Not Just a Holiday

Posted on July 4, 2022 by expressyourself4him

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. 7 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

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S.A.N.S. Episode 152: Reckless Love

Posted on July 3, 2022 by expressyourself4him

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

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The Overflow of Mercy

Posted on July 3, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Overflow occurs when a bottle, glass and or receptacle is filled beyond its capacity with a liquid substance. When you’re going through the drive thru of a fast-food restaurant on a hot summer day, you want your drink filled to the brim. Yet, due to company policies, most chains leave an inch at the top to avoid spilling cups in a customer’s lap.

They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness. 24 The Lord is my portion or share, says my living being (my inner self); therefore will I hope in Him and wait expectantly for Him, Lamentations 3:23-24.

One Old Testament prophet attempts to explain the overflow of God’s mercy. Building upon a concept introduced in Psalm 103:11-12. David shines light on the infinite mercy that God possesses. This quantity is so extreme that its’ as far as the east is from the west. To those who have received a glimpse of God’s mercy, via prayer, it’s something that you’ll want over and over again.

The Lord is good to those who wait hopefully and expectantly for Him, to those who seek Him [inquire of and for Him and require Him by right of necessity and on the authority of God’s word]. 26 It is good that one should hope in and wait quietly for the salvation (the safety and ease) of the Lord, Lamentations 3:25-26.

In the attached song, Casting Crowns sings about a physical well which Jesus speaks about in Matthew 11:28-30. The message in this passage refers to unloading your burdens at the feet of Jesus on your own. As sinners’ approach Jesus in prayer, the overflow of God’s mercy becomes achievable. Yet, this overflow can be immediately ceased if you don’t forgive others who trespass against you.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 151: All You Zombies

Posted on July 2, 2022 by expressyourself4him

As someone who grew up 30 minutes from Philadelphia, I was influenced by local radio stations in the Tri-State area of Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. While I was in high school the Hooters, the rock band, not the restaurant chain received national recognition. The song that put this Philly based band on the map was All You Zombies. After hearing this song recently, I was amazed at the biblical references.

Why do you call Me, Lord, Lord, and do not [practice] what I tell you? – Luke 6:46

The lyrics begin with Moses before Israel’s Exodus out of Egypt. The second stanza refers to the 10 Commandments followed by Noah’s project of building an ark prior to the presence of rain on earth. The Hooters provide a brief history lesson of the Old Testament in an attempt to wake up all the zombies, Christians just going through the motions in life. May this classic inspire you to awaken your faith.

by Jay Mankus

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What are You Willing to Tolerate?

Posted on July 2, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Tolerate refers to allowing the existence, occurrence, or practice of something that you don’t necessarily like or agree with without interference. As a former high school teacher, students would test me regularly to see what behavior I would tolerate. As my classroom discipline and management improved over the years, I became less and less tolerant of immature and inappropriate acts.

I know your industry and activities, laborious toil and trouble, and your patient endurance, and how you cannot tolerate wicked [men] and have tested and critically appraised those who call [themselves] apostles (special messengers of Christ) and yet are not, and have found them to be impostors and liars Revelation 2:2.

One of my biggest regrets as a former youth pastor occurred during a bonfire. This outreach event was before Halloween with nearly 100 teenagers in attendance. Prior to this night, I always gave a speech followed by an altar call to give students a chance to enter into a personal relationship with Jesus. Yet, for some reason I focused too much on fun rather than faith. This lack of action was the beginning of the end for my ministry in Indiana as I started to tolerate improper behavior.

But I have this against you: that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess [claiming to be inspired], and who is teaching and leading astray my servants and beguiling them into practicing sexual vice and eating food sacrificed to idols, Revelation 2:20.

When it comes to carrying out discipline, the energy that I possess at the time of an incident will dictate what I ultimately tolerate. As a former junior high teacher, my worst behaved class occurred last period every Thursday and Friday. While there were days I laid down the line, as the year wore on I lost the desire to discipline. Perhaps, this was the condition of the first century church mentioned in the passage above. Whether its a woman named Jezebel or someone with ADHD, your energy level will often determine what you tolerate.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 155: Time

Posted on July 1, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Today’s featured song comes from a band from Fullerton, California. While Undercover is classified as a punk rock group, there’s an element of metal found in music from the late 1980’s and early 90’s. Time begins with a guitar solo that sets the tone for this song. The lyrics refer to the age-old adage that Father Time is undefeated as human beings can’t do anything to stop time from ticking away.

So teach us to number our days, that we may get us a heart of wisdom, Psalm 90:12.

