Author Archives: expressyourself4him

As I was cleaning up the backyard before I cut my grass on Monday, I discovered a beautiful white flower growing in the middle of my grass.  Initially, I left it alone, not wanting to damage it.  However, then I observed 2 additional white flowers, connected together by a vine like root.

Immediately, I was reminded of 2 Corinthians 11:14, “And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.”  Every year I try to maintain several flower beds in my front and backyard.  Each March, I go through any inch of my garden, uprooting everything that appears to be a weed.  Unfortunately, weeds often work like the devil, appearing to be flowers, yet underneath there are silently creating a root system which if left undetected can terrorize your flower and fauna.

The old Veggie Tales video, The Rumor Weed is a great illustration of this principle.  Anyone can pull weeds, but if you don’t get deep enough, to the core of the root system, weeds will continue to sprout throughout the growing season.  In the same sense, Christians must begin to examine their own lives so the weeds from the Devil don’t take root.  Imitations can be recognized by their fruit, John 15:1-8.  Therefore, be on guard, awake and alert so that the weeds of this world will not entangle you, Hebrews 12:2.  Use the Holy Spirit as a spiritual Round Up, to kill these weeds sown by the Devil.

by Jay Mankus

Today was one of those days that God reminded me where I am and definitely not gifted.  The tractor I was riding suddenly stalled, forcing me to attempt to be a mechanic.  After trying to diagnosis the problem, I failed in my efforts to get back tractor back to life for the day, unable to discover the choke button / lever on this tractor.

Trying to fix any type of equipment is not my forte.  In this area of life, I am not confident, naturally gifted or successful in fixing anything, except for bringing my lawn mower back to life once.  The mechanical world of machines is like speaking a different language.  While this skill set is foreign to me, the Holy Spirit gave a word today, I am a mechanic of the soul.

As a teacher and youth pastor over the last 20 years, God has blessed me with a unique ability to understand people.  Even when I don’t like someone, the Holy Spirit gives me discernment to diagnosis people’s problem or why they are simply acting the way they are.  Whether I am talking to someone, seeing them in public or teaching students in class, God is able to unveil people’s problems to me so that I can either pray for them and help them overcome their dilemma.

I am just one piece of a greater body, 1 Corinthians 12:12.  In my humility of the mechanical world, I need to trust God, play my part and serve the Lord with the gifts that I have.  Find your function, Romans 12:4, so that you can offer your body as a living sacrifice, Romans 12:1-2.

by Jay Mankus

As I am beginning to write my second movie, Behind the Devil’s Door, I have been examining scripture to uncover the various ways the devil attempts to derail and destroy Christians.  Sin is a process, starting in the mind with a thought, with a subtle slip or letting your guard down.  The actually act is the end result of this process, James 1:13-15, prompted by desire, lust and want.

One of the roads to destruction is found in Proverbs 7:7-9.  This road begins with a lack of judgment.  Maybe some one who is impatient, naive or self-seeking.  If people aren’t careful, they will be led in the wrong direction, away from God and toward an object of sin.  C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity compares true repentance to a U-Turn.  Anyone can say they are sorry, but a sign of sincere confession results in an 180 degree turn away from sin, fleeing and purging from evil desires toward God, James 4:8.

This road ends at twilight, Proverbs 7:9, continuing in the direction of sin.  Once desires conceives, it gives birth to sin, James 1:15.  People struggling with addictions put themselves in the path of destruction, leading to habitual patterns.  These patterns lead to footholds and eventually to strongholds, enslaved to a powerful sin or sins.  The promise of 2 Peter 1:3-4 has given us all we need for life in the form of the Holy Spirit.  Therefore, if you are heading down a sinful road, turn around now, let Jesus rescue you before its too late!

by Jay Mankus

Beginning in Numbers 13, the Israelites began getting ready for a life of freedom after their exodus from Egypt.  Although released from their bondage, it is obvious many scars from 400 years of slavery existed.  Instead of dealing with wounds to the soul, Moses gathered 12 individuals, one from each of the 12 tribes of Israel, to give a scouting report of the land God had promised.

Numbers 13:26-32 gives a brief summary of what these 12 spies discovered during their journey.  While Caleb and Joshua were optimistic, the other 10 focused on the obstacles they found rather than the power and promises of God.  In the end, the 3 sons of Anak, giants like the Nephilim in Genesis 6:4, convinced Israel to rebel against Aaron and Moses in Numbers 14.

Problems often start off small, but if left alone, they continue to grow larger than life.  Procrastination is a common response to issues people face today.  Thinking if I just leave it alone, it will eventually go away.  Unfortunately, all of us have a giant or giants in our life today that we must face.  Neglect, ignorance or isolation is not going to solve our problems.  Rather, deal with it now, practice Proverbs 6:2-3, don’t give the devil a foothold and began to experience the freedom available to all in Christ, Galatians 5:1.

by Jay Mankus

Solomon dedicates an entire chapter to help people from making foolish decisions in Proverbs 6.  Solomon begins chapter 6 by highlighting the point that poor decisions often begin by trusting in people not the Lord.   Poor choices can lead to entrapment, being enslaved to a sin or a promise you regret making.

