ExpressYourself4Him

Passage of the Day:

In the Lord I take refuge.  How then can you say to me:  “Flee like a bird to your mountain. ² For look, the wicked bend their bows;  they set their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart. ³ When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?” ⁴ The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord is on his heavenly throne. He observes everyone on earth;  his eyes examine them. ⁵ The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion. ⁶ On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot. ⁷ For the Lord is righteous, he loves justice; the upright will see his face, Psalm 11:1-7.

Reflection:

Exercising regularly and eating healthier were the top two New Year Resolutions in 2023. While these are great for your body, this doesn’t do anything to nurture your soul. In the past decade, churches have promoted Daniel Fasts, Media Fasts and biblical fasts like Jesus prior to starting His three-year earthly ministry at the beginning of each new year. As Christians begin these types of soul training exercises, you’ll have a better understanding of the battle between fleshly desires and the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:16.

Prayerful Actions:

Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience. ¹² For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart, Hebrews 4:11-12.

Refreshing Your Soul:

There are so many aspects to the Christian life that you may not know that certain acts or behaviors are wrong. This is where you can claim to be amoral, lacking a moral sense of what God desires. However, the more a young Christian reads the Bible, each word will penetrate your heart, soul and mind. Although you may need to ask a more mature Christian if you’re unsure about a specific issue, soul training is a lifelong journey as you walk with God.

Song of the Day:

Just like college students who have workout friends to spot them when lifting a heavy weight, Christians should find a soul training partner to fully develop their faith. Whether this is going on a weekly walk, meeting someone for lunch or joining a Bible Study, find a spiritual running partner to challenge your soul, Hebrews 12:1.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. ⁵¹ Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— ⁵² in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. ⁵³ For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. ⁵⁴ When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”^{[h] 55} “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”^{[i] 56} The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Corinthians 15:50-57.

Reflection:

I joined an accountability group in college to strengthen my faith. Unfortunately, most of the other students I met with, were walking around defeated, falling prey to the same addictions, bad habits and unwholesome cravings week after week. After a month of fighting a losing battle, I urged my Christian brothers to start taking a proactive approach. Until your soul really wants to change, you’ll continue to walk in sinful ways.

Prayerful Action:

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain, 1 Corinthians 15:58.

Refreshing Your Soul:

One night after attending this accountability group, I had a dream about going to a bookstore. When I turned the corner, I saw a book that one of the guys in our group desperately needed. The next time I visited my local bookstore, my dream came true as I bought the book for my Christian brother. This amazing experience inspires me to continue to urge Christians to take a proactive approach with their soul.

Song of the Day:

When I need a little bounce in my step, I turn to songs like Devastation and Reform to uplift my soul. If today’s devotion finds you turning in the wrong direction, let the words of this Reliant K song inspire you to become spiritually proactive in the future.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

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. ² Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. ³ Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. ⁴ You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. ⁵ For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. ⁶ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. ⁷ You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? ⁸ That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you, Galatians 5:1-8.

Reflection:

A conscience is an inner feeling or voice viewed as acting as a guide to the rightness or wrongness of one’s behavior. When a human soul begins to work with the Holy Spirit as the apostle Paul describes in Galatians 5:25, the conscience is awakened daily. This new heightened awareness uses conviction and guilt when actions or behaviors deviate from what God desires. Paul’s letter to the Church at Galatia was to alert this congregation to the teaching of Judaizers who were adding requirements to salvation, going against the words of Moses in Deuteronomy 4:2.

Prayerful Actions:

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh, Galatians 5:16.

Refreshing Your Soul:

A Christian’s conscience is at peace as long as spiritual fruits remain a daily goal. However, if personal standards are altered by cutting corners and lowering standards, souls receive a jolt. While this isn’t shock therapy, sinning will send warning sensations to your soul to stop what you’re doing. Confession, repentance and acts of contrition is the spiritual game plan to get struggling Christians back on track where the soul and spirit work together again.

Song of the Day:

The lyrics to the Paradigm call Christians to activate their faith. Anyone who starts to keep in step with the Holy Spirit is a living example of the soul and spirit working together.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

“But suppose this son has a son who sees all the sins his father commits, and though he sees them, he does not do such things: ¹⁵ “He does not eat at the mountain shrines or look to the idols of Israel. He does not defile his neighbor’s wife.¹⁶ He does not oppress anyone or require a pledge for a loan. He does not commit robbery but gives his food to the hungry and provides clothing for the naked. ¹⁷ He withholds his hand from mistreating the poor and takes no interest or profit from them. He keeps my laws and follows my decrees. He will not die for his father’s sin; he will surely live. ¹⁸ But his father will die for his own sin, because he practiced extortion, robbed his brother and did what was wrong among his people. ¹⁹ “Yet you ask, ‘Why does the son not share the guilt of his father?’ Since the son has done what is just and right and has been careful to keep all my decrees, he will surely live. ²⁰ The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them, Ezekiel 18:14-20.

