Author Archives: expressyourself4him

Passage of the Day:

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. ⁶ But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. ⁷ And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. ⁸ Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him,” Matthew 6:5-8.

Reflection:

I didn’t understand the practice and power of solitude until attending a Wilderness Camp in 1993. In the middle of winter, west of Minneapolis, a dozen of future youth pastors had reached their final week of a grueling 7-week Youth Ministry Trade School. I was running on fumes at this moment in time, doing everything in my power to stay warm. Our final assignment was listening to God for 24 hours in solitude. I kept a notebook nearby, to quickly write down any whispers from the Holy Spirit. This time of reflection was life altering looking back on my past, savoring the present and pondering my future assignment. This is what can happen to you if you begin to practice the spiritual discipline of solitude.

Prayerful Action:

Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. ¹⁶ But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed, Luke 5:15-16.

Working Out Your Salvation:

As a writer, solitude has its benefits and negative aspects. Staring at a blank screen can be painful suffering from writer’s block, thinking about all the fun that you’re missing out on. On the other hand, solitude helps me slow down, be still, listen to God and get in touch with my soul. According to a first century historian, the more popular Jesus became, the harder it was to find a quiet place to unwind and spend with His heavenly Father. Unfortunately, life has only gotten more complicated with modern technology. Before the summer fades into fall, make it your ambition to practice solitude by staying in touch with God.

Song of the Day:

Sometimes songs have dual purposes. While I recently used this song in a previous devotion, may the lyrics of Never Looking Back spark a desire within you to move forward spiritually by adding solitude to your daily agenda.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

All creatures look to you to give them their food at the proper time.²⁸ When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things.²⁹ When you hide your face, they are terrified; when you take away their breath, they die and return to the dust.³⁰ When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground.³¹ May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works—³² he who looks at the earth, and it trembles, who touches the mountains, and they smoke.³³ I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.³⁴ May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the Lord, Psalm 104:27-34.

Reflection:

From a historical perspective, education has always been available to the wealthy. During the first century, letters written by the apostle Paul had to be read out loud as many of the members of these churches were illiterate. After the Pilgrams came to America, the New England Primer was compiled and published by Benjamin Harris. Rather than just learn the ABC’s of the English language, Bible verses for each letter were added so that children associated a verse from the Bible with each of the 26 letters. This is the origin of Bible memorization in America’s Colonies.

Prayerful Action:

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you, Psalm 119:11.

Working Out Your Salvation:

The apostle Paul alludes to the concept of spiritual recall in Romans 8:26-27. Also known as euphoric recall, this occurs when people remember specific memories with excessive fondness that can trigger a biochemical reaction in their bodies. From a Bible Memorization perspective, the more Christians strive to meditate upon and memorize verses from the Bible, the Holy Spirit will bring these truths to your mind in a time of need. The greater your ability to hide words of the Bible in your heart, the better your chances are to overcome temptation, 1 Corinthians 10:13. Therefore, the next time you find yourself in a trying situation, cry out to the Lord for a verse to rescue you from trouble.

Song of the Day:

If God’s love is truly relentless, imagine the power of combining Bible Memorization with faith. May today’s blog inspire you to hide God’s Word in your heart and maybe inspire you to join a local Navigator’s Small Group to hold you accountable for this spiritual discipline.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Praise be to you, Lord; teach me your decrees.¹³ With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth.¹⁴ I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.¹⁵ I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. ¹⁶ I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word, Psalm 119:12-16.

Reflection:

Meditation is a spiritual discipline that has been either lost, misunderstood or neglected by most churches in America. Meanwhile, a recent study found that 1 out of 6 American adults have turned to yoga to fill their desire for meditation and peace. As a former church elder, I didn’t really know anything about Christian meditation until stumbling upon spontaneous worship montages during the Coronavirus pandemic. After listening to a collection of You Tube videos, I realized that this is a great way to reflect upon biblical lyrics based upon God’s promises in the Bible. While there are meditation exercises that you can partake in, I find that listening to worship montages helps refocus my mind upon eternal things, Colossians 3:1-4.

