Category Archives: truth

Until You Repent

Posted on August 9, 2016 by expressyourself4him

Taking advice from a stranger usually doesn’t go over well.  Some will be insulted, others perturbed and most will shut down, unwilling to go any further with the current conversation.  However, when God is the stranger, perhaps you should open your heart and mind to the message provided.

Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings, Proverbs 1:23.

In a letter addressed to his sons, Solomon stresses the importance of listening like a voice of reason.  Trying to urge his children to avoid the same mistakes he made, Solomon reinforces the principle of repentance.  If you drive long enough, sooner or later you will miss your turn.  Thus, if you want to reach your desired destination, making a U-turn is a must.

But whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm, Proverbs 1:33.

The Lord promises the blessing of a safe life to those who heed this call.  Yet, for those too stubborn to stop, drop and pray, calamity is awaiting, with disaster, trouble and distress on the menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  While the choice is obvious, too many people end up on the wrong side of the fence.  If you’re currently wondering, what the hell is going on, its likely heartache will continue until you repent.

by Jay Mankus

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Let It All Play Out

Posted on August 8, 2016 by expressyourself4him

A prognosticator attempts to forecast what will happen in the future based upon present signs and indicators.  At the beginning of any election or sports season, these experts flood the airways hoping to accurately predict winners and losers.  While some have a better track record than others, before people get carried away its better to let things play out.

For the Lord God does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets, Amos 3:7.

In the game of life, God uses prophets, individuals in tune with the Holy Spirit to shine light on the path which should be taken.  Despite the obvious, the Lord does not force people to go along with his plan.  Rather, free will is offered as a choice to either accept or reject advice provided.  Some need to learn the hard way, like the Israelites who once wandered 40 years in the desert before submitting to the will of God.

For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit, 2 Peter 1:21.

While the book of Revelation reveals how life on earth ends, this doesn’t give believers permission to throw their hands up in the air and proclaim, “things are out of my control.”  Instead, God wants his children to let it all play out, day after day.  Sure, it would be nice to fast forward, skip death and advance to heaven.  Yet, the Lord has a plan for you and me to leave a lasting impression of a risen Messiah.  Therefore, let tomorrow worry about itself by asking God to guide you daily as a servant of the Lord.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Taken Away

Posted on August 7, 2016 by expressyourself4him

In the 1972 Men’s Basketball Olympic Gold Medal Game, the buzzer sounded twice at the end of the game with the United States leading 50-49.  However, the officials stopped the game a final time, putting 3 second back on the clock.  On the third attempt, the U.S.S.R. caught a long inbound pass and scored a two point basket as time expired.  Despite an appeal to the Olympic Committee, the final score was upheld giving the gold medal to the Soviet’s squad.  Today, the silver medals of this team remain in a Swiss bank vault, unclaimed as their gold medal was taken away.

For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it, Matthew 16:25.

You don’t have to be an athlete to have something taken away.  A car accident may leave an individual paralyzed.  Some sort of rare illness can steal the health of a young and formerly energetic soul.  Meanwhile, careers, jobs and relationships may end prematurely, without your consent or failed attempts to save them.  Whenever you endure heartbreak, these moments in time may take years to overcome.  Somethings in life just aren’t fair and what’s worse God tends to be receive the blame for most of life’s troubles.

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst,” John 6:35.

As God closes the door abruptly on one aspect in your life, faith is what gets individuals through periods of darkness.  Although the day light may not come soon enough, an invisible source will stand by your side.  Promising the Holy Spirit, Jesus foresaw a time when things would be taken away on this earth.  Subsequently, when this day arrives, its essential to turn your attention toward the bread of life.  Don’t let what has been taken away from you develop into a life filled with bitterness and regret.  Rather, press on through days of darkness to find meaning and purpose in Christ.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

 

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The Content of Character; Not the Color of Your Skin

Posted on August 6, 2016 by expressyourself4him

In this age of instant information, individuals have become synonymous with specific acts, movements or speeches.  Whether its Benedict Arnold during the Revolutionary War, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as a civil rights leader or Abraham Lincoln for his second inaugural address, these moments transcend time.  Yet, in the end, you should be judged based upon the content of character displayed, not the color of your skin.

But since you refuse to listen when I call and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand, Proverbs 1:24.

