Let Us Not Love in Mere Theory

Posted on May 2, 2022 by expressyourself4him

When I first read the passage below, an image of a famous scene from Good Will Hunting popped into my mind. The context of this scene is that Will played by Matt Damon picks apart Sean’s life played by Robin Williams. Will judges Sean solely based upon a picture that he painted. This brief synopsis of interpretation and theory is like a Christian who merely reads about love in the Bible. You can talk about love in theory, but without applying love, your knowledge is useless.

Little children, let us not love [merely] in theory or in speech but in deed and in truth (in practice and in sincerity), 1 John 3:18.

As a disciple of Jesus, John was fortunate to meet thousands of people every week. Apparently, some of these individuals talked about Jesus in theory, but their actions and behavior never changed. The expression “little children” is likely a kind way of telling his readers that they are immature and still have a long way to go. On the other hand, John could be simply using a common expression passed on by Jesus that he adopted following his ascension into heaven.

[Dear] little children, I am to be with you only a little longer. You will look for Me and, as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: you are not able to come where I am going. 34 I give you a new commandment: that you should love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another. 35 By this shall all [men] know that you are My disciples, if you love one another [if you keep on showing love among yourselves], John 13:33-35.

Today, these two passages serve as a reminder from the first century church. This new command is a continuation of Matthew 22:36-40. In other words, as Christians develop and grow in their love for God, pass on this same intensity of love to your neighbors daily. The sign of any thriving church is the depth of love in the hearts of believers. Don’t just talk about love in theory. Rather, put your faith into action by showing the love of Jesus to everyone on earth.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 90: Wanting the Things You Get

Posted on May 1, 2022 by expressyourself4him

It’s not often that featured songs complement one another on back-to-back days. Two Pennies by Between Thieves suggests that it’s better to share your faith rather than throw money at the poor. Today’s featured song by Santa Fe reflects upon your perspective on life. Wanting the Things You Get is a prayer for countless souls who have been lulled into a false sense of security by materialism.

But seek ([z]aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness ([aa]His way of doing and being right), and then all these things [ab]taken together will be given you besides. 34 So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble, Matthew 6:33-34.

The message of Wanting the Things You Get may be the most inspiration song that I have played to date. As you attend church this weekend, may the lyrics of this song serve as a prayer to change and transform your perspective on wanting. Santa Fe builds upon the biblical theme in the passage above. If you can begin to seek first God’s kingdom and righteous, everything else will fall into place for you.

by Jay Mankus

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The Sacred Appointment

Posted on May 1, 2022 by expressyourself4him

There are certain appointments in life that children learn to hate early in life. The trip to the dentist office when the doctor discovers your first cavity. The visit to an Emergency Room late at night which results in several follow up appointments. A routine checkup that seems annoying at the time but uncovers a terminal or rare condition. Yet not every appointment brings bad news.

But as for you, the anointing (the sacred appointment, the unction) which you received from Him abides [[o]permanently] in you; [so] then you have no need that anyone should instruct you. But just as His anointing teaches you concerning everything and is true and is no falsehood, so you must abide in (live in, never depart from) Him [being [p]rooted in Him, knit to Him], just as [His anointing] has taught you [to do], 1 John 2:27.

In the passage above, one of Jesus’ former disciples refers to a sacred appointment. This unction as John calls it is when an elder or priest anoints someone with oil. Apostles in the book of Acts had a tendency to anoint missionaries or spiritual leaders prior to a special trip. While modern anointings are often associated with healing services, this is something special about this sacred appointment.

And when they had appointed and ordained elders for them in each church with prayer and fasting, they committed them to the Lord in Whom they had come to believe [being full of joyful trust that He is the Christ, the Messiah], Acts 14:23.

