ExpressYourself4Him

Pets are often accused of having a mind of their own.  Meanwhile, some people use the excuse that they have a one track mind when they get in trouble.  However, there are only a few people throughout the course of history who had a clue, an idea about the mind of God.

There are 2 examples from Genesis that reveal Abraham’s understanding of God’s nature.  During his prayer in Genesis 18:16-33, Abraham challenges God, recognizing that if a righteous person was found in Sodom, the city would not be destroyed by God.  On the other hand, Abraham was willing to take out a knife to sacrifice his one and only son, some how knowing God would either resurrect Isaac or supernaturally intervene in Genesis 22.

Esther, with the help of Mordecai, began to see God’s plan and His timing.  As the queen, Esther was willing to risk her own death, trusting their was a divine reason for her to be placed in the position she held, Esther 4:14.  The apostle Paul also became enlightened to the mind of God as he wrote a letter to the church of Corinth, 1 Corinthians 1:18-30.

Finally, the last person I can think of who had an inclination of God’s mind is Job.  According Job 1-2, God understood the importance of righteousness.  Although, tempted by his wife to curse God, he knew there was a reason for the chain of trials his house endured.  In Job 38-40, God puts Job in his place, a lowly servant.  In response, Job acknowledges a truth that all human beings should proclaim, a message memorialized each Ash Wednesday, Job 42:1-6.

For those of you who have questioned God like me, there is a glimmer of hope.  When you pray for your friends, restoration follows, Job 42:10.  Therefore, as I wait for my future to be revealed, I will cling to the promises which helped Abraham, Esther, Paul and Job rise above their circumstances.

by Jay Mankus

Lately, I have been feeling like Billy Crystal in the movie City Slickers.  Although I am not having a mid life crisis like Billy’s character in the movie, I am experiencing a mid job crisis which is on its seventh month now.  As I receive daily emails saying, thanks for your interest but we have gone in a different direction or a monthly rejection phone call, there are only 2 conclusions I have come to about my situation.  Either God is trying to tell me not yet, the timing isn’t quite right or the position you didn’t get selected for is not for you.

While my current scenario may appear bleak, its nothing compared to the trials and tribulations Joseph went through prior to receiving his permanent job as second in command to Pharaoh.  Joseph was falsely accused of a crime he didn’t commit, Genesis 39:16-18, sent to jail in Genesis 39:20 and forgotten by the cup bearer in Genesis 40:23.  Despite all of these events, Joseph stayed positive, didn’t complain and was blessed by the Lord, Genesis 39:23.  I guess Joseph and I have one thing in common, God told Joseph and is telling me now, not yet and not for you.

I wish I had the faith like Joseph, blindly waiting on the Lord for His timing, purpose and will.  In my pursuit to find the next calling in my life, I have been served humble pie several times.  When doors have opened, I have been getting ahead of God, thinking I am a shoe in for a position.  However, as reality comes crashing down upon me, my finances and ego, I am beginning to understand the meaning of 1 Corinthians 2:6-16.  I don’t understand what God is thinking, yet through the Holy Spirit 2 things are clear: not yet or not for you.

Though my mid job crisis continues, I have been on a 7 month long journey blazing a new trail.  Writing, reading and reflecting upon which trail to take next.  I am a man without a map, waiting on the Holy Spirit to guide, lead and prompt me.  Faith is my compass and hope is my food to carry me into the future, Hebrews 11:6.

by Jay Mankus

In Acts 13:36, Luke uses the Greek term huperetes.  The literal meaning of this word is under rower.  Luke is referring to the rowers located in a ship’s galley during the first century.  If these rowers weren’t synchronized, one or more of the rowers could become counter productive.

Like modern day crew, rowing in unison with a group of people requires a synergy.  To be successful, communication is crucial to simultaneously row at the same time.  Individuals must do their job as well as have their timing down perfectly.  Just as a team has to be on the same page, the church needs to learn to be synchronized with the Holy Spirit.

