Author Archives: expressyourself4him

Passage of the Day:

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. ² My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.  When can I go and meet with God? ³ My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” ⁴ These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One^[d]with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng. ⁵ Why, my soul, are you downcast?  Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. ⁶ My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.⁷ Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. ⁸ By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life. ⁹ I say to God my Rock, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?” ¹⁰ My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, “Where is your God?” ¹¹ Why, my soul, are you downcast?  Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God, Psalm 42:1-11.

Reflection:

Feeling despondent is a symptom of a downcast soul. The director of music who is mentioned as one of the sons of Korah wrote this Psalm. This musical piece appears to have been inspired by a difficult period in this individual’s life. You may experience days, weeks, months or years where nothing seems to go right. In these moments of spiritual unrest, you may question if God is out there as this storm continues. If doubt begins to consume your soul, the suggestion of the Psalmist involves placing your hope in God.

Prayerful Action:

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. ¹⁸ The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit, Psalm 34:17-18.

Refreshing Your Soul:

God warns Cain in Genesis 4:6-7 about the downcast expression on his face. This passage serves as a warning to anyone who seeks rebellion due to envy or jealousy in their heart. If sin is crouching at your door when your soul is downcast, it’s essential that you don’t let your emotions influence your actions. Rather than take things into your own hands, place your hope and trust in the Lord.

Song of the Day:

Jesus shares His plan to bounce back from a downcast soul in the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 6:33. When Christians get their priorities in order by seeking first righteousness, everything else will fall into place. This is how you can bounce back from a downcast soul.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. ¹⁵ He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him. ¹⁶ He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, ¹⁷ and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: ¹⁸ “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, ¹⁹     to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”^{[f] 20} Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. ²¹ He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” ²² All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked. ²³ Jesus said to them, “Surely you will quote this proverb to me: ‘Physician, heal yourself!’ And you will tell me, ‘Do here in your hometown what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.’” ²⁴ “Truly I tell you,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown, Luke 4:14-24.

Reflection:

I was introduced to Soul-Spirit Hurts in a Sunday School class more than a decade ago. This class studied the book Restoring the Foundations which has now evolved into a ministry. Whenever you endure wounds to your soul in the form of tragedy, unhealthy relationships or an ungodly upbringing, this pain sticks with you. Soul-Spirit Hurts are often the root cause for ungodly beliefs developed by Christians over the course of their lives. Until ungodly beliefs are exposed, Christians carry around these lies throughout life affecting how you see life, react to others as well as your attitude towards God. In today’s featured passage, Jesus knew that going back to his hometown wouldn’t change people’s beliefs who knew Him as a child. When you expect a certain action, behavior or response and don’t receive this, this failed expectation can conceive a Soul-Spirit Hurt.

Prayerful Action:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls,” Matthew 11:28-29.

Refreshing Your Soul:

Restoring the Foundations devotes an entire chapter to Soul-Spirit Hurts. Soul-Spirit Hurts can open the door to demonic oppression as the apostle Paul mentions in Ephesians 4:26-27. However, Soul-Spirit Hurts can also be a byproduct of sins of the father and or generational curses. Overcoming Soul-Spirit Hurts start with a spirit of confession, James 5:16. As Christians come to God with their hurts, you can lay all of your burdens at the feet of Jesus. Healing Soul-Spirit Hurts is a long process, but if you surrender yourself with like-minded believers, you can overcome Soul-Spirit Hurts.

Song of the Day:

Stuttering for more than 20 years from birth led to my major Soul-Spirit Hurt. One of the ungodly beliefs that I developed as a teenager is that I would never be able to fully express my thoughts or verbalize what was on my heart. Accountability partners, Bible Studies and prayer groups eventually led me to finally overcome stuttering. While I can’t promise complete healing for your own Soul-Spirit Hurt, lay down all of your burdens at the feet of Jesus.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness. ²⁰ When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. ²¹ What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! ²² But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. ²³ For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in^[b] Christ Jesus our Lord, Romans 6:19-23.

