Blots and Blemishes

Posted on April 6, 2022 by expressyourself4him

In this age of wokeness, every word you say is policed by social media. Various sites have now hired truth detectors to determine right from wrong, fact from fiction, and the truth from lies. While talking about sinful behaviors, one of Jesus’ disciples refers to blots and blemishes. Like a bad grease stain on a brand-new shirt, this careless error in judgment can ruin an article of clothing. Yet, the Bible is more concerned about what’s going on deep inside of you before it’s too late to change.

Being destined to receive [punishment as] the reward of [their] unrighteousness [suffering wrong as the hire for their wrongdoing]. They count it a delight to revel in the daytime [living luxuriously and delicately]. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their [a]deceptions and carousing together [even] as they feast with you, 2 Peter 2:14.

The context of the passage above is to prepare Christians for Jesus’ second coming detailed in 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3. Several first century writers use fear to address personal blots and blemishes. The apostle Paul and Peter both use similar methods to warn Christians of falling back into the sinful ways of their past prior to entering into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. If you can develop the mindset that Jesus is coming back today, you’ll be less likely give into temptation that lie in wait for you daily.

But the [Holy] Spirit distinctly and expressly declares that in latter times some will turn away from the faith, giving attention to deluding and seducing spirits and doctrines that demons teach, 2 Through the hypocrisy and pretensions of liars whose consciences are seared (cauterized), 1 Timothy 4:1-2.

One of the biggest issues of overcoming the blots and blemishes of your past is learning to forgive yourself. Meanwhile, ungodly beliefs that you have picked up over the course of your life will make you feel less worthy of God’s mercy. When you add these factors to prodigals who have lost the ability to think rationally, common sense is asleep until you hit rock bottom. When Jesus’ earthly brother refused to believe his own sibling was the Messiah, he believes it’s never too late for confession so that God’s sanctifying grace will take care of your future blots and blemishes, James 5:16.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 64: Man Up Anthem

Posted on April 5, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Following a conversation with one of my former Red Lion students, I discovered The 116, formerly 116 Clique. This American Southern Christian hip hop group originally from Dallas, Texas met the criteria that I was looking for in new Christian music. Between the lyrics and the beat, I felt an instant connection with this sound. The song Envy became an immediate favorite of my son Daniel and daughter Lydia.

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; now that I have become a man, I am done with childish ways and have put them aside, 1 Corinthians 13:11.

In this age of wokeness, the Man Up Anthem does not apologize for taking a spiritual stand in life. One of the current problems in society is a lack of leadership. When you’re not held accountable by a church or group, most people end up doing what’s right in their own eyes. The 116 seeks to change this by encouraging boys to leave their childish ways by becoming a man of God. It’s time to Man Up.

by Jay Mankus

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The Lust of Polluting Passions

Posted on April 5, 2022 by expressyourself4him

The United States Environmental Protection Agency defines pollution as any emissions which are or could be harmful to people. Certain states set their environmental standards based upon EPA recommendations. Meanwhile, the Bible defines pollution as any form of darkness, Matthew 6:22-23, that seeks to diminish the light of Christ. One of Jesus’ disciples refers to one specific spiritual pollutant: the lust of earthly passions.

And particularly those who walk after the flesh and indulge in the lust of polluting passion and scorn and despise authority. Presumptuous [and] daring [self-willed and self-loving creatures]! They scoff at and revile dignitaries (glorious ones) without trembling, 2 Peter 2:10.

Peter appears to be referencing the Sermon on the Mount in the passage above. Jesus spoke about Christians being the light of the World in Matthew 5:14-16. One chapter later, Jesus compares human eyes to the spiritual lamp of your body, Matthew 6:22-23. If your eyes become unhealthy, the lust of polluting passions will fill your life with darkness. The apostle Paul compares this spiritual pollution to uniting yourself with someone during a one-night stand, 1 Corinthians 6:15-16.

For this reason God gave them over and abandoned them to vile affections and degrading passions. For their women exchanged their natural function for an unnatural and abnormal one, 27 And the men also turned from natural relations with women and were set ablaze (burning out, consumed) with lust for one another—men committing shameful acts with men and suffering in their own [d]bodies and personalities the inevitable consequences and penalty of their wrong-doing and going astray, which was [their] fitting retribution, Romans 1:26-27.

