Come and See the Future

Posted on July 13, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Sometimes you can read too much into the Bible when you study it. However, Ukraine is currently the 7th largest producer of wheat in the world. Meanwhile, Ukraine is the 4th largest exporter of wheat, but Russia is preventing cargo ships from carrying out these shipments. If Russia’s ongoing invasion of the Ukraine does not go in their favor, this could spark a worldwide shortage of wheat by years end.

When He broke open the third seal, I heard the third living creature call out, Come and look! And I saw, and behold, a black horse, and in his hand the rider had a pair of scales (a balance), Revelation 6:5.

According to a couple of websites, olive oil is projected to increase in price by 20% in 2022. Meanwhile, the fine wine market continued to appear strong in the first quarter of 2022, so anyone panicked by my first paragraph still has time to get their life right with God. Based upon a consensus of Bible scholars, in the days of the third seal in the Book of Revelation olive oil and wine will be in great abundance,

And I heard what seemed to be a voice from the midst of the four living creatures, saying, A quart of wheat for a denarius [a whole day’s wages], and three quarts of barley for a denarius; but do not harm the oil and the wine! – Revelation 6:6.

If you want to come and see the future, pay close attention to the price of wheat. Based upon the law of supply and demand, the supply of wheat will influence the worldwide price. This global market principle is the economic relationship between the sellers and the buyers of various commodities. If you want to come and see the future like John, watch the price of wheat, oil, and wine in the years to come.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 163: Bride of Restoration

Posted on July 12, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Mark Pogue & Fortress is one of those groups that was overshadowed by other more popular Christian artists. When I searched on the internet for the bio of this band, I didn’t find any new information that I don’t already know. One of the highlights of Mark Pogue & Fortress’ Restoration album is the ballad Bride of Restoration. Since human being all fall short of God’s glory, we all need to be restored.

For I will restore health to you, and I will heal your wounds, says the Lord, because they have called you an outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no one seeks after and for whom no one cares! – Jeremiah 30:17

Mark writes about how Jesus changed his life after failing as a husband. Similar to the storyline in the film Fireproof, Mark was able to save his marriage thanks to a newfound faith in Christ. Yet, unless your faith is active, James 2:26, you are dead inside until the Holy Spirit awakens your soul. May the testimony of Mark Pogue inspire you to draw closer to Jesus.

by Jay Mankus

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When You Can’t Make It Happen?

Posted on July 12, 2022 by expressyourself4him

As a son of a former immigrant to the United States, I was raised to be frugal. My grandmother taught me to appreciate everything that you have. As I grew up in Delaware and began to learn from my teenage peers, I was encouraged to try to make things happen. Through dedication and hard work, I was initially successful in making things happen until I became a middle-aged white man.

And to keep me from being puffed up and too much elated by the exceeding greatness (preeminence) of these revelations, there was given me a thorn ([a]a splinter) in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to rack and buffet and harass me, to keep me from being excessively exalted. 8 Three times I called upon the Lord and besought [Him] about this and begged that it might depart from me; 2 Corinthians 12:7-8.

Prior to the internet, people were forced to use a rolodex of phone numbers as a means to social network with all the individuals that you know. Back in these days, making it happen took weeks, months, and even a year on occasion. Yet, modern day technology gives the desperate, eager, and motivated a vast social network to make all your dreams come true. Yet, for me, I wasn’t able to find a new job.

But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and [b]show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may [c]pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me! 10 So for the sake of Christ, I am well pleased and take pleasure in infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities and distresses; for when I am weak [[d]in human strength], then am I [truly] strong (able, powerful [e]in divine strength), 2 Corinthians 12:9-10.

