Author Archives: expressyourself4him

Passage of the Day:

Vindicate me, my God, and plead my cause against an unfaithful nation. Rescue me from those who are deceitful and wicked. ² You are God my stronghold.  Why have you rejected me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy? ³ Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.⁴ Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God. 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, Psalm 43:1-5.

Reflection:

There are days, weeks, months, and years in life that seem like a never-ending soap opera. Even when you feel like your life is right with God, sometimes trials come in waves, crashing in one after another. The next time you feel like you’re losing control, start wrestling with God in prayer like the Psalmist in today’s passage. As you do, may the God of hope cheer up your soul.

Prayerful Action:

The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; ²⁶ it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord, Lamentations 3:25-26.

Refreshing Your Soul:

No one likes to be the bearer of bad news. Unfortunately, the prophet Jeremiah continued to receive bad news from the Lord to share with Israel. However, after nearly three chapters of depressing content, Jeremiah is allowed to be a messenger of hope. Playing the waiting game can be extremely grueling, but when salvation arrives, frowns will be turned upside down.

Song of the Day:

If you have been forced to move on numerous occasions in life, today’s song will bring you a glimmer of hope. Perhaps, a modern version of Friends and Pray for Me, godly relationships have a way of cheering up a troubled soul.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. ⁹ He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; ¹⁰ he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. ¹¹ For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; ¹² as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. ¹³ As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; ¹⁴ for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. ¹⁵ The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field; ¹⁶ the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. ¹⁷ But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children—¹⁸ with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts. ¹⁹ The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. ²⁰ Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word. ²¹ Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will. ²² Praise the Lord, all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise the Lord, my soul, Psalm 103:8-22.

Reflection:

Life can be hard enough on its own, especially if you have been dealt a bad hand. You may even ask, “why me God?” As David wrote the above Psalm, a light bulb went off in his mind, serving as a soul-full reminder of all the good things that God has done in his life. This comes to a climax in verses 11-12 as God’s forgiveness and love is infinite, as far as the east is from the west.

Prayerful Action:

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; ³¹ but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint, Isaiah 40:29-31.

Refreshing Your Soul:

The image of any bird flying effortlessly in the air is something to marvel at. Yet, when an Old Testament prophet compares God to an eagle, this analogy is encouraging, especially to those who feel like they have nothing else to give. On these days of desperation, when you consider quitting, turn your hope toward the Lord. This biblical promise will refresh any soul in need of comfort.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

The lyrics of Reckless Love remind me of David’s words in Psalm 103. As you listen to this spontaneous worship montage version, may it serve as a soul-full reminder of God’s love.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. ²     He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,³     he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. ⁴ Even though I walk through the darkest valley,^[a] I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. ⁵ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.⁶ Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever, Psalm 23:1-6.

Reflection:

Darkness is a part of every day on earth, along with death and taxes. Yet, as David spent his teenage years as a shepherd for his family’s flock, his perspective began to change. As David fought off dangerous predators each night, the roles were reversed, seeing the Lord as his personal shepherd. While today’s passage is often featured at funerals to bring comfort to troubled souls, these words of David can be a refreshing reminder to your soul.

Prayerful Action:

Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. ² Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—³ who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, Psalm 103:1-3.

Refreshing Your Soul:

While it’s never easy to say goodbye to a friend at their funeral, knowing that their eternal destination is secured in heaven, 1 John 5:12-13, makes a difference. David realized that there will be times in life where you’ll be alone, walking through the darkest valleys in life. Despite these difficult times, there Lord is right there with you through it all, like the Footprints poem.

Song of the Day:

The lyrics of Guide You Home reminds me of David’s words in Psalm 23. David’s son, King Solomon echoes this theme in Proverbs 3:5-6. When your soul trusts in the Lord, He will make your paths straight in life.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. ²³ When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. ²⁴ “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. ²⁵ It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household! ²⁶ “So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. ²⁷ What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. ²⁸ Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell, Matthew 10:22-28.

Reflection:

As someone who attended an inner-city school for three years, I was forced to grow up quicker than the average Elementary School student. I was racially discriminated against daily with harmful words, teased and even locked inside a locker by a bully. One of the things my soul wasn’t prepared to face was hatred. In today’s featured passage, Jesus points to the words of Ephesians 6:12. The world hatred Jesus first so as you grow and mature in your faith, don’t take hatred personally.

Prayerful Action:

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full, John 10:10.

Refreshing Your Soul:

The Devil has become invisible in most circles of the United States of America. Rather than blame the Devil for mass shootings and gun violence, politicians demonize the weapon used. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, this spiritual thief is seeking to steal your joy, kill your dreams and destroy your life. Instead of making rash decisions, fueled by hatred, refresh your soul by turning your attention toward pursuing an abundant life in Christ.