During the most recent Democratic and Republican National Convention, certain groups tried to high-jack and steer the audience toward their movement.  Thus, Black Lives Matter either protested or expressed their beliefs within these avenues.  In response, opposition crowds chimed in with All Lives Matter as well as Blue Lives Matter.  These highly charged reactions is freedom of speech in action.  Nonetheless, those caught up by emotions may miss the point, the content of your character is what truly matters.

I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you; I will mock when calamity overtakes you—Proverbs 1:26.

Sure, this day and age is not your parents generation, but respect should be encouraged.  Without decency, open debate and common courtesy, opinions are merely a voice in the wind.  Maybe children haven’t been raised properly.  Perhaps, parents have become hypocrites, setting a bad example for those still growing up.  Despite this, Americans should not forgot Dr. King’s “I have a dream speech.”  For if this message is rejected, this country will regress, returning to a nation that is once again color blind.

by Jay Mankus

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You’ve Got to Be Kidding Me?

Posted on August 5, 2016 by expressyourself4him

The other day I caught the end of a news update of a female student suspended by the University of Houston.  Initially, I thought, maybe she failed a drug test or was involved in some type of plagiarism scandal.  During the next news cycle, I discovered Rohini Sethi was disciplined for a public post on Facebook.

While evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived, 2 Timothy 3:13.

While maybe I would have altered a few words in this post, essentially Rohini was punished for expressing her first amendment right of free speech.  Unfortunately, in this politically correct culture, saying that all lives matters, not just black lives is considered racism.  Subsequently, once this suspension ends, Rohini will be programmed through sensitivity training to correct the error or her ways.  If this a sign of higher education, count me out.

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 2 Timothy 3:14.

I’m not sure what has brought America to this place in time, but this latest attempt of liberal indoctrination breaks my heart.  Since education has been high-jacked by atheists, naturalistic scholars and the progressive movement, absolutes no longer come from the Bible.  I wish I was kidding, but unless a spirit of revival breaks out soon, the America I once knew and loved might cease to exist.  May God help us all!

by Jay Mankus

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The Hope of Glory

Posted on August 4, 2016 by expressyourself4him

Hope is usually a vehicle which leads to glory.  When hope is absent, individuals struggle to find meaning and purpose in life.  However, as soon as the fruit of hope is conceived, this invisible source leads people to reach their final destination.  The hope of glory is achieved when souls put their faith in Christ for eternity.

To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory, Colossians 1:27.

In a world full of disappointment, its hard to find something that will last.  While Israel was always known as God’s chosen people, those outside of this nation developed an inferiority complex.  Nonetheless, the Bible promises a day when Gentiles will be introduced to the glorious riches of Christ.  Thus, the moment anyone confesses with their mouth and believe in their heart that Jesus Christ is Lord, the hope of glory is obtained.

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ, Romans 10:17.

As this modern age turns toward a progressive life style, the words of the Bible is being discarded as a source for truth.  In return, the narrative of this historic book is being devalued causing many to lose their faith.  The best way to combat this reality is to daily listen to biblical principles.  Unless a devotional and prayer life become deeply rooted, experiencing the hope of glory is a pipe dream.  Therefore, before its too late to repent, place your trust solely in the Holy Spirit so that Christ within you will be manifested as the hope of glory.

by Jay Mankus

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The Rise of the Sons of Ishmael

Posted on August 3, 2016 by expressyourself4him

This summer has seen an increase in acts of terror across the country and throughout the world.  Before the shock of one tragedy sets in, another takes its place, taking the lives of innocent children, men and women.  Cable news experts on terrorism tend to blame the overflow of refuges from Syria taking Jihad into other foreign countries in the name of Isis.  However, the Bible suggests the root of this axis of evil is the rise of the sons of Ishmael.

The angel of the LORD also said to her: “You are now pregnant and you will give birth to a son. You shall name him Ishmael, for the LORD has heard of your misery, Genesis 16:11.

Rarely, does one selfish act of lust result in long lasting consequences.  Yet, when Sarah refused to believe that she would be the grandmother of Israel, panic set in, allowing her husband to have a one night stand with a concubine.  Subsequently, Hagar becomes pregnant, conceives and gives birth to Ishmael, the father of all Arab nations.  This opened the door for the sons of Israel to be haunted and hunted by the descendants of Ishmael.  This was the day that terrorism was born.

