ExpressYourself4Him

Passage of the Day:

And Abel brought of the firstborn of his flock and of the fat portions. And the Lord had respect and regard for Abel and for his offering, ⁵ But for ^[a]Cain and his offering He had no respect or regard. So Cain was exceedingly angry and indignant, and he looked sad and depressed. ⁶ And the Lord said to Cain, Why are you angry? And why do you look sad and depressed and dejected? ⁷ If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin crouches at your door; its desire is for you, but you must master it, Genesis 4:4-7.

Reflection:

Whenever envy or jealousy is conceived inside your heart, it’s only a matter of time before actions, behaviors, and words will reflect this, Luke 6:43-45. After failing to intervene when Eve and the Serpent were speaking, God takes a proactive role to confront thoughts rushing through Cain’s mind. This is where the concept of mastering your mind is derived.

Prayerful Action:

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. ⁶ And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete, 2 Corinthians 10:5-6.

Renewing Your Mind:

The apostle Paul reveals his own struggles with sin in Romans 7:15-20. Whenever human beings allow their minds to wander like Eve in Genesis 3:6, sin becomes conceived within your mind. The same spiritual leader who was unable to do the right thing in Romans 7:20 realized that the only way to escape sin is to start looking for the way out of temptation, 1 Corinthians 10:13. This is how Christians need to start learning how to master their minds in 2024.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

The former Ole Miss football player Chucky Mullins once said after losing his ability to walk, “don’t quit; don’t ever give up!” This is the mindset it takes to master your mind spiritually. Although you may fail by giving into sin in 2024, don’t ever give up your quest to master your mind!

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

How can a young person stay on the path of purity?  By living according to your word. ¹⁰ I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. ¹¹ I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. ¹² Praise be to you, Lord; teach me your decrees. ¹³ With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. ¹⁴ I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. ¹⁵ I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. ¹⁶ I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word, Psalm 119:9-16.

Reflection:

There are moments in life where God has been front and center, always on my mind. Unfortunately, these moments are few and far between. Whether it’s projects around the house, writing or watching sports, my mind is easily distracted. Consumed by what I am doing, by the time I look at my phone, it’s too late to spend quality time with God in Bible Study or prayer. If I plan ahead in 2024, this bad habit can be altered to devote more time on my calendar for God.

Prayerful Action:

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;  I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” ¹¹ The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress, Psalm 46:10-11.

Renewing Your Mind:

If age is now just a number, time should be a portion of your day blocked out to meet with God. Whether this is an early morning walk, long commute to work or a quiet place, make room for God in your life in 2024. Don’t put this off for another day, week or month. Seize the day now!

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful, Joshua 1:8.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces^[a] of this world rather than on Christ, Colossians 2:8.

Reflection:

I spent ten years searching for realistic examples of God in Hollywood. My goal as a high school Bible teacher was to highlight God’s character and nature. While I was never fully satisfied, scenes and episodes from Joan of Arcadia scratched the surface. Pieces of Evan Almighty also detail the mystery of God. Yet, this research also revealed troubling facts like revisionist historians who seek to erase evidence of Jesus’ birth, life, death and resurrection from history. Watch out as end times begin, this will only intensify.

Prayerful Action:

Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰ Do not treat prophecies with contempt ²¹ but test them all; hold on to what is good, ²² reject every kind of evil. ²³ May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it, 1 Thessalonians 5:19-24.

Renewing Your Mind:

As Michael W. Smith sings about in his song Learn and Live, it’s important to avoid repeating the same mistakes over and over again. As Christians read and meditate upon the Bible, the better prepared they will be when similar situations occur in the future. During my first encounter with a practicing witch, I was left speechless. Yet, in the years that have followed, I pay close attention to any and all spiritual threats so that I’m not caught off guard, 1 Peter 5:8.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 1 Peter 3:15.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,^[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. ⁶ But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. ⁸ Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do, James 1:2-8.

Reflection:

I spent the majority of my youth riding the highs and lows in life, emotionally unstable. I let my circumstances, current situation and daily events dictate my mood. I could lift an entire room up before dragging everyone around me to the depths of my depressed state. This was my version of living a double minded life, in desperate need of a steady mind.

Prayerful Action:

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. ¹⁶ And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. ¹⁷ As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. ¹⁸ For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.^[c] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. ¹⁹ For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. ²⁰ 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 7:15-25

Renewing Your Mind:

When I have been at my weakest state mentally, I have sought out accountability partners to help restore me back where the Lord wanted me. When I was in college, I joined an accountability group with Christians who attended a three-day Chrysalis Weekend. Once a week we met a friend’s house off campus to hold each other accountability. Although some weeks were easily than others, developing a steady mind often requires intervention, tough love and a prayer warrior mentality.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: ¹⁰ If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. ¹¹ Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? ¹² Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. ⁶ The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. ⁷ The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. ⁸ Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God, Romans 8:5-8.

Reflection:

Adam and Eve knew the only rule set by God in the Garden of Eden, Genesis 2:15-17. Unfortunately, this didn’t stop the Devil from planting the seed of doubt into Eve’s mind in Genesis 3:4-5. When harmless thoughts go unchecked and untested, 1 Thessalonians 5:21, sin is often conceived within human minds until it is acted upon. This is why you should pay close attention to mindful matters in 2024.

