ExpressYourself4Him

Passage of the Day:

“‘For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. ²⁵ I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. ²⁶ I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. ²⁷ And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. ²⁸ Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God. ²⁹ I will save you from all your uncleanness. I will call for the grain and make it plentiful and will not bring famine upon you. ³⁰ I will increase the fruit of the trees and the crops of the field, so that you will no longer suffer disgrace among the nations because of famine,” Ezekiel 36:24-30.

Reflection:

The Book of Ezekiel was written during Israel’s Babylonian captivity sometime between 593 and 565 B.C. Therefore, when you read the words of today’s featured passage, Ezekiel is providing a glimpse into God’s future for the nation of Israel. While the present was extremely painful living in exile, Ezekiel’s prayer is that you will be given a new heart and spirit. Whenever you find yourself struggling to get through a specific day, week or month, maintaining any type of joy or passion is tough. As you fight through these trials with all you’re might, pursue a passionate heart so you are able to see the pain inside of others in your spheres of influence.

Prayerful Action:

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.¹¹ Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.¹² Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me, Psalm 51:10-12.

Working Out Your Salvation:

As a former coach, I am reminded of Jesus’ words in the Garden of Gethsemane: “the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” You can go to church, attend a weekly Bible Study and pray every day, but willing your body to do and say the right thing isn’t easy. Meanwhile, if the mouth speaks out of the overflow of your heart, Luke 6:45, pursuing a passionate heart takes time. In fact, you may have to work harder than athletes preparing for a new season. This is where having an accountability partner or a friend you can confide in will help you along the way. If you believe God has prepared in advance special plans for your life, Philippians 1:6, keep drawing closer to the Lord until you bear spiritual fruit.

Song of the Day:

Sometime developing a passionate heart for God begins with worship. As you listen to the lyrics of How He Loves, may you conceive a passion to pursue the Lord in all of your life.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. ³³ With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all ³⁴ that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales ³⁵ and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. ³⁶ Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), ³⁷ sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet, Acts 4:32-37.

Reflection:

At the end of his second chapter, Luke shares the blueprint for a successful first century church, Acts 2:42-47. Two chapters later, in today’s featured passage, Luke paints a vivid picture of a spiritual climate where consistent Christ-Like actions are lived out daily. On the surface, there was a sense that every member of this church were adopted into your family like your own flesh and blood. This mindset conceived a spirit of giving and selflessness. There was no need for a church offering every Sunday at church as individuals were naturally helping others outside of a corporate worship setting. This is the love of Jesus in action.

Prayerful Action:

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, Luke 6:38.

Working Out Your Salvation:

As an emotional individual, I tend to ride spiritual highs until they fade away. Subsequently, I tend to let my circumstances dictate the consistency of my faith. This is an area that I definitely need to work on this summer. The context of today’s prayerful action is that Jesus is speaking about judging others. If you give people, the benefit of doubt, grace will be extended to you as well. Therefore, as you work out your salvation this July by striving to become more consistent, treat others as you want to be treated.

Song of the Day:

Today’s song is one of my favorite ballads from college. The lyrics of the Bruce Carroll’s song challenges listeners to become consistent in their Christ-like actions. May you keep in step by the Holy Spirit by seeing and meeting the needs of those around you.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. ²¹ Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people said nothing. ²² Then Elijah said to them, “I am the only one of the Lord’s prophets left, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets. ²³ Get two bulls for us. Let Baal’s prophets choose one for themselves, and let them cut it into pieces and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. ²⁴ Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord. The god who answers by fire—he is God.” Then all the people said, “What you say is good,” 1 Kings 18:20-24.

Reflection:

In hockey, lacrosse and soccer, penalties can result in one team playing a man down during a power play or the rest of the game if a red card is issued. During this year’s COPA Soccer Tournament, the United States played the last 81 minutes of their match with one less player, eventually losing 2-1. When things begin to fall apart in any contest, coaches and players can panic as time on the clock ticks away. As for Elijah, he was outnumbered 450 to 1, yet God gave him an idea that he believed would work. Participating in a spiritual duel, Elijah remained cool and confident, believing that God could and would bring fire down from heaven.

