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Hope verses Heart-break

Posted on April 25, 2017 by expressyourself4him

Anticipation, day dreaming and utopia are synonyms for hope.  Like an anxious child eager to open presents on Christmas morning, hope is like a promise waiting to be unwrapped.  The only problem is sometimes the hype doesn’t live up to your own expectations.

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer, Romans 12:12.

When desires are unfulfilled, a wave of agony, dire and sadness replace inner joy.  In these moments of disappointment, its easy to overreact.  However, if you are not careful, heart-break can lead to depression.  If healing does not occur, hope can fade like the setting sun.

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit, Psalm 34:18.

If this blog finds you down in the dumps or recovering from a broken heart, the Bible provides two words of encouragement.  The first urges individuals to rely on prayer in times of trouble.  Prayer serves as a source of hope.  Meanwhile, if your spirit has been crushed by a relationship, tragedy or uncertainty don’t lose hope.  God promises to surround you with either angels, friends or strangers to get you through the tough times in life.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

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Coming Together

Posted on April 24, 2017 by expressyourself4him

History tends to move in cycles, rising and falling as leadership, ideology and worldviews change.  There are moments in time for conquest, peace and war.  Each major event leaves its imprints on civilizations, cultures and society.  At some point, regardless of what you feel, it’s important to come together.

Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water, Hebrews 10:22.

The author of Hebrews encourages individuals to do the same thing with God.  This process begins with a sincere heart.  Like the guilt, remorse and sorrow Adam and Eve endured following trespassing against God’s lone rule in the Garden of Eden, modern citizens experience a similar feeling.  This conviction serves as a sign to get your life right with God.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful, Hebrews 10:23.

The final step to coming together involves hope.  One of the ploys the Devil uses is making people feel like God hasn’t forgiven them after publicly confessing sin.  Thus, many place their trust in feelings, not faith.  Thus, clinging to an unswerving hope is what will get you through periods of darkness.  Finally, life isn’t complete unless you begin to spur on others toward love and good deeds.  This mindset sets the stage for truly coming together.

by Jay Mankus

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Are You Finding Delight in the Lord?

Posted on April 23, 2017 by expressyourself4him

While few people verbalize this topic, there appears to be a love hate relationship with God.  When things seem to go your way, life is great, perhaps a reward for your hard work and good behavior.  Meanwhile, as fortunes begin to change, anger, bitterness and frustration arises with God.

Will they find delight in the Almighty? Will they call on God at all times? – Job 27:10

This is the state of mind that we find Job within the passage above.  When you add the suggestions from a few close friends that the Lord is punishing Job for some unconfessed sin, agitation increases.  Subsequently, finding delight in God Almighty becomes the last thing on your mind.  Yet, as emotions die down, Job does leave individuals with advice to find delight in the Lord.

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart, Psalm 37:4.

Job wonders if those discontent with life are using God as a crutch.  This occurs when you call on God only in times of trials and tribulations.  This decision often breeds resentment, eliminating any delight that you may have for God.  Instead of fully trusting God in all ways, there is a temptation to take back the wheel, seeking to control your own life.  If you truly desire to delight yourself in the Lord, don’t go half way.  Rather, follow Job’s advice by calling on God at all times, in the good and bad moments of life.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

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Leaving God at Home While on Vacation

Posted on April 22, 2017 by expressyourself4him

Children often come up with creative means to make the complex simplistic.  Over the years some of these ideas have become popular trinkets.  Whether you are talking about W.W.J.D. bracelets, (what would Jesus do), various crosses or prayer stones, these products serve as reminders of God.  However, when you leave home to go on vacation, it’s not that difficult to forget about God completely.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect, Romans 12:1-2.

A medieval proverb speaks to this truth.  Out of sight out of mind was first published by John Heywood in the middle of the 16th century.  Since Heywood was an avid collector of proverbs, this phrase is thought to have originated during medieval times.  While not a biblical passage, this concept does apply to godly principles.  The mind is like a regulator for human thoughts.  When your mind wonders, it becomes susceptible to demonic influences.

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete, 2 Corinthians 10:3-6.

Although you might have good intentions and motives when you go on vacation, it doesn’t take much to leave God at home.  Finding time alone to pray, read or go to church takes energy, planning and time.  When family time consumes people, distractions can lead driven individuals to make compromises.  Unless you are extremely disciplined, trips can be over before you know it with a Bible unopened, prayers silenced and God ignored.  May my recent experience motivate others to remember to bring God with you the next time you go away on vacation.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Blessed, Fortunate or Normal

Posted on April 21, 2017 by expressyourself4him

I spent last night eating dinner at my parents house.  Beside the normal topics of conversation, I began ask about cousins I haven’t heard from or seen in years.  Unfortunately, each relative’s update included a similar pattern, ending with disappointment, divorce or unfulfilled potential.

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus, Philippians 4:19. 

Like anything in life, there is a temptation to compare yourself with others.  While my life hasn’t been perfect or void of adversity, I feel quite fortunate and blessed.  Up to this point, the Lord has provided daily bread, a sense of accomplishment and passion to pursue my dreams.  Then again, maybe I’m just normal, making the most of what God has given me.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change, James 1:17.

When you study what the Bible says about blessings, you have to be careful not to take verses out of context.  The apostle writes to Philippians after surviving an earthquake and seeing the hand of God in allowing trials to occur.  Meanwhile, the brother of Jesus reflects upon how God is in control, despite how bad your current situation may be.  Nonetheless, when you have experienced a good and decent life, you’re either blessed, fortunate, normal or a little bit of all three.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

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Champ or Chump?

Posted on April 20, 2017 by expressyourself4him

On the surface, it may be hard to tell the difference between a champion and a chump.  Appearances may be deceiving, misleading even the most sophisticated individual.  While time will reveal winners from losers, the prophet Samuel introduces a measuring stick to decipher one from the other.

