ExpressYourself4Him

Passage of the Day:

Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! ¹⁶ Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.”^[b] 17 But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.^{[c] 18} Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. ¹⁹ Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; ²⁰ you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies, 1 Corinthians 6:15-20.

Reflection:

My oldest son James introduced me to the concept of cleansing your body. Earlier on in college, seeking to become a personal trainer, other classmates encouraged James to participate in a cleansing of his body. Nearly, a decade later, there are 15-day Gut Cleansing programs available online to refresh and detoxify all the unhealthy chemicals from your body. In today’s passage, the apostle Paul is referring to a spiritual cleansing of your body. Using the image that Christians are temple of the Holy Spirit, all Christians should partake in a weekly spiritual cleansing of your body.

Prayerful Action:

Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God, 2 Corinthians 7:1.

Working Out Your Salvation:

As a former athlete, losing an event, game or match served as a wakeup call. Perhaps, winning had blinded me from current errors, imperfections and mistakes. The standard for Christians assessing their own spiritual lives should emulate that of the apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 1:15. The closer Paul got to the Lord, the more his own shortcomings were revealed by the Holy Spirit. Subsequently, the key to working out your salvation is avoiding spiritual apathy. The apostle Paul never woke up one morning and declared, “finally, I’ve arrived spiritually!” Rather, Paul urged first century Christians to press on each day to take hold of what God has called you to do, Philippians 3:12-14.

Song of the Day:

Some churches perform a congregation wide fast to begin each new year. Fasting and praying for 3 days is a great way to partake in a spiritual cleanse to provide clarity for God’s will for your life. As today’s song asks, come to Jesus to unload all that is weighing you down, Matthew 11:28-30.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. ² Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda^[a] and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. ³ Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. ^[4] [b] 5 One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. ⁶ When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” ⁷ “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” ⁸ Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” ⁹ At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked, John 5:1-9.

Reflection:

I can relate to the depressed state of the Invalid man that Jesus encounters in today’s passage. After being teased by first graders while trying to read out loud in class, I vowed to never read again in front of my peers. When called upon, I pretended that I didn’t know where we were so I would be skipped. This is the hopeless mindset of stutterers and those born with a severe speech impediment. At my young age, I didn’t know anything about developing a will to change for the better.

Prayerful Action:

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him, Hebrews 11:6.

Working Out Your Salvation:

It took me 21 years to believe that God could somehow heal me of my stuttering. I always knew what I wanted to say in my head and heart, but when I opened my mouth, I couldn’t clearly express that which I envisioned. Despite my failures, I continued to volunteer to pray in high school and college small group settings. Rather than laugh and mock me, fellow believers at the University of Delaware encouraged and prayed for me. Without their support, I wouldn’t have developed the will to change for the better, being healed in God’s perfect timing, not my own.

Song of the Day:

Don’t let depression cause you to give up hope of ever becoming the person God created you to be. Rather, dig down deep, replace doubt with belief and you’ll be on your way to developing a will to change for the better.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Jethro was delighted to hear about all the good things the Lord had done for Israel in rescuing them from the hand of the Egyptians. ¹⁰ He said, “Praise be to the Lord, who rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians and of Pharaoh, and who rescued the people from the hand of the Egyptians. ¹¹ Now I know that the Lord is greater than all other gods, for he did this to those who had treated Israel arrogantly.” ¹² Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and other sacrifices to God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat a meal with Moses’ father-in-law in the presence of God, Exodus 18:9-12.

Reflection:

Twenty years ago, I began writing Bible curriculum for Red Lion Christian Academy. One of the books I relied upon was Steeling the Mind of America. As I read Volume II, I was blown away by the Christian heritage and spiritual founding America was built upon. This book is filled with amazing facts and quotes from founding fathers of the United States. The first Chief Justice of America was John Jay who used the biblical text of Exodus 18:21 as a leadership standard to emulate. Jay is quoted as declaring, “America is the first nation in the history of the world to belong to the people.”

Prayerful Action:

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery, Galatians 5:1.

Working Out Your Salvation:

As the silent majority has remained mostly silent over the past 65 years, atheists, communists, liberals, progressives and other God hating individuals have chipped away Judeo-Christian values. Today, I don’t recognize the country that I grew up in. Unless there is an awakening of minds in America, this spiritual downward spiral will continue. On this day to celebrate freedom, you’ll have to re-examine history books of old. Starting with the Magna Carta, the first Congregational Congress and sermons preached during the founding of America. This is where minds will be awakened by words inspired from the faith of God-fearing followers of Jesus.

Song of the Day:

Revisionist historians have altered and rewritten high school textbooks. Rather than excel in education, schools have become progressive labs to remove any traces of America’s spiritual heritage. May 2024 be the year that the Lord pours out a spiritual of conviction and confession so that freedom won’t be just another word, but a movement of God to reclaim biblical minds.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart, Hebrews 12:1-3.