Reflection:

I was introduced to the concept of sins of the father and generational sins as a Sunday School teacher at Red Lion. While I had read passages in the Bible concerning these terms, I didn’t really know how to comprehend sins of the father and generational sins. If you think of this in terms of DNA, everyone has a unique one, but the one common trait all human beings possess is the habit of sinning, Romans 3:9-12. Subsequently, sinful behaviors like cursing, lying and rebellion are passed down through your family tree. Ezekiel tries to make sense of this topic as children need to take ownership of their lives based upon whatever addictions, bad habits and cravings they possess.

Prayerful Action:

Moses bowed to the ground at once and worshiped. ⁹ “Lord,” he said, “if I have found favor in your eyes, then let the Lord go with us. Although this is a stiff-necked people, forgive our wickedness and our sin, and take us as your inheritance.” ¹⁰ Then the Lord said: “I am making a covenant with you. Before all your people I will do wonders never before done in any nation in all the world. The people you live among will see how awesome is the work that I, the Lord, will do for you, Exodus 34:8-10.

Refreshing Your Soul:

A covenant is an agreement between God and his people. While you can’t change your past, you can change the future by conducting yourself in accordance with the biblical promises in the Bible. Deuteronomy 28 begins with a series of actions based upon obedience. If you do this, blessings will come, if not curses will replace these missed blessings. This is how you can restore your soul from generational sins.

Song of the Day:

Overcoming sins of the father and generational sins requires a bottom of the barrel moment when you come to your senses like the prodigal son, Luke 15:16-17. When this day arrives, you can celebrate with a song of deliverance.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Vindicate me, my God, and plead my cause against an unfaithful nation. Rescue me from those who are deceitful and wicked. ² You are God my stronghold.  Why have you rejected me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy? ³ Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.⁴ Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God. ⁵ Why, my soul, are you downcast?  Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God, Psalm 43:1-5.

Reflection:

There are days, weeks, months, and years in life that seem like a never-ending soap opera. Even when you feel like your life is right with God, sometimes trials come in waves, crashing in one after another. The next time you feel like you’re losing control, start wrestling with God in prayer like the Psalmist in today’s passage. As you do, may the God of hope cheer up your soul.

Prayerful Action:

The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; ²⁶ it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord, Lamentations 3:25-26.

Refreshing Your Soul:

No one likes to be the bearer of bad news. Unfortunately, the prophet Jeremiah continued to receive bad news from the Lord to share with Israel. However, after nearly three chapters of depressing content, Jeremiah is allowed to be a messenger of hope. Playing the waiting game can be extremely grueling, but when salvation arrives, frowns will be turned upside down.

Song of the Day:

If you have been forced to move on numerous occasions in life, today’s song will bring you a glimmer of hope. Perhaps, a modern version of Friends and Pray for Me, godly relationships have a way of cheering up a troubled soul.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. ⁹ He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; ¹⁰ he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. ¹¹ For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; ¹² as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. ¹³ As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; ¹⁴ for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. ¹⁵ The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field; ¹⁶ the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. ¹⁷ But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children—¹⁸ with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts. ¹⁹ The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. ²⁰ Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word. ²¹ Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will. ²² Praise the Lord, all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise the Lord, my soul, Psalm 103:8-22.

Reflection:

Life can be hard enough on its own, especially if you have been dealt a bad hand. You may even ask, “why me God?” As David wrote the above Psalm, a light bulb went off in his mind, serving as a soul-full reminder of all the good things that God has done in his life. This comes to a climax in verses 11-12 as God’s forgiveness and love is infinite, as far as the east is from the west.

Prayerful Action:

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; ³¹ but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint, Isaiah 40:29-31.

Refreshing Your Soul:

The image of any bird flying effortlessly in the air is something to marvel at. Yet, when an Old Testament prophet compares God to an eagle, this analogy is encouraging, especially to those who feel like they have nothing else to give. On these days of desperation, when you consider quitting, turn your hope toward the Lord. This biblical promise will refresh any soul in need of comfort.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

The lyrics of Reckless Love remind me of David’s words in Psalm 103. As you listen to this spontaneous worship montage version, may it serve as a soul-full reminder of God’s love.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. ²     He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,³     he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. ⁴ Even though I walk through the darkest valley,^[a] I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. ⁵ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.⁶ Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever, Psalm 23:1-6.

Reflection:

Darkness is a part of every day on earth, along with death and taxes. Yet, as David spent his teenage years as a shepherd for his family’s flock, his perspective began to change. As David fought off dangerous predators each night, the roles were reversed, seeing the Lord as his personal shepherd. While today’s passage is often featured at funerals to bring comfort to troubled souls, these words of David can be a refreshing reminder to your soul.

Prayerful Action:

Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. ² Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—³ who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, Psalm 103:1-3.

