 8th grader this spring, I am trying to adjust to my new role.  As a parent, I feel as if I am living each shot my son takes on the golf course.  I can tell him good job, but as a parent it is against the rules to help him at any time except for searching for a lost ball in the group.  Golf is a game of integrity for players to follow the rules as well as the fans who support each player.

Proverbs 29:17 also provides a parent’s perspective.  Parents are suppose to be the authority figure, not their friends or bff.  Parents are suppose to discipline their child when their attitude, behavior and sportsmanship get out of line.  Proverbs 29:21 warns about pampering children too.  Ultimately, if parents can and will put into practice the wisdom of Solomon found in Proverbs, this world would be a better place.  Winning feels good, yet a parent must use every teachable moment in their child’s life to prepare them for the real world.

by Jay Mankus

A dream could be a vision for the future or a delusion.  Fantasy’s could be something you hope that happens like a bucket list or might be your imagination at work.  Ultimately, God’s will is His preference for your life, blessings for obedience and crowns as eternal rewards.

The Bible talks about each of these 3 topics.  Jeremiah 29:11 refers to plans God for Israel’s future of prosperity.  Proverbs 28:19 talks about chasing fantasy’s.  Romans 12:1-2 conforms that people can know God’s will for your life.  However, its hard to discern at times if you are simply dreaming, living in a fantasy land or waiting on your next assignment from the Lord.

A year ago, I thought I would be a teacher until my youngest child graduates from high school.  A few months ago I felt like I was either going to become a college golf coach or go back into youth ministry.  Today, I have dreams to become a full time writer, I have fantasy’s of writing a movie each year for the next several years and I want to follow God’s will for my life, but uncertainty is clouding my way.  As for now, all I can do is claim Proverbs 19:21, waiting on the Lord to direct my steps.

by Jay Mankus

Unfortunately, certain Bible verses steal the attention away from other powerful passages in the same chapter.  John 3:16 draws people away from John 3:17.  Ephesians 6:12 can cause people to overemphasize this verse while over looking passages on specific pieces of the armor of God.  Meanwhile, in the Old Testament Proverbs  27:17 is quoted by people talking about accountability, yet Proverbs 27:19 has equal importance.

“As water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man.”  During Jesus’ sermon on the mount, Luke records a similar quote from Jesus.  “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart.  For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks,” Luke 6:45.  As people reflect upon their mom on this mother’s day, please don’t forget that your heart reflects who you really are.

One of Joshua’s first words of advice to Israel after taking over for Moses as their spiritual leader was to feed and protect their hearts.  Joshua 1:8 says do not let the Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you will be careful to do everything written in it.  Then and only then will you be prosperous and successful.  If we are what we eat, then we are also are what we read, watch and allow our ears to listen to.  Therefore, above all else, guard your heart, for it is the well spring of life, Proverbs 4:23.

by Jay Mankus

There have been cases of elderly people who have recently died of a broken heart.  After their soul mate of 50 years passed away, man and woman have died within a month or two of their dead spouse.  Researchers have simply stated, these people died because they gave up the will to live.

Sometimes people may not physically die, but emotionally or inwardly they give up hope of a desired outcome.  May be there is where the expression being comfortably numb originated?  When a Christian allows death to reign, Romans 5:17, they begin to live a life of fear, waiting for bad things to happen in a pessimistic state of mind.

According to Revelation 20:13-15, the second death is much more different than these 2 cases.  Far more sinister, permanent and tragic than physically dying.  After a person has faced judgment, they are sentenced to heaven or hell.  Like a court room waiting for the jurors decision, there will be rejoicing and weeping and gnashing of teeth depending upon the outcome.  Those left off the pages of the Book of Life will remain guilty, be expelled from the courtroom and hurled into a lake of fire.  This bloodcurdling scene should wake up anyone’s spiritual senses, place their trust in Jesus and cling to God’s grace through faith.  Tell someone you love today so that their eternal destiny will be secured by Jesus, John 14:2-3.

by Jay Mankus

According to Romans 5:17, Adam’s trespass of failing to provide leadership in Genesis 3:6 brought death.  Before this mistake, God created man and woman to live forever.  However, the consequence of sin caused death to reign in Adam’s life.

Today, most believers fail to claim the second portion of Romans 5:17.  Instead, they allow death to reign, allowing defeat and Satan’s grasp to prevent spiritual success.  This foothold must be broken by changing the reigns from death to life.

God’s grace, God’s riches at Christ’s expense is the key to changing our mindset, which in turn will change the reigns.  This gift of God, Ephesians 2:8 is accessed by faith.  When we receive God’s free gift, Romans 6:23, we receive God’s abundant provision of God.  According to Romans 5:17, the gift of righteousness accompanies grace.  Therefore, don’t settle for a mediocre Christian life.  Rather, remember, God is the poet, we are his poem, created in Christ Jesus to do good work, Ephesians 2:10.  May life reign in your life today through our risen Lord, Jesus Christ.

by Jay Mankus

Sometimes when I try to read an entire book of the Bible, I plow through, overlooking key passages.  However, as I read this morning before work I was touched by the words of David.  “For if you remain silent, I will be like those who have gone done to the pit.”  David’s hope was in the Lord.  Thus, when David called out to God in prayer he expected to be heard.

There are times like the current when I doubt the power of God to change my situation.  The problem is not with God, rather with my lack of faith and belief in the power in the Lord.  Matthew 7:7-12 reminds believers to ask God for specific things, continue to seek the Lord for answers to your question and to be persistent by expecting God to act like Abraham in Genesis 18:16-33.

Psalm 28:1 is a great reminder of how the Lord yearns to hear our voice.  God is waiting for us to take time out of our busy schedule each day to spend time with him.  Luke 15:20 illustrates the love of God through a father forgiving his prodigal son.  God is the rock, a strong foundation in times of trouble.  Cling to the Lord and He will lift you up!  Claim this promise of David each time you enter God’s presence in prayer!

by Jay Mankus