Author Archives: expressyourself4him

Passage of the Day:

Early in the morning David left the flock in the care of a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry. ²¹ Israel and the Philistines were drawing up their lines facing each other. ²² David left his things with the keeper of supplies, ran to the battle lines and asked his brothers how they were. ²³ As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. ²⁴ Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear. ²⁵ Now the Israelites had been saying, “Do you see how this man keeps coming out? He comes out to defy Israel. The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his family from taxes in Israel.” ²⁶ David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” – 1 Samuel 17:20-26

Reflection:

As a former middle school and high school coach for more than a decade, I’ve seen defeat on the faces of my players before they even took the field against a far superior team. Apparently, the Israeli army walked around every day with the fear of defeat in their eyes. Goliath’s size and strength was unmatched in his day. Yet, when a teenage shepherd boy came to visit his older brothers who were already enlisted, one thought came to the forefront of David’s mind. ”Who is this uncircumcised Philistine?”

Prayerful Action:

The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine. ”Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you.” ³⁸ Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. ³⁹ David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. ⁴⁰ Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine, 1 Samuel 17:37-40.

Renewing Your Mind:

Whenever you compete, you have to trust your God given abilities, gifts, and talents. If you want to end the bitter taste of defeat physically and or spiritually, concentrate on what you are best at, 1 Corinthians 12:7-11. David wasn’t big or strong enough to fight Goliath as King Saul suggested. Rather, David trusted in his speed and sling shot skills to slay the giant that nobody thought could be defeated, 1 Samuel 17:48-49.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

Those who have experienced and know God’s power, grow up to believe that with God anything is possible, Matthew 19:26. Don’t walk away defeated like the Rich Young Ruler. Rather, place your trust in the Creator God who will bring, point, and show you the way to victory.

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. The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, John 5:1-9.

Reflection:

As flawed human beings, there is at least one part of our body that doesn’t function as God intended. This could be a noticeable birthmark, an injury or recent scar from a surgery. According to Jesus, the man he encountered had been an invalid for 38 years. Perhaps when this man was a little boy, he dreamed of being able to walk like everyone else. Yet, as time passed, he had given up hope of ever being healed.

Prayerful Action:

By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.”^[a] For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. ⁶ 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 11:5-6.

Renewing Your Mind:

As someone born with a severe speech impediment, I never imagined that I would ever be able to clearly express myself. This struggle continued into college where my roommate opened my mind of God being able to do the impossible. When a group of men laid their hands on me to be healed of stuttering, I felt the power of the Holy Spirit go through my body. Yet, it would take time for my mind to overcome doubts that kept breaking through for this miracle to fully arrive.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

I thank my God every time I remember you. ⁴ In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy ⁵ because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, ⁶ being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus, Philippians 1:3-6. As you battle with doubt and unbelief, may today’s devotion prompt you to become open to God doing the impossible in your own life.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” ¹⁰ He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” ¹¹ The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. ¹² After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. ¹³ When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” – 1 Kings 19:9-13

Reflection:

Whenever I am depressed, I ask the Lord for some sort of sign. Whether this is an answer to prayer, a Bible verse to get me through a day or good news, I just want to know that everything will be okay. This is the context of Elijah, on the verge of losing the will to live due to a death threat. After experiencing an amazing spiritual victory at the end of 1 Kings 18, Elijah became overwhelmed by the circumstances of life. This when Christians desperately want God to speak directly or indirectly to your mind.

Prayer Action:

The voice of the Lord is over the waters;  the God of glory thunders, the Lord thunders over the mighty waters. ⁴ The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic. ⁵ The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon. ⁶ He makes Lebanon leap like a calf, Sirion^[b] like a young wild ox. ⁷ The voice of the Lord strikes with flashes of lightning. ⁸ The voice of the Lord shakes the desert; the Lord shakes the Desert of Kadesh. ⁹ The voice of the Lord twists the oaks^[c] and strips the forests bare. And in his temple all cry, “Glory!” – Psalm 29:3-9

Renewing Your Mind:

The book of Deuteronomy is often called the second law which serves as a recapitulation of the Ten Commandments. Moses’ words are a subtle attempt to tell human beings that we are forgetful by nature. Subsequently, some people quickly forget what they are instructed to do. This is why Jesus regularly spoke, “don’t just listen, but do what I say.” If only life was this easy. According to the apostle Paul, God speaks to the minds of those who slow down enough to see God’s visible qualities in creation, Romans 1:18-20.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

I discovered the attached song in the middle of the Coronavirus epidemic. This song became part of my daily routine and prayer during this crisis, desperately waiting for God to speak to me.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes.^[a] 2 When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. ³ This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. ⁴ For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. ⁵ Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones. ⁶ When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. ⁷ He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” ⁸ For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!” ⁹ Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” ¹⁰ And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.¹¹ A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. ¹² The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” ¹³ He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned, Mark 5:1-13.

