Category Archives: Truth

Life Songs to Get You Through Crossroad Moments in Life

Posted on December 10, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Since attending Junior High, music has always been a resource for me. Whenever I needed comfort, encouragement, hope, inspiration or motivation, I would play a song that provided just what I needed to hear. During today’s sermon at Fearless Church, today’s theme popped into my head. When I first moved to Delaware in Elementary School, I began having nightmares about dying. One of these reoccurring dreams led me to contemplate the meaning of life. Years later, the song When You Die by the Kry became my first life song to get me through this initial crossroad in life.

For whoever wants to save his [[r]higher, spiritual, eternal] life, will lose it [the [s]lower, natural, temporal life [t]which is lived only on earth]; and whoever gives up his life [which is lived only on earth] for My sake and the Gospel’s will save it [his [u]higher, spiritual life [v]in the eternal kingdom of God]. 36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his life [[w]in the eternal kingdom of God]? 37 For what can a man give as an exchange ([x]a compensation, a ransom, in return) for his [blessed] life [[y]in the eternal kingdom of God]? – Mark 8:35-37

In my second year of high school, I experienced a nervous breakdown. After receiving several invites to attend a Fellowship of Christian Athletes Bible Study by my Science Teacher and future swim coach, I finally went. Like the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15, I came to my spiritual senses. In the years that followed, Ken Horne became my spiritual mentor. Through this monthly Bible Study, attending conferences and retreat, I was introduced to the Benny Hester song, When God Ran. As a former cross-country runner, these lyrics spoke to my heart at the perfect time.

Then when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father have enough food, and [even food] to spare, but I am perishing (dying) here of hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; [just] make me like one of your hired servants. 20 So he got up and came to his [own] father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity and tenderness [for him]; and he ran and embraced him and kissed him [[j]fervently], Luke 15:17-20.

My final crossroad that I had to overcome as a young adult was the fear of public speaking. When you’re born with a severe speech impediment in the form of stuttering, this battle took nearly 20 years to conquer. While serving as a college team member on a Lay Witness Mission for a Methodist Church in Friendship, Maryland, Ken thought I was ready to share Sunday’s sermon to culminate this weekend. Thanks to the song Feel the Nails by Ray Boltz, when I got up, the Holy Spirit spoke through me. At the end of this message I called, Stop Playing Games with God, I played the attached song. As I began to bow my head in prayer, students hurried to the altar. Feel the Nails is one of the life songs that altered my life and led me to become a high school Bible Teacher.

I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me, Galatians 2:20.

As you make room in your life this Christmas season, contemplate your own life songs. When you feel your faith slide sliding away from God, lean on these songs to bring you back. When the storms in your life subside, the anchor of faith will hold and sustain you.

by Jay Mankus

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The Crossover Connection Week 45: A Softer Version of Whitesnake

Posted on December 9, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Today’s featured band was inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame in 2010. Despite numerous top songs and albums, White Heart never received a Grammy or won a Dove Award. Nonetheless, White Heart’s debut in 1982, 13 albums and their sound gives off vibes of Whitesnake as well as that classic rock and roll of the 1980’s.

And when you spread forth your hands [in prayer, imploring help], I will hide My eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood! 16 Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes! Cease to do evil, 17 Learn to do right! Seek justice, relieve the oppressed, and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless, plead for the widow. 18 Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be like wool, Isaiah 1:15-18.

Due to the limited access to Christian Rock music as a teenager, I never discovered White Heart until college. While the Powerhouse album is the first cassette I purchased, the song Invitation drew me toward White Heart’s music. If you’re a big fan of rock music from the 1980’s, I think you’ll enjoy listening to White Heart this week.

by Jay Mankus

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When the Lord Speaks to You

Posted on December 9, 2023 by expressyourself4him

You’ll never know when the Lord has a message for you. This could be while you’re driving, watching a movie, talking a walk or half asleep in bed. The only problem about knowing this is the Lord speaking is one’s ability to discern and hear an invisible God. Like Amber Tamblyn’s role playing Joan Giradi in Joan of Arcadia, if you tell anyone that God is talking to you, others will think you’re crazy.

The Lord said to Moses in Midian, Go back to Egypt; for all the men who were seeking your life [for killing the Egyptian] are dead. 20 And Moses took his wife and his sons and set them on donkeys, and he returned to the land of Egypt; and Moses took the rod of God in his hand, Exodus 4:19-20.

After fleeing Egypt, Moses remained in Midian for an extended period of time. Besides getting married, Moses was hired by his father-in-law Jethro to oversee his growing herd. Moses spent several years living as a foreigner in a strange land until the Lord spoke to him. While this initial introduction via a flame within a bush seemed odd, Moses learned to hear and discern God’s voice.