When people stop caring about God, these individuals will begin to feed their flesh daily. Like a drug addict searching for a more powerful substance to satisfy their desire to achieve a new high, sexual addictions set ablaze the lust of polluting passions. In the passage above, the apostle Paul reveals the origin of unwholesome desires. When natural affection is corrupted by the lust of polluting passions, spiritual lives become unfit for faith. Hebrews 6:4-6 compares this lifestyle to someone who crucifies Jesus over and over again. May the Bible serve as a form of detox to set you free from lust.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 63: This is Living

Posted on April 4, 2022 by expressyourself4him

When I became the senior class representative at Red Lion, student leaders met in my classroom once a month. These discussions enabled me to get to know teenagers outside of a typical classroom setting. One of the members of the class officers was a big fan of Lecrae. Following a conversation of cutting-edge Christian music, Daniel suggested that I needed to add Lecrae to my rotation of music in class if I wanted to boys his age.

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 12:2.

After purchasing Lecrae’s most recent album at the time, this style of Hip Hop/Rap didn’t appeal to me. However, one decade later I came across This is Living by Lecrae. Whether I’m getting old or losing touch with today’s younger generation, but I feel that this softer version of Lecrae reaches a broader audience. Rather than use a preachy style of hip hop, This is Living reveals what a personal relationship with Jesus should entail. This song provides a glimpse of what living the abundant life of Christ resembles.

by Jay Mankus

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Forsaking the Straight Road

Posted on April 4, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Straight is one of those words that has evolved over time. When I was in Junior High School, this slang expression was often used to question a boy’s sexuality. As an adult trying to get a 75-year-old house ready to move into this summer, straight is the process of aligning, plumbing and squaring up your measurements. From a biblical perspective, straight coincides with following God’s commands, decrees, and precepts. Yet, free will gives each human being the choice to do what they want or feel is right.

Forsaking the straight road they have gone astray; they have followed the way of Balaam [the son] of Beor, who loved the reward of wickedness, 2 Peter 2:15.

The origin of straight dates back to the Old Testament when God gave Moses ten standards to live by in Exodus 20. While being questioned by the Pharisees in the first century, Jesus breaks the commandments into two separate categories, Matthew 22:34-40. The first four deal with loving God with all of your heart, soul and mind. The final four commandments focus on loving your neighbor as yourself. According to Peter, Balaam forsook the straight road by failing to love his neighbors.

Enter through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and spacious and broad is the way that leads away to destruction, and many are those who are entering through it. 14 But the gate is narrow (contracted [k]by pressure) and the way is straitened and compressed that leads away to life, and few are those who find it, Matthew 7:13-14.

During one of his famous first century speeches, Jesus compares the straight road to a narrow path. Robert Frost alludes to this in his poem The Road Not Taken. Unfortunately, human nature and peer pressure persuade most people to proceed down the highway to hell. This decision doesn’t take much thought or sacrifice. However, when you start to feel empty inside, void of any meaning and purpose in life, enter the narrow way. The quicker you make a U-turn back to God, the more fulfilling your life will become on the road called Straight.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 62: Above and Beyond

Posted on April 3, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Today’s featured song comes from an American CCM singer and multi Grammy and Dove Award winning recording artist. As someone who has dabbled in creative writing since high school, the lyrics of nearly every Bruce Carroll song moves me. While Above and Beyond appears on more than one album, Bruce’s biblically based lyrics inspired me to craft my own album entitled A Simple Confession.

Once more Jesus addressed the crowd. He said, I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me will not be walking in the dark, but will have the Light which is Life, John 8:12.

The words Above and Beyond contain multiple visual images. Most of my life I’ve allowed circumstances to dictate what I pursue. If I just trusted in the power of the Holy Spirit, my achievements in life would be above and beyond my expectations. As you listen to the lyrics of Above and Beyond, may you be inspired to develop a faith that will elevate you to new heights.

by Jay Mankus

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Spiritual Rescue 101

Posted on April 3, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Television is filled with a long list of programs featuring dramatic rescues. While not everyone survives, rescue scenes are designed to grab and hold an audience’s attention. In the first century, one of Jesus’ disciples and the apostle Paul refers to God’s ability to rescue Christians out of temptation. Yet, if God knows how to rescue Christians out of temptation, why do so many saints fall from grace daily?

Now if [all these things are true, then be sure] the Lord knows how to rescue the godly out of temptations and trials, and how to keep the ungodly under chastisement until the day of judgment and doom, 2 Peter 2:9.