Song of the Day:

Today’s attached song is a reminder of how important vision plays in the lives of Christians. If you are prepared for future spiritual attacks, 1 Peter 5:8, you’ll know how to respond. This is why Jesus trained his disciples prior to his crucifixion to prepare their souls for what lies ahead. One of the reasons why I behave the way I do while talking to strangers today is that I never want anyone to experience the pain that I endured during these three years in Elementary School.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. ²² Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” ²³ Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” ²⁴ Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. ²⁵ For whoever wants to save their life^[f] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. ²⁶ What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? – Matthew 16:21-26

Reflection:

The summer after my freshman year of college, I received two job offers. One was making minimum wage serving as a day camp counselor working with other students my age. The second was at Newark Country Club, making nearly $2000 a month depending upon tips. Despite how tempting the financial benefits of working at a golf course were, I chose the YMCA Camp. The spiritual nourishment of my soul far outweighed money I probably would have wasted anyway.

Prayerful Action:

“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? ²⁹ For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, ³⁰ saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish,’ Luke 14:28-30.

Refreshing Your Soul:

Matthew 16 is full of content from Peter verbalizing that Jesus was indeed the promised Messiah of the Old Testament to Jesus rebuking Peter, excusing him of thinking like Satan. This context sets the stage for three requirements to becoming a disciple of Jesus. As Christians learn to deny themselves daily and take up the cause for Christ, the only thing left is following Jesus with all your heart, soul and mind.

Song of the Day:

If you find yourself on the fence, going back and forth with God, denying and following when you want, eventually you have to make a decision. As my final year of college was about to begin, I found myself lying in bed with a broken ankle. Rather than continue with my lukewarm faith, I finally decided to make Jesus the Lord of my life. Consider the costs and do what’s best for your soul.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them”— ² before the sun and the light  and the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds return after the rain; ³ when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men stoop, when the grinders cease because they are few, and those looking through the windows grow dim; ⁴ when the doors to the street are closed and the sound of grinding fades; when people rise up at the sound of birds, but all their songs grow faint;⁵ when people are afraid of heights and of dangers in the streets; when the almond tree blossoms and the grasshopper drags itself along and desire no longer is stirred. Then people go to their eternal home and mourners go about the streets.⁶ Remember him—before the silver cord is severed, and the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, and the wheel broken at the well,⁷ and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it, Ecclesiastes 12:1-7.

Reflection:

The God Father of Political Talk Radio, Rush Limbaugh, often used the expression “talent on loan from God.” Based upon Limbaugh’s following before and after his death in 2021, political talk radio hasn’t been the same since his passing. Another legend, King Solomon, clarifies the origin of where Limbaugh developed this concept. According to Solomon, our Spirit is on loan from God.

Prayerful Actions:

Then the Lord God formed a man^[c] from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being, Genesis 2:7.

Refreshing Your Soul:

Just as God breathed life into Adam, sometimes dead and dying souls need to be jump started. The good news is that God meets us where we are, just like the prodigal son in Luke 15. When a spark comes in the form of a Bible verse, chorus from a song or a rhema, a word from God, souls can be revitalized. As your soul begins to yearn for God again, the promise of Philippians 1:6 may start to come into focus. Gifts, personalities and talents are all part of God’s plan that will be unveiled as the Lord’s will is revealed to you, Romans 12:1-2. This is your soul on loan from God until the Lord calls you home.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

When the attached song was first released, all three of my children raved about the lyrics to Rescue. Perhaps, part of their souls were moved, stirred and touched to be awakened for the common good.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: ²⁰ If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. ²¹ Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God ²² and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. ²³ And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. ²⁴ The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us, 1 John 3:19-24.

Reflection:

If the human heart is a well spring for life, the soul is a spiritual force deep inside of you. All four authors of the Gospel mention heart, soul and mind in this specific order. Perhaps, Jesus is trying to express an essential element to life where the heart and soul work together. As hearts and souls turn their attention to the Lord, minds follow with thoughts centered around the Bible. The disciple whom Jesus loved writes about reaching a spiritual state where your heart is at rest in God’s presence. This is what the apostle Paul illuminates upon in Philippians 4:6-7.

Prayerful Actions:

If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? ¹⁸ Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth, 1 John 3:17-18.

Refreshing Your Soul:

The Lord recently gave me an analogy which applies to the call to action in the passage above. “Don’t listen to what someone says there are going to do. Rather, pay close attention to what people do on a daily basis. You shouldn’t have to tell others that you are a great person. Show people as you put your heart and soul into living out your faith by loving your neighbor as yourself.”

Song of the Day:

The lyrics of Life’s Noise by Blue Tree are inspired by Elijah’s experience in 1 Kings 19:9-13. After an amazing spiritual victory in 1 Kings 18, Elijah suffers the agony of a defeated soul. This is when you have to fight through all of the distractions of life’s noise by placing all your heart, soul and mind into this effort. The whisper of God provides the assurance needed to tarry on into a new month.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. ² Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. ³ They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them.⁴ Yet their voice^[b] goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.⁵     It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. ⁶ It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth.⁷ The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. ⁸ The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. ⁹ The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous.¹⁰ They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. ¹¹ By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.¹² But who can discern their own errors?  Forgive my hidden faults. ¹³ Keep your servant also from willful sins;   may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression.¹⁴ May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer, Psalm 19:1-14.