Reflection:

I was introduced to running in Elementary school through the Presidential Fitness Test. From 4th to 8th grade, this national fitness testing program was one of my favorite times of the year. Since I wasn’t a great student, my athletic abilities were able to shine during this week of school. Elementary students were tested in the 100-yard dash, the 400 and the 800. Junior High students were then forced to run longer distances with the mile and two miles. As a hyperactive boy, I was curious what my times would be. While my body wanted to stop, especially running two miles, I pressed on to break 7 minutes for the mile and 13 minutes for two miles. Although I wasn’t a Christian yet, this test helped me realize what I was capable of if I pushed my body to its limit.

Prayerful Action:

Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. ²⁷ No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize, 1 Corinthians 9:26-27.

Working Out Your Salvation:

The author of Hebrews compares the Christian life to running a marathon. Since sprinting the whole race is impossible, running with perseverance involves getting into a rhythm. Depending upon your body type, this could mean quick steady strides or the taller may prefer long and graceful steps to conserve their energy. Although specific running techniques are not emphasized, keeping your eyes straight ahead upon Jesus allows Christians to maintain their spiritual momentum. The moment a runner starts to look at the ground, they’ll gradually slow down and may even consider quitting the race. Whenever your spiritual body wants to stop, keep pressing on to complete what God has called you to do.

Song of the Day:

Today’s song uses the words of Jesus in Luke 9:57-62. Rather than get in the bad habit of making excuses for why you didn’t do this or that in life, press on when your body says stop.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; ⁴ that each of you should learn to control your own body^[a] in a way that is holy and honorable, ⁵ not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; ⁶ and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister.^[b] The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. ⁷ For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. ⁸ Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8.

Reflection:

As I read through the book of Exodus this summer, Israel is being introduced to the God of their forefathers. Besides Aaron and Moses, there is an initial reverent fear of the Lord as the Ten Commandments and God’s expectations for daily living are explained by Moses. However, while Moses spends 40 days on Mount Sinai in God’s presence, Israel convinces Aaron to create a golden calf, a god that they can see, to replace the Great I Am. These are the types of growing pains modern-Christian’s experience, struggling to walk by faith.

Prayerful Action:

And to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, ¹² so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody, 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12.

Working Out Your Salvation:

In a moving section of a letter to the Church at Rome, the apostle Paul opens up about his own spiritual growing pains, Romans 7:14-20. As a former Pharisee, Paul appears to wrestle with a spirit of perfection as he daily fails to keep in step with the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25. Subsequently, Paul realized that the only way to overcome the weaknesses of his human body was to place his complete faith and trust in Jesus’ strength, Philippians 4:13. Paul learned that the weaker he become, the greater the opportunity for Christ’s resurrection power to shine through, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. Like Jesus’ earthly brother, the more your faith is tested, the closer you get to becoming spiritually mature, James 1:2-4. This is what the Bible calls working out your salvation.

Song of the Day:

The lyrics of the attached song got me through tough times in college when my faith got arid and dry. May you get into the daily habit of asking the Lord to fill you up spiritually this July.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. ²⁰ The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. ²¹ But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. ²² The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful, Matthew 13:19-22.

Reflection:

If puberty is the process of physical change through which a child’s body matures into an adult capable of reproduction, the decision to become a Christian involves a spiritual transformation. Just as middle school students experience the internal and external changes of puberty, Christians must survive spiritual puberty as each learns to deny their flesh by keeping in step with the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25. According to Jesus, not every Christian survives spiritual puberty. Some have the good news about Jesus Christ stolen from their hearts. Others encounter emotional highs without ever becoming rooted in Jesus, Colossians 2:6-7, before joy is lost and faith fades away. Finally, the most common victim is those whose faith is choked out and suffocated by stress and worry. This is what I mean by surviving spiritual puberty.

Prayerful Action:

But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown, Matthew 13:23.

Working Out Your Salvation:

C.S. Lewis addresses four Cardinal Virtues and three Theological Virtues in Mere Christianity. Six of these virtues will be the basis for the remaining themes for 2024. While Lewis lists Prudence, Justice, Temperance and Fortitude as virtues anyone can obtain if eager and willing, July will focus on discipline. Christians that exercise their faith by developing daily spiritual disciplines incorporated into their daily lives. Prudent Christians work out their salvation with fear and trembling, Philippians 2:12. The context to this call of action is the apostle Paul not just wanting Christians to exercise their faith in his presence. True faith does this outside of church walls the other six days a week. The secret to my own spiritual success is being disciplined and open to the Holy Spirit. This is how I am surviving spiritual puberty, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8.