Reflection:

Horatio G. Spafford is the creator of the famous hymn, “It is Well With My Soul.” This wealthy lawyer from Chicago received news in 1873 that all four of his daughters died when their ship sank in the Atlantic Ocean. In this moment where Spafford’s faith was challenged by personal tragedy, the lyrics to It is Well With My Soul were conceived. A Christian’s faith isn’t based upon how you feel. Rather, Horatio’s testimony serves as a reminder to modern day followers of Christ that the state of your soul is based upon biblical promises like Romans 6:23.

Prayerful Action:

But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. ¹⁸ You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness, Romans 6:17-18.

Refreshing Your Soul:

As a former student of Evangelism Explosion, Romans 6:23 is the basis to the Grand Canyon analogy. This diagram serves as an icebreaker to share the gospel with unchurched individuals. I was taught to compare this with track athletes seeking to set the world record in the Long Jump. While high school athletes may break 20 feet, college participants and Olympians are nearing the 30 feet mark. Despite this remarkable feat, no one is good enough to clear portions of the Grand Canyon, Romans 3:9-12. This is where the Gift of God steps in, laying down a cross to bridge the gap to the other side. May today’s devotion remind you that the state of your soul is fueled and renewed by the promises in the Bible, 1 John 5:13.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

The reality of a sudden death in your family or to a close friend can knock the wind out of your soul. This spiritual gut check provides you the opportunity similar to what Horatio G. Spafford faced. In your time of need, may the Holy Spirit minister to your heart so that once this storm subsides, you’ll be able to proclaim, “all is well with my soul.”

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³ Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. ¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him, Colossians 3:12-17.

Reflection:

The apostle Paul is in the middle of explaining to members of the Church at Colosse how to transition from their previous way of living into what it means to become a follower of Christ. After concentrating on adopting the mind of Christ in Colossians 3:1-4, Paul turns his attention toward putting to death attitudes, behaviors and cravings that please your flesh and not the Holy Spirit. Today’s portion of Scripture is a call to action which begins with clothing yourself with Christ like qualities. Yet, peace only arrives as a byproduct of breathing life into your soul.

Prayerful Action:

Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him, 1 Samuel 6:23.

Refreshing Your Soul:

Several Bible translations of the above passage point to an evil spirit that tormented Saul during his reign as King of Israel. Meanwhile, a few translations point to the spiritual concept that music has the ability to soothe your soul. If Lucifer, an archangel kicked out of heaven in Isaiah 14:12, was indeed the angel of song, it’s possible that music can be used for good and evil. However, as Christians begin to sing songs in your heart to God, the Holy Spirit breathes life into your soul.

Song of the Day:

Breathe You In was a song I included on the final CD mix I made before moving to South Carolina in 2022. This 11-hour journey required several mixes for my car stereo to keep me awake on this half day trip. As you listen to the lyrics of Breathe You In, may the Holy Spirit breathe life into your soul.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles^[a] from Jerusalem. ¹⁴ They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. ¹⁵ As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; ¹⁶ but they were kept from recognizing him. ¹⁷ He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. ¹⁸ One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” ¹⁹ “What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. ²⁰ The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; ²¹ but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. ²² In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning ²³ but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. ²⁴ Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.” ²⁵ He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! ²⁶ Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” ²⁷ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. ²⁸ As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. ²⁹ But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. ³⁰ When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. ³¹ Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. ³² They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” ³³ They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together ³⁴ and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” ³⁵ Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread, Luke 24:13-35.

Reflection:

The Walk to Emmaus or Emmaus Walk Movement was inspired by today’s featured passage. The modern Walk to Emmaus is a spiritual retreat developed by the United Methodist Church and The Upper Room in the 1960’s. While living in Delaware, the high school version of Emmaus called Chrysalis began. Although I was too old to attend, I joined an accountability group with men from my Walk to Emmaus Retreat. This weekly meeting was a chance to reflect upon your previous week and open up to the various struggles that you were going through. Whenever I was overwhelmed by a spirit of conviction, I poured out my soul, laying everything out in the open.

Prayerful Action:

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

Refreshing Your Soul:

There is something about talking a walk which opens the door for individuals to pour out their souls. I remember talking a walk with two friends during a mission trip and by the end of the evening, each of us revealed a secret sin that we were afraid to tell other Christians. I experienced a similar walk one night in college where a friend opened up about being raped. If it took a teenager publicly confessing their sins in front of a church to ignite the First Great Awakening, then it’s time for another movement of God to begin by pouring out your soul to a trusted friend or neighbor.