Reflection:

Some Christians began 2024 unable to break free from some sort of spiritual bondage from their past. This addiction, bad habit, craving, or unwholesome desire has crippled you spiritually like the man in today’s featured passage. Like an individual unable to cope with anger management, this man left his wife and children to live alone, afraid he might do something to hurt them. When Jesus entered this man’s life, he knew that he needed help, but wasn’t sure what to do. This miraculous account illustrates that when you come to faith, demons don’t own you anymore.

Prayerful Action:

As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. ¹⁹ Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” ²⁰ So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis^[b] how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed, Mark 5:18-20.

Renewing Your Mind:

While some Christians are able to immediately break free from past addictions and bad habits, not every faith journey has a happy ending, Luke 9:62-63. The disciple often called Levi writes about a demon possessed man who turned back to his former way of life in Matthew 12:43-45. According to the apostle Paul in Ephesians 6:12, these spirits aren’t going anywhere. This truth is likely the inspiration behind of the words of Joshua 1:7-9. The more you allow Scripture to fill your mind, the better your chances are of finally breaking free of the addiction currently stifling your faith journey.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

The lyrics of Dear X by Disciple serve as a reminder to cut ties with your former way of living, Colossians 3:5-9. May today’s devotion be a turning point and call to find freedom in Christ.

Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. ²⁶ She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. ²⁷ When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, ²⁸ because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” ²⁹ Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. ³⁰ At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” ³¹ “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ” ³² But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. ³³ Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. ³⁴ He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering,” Mark 5:25-34.

Reflection:

There was a belief in the first century that cloaks or robes of Jewish Rabbis possessed special healing powers. If you’re broke like the woman in today’s passage, you have nothing to lose. When doctors made her bleeding condition worse, she became vulnerable, doing or trying anything to be healed. Subsequently, all this woman wanted was to just touch Jesus’ clothes. Despite the large crowds pressing upon Him, Jesus knew that power had been released out of His body to a person in the crowd. Rather than be happy for this woman, Jesus wanted to set the record straight. This woman wasn’t healed by merely touching part of Jesus’ robe. Nor was she healed by chance. Jesus made sure the proper perspective was clarified; she was healed by her faith.

Prayerful Action:

When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked.²¹ Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. ²² If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer,” Matthew 21:20-22.

Renewing Your Mind:

Doubt is one of the main contributors for Christians not experiencing Jesus’ promise of an abundant life, John 10:10. If the Devil came to steal, kill and destroy the aspirations, dreams, and goals of Christians, you have to overcome ungodly beliefs planted in your thoughts over the course of your life. If it only took one conversation to change Eve’s mind in Genesis 3:1-6, you have to be prepared for similar battles, 1 Peter 5:8. As human minds are renewed by studying the Bible in 2024, you’re on the way to developing a proper biblical perspective, Romans 12:2.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

The attached song is one of the most powerful on this topic. As Christians learn to lean on and trust in God, Proverbs 3:5-6, a spiritual perspective will be conceived in your mind. When you are at your weakest point in life, this opens the door for Jesus to be strong, 2 Corinthians 12:6-10. As you develop this spiritual perspective, be content with what you receive, Philippians 4:11-13.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, ⁷ in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast. ¹⁰ For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do, Ephesians 2:6-10.

Reflection:

In 2002, the Jason Bourne series began with the film the Bourne Identity. Matt Damon plays a man suffering from amnesia, desperately trying to figure out his true identity. As Christians, depending upon your former way of life, you may struggle to realize your new identity in Christ Jesus. The apostle Paul reminds us today of the lengths God went through to save the world from sin, Romans 6:23. Therefore, you may need to go back to the basics in 2024 to become rejuvenated spiritually.