Prayerful Action:

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. ⁶ These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. ⁷ Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up, Deuteronomy 6:5-7.

Working Out Your Salvation:

This past week I endured my second worst week at work in my 40 years of employment. Humbled to the point of tears at various moments, the only thing that kept me going was lyrics from Christian songs that God brought to my mind. As I continue to wrestle with where I am from a career perspective, meditating on the lyrics of worship songs have eased my pain. While Christian meditation may need to be expanded upon to help people as they face similar life crisis’s, may you find inspirational songs this summer to maintain your faith.

Song of the Day:

One of my dear friends from Delaware, Spencer Saints, shared how the Anchor Holds helped him through difficult times in his own life. May the lyrics of this Ray Boltz song touch your heart and uplift your soul as you learn to practice Christian meditation this summer.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’^[e] 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. ²⁹ If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. ³⁰ And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell, Matthew 5:27-30.

Reflection:

As Jesus spoke on the side of a mountain, multitudes of followers gathered closely together to hear what this first century teacher was about to say. Based upon Jesus’ opening statement, those in attendance were familiar with the Ten Commandments of the Old Testament. However, Jesus goes beyond a legalistic compliance to each commandment. Adultery isn’t just the sexual act. Jesus points out to sexual immorality begins in your heart as his younger brother expounds upon in James 1:13-15. Chastity is a pledge to God young people make to remain spiritually pure until their wedding day.

Prayerful Action:

It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; ⁴ that each of you should learn to control your own body^[a] in a way that is holy and honorable, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4.

Working Out Your Salvation:

The earliest recorded mention of a chastity belt dates back to a 15th century German engineer. However, if you watch movies like the Patriot, set during the Revolutionary War, other methods are used to prevent engaged couples from having sex before being married. According to the apostle Paul, single Christians struggled to keep their bodies pure in the first century. In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, chastity applies to the married as well. If you can commit adultery in your mind, then chastity is a spiritual discipline for the married and unmarried.

Song of the Day:

One of the keys to chastity is avoiding a second glance. Christians that don’t give lust and the devil a foothold, will be better equipped to stay true to their faith.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’”^[b] (that is, to bring Christ down) ⁷ “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’”^[c] (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). ⁸ But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,”^[d] that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: ⁹ If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. ¹¹ As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame,” Romans 10:6-11.

Reflection:

Congregations across the country and throughout the world stress specific spiritual disciplines. As readers begin the second week of July, these next 7 days will cover spiritual disciplines that I found from a series of top 10 spiritual discipline lists. Confession was the top spiritual discipline on a number of these online sites I researched. During a seminary class entitled Revival and Revivalism, I learned that the second Great Awakening began when a young man was overcome by a spirit of conviction. This act of confession cut to the heart of those in attendance, spurring others to go up front and confess their sins as well. This is the power of genuine acts of confession.

Prayerful Action:

Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy, Proverbs 28:13.

Working Out Your Salvation:

As educators in America continue to teach students victimology, taking personal responsibility for your own actions has become a thing of the past. Subsequently, setting the stage for a spirit of confession is foreign to many young people. Yet, to those who carve out time for God to read and study the Bible daily, the Holy Spirit will bring to the surface areas of your life that need improving. When this wave of confession touches your soul, don’t be afraid to open up by pouring out your heart. Just like previous spiritual awakenings, your act of confession will inspire others to follow in your footsteps.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

The attached song was my go-to song in college when I was struggling spiritually. While the lyrics are very basic, the title Messed Up sends a message to others it’s okay to confess your shortcomings. Follow Jesus’ advice in Matthew 11:28-30 to unload your spiritual baggage at the feet of Jesus in the form of confession.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. ⁹ Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel, ¹⁰ but the official told Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your^[c] food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you.” ¹¹ Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, ¹² “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. ¹³ Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” ¹⁴ So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days, Daniel 1:8-14.

