Tag Archives: born again

S.A.N.S. Episode 328: Glory

Posted on December 26, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Now that Christmas Day has passed, coming up with the remaining 38 songs from different artists will be a challenge. However, know that my children have come home from college, this final month of Sing A New Song will be a joint effort. Today’s song Glory by Jervis Campbell is thanks to my daughter Lydia. Lydia was introduced to Jervis by a classmate at Liberty University. While driving to church one Sunday morning, Glory was playing in the car CD player.

And the Word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us; and we [actually] saw His glory (His honor, His majesty), such glory as an only begotten son receives from his father, full of grace (favor, loving-kindness) and truth. 15 John testified about Him and cried out, This was He of Whom I said, He Who comes after me has priority over me, for He was before me. [He takes rank above me, for He existed before I did. He has advanced before me, because He is my Chief,] John 1:14-15.

While the calendar clearly shows Christmas in 2022 is over, the passage above provides a spiritual reminder of what Jesus’ birth means. This supernatural conception via the power of the Holy Spirit demonstrates the glory of God the Father. Two chapters later, the disciple whom Jesus loved, boldly proclaims the meaning of Christmas to those who are born again, John 3:16-17. May today’s song prepare how heart, mind and soul to bring glory to God in 2023.

by Jay Mankus

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Absolute Confidence

Posted on May 21, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Confidence is the belief, feeling, or inner desire that you can rely on someone or something. Whether you’re a gifted academic, natural athlete or possess unique trade skills, certain talents come with ease. The more this special quality is fine-tuned, individuals begin to develop an absolute confidence in their ability. The Bible speaks of a spiritual absolute confidence.

We know [absolutely] that anyone born of God does not [deliberately and knowingly] practice committing sin, but the One Who was begotten of God carefully watches over and protects him [Christ’s divine presence within him preserves him against the evil], and the wicked one does not lay hold (get a grip) on him or touch [him], 1 John 5:18.

According to a member of Jesus’ inner circle, absolute confidence is conceived when individuals become born again. This spiritual conception comes from the Holy Spirit who gives Christians everything they need for life, 2 Peter 1:3-4. The apostle Paul compares the Holy Spirit to an invisible force that you can feel and sense as you walk through life, Galatians 5:25.

And the Lord said to Satan, Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who [reverently] fears God and abstains from and shuns evil [because it is wrong]? 9 Then Satan answered the Lord, Does Job [reverently] fear God for nothing? 10 Have You not put a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have conferred prosperity and happiness upon him in the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land, Job 1:8-10.

One of the reasons why evil exists in this world is due to a lack of prayer coverage. Based upon the oldest book in the Bible, Satan complained that God was placing a hedge of protection around Christian leaders. Only when this hedge was removed, did Job become vulnerable to spiritual attacks. The act of sin is merely a byproduct of losing faith by giving into natural desires. The end goal is to become filled with Christ’s strength so that the Devil will not lay a hand on you. This is absolute confidence.

by Jay Mankus

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Mixing Birthdays with Christmas

Posted on December 16, 2020 by expressyourself4him

Depending upon when you were born in a calendar year, your birthday is either overshadowed by Christmas, spread out throughout the year or occurs in the summer when most of your friends are on vacation. I fall into the latter category, often struggling to a find a few friends who are home in August. Yet, most of the women in my family are forced to mix their birthday with Christmas. My mother and wife were born one day a part in the middle of this month while my sister Cindy and Leanne’s mom were born on Christmas Eve. Unfortunately, these days are mere appetizers that lead up to the birth of Christ.

[My purpose is] that you may know the full truth and understand with certainty and security against error the accounts (histories) and doctrines of the faith of which you have been informed and in which you have been orally instructed, Luke 1:4.

In the wake of the Coronavirus, a once in a century event, some of you wish that you were born during a different month or period in history. During a late night conversation with a Pharisee named Nicodemus, Jesus refers the spiritual process of being “born again.” At the time of their discussion, this theological term wasn’t known causing Nicodemus to become sarcastic. “Do you really expect our mother’s to open up their legs to be forced back in their womb again?” The wry smile on Nicodemus face vanished quickly. According to John, this religious leader stops talking, intrigued by the thought of being spiritually reborn.

For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten ([d]unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him, John 3:16-17.

As neighbors decorate the interior and exterior of their homes for this celebration, don’t be caught off guard by silly Nick. Rather, prepare your hearts for the true meaning of this holiday season. The passage above highlights what some Christmas Carols declare, “Joy to the World as Immanuel has come to earth to save this fallen world from sin. This gift wasn’t without a sacrifice as God offered up his one and only son to become the perfect Lamb of God. Perhaps, this Christmas as people gather together at a church, in a home or view an online service, the only birth that matters is the decision to become born again, Romans 10:9-11.

by Jay Mankus

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Are You Smarter Than a Pharisee?

