Keep Up Your Courage

Posted on November 11, 2019 by expressyourself4him

The English word cardinal comes from the Latin word cardo, which means hinge. Thus, cardinal virtues are four moral principles which all other virtues are connected. While courage was not selected as a cardinal virtue, prudence, temperance, justice and fortitude share similar traits. The ability to do something that frightens you by exhibiting strength in the face of adversity will test your soul.

So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith (complete confidence) in God that it will be exactly as it was told me; Acts 27:25.

The context of the passage above occurs on ship being battered by the first century’s version of the Perfect Storm. Stuck in the middle of a typhoon for 14 days, the urge to abandon ship increases daily. While everyone else is freaking out, the apostle Paul addresses the crew. Displaying leadership during a time of crisis, Paul verbalizes his complete confidence and faith that God will spare everyone’s life.

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you,” Deuteronomy 31:6.

Paul’s comforting message is consistent with the words of Israel’s forefathers. In the passage above, Moses uses a farewell address to remind the Jews that the Lord is with you. This was followed by his predecessor who urges God’s people to be strong and courageous, Joshua 1:9. You shouldn’t have to endure a disaster to be courageous. Rather, God uses extreme situations to provide opportunities for courage to prevail.

by Jay Mankus

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What’s Best for You and Me

Posted on November 10, 2019 by expressyourself4him

As a recovering perfectionist, I tend to look at a glass half empty. This tendency to be negative often results in beating myself up inside. While I can forgive others for committing transgressions against me, forgiving myself is another story. This process may take days, weeks or months to get over a stupid blunder, error or mistake. Whenever anyone is too hard on themselves, Satan uses this vulnerability to steal your joy for life.

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows), John 10:10.

While using an analogy of a shepherd tending his sheep, Jesus illuminates the dangers that sheep face while on earth. According to John 10:6, the crowd was initially confused so Jesus spoke in clearer terms. This is the context of the passage above as Jesus reveals how Satan seeks to steal, kill and destroy souls. Although this spiritual truth may elicit fear upon receiving this news, you have to know what your enemy will attempt to do to avoid becoming the next victim.

Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need, Ephesians 4:28.

One of the songs from their 2009 album Breaking the Silence, The Letter Black sings about what’s best for you and me. The lyrics of Best of Me focuses on an individual who is haunted by their past. The author suggests that the only thing keeping us alive breathing is the knowledge of God’s existence. Entering into a personal relationship with Jesus provides meaning and purpose for life as new converts seek to ascertain God’s will. As minds are renewed by the Bible, Romans 12:1-2, what’s best for you and me is using your own God given gifts and talents to serve the Lord on earth.

by Jay Mankus

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Overcoming a Dying Faith

Posted on November 9, 2019 by expressyourself4him

Paul Simon’s 1977 song “Slip Slidin’ Away” addresses the depressing topic of death. One of the final stanza’s of this song accurately describes the journey people take through life. God only knows, God makes his plan
the informations unavailable to the mortal man. We work our jobs collect our pay, believe were gliding down the highway, when in fact were slip sliding away. Maybe I’m alone, but I endure annual cycles where I feel like I’m dying inside as my faith flickers on life support.

So also faith, if it does not have works (deeds and actions of obedience to back it up), by itself is destitute of power (inoperative, dead), James 2:17.

One of Jesus’ siblings provides insight into symptoms of a dying faith. An active faith is highlighted by acts of obedience and deeds inspired by the Holy Spirit. Just as the physically fit are disciplined, exercise regularly and work out each week, the out of shape do the exact opposite. James describes a dying faith as destitute, inoperative and spiritually dead, void of any signs of life. If you can relate that any of these troubling traits, it’s time to develop a plan to overcome a dying faith.

Was not our forefather Abraham [shown to be] justified (made acceptable to God) by [his] works when he brought to the altar as an offering his [own] son Isaac? You see that [his] faith was cooperating with his works, and [his] faith was completed and reached its supreme expression [when he implemented it] by [good] works, James 2:21-22.

