Tag Archives: believe

21 Seconds to Pray

Posted on December 19, 2015 by expressyourself4him

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBxoqZ_GlE8

During my confirmation process in the Catholic Church in 8th grade, I studied the Lord’s prayer, also known as the Our Father.  According to author Dr. Mark Rutland, it takes the average person 21 seconds to pray this prayer.  After twenty years of using the Lord’s prayer as a foundation for prayer, Dr. Rutland believes that you can change your world if individuals begin to devote 21 seconds to prayer daily.

“This, then, is how you should pray: “ ’Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven,” Matthew 6:9-10.

Keeping a journal during this extended period, Mark began to see the impact Jesus’ words had on his prayer life.  Gradually, his heart, soul and mind were transformed by this basic, yet powerful prayer outline inspiring his book 21 Seconds to Change Your World.  While the average person struggles to pay attention or remain focused, 21 seconds is less than most commercials on television.  Therefore, why not make a resolution for 2016 to commit 21 seconds to prayer each day.

Give us today our daily bread.  And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one, Matthew 6:11-13.

Even when people draw near to God, prayer can be foreign to many.  Feeling asleep on my pillow in college was a nightly tradition, not getting far before I dosed off.  However, 21 seconds is realistic, a good starting point for novice prayers.  Therefore, I don’t have a good excuse to say I was too busy, didn’t feel well or was too tired.  Rather, now is a great time to start 2016 off on the right foot with 21 seconds to pray.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Learn from History or Relive Past Mistakes

Posted on December 3, 2015 by expressyourself4him

If each life were made into a book, biographies would possess a section where readers scratch their heads.  The audience may think, “I can’t believe they are making the same mistake over and over again.”  Backsliding, downward spirals and periods of neglect cause the average person to repeat the sins of their past.

Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did, 1 Corinthians 10:6.

During a visit to the city of Corinth, the apostle Paul witnessed a cycle church members were stuck in.  Wondering if these people knew the history of Israel, he begins to share life lessons from past failures.  Since Corinth was a port city, an influx of outsiders were leaving a negative impact on the culture, causing many to relive past mistakes of previous civilizations.  The point of Paul’s message was to learn from history or relive the past.

These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come, 1 Corinthians 10:11.

No matter how hard I try to follow my New Year’s resolutions, its not long before I fall back into bad habits.  When I go a day or days without reading and studying the Bible, I’m one step closer away from embracing sins of the past or welcoming temptations of the present.  The disciple whom Jesus loved was right, “you can’t remain within Christ if you become unattached.”  In view of this, may those hungry for change turn back to the ultimate power source, Jesus Christ to get plugged in so that you learn from the history by avoiding past mistakes.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Now and Then

Posted on November 25, 2015 by expressyourself4him

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNhJMoiRnis

Its hard to believe that on this day twenty years ago I married Leanne Marie Wagner.  Having a wedding in Chicago two days after Thanksgiving can be risky, at the mercy of the weather.   An unwelcomed winter storm could have arrived at any time, but on November 25th, 1995 the Lord was on our side, blessing us with sun and a fifty degree day.

He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord, Proverbs 18:22.

Most wedding vows include the phrase “for better or for worse.”  This term appears within the marriage service section of the Common Book of Prayer.  Published in 1549, the concept of persevering with a marriage til death due us part can be traced back to the late 1300’s.  Unfortunately, sticking with your spouse throughout one’s life get’s harder and harder as modern cultures have accepted and embrace divorce as a viable option.

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, Ephesians 5:25.

While premarital counseling is a good place to start, you’re never really fully prepared for marriage.  The intimacy of marriage reveals all of your imperfections, leaving individuals vulnerable, at the mercy of your mate.  In addition, time has a way of adding weight, losing luster and deteriorating parts of your body.  Anyone can be in love on their honeymoon, but true love takes an unyielding will.  Thus, now and then, I vow to keep my promise to my wife Leanne until death due us part.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Standing in the Way of Progress

Posted on November 23, 2015 by expressyourself4him

Cantankerous, inflexible and pertinacious are words associated with stubborn.  Depending upon which study you reference, individuals become set in their ways between age 16 to 25.  Whether students choose to pursue college or stop their education following high school, worldviews are often set by the early twenties.  Subsequently, when a new way of thinking is introduced, many are caught standing in the way of progress.

