A Lesson in Humility

When you can’t make your dream job happen, you have to come up with plan B. When plan B fails miserably, you have to scramble to use all of your available resources to hope something will turn up. This is a brief summary of my life over the past 7 months. Following months and months of disappointments, this emotional letdown has taught me a lesson in humility.

A false balance and unrighteous dealings are extremely offensive and shamefully sinful to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight. When swelling and pride come, then emptiness and shame come also, but with the humble (those who are lowly, who have been pruned or chiseled by trial, and renounce self) are skillful and godly Wisdom and soundness, Proverbs 11:1-2.

One of the wisest persons to walk the face of the earth writes about humility in the passage above. King Solomon was no saint who had his own self-destructive practices. Solomon’s love for women led to 700 wives and 300 concubines. This series of poor decisions to indulge his sexual desires resulted in several dysfunctional relationships. Subsequential, Solomon provides his own lessons in humility.

Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [[b]possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God God], did not [c]think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped [d]or retained, But stripped Himself [of all privileges and [e]rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being. And after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross! – Philippians 2:6-8.

While I thought my life was bad, the Holy Spirit reminded me of what Jesus went through to save the world from sin. During his own set of temptations in Matthew 4:1-11, Jesus could have bragged about his divine power by turning stones to bread and fly through the air like Superman. Yet, despite being the Son of God, Jesus humbled himself by laying down his own life to save the world, John 3:16-17. The next time you think that your life is so important, consider Jesus’ lesson in humility in the passage above.

by Jay Mankus

S.A.N.S. Episode 158: Cavewoman

Today’s featured song comes from an alternative rock group that formed in La Habra, California at the La Habra Four-Square Church. Perhaps this unusual location explains why these musicians came up with the name Breakfast with Amy. Whatever the reason, Cavewoman is related to the conversation that Jesus has with a Pharisee in the passage below.

Jesus answered him, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again (anew, from above), he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with, and experience) the kingdom of God, John 3:3.

Nicodemus was trying to figure out the answers to life’s questions on his own. One chapter later, Jesus talks to a Samaritan woman at a well. Despite the knowledge of Pharisees, this woman was much more teachable and open to what Jesus was trying to communicate. Before the day was over, this woman and her entire family became born again.

by Jay Mankus

A Prayer When Your World’s Turned Upside Down

One accident, error in judgment, mistake or phone call can radically change your life. For me, I decided to run a mile with a sprained ankle. This stubborn decision tore all of my tendons and twisted my ankle ninety degrees in the wrong direction. After examining my latest x-rays, the surgeon told me that I would never run again. This was devasting news to a 16-year-old, turning to prayer to alter my destiny.

Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance, Romans 5:3.

Despite the reality of what science told me, I chose to believe in the God of miracles. The apostle Paul warned Christians in the Church at Rome to expect peer pressure to conform, hardships in life, and suffering due to the decision to make Jesus Lord of all, Romans 10:9-11. Although I would become familiar with this passage later in life, all I wanted was to prevent my life from going dark forever.

And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of [c]character (approved faith and [d]tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] [e]joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation. Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us, Romans 5:4-5.

The emotions racing deep inside of me are expressed in a song by Philips, Craig, and Dean. The lyrics of I Choose to Believe begins by addressing a series of worst-case scenarios that often turns an individual’s life upside down. I couldn’t imagine living the rest of my life without the ability to run or compete in athletics. Like the persistent widow in Luke 18:1-8, God answered my prayer to for healing. If you chose to believe in the power of a resurrected Savior, you will overcome future obstacles that you’ll face.

by Jay Mankus

S.A.N.S. Episode 156: Love is All You Need

Today’s featured group contains a mix of the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. After listening to the entire album to figure out which song to highlight, Look Up has a nostalgic blend of the Bee Gees and Doobie Brothers. Love is All You Need is an example of this with a similar sound to the Doobie Brothers music and a portion of the chorus has a glimpse pf that unique Bee Gees vibe.

Let everything you do be done in love (true love to God and man as inspired by God’s love for us), 1 Corinthians 16:14.

In this age of Wokeness, love has been replaced by finger pointing. Rather than focus on the positive aspects of life, Cancel Culture seeks to single out every offensive thing you’ve ever said or done. While dealing with a major sex scandal inside the Church at Corinth, Paul reminds first century leaders to let everything you do to be influenced by God’s love. I hope you enjoy today’s trip down Memory Lane.

by Jay Mankus

A Synagogue of Satan

Slander is the act of making a false spoken statement damaging to a person’s reputation. While slander is a daily occurrence on social media, human beings have been cruel from the beginning of time on earth. In the past few years, slander has resulted in lawsuits against cable news networks and newspapers. Yet, for a Christian church labeled as a synagogue of Satan, they turned the other cheek, Matthew 5:39.

I know your affliction and distress and pressing trouble and your poverty—but you are rich! and how you are abused and reviled and slandered by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan, Revelation 2:9.

To any Jewish adult steeped in religious traditions in the first century, Jesus was seen as a threat to the Jewish faith. Perhaps, this explains why Jewish elders, Pharisees and the high priest influenced the crowd on that first Good Friday nearly 2000 years ago. Meanwhile, other ancient writings refer to Jesus as the great magician, claiming the miracles Jesus performed relied on Black magic made possible by Satan.

 [And see to it that] your conscience is entirely clear ([e]unimpaired), so that, when you are falsely accused as evildoers, those who threaten you abusively and revile your right behavior in Christ may come to be ashamed [of slandering your good lives]. 17 For [it is] better to suffer [unjustly] for doing right, if that should be God’s will, than to suffer [justly] for doing wrong, 1 Peter 3:16-17.