Jesus’ brother points to Abraham who did not have access to the New Testament, but demonstrated faith by his willingness to offer up his son Isaac as a sacrifice to God. Abraham had his own flaws, with a record of lying instead of trusting the Lord in Genesis. Whenever individuals go through trying times, God uses hardships, trials and tribulations to spark faith. Moses and Sarah waited for years to have a child and now God was going to take Isaac’s life? The moment anyone takes a step beyond what logic tells you, faith is ignited as daily acts compliment what you believe.

by Jay Mankus

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Are You Talking to Me?

Posted on November 8, 2019 by expressyourself4him

The phrase “you talkin’ to me” is a classic line from the 1976 film Taxi Driver. Robert De Niro plays Travis Bickle who looks at himself in the mirror and imagines what he what he would say if confronted by a bad guy. Unfortunately, this generation is so busy staring at their cell phone or electronic device that this conversation would never commence.

And I said, Who are You, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus, Whom you are persecuting, Acts 26:15.

While addressing King Agrippa about his conversion from Judaism to Christianity, Paul points to his life altering conversation with God. During a trip to Damascus, Saul who changed his name to Paul was exposed to what appears to be some form of lightning. Suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him, Acts 9:3. This is how the Lord got Paul’s attention, blinded for a short period of time due to exposure to these bright lights.

But arise and stand upon your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, that I might appoint you to serve as [My] minister and to bear witness both to what you have seen of Me and to that in which I will appear to you, Acts 26:16.

Once Paul realized what was actually happening, it took some time for everything to sink in. Luke records Paul’s conversation with God in the passage above. Whenever any individual has an encounter with God, this event doesn’t happen by chance or coincide. Rather, God is talking to you for a specific purpose, revealing a calling, plan or vision that God wants you to fulfill. In view of this, don’t be caught with earbuds drowning God’s voice out so that when God’s whisper appears, you’ll know God is talking to you.

by Jay Mankus

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I’ll Be Back… Again

Posted on November 7, 2019 by expressyourself4him

Terminator Dark Fate premiered on November 1st, 2019, thirty years after the first Terminator film debuted in theaters. When a cyborg is sent on a mission from the future, Arnold Schwarzenegger plays the terminator sent back in time from 2029 to 1984 to assassinate Sarah Conner. Actress Linda Hamilton plays Conner, a mother whose unborn son will lead humanity in a war against the sentient machines. The creation of Dark Fate gives Arnold Schwarzenegger’s catchphrase “I’ll Be Back” a new meaning, I’ll be back again.

Blessed be the Lord, my Rock and my keen and firm Strength, Who teaches my hands to war and my fingers to fight—Psalm 144:1.

History is filled with examples of famous comebacks. Former heavy weight boxing champion George Foreman came out of retirement to fight at age 50. Michael Jordan retired from the NBA in 1993 following his father’s death to pursue at a professional baseball career. Two years later Jordan returned to the Chicago Bulls, winning another 3 National Basketball League titles. Sometimes when famous athletes retire, the desire to compete doesn’t disappear or fade away. These aspirations elicit and ignite a desire to try one more time before bodies can no longer compete at the highest level.

For a righteous man falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked are overthrown by calamity, Proverbs 24:16.

Exposure to failure often reveals the character of a person. The earthly brother of Jesus writes about how hardships are designed to produce endurance, faith and a steadfast nature, James 1:2-4. While everyone wants to stay on top, eventually you will fall, humbled by your own limitations. How you respond to defeat will ultimately dictate your future. According to Solomon, the righteous rise up again and again. Therefore, you don’t have to be a famous movie star to proclaim “I’ll be back again!”

by Jay Mankus

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The Words You Speak

Posted on November 6, 2019 by expressyourself4him

After experiencing another disappointing month, I find myself in the middle of a moral dilemma. Since the fall began, I have told family and friends of my aspirations to get back into shape, start eating healthier and lose weight. The climax of this preparation was a 5K that I ran last weekend. Well, after spewing endless words of my desire to change and improve my life, the only thing I accomplished was completing this race without walking.

A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of birth, Ecclesiastes 7:1.