 I have still many things to say to you, but you are not able to bear them or to take them upon you or to grasp them now. 13 But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future], John 6:12-13.

Prior to his death, resurrection and ascension into heaven, Jesus introduced what one of his disciples calls the Spirit of Truth. In the age of the New Testament, 2000 years later, the Holy Spirit serves as a mediator between God and human beings. When the Lord speaks to you today in a variety of ways, rely on this spiritual counselor for understanding. Pray that God will give you ears to hear daily so the next time the Lord speaks, you’ll be ready to listen.

by Jay Mankus

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Lost and Found

Posted on December 8, 2023 by expressyourself4him

If you’ve ever lost something valuable at school or work, most places still have a lost and found area. While this doesn’t mean that a good Samaritan will take the time to return what you lost, there is a process in place to restore what was lost. During a meal with a first century tax collector, Jesus refers to His purpose for coming to earth: to seek and to save that which was lost.

And Jesus said to him, Today is [[b]Messianic and spiritual] salvation come to [all the members of] this household, since Zacchaeus too is a [real spiritual] son of Abraham; 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost, Luke 19:9-10.

This concept was shared with a Pharisee named Nicodemus. Meeting under the cover of darkness, Nick wanted to know more about being born again, John 3:1-5. Trying to be sarcastic, Jesus shuts down any attempts by Nicodemus to be funny. Jesus felt so strongly about the topic of lost and found, the hope of eternal life is presented below.

For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten ([d]unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him, John 3:16-17.

Christian artist Brit Nicole sings about this message in her song “the Lost Get Found.” If you want to dissect this spiritual concept, God isn’t a disciplinarian looking to strike sinners down with fire and brimstone from heaven. Rather, God’s heart breaks when a sheep gets lost, Luke 15:6-7. Therefore, God loves the lost and sent His one and only son Jesus to save us from sin. This is the hope of Christmas: the Mass of Christ.

by Jay Mankus

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Be the Light… Not the Darkness

Posted on December 7, 2023 by expressyourself4him

As a college student, I struggled to distinguish when my professor was saying something that I needed to know for an upcoming test from general knowledge on a topic. Subsequently, my notetaking skills had to evolve and improve if I wanted to raise my grades. When I apply this concept to the Bible, darkness is mentioned 175 times with 439 verses discussing light. Common sense tells me to be the light and not the darkness.

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a peck measure, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your [z]moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and [aa]recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven, Matthew 5:14-16.

Jesus choses light as one of the tone setters for His Sermon on the Mount. While darkness can be scary, light has the ability to penetrate darkness. The brighter the light, the more darkness and the unknown can be illuminated for all to see. Anyone who decides to demonstrate the beatitudes serves as a powerful light for the world to be drawn to. Yet, light is a choice and darkness has the power to persuade an entire room into becoming negative.

Do all things without grumbling and faultfinding and complaining [[l]against God] and [m]questioning and doubting [among yourselves], 15 That you may show yourselves to be blameless and guileless, innocent and uncontaminated, children of God without blemish (faultless, unrebukable) in the midst of a crooked and wicked generation [spiritually perverted and perverse], among whom you are seen as bright lights (stars or beacons shining out clearly) in the [dark] world, 16 Holding out [to it] and offering [to all men] the Word of Life, so that in the day of Christ I may have something of which exultantly to rejoice and glory in that I did not run my race in vain or spend my labor to no purpose, Philippians 2:14-16.

This is a point the apostle Paul is trying to prove in a letter to the Church at Philippi. Don’t let the temptation of darkness steer you in the wrong direction, Matthew 7:13-14. Rather, rise above this urge to shine like stars among the darkness of night. The more perverse and wicked a generation, the greater the light of Christ can shine. As you approach another Christmas, may the songs of this season inspire you to be the light and not the darkness among hectic shoppers.

by Jay Mankus

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Do Not Stifle the Work of God

Posted on December 6, 2023 by expressyourself4him

The Bible is like a giant jigsaw puzzle with millions of pieces that you need to put together. If one piece is missing, you won’t fully understand the message God is trying to reveal. To provide a complete picture, I combined similar passages written to two different churches. These main verses should help you better understand how not to stifle the work of God.

Do not quench (suppress or subdue) the [Holy] Spirit; 20 Do not spurn the gifts and utterances of the prophets [do not depreciate prophetic revelations nor despise inspired instruction or exhortation or warning], 1 Thessalonians 5:19-20.