So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way? – Acts 11:17

Unfortunately, I grew up during the infant phase of computers, forced to take typing classes in high school.  Thus, as technology changes electronics annually, its hard for me to keep up, lagging behind as I adjust to updated programs.  Part of me wants to keep the status quo, doing tasks the way I am accustom to.  Yet, if I don’t face reality I may find myself standing in the way of progress.

When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life,” Acts 11:18.

During the first century, Peter struggled to adapt to the societal advances.  Raised as a Jew, Peter was taught to avoid associating with Gentiles.  However, as the Holy Spirit fell upon Cornelius and his family, Peter was faced with a dilemma.  Hold on to past stereotypes or embrace the movement of God?  In the end, Peter realized that if he did not accept Gentile converts to Christianity he would be standing in the way of progress.  In the same manner today, as the world drastically changes, ask the Lord to give you the heart of Christ to avoid standing in the way of spiritual progress.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

 

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When Pain is Your Teacher

Posted on November 22, 2015 by expressyourself4him

One of Rush Limbaugh’s weekly quotes on his E.I.B. radio talk show is that learning never stops.  Commencement refers to the beginning, the start of a new life.  However, when pain becomes your teacher, few want to finish, often dropping out of the school of life.

To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat from it,’ “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life, Genesis 3:17.

In the real world, tutors exist in the form of mentors.  If you earn their respect, perhaps you might be able pull from their years of wisdom to help you along the way.  Nothing is ever easy, but if you can endure failures, heartaches and setbacks, you might be able to graduate on the next class God has in store for you.

The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, 2 Thessalonians 2:9.

Unfortunately, pain never ceases, a byproduct of original sin.  The remnants of the fiasco in Eden have gradually spread, poisoning souls to the core.  The events of modern terrorist attacks is merely the fulfillment of 2 Thessalonians.  Therefore, whether we like it or not, pain is the teacher which shapes the human heart.  As the school of hard knocks proceeds, may the trials of life serve as a purification process to refine faith in those who believe.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

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Faith Without Hesitation

Posted on November 21, 2015 by expressyourself4him

When I was young, I got caught in a severe thunderstorm.  However, it wasn’t the lightning I was worried about.  I found myself on the other side of a raging creek, with the water level rising with each second that I waited to jump.  I stood three feet away from safety, yet there wasn’t room for a running start, stuck between two boulders.  My mind said you won’t make it, but fear of the impending weather caused me to jump.

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.

Not much has changed since I made this leap of faith.  However, the older you get, the obstacles increase in difficulty.  Unfortunately, the longer you postpone or wait to face trials, the harder they become.  Creek beds turn into rivers and rivers into lakes.  Hesitation may seem normal, but leads to doubt.  Genuine faith leaves second guessing behind, resulting in a solid spiritual foundation.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord, Romans 6:23.

Evangelists often use what is known as the road to Romans to illustrate faith.  Using the passage above, designers of this analogy refer to sin as the Grand Canyon separating human beings from God.  Even if you were a world long jump champion, you can’t physically make it to the other side.  The solution to this problem is the cross of Jesus.  Although invisible, Christians walk by faith to get to the other side.  In view of this, don’t procrastinate any longer.  Rather, display a faith without hesitation.

by Jay Mankus

 

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No Longer Impure

Posted on November 18, 2015 by expressyourself4him

One of the by products of forgiving but not forgetting leaves behind a wake of tarnished reputations.  For those doing the judging, a divide is created separating the right from the wrong.  This mindset develops false assumptions, resulting in a belief that you and your ways are far superior than others.

“Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean,” Acts 10:14.

Prior to his encounter with Cornelius, Peter believed that Gentiles were impure, based upon their consumption of unclean animals detailed within Leviticus.  While praying on a roof, Peter fell into a trace like state.  During this time, a vision from God was revealed to Peter to put an end his stereotypes of all Gentiles.  Through a series of events, Peter came to the conclusion that what you eat no longer makes you impure.