While driving home from work yesterday, I received a rhema from God in the form of a question. Are the words that you speak making you more or less credible? The Old Testament doesn’t use modern terms such as character, integrity or reputation. Rather, authors use the expression earning “a good name” instead. King Solomon compares a good name with a precious ointment. After accumulating wealth as Israel’s leader, Solomon claims that when you receive favor from your peers due to a good man, it’s more valuable than silver or gold.

A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold, Proverbs 22:1.

If you want to develop and keep a good name, the words you say play a big role. For example, many Americans don’t like president Trump’s blunt nature, boldly speaking and tweeting brash comments daily. Yet, anyone who examines the promises Donald Trump made during the 2016 presidential campaign, his actions have fulfilled what he said and vowed to do. Unfortunately, I find myself telling my wife and kids that I am going to do this and that without following through. Just as faith without deeds is dead, James 2:26, words without action are meaningless. May God use my own conviction to inspire you to ensure that the words you speak coincide with your actions.

by Jay Mankus

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Buyer’s Remorse

Posted on November 5, 2019 by expressyourself4him

An impulse purchase can lead to a feeling of regret, typically one regarded as unnecessary or extravagant. The car you always wanted, the cell phone to keep up with the Joneses or the dream property where you want to retire. This second guessing often comes back to a lack of money, buying something that you feel like you deserve, yet can’t afford.

And after they had gone out, they said to one another, This man is doing nothing deserving of death or [even] of imprisonment. And Agrippa said to Festus, This man could have been set at liberty if he had not appealed to Caesar, Acts 26:31-32.

Buyer’s remorse may cross over into poor decision’s that you have made in the past. When the apostle Paul’s trial was on the verge of being held in Jerusalem in front of a biased Jewish court, Paul appealed to Caesar as a citizen of Rome. While this decision seemed logical at the time, Paul would have been set free after King Agrippa heard Paul’s testimony.

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand, Proverbs 19:21.

Buyer’s remorse can also be a sign of conviction, a way of God leading you back to where you need to be spiritually. As much as I hate to admit it, many of the things that I desire and plan for are far from the Lord’s will. Just as King Solomon wrote in the passage above, what you think in your mind often strays from the Lord’s purpose. Thus, I must confess that buyer’s remorse exposes earthly treasures as temporary pleasures that do not satisfy human souls. May this blog inspire you to seek things above to avoid future bouts with buyer’s remorse.

by Jay Mankus

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Not Just a Coincidence

Posted on November 4, 2019 by expressyourself4him

Any well written drama includes a series of simultaneous events which peak the interest of viewers. Whether you are talking about a crime scene investigation, court case or murder mystery, things that happen at the same time are designed to lump the innocent in with the guilty individual or party. Following the clues, evidence and facts take an audience in an unexpected direction which ultimately exonerates the falsely accused while exposing who is to blame.

If you will listen diligently to the voice of the Lord your God, being watchful to do all His commandments which I command you this day, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you if you heed the voice of the Lord your God, Deuteronomy 28:1-2.

While driving home from work earlier in the week, the Holy Spirit opened my mind to something that I regularly overlook. Like James Stewart’s character (George Bailey) in It’s a Wonderful Life, my life is full of blessings. Despite a normal amount of disappointments, failures and trying times, the Lord has watched over my family and friends. Instead of thanking God for all the visible and invisible blessings in my life, I dismiss many of these occurrences to fate, luck and natural events.

But if you will not obey the voice of the Lord your God, being watchful to do all His commandments and His statutes which I command you this day, then all these curses shall come upon you and overtake you: Cursed shall you be in the city and cursed shall you be in the field, Deuteronomy 28:15-16.