One of Jesus’ disciples makes an assumption in the passage above. Under the surface, Peter suggests that the ungodly have already made up their mind about God. Rather than follow a rigid set of guidelines and rules for life, many choose to chase after temporary pleasures while on earth. Subsequently, when a tempting situation arises, the human flesh is indulged to satisfy these natural desires.

For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not [b]adjusted and [c]adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to [d]a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently, 1 Corinthians 10:13.

Meanwhile, the apostle Paul takes a proactive approach toward temptation. Following a history lesson of Israel’s past shortcomings, Paul illustrates how to escape temptation. Whether you are dealing with a difficult situation, hardship or a trial, this is a natural part of life. However, when you are enduring these circumstances, God provides a way out that will avoid temptation. Therefore, if you are in a desperate need of a spiritual rescue, look for a means of escape so that your faith stands tall.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 61: Different Kind of Free

Posted on April 2, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Today’s featured group is an American Christian teen pop rock band that formed in 1999. When I first learned that my favorite Christian Bookstore was going out of business at the end of the month, I spent as much free time as possible searching for the best music available. During one of my last visits, I found a collection from Zoe Girl. This two CD Set contain several fabulous songs that I had never heard before.

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.

My favorite song turned out to be a Different Kind of Free. I’m not sure if this is the original or a remix, but today’s version of a Different Kind of Free combines Pop with Hip Hop. The final stanza contains a hint of rap that urges girls to experience the freedom which comes from entering a personal relationship with Jesus, Romans 10:9-11. As you listen, may you be moved to draw closer to the Lord.

by Jay Mankus

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The Unreasoning

Posted on April 2, 2022 by expressyourself4him

If you like to meet new people, it won’t be long before you experience a one-sided conversation. If you enjoy politics, cable television is full of panel discussions with at least one stubborn individual who doesn’t listen to what other people are saying. One of Jesus’ disciples compares this personality type to unreasoning beasts that are uncontrollable. Not matter how hard you may try, the unreasoning won’t budge.

But these [people]! Like unreasoning beasts, mere creatures of instinct, born [only] to be captured and destroyed, railing at things of which they are ignorant, they shall utterly perish in their [own] corruption [in their destroying they shall surely be destroyed], 2 Peter 2:12.

Jesus’ earthly brother offers one likely scenario to help explain why people end up becoming unreasonable, James 1:13-15. If your mind is already made up, you may listen to advice that is offered but will ultimately follow what your heart is set on doing. For example, my dog is a husky who is friendly and kind. However, when Akira senses that there is a rabbit or squirrel in the back yard, she transforms into an unreasoning beast who follows her instincts.

But understand this, that in the last days will come (set in) perilous times of great stress and trouble [hard to deal with and hard to bear]. 2 For people will be lovers of self and [utterly] self-centered, lovers of money and aroused by an inordinate [greedy] desire for wealth, proud and arrogant and contemptuous boasters. They will be abusive (blasphemous, scoffing), disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane, 2 Timothy 3:1-2.

The apostle Paul sets the stage for why people will become unreasoning beasts in the last days prior to the second coming of Jesus. Stress and trouble affect human beings in various ways, often changing their behavior. As these situations in life intensity, desperation sets in along with self-preservation. According to Paul, extreme conditions will push human beings over the edge to become unreasoning. If you find yourself falling prey to the Cancel Culture and wokeness, lean on the power of the Holy Spirit to find your way back to God, Galatians 5:25.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 60: Carmen

Posted on April 1, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Today’s featured song combines a biblical story with music. After getting married in Chicago, my wife Leanne got a position as a youth director in Bolingbrook, Illinois. For nearly two years, we served as partners in youth ministry. One of the first events I attended with this youth group was a Carmen concert at the Rosemont Horizon. Between the dancers, props and overall production of this show, I was blown away.

For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will also bring with Him through Jesus those who have fallen asleep [[h]in death], 1 Thessalonians 4:14.

While my high school mentor and swim coach introduced me to Carmen, seeing these stories of the Bible live come to life in a song was amazing. Following this concert, I purchased nearly all of Carmen’s albums. While Carmen has dozens of famous songs, the athlete in men has made the Champion my favorite. This song is like a scene from one of the Rocky movies that turns into a worship service. I hope you enjoy the Champion.

by Jay Mankus

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