Rewards for Doing the Right Thing

Posted on October 4, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Once a month, a story about a good Samaritan goes viral. The most recent story involves a Lowe’s employee who found an unmarked envelope with $4,000 in cash. Rather than claim this for himself, this employee went to the surveillance video to see who dropped this cash. Before his shift was over, this woman was reunited with her cash meant for children’s clothes and items for school. No tangible reward has been announced at this time.

And their father Israel said to them, If it must be so, now do this; take of the choicest products in the land in your sacks and carry down a present to the man, a little balm (balsam) and a little honey, aromatic spices and gum (of rock rose) or ladanum, pistachio nuts, and almonds. 12 And take double the [grain] money with you; and the money that was put back in the mouth of your sacks, carry it again with you; there is a possibility that [its being in your sacks] was an oversight. 13 Take your brother and arise and return to the man; Genesis 43:11-13.

When was the last time you were given too much change by a cashier? Did you immediately go back to this register and give back the difference? If no action was taken, did you feel a sense or gnawing in your heart to make this situation right? A few years ago, I was going through self-checkout and realized that I forgot to scan one of my items. The next time I went to buy groceries, I bought one, but scanned it twice to make up for my oversight.

So they came near to the steward of Joseph’s house and talked with him at the door of the house, 20 And said, O sir, we came down truly the first time to buy food; 21 And when we came to the inn, we opened our sacks and there was each man’s money, full weight, returned in the mouth of his sack. Now we have brought it back again. 22 And we have brought down with us other money to buy food; we do not know who put our money in our sacks. 23 But [the steward] said, Peace be to you, fear not; your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks. I received your money. And he brought Simeon out to them, Genesis 43:20-23.

Joseph’s brothers had a similar encounter on their return trip from Egypt. Stopping at a place to spend the night, Joseph’s brothers each realized that all of their money was placed back in their sacks of grain. Subsequently, upon arriving, Jacob gave each of his sons with twice as much money, for their previous and current purchase. According to Moses, Joseph’s steward refers to his brother’s honesty as a treasure from God. Behind the scenes Joseph paid for their grain out of his own pocket. This is one of many examples of rewards for doing the right thing.

by Jay Mankus

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Why Did You Do This to Me?

Posted on October 3, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Sometimes in life, you are in the wrong at the wrong time. Meanwhile, you may be an innocent bystander, but in the heat of the moment, blame will be cast in your direction. As an aging father who still haven’t emotionally gotten over the death of one of his sons, his youngest son has been targeted by the governor of Egypt. This prompts Jacob, the father of Israel to reply, “why did you do this to me?”

And when [the families of Jacob’s sons] had eaten up the grain which the men had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, Go again; buy us a little food. 3 But Judah said to him, The man solemnly and sternly warned us, saying, You shall not see my face again unless your brother is with you. 4 If you will send our brother with us, we will go down [to Egypt] and buy you food; 5 But if you will not send him, we will not go down; for the man said to us, You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you, Genesis 43:2-5.

The question why did you do this to me often is expressed by a disappointed parent or a significant other as your relationship comes to a crossroad or ends. Before cell phones, I went out late one summer night in college. Rather than wake up my parents in the middle of the night to let them know I was going to spend the night at a friend’s house, I decided not to call. In the morning, my mom thought I had died so I was on the other end of why did you do this to me?

And Israel said, Why did you do me such a wrong and suffer this evil to come upon me by telling the man that you had another brother? 7 And they said, The man asked us straightforward questions about ourselves and our relatives. He said, Is your father still alive? Have you another brother? And we answered him accordingly. How could we know that he would say, Bring your brother down here? – Genesis 43:6-7

Ten of Joseph’s brothers were on receiving end of this question from their father Jacob. In the defense of Joseph’s brothers, they were being honest with the governor of Egypt. None of Jospeh’s brothers realized that telling the truth would place Benjamin’s life in danger. Perhaps, the main point in today’s passage is that everyone will have to stand in judgement, giving an account to whatever, you’ve said or done in life, Matthew 12:36. With in mind, act wisely.

by Jay Mankus

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Bearing the Burden of Responsibility

Posted on October 2, 2023 by expressyourself4him

When I first started working in the United States back in the 1980’s, an employee was responsible for anything that they broke at work. If an accident happened, money would be withheld from your paycheck until this debt was paid off. Somewhere in the past 40 years, the concept of bearing the burden of responsibility has been replaced by passing the buck and blame to other people.