The apostle Paul writes about a troubling time in his own life in the passage above. Paul was suffering from a physical ailment that he blamed on the Devil. Nonetheless, when you can’t make it happen in your own life, turn to Jesus in your own weakness. According to Paul, the more desperate you become in life, the stronger that Jesus can become for you. Therefore, lean on Jesus when you’re not strong and needy.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 161: Home

Posted on July 11, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Today’s song was written from the perspective of artists, bands, and groups that spend more time on tour each year than at home. A Room Full of Walters celebrates the joy of coming home, even if it’s for a short period of time in their song simply entitled Home. While there are a couple of other songs that I could have selected from A Room Full of Walters, home is a place where most Christians use as a refuge.

My people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, in safe dwellings, and in quiet resting-places, Isaiah 32:18.

In the passage above, Isaiah shares a promise to Israel about their future. While the Old Testament is filled with cycles of disobedience and obedience, the period of time Isaiah is speaking of is centered around peace. Unfortunately, as crime continues to spread throughout the United States, a growing number of Americans struggle to find peace in their home. May God begin to heal our land.

by Jay Mankus

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Taking the Peace from the Earth

Posted on July 11, 2022 by expressyourself4him

God’s timing is one of those things in life that can’t be forced. When individuals try to make something happen like Sarah’s desperate effort with Hagar in Genesis 16:1-16 only made matters worse. The birth of Ishmael took peace away from the earth as this child would be become the father of the Arab nations which are still at war with Israel today, even if it’s only behind the scenes for now.

Therefore do not pray for this people or lift up a cry or prayer for them, for I will not listen when they cry out to Me in the time of their evil trouble, Jeremiah 11:14.

Following the events of 9/11/2001, writers of the West Wing, a drama series on NBC, took a break from their regularly scheduled show to create a standalone episode entitled Isaac and Ishmael. This secular interpretation actually did a good job of illustrating how peace has been removed from the earth due to Sarah’s attempt to take matters into her own hands.

And another horse came out, flaming red. And its rider was empowered to take the peace from the earth, so that men slaughtered one another; and he was given a huge sword, Revelation 5:4.

While studying the Book of Revelation, I found the second seal relates to current events in the United States. As crime and murder rates skyrocket to reach new and all-time high in major cities across the country, perhaps the end of days is near. If global warming advocates continue to make false predictions every 10 years, dating back to the 1980’s, why can’t I chime in as well? While the third seal is still years away, may this passage serve as a warning to get to know Jesus so you can experience internal peace.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 160: Missionary

Posted on July 10, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Today’s featured song comes from an old compilation album that I bought in college. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to find anything online about the group Symbiotica. My search discovered an artistic research lab at the University of Western Australia ‘s School of Anatomy and Human Biology, but nothing on a Christian group bearing the same name.

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Separate now for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. 3 Then after fasting and praying, they put their hands on them and sent them away, Acts 13:2-3.

The lead singer sounds like a young Barbra Streisand. The lyrics refer to sacrifices that missionaries make while living abroad. These individuals dedicated to a life of service to the Lord and the people they are trying to reach with the Gospel. This isn’t my typical Sunday post devoted to worship. Rather, Missionary is a relaxing song with a new age tone that celebrates missionaries throughout the world.

by Jay Mankus

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Developing an Attitude of Praise

Posted on July 10, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Whenever I have a crappy day, human nature takes over. This is when complaining, grumbling, and fault finding takes over. Rather than refocus my thoughts to concentrate on the positive, the blame game commences as I point the finger in every direction except at myself. During my most recent pouting session, God convicted me that I needed to develop an attitude of praise.

Then I looked, and I heard the voices of many angels on every side of the throne and of the living creatures and the elders [[f]of the heavenly Sanhedrin], and they numbered ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands, 12 Saying in a loud voice, Deserving is the Lamb, Who was sacrificed, to receive all the power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and majesty (glory, splendor) and blessing! – Revelation 5:11-12

Whenever I attend a new church, I feel uneasy about clapping and lifting up my hands in worship unless I know the song. I usually lip sync for a while until I learn and understand the beat and words. When some of the worshippers get carried away and caught up in worshipping God, I often think to myself, “what am I missing?” According to John, I don’t have an attitude of praise.