Reflection:

More than 300 million people participate in yoga classes worldwide. Yoga has now surpassed golf in the United States in popularity. Developing a heart of meditation is simply the practice of spiritual yoga. One of the methods I was introduced to in the past decade is the practice of Soaking in the Spirit. Some churches have locations, usually small chapels or rooms dedicated to this spiritual discipline. As these rooms play music 24 hours a day, Christians have the opportunity to reflect upon lyrics inspired by the Bible. Soaking in the Spirit provides a great introduction to developing a heart of meditation.

Prayerful Action:

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.^[a] 5 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. ⁸ Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. ⁹ Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, Deuteronomy 6:4-9.

Restoring Your Heart:

One of the ways the Israelites developed a heart of meditation was to place spiritual reminders of God throughout their homes. Before refrigerator magnets existed, symbols were placed in well-traveled areas to serve as daily reminders of God. Joshua passed on Moses’ tradition in Joshua 1:8 with a call to meditate on God’s commands day and night. If you’re struggling to find time with God in 2024, follow in the footsteps of Israel by placing reminders of God throughout your home.

Song of the Day:

The lyrics of the song Lord I’m Ready Now is a prayer to dive deep into a permanent meaningful relationship with God. May this devotion and song inspire you to develop a heart of meditation in 2024.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Vindicate me, Lord, for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the Lord and have not faltered. ² Test me, Lord, and try me,  examine my heart and my mind;³ for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.⁴ I do not sit with the deceitful,  nor do I associate with hypocrites.⁵ I abhor the assembly of evildoers and refuse to sit with the wicked.⁶ I wash my hands in innocence, and go about your altar, Lord,⁷ proclaiming aloud your praise and telling of all your wonderful deeds. ⁸ Lord, I love the house where you live, the place where your glory dwells. ⁹ Do not take away my soul along with sinners, my life with those who are bloodthirsty, ¹⁰ in whose hands are wicked schemes, whose right hands are full of bribes. ¹¹ I lead a blameless life; deliver me and be merciful to me. ¹² My feet stand on level ground; in the great congregation I will praise the Lord, Psalm 26:1-12.

Reflection:

Eleven years ago, I was rushed to the hospital from work with a collapsed lung. This medical emergency led to a series of visits to my primary care doctor along with a cardiologist. During the first of many appointments with this cardiologist, I discover that I had an enlarged heart. Initially, there was concern of potential swelling of my heart. The good news was this was the opposite of the Grinch’s heart, but various tests were performed to see if anything was wrong with my heart. Fortunately, I was finally given a clean bill of health, passing my heart examine prior to moving to South Carolina.

Prayerful Action:

The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god.^{[a] 5} They will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God their Savior. ⁶ Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, God of Jacob, Psalm 24:4-6.

Restoring Your Heart:

Passing a spiritual heart examine is like taking a Pass-Fail Class in college. The purpose of this spiritual exercise isn’t to earn a perfect grade. Rather, passing a spiritual heart examine is about trial and error, learning the importance of obeying God’s commands. Moses does one of the best jobs in the Bible of simplifying listening to and obeying God in Deuteronomy 28:1-2. Passing this heart examine is all about accompanying God by keeping in step with the Holy Spirit.

Song of the Day:

You can try to fill your heart with earthly treasures and temporary pleasures, but only Jesus can fill this void deep inside of you. The quicker you come to this conclusion; the sooner you’ll pass the spiritual heart examine. May this classic tune speak to your heart with Gut Level Music.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. ²⁴ Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. ²⁵ “All this I have spoken while still with you. ²⁶ But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. ²⁷ Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. ²⁸ “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. ²⁹ I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. ³⁰ I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, ³¹ but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me, John 14:23-31.

Reflection:

Trouble comes in a number of forms from difficulty, disorder, problems or public unrest. The context of today’s passage occurs during the Passion Week, Jesus’ last week with his 12 disciples. As Jesus wraps up His three-year ministry on earth, He begins to open up about God’s will for His life. Jesus’ words seem like a friend revealing to you that they only have a few months to live. This troubling news appears to have shocked many of Jesus’ disciples. Jesus responds to their concerns with an antidote to overcoming a troubled heart.

Prayerful Action:

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God^[a]; believe also in me. ² My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. ⁴ You know the way to the place where I am going,” John 14:1-4.

Restoring Your Heart:

When you are young, the fear of death can haunt you with scary nightmares about the afterlife. Yet, one of John’s reasons for writing his Gospel and Epistles is so that Christians could know for sure about their eternal destination. John 3:16-17, John 20:30-31 and 1 John 5:12-13 all provide biblical assurance that you can know for sure where you’ll spend eternity before you die. Romans 10:9-11 adds to this assurance by providing a cure for a troubled heart.

Song of the Day:

The greatest gift anyone can ever receive on earth is the assurance of eternal life in heaven. May the lyrics of I Can Only Imagine inspire you to tell others about the gift of God, Romans 6:23. The joy of leading someone to faith in Christ will erase the pain of a troubled heart.

by Jay Mankus