A Year 4 Transformation: Day 339-The Charity of Forgiveness

Posted on December 2, 2024 by expressyourself4him

Passage of the Day:

“If your brother or sister[b] sins,[c] go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’[d] 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.18 “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be[e] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be[f] loosed in heaven. 19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” 21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times, Matthew 18:15-22.

Reflection:

Being charitable can take a toll on you emotionally. As a former youth pastor, some of my teenagers kept letting me down, time after time. However, as Peter asked Jesus following the portion of the Bible known as Church Discipline, forgiveness is a daily expectation for Christians. When you place conditions on charity or forgiveness, you limit your ability to love. The reason why Jesus responds with 70 X 7 is a call for His disciples to forgive an infinite number of times.

Prayerful Action:

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins, Matthew 6:14-15.

Learning to love this December as God Loves You and I:

At the end of the Lord’s Prayer or the Our Father, Jesus makes a shocking statement. Listeners in the crowd during the Sermon on the Mount might have been in a state of disbelief. Jesus clearly states that God’s forgiveness is conditional based upon how you forgive others. Jesus doesn’t give an escape clause such as “if someone breaks your heart then you don’t have to forgive.” Since this does not exist in the Bible, forgiving others is a daily charitable act. This is how you should love.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

If you try to be charitable and love in your own strength, you’ll likely fail. However, when you lay your burdens at the feet of Jesus, you can arise with a fresh start and inspiration to let the light of Christ shine through you.

by Jay Mankus

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A Year 4 Transformation: Day 338-Modeling Charity

Posted on December 1, 2024 by expressyourself4him

Passage of the Day:

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’[c]; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[d]” 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii[e] and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have,’ Luke 10:25-35.

Reflection:

While the third and final theological virtue in model translations is love, the King James version of 1 Corinthians 13:13 uses charity. One of best examples of charity in the Bible comes from the Parable of the Good Samaritan. Although this is most likely a fictional story, Jesus places two Jewish leaders in this illustration to prove His point. Charity doesn’t come from holding a leadership position in your local place of worship. Rather, charity is a conscious decision that you make daily with a prayer to guide your steps, “not my will, but may your will be done today,” Galatians 5:25. The priest and Levite were either afraid of becoming ceremonial unclean by touching this wounded individual, were on a time crunch so that neither wanted to get involved or were so self-absorbed like people on their cell phones, each passed by without a concern in the world. The bottom line of the Samaritan’s action in this passage is that charity takes time, and loving others can be messy.

Prayerful Action:

“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise,” Luke 10:36-37.

Learning to Love this December as God Loves You:

If your car has ever broken down on the side of a road, you understand what it means to be in need. I recall losing power on an interstate, passed by hundreds of vehicles before a good Samaritan took me to a local towing company before cell phones existed. On the other hand, how many times have I passed someone in a similar situation? Over the years, I have failed to be charitable, following in the footsteps of the priest and Levite. If the Golden Rule states: “do unto others as you want others to do unto you,” Matthew 22:39, may the Holy Spirit convict and inspire all of us to love God and love one another as Christmas Day approaches.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

If you find yourself overwhelmed with another Cyber Monday, may today’s song and parable speak to your heart and soul. Those who are charitable run to those in need like God at the end of the parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15.

by Jay Mankus

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A Year 4 Transformation: Day 337-A Faith that Moves Mountains

Posted on November 30, 2024 by expressyourself4him

Passage of the Day:

Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. 19 Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.20 When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked. 21 Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done, Matthew 21:18-21.

Reflection:

After creating faith devotions from all 27 books of the New Testament, I wanted to end the month of November with one of the most powerful promises in the Bible. Jesus cursed a fig tree after his desire to fill his body with fruit was denied. When one of God’s creations doesn’t provide what it was designed to do, this fig tree was worthless in Jesus’ eyes. Subsequently, immediately withering this tree served as a teachable moment. According to Jesus, when you add unswerving belief with faith, a faith that moves mountains is possible.

Prayerful Action:

If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer, Matthew 21:22.

Fueling your Faith this Spiritual Season:

The gospel of John contains a similar statement made by Jesus in John 16:24. The context of John’s words is geared toward a new approach to prayer. Up until this first century conversation, the disciples were praying to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel. What Jesus is trying to express, if you truly want to see answers to your prayers immediately and or overnight, ask in the name of Jesus. When you take John’s advice and combine this with Jesus’ promise in Matthew 21:22, a faith that can move the mountains blocking and standing in your way is just a heart-felt prayer away.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

May the words of Faith Like That serve as a spiritual breakthrough in your life. The closer you draw near Jesus, the greater Satan’s attacks will become. However, when you reach a point of unswerving belief and faith, may you experience the power of the Holy Spirit move in your life this Christmas season.

by Jay Mankus

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A Year 4 Transformation: Day 336-Is Your Faith Ready?

Posted on November 29, 2024 by expressyourself4him

Passage of the Day:

“To the angel[a] of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits[b] of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you, Revelation 3:1-3.