And I heard every created thing in heaven and on earth and under the earth [in Hades, the place of departed spirits] and on the sea and all that is in it, crying out together, To Him Who is seated on the throne and to the Lamb be ascribed the blessing and the honor and the majesty (glory, splendor) and the power (might and dominion) forever and ever (through the eternities of the eternities)! – Revelation 5:13

Today’s Bible passage provides a glimpse of what an attitude of praise should resemble. The elders sitting in heaven aren’t faking their faith like some may do today. Rather, the residents of heaven are so overwhelmed by the Lamb who was slain on a cross (Jesus), an attitude of praise naturally breaks out. The hard part is developing an attitude of praise outside the church. May this passage challenge you resolve in your heart to develop a biblical attitude of praise.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 159: I Believe

Posted on July 9, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Today’s song comes from a group of four individuals who met in Vancouver, British Columbia. Hokus Pick or the extended name Hokus Pick Maneuver was formed shortly afterward. Hokus Pick is best known for using their quirky sense of humor which is reflected in their music. Prior to his death, Rich Mullins made a guest appearance on I Believe.

 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.

The lyrics of I Believe echo the words of Jesus in the passage above. This acoustic based tune is completed with lyrics based upon personal testimonies of the band members who sing about how they came to faith. This ballad offers soft rock with a wholesome message similar to what you would find in the Apostle’s Creed.

by Jay Mankus

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Forever

Posted on July 9, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Every love story begins with the thought of together forever. As engaged couples eagerly prepare for their wedding day, forever is a hope like marriage vows of “to death do us part.” FM Static sings about this special day in their song Moment of Truth. According to a 2021 study, 2.7 marriages out of 1,000 end in divorce so forever is not guaranteed.

Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and shall become united and cleave to his wife, and they shall become one flesh, Genesis 2:24.

Biblical marriage is designed around two key issues. First, the covenant of marriage was meant to be for a lifetime as two individuals become one flesh. Meanwhile, biblical marriage calls new couples to propagate the earth by having children. While some may not be able to complete this call due to health and medical conditions, the intent for newlyweds is to be together forever.

Let marriage be held in honor (esteemed worthy, precious, of great price, and especially dear) in all things. And thus let the marriage bed be undefiled (kept undishonored); for God will judge and punish the unchaste [all guilty of sexual vice] and adulterous, Hebrews 13:4.

The author of Hebrews calls couples to keep their marriage pure and free from temptation. To promote this position a disclaimer is used at the end of the passage above. Anyone who fails to keep their vows in the presence of family and friends will be judged and punished by God. In view of this warning, may the Holy Spirit fill you with a will to stick to your spouse forever.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 157: PLF

Posted on July 8, 2022 by expressyourself4him

While the popularity of Mercy Me has long surpassed that of the lesser-known Christian group Mercy, there is a reason to celebrate PLF. Short for Peace. Love, and Faith, Mercy features Laura Misuik as the lead singer. I was first introduced to Laura as the lead singer of Acoustic Shack, one of my favorite groups in college. Laura’s husband Michael is the man behind the music serving as the led guitarist of Mercy.

And so faith, hope, love abide [faith—conviction and belief respecting man’s relation to God and divine things; hope—joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation; love—true affection for God and man, growing out of God’s love for and in us], these three; but the greatest of these is love, 1 Corinthians 13:13.

While the passage above doesn’t mention peace directly, this is a byproduct of faith. According to C.S. Lewis, faith, hope, and love are theological virtues, only accessible through the power of the Holy Spirit, 2 Peter 1:3-4. The King James Version of the Bible doesn’t contain love, opting for charity. Yet, whenever Christians actively pursue these virtues, peace is one of the blessings that you will receive. Enjoy PLF.

by Jay Mankus

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