The passage above highlights one of these anointings. According to Luke, prayer and fasting were always part of this sacred appointment. In other similar passages, the laying on of hands was done by church leaders as a form of spiritual protection. One of the secrets to Job’s spiritual strength was the hedge of protection placed around him by the Lord, Job 1:10. If you are fortunate enough to ever be part of one of these ceremonies, may you embrace this spiritual anointing.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 89: Two Pennies

Posted on April 30, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Today’s feature song comes from a Christian musical group that formed in Dallas, Texas in 1990. The name of this group is very appropriate for this Easter Season “Between Thieves.” The lyrics of Two Pennies gives Christians another alternative to any homeless individuals that you many come in contact with. While handing a buck or two is easier, sharing your faith with the poor is a golden opportunity.

Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He [b]takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, “prompt to do it”) giver [whose heart is in his giving], 2 Corinthians 9:7.

Everyone has certain God given gifts that are unique to you. One talent may be talking, another writing as well as the boldness to evangelize. My own two cents is that God has a plan and a place for all of us to serve. Unfortunately, barriers, obstacles, and time prevent many from giving to the world what they need which is love in action. May the melody and lyrics of Two Pennies inspire you to love others in 2022.

by Jay Mankus

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God’s Permanent Presence

Posted on April 30, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Before society was concerned about being cancelled or virtue signaling to the woke community, even non-believers talked about God’s permanent presence. In 1990, Bette Midler sang that From a Distance, God is watching us. If this is true, the words of one Old Testament prophet became a reality in the first century, roughly 2000 years ago, Isaiah 7:14.

But as for you, the anointing (the sacred appointment, the unction) which you received from Him abides [[o]permanently] in you; [so] then you have no need that anyone should instruct you. But just as His anointing teaches you concerning everything and is true and is no falsehood, so you must abide in (live in, never depart from) Him [being [p]rooted in Him, knit to Him], just as [His anointing] has taught you [to do], 1 John 2:27.

One of the Jewish traditions that Isaiah was raised to follow was the unction. This is the act of anointing someone with oil or ointment as a religious rite. However, on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2, followers of Jesus were anointed by the Holy Spirit. During a conversation with his disciples in John 16, Jesus promised to send a Holy Ghost, an invisible counselor to guide believers following his ascension.

For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the [[d]full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue). 4 By means of these He has bestowed on us His precious and exceedingly great promises, so that through them you may escape [by flight] from the moral decay (rottenness and corruption) that is in the world because of covetousness (lust and greed), and become sharers (partakers) of the divine nature, 2 Peter 1:3-4.

The greatest advocate of God’s permanent presence is a member of Jesus’ inner circle. According to Peter, the Holy Spirit gives Christians everything that we need for life. The apostle Paul compares the Holy Spirit to a force that you can walk with, Galatians 5:25. Yet, the Holy Spirit is only available to those who believe in Jesus, Acts 2:28. Therefore, if you want to sense God’s permanent presence daily, call upon the name of the Lord, Romans 10:9-11.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 88: Best of Me

Posted on April 29, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Prior to receiving recognition by Christian Radio Stations, Breaking the Silence formed in Uniontown, Pennsylvania in 2006. This Christian Rock Band soon changed their name to The Letter Black. Perhaps black reflects growing up in coal country or that it is part of a lung disease contracted by coal miners. Whatever the reason, today’s featured song Best of Me is one of my favorite songs from the Letter Black.

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, Genesis 4:4-5.

Prior to marrying Leanne, we attended a marriage conference in Cleveland, Ohio where my parents lived at the time. One of the speakers warned future spouses not to give their significant other “the leftovers.” When you’re at the end of a long day and have nothing else to give, this is what the speaker meant. In the same manner, God wants us to spend time with Him when we are at our best and not our worse. This is the theme that you will find in the Letter Black’s Best of Me.

by Jay Mankus

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Closing Your Heart to Compassion

Posted on April 29, 2022 by expressyourself4him

One of my former pastors regularly preached about hurt people, hurting other people. Whenever you are betrayed, deeply hurt, let down and wounded, it takes time to heal. If someone rubs you the wrong way or is unrelentless about pressing you on an issue, you may reach a breaking point before exploding. This may explain why people close their heart to compassion.