The lesson God is trying to teach me is that this isn’t just a coincidence. Rather, the principles of Deuteronomy 28 are being played out daily. Listening to and obeying God results in favor in the form of accomplishments, blessings and success. Meanwhile, those who fail to accept, embrace or listen to the Bible’s teaching will suffer a series of setbacks. God uses humility to reunite lost and troubled souls with their Creator. Therefore, the next time you think about ignoring God’s omnipresence on earth, remember that blessings and curses is not a coincidence.

by Jay Mankus

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Vain and Perilous Resistance

Posted on November 3, 2019 by expressyourself4him

If you have ever experienced what I call a God instance, recalling this account to others often unveils bizarre details. In the passage below, I stumbled upon the most detailed version of Saul’s encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. While explaining his new allegiance to Jewish leaders and Pharisees, the apostle Paul reveals the words spoken to him from heaven. Instead of listening to conviction from the Holy Spirit, Saul was persistent to hold on to his religious upbringing. Instead of embracing Jesus’ teaching, Saul kept kicking against the goads through a vain and perilous resistance.

And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice in the Hebrew tongue saying to me, Saul, Saul, why do you continue to persecute Me [to harass and trouble and molest Me]? It is dangerous and turns out badly for you to keep kicking against the goads [to keep offering vain and perilous resistance], Acts 26:14.

When you are raised to adhere to, believe and follow a certain set of values, outside opinions usually fall upon deaf ears. Similar to Paul, I grew up Catholic, raised in a strict Roman Catholic church. While I did learn to fear God at an early age, the love of Jesus in the New Testament was rarely emphasized. Thus, as I began to be introduced to Christians who were actively participating in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, Romans 10:9-10, I didn’t know how to respond. God used nightmares in the form of a reoccurring dream of dying over a two year period which finally brought me to my knees, giving up my own vain and perilous resistance.

Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I tell their faults and convict and convince and reprove and chasten [I discipline and instruct them]. So be enthusiastic and in earnest and burning with zeal and repent [changing your mind and attitude]. Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears and listens to and heeds My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will eat with him, and he [will eat] with Me, Revelation 3:19-20.

Today, we live in an age of resistance. For the past three years, Democrats, Liberals and Progressives have failed to accept the outcome of the 2016 Presidential Election. Instead of learning from their failed attempt to elect the first female president, Hillary Clinton, a resistance campaign has been executed daily with impeachment as the latest plan to achieve this goal. Unfortunately, when individuals fail to embrace the reality of truth, no substitute will do. No matter how hard you may try fill the void in your heart with earthly hobbies, pastimes and treasures, peace won’t be found until vain and perilous efforts to resist God ends. In the passage above, John has a vision of a special door. Heaven’s side doesn’t have a door handle, only a knocker, trying to get our attention on earth. While God knocks, only you can let the Lord in. May this blog inspire you to end vain and perilous resistance by accepting God’s free gift, Romans 6:23.

by Jay Mankus

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Fighting Off Worry with Prayer

Posted on November 2, 2019 by expressyourself4him

As a parent of teenagers, it’s not uncommon to receive a troubling text or phone call about a developing situation. While driving home from a friend’s house last night, my wife answered her cell phone. I could hear my son’s voice as Daniel was upset about a disturbing letter. Focused on driving, I tried to keep my mind on the road as the winds of worry began to consume my soul.

Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you. For everyone who keeps on asking receives; and he who keeps on seeking finds; and to him who keeps on knocking, [the door] will be opened, Matthew 7:7-8.

After getting home after 10 pm, nothing could be done to resolve this issue until Friday morning. The letter my son received claimed that he didn’t complete his defense driving course over the summer which triggered a series consequences. Until my wife called our attorney in the morning, nothing could fix this error. Thus, my son and I remained restless, unable to sleep last night.

And Jesus answered them, Truly I say to you, if you have faith (a] firm relying trust) and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, Be taken up and cast into the sea, it will be done. And whatever you ask for in prayer, having faith and [really] believing, you will receive, Matthew 21:21-22.

As I finally sat down in bed before sunrise, the verses above raced through my mind. The more I thought about these passages on prayer, I became emboldened, claiming these promises in a moving movement of prayer. Part of my didn’t want to be disappointed, but an inner faith fought off worry with prayer. When I woke up before noon, I was excited to hear that this mistake was corrected and no court hearing was necessary. The past 24 hours have taught me a valuable lesson, fighting off worry with prayer.

by Jay Mankus

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