Refreshing Your Soul:

While it’s never easy to say goodbye to a friend at their funeral, knowing that their eternal destination is secured in heaven, 1 John 5:12-13, makes a difference. David realized that there will be times in life where you’ll be alone, walking through the darkest valleys in life. Despite these difficult times, there Lord is right there with you through it all, like the Footprints poem.

Song of the Day:

The lyrics of Guide You Home reminds me of David’s words in Psalm 23. David’s son, King Solomon echoes this theme in Proverbs 3:5-6. When your soul trusts in the Lord, He will make your paths straight in life.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

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. ²⁴ “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. ²⁵ It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household! ²⁶ “So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. ²⁷ What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. ²⁸ Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell, Matthew 10:22-28.

Reflection:

As someone who attended an inner-city school for three years, I was forced to grow up quicker than the average Elementary School student. I was racially discriminated against daily with harmful words, teased and even locked inside a locker by a bully. One of the things my soul wasn’t prepared to face was hatred. In today’s featured passage, Jesus points to the words of Ephesians 6:12. The world hatred Jesus first so as you grow and mature in your faith, don’t take hatred personally.

Prayerful Action:

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full, John 10:10.

Refreshing Your Soul:

The Devil has become invisible in most circles of the United States of America. Rather than blame the Devil for mass shootings and gun violence, politicians demonize the weapon used. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, this spiritual thief is seeking to steal your joy, kill your dreams and destroy your life. Instead of making rash decisions, fueled by hatred, refresh your soul by turning your attention toward pursuing an abundant life in Christ.

Song of the Day:

Today’s attached song is a reminder of how important vision plays in the lives of Christians. If you are prepared for future spiritual attacks, 1 Peter 5:8, you’ll know how to respond. This is why Jesus trained his disciples prior to his crucifixion to prepare their souls for what lies ahead. One of the reasons why I behave the way I do while talking to strangers today is that I never want anyone to experience the pain that I endured during these three years in Elementary School.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. ²² Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” ²³ Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” ²⁴ Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. ²⁵ For whoever wants to save their life^[f] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. ²⁶ What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? – Matthew 16:21-26

Reflection:

The summer after my freshman year of college, I received two job offers. One was making minimum wage serving as a day camp counselor working with other students my age. The second was at Newark Country Club, making nearly $2000 a month depending upon tips. Despite how tempting the financial benefits of working at a golf course were, I chose the YMCA Camp. The spiritual nourishment of my soul far outweighed money I probably would have wasted anyway.

Prayerful Action:

“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? ²⁹ For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, ³⁰ saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish,’ Luke 14:28-30.

Refreshing Your Soul:

Matthew 16 is full of content from Peter verbalizing that Jesus was indeed the promised Messiah of the Old Testament to Jesus rebuking Peter, excusing him of thinking like Satan. This context sets the stage for three requirements to becoming a disciple of Jesus. As Christians learn to deny themselves daily and take up the cause for Christ, the only thing left is following Jesus with all your heart, soul and mind.

Song of the Day:

If you find yourself on the fence, going back and forth with God, denying and following when you want, eventually you have to make a decision. As my final year of college was about to begin, I found myself lying in bed with a broken ankle. Rather than continue with my lukewarm faith, I finally decided to make Jesus the Lord of my life. Consider the costs and do what’s best for your soul.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them”— ² before the sun and the light  and the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds return after the rain; ³ when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men stoop, when the grinders cease because they are few, and those looking through the windows grow dim; ⁴ when the doors to the street are closed and the sound of grinding fades; when people rise up at the sound of birds, but all their songs grow faint;⁵ when people are afraid of heights and of dangers in the streets; when the almond tree blossoms and the grasshopper drags itself along and desire no longer is stirred. Then people go to their eternal home and mourners go about the streets.⁶ Remember him—before the silver cord is severed, and the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, and the wheel broken at the well,⁷ and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it, Ecclesiastes 12:1-7.

Reflection:

The God Father of Political Talk Radio, Rush Limbaugh, often used the expression “talent on loan from God.” Based upon Limbaugh’s following before and after his death in 2021, political talk radio hasn’t been the same since his passing. Another legend, King Solomon, clarifies the origin of where Limbaugh developed this concept. According to Solomon, our Spirit is on loan from God.

Prayerful Actions:

Then the Lord God formed a man^[c] from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being, Genesis 2:7.

Refreshing Your Soul:

Just as God breathed life into Adam, sometimes dead and dying souls need to be jump started. The good news is that God meets us where we are, just like the prodigal son in Luke 15. When a spark comes in the form of a Bible verse, chorus from a song or a rhema, a word from God, souls can be revitalized. As your soul begins to yearn for God again, the promise of Philippians 1:6 may start to come into focus. Gifts, personalities and talents are all part of God’s plan that will be unveiled as the Lord’s will is revealed to you, Romans 12:1-2. This is your soul on loan from God until the Lord calls you home.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

When the attached song was first released, all three of my children raved about the lyrics to Rescue. Perhaps, part of their souls were moved, stirred and touched to be awakened for the common good.

by Jay Mankus