Prayerful Reflection:

Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. ²¹ So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. ²² For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; ²³ but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. ²⁴ What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? ²⁵ Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! – Romans 7:20-25

Renewing Your Mind:

If the Devil is the father of all lies as stated in John 8:44, this spiritual enemy will do whatever it takes to prevent you from believing and knowing God’s plan for your life, Philippians 1:6. If you allow your mind to go back to the start: where, when and why you entered into a personal relationship with Jesus, Romans 10:9-10, your mind will be renewed as you remember that you are a new creation in Christ, 2 Corinthians 5:17.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

In the summer of 1990, I was living a double life. I was a spiritual leader on campus at the University of Delaware, but each summer I indulged in earthly pleasures on earth. When I went back to the start, I know I had to make a decision: live for God or embrace the world? After breaking my ankle in August of that year, I sat in bed contemplating this decision. The song Go On by Closer from their”Rain album,” kept playing in my mind. At the end, the lyrics quote the old kids’ song, I Have Decided to Follow Jesus, “no turning back, no turning back.” May you experience a similar rededication in 2024.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. ¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people., Ephesians 6:10-18.

Reflection:

When the apostle Paul calls members of the Church at Ephesus to put on the full armor of God, this isn’t physical clothing. Rather, this spiritual protection requires a combination of mental preparation and prayer. This invisible battle against spiritual forces of evil involves multiple pieces of armor with each one focusing on a different aspect of faith. The helmet of salvation is the piece of armor designed to protect your mind from the father of all lies, John 8:44.

Prayerful Action:

But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. ⁹ For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Thessalonians 5:8-9.

Renewing Your Mind:

Jesus makes an interesting observation during His Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6:19-23. Jesus brings up a hypothetical scenario to illustrate when darkness enters someone’s life. If your eyes become unhealthy by allowing darkness and evil to enter your life, this is a byproduct of thoughts not being taken captive, 2 Corinthians 10:5-6. As Christians learn to put on the helmet of salvation spiritually, your minds will be protected from future attacks and temptations.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

The lyrics of Slow Fade contain the second glance. Perhaps, this is the concept Jesus was warning first century followers to avoid. When minds are protected with the helmet of salvation, you’ll have better control to follow God’s Spirit over your flesh, 2 Timothy 1:7.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. ¹⁰ And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast, 1 Peter 5:8-10.

Reflection:

As individuals seek a fresh start in 2024, a few days of eating healthy and working out builds positive momentum. However, as you seek to meet and uphold your New Year’s Resolutions, don’t let your guard down by allowing tempting thoughts to enter your mind. One of Jesus’ disciples compares the Devil to a roaring lion who seeks to prey upon weakened souls. As Christians become tired and weary, you’re at your most vulnerable condition. This is one of the main reasons for Peter’s warning to be alert and sober minded.

Prayerful Action:

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, ² but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. ³ That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers, Psalm 1:1-3.

Renewing Your Mind:

Great coaches, leaders, and teachers share similar personality traits. After being passed the torch by Moses to become the new leader of Israel, Joshua sets the spiritual tone in Joshua 1:7-9. Rather than taking a lazy faire approach, Joshua reminds Israel of the connection between obedience to God and success. When Christians let their guards down, a spirit of apathy tends to follow. As Christians proactively pray and prepare their minds against demonic attacks, the better your chances will be to hold firm to faith by withstanding temptation. 

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

If you start to expect the unexpected and pray for a hedge of protection, Job 1:10, you’ll spend 2024 alert and sober minded.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. ¹⁸ They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. ¹⁹ Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed. ²⁰ That, however, is not the way of life you learned ²¹ when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. ²² You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; ²³ to be made new in the attitude of your minds; ²⁴ and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. ²⁵ Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. ²⁶ “In your anger do not sin”^[d]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ and do not give the devil a foothold, Ephesians 4:17-27.

Reflection:

If you own a study Bible, the subtitle above this passage says something like “Instructions for Christian Living.” As a man, I tend to skip instructions unless I struggle to put something together. Perhaps, a similar method is used by new Christians who aren’t sure where to start reading or how to study the Bible. The call for spiritual mindful instructions by the apostle Paul is to avoid falling back into bad habits of your past. If you want to life for Christ, this requires putting to death former sinful practices and replacing these with the teachings of Jesus.

Prayerful Actions:

 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me, Galatians 2:20.

Renewing Your Mind:

One of the mistakes new Christians often make is not knowing when to take the Bible figuratively or literally. When the apostle Paul uses expressions like crucified or put to death, he’s referring to instructions for your mind as a new follower of Christ. This mindset involves a renewing of your mind with words of the Bible so that spiritual conviction will result in cutting ties with your former way of life. This includes any actions, behaviors, choices or deed which go against biblical teaching.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

One of the choruses of the attached song talks about stop playing games with God. The Christian life is full of trial or error, trying to undo addictive habits and desires. Unfortunately, knowing the Bible doesn’t always result in change. Therefore, take baby steps if you need to until the mindful instructions of the Bible slowly transform you into the person that God desires.

by Jay Mankus