Prayerful Action:

But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life^[d] because of righteousness. ¹¹ And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of^[e] his Spirit who lives in you. ¹² Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. ¹³ For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, Romans 8:10-13.

Renewing Your Mind:

Letting go of earthly pleasures and treasures is not easy. However, if you continue to listen to secular music and television, your mind will be persuaded to compromise biblical values just like Adam and Eve. Therefore, the sooner you take a stand, Ephesians 6:10-11, your ability to reach your full potential spiritually will be greatly enhanced.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

The Casting Crowns song House of Their Dreams serves as a reality check for Christians living in America. The lyrics talk about how easy it is to lose touch with others by getting wrapped up in your own world. May today’s song and the momentum of a new year inspire you to keep a close eye on mindful matters in 2024.
by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. ³ For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ, who is your^[a] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. ⁵ Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. ⁶ Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.^[b] 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. ⁸ But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. ⁹ Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices ¹⁰ and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator, Colossians 3:1-10.

Reflection:

There are over 50 references in the Bible to putting on new clothes. While the Bible doesn’t directly refer to doing laundry, the apostle Paul uses the analogy of taking off your old self and replace this by putting on Christ Jesus. As minds become familiar with favorite desires of your past, it’s hard to change by simply turning a switch. Only when minds shift from temporary treasures toward the eternal can spiritual transformation become a reality.

Prayer Action:

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, Ephesians 4:22-24.

Renewing Your Mind:

Everybody I know tends to walk at a different pace. However, from a spiritual perspective, learning to habitually walk with God occurs by putting on the mind of Christ, day after day, 2 Corinthians 10:5-7. Yet, you must consider the obstacles along the way of this lifelong journey, Ephesians 6:12. The Father of All Lies, John 8:44, is working behind the scenes in the spiritual realm to hold your mind hostage. Faith needs to override doubt so that minds can reach their full potential. Matthew 21:20-22.

Song of the Day:

Final Thought:

As Christians begin to discern and keep in step with the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25, you will learn when it’s time to take off your old self and replace this with Jesus.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will, Romans 12:1-12.

Reflection:

Addicts don’t wake up one morning and suddenly say, “I’ll never take this drug ever again.” While experiencing alcohol poisoning at age 24 did result in me giving up drinking, this is not normal. Human nature has a way of distracting, enticing and luring Christians away from God and into sin, James 1:13-15. As a new year is in its infant stage, now is the time to get it right, by turning away from sin and toward God.

Prayerful Action:

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever^[c] you want, Galatians 5:16-17.

Renewing Your Mind:

The book of Revelation opens with seven churches that are given a spiritual update by God on how they are doing. John highlights good and bad news of each congregation. Apparently. Christians in the church of Laodicea were living mediocre spiritual lives, going through the motions without any joy or passion for life, Revelation 3:15-16. As the newness of 2024 is present in your mind, seek to avoid a lukewarm spirit by getting your life right with God, James 5:20.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

Nicodemus is mentioned three times in the New Testament. The first in John 3:1-17 as a Pharisee afraid to be seen with Jesus in public. John 7:50-52 shows Nicodemus defending Jesus as his peers accuse him of being one of his followers. Finally, John 19:38-42 reveals that Nicodemus got his life right with God by entering into a personal relationship with Jesus, Romans 10:9-10.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. ²⁰ I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. ²¹ Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: ²² Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. ²³ They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ²⁴ I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him,” Lamentations 3:19-24.

Reflection:

You can’t change previous actions, behaviors or words spoken in the past. However, the weeping prophet, Jeremiah, has a refreshing message as you begin 2024. Despite the current consequences of previous errors, mistakes or transgressions, the Lord offers every morning as a chance for a fresh start. While human minds are full of ungodly beliefs such as “God will never forgive me, I’ll never be good enough and nobody cares about me,” each new sunrise serves as an opportunity for change.

Prayerful Action:

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective, James 5:16.

Renewing Your Mind:

All minds are programmed differently. However, as individuals seek to seize each day of a new year, there will be spiritual growing pains. Minds are sponges that absorb everything you listen to, read and watch. If minds are not fed daily words from the Bible, Hebrews 4:12, spiritual transformation will not occur. On the flip side, reading the Bible doesn’t guarantee change either. As Jesus stresses at the end of the Sermon of the Mount, “put my words into practice,” Matthew 7:24. Don’t just study God’s Word, renew your mind by meditating on the Bible, Joshua 1:8.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

Life is a marathon, not a sprint. Set a smooth and steady pace in 2024.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, Hebrews 12:1.

by Jay Mankus

As someone who has spent the last decade working for Amazon, the first quarter of every year serves as a time to cut costs, evaluate current needs and make tough decisions going forward. While I was praying for the future of Express Yourself 4 Him, the Lord gave me a vision for 2024. Rather than provide a series of devotions from what God has been teaching me on random topics, I have broken down each season into monthly themes at the start of each new quarter.

Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come! – 2 Corinthians 5:17

Quarter one will focus on your heart, soul and mind. Quarter two transitions toward action, behavior and spiritual fruit. Quarter three concentrates on Cardinal Virtues like discipline, temperance and fortitude, Finally, 2024 will end with the Theological Virtues of hope, faith and charity. Instead of following Jesus’ words in Matthew 22:37, Bible verses on human minds will commence 2024, followed by heart verses in February and soul verses in March. The remainder of the topics are all in chronological order. All scripture will be from the New Internation Version.

by Jay Mankus