But if anyone has this world’s goods (resources for sustaining life) and sees his brother and[m]fellow believer in need, yet closes his heart of compassion against him, how can the love of God live and remain in him? – 1 John 3:17

If you watch enough movies or streaming services, you will find a character who is jaded about a past experience. This one event may cause someone to develop barriers that prevents them from ever becoming vulnerable again. This fear of being hurt shows up in Matt Damon’s character in Good Will Hunting. Yet, the Bible is calling readers to open their hearts to compassion.

For if you forgive people their trespasses [their [g]reckless and willful sins, [h]leaving them, letting them go, and [i]giving up resentment], your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their trespasses [their [j]reckless and willful sins, [k]leaving them, letting them go, and [l]giving up resentment], neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses, Matthew 6:14-15.

Jesus provides a good reason to open your heart to compassion in the passage above. In the middle of his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus unveils a condition for forgiveness. Like the Sowing Principle, if you forgive others, God will forgive you. However, if you close your heart to compassion, God will withhold his compassion from you. May these words bring healing and inspire you to open your heart to compassion.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 87: Pray

Posted on April 28, 2022 by expressyourself4him

In case you were wondering, there is such a thing as Christian rap music in Canada. This is courtesy of Chris Greenwood a.k.a. Manafest who is from Toronto, in the province of Ontario Canada. One of the inspirations behind Manafest’s music ministry was Chris losing his father to suicide at age five. In today’s featured song Pray, the lyrics tell a story about Chris’ brother who he is praying for.

Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly]; 1 Thessalonians 5:17.

One online site claims that they are 527 songs that use Pray as the main title. I’m not sure if this is an updated number or lumps in songs with pray in the title, but this suggests that praying is not dead. While Manafest’s version of Pray may not be as memorable of Michael W. Smith’s Pray for Me, I am moved by the lyrics each time I listen to Chris’ song.

by Jay Mankus

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Unrestrained and Unregulated

Posted on April 28, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Light and darkness often appear together in the Bible. These common terms are designed to illustrate one’s spiritual condition. Anyone who walks with God by keeping in step with the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25, is considered a child of the light. Those who exercise their own freewill by choosing to indulge their sinful nature live in darkness, unrestrained and unregulated from God’s commands.

Everyone who commits (practices) sin is guilty of lawlessness; for [that is what] sin is, lawlessness (the breaking, violating of God’s law by transgression or neglect—being unrestrained and unregulated by His commands and His will), 1 John 3:4.

Over the course of my life, I’ve met thousands of individuals. There is one particular individual that I can recall who was unrestrained and unregulated. This person was unfiltered, saying and doing whatever came to his mind. While going down the beach with a friend, I made the mistake of getting into this guy’s car. This was the most uncomfortable and scariest car ride I have ever experienced.

But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God). 17 For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit, and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other], so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do, Galatians 5:16-17.

The apostle Paul refers to the spiritual aspect of being unrestrained and unregulated. These individuals choose to be led by sinful cravings. Rather than respond or be guided by the Holy Spirit, temporary pleasures become their sole focus. The only way to break this lifestyle is by putting to death your old self as described in Colossians 3:1-9. While making any type of change takes time, but with God anything is possible, Philippians 4:13.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 86: Music Box Superhero

Posted on April 27, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Like the 1996 film That Thing You Do starring Tom Hanks, life is filled with one hit wonders. These may not all be bands who disappeared overnight. Some are athletes who have that one amazing playoff run before turning into an average professional the rest of their career. Such is the case of the Julianna Project and their only memorable and notable song Music Box Superhero.

Speak out to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, offering praise with voices [[e]and instruments] and making melody with all your heart to the Lord, Ephesians 5:19.

Back in the days when Christian Bookstores were in vogue, record companies put the best song they could find from obscure artists and compile these hits into compilation albums. The hope was that if you liked a specific song you would purchase the entire album on your next visit. Since the Sonshine House never carried the Julianna Project’s album, this is the only song worth listening to. I hope you enjoy it.

by Jay Mankus

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