According to Solomon, freedom begins with humility.  The act of humility should be followed a resilient attempt to undo your folly.  A stubborn heart will lead to compromise, a lowering of standards as you refuse to admit to your mistake.  Anyone who wanders down this path are compared with a motley crew, sluggards, scoundrels and villains.

The final section of this portion of chapter 6 focuses on God’s expectations, what God despises.  Solomon lists 7 character traits people should avoid if they want to please God.  Fleeing from pride, deception, wickedness, lack of judgment and dissension is essential if you want to avoid heartache.  The apostle Paul adds to Solomon’s words in Ephesians 4:25-31.  Rarely, does a person wake up with evil intentions, yet if you let corruption in, it will decay your soul.  Rather, imitate God by living as a fragrant offering, Ephesians 5:1.

by Jay Mankus

There are 2 verses in scripture which reveal a picture of who David was as a person and his relationship with God.  In 1 Samuel 16:11, David was left by his father to tend their sheep.  As a shepherd, David lived a life of solitude, with ample time to be still before the Lord and God’s creation.  David’s life experience as a shepherd likely allowed him to fully trust God.

The second passage highlights David’s belief in the power of God, 1 Samuel 17:26.  When David saw Goliath, he didn’t see a giant, he saw a disrespectful warrior.  When questioned about his ability, David shares his battle resume in 1 Samuel 17:34-37.  Based upon these comments, David gave the Lord credit for delivering him from bears and lions.  David knew he wasn’t lucky.  Rather, the Lord was his fortress, stronghold and deliverer.

In order to pray like David, we must begin by getting to know God and His promises.  Once we develop an awareness of God’s expectations, we can start emulating prayers like Psalm 4:1 or Psalm 51:10-11.  Finally, as we mediate on God’s Word, Psalm 119:11, we can nurture a heart for the Lord, pouring our soul out to God in prayer.  You may never pray exactly like David, yet practicing prayer will draw you closer to the Lord.

by Jay Mankus

I started reading the book of Proverbs earlier in the week in order to gain some godly insight.  After reading the first 4 chapters, I am astonished by Solomon’s simplest brilliance.  Proverbs begins with the fear of the Lord.  Fear in the sense of reverence and respect is the beginning of knowledge according to Solomon.

As Proverbs continues, a pattern develops, listening, remembering and obeying God’s commands.  The benefit to applying Solomon’s wisdom are blessings like long life.  In addition, Solomon adds that things will go well with you.  Moses’ farewell address in Deuteronomy 30:15-16 and Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 7:13-14 compliment the wisdom of Solomon.

In my mind, the wisdom of Solomon is as clear as a cloudless day, follow God’s commands.  I realize that people over analyze Christianity, yet its not that hard.  I believe this is why Jesus reminded his disciples to have faith like a child.  A child, as Solomon proclaims, obeys their father by obeying his commands.  The next time you feel helpless, keep it simple by remembering the wisdom of Solomon.

by Jay Mankus

When a person goes through an unexpected trial, Job is often the first person from the Bible people think about or compare their life to.  However, a life people overlook is that of Joseph of the Old Testament.  Except for thinking too highly of himself, Joseph was a person who endured many trials from Genesis 37-40.

Every time Joseph’s life appeared to improve, something else happened to make his situation worse.  Joseph was sold into slavery, falsely accused of adultery and spent time in jail for a crime he didn’t commit.  Like many people today, Joseph was innocent, yet experienced hardship, setbacks and probably in his own eyes, failure.  While Joseph had lost control of his life, God was working in the midst of his circumstances, leading him to Egypt.

Since January 2nd, I have felt like Joseph prior to Genesis 41:15-16, unaware of what God is doing and where He is leading me.  Although, I believe I have a divine appointment awaiting me like Joseph’s encounter with Pharaoh.  The hardest part is waiting, knowing God has a plan, yet baffled by the circumstances surrounding my life.  If you are in a similar situation, remember Joseph’s testimony, keep your head up and cling to the words of Genesis 45:5.  In the end, God knows best!

by Jay Mankus

In Luke 9:1-6, Jesus stopped pampering the disciples, sending them out in the world without Him.  Regardless of what Jesus’ reasoning was, sometimes Christians need to leave their safe environments by venturing out into the world.  Like the apostle Paul in his message to the Corinthians church, we need to become fools for Christ, 1 Corinthians 1:27-29, by risking failure.

Nobody likes being embarrassed or losing, yet without trying something for Christ or walking by faith we may never realize our full potential.  I was content to teach for the last 10 years.  Throughout these years I turned down some offers and opportunities, because I was afraid to fail so I ignored them.

Today, I have been pushed by the Holy Spirit to go beyond my comfort zone.  Every day for the past 55 days, I have written a blog in faith that someone will be touched.  Since March, I have created several you tubes which have hopefully helped make people laugh or smile.  Finally, I have risked failure several times by submitting my movie Express Yourself to producers and screenwriters praying that my life story has a place in Hollywood.  As I begin my second script, Behind the Devil’s Door I am trusting God that the hours that I invest will not be spent in vain.

I cling to Galatians 6:9-10, sowing seeds of righteousness in faith that God will make these seeds grow, 1 Corinthians 3:6-9.  If you are not willing to risk failure you will never know the blessing that lie in wait for you in the future.  Seize the day!

by Jay Mankus