When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD‘s anointed stands here before the LORD.”  But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart,” 1 Samuel 16:6-7.

From a logical stand point, you can’t open a window to observe someone’s heart.  However, Jesus encourages people to listen what people say.  A first century doctor adds to this concept, claiming words are derived from the overflow of the heart.  While talk is cheap, actions speak louder than words.  A close observation to actions, behavior and vocabulary will distinguish champs from chumps.

“Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body?  But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them,” Matthew 15:17-18.

Unfortunately, modern champs, especially in the context of sports often talk too much.  Thus, someone may be a champ, but also a chump, with little or no character.  This current trend makes it tough to ascertain a champion of the faith.  Trials can radically change individuals, resulting in emotional outbursts.  Therefore, if you need to recognize a genuine champ from an imposter, perseverance and maturity will lead the way.  Emulate the qualities of Christ in this life and you too can become a champion of the faith.

by Jay Mankus

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Measuring Your Treasures

Posted on April 19, 2017 by expressyourself4him

There are various youthanisms which exist about measuring riches.  Some claim he who dies with the most toys wins.  Meanwhile, the eternalist states you can’t take it with you.  Others believe beauty is the eye of the beholder.  These distinctions force individuals to begin to measure their own personal treasures in life.

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal, Matthew 6:20.

During his sermon on the Mount of Olives, Jesus makes a connection between treasure and the human heart.  Priorities dictate how you ultimately invest your time while on earth.  Although some treasures appear to be worth the journey, often your soul experiences fools gold, disappointed in the end.  To avoid future heartache, Jesus encourages his followers to seek treasures that are eternal.

But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! – Matthew 6:24

Within any treasure quest, greed often comes into play.  This desire is portrayed as darkness that can influence your heart.  Anyone who allows darkness to linger is in danger of inviting a spiritual poison into your heart.  Sure, everyone wants to have cake and eat it too.  Yet, at some point you have to determine what you are chasing after.  Since you can’t serve two masters, measure your treasures carefully.

by Jay Mankus

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I’m Sick of It

Posted on April 18, 2017 by expressyourself4him

Every once in a while a song will speak to me.  The timing is perfect, preparing you for the lyrics about to be sung.  Whether its a coincidence, divine intervention or fate, this message connects with your soul.  Such is the case of Skillet’s song Sick of It.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly, John 10:10.

The opening stanza speaks to people struggling with life.  This appeals to those who keep trying to make there life better without any signs of improvement on the horizon.  Like a boxer on the verge of giving up training for a big fight, progress will determine if you continue.  Anyone who is tired of losing often throws in the towel before letting things play out.
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 2 Peter 1:3.
In the film Shawshank Redemption, Andy Dufresne played by Tim Robbins has a I’m sick of it moment.  Frustrated by the injustice he has endured, Dufresne finds himself at a crossroads in life with one of two choices to make.  “Either get busy living or get busy dying.”  This same question must be addressed by anyone sick of their current situation.  May you choose life.

by Jay Mankus

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It Seemed Pretty Innocent at the Time

Posted on April 17, 2017 by expressyourself4him

Hollywood story lines attempt to produce a few basic responses.  Comedies seek to provoke laughter, dramas hope to gain your attention and genres somewhere in between try to imitate life through the art of entertainment.  Despite getting this down to a science, projecting which film, series and program will flop or succeed hasn’t been perfected.  Thus, the concept of pushing the envelope continues, stretching further and further each year.

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! – Isaiah 5:20

The idea of a poor school teacher dying of cancer turning toward drugs to provide for his family seemed pretty innocent at the time.  The backdrop to Breaking Bad was original and made sense.  Why would a hard working man want to leave his family with the debt of countless medical bills.  Yet, as chemistry teacher Walter White begins manufacturing and selling methamphetamine, a cult following began during this shows five year run.  Like anything in life, this concept influenced some to produce and experiment with meth.

For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer, Romans 13:4.

My wife flew to Chicago on Wednesday for a funeral of a family member who became enslaved by meth.  While Bryan Cranston was able to evade the law in Breaking Bad, my nephew wasn’t as fortunate.  In real life, most behavior seems relatively innocent at first.  Yet, as you move from the light into darkness, evil stimulates further immoral acts.  By the time most people come to their senses, addiction has already arrived.  While I’m not blaming this hit show for Brandon’s drug overdose, I’m merely warning anyone on the verge of breaking bad.  May God send the Holy Spirit quickly to those who need divine intervention to escape darkness by finding the light.

by Jay Mankus

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Save Us From Ourselves

Posted on April 16, 2017 by expressyourself4him

As a child, going out to dinner was a luxury, something saved for special celebrations.  When this did occur, there was always at least one table with out of control children.  In the heat of the moment, one of the parents blurted out, “I can’t take you anywhere, can I?”  This experience serves as a subtle reminder that human beings need to be saved from themselves.

The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”  “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” – Matthew 21:9

The word Hosanna is introduced in the Old Testament.  However, its most famous reference occurs on Palm Sunday quoted in the verse above.  The actual definition of Hosanna is Lord save us.  However, over time the true meaning was altered to include blessed are those for Jesus has come.  However, this doesn’t save individuals from the fact that mankind are fallen creatures in desperate need of a Savior.

LORD, save us! LORD, grant us success! – Psalm 118:25

Over 2,000 years later, this fact is the reason why people celebrate every Easter Sunday.  The resurrection of Jesus is a fulfillment of the Psalmist’s words.  What Adam ruined, Christ returned to restore that which was lost.  Therefore, as you wake up to attend a sunrise service or plan on attending a regular church service, may you find hope and peace in the promise of Hosanna.

by Jay Mankus

 

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