Prayerful Action:

At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: “Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. ³⁷ Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again,” 1 Kings 18L36-37.

Working Out Your Salvation:

Whenever I have been blessed by a spiritual mountaintop experience like Elijah, I feel like I can do anything. Unfortunately, human nature tends to allow individuals to become overconfident. One chapter after successfully calling fire down from heaven, Elijah wanted to die, surprised by Jezebel’s death threat, 1 Kings 19:3-4. Just as C.S. Lewis reminds Christians in Mere Christianity, success is the process of arriving, not actual arriving. Christian maturity comes from the journey of faith throughout one’s life. While it’s easy to panic when you’re in a no-win situation, trust in the Lord and He will make your paths straight, Proverbs 3:5-6.

Song of the Day:

The image of Elijah entering into a spiritual duel with 450 prophets of Baal brought the attached song to my mind. May the lyrics of Holy War inspire you to trust in God’s power rather than the mountain of doubt standing in your way on earth.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.” ²⁵ He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” ²⁶ Then they asked him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” ²⁷ He answered, “I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?” ²⁸ Then they hurled insults at him and said, “You are this fellow’s disciple! We are disciples of Moses! ²⁹ We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don’t even know where he comes from.” ³⁰ The man answered, “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes, John 9:24-30.

Reflection:

Legalism within today’s Christian church has caused many to abandon the practice of attending church regularly. These modern-day Pharisees give the love of Jesus a bad name, causing spiritual harm that some individuals never recover from. While a man blind from birth is trying to celebrate the miracle of seeing for the first time, the Pharisees were offended that Jesus healed this man on the Sabbath. Although this man’s parents were afraid of the Pharisees, this healed man dug deep, refusing to remain silent.

Prayerful Action:

“We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. ³² Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. ³³ If this man were not from God, he could do nothing,” John 9:31-33.

Working Out Your Salvation:

The subtle transformation of this former blind man in remarkable. This healed man begins by telling others that a man named Jesus healed him in John 9:11. When speaking to the Pharisees in John 9:17, this former blind man refers to Jesus as a prophet. Although John doesn’t specifically refer to this, this healed man realizes within his heart, soul and mind that Jesus has to be more than a mere man. Rather than succumb to the spiritual blindness of the Pharisees, this healed man enters into a personal relationship with Jesus in John 9:38. Sometimes believing in God’s plan for your life requires digging deep inside your soul to avoid quitting your faith journey.

Song of the Day:

Some Christian songs are theologically flawed but have a great sound. As for Dig Dug, I’m not sure the actual meaning, but I do know this song talks about digging deep spiritually. Becoming a Christian is like eating a box of chocolates, you never know exactly what’s going to taste. In the end, keep digging down deep to avoid quitting.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, ¹⁷ where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. ¹⁸ A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. ¹⁹ When they had rowed about three or four miles,^[b] they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. ²⁰ But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” ²¹ Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading, John 6:16-21.

Reflection:

When I was in high school, I learned how to control and maneuver a sailboat. Since one of my neighbors had a summer home on the Cheasapeake Bay, I was able to go sailing once a month. After mastering the Sunfish, the smallest sailboat, I moved on to larger sailing vessels. Perhaps, a little overconfident, my neighbor and I decided to sail in rough conditions, 2-to-4-foot waves on the bay. Sailing down wind was exhilarating until we had to turned around. We flipped over in the middle of the channel were all the freighters travel to and from Baltimore harbor. The sailboat that came and tried to rescue us already flipped over. When my friend lost his life jacket and made me swim to go retrieve it, I felt like the disciples in today’s passage, holding on for dear life. Just before an oncoming freighter was about the destroy both sailboats, a good Samaritan came to our rescue in a power boat, towing both sailboats to shore.

Prayerful Action:

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come, John 16:13.