The passage above was written by Moses when the first generation of Israelites were dying in the wilderness after the Exodus. At some point during their trek to God’s Promised Land, Moses realized that something was wrong. Rather than continue to wander aimlessly, often going in circles, Moses asks God for advice to lead Israel in the right direction. May God give you daily insight as time slips away.

by Jay Mankus

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The Hope of a New Day

Posted on July 1, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Ten years ago, I was on my way to a family re-union in California. This trip served as a pain killer to avoid the reality of being unemployed. While sitting in an airplane on a cross country flight, I listened to the song Up and Up by Reliant K. The lyrics of this song examines life as a way to become a better version of yourself. Part of the chorus uses the hope of a new day as a source for motivation.

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.

One of the greatest promises in the Bible is made by a weeping prophet. Jeremiah had a tendency to be a bearer of bad news as Israel was going through a period of rebellion and stubbornness. Lamentations 3:21 serves as a transition, “But this I recall and therefore have I hope and expectation.” This hope of a new day is due to the Lord’s compassion, mercy and loving-kindness.

May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope, Romans 15:13.

The apostle Paul provides advice for anyone who is on the verge of losing hope. Those who never lag in zeal, burn with the Holy Spirit in your heart, and are aglow with God’s resurrecting power will find hope. Paul uses the imagery of a natural spring, bubbling out of the earth, overflowing so that the thirsty can fill their empty jugs with water. May the song Up and Up help you celebrate the hope of a new day.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 150: Slow Motion Suicide

Posted on June 30, 2022 by expressyourself4him

I was a big fan of the rock group Kansas as a teenager. Carry On Wayward Son and Dust in the Wind were my two favorites. Looking back, the lyrics of these two songs have spiritual elements which likely influenced lead singer Kerry Livgren to transition to a solo career. Today’s featured song Slow Motion Suicide comes from Livgren’s AD album. Not many artists have a PHD in music, but Kerry was way ahead of his time in using a variety of instruments and sounds during his career as a Christian artist.

And casting the pieces of silver [forward] into the [Holy Place of the [b]sanctuary of the] temple, he departed; and he went off and hanged himself, Matthew 27:5.

While the topic of today’s song isn’t positive, there is a reason I selected this tune. As someone who planned my own suicide as a child, most people don’t just wake up one day and decide to kill themselves. Rather, this thought is planted inside fragile minds by the Devil. As children are bullied, made fun of and or teased, ideas like “if I was dead nobody would care anyway” pop into depressed heads. Unless someone intervenes, this slow motion mindset will give birth to suicide. Stop these thoughts via prayer.

by Jay Mankus

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Finding Spiritual Spotters

Posted on June 30, 2022 by expressyourself4him

I was a novice weightlifter as I entered college. While I went with friends to local gyms, I didn’t really know what I was doing. When I moved off campus my junior year, one of my roommates was a former high school all-American linebacker. Mike turned our attic into a hardcore gym. Mike introduced me to the concept of spotting someone. When you lose the ability to finish a lift, the spotter comes to your rescue by pushing with you to place the bar into the barbell holder.

When Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed; and when he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. 12 But Moses’ hands were heavy and grew weary. So [the other men] took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Then Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side and one on the other side; so his hands were steady until the going down of the sun, Exodus 17:11-12.

Depending upon your age, strength, and the weight you are lifting, you may need one or two spotters. Anytime you’re lifting over 250 pounds, its safer to have 2 spotters, one on either side of the barbell. Yet, if you’re working out with someone like Mike whose body resembled a chiseled rock, one spotter is all you need. One of the roles of a spotter parallels a modern day life coach. Mike weekly challenged, encouraged, and pushed me to become stronger every day.

And Joshua mowed down and disabled Amalek and his people with the sword, Exodus 17:13.

One of the immediate benefits of having a spiritual spotter occurred during the Intramural Ultimate Frisbee title game. The guy who was guarding me was 6 foot 3, just under 200 pounds. While in the end zone, I was practically tackled as my elbow violently hit the ground. Yet, I held on, our team tied the game on the final play and won the championship in overtime. As you find and surround yourself with spiritual spotters, you’ll reach new heights, often well beyond your imagination and dream.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 149: The Only Thing I Need

Posted on June 29, 2022 by expressyourself4him

During my final two years of high school, Yes became my favorite rock band. The 90125 album was weekly playing in my tape deck, highlighted by Changes. Since lead singer Jon Anderson has such a distinct voice, I was ecstatic to discover that he began to appear as a guest singer on Christian albums. While I could have selected a song from Anderson’s solo album, I chose The Only Thing I Need.

And my God will liberally supply ([i]fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus, Philippians 4:19.

As a famous rock star, Jon Anderson didn’t need to rely on God for his daily needs. Yet, like any prodigal, Jon came to a point in life where he discovered the only thing he truly needed in life was Jesus. Thanks to an invitation to join 4Him in singing The Only Thing I Need; this reality has been passed on to former Yes fans. May the passage above become a daily prayer as you learn to trust God to supply all your needs.

by Jay Mankus

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