Reflection:

If you ever can’t sleep and find yourself enthralled by a new infomercial, you might find a book, diet or over the counter pill that boasts the ability to raise your own body’s pH level from acidic to more alkaline. One of the theories about natural cures for cancer over the past 25 years is that raising the pH in your own body improves your chances from getting cancer. When I was an elder at Red Lion, one of our church members went to a Natural Rehab Center in North Carolina. This Cancer Center alters an individual’s diet with fruits, vegetables and water. While my friend was fortunate to beat cancer, his roommate wasn’t able to overcome this deadly disease. Today’s passage follows a young man who refused to defile his body. Instead, this young Jewish boy established what churches refer to today as the Daniel Fast.

Prayerful Action:

For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come, 1 Timothy 4:8.

Working Out Your Salvation:

By this date in the calendar, most New Year Resolutions about diet and exercise have either been abandoned or forgotten about. Life is full of cycles where Christians draw close to the Lord before falling away for a period of time. Although you may not be able to maintain healthy eating habits, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give up on elevating your faith by drawing closer to the Lord. Daniel did this by maintaining his strict Jewish diet by during Israel’s captivity in Babylon. Others stick to a rigorous workout schedule by running or lifting weights to stay in shape. Despite how you may feel, elevate your faith by keep improving your internal and physical environment.

Song of the Day:

If Major League Baseball celebrates hitters who go 3 for 10 for an entire season, don’t beat yourself up if your faith falters. Focus on the here and now, by highlighting the positive aspects in your life, Philippians 4:8-9. As Christians begin to remove the stumbling blocks hindering faith, you’ll raise the spiritual pH in your body so that God will allow you to change for the better.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, ² in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. ³ All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh^[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. ⁴ But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵ made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved., Ephesians 2:1-5.

Reflection:

Sin is one of those topics which tend to shut down most conversations. While human beings are experts in this area due to cable television and the internet, few have the guts to open up and share about their own personal addictions. In a letter to the Church at Ephesus, the apostle Paul is drawing a contrast between a life prior to entering into a personal relationship with Christ and God’s expectations afterward. Paul’s call for individuals falling back into bad habits of their sinful past is to purge your live from these sinful behaviors.

Prayerful Action:

For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with,^[a] that we should no longer be slaves to sin— ⁷ because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. ⁸ Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him, Romans 6:6-8.

Working Out Your Salvation:

Remember that salvation is received by grace through faith in Christ, Ephesians 2:8. However, from a spiritual discipline standpoint, there are boundaries that need to be set to avoid falling back into past sinful tendencies. Just as God set one boundary in the Garden of Eden, don’t place yourself into compromising and or tempting situations, James 1:14-15. The more Christians eliminate and remove the things in their homes and lives that separate them from spending time from God, the closer you’ll get to completing this purging.

Song of the Day:

The attached song does a play on words. Rather than walking away from Jesus, the lyrics of this Send the Beggar song calls Christians to take Jesus with you wherever you go in life. Instead of getting caught up in the legalism of purging sin from your life, focus on making an impact on the kingdom of God by replacing sin with the love of Jesus. This type of commitment will transform your life.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! ¹⁶ Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.”^[b] 17 But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.^{[c] 18} Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. ¹⁹ Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; ²⁰ you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies, 1 Corinthians 6:15-20.

Reflection:

My oldest son James introduced me to the concept of cleansing your body. Earlier on in college, seeking to become a personal trainer, other classmates encouraged James to participate in a cleansing of his body. Nearly, a decade later, there are 15-day Gut Cleansing programs available online to refresh and detoxify all the unhealthy chemicals from your body. In today’s passage, the apostle Paul is referring to a spiritual cleansing of your body. Using the image that Christians are temple of the Holy Spirit, all Christians should partake in a weekly spiritual cleansing of your body.

Prayerful Action:

Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God, 2 Corinthians 7:1.