Song of the Day:

While today’s title may be a topic you’ve never thought of, my prayer is that all my readers will know for sure their eternal destination in heaven, 1 John 5:13. May discipline be the driving force to work out your salvation by slowly purging sinful behaviors from your life. Fight the good fight of faith as you seek to survive spiritual puberty, 1 Timothy 6:12.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness. ²⁰ When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. ²¹ What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! ²² But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. ²³ For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in^[b] Christ Jesus our Lord, Romans 6:19-23.

Reflection:

Evangelism Explosion uses a portion of today’s passage in their Bridge Illustration. The purpose of this analogy is to reveal to the unchurched that it’s impossible to earn your way into heaven. Verse 23 serves as the Grand Canyon, a physical obstacle that separates us from God due to sin. However, the good news is that the gift of God is eternal life in Christ. Jesus provides the bridge that Christians’ walk over by faith to reach everlasting life.

Prayerful Action:

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. ¹⁴ This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. ¹⁵ And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him, 1 John 5:13-15.

Preparing Your Fields to Bear Spiritual Fruit:

Christians who sow seeds of eternal life are always looking for opportunities to share their faith. Peter encouraged first century Christians to always be prepared to give an answer for the spiritual hope that you have. You may not do well the first few times you share your faith story. However, the more you practice by doing, the smoother your testimony will become. May the Holy Spirit inspire you to use this summer to sow seeds of eternal life to those in your spheres of influence.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

As July 4th quickly approaches, may you use the start of July tomorrow to help lost souls discover spiritual independence. May the lyrics of this classic song prompt you to sow seeds of eternal life all summer long.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of^[g] your evil behavior. ²² But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— ²³ if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant, Colossians 1:21-23.

Reflection:

Alienated refers to feeling isolated or estranged. When the apostle Paul tells church members from Colosse about being alienated from God, most Christians don’t realize the spiritual source behind this alienation, John 8:44. Rather than keep in step with the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25, I find myself listening to the Father of All Lies. Subsequently, maintaining a stable and steady faith has been unattainable for me due to doubting thoughts which has led to unbelief.

Prayerful Action:

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. ⁵ We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ, 2 Corinthians 10:4-5.

Preparing Your Fields to Bear Spiritual Fruit:

Discipline, goal setting and focus only takes you so far in life. Acquiring a stable and steady faith involves tapping into the spiritual realm. The only way to combat and defeat the Father of all Lies is relying on divine power to demolish demonic strongholds negatively influencing your life. Therefore, if you want to bear spiritual fruit this summer, start taking your thoughts captives and make them obedient to Christ. Use God’s Word to prepare and protect your mind from future attacks.

Song of the Day:

Before you slip any further away from God this summer, ask the Lord to steady you. May the lyrics of today’s song inspire you to seek a stable and steady faith for the future.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. ² He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes^[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. ³ You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. ⁴ Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. ⁵ “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶ If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. ⁷ If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you,” John 15:1-7.

Reflection:

The last thing on my mind when I’m pulling up weeds and trimming back overgrown plants is John 15. Yet, the analogy John recalls in today’s passage provides a vital spiritual message. Jesus is living water, a well which gives birth to spiritual life. The lesson is simple: abiding in the vine by staying connected to Jesus via Bible Study, prayer and worship. Those that abide in the vine bear spiritual fruit.

Prayerful Action:

This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples, John 15:8.

Jesus had specific expectations for His disciples, Matthew 16:24-27. Like a coach of a championship team, players are challenged and pushed to reach their full potential. Jesus provides the pros and cons of abiding in the vine and failing to do so. While Jesus longs for all of His disciples to bear spiritual fruit, the choice is up to each individual. As the month of June is about to fade into July, choose wisely by abiding in the Vine.

Song of the Day:

While we all fall short of God’s glory, Romans 3:23, abiding in Jesus sometimes means crawling back on your knees, Matthew 11:28-30. May the lyrics of today’s song inspire you to abide in the Vine of Christ.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.

Reflection:

Love isn’t just a word expressed in a moment of affection. Rather, love is a verb, a series of actions that emulate the compassion, grace and mercy of God. You know in your heart and soul when you’ve crossed paths with a Christian grounded in love. Whether this occurs during a Bible Study, a moving time of prayer or through an uplifting retreat, being touched by an individual grounded in love can transform your life.

Prayerful Action:

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, Ephesians 3:16-17.

Preparing Your Fields to Bear Spiritual Fruit:

The apostle Paul makes it clear to one first century church that you can’t represent Jesus if love is absent from your congregation, 1 Corinthians 13:1-3. While modern churches may put on a good show, if Christians leaders aren’t grounded in God’s love, visitors will eventually figure out what’s missing. You can’t fake love. Rather, love is a genuine outpouring of the Holy Spirit expressed in the form of spiritual fruit.

Song of the Day:

Christians grounded in love are the life blood of their community, church and neighborhood. When Christ gets the glory, a city on a hill shines bright, fueled by the love of Christ.

by Jay Mankus