He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone’s hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers,” Genesis 16:12.

The events of today are merely the fulfillment of this prophecy made by an angel of the Lord.  The Bible does not say or suggest that Sarah could have reversed this curse upon the Jews.  Rather, this passage is a painful reminder of how one careless act can impact an entire generation of citizens.  In view of this upsetting news, one of the best things you can do is pray for God’s mercy.  Although everyone will eventually die, prayers for safety can serve as a hedge of protection as the sons of Ishmael continue to rise.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Why Some Don’t Get Over the Hump?

Posted on August 2, 2016 by expressyourself4him

There have been times in my life that I wanted to know, “why me Lord?”  Whenever you experience disappointment, failure or rejection, its not selfish to want understand why you have to endure yet another trial.  The Bible is full of servants questioning God for the hand each has been dealt.  Yet, I recently came across a passage which might explain why I haven’t gotten over the proverbial hump.

Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism, Colossians 3:25.

According to the apostle Paul, individuals are repaid for each wrong doing committed.  While the world is full of favoritism with many getting free passes on past transgressions, the Bible has a different standard to live by.  Subsequently, heartaches I have faced could be directly or indirectly related to prior poor choices made by me.  Whatever the reason for the rough stretches I have undergone, maybe I need to ask God for forgiveness before I point the blame toward heaven.

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows, Galatians 6:7.

Perhaps, this is what the apostle Paul is referencing above.  A growing number of people pass the buck today, blaming others or situations instead of taking personal responsibility for their own actions.  Despite this attempt, God can’t be mocked.  Thus, until Christians recognize the sowing principle, they won’t be able to get over the hump.  When you come to this realization, practice the words of James 5:16.

by Jay Mankus

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The Value of a Soul

Posted on August 1, 2016 by expressyourself4him

One of Jesus’ commands made to first first century followers involves the human soul.  After the heart, the soul is placed in front of the mind as the second most important part of the human body.  The context of this passage summarizes the first and greatest commandment.  This message highlights the value of a soul.

Jesus replied: “ ’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind,’ Matthew 22:37.

While talking to his disciples, Jesus suggests that its possible to forfeit your soul.  Maybe He was trying to warn Judas Iscariot of his initial thought of betrayal.  On the other hand, Jesus appears to recognize an unhealthy pattern within Peter.  Beginning to think like Satan, Jesus brings this concern front and center, afraid that one of his leaders could have their soul poisoned by evil.

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 16:26

This caution continues today with countless distractions to lure a soul away from God.  The Devil still uses the same temptations Jesus endured in Matthew 4.  Every day physical, mental and spiritual obstacles lurk around every corner.  The question is will you allow temporary pleasures to alter your standards?  Whatever your decision, may you embrace the value of a soul by resisting the Devil and drawing near to God.

by Jay Mankus

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A New Type of Addiction

Posted on July 31, 2016 by expressyourself4him

Cravings, dependence and enslavement are all terms associated with addiction.  This invisible struggle tends to go unnoticed.  Initial signs are subtle as souls wrestle with self-control prior to patterns being revealed.  In the context of alcohol and drugs, actions, behavior and obsessions become obvious over time.  Unfortunately, until individuals come to grips with their losing battle, conditions will continue on a downward spiral.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God, Colossians 3:1.

Last weekend I had lunch just north of Amish country.  After picking up my kids from their week long camp, I wanted to spend some time together learning of their experience.  Hoping to get a flavor of Lancaster County, my son chose a diner with several cars in the parking lot.  To my surprise many of the customers were busy playing Pokemon Go on their phones.  This popular app’s success is a sign of a new type of addiction.

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things, Colossians 3:2.

Recreation serves as a vehicle to revitalize souls.  However, when individuals become captivated with what’s on their phones, hearts and minds become weakened.  Hobbies are a good and fun way to pass time.  Yet, as people become attached and hooked to their phones or tablets, unhealthy patterns form.  The concept of being still before the Lord is replaced by a new type of addiction to technology.  May those distracted by these modern devises reflect upon the apostle Paul’s words and be moved to fix their hearts and minds on eternal things.

by Jay Mankus

 

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