But Judah said to him, The man solemnly and sternly warned us, saying, You shall not see my face again unless your brother is with you. 4 If you will send our brother with us, we will go down [to Egypt] and buy you food; 5 But if you will not send him, we will not go down; for the man said to us, You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you, Genesis 43:3-5.

The context of today’s passage is that the grain purchased by Joseph’s son was about to run out. Although Moses doesn’t offer a specific time frame, this is likely the second year of a seven-year drought. Before departing, Joseph’s brothers reveal that they won’t be able to buy grain unless their youngest brother joins them. Judah takes the lead, vowing to bear full responsibility if anything happens to Jacob’s youngest son Benjamin.

And Israel said, Why did you do me such a wrong and suffer this evil to come upon me by telling the man that you had another brother? 7 And they said, The man asked us straightforward questions about ourselves and our relatives. He said, Is your father still alive? Have you another brother? And we answered him accordingly. How could we know that he would say, Bring your brother down here? 8 And Judah said to Israel his father, Send the lad with me and we will arise and go, that we may live and not die, both we and you and also our little ones. 9 I will be security for him; you shall require him of me [personally]; if I do not bring him back to you and put him before you, then let me bear the blame forever, Genesis 43:6-9.

Unfortunately, the older I become, the harder it is to find a leader who demonstrates this characteristic. Whether out of laziness or a scheme to get someone else in trouble, rarely does a leader immediately proclaim, “I take full responsibility.” Instead, people are hiding behind victimology to cover their ass. May today’s blog inspire future leaders to bear the burden of responsibility.

by Jay Mankus

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Enough to Get By

Posted on October 1, 2023 by expressyourself4him

There were no all you can eat jots in the days of Jacob. Nor could the sons of Israel get unlimited free refills. Despite coping with the worst famine in his lifetime, Jacob wasn’t worried about stocking up on as much grain as his sons could purchase. Rather, deep down Jacob realized that all his family would need was enough to get by as the Lord would provide the rest.

But the hunger and destitution and starvation were very severe and extremely distressing in the land [Canaan]. 2 And when [the families of Jacob’s sons] had eaten up the grain which the men had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, Go again; buy us a little food, Genesis 43:1-2.

As a man in my fifties, it took time for me to know the difference between wants and needs. When you’re homeless, you need a place to sleep. If you’re hungry, you need money or a generous Samaritan to quench a grumbling stomach. Yet, in the days where I didn’t have much to offer, the Lord gave me a giving heart so that others had just enough to get by.

But seek ([z]aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness ([aa]His way of doing and being right), and then all these things [ab]taken together will be given you besides. 34 So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble, Matthew 6:33-34.

Jesus tells a parable in Luke 11:5-13. This gospel author provides context to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. This variation offers a story of a friend who opens their door to a person in need. This individual doesn’t throw a party where you can eat until you’re stuffed. Rather, God understands the difference between wants and needs, illustrating that the Lord will give you enough to get by. Like the message in the passage above, those who place their full trust in God will be satisfied.

by Jay Mankus

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The Crossover Connection Week 35: Reliving the Hard Rock/Metal Bands of the Early 1990’s

Posted on September 30, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Listening to today’s featured band from New Jersey is like taking a trip down a musical Memory Lane. The best way to describe Novella’s music genre is somewhere between Guns-n-Roses and Pearl Jam. While their ballads are probably closer to the sound of Boston, Novella does have the ability to crank it up to a hard rock/soft metal.

Now these things are examples (warnings and admonitions) for us not to desire or crave or covet or lust after evil and carnal things as they did, 1 Corinthians 10:6.

My favorite Novella album is A Liquid Earth which is attached in the You Tube above. Songs like Bad Place, Stranger, and Story immediately got my attention. The sound of this album brings me back to my college days with boom boxes blasting rock and roll throughout campus. While Christian bands like Novella have been forgotten over the years, I hope that listening to this album will make you a fan of Novella.

by Jay Mankus

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When Your Past Catches Up With You

Posted on September 30, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Moses highlights the first reaction in the Bible to sin in Genesis 3:7-13. Whenever you break one of God’s commands, a spirit of conviction will visit your soul. Adam and Eve’s initial response to disobeying God’s only rule in the Garden of Eden is shame. Meanwhile, as this region slowly turns into an arid desert, the reality of God’s curse in Genesis 3:17-19 catches up with Adam as a farmer.