Reflection:

Every day there are countless unknowns: good, bad or indifferent. Tomorrow could be the best day of your life or the worst day you’ve ever experienced. Based upon today’s featured passage, members of the Church at Sardis were going through the motions as a Christian. Yet, according to the angel, many were sleeping with a faith void of any spiritual fruit. The warning in this passage reminds me of Jesus’ parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30. None of the servants knew when their master would return. Subsequently, each one needed to live each day as if their master would return any minute. If you were in this situation, is your faith ready?

Prayerful Action:

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.21 To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches,” Revelation 3:20-22.

Fueling your Faith this Spiritual Season:

King Solomon points to a devise that sharpens tools, making the analogy that fellowship with godly Christians sharpens your faith, Proverbs 27:17. Although I tried to become a lone ranger Christian early on in my faith journey, I realized that I couldn’t do this alone. Another New Testament author builds upon this concept in Hebrews 10:23-25, urging first century Christians to keep meeting with one another outside of church. The more you surround yourself with a positive environment, you’ll find that your faith will be ready for Jesus’ second coming.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

Listening to Christian songs weekly has a way of keeping my faith alive outside of church. Sometimes, the melody mixed with special lyrics inspires me to be more active spiritually. May the words of Never Let Go motivate you to seize each day with a vibrant faith.

by Jay Mankus

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A Year 4 Transformation: Day 335-Building Yourself Up in the Most Holy Faith

Posted on November 28, 2024 by expressyourself4him

Passage of the Day:

But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18 They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” 19 These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. 20 But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life, Jude 1:17-21.

Reflection:

Later today, thousands of families will be reunited around a dinner table. As the traditional American family has evolved in this progressive age, these visits may not be as pleasant as you remember as a child. Yet, this doesn’t mean that you can’t celebrate Thanksgiving as George Washington intended back in 1789. This holiday was initially set apart for a day of prayer and public thanksgiving. Perhaps, this year a new tradition can begin, inspired by the words of Jude. Build up one another, praying in the Holy Spirit so that Thanksgiving becomes a spiritual turning in your faith.

Prayerful Action:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus, Philippians 4:6-7.

Fueling your Faith this Spiritual Season:

Thanks to social media, thanksgiving has become a rare expression of faith. Meanwhile, anonymous individuals make it their daily ambition to trash and verbally abuse anyone who disagrees with them. This dumpster fire has no place for Thanksgiving festivities and traditions. May you set the tone tonight with your heart and mind fixated on affirmations, charitable actions and prayer.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

While Ray Boltz’ witness isn’t what it once was, God still uses songs inspired by the Holy Spirit. May Thanksgiving Day and the lyrics of Thank You build yourself up in the most Holy Faith.

by Jay Mankus

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A Year 4 Transformation: Day 334-Walking in the Truth of the Bible

Posted on November 27, 2024 by expressyourself4him

Passage of the Day:

The elder, To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth. 2 Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. 3 It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth, 3 John 1:1-4.

Reflection:

I’ve listened to and seen how adult Christians can make simple things of faith complex. Perhaps, these Christians are simply trying to impress upon church members the theological knowledge they learned in college Bible classes and or seminary. Writing his final epistle to a dear friend, John’s main concern is that children of God are walking in the truth of the Bible. As Gnosticism was introduced at the end of the first century, John was called by the Holy Spirit to address this false teaching. Gnosticism believed that the world was created and ruled by a lesser divinity than described by the Bible. This is why following in the footsteps of the Bereans was essential so that false teachers didn’t stunt the spiritual growth of young Christians.

Prayerful Action:

I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path, Psalm 119:104-105.

Fueling your Faith this Spiritual Season:

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible. Early on in this chapter, the author asked a rhetorical question in verse 9. Purity is achieved by living according to the Bible. While the world is in a constant state of flux, the Bible has not changed, Hebrews 13:8. Each book of the Bible contains relative answers on how to live and walk as a Christian. However, finding all of these answers takes time. This is why I seek to walk in the truth of the Bible as I continue my faith journey.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

I was introduced to Average Joe in college as a struggling Christian. The lyrics of this Bruce Carroll song gave me hope that I too could walk in the truth of the Bible. May today’s devotion inspire you to strengthen your faith journey by walking in this biblical truth.

by Jay Mankus

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A Year 4 Transformation: Day 333-Walking in Faith

Posted on November 26, 2024 by expressyourself4him

Passage of the Day:

It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. 5 And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. 6 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love, 2 John 1:4-6.

Reflection:

As a child, you begin crawling on your knees. Once cognitive skills develop, you may opt to hold a parent’s hand as you slowly take your first steps. When balance is obtained, you can walk on your own, walking faster and faster as confidence grows within. As John writes to first century Christians scattered throughout the Mediterranean Sea region, he compares faith to a child learning to walk. However, Christians must learn to walk in the truth of the Bible, following in the footsteps of the Berean Church.

Prayerful Action:

As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true, Acts 17:10-11.