In the book of Revelation, the disciple whom Jesus loved devotes 2 chapters to messages of 7 different churches.  While each church had a distinct problem, all of them had lost touch with the Holy Spirit.  According to 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, the church should resemble a well oiled machine, a body with individual parts all working in unison.  However, as people drift in and out of churches, vacant spiritual gifts and talents can cripple the churches ability to function properly.  Therefore, each believer must be synchronized with the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25, so that the 21st century church can complete their task by fulfilling the great commission.

by Jay Mankus

When I was younger, I never understood the expression, horsing around.  Although, my parents and junior high teachers often used this saying, I didn’t fathom what it meant.  However, since March I have been working part time at a horse farm, which has opened my eyes to the true meaning of horsing around.

Like a shepherd tending their sheep, I interact with horses daily as a caretaker / landscaper at Middletown Veterinarian Hospital.  Just as middle school students goof off as a teacher turns their head, horses do the strangest things when no one is looking.  Horses bite one another, constantly destroy fence post by cribbing and I caught one the other day successfully open a gate to a pasture by using their butt to loosen the lock.

Solomon, who was an avid lover of horses, had one of the largest collections of horses on record.  Proverbs 26:3 sheds light on the reality Solomon discovered in his interactions with his own horses.  According to verse 3, horses needed the prompting of a whip to keep them in line.  Just like horses, sometimes human beings need a kick in the rear to bring them back on track.  As the wide road which leads to destruction, Matthew 7:13-14, continues to attract lost souls, Christians need to stop horsing around before forget where the narrow path lies.

by Jay Mankus

You have spent your entire life in poverty.  Your family has always had just enough for everyone.  You have heard people speak of a great land, promising beauty and prosperity.  However, you won’t get there for 40 years.  Impatience causing you to give up hope.  Forty years is too long to wait; at least that’s what you think.  What if this land is just a fable?  What is this land doesn’t live up to the hype?  Don’t get your hope up only to be disappointed again.  Poverty is all you have ever known, poverty is what you will always have.

Then, it happened when you least expected!  You obeyed God, trusted in His ways and you entered this land.  God gave you this entire land from your enemies.  When the walls of Jericho collapsed before your eyes, Joshua ordered you to search the city, slaughtering anyone still alive, then burn their possessions.  As you were exploring your designated section of the city, you stumble across gold, silver and a beautiful robe, likely imported from Babylon.  Your commander was clear: leave everything you find so it can be burned.  Yet, you begin to rationalize your discovery in your mind.  Taking these items won’t hurt anyone?  God won’t care if I save one robe and some money?  Temptation draws you closer.  You reach out to touch each item, look around before grabbing all 3.  However, there is a catch.  What do you do with them?  Do you hide them in a safe location where the fire won’t destroy them?  Wanting not to waste a perfectly good robe, you give in, hiding the robe, gold and silver under your tent.

Sin has you, but you can’t see it.  Your life is about to end, but you can’t feel it.  Suddenly, your deed is brought to the surface after a baffling defeat.  Troops begin to search each of the 12 tribes, clans and families.  Guilt and shame consume your body.  Soon you will be discovered.  It’s only a matter of time.  Embarrassed, tears begin to stream down your face.  You have disgraced your family, friends and the nation of Israel.  Why couldn’t you have resisted the temptation instead of being sucked into sin?  Now you are as good as dead, separating from God forever.

“What do you have to say to yourself,” says the soldiers who confront Achan.  With no choice now, Achan confesses this sin.  Unfortunately, this mindless deed is costly.  This selfish sinful act will cost you and your entire family their lives.  I can hear the words of Achan coming from his grave, “if you are flirting with sin, turn back to God.  Don’t let sin consume you!  Before you make a move, expose your deeds of darkness before its too late.  Confess your sins to one another and pray for each other so that you will be saved from sin.  Avoid the destiny, death and embarrassment which I face.  Please learn from my mistake.  Repent, turning away from your sins by turning back toward God.  Do it now!”

by Jay Mankus