The apostle Paul begins this discussion by warning Christians to avoid quenching, suppressing or subduing the Holy Spirit. If you just read the above passage, Paul only mentions anyone devaluing specific spiritual gifts as well as prophetic messages uttered. In an earlier message to the Church at Ephesus, Paul expounds upon how Christians might individually stifle the work of God.

When angry, do not sin; do not ever let your wrath (your exasperation, your fury or indignation) last until the sun goes down.27 Leave no [such] room or foothold for the devil [give no opportunity to him]. 28 Let the thief steal no more, but rather let him be industrious, making an honest living with his own hands, so that he may be able to give to those in need. 29 Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God’s favor) to those who hear it. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God [do not offend or vex or sadden Him], by Whom you were sealed (marked, branded as God’s own, secured) for the day of redemption (of final deliverance through Christ from evil and the consequences of sin). 31 Let all bitterness and indignation and wrath (passion, rage, bad temper) and resentment (anger, animosity) and quarreling (brawling, clamor, contention) and slander (evil-speaking, abusive or blasphemous language) be banished from you, with all malice (spite, ill will, or baseness of any kind), Ephesians 4:27-31.

Anytime a Christian begins to dabble in acts of the sinful nature, Galatians 5:16-21, God’s work is stifled. When your flesh overrides spiritual inklings, Galatians 5:25, the Holy Spirit is snuffed out. If this behavior becomes a habit, you are grieving the Holy Spirit like the words of Hebrews 6:1-6. May today’s blog serve as a warning to avoid falling down the slippery slope of grieving and stifling the work of God in you.

by Jay Mankus

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The Judge and Jury

Posted on December 5, 2023 by expressyourself4him

I grew up watching Judge Wapner who was the star of People’s Court. This successful program inspired Night Court which was a comedic perspective dealing with daily disputes. Unfortunately, there are individuals who crave positions of power today, seeking to be in control. Although some of these personalities don’t realize it, they love playing the role of Judge and jury.

He went out the second day and saw two Hebrew men quarreling and fighting; and he said to the unjust aggressor, Why are you striking your comrade? 14 And the man said, Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you intend to kill me as you killed the Egyptian? Then Moses was afraid and thought, Surely this thing is known, Exodus 2:13-14.

As a bystander watching two men arguing and fighting, Moses felt compelled to do something. Moses’ response to the situation above wasn’t received well. Based upon one of the two men in this dispute, Moses was seeking to be the judge and jury of the Hebrews. Raised by Pharaoh’s daughter, Moses thought he was simply doing his civic duty to help others in need.

Do not judge and criticize and condemn others, so that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourselves. 2 For just as you judge and criticize and condemn others, you will be judged and criticized and condemned, and in accordance with the measure you [use to] deal out to others, it will be dealt out again to you. 3 Why do you [a]stare from without at the [b]very small particle that is in your brother’s eye but do not become aware of and consider the beam [c]of timber that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, Let me get the tiny particle out of your eye, when there is the beam [d]of timber in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first get the beam of timber out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the tiny particle out of your brother’s eye, Matthew 7:1-5.

Judging others was also an issue in the first century. Jesus spends the final chapter of the Sermon on the Mount addressing anyone who believes that they should be the judge and jury of others. Rather than focus on the flaws and weaknesses of others, Jesus taught early followers to take care of your own life before trying to correct other people. Then and only then will other people begin to take your comments seriously, Philippians 2:1-4.

by Jay Mankus

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The Great Commission Misnomer

Posted on December 4, 2023 by expressyourself4him

The Great Commission is Jesus’ instructions to His disciples following His resurrection on Easter Sunday. Jesus entrusts these 11 men, down one after Judas’ suicide, to spread the good news about Jesus long after His ascension, John 3:16-17. The most common quoted verses appear at the end of the Gospel of Matthew and Mark. However, I chose the passage from Luke who records Jesus’ last words before His ascension into heaven.

So when they were assembled, they asked Him, Lord, is this the time when You will reestablish the kingdom and restore it to Israel? 7 He said to them, It is not for you to become acquainted with and know [b]what time brings [the things and events of time and their definite periods] or fixed [c]years and seasons (their critical niche in time), which the Father has appointed (fixed and reserved) by His own choice and authority and personal power. 8 But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth, Acts 1:6-8.

The Great Commission serves as a blueprint for modern churches for where to share their faith. If you would place the Great Commission on a map, plan A is your local city or town. Once everyone in this location has been reached, plan B begins with all the surrounding areas outside city limits. This includes local counties, suburbs and states. The final plan calls for going to the ends of the earth, beginning with your state and country.