Working Out Your Salvation:

As a former athlete, losing an event, game or match served as a wakeup call. Perhaps, winning had blinded me from current errors, imperfections and mistakes. The standard for Christians assessing their own spiritual lives should emulate that of the apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 1:15. The closer Paul got to the Lord, the more his own shortcomings were revealed by the Holy Spirit. Subsequently, the key to working out your salvation is avoiding spiritual apathy. The apostle Paul never woke up one morning and declared, “finally, I’ve arrived spiritually!” Rather, Paul urged first century Christians to press on each day to take hold of what God has called you to do, Philippians 3:12-14.

Song of the Day:

Some churches perform a congregation wide fast to begin each new year. Fasting and praying for 3 days is a great way to partake in a spiritual cleanse to provide clarity for God’s will for your life. As today’s song asks, come to Jesus to unload all that is weighing you down, Matthew 11:28-30.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. ² Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda^[a] and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. ³ Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. ^[4] [b] 5 One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. ⁶ When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” ⁷ “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” ⁸ Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” ⁹ At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked, John 5:1-9.

Reflection:

I can relate to the depressed state of the Invalid man that Jesus encounters in today’s passage. After being teased by first graders while trying to read out loud in class, I vowed to never read again in front of my peers. When called upon, I pretended that I didn’t know where we were so I would be skipped. This is the hopeless mindset of stutterers and those born with a severe speech impediment. At my young age, I didn’t know anything about developing a will to change for the better.

Prayerful Action:

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him, Hebrews 11:6.

Working Out Your Salvation:

It took me 21 years to believe that God could somehow heal me of my stuttering. I always knew what I wanted to say in my head and heart, but when I opened my mouth, I couldn’t clearly express that which I envisioned. Despite my failures, I continued to volunteer to pray in high school and college small group settings. Rather than laugh and mock me, fellow believers at the University of Delaware encouraged and prayed for me. Without their support, I wouldn’t have developed the will to change for the better, being healed in God’s perfect timing, not my own.

Song of the Day:

Don’t let depression cause you to give up hope of ever becoming the person God created you to be. Rather, dig down deep, replace doubt with belief and you’ll be on your way to developing a will to change for the better.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Jethro was delighted to hear about all the good things the Lord had done for Israel in rescuing them from the hand of the Egyptians. ¹⁰ He said, “Praise be to the Lord, who rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians and of Pharaoh, and who rescued the people from the hand of the Egyptians. ¹¹ Now I know that the Lord is greater than all other gods, for he did this to those who had treated Israel arrogantly.” ¹² Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and other sacrifices to God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat a meal with Moses’ father-in-law in the presence of God, Exodus 18:9-12.

Reflection:

Twenty years ago, I began writing Bible curriculum for Red Lion Christian Academy. One of the books I relied upon was Steeling the Mind of America. As I read Volume II, I was blown away by the Christian heritage and spiritual founding America was built upon. This book is filled with amazing facts and quotes from founding fathers of the United States. The first Chief Justice of America was John Jay who used the biblical text of Exodus 18:21 as a leadership standard to emulate. Jay is quoted as declaring, “America is the first nation in the history of the world to belong to the people.”

Prayerful Action:

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery, Galatians 5:1.

Working Out Your Salvation:

As the silent majority has remained mostly silent over the past 65 years, atheists, communists, liberals, progressives and other God hating individuals have chipped away Judeo-Christian values. Today, I don’t recognize the country that I grew up in. Unless there is an awakening of minds in America, this spiritual downward spiral will continue. On this day to celebrate freedom, you’ll have to re-examine history books of old. Starting with the Magna Carta, the first Congregational Congress and sermons preached during the founding of America. This is where minds will be awakened by words inspired from the faith of God-fearing followers of Jesus.

Song of the Day:

Revisionist historians have altered and rewritten high school textbooks. Rather than excel in education, schools have become progressive labs to remove any traces of America’s spiritual heritage. May 2024 be the year that the Lord pours out a spiritual of conviction and confession so that freedom won’t be just another word, but a movement of God to reclaim biblical minds.

by Jay Mankus