Posted on April 15, 2017 by expressyourself4him

Producer Mark Burnett teamed up with host Jeff Foxworthy in 2007 for the game show which challenged adults through the knowledge of kids.  Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader began on Fox and is now in syndication.  Like the classic Jeopardy, this entertaining show allowed viewers to see if they are dumber or smarter than the average 5th grade student.

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.  “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” – John 3:3-4

If television existed at the turn of the first century, perhaps Are You Smarter Than a Pharisee would have a caught on.  The first contestant approached Jesus at night, afraid of what his friends might think if seen interacting with Jesus.  Thus, in the cover of darkness, Jesus introduces Nicodemus to the concept of becoming born again.  Similar to the early rounds in Foxworthy’s show, the first few questions are suppose to be softballs.  Unfortunately, Nicodemus over thought this one, responding like a pre-schooler.

No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions, Matthew 22:46.

Shortly before Good Friday, religious leaders attempted to trick Jesus, hoping to catch him contradicting one of God’s laws.  Thus, one by one, shrewd individuals threw out brain teasers for Jesus to answer.  To their surprise, Jesus made quick work of various theoretical situations.  Finally, his opponents gave up, walking away in disappointment.  Unfortunately, few people understand the concept of wise, 1 Corinthians 2:5.  If this blog finds you like Nicodemus over analyzing life, may faith in Christ put you over the top so you will become smarter than a Pharisee.

by Jay Mankus

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The First Thanksgiving

Posted on November 28, 2013 by expressyourself4him

According to the Plimoth Plantation, 4 different states claim they were the site of America’s first Thanksgiving.  Florida, Texas, Maine and Virginia each have historical documents to support their claims.  Since Native Americans made it a tradition to hold celebration feasts whenever God had given their tribe a successful harvest long before the arrival of the Mayflower, its hard to know who’s right.  Thus, its not important who get’s the credit for this holiday, as long as individuals make it a point to display their gratitude to the Creator of life each Thanksgiving Day.

In ancient times, Moses records Israel’s first Thanksgiving, nearly 3 months following the miracle at the Red Sea, Exodus 19:1.  After Israel’s first triumph since their exodus from Egypt, husbands were reunited with their wives and children, Exodus 18:2-8.  As Moses shared all that God had done for Israel to his father in law Jethro, this statesman was moved to celebrate the great news.  Gathering the elders of Israel, Jethro organized the first recorded Thanksgiving feast, Exodus 18:9-12, offering burnt sacrifices to the Lord and breaking bread together.

The brother of Jesus urges modern believers to continue this tradition in James 1:17-18.  Instead of taking sole credit for the good things in life, James reminds Christians to thank God for the blessings bestowed upon us.  Although blessings are not always equally dispersed, your actions can influence the amount you receive, Deuteronomy 28:1-2.  Despite our sinful state, Romans 5:8, Jesus died so that we might become born again, John 3:3-5.  May the true meaning of Thanksgiving be revealed to you as you open God’s word, Romans 10:17, during this Christmas season.

by Jay Mankus

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Flush

Posted on February 9, 2013 by expressyourself4him

The word flush has numerous meanings depending upon its context.  For a poker player, a Royal Flush can’t be beat.  In the Men in Black movies, flush refers to an emergency escape route.  On the other hand, nutrients in water purify internal organs from chemicals, flushing impurities from the human body.  Meanwhile, if you aren’t feeling well, you might become flush in the face, reddening your complexion.  However, for me, there are certain days, weeks, months or years, I feel like flushing down the toilet!

As I endured another sleepless night, the image of the secondary definition for flush kept spinning through my mind.  I guess this is a sign of God wanting me to cleanse, dispose and purge all that is negative from my memory.  According to Proverbs 30:12, purity is not reached until filth is removed from your life.  In John 3:2-9, Jesus asks Nicodemus to flush everything he has been taught by man and replace it with a new concept.  This conversion, new birth and spiritual creation was too foreign for Nicodemus to grasp.  Thus, he stopped talking, becoming a listener, trying to absorb this new teaching, like Bounty Towels, the quicker picker upper.

 

Unfortunately, there might be decisions, experiences and images that you can’t seem to flush completely down the toilet.  Plungers may help with some issues, yet others may require a call to Roto Rooter to spiritually clear the plumbing within your temple.  The author of Hebrews probably addresses this better than anyone I have ever heard.  “In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood,”Hebrews 12:4.  Therefore, hang in there, Galatians 6:9, keep fighting, 1 Timothy 6:12 and flush sin from your life, Romans 13:13-14.

by Jay Mankus

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