What is Your Record?

Posted on June 23, 2022 by expressyourself4him

When I was in grade school, boys were obsessed with records. Every day at lunch and recess debates broke out about who was the best athlete, rock band, and professional sports team. Lines were drawn, voices were raised and the victor teased anyone who didn’t hold their position. According to one of Jesus’ disciples, God knows your spiritual record based upon what you’ve done in life.

I know your record and what you are doing, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your recent works are more numerous and greater than your first ones, Revelation 2:19.

There was a long stretch in my life where I received a job offer for every position that I interviewed for. Despite stumbling through a couple of interviews when stuttering was still an obstacle in my life, God’s favor was clearly on my life. Unfortunately, sometime over the last decade, my record for interviews has hit a major losing streak. Like one of the churches in the Book of Revelation, my love for God has grown cold and the favor which was once bright as a rising sun has quickly faded.

Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. 5 It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong], 1 Corinthians 13:4-5.

The good news to my current dilemma is that God keeps no record of wrongs. The apostle Paul reveals this fact in a chapter devoted to spiritual love. Meanwhile, King David provides hope for anyone with a losing record in life, Psalm 103:7-12. God’s grace, forgiveness, and mercy is infinite. Therefore, it doesn’t matter if you’ve experienced a life filled with losing. According to Jesus, the only record God cares about is forgiving others just as the Lord has forgiven you, Matthew 6:14-15. When Christians start loving your neighbor as yourself, God’s favor will return.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 142: Great Big Noise

Posted on June 22, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Today’s featured song comes from the Christian rock band that has a song similar to Def Leppard. Arlen Salte’s album cover for their Great Big Noise album reminds me of Def Leppard’s Pyromania. The actual person Arlen Salte is the Executive Director of Break Forth Ministries based in Sherwood Park. While this sounds like a city in the United States, it’s actually located in Alberta, Canada.

And now, Lord, observe their threats and grant to Your bond servants [full freedom] to declare Your message fearlessly, Acts 4:29.

The lyrics of Great Big Noise serves as a call to share your faith with boldness. Just as Luke called first century apostles to declare the gospel of Jesus without fear, faith should be expressed in full freedom. Although the lyrics don’t go into evangelism and theology, the call is to raise your voice as you testify about how Jesus has changed your life. May this song inspire you to make a Great Big Noise.

by Jay Mankus

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Trying God’s Patience

Posted on June 22, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Patience is one of those areas in life where I continue to struggle. Whether I’m driving in a car, waiting in a line or pleading with God in prayer for a specific request, I want things to happen on my time. History is filled with individuals who forced the issue, trying to make something happen without God. According to Moses, when human beings start to blame God for things not going as expected, we try the Lord’s patience.

Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at [Mount] Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. 7 He called the place Massah [proof] and Meribah [contention] because of the faultfinding of the Israelites and because they tempted and tried the patience of the Lord, saying, Is the Lord among us or not? – Exodus 17:6-7

For the last 6 months, I’ve had my own wilderness experience. Rather than travel to a promised land, I’ve done everything in my power to find a job in South Carolina. My initial plan was to submit paperwork for an internal transfer within Amazon to a facility close to where my mother in law resides who is currently in hospice care. While I’m aware of some of my shortcomings as an individual and worker, I’m either testing God’s patience or the Lord has a completely different plan for my life.

Never lag in zeal and in earnest endeavor; be aglow and burning with the Spirit, serving the Lord. 12 Rejoice and exult in hope; be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation; be constant in prayer, Romans 12:11-12.