The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean,” Acts 10:15.

Today, there are too many individuals who have become conceded, filled with a “I’m better than you attitude.”  Subsequently, spirits of arrogance motivate those who are in positions of power or wealth.  Thus, its essential for the aloof to have a Peter like experience.  Although this won’t happen all at once, may the Lord help those blinded by pride to become enlightened by the the reality Gentiles are no longer impure.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Tabitha’s Testimony

Posted on November 17, 2015 by expressyourself4him

In recent years, government officials have attempted to shed light on people who have been forgotten or omitted from history.  Thus, February has been coined Black History month with March dedicated to women in America history.  Unfortunately, timing is everything so unless you lived in a densely populated area, acts, contributions and inventions often gone unnoticed.  With this in mind, I felt compelled to convey Tabitha’s testimony.

About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room, Acts 9:37.

Beside Jesus’ resurrection, the healing of Lazarus has gained most of the spot light in the Bible.  Dead for four days, Jesus cancels the funeral, raising his corpse from the dead.  Within the book of Acts, a similar healing takes place.  According to Acts 9, Tabitha had been dead for some time, likely a couple of hours before Peter arrives.  Following one of the principles of Jesus, Peter removed everyone who doubted God’s power from the room.  Shortly after kneeing in prayer, Tabitha arose from the dead.

Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up, Acts 9:40.

Prior to this illness, Tabitha developed a reputation for helping the poor and doing good within her town.  Although its unclear if funeral plans had been made, this miracle inspired many residents of Joppa to believe in the Lord.  According to Acts 9:36, Tabitha was a female disciple, one of the first woman to receive this title.  While March is a long way away, I felt it necessary to recall Tabitha’s life so that other women may be inspired to follow in her footsteps.

by Jay Mankus

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Forgiveness for Having Such a Thought

Posted on October 27, 2015 by expressyourself4him

If you have ever taught, then you’ve heard some pretty shocking things come out of children.  During my first day of teaching 7th Grade, I was surprised by the conversation within my homeroom.  Apparently, several of my students had a television in their own room, able to watch a plethora of cable movies.  Thus, as a new teacher in a Christian school, I couldn’t believe what was coming out of the mouths of these youth.

Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart, Acts 8:22.

Peter had a similar encounter with an adult during the first century.  Perhaps Simon was a spoiled child growing up, getting whatever he wanted.  Thus, this privileged mindset led Simon to request something he would later regret.  Jealous of the apostle’s healing power, Simon’s thought process led him to attempt to bribe Peter for access to the Holy Spirit.  Floored by this gesture, Peter went off, demanding an immediate apology from Simon.

Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me,” Acts 8:24.

Sometimes a lack of discipline causes individuals to think out loud.  Subsequently, when a careless word is spoken, repentance is necessary.  Since no one is perfect, its essential to admit when you’re wrong.  Thus, whether you are Simon or a participant of a verbal blunder, don’t forget to ask forgiveness for such a thought as this.  The sooner you confess your wrong doings, the quicker you can experience the fullness of God’s grace.

by Jay Mankus

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The Threat of Faith

Posted on October 12, 2015 by expressyourself4him

According to the scientific community life evolves.  As environments or habitats change, creatures and human beings are forced to adapt if they want to survive.  The same can be said about worldviews.  When truth is conveyed, realized or revealed, belief systems are put to the test.  This is the threat of faith.

For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us, Acts 6:14.

People will always go through periods of change.  Whether its puberty, relationships or unforeseen trials, each day provides a series of surprises.  Through the good and bad, hearts rejoice and grieve, while emotions rise and fall.  Yet, when what you have always known is challenged, faith and doubt collide.

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ, Romans 10:17.

Through the years, time can take a toll on wounded souls.  In the case of the Jews, religious leaders thought the Jesus movement would destroy Judaism.  Thus, this threat elevated tensions, fueling resentment against Christianity.  As more and more individuals believed and were baptized, faith became a threat.  Nonetheless, when souls hear or read the words of the Bible, faith becomes a friend in Jesus.

by Jay Mankus

 

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