Song of the Day:

Pouring out your soul is something that requires the right timing. While in high school, a few people from my youth group would pour out their souls just to have a meeting’s agenda shift to focus on their own life. The next time you sense the Spirit of God moving you to share, don’t miss the opportunity to pour out your soul.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. ² Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, ³ because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. ⁴ For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. ⁵ Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. ⁶ Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. ⁷ For we live by faith, not by sight. ⁸ We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. ⁹ So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it, 2 Corinthians 5:1-9.

Reflection:

In the previous chapter, the apostle Paul compares God to a heavenly potter who molds and fashions human beings like clay. When water is added to clay, this can be molded into the image within the mind of its creator. Paul communicates to the Church at Corinth that Christians are under construction, working things out daily through trial and error. However, as minds are renewed by Scripture, souls are awakened to God’s purpose for their life on earth, Romans 12:1-2.

Prayerful Action:

We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. ¹¹ For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. ¹² So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you, 2 Corinthians 5:10-12.

Refreshing Your Soul:

Good artists have the ability to take an idea or image in their mind and transfer this on to a piece of paper or painting canvas. Whether you’re an artist or not, God possesses spiritual powers that are beyond belief, Luke 1:37. When Christians overcome doubts that exist in their minds, hearts and souls become open to the possibility. This is the challenge and call of Jesus in Matthew 21:21-22.

Song of the Day:

I read a book in 1993 called the Master of All Trades. The author uses the miracles in the Gospel of John to illustrate that Jesus is the master over the elements on earth. When Christian hearts, souls, and minds seize this biblical truth, lives will be transformed, full of belief and faith.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

In the Lord I take refuge.  How then can you say to me:  “Flee like a bird to your mountain. ² For look, the wicked bend their bows;  they set their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart. ³ When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?” ⁴ The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord is on his heavenly throne. He observes everyone on earth;  his eyes examine them. ⁵ The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion. ⁶ On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot. ⁷ For the Lord is righteous, he loves justice; the upright will see his face, Psalm 11:1-7.

Reflection:

Exercising regularly and eating healthier were the top two New Year Resolutions in 2023. While these are great for your body, this doesn’t do anything to nurture your soul. In the past decade, churches have promoted Daniel Fasts, Media Fasts and biblical fasts like Jesus prior to starting His three-year earthly ministry at the beginning of each new year. As Christians begin these types of soul training exercises, you’ll have a better understanding of the battle between fleshly desires and the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:16.

Prayerful Actions:

Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience. ¹² For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart, Hebrews 4:11-12.

Refreshing Your Soul:

There are so many aspects to the Christian life that you may not know that certain acts or behaviors are wrong. This is where you can claim to be amoral, lacking a moral sense of what God desires. However, the more a young Christian reads the Bible, each word will penetrate your heart, soul and mind. Although you may need to ask a more mature Christian if you’re unsure about a specific issue, soul training is a lifelong journey as you walk with God.

Song of the Day:

Just like college students who have workout friends to spot them when lifting a heavy weight, Christians should find a soul training partner to fully develop their faith. Whether this is going on a weekly walk, meeting someone for lunch or joining a Bible Study, find a spiritual running partner to challenge your soul, Hebrews 12:1.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. ⁵¹ Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— ⁵² in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. ⁵³ For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. ⁵⁴ When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”^{[h] 55} “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”^{[i] 56} The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Corinthians 15:50-57.

Reflection:

I joined an accountability group in college to strengthen my faith. Unfortunately, most of the other students I met with, were walking around defeated, falling prey to the same addictions, bad habits and unwholesome cravings week after week. After a month of fighting a losing battle, I urged my Christian brothers to start taking a proactive approach. Until your soul really wants to change, you’ll continue to walk in sinful ways.

Prayerful Action:

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain, 1 Corinthians 15:58.