Failure and rejection are becoming a weekly occurrence to me, The last time I’ve seen this much resistance to a specific career is when I tried to pass the Players Ability Test as an assistance golf professional. Despite hitting 26 of 36 greens in regulation, I had 40 putts in round one, including a 4 putt. I missed by 2 strokes with 7 putts on the easiest hole over 2 rounds. Since my journey to South Carolina begins this weekend, I’m either going to try God’s patience by not knowing God’s will or receive a job in the final hour. Only time will tell.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 141: Nice Guy

Posted on June 21, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Today’s song comes from a group that helped me slowly wean myself off of secular music. Fighter reminds of those classic rock bands of the 1980’s. When Amy Wolter takes over the lead vocals, Fighter’s sound becomes reminiscent of Pat Benatar. When Jim Wolter takes control of the microphone, Fighter contains a blend of Asia and Cinderella. Today’s song Nice Guy is a hard hitting tune that addresses addiction, compromise, and spiritual discipline.

And have you [completely] forgotten the divine word of appeal and encouragement in which you are reasoned with and addressed as sons? My son, do not think lightly or scorn to submit to the correction and discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage and give up and faint when you are reproved or corrected by Him; Hebrews 12:5.

No one likes to be the adult in the room all the time, but discipline is a way to keep the curious out of trouble. Like the words of Patrick Swayze in the 1989 film Road House, a bouncer has to know when it’s time to not be Nice. Swayze plays the cooler, only using violence when it’s absolutely necessary. From a biblical perspective, discipline is a necessary evil, a tool to correct the misguided. May the lyrics of Nice Guy remind you of the importance of rebuking other believers when someone is setting a bad example.

by Jay Mankus

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Give Heed to What God’s Spirit Says

Posted on June 21, 2022 by expressyourself4him

One of Jesus’ common expressions is “let him who has ears hear.” Jesus understood that human beings tend to have a short attention span. Rather than take the ability to hear for granted, Jesus wanted his audience to remember his teaching by putting it into practice. One of Jesus’ former disciples takes this one step further by paying close attention to what the Holy Spirit is calling you to do.

He who is able to hear, let him listen to and give heed to what the Spirit says to the assemblies (churches). To him who overcomes (is victorious), I will grant to eat [of the fruit] of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God, Revelation 2:7.

In the first century church, illiteracy was rampant. Subsequently, church leaders would read out loud letters received from the apostle Paul. If you weren’t able to read, you had to pay careful attention to the message being passed on. Perhaps this explains John call to give heed to what the Holy Spirit is trying to express daily. If you tune out for a moment, you’ll miss what God’s Spirit has to say to you.

If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit [g]we have our life in God, let us go forward [h]walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit,] Galatians 5:25.

The apostle Paul explains the benefits of listening to the Holy Spirit in the passage above. Developing keen listening skills enables a Christian to actually keep in step with the Holy Spirit. Just like pet owners who take their dogs for a walk each morning, the Holy Spirit has the ability to pull you in direction God wants you to go. As human minds learn to follow the spiritual fruits mentioned in Galatians 5:22-24, you will begin to give heed to what God’s Spirit says.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. 140: Steady Me

Posted on June 20, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Scott and Christine Denté are the Christian couple behind the music group Out of the Grey. In the early 90’s, The Shape of Grace album put this couple on the map. While their debut album Out of the Grey was released in 1991, the Shape of Grace proved that this Christian group wasn’t just a one hit wonder. In my eyes, Steady Me is the ideal mix of great sound with solid biblical lyrics.

And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint, Galatians 6:9.

As I was completing my final semester of college in 1992, I would blast Steady Me in my car stereo. One of the stanzas ends with the words ” It amazes me how gracefully You steady me.” For the Denté’s, God is the one who steadies Christians as they endure the trials and tribulations in life. When you click on the attached video above, may this song steady your faith and revive your soul.

by Jay Mankus

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Changing to Meet God’s Will

Posted on June 20, 2022 by expressyourself4him

As I read the passage below, I was reminded of two Christian songs with a similar theme. In Reach sings about the Manner of Man in their 1993 song. Meanwhile, a few years later 4Him released the Measure of a Man. According to John, repentance refers to changing the inner man so that Christians can meet God’s will for their lives. Change begins internally and can lead to an external transformation as acts of contrition are lived out by faith.

Remember then from what heights you have fallen. Repent (change the inner man to meet God’s will) and do the works you did previously [when first you knew the Lord], or else I will visit you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you change your mind and repent, Revelation 2:5.