Working Out Your Salvation:

After witnessing Jesus’ feed 5000 men, excluding women and children, the disciples let fear get the best of them when a storm suddenly crossed the Sea of Galilee. Rather than consider the power of God just demonstrated by Jesus hours earlier, they panicked. While I was staying afloat in the Chesapeake Bay, all I could think about was the freighter bearing down on Richie and me. Just like the fearful disciples, I failed to see that God is greater and more powerful than the situation I was enduring. No matter how bad things may look in the future, keep holding on to Jesus.

Song of the Day:

While the lyrics of today’s song may be ordinary, the message is clear. When the next spiritual storm in your life catches you off-guard, hold on to Jesus with everything you have.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

When Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. ¹² For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. ¹³ The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray. ¹⁴ When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, “You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs? – Galatians 2:11-14.

Reflection:

According to a first century historian, the citizens of Antioch called members of this newly founded church Christians in Acts 11:26. Unfortunately, sometimes followers of Jesus can get so caught up in playing church that they fail to emulate a Christ-like life. According to the apostle Paul, Peter and Barnabas was so consumed with following Jewish practices that they separated themselves. Like the Puritans who came to America as well as the Amish in Pennsylvania, withdrawing from your culture doesn’t model a Christ like example. Rather, if you want to develop a faith that stands the test of time, you have to engage our culture like the apostle Paul during a trip to Athens, Acts 17:16-28.

Prayerful Action:

Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. ²³ For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you, Acts 17:22-23.

Working Out Your Salvation:

Every culture has a place where locals are afraid to go. This could be a crime ridden neighborhood, a sketchy part of town or an unsafe city. Yet, the apostle Paul uses apologetics, the science of defending your faith, to find something that he has in common with the people of Athens. Sometimes, working out your salvation requires the ability to ask questions and listen. Let God be the one to judge the living and the dead. As long as Christians look for creative ways to share your spiritual journey with Jesus, your faith will stand the test of time.

Song of the Day:

Christians shouldn’t be shocked when members of their church make poor decisions or become ensnared by sin. The apostle Paul is call about mankind’s ability to remain faithful in Romans 3:9-12. Nonetheless, if you strive to chase after a faith described by the attached song, you will stand the test of time.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?” ³⁶ Overhearing^[c] what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” ³⁷ He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. ³⁸ When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. ³⁹ He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” ⁴⁰ But they laughed at him. After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. ⁴¹ He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). ⁴² Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. ⁴³ He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat, Mark 5:35-43.

Reflection:

After eating my lunch at work, I usually scan the news on my phone to see what’s happening in the world. While many news sites highlight bizarre circumstances to draw in more readers, this world is filled with unexpected deaths. As adults, children and the elderly leave home today, some may never return like the former fire chief at Trump Rally last Saturday. Whether this is due to an abduction, car crash, mysterious illness or shark attack, there will be unforeseen circumstances that will happen that will bring you to your knees. One Saturday afternoon, less than a week after Mother’s Day, I received a call from my mom revealing that you father suddenly passed away. This is when your faith will be tested.

Prayerful Action:

As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. ² His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” ³ “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him, John 9:1-3.

Working Out Your Salvation:

As you struggle to figure out, “why is this happening to me,” always remember Jesus’ insight to His disciples. Before healing a man blind from birth, Jesus reveals that sometimes God allows certain things to occur. In the end, severe circumstances give the Lord an opportunity to display the power of the Holy Spirit. This resurrection power touched upon by one of Jesus’ disciples in 2 Peter 1:3-4 is a blueprint to follow when circumstances bring you to your knees. While I’m still struggling to cope with the passing of my father, lean on the Holy Spirit to get you through each day.

Song of the Day:

When extreme circumstances rock my world, this is one of the songs I turn to for encouragement. May the lyrics of Never Too Far Gone shine light into your circumstances where hope seems so far away.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, ¹² to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up ¹³ until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.¹⁴ Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. ¹⁵ Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. ¹⁶ From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work, Ephesians 4:11-16.

Reflection:

As a former athlete, I’ve spent most of my life concentrating on pushing my body to its limit. Unfortunately, I’ve ignored the internal battle within my flesh. Although we all have moments that you regret, the apostle Paul details the areas Christians need to focus on before maturity will shine through. Jesus’ earthly brother relays a similar message at the beginning of the first Catholic epistle written to Christians scattered throughout the Middle East. James’ advice is helpful for choosing maturity over immaturity.