Now the word of the Lord came to [a]Jonah son of Amittai, saying, 2 Arise, go to [b]Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim against it, for their wickedness has come up before Me. 3 But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from being in the presence of the Lord [as His prophet] and went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish [the most remote of the Phoenician trading places then known]. So he paid the appointed fare and went down into the ship to go with them to Tarshish from being in the presence of the Lord [as His servant and minister]. 4 But the Lord sent out a great wind upon the sea, and there was a violent tempest on the sea so that the ship was about to be broken. 5 Then the mariners were afraid, and each man cried to his god; and they cast the goods that were in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone down into the inner part of the ship and had lain down and was fast asleep, Jonah 1:1-5.

The misnomer that I see all the time is churches sending missionaries to the ends of the earth before reaching surrounding towns and villages. Subsequently, many metropolitan cities have been bypassed for more exotic locations overseas. While all nations need to hear the good news about Jesus Christ, inner cities are in desperate need of hope. May today’s blog inspire individuals to develop a heart for nearby cities before reaching others outside your home country.

by Jay Mankus

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Size is Just A Number When Faith Stands Tall

Posted on December 3, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Children are introduced to the first century tax collector Zacchaeus as a wee little man. From a politically correct perspective, modern songs would refer to Zacchaeus as vertically challenged. Unfortunately, human nature causes individuals to be attracted to height and physical features, 1 Samuel 16:6-7. Yet, God cares about how big your faith is and your heart.

And [Jesus] entered Jericho and was passing through it. 2 And there was a man called Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector, and [he was] rich. 3 And he was trying to see Jesus, which One He was, but he could not on account of the crowd, because he was small in stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up in a sycamore tree in order to see Him, for He was about to pass that way, Luke 19:1-4.

Whenever Christians are on fire for Jesus, faith overlooks any obstacles that might stand in your way. Despite being under five feet tall, Zacchaeus used his excitement to finally see Jesus, climbing a nearby tree. The citizens of Jericho heard of all the miracles Jesus had performed, reaching legendary status. This is the context of the above passage.

And when Jesus reached the place, He looked up and said to him, Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today. 6 So he hurried and came down, and he received and welcomed Him joyfully. 7 And when the people saw it, they all [a]muttered among themselves and indignantly complained, He has gone in to be the guest of and lodge with a man who is devoted to sin and preeminently a sinner. 8 So then Zacchaeus stood up and solemnly declared to the Lord, See, Lord, the half of my goods I [now] give [by way of restoration] to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone out of anything, I [now] restore four times as much. 9 And Jesus said to him, Today is [[b]Messianic and spiritual] salvation come to [all the members of] this household, since Zacchaeus too is a [real spiritual] son of Abraham; 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost, Luke 19:5-10.

When the prophet Samuel was in the process of appointing a new king for Israel, even the godly were searching for someone who looked presidential. Yet, God looks at your heart. Despite Zacchaeus’ profession and shady business deals, he was open to the Gospel message, John 3:16-17. Therefore, don’t let a lack of size limit your future. Rather, put your trust in the Lord so that your faith stands tall, Proverbs 3:5-6.

by Jay Mankus

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The Crossover Connection Week 44: A Mix of Blues and Classic Rock

Posted on December 2, 2023 by expressyourself4him

There was a time in the 1980’s that churches and pastors believed that rock music was of the Devil. I even attended a Seminar entitled Why Knock Rock? Despite this opposition in the Christian community, the group David and the Giants emerged as an acceptable alternative to rock music. Subsequently, I kept on buying album after album, making David and the Giants one of my favorite groups.

And David girded his sword over his armor. Then he tried to go, but could not, for he was not used to it. And David said to Saul, I cannot go with these, for I am not used to them. And David took them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones out of the brook and put them in his shepherd’s [lunch] bag [a whole kid’s skin slung from his shoulder], in his pouch, and his sling was in his hand, and he drew near the Philistine. 41 The Philistine came on and drew near to David, the man who bore the shield going before him. 42 And when the Philistine looked around and saw David, he scorned and despised him, for he was but an adolescent, with a healthy reddish color and a fair face. 43 And the Philistine said to David, Am I a dog, that you should come to me with sticks? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 The Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field. 45 Then said David to the Philistine, You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the ranks of Israel, Whom you have defied. 46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will smite you and cut off your head. And I will give the corpses of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, 1 Samuel 17:39-46.

While David and the Giants recorded numerous albums over the years, their most memorable songs are ballads. I was so moved by the lyrics of Perfect Love that my friend Matt sang it at my wedding with Leanne. Always on My Mind and Stumbling Block into a Steppingstone are just a few classic songs that bring tears to my eyes. As you listen to the attached album, may you be touched like I have over the past 30 years.

by Jay Mankus

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