Refreshing Your Soul:

One night after attending this accountability group, I had a dream about going to a bookstore. When I turned the corner, I saw a book that one of the guys in our group desperately needed. The next time I visited my local bookstore, my dream came true as I bought the book for my Christian brother. This amazing experience inspires me to continue to urge Christians to take a proactive approach with their soul.

Song of the Day:

When I need a little bounce in my step, I turn to songs like Devastation and Reform to uplift my soul. If today’s devotion finds you turning in the wrong direction, let the words of this Reliant K song inspire you to become spiritually proactive in the future.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

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. ² Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. ³ Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. ⁴ You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. ⁵ For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. ⁶ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. ⁷ You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? ⁸ That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you, Galatians 5:1-8.

Reflection:

A conscience is an inner feeling or voice viewed as acting as a guide to the rightness or wrongness of one’s behavior. When a human soul begins to work with the Holy Spirit as the apostle Paul describes in Galatians 5:25, the conscience is awakened daily. This new heightened awareness uses conviction and guilt when actions or behaviors deviate from what God desires. Paul’s letter to the Church at Galatia was to alert this congregation to the teaching of Judaizers who were adding requirements to salvation, going against the words of Moses in Deuteronomy 4:2.

Prayerful Actions:

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh, Galatians 5:16.

Refreshing Your Soul:

A Christian’s conscience is at peace as long as spiritual fruits remain a daily goal. However, if personal standards are altered by cutting corners and lowering standards, souls receive a jolt. While this isn’t shock therapy, sinning will send warning sensations to your soul to stop what you’re doing. Confession, repentance and acts of contrition is the spiritual game plan to get struggling Christians back on track where the soul and spirit work together again.

Song of the Day:

The lyrics to the Paradigm call Christians to activate their faith. Anyone who starts to keep in step with the Holy Spirit is a living example of the soul and spirit working together.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

“But suppose this son has a son who sees all the sins his father commits, and though he sees them, he does not do such things: ¹⁵ “He does not eat at the mountain shrines or look to the idols of Israel. He does not defile his neighbor’s wife.¹⁶ He does not oppress anyone or require a pledge for a loan. He does not commit robbery but gives his food to the hungry and provides clothing for the naked. ¹⁷ He withholds his hand from mistreating the poor and takes no interest or profit from them. He keeps my laws and follows my decrees. He will not die for his father’s sin; he will surely live. ¹⁸ But his father will die for his own sin, because he practiced extortion, robbed his brother and did what was wrong among his people. ¹⁹ “Yet you ask, ‘Why does the son not share the guilt of his father?’ Since the son has done what is just and right and has been careful to keep all my decrees, he will surely live. ²⁰ The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them, Ezekiel 18:14-20.

Reflection:

I was introduced to the concept of sins of the father and generational sins as a Sunday School teacher at Red Lion. While I had read passages in the Bible concerning these terms, I didn’t really know how to comprehend sins of the father and generational sins. If you think of this in terms of DNA, everyone has a unique one, but the one common trait all human beings possess is the habit of sinning, Romans 3:9-12. Subsequently, sinful behaviors like cursing, lying and rebellion are passed down through your family tree. Ezekiel tries to make sense of this topic as children need to take ownership of their lives based upon whatever addictions, bad habits and cravings they possess.

Prayerful Action:

Moses bowed to the ground at once and worshiped. ⁹ “Lord,” he said, “if I have found favor in your eyes, then let the Lord go with us. Although this is a stiff-necked people, forgive our wickedness and our sin, and take us as your inheritance.” ¹⁰ Then the Lord said: “I am making a covenant with you. Before all your people I will do wonders never before done in any nation in all the world. The people you live among will see how awesome is the work that I, the Lord, will do for you, Exodus 34:8-10.

Refreshing Your Soul:

A covenant is an agreement between God and his people. While you can’t change your past, you can change the future by conducting yourself in accordance with the biblical promises in the Bible. Deuteronomy 28 begins with a series of actions based upon obedience. If you do this, blessings will come, if not curses will replace these missed blessings. This is how you can restore your soul from generational sins.

Song of the Day:

Overcoming sins of the father and generational sins requires a bottom of the barrel moment when you come to your senses like the prodigal son, Luke 15:16-17. When this day arrives, you can celebrate with a song of deliverance.

by Jay Mankus