You shall be proved by this test: by the life of Pharaoh, you shall not go away from here unless your youngest brother comes here. 16 Send one of you and let him bring your brother, and you will be kept in prison, that your words may be proved whether there is any truth in you; or else by the life of Pharaoh you certainly are spies. 17 Then he put them all in custody for three days, Genesis 42:15-17.

When Joseph’s brothers come to Egypt to buy food for Jacob’s family, none of them recognize him. Speaking through a translator, Joseph knows exactly what each of their brothers are saying as he is bilingual. As Joseph listens carefully to all ten of his half-brothers, there is a common theme shared between them. Each believe that how they previously treated Joseph is coming back to haunt them in the form of a curse.

And Joseph said to them on the third day, Do this and live! I reverence and fear God. 19 If you are true men, let one of your brothers be bound in your prison, but [the rest of] you go and carry grain for those weakened with hunger in your households. 20 But bring your youngest brother to me, so your words will be verified and you shall live. And they did so. 21 And they said one to another, We are truly guilty about our brother, for we saw the distress and anguish of his soul when he begged us [to let him go], and we would not hear. So this distress and difficulty has come upon us, Genesis 42:18-21.

From a modern perspective, some refer to this as karma. Others will point to this as you reap what you sow. Whatever you want to call this, you can’t run away from your past. Like the Boy Who Cried Wolf, when there actually is an emergency, no one will believe you. This is why the earthly brother of James called first century Christians to confess their sins to one another, James 5:16. When you do, healing will follow.

by Jay Mankus

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When Paranoia Influences You to Expect the Worst

Posted on September 29, 2023 by expressyourself4him

One common idiom can reveal much about an individual. When you see a glass of water which is nearly halfway finished, do you see this as a glass half empty or half full? This simple perspective reflects optimism or pessimism. If you’re a wealthy person, you may not even care. Yet, for those living paycheck to paycheck, fear can breed paranoia which will influence how you think about the future.

Then the men took the present, and they took double the [grain] money with them, and Benjamin; and they arose and went down to Egypt and stood before Joseph. 16 And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, Bring the men into the house and kill an animal and make ready, for the men will dine with me at noon. 17 And the man did as Joseph ordered and brought the men to Joseph’s house, Genesis 43:15-17.

Self Help books have flooded the market in recent years, trying to help readers avoid making the same mistakes as authors. Yet, when individuals begin to suffer a string of bad luck, people can respond in various ways. Some press on without a thought, others read way too much into these events and Christians may see these as a form of a curse, getting what you deserve for past transgressions.

The men were afraid because they were brought to Joseph’s house; and they said, We are brought in because of the money that was returned in our sacks the first time we came, so that he may find occasion to accuse and assail us, take us for slaves, and seize our donkeys, Genesis 43:18.

As for Joseph’s brothers, a few of them were still consumed by guilt for selling their brother into slavery and plotting a fake death to cover their tracks. While Moses doesn’t specifically mention the concept “you reap what you sow,” it appears Joseph’s brothers believed in a similar concept. Subsequently, as everyone was invited to the governor’s house for dinner, paranoia struck several of Joseph’s brothers. This paranoia led a couple brothers to expect worst case scenarios like a self-fulfilled prophecy. The next time your mind begins to wonder, turn to the Lord to find peace.

by Jay Mankus

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Celebrating Family in the Living Years

Posted on September 28, 2023 by expressyourself4him

The first thing that made me think about my own family was the Mike and Mechanics hit song The Living Years. As a teenager, many of my peers spoke about parents as individuals who prevented you from having fun in life. This is one of many ungodly beliefs that I developed prior to getting married. This one song challenged me to celebrate family members in the living years.

Then the men took the present, and they took double the [grain] money with them, and Benjamin; and they arose and went down to Egypt and stood before Joseph. 16 And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, Bring the men into the house and kill an animal and make ready, for the men will dine with me at noon. 17 And the man did as Joseph ordered and brought the men to Joseph’s house, Genesis 43:15-17.

As I have been studying the life of Joseph in the Old Testament, the only person who liked him growing up was his father Jacob. Moses doesn’t mention Rachel’s feeling about Joseph except for thanking God to allow her to finally conceive and give birth to her own child. Nonetheless, when Rachel gives Joseph a baby brother, Benjamin, he forms a special connection with him.