Fueling Your Faith This Spiritual Season:

Walking in faith begins with checking and scanning the Bible to discover if what a teacher said is consistent with and supports God’s Word. The apostle Paul adopted this spiritual discipline in a letter to the Church at Thessalonica, with more specifics. Paul urged first century Christians to test everything, cling to what is good and reject every kind of evil, 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22. This is the mindset you need to walk in faith in an everchanging world. When you add this to loving one another and obeying God’s commands, walking in faith becomes attainable.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

Today’s song is from the Facing the Giants soundtrack. As you rely on the Bible for your source of truth, you too can walk in faith as you face the spiritual giants of this age.

by Jay Mankus

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A Year 4 Transformation: Day 332-Developing a Faith that Lights Up the World

Posted on November 25, 2024 by expressyourself4him

Passage of the Day:

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all[b] sin.8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us, 1 John 1:5-10.

Reflection:

As a disciple, John likely heard Jesus reinforce the need for His leaders to let their faith shine. Meanwhile, Jesus impressed upon His followers that the world will know you by the spiritual fruit that you yield, John 15:8. Subsequently, today’s featured passage builds upon the imagery of light and darkness. If you’re merely going through the motions spiritually, no one will recognize that you’re a Christian. However, if you are eager to make a difference in this world, your faith will ignite actions that will light up the darkness. This begins with an honest assessment of your faith followed by acts of contrition fueled by the Holy Spirit.

Prayerful Action:

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house,” Matthew 5:14-15.

Fueling your Faith this Spiritual Season:

As you prepare to join members of your family at Thanksgiving, today is a great time to prepare yourself in prayer. You have 3 days to turn your attention away from yourself and ask God for a desire to develop a faith that lights up the world. Yet, as John realizes, don’t lie to yourself and others. Confession serves as a spark that can ignite your faith like the beginning of the second great awakening. As you become open, honest and vulnerable, you may inspire others with a stagnant faith to do the same. This is all part of the process in developing a faith that lights up the world.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

If integrity is doing what’s right when no one is watching, developing a faith that shines through the darkness in this world begins by taking a risk. May the Holy Spirit give you the courage to stand in the gap, shining the light of Jesus upon your family this Thanksgiving.

by jay Mankus

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A Year 4 Transformation: Day 331-Adding to Your Faith

Posted on November 24, 2024 by expressyourself4him

Passage of the Day:

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins, 2 Peter 1:5-9.

Reflection:

The context of Peter’s words come immediately after explaining how the Holy Spirit is able to guide, lead and steer Christians around the corruption and evil in this world. As Christians learn to cling to God’s promises in the Bible, it’s important to move forward spiritually in your faith. The moment you become idle; you’re actually beginning a gradual slide away from God. Building upon yesterday’s devotion, this is where hungering and thirsting after righteousness comes into play. Those who add to their faith daily, begin gathering goodness, knowledge and self-control. Peter’s words are like building blocks to faith, adding these godly attributes one by one is a clear sign of spiritual growth.

Prayerful Action:

Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up, Galatians 6:8-9.

Fueling your Faith this Spiritual Season:

As a former high school coach, every player has different levels of commitment, desire and focus. This tends to separate the average players from those who end up being able to compete at a college level or higher. This same principle holds true to the spiritual realm. As Christians begin to hunger and thirst for the Bible, faith is taken to the next level, Matthew 6:33. This is what separates nominal Christians who remain lukewarm from future spiritual leaders who can’t get enough of Jesus. This is what I mean by adding to your faith.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

Only After You is one of my favorite Christian songs on the topic of chasing after God. May the lyrics of this Sixteen Cities song inspire you to continue to add to your faith.

by Jay Mankus

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A Year 4 Transformation: Day 330-A Faith that Craves Spiritual Milk

Posted on November 23, 2024 by expressyourself4him

Passage of the Day:

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good, 1 Peter 2:1-3.

Reflection:

My mother made my lunch for me during the school year until I graduated high school. As a swimmer and runner, I couldn’t have soda, and my coaches encouraged me to eat peanut butter along with fruits and veggies. This bag lunch that I kept in my locker never excited me, unless left over Halloween candy was added in as a surprise. As Peter writes to first century Christians scattered throughout the Middle east due to spiritual persecution, he addressed the spiritual appetite young believers should crave. Peter compares the words of the Bible to babies craving their mother’s breastmilk. The more Christians listen to, meditate upon, and study the Bible, your faith will increase, and your soul will be satisfied.

Prayerful Action:

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ, Romans 10:17.

Fueling your Faith this Spiritual Season:

Everything once in a while, I’ll starve myself for an extending period of time as I’m fixated on completing an important project. When I’m finally finished, I binge eat by devouring an entire pizza or lose myself in munchies as I watch television. Apparently, Peter had heard of or witnessed young Christians who hadn’t changed their habits after entering into a personal relationship with Jesus. This concerned inspired the words of today’s featured passage. Since the illiteracy rate was high in the first century, letters addressed to churches were read out loud so that the entire congregation could hear and understand this spiritual advice. May the words of Peter inspire a faith that craves spiritual milk.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

One of the signs of growth is being able to eat meat. May today’s song inspire you to move beyond spiritual milk to honey and spiritual meat found in God’s Word.

by Jay Mankus

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