Since slander will never go away, one of Jesus’ disciples provides advice when you are on the wrong end of abusive words. According to Peter, it is better to suffer for doing what is right. Subsequently, if you are slandered for being a faithful follower of Jesus, embrace criticism in the name of spiritual maturity. If a former church can survive being labeled as a synagogue of Satan, you too can overcome slander today.

by Jay Mankus

S.A.N.S. Episode 154: Welcome to the Real World

Lost & Found is a byproduct of the 1980’s. Like certain radio stations dedicated to a specific decade, today’s featured song has that classic vibe of the 1980’s. Blending a mix of electronic synthesizers, metal, and rock, listening to Welcome to the Real World is like taking a trip down Memory Lane. If this sound isn’t for you, the lyrics of Lost & Found’s album with the same name is filled with biblical references.

Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me, John 14:6.

When I first listened to the attached you tube for the first time in a couple of decades, I felt like I was listening to a couple of songs from the Breakfast Club soundtrack. The expression “Welcome to the Real World” makes me think of Jesus’ private conversation with his disciples. While human nature has a way of leading individuals to figure out life’s questions on your own, God has the answers if you come to Jesus.

by Jay Mankus

Detesting the Right Things

Detest is a common inspiration for daily tweets on social media. When you hear or see something that offends you, human nature has a way of expressing what you feel. According to King Solomon, it is good to detest those things that God despises. The Ephesians understood this biblical principle by hating the ungodly teaching of the Nicolaitans in the first century.

Yet you have this [in your favor and to your credit]: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans [what they are doing as corrupters of the people], which I Myself also detest, Revelation 2:6.

Unfortunately, modern day virtue signaling is like playing a child’s game of pretend. Subsequently, social media posts, tweets, and videos pile on daily to join Cancel Culture and the Woke Community. While these actions might be construed as disingenuous, these individuals are bowing down to the mob to avoid criticism. This is not the kind of detest that the Bible is referring to in today’s passages.

 It is an abomination [to God and men] for kings to commit wickedness, for a throne is established and made secure by righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation). 13 Right and just lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right, Proverbs 16:12-13.

Detest should flow out of a passion for upholding biblical principles. When someone or something is directly opposed to the Bible, Christians should fervently defend and protect Judeo-Christian values. In this age of political shaming, people of integrity are often shunned by society. Words like controversial and radical are used to label those who detest the right things. May the words of 1 Peter 3:15-18 inspire Christians to be willing to suffer by standing up for biblical truth, justice, and the American Way.

by Jay Mankus

S.A.N.S. Episode 153: Miracles

As I scan the internet for songs of faith, Bethel Music is one of my favorite places to find powerful worship music. As someone who loved to go and sing Karaoke at Rick Cafe’s in Chagrin Falls as a college student, I envisioned that one day I would join a worship team at a local church. The only problem is that I have a limited voice that prevents me from having a wide range which most worship teams require.

While You stretch out Your hand to cure and to perform signs and wonders through the authority and by the power of the name of Your holy Child and Servant Jesus, Acts 4:30.

I’ve heard a couple of different versions of God of Miracles. Like my voice, some artists just don’t fit this song. However, when I listen to the attached version featuring Jeremy Riddle, I believe he is the perfect artist for this one song. As Jeremy sings Miracles for his home church, I’m moved by the testimony behind the author. May this version bless you as it’s touched my heart since I first discovered it.

by Jay Mankus

Not Just a Holiday

The first official federal holiday in the United States was not enacted until 1870. This initial legislation recognized four holidays: Easter, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Due to secularism and the modern interpretation of the separation of Church and State, these religious holidays have been watered down over the years. July 4th was declared a day of prayer and thanksgiving for being free.

In [this] freedom Christ has made us free [and completely liberated us]; stand fast then, and do not be hampered and held ensnared and submit again to a yoke of slavery [which you have once put off], Galatians 5:1.

The Chinese were the first to invent fireworks, sometime between 960 and 1279 AD. The original intent of fireworks was to ward off evil spirits. Yet, the Chinese set off fireworks to celebrate the Emperor’s birthday and other major holidays. This tradition was embraced by the United States on July 8th, 1776, following America’s Declaration of Independence. July 4th, 1777 was the first official Independence Day highlighted by the firing of guns, cannons, bonfires and fireworks in Philadelphia which was America’s first capital.

For [if we are] in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith activated and energized and expressed and working through love. You were running the race nobly. Who has interfered in (hindered and stopped you from) your heeding and following the Truth? – Galatians 5:6-7

The Bible speaks of a different type of Independence Day in Romans 10:9-11. In the passage above, the apostle Paul writes about the external and internal forces that limits a Christian’s spiritual freedom. Paul goes on to blame this on human nature, pointing the finger on sinful desires of the flesh, Galatians 5:16-18. As you turn out to watch fireworks ceremonies throughout the nation, don’t neglect the freedom that can only be found in Jesus Christ.

by Jay Mankus

S.A.N.S. Episode 152: Reckless Love

As someone who tries to keep up with the latest sound in worship music, I’ve learned that certain songs are ideal for a specific voice. Such is the case of Reckless Love. While I’ve heard a heard dozen versions online, I feel that this song suits Steffany Gretzinger of Bethel Music the best. Although you may not always enjoy your worship experience at church, not every worship leader has the voice to do a song justice.

This is My commandment: that you love one another [just] as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love [no one has shown stronger affection] than to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends, John 15:12-13.

The lyrics of Reckless Love remind me of the words of Jesus in the passage above. Similar to the apostle Paul’s words in Romans 5:8, reckless love involves laying your life down for others. Just as members of the military, police and search and rescue vow to risk their lives daily, God sent his one and only son Jesus to die on a cross for the sins of mankind. May Reckless Love stir your heart and move you to love others.

by Jay Mankus