Then Joseph could not restrain himself [any longer] before all those who stood by him, and he called out, Cause every man to go out from me! So no one stood there with Joseph while he made himself known to his brothers. 2 And he wept and sobbed aloud, and the Egyptians [who had just left him] heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard about it. 3 And Joseph said to his brothers, I am Joseph! Is my father still alive? And his brothers could not reply, for they were distressingly disturbed and dismayed at [the startling realization that they were in] his presence. 4 And Joseph said to his brothers, Come near to me, I pray you. And they did so. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt! 5 But now, do not be distressed and disheartened or vexed and angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me ahead of you to preserve life. 6 For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are still five years more in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. 7 God sent me before you to preserve for you a posterity and to continue a remnant on the earth, to save your lives by a great escape and save for you many survivors, Genesis 45:1-7.

Upon being reunited with his baby brother in today’s featured passage, Joseph is inspired to celebrate his family while there are still alive. Joseph gives instructions to his steward who prepares for this special occasion. Although there may be an individual within your own family who requires extra grace, don’t let the root of bitterness prevent you from celebrating your own family in the living years.

by Jay Mankus

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Seeing and Listening to the Anguish of Souls

Posted on September 27, 2023 by expressyourself4him

As a former high school coach and teacher, I was always drawn to students who didn’t look like their normal self. As someone who struggled with depression as a child, I didn’t want these teenagers to slip through the cracks as I did for many years. Subsequently, I made it my daily goal to see and listen to the anguish of souls displayed on the faces of my students.

And they said one to another, We are truly guilty about our brother, for we saw the distress and anguish of his soul when he begged us [to let him go], and we would not hear. So this distress and difficulty has come upon us. 22 Reuben answered them, Did I not tell you, Do not sin against the boy, and you would not hear? Therefore, behold, his blood is required [of us]. 23 But they did not know that Joseph understood them, for he spoke to them through an interpreter. 24 And he turned away from them and wept; then he returned to them and talked with them, and took from them Simeon and bound him before their eyes, Genesis 42:21-24.

There are countless books on the earthly life of Jesus. These resources point to Jesus as man in human flesh. Yet, one of Jesus’ greatest gifts was his ability to see and listen to the anguish of souls. Upon reaching rock star status as the leader of the 12 disciples, Jesus never ignored the anguish displayed on a stranger’s face, especially a child.

When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their distress and troubles. 18 The Lord is close to those who are of a broken heart and saves such as are crushed with sorrow for sin and are humbly and thoroughly penitent, Psalm 34:17-18.

David touches on God’s character and nature in the passage above. The context of this occurs after David pretended to be insane before Abimelech. David’s heart and mind wasn’t in a good place at this time in his life. Subsequently, these emotions led David to remember the promises of God in the Old Testament: to be close to the broken hearted and heal those crushed in Spirit. May these words prompt you to begin to look and listen to the anguish of souls which surround you daily.

by Jay Mankus

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Don’t Just Sit There… Do Something

Posted on September 26, 2023 by expressyourself4him

As a child who struggled with stuttering, I decided to become a follower of others at an early age. Rather than show any initiative, I did whatever people told me to do, even if it was something questionable. Whenever you fail to lead or volunteer, most people simply sit back and wait for others to do something. As I stood on the sidelines of life until high school, I finally started to do something.

Now when Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, Why do you look at one another? 2 For, he said, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt; get down there and buy [grain] for us, that we may live and not die. 3 So ten of Joseph’s brethren went to buy grain in Egypt, Genesis 42:1-3.

At this time in Jacob’s life, his old age limited his ability to go on long trips. Subsequently, as Jacob became frustrated with his own weaknesses, he was hoping that one of his sons would take charge. When this didn’t happen as his grown kids complained about being hungry, Jacob finally lost it exclaiming, don’t just sit there… Do something! While the attached translation is slightly different, do something is more of a modern expression.

He becomes poor who works with a slack and idle hand, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. 5 He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame, Proverbs 10:4-5.

King Solomon does a simply compare and contrast in the above passage. Human nature has a way of enticing individuals to eat, sleep, and be merry. However, Solomon doesn’t hold back, calling it as he sees it. The lazy breed idle hands which often leads to poverty. Meanwhile, the diligent possess a vision-oriented mentality, always looking to seize each day or opportunity. May today’s passage inspire you to stop observing by getting up and doing something to make a difference in life.

by Jay Mankus

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