Prayerful Action:

Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything, James 1:4.

Working Out Your Salvation:

James 1:2-4 provides expectations that all Christians should be prepared for daily. Maturity is conceived when trials that you encounter are embraced. The more trials that you experience, the greater the opportunity for your faith to grow. As the testing of your faith continues, perseverance has the chance to develop. Rather than blame God for all the hardships that you will encounter, James 1:13, choose maturity as you endure future spiritual tug of wars in your life.

Song of the Day:

Sometimes I have a habit over thinking the Christian life. Using the lyrics of In the Light, choosing maturity over immaturity is much easier when you’re walking in the light. Hang in there this summer as you seek to achieve spiritual maturity.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women. ⁵ But other Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd.^[a] 6 But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other believers before the city officials, shouting: “These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here, ⁷ and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.” ⁸ When they heard this, the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil. ⁹ Then they made Jason and the others post bond and let them go, Acts 17:4-9.

Reflection:

One of the mistakes that I have made over the years is confusing failure with persecution. As a Christian, you’re called to be faithful, not always successful. As Paul and Silas spent time explaining who Jesus was to Jews in Thessalonica, a few were persuaded. However, most of the Jews possessed mindsets similar to the Pharisees. Subsequently, jealous Jews formed a mob like modern-day agitators and protestors, creating civil unrest in Thessalonica. While one of the home church leaders faced the brunt of this spiritual persecution, Paul’s ministry team fled to a nearby town to find others open to the teaching of Jesus. Meanwhile, Jason and the spiritual leaders of Thessalonica went to jail and posted bond before being free to resume developing this church.

Prayerful Action:

You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. ²³ When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes, Matthew 10:22-23.

Working Out Your Salvation:

Jesus warned His 12 disciples about facing persecution for faith in the future. One of Jesus’ main points is that for followers don’t take spiritual persecution personally. Human nature places a desire within every soul to be liked, Galatians 1:10. Yet, working out your salvation involves remembering a Christian’s call to become a servant of Jesus. Persecution will test your faith by pressing perseverance. Nonetheless, when Christians grasp that the world hated Jesus first, you’ll be able to become mature and complete the next time persecution comes your way.

Song of the Day:

Although Mandisa passed away earlier this year, may today’s lyrics of Overcomer help you the next time persecution tests your ability to persevere.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. ²⁶ She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. ²⁷ When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, ²⁸ because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” ²⁹ Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. ³⁰ At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” ³¹ “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ” ³² But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. ³³ Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth,” Mark 5:25-33.

Reflection:

The woman that Jesus encounters remind me of a modern-day cancer patient. Even if you catch cancer early, the medical expenses can result in becoming bankrupt if this condition doesn’t improve. As for this woman suffering from a rare bleeding disorder, she spent everything she had with a belief that first century doctors were going to be able to at the minimum, improve her condition. Tested beyond what she could handle, this woman’s last hope was Jesus. After hearing stories of how Jesus had cured and healed others, all she wanted to do was touch him.

Prayerful Action:

Jesus said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering,” Mark 5:34.

Working Out Your Salvation:

One thing is clear about 2024 being a year for transformation, humility is a painful process. While I don’t have a bleeding order, I have caught a bad case of failure-itis. As I try to seek advancement in my career, I keep failing. Although my Resume is a work in progress, my daily efforts should help, but haven’t. Subsequently, I find myself tested beyond what I can handle. While I don’t have a thorn in my flesh, I am learning that in my own weaknesses, Jesus can be strong, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. This is how God uses trials to lead you in the right direction, until you get the hint or keep in step with the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25, to find the place in life where you belong.

Song of the Day:

As I listen to the lyrics of Place in this World, I am reminded that trials prepare you for future situations in life. Perhaps, when I do finally experience progress or success in 2024, I’ll be more thankful for the journey that I have been on. Keep the faith as trials persist this summer.

by Jay Mankus