When you move to a new town, it’s easy to miss a turn even when you’re following directions on a phone. This lack of knowledge often leads to u-turns when the road allows it. From a spiritual perspective, rarely do I follow the tugging on my heart to act, give or help someone in need. Until you’re willing to change the inner man deep inside of you, being introduced to and meeting God’s will is put on hold.

I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you], Romans 12:1-2.

The apostle Paul goes into further details about discovering God’s will for your life in the passage above. Most churches use a spiritual gifts test to help their members begin this process. Meeting God’s will begins with a transformed mind which is renewed through scripture. Anyone who repents by confessing your sins, follows this with acts of contrition and begins to align their lives with God’s will is on their way to changing your inner person to meet God’s will.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 139: We are the Reason

Posted on June 19, 2022 by expressyourself4him

My spiritual mentor Ken Horne introduced me to David Meece while I was high school. Every Christmas Ken would share We are the Reason at Lay Witness Missions and Retreats. While this song hasn’t aged well, the lyrics are still amazing. We are the Reason helped me grasp the annual Christmas phrase, “the reason for the season.” Like a mini Bible message, We are the Reason clearly summarizes Jesus. mission.

Now it is an extraordinary thing for one to give his life even for an upright man, though perhaps for a noble and lovable and generous benefactor someone might even dare to die. 8 But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us, Romans 5:7-8.

The passage above highlights the love displayed by Jesus. This verse condenses the gospel in one verse. Over the years, other versions of We are the Reason has popped up. Yet, whatever versions you prefer, We are the Reason has inspired Feel the Nails by Ray Boltz and When God Ran by Benny Hester. While Christmas is still months away, put We are the Reason in your 2022 Christian rotation of songs.

by Jay Mankus

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When You’re Too Tired to Love

Posted on June 19, 2022 by expressyourself4him

As the summer months begin, it’s only a matter of time before triple digit temperatures become part of weekly forecasts. As I begin a new life living in South Carolina, the heat and humidity quickly drains me of energy. In the last book of the Bible, John writes to the Church in Ephesus. Despite severe persecution in the first century, their faith did not waver. Yet, it appears that at some point exhaustion took its toll as their love for God grew cold.

I know you are enduring patiently and are bearing up for My name’s sake, and you have not fainted or become exhausted or grown weary, Revelation 2:3.

Before getting married, Leanne and I attended a conference in Cleveland for young couples. One of the speakers used the analogy of leftovers. This illustration warned against giving God and your future spouse the leftovers of your time. The context of this expression was at the end of a busy day when you barely have energy for anything. This appears to be what happened to the Ephesians as the only time they made for God was at the end of their days, exhausted and worn out.

But I have this [one charge to make] against you: that you have left (abandoned) the love that you had at first [you have deserted Me, your first love], Revelation 2:4.

According to marriage statistics from 2020, nearly 2,400 divorces occur every single day in the United States. At this pace, by the end of just one week, 16,800 divorces and or separations commence. Sadly, if this trend continues, 875,000 couple will break their marriage vows annually in America. When you’re too tired to love, relationships with God and spouses start to fall apart. In view of these dire statistics, may Jesus give you to strength to be reunited with God and your spouse.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 138: Breaking Through

Posted on June 18, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Melodie Tunney, Marty McCall, and Bonnie Keen are the original members of First Call. First Call was one of the first Christian groups to follow the trend of the late 80’s and early 90’s of having a lead female vocalist. Marty was the front man for a band called Fireworks while Bonnie had been trained in musical theatre before this duo met and joined forces at First Call.

Understand [this], my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear [a ready listener], slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry, James 1:19.

Breaking Through is about how the love of God can miraculously break through at any time in your life. Just as Jesus called first centurion Christians to be salt and light, love should be your inspiration every day you wake up. Unfortunately, if you’re not attentive and listening, you’ll block God from breaking through. May this classic song by First Call inspire you to share the love of Jesus with others.

by Jay Mankus

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