Tag Archives: coincidence

How About Them Love Apples?

Posted on June 23, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Hollywood movies have certain scenes that speak directly to you. Depending upon your ethnic background, family income and upbringing, some classic scenes will stir your soul. Such is the case of Matt Damon in Goodwill Hunting who plays a janitor surrounded by the smartest students in the country. As two MIT men try to hit on Skylar, it’s Will who ends up walking away with her phone number. This sets the stage for Will’s line: “how do you like them apples.”

Now Reuben went at the time of wheat harvest and found some mandrakes (love apples) in the field and brought them to his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, Give me, I pray you, some of your son’s mandrakes. 15 But [Leah] answered, Is it not enough that you have taken my husband without your taking away my son’s [a]mandrakes also? And Rachel said, Jacob shall sleep with you tonight [in exchange] for your son’s mandrakes, Genesis 30:14-15.

If you have ever spent much time with two sisters, there’s often some sort of competition to determine superiority. When Leah’s oldest child discovers mandrakes in Jacob’s wheat field, Reuben treats these as a special find. Meanwhile, Moses refers to these as love apples as if a blessing from God. Jealous and hungry, Rachel asks her sister for a couple of mandrakes. When Leah rejects this request, Rachel goes to plan B which benefits both parties.

And Jacob came out of the field in the evening, and Leah went out to meet him and said, You must sleep with me [tonight], for I have certainly paid your hire with my son’s mandrakes. So he slept with her that night. 17 And God heeded Leah’s [prayer], and she conceived and bore Jacob [her] fifth son. 18 Leah said, God has given me my hire, because I have given my maid to my husband; and she called his name Issachar [hired]. 19 And Leah became pregnant again and bore Jacob [her] sixth son. 20 Then Leah said, God has endowed me with a good marriage gift [for my husband]; now will he dwell with me [and regard me as his wife in reality], because I have borne him six sons; and she named him Zebulun [dwelling], Genesis 30:16-20.

Based upon Moses’ description of Reuben’s mandrakes, Leah and Rachel are both able to bear children after eating this special treat. Perhaps, this is why the mandrakes are referred to as love apples as God enables Leah and Rachel to each conceive. Whether these mandrakes served as a placebo or a coincidence prior to being blessed with children, the next time you see Good Will Hunting, don’t forget about them love apples in the Bible.

by Jay Mankus

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A Clear Distinction of the Blessed and Cursed

Posted on April 13, 2023 by expressyourself4him

One of my favorite books, Restoring the Foundations, contains a series of case studies. One-chapter references two families which lived in the United States in the 18th century. The blessed family is filled with amazing accomplishments and distinguished careers for a couple of generations. The cursed family was plagued by addiction, bad habits, crime and premature death. While some may say this is merely a coincidence, I believe this to be a clear distinction of the blessed and cursed based upon Moses words in Deuteronomy 28.

Then Abimelech took sheep and oxen and male and female slaves and gave them to Abraham and restored to him Sarah his wife. 15 And Abimelech said, Behold, my land is before you; dwell wherever it pleases you. 16 And to Sarah he said, Behold, I have given this brother of yours a thousand pieces of silver; see, it is to compensate you [for all that has occurred] and to vindicate your honor before all who are with you; before all men you are cleared and compensated. 17 So Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech and his wife and his female slaves, and they bore children, 18 For the Lord had closed fast the wombs of all in Abimelech’s household because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife, Genesis 20:14-18.

In today’s featured passage, Abraham misled King Abimelech, saying Sarah was his sister. While this is technically true, Abraham was afraid if he told the truth, they were married that Abimelech might kill him and take Sarah to be his wife. Despite Abraham’s lack of faith in God, Proverbs 3:5-6, King Abimelech blessed Abraham and Sarah with a series of gifts. This is hard to comprehend, rewarded for not being transparent. Nonetheless, the king’s kind gesture is a clear sign of God’s hand over Abraham’s life.

And Lot went up out of Zoar and dwelt in the mountain, and his two daughters with him, for he feared to dwell in Zoar; and he lived in a cave, he and his two daughters. 31 The elder said to the younger, Our father is aging, and there is not a man on earth to live with us in the customary way. 32 Come, let us make our father drunk with wine, and we will lie with him, so that we may preserve offspring (our race) through our father. 33 And they made their father drunk with wine that night, and the older went in and lay with her father; and he was not aware of it when she lay down or when she arose, Genesis 19:30-33.

The same can’t be said about Lot, Abraham’s nephew. Despite living near each other for a decade with each growing in prosperity, Lot ran into a stretch of bad luck. Prior to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot is taken as a prisoner of war. After returning to his home, two angels warn Lot of God’s pending judgment, forcing him to abandon all of his possessions. Future son in laws laugh in Lot’s face, leaving them both to die. During their abrupt departure, Lot’s wife is killed, leaving him alone with his two daughters. The remaining passage magnifies the distinction between the blessings of Abraham and curses of Lot.

by Jay Mankus

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Timing is Everything When It Comes to God’s Plan

Posted on January 13, 2023 by expressyourself4him

A coincidence is a remarkable concurrence of events or circumstances without apparent causal connection. This is a term that adults use when things align, come together and occur as if there was a divine being working behind the scenes. My high school coach referred to coincidences as God instances where timing is everything when it comes to God’s plan for your life. As angels appeared to shepherds in a field, there was a purpose for this heavenly encounter.

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing ([f]saying) that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us. 16 So they went with haste and [[g]by searching] found Mary and Joseph, and the Baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known what had been told them concerning this Child, Luke 2:15-17.

When a famous or wealthy individual shares a story like the shepherds, there is usually some sort of impure motive like the release of a new book, movie or upcoming feature on a similar topic. However, when common people speak of an angelic experience, more people tend to believe their story. Common sense and logic suggest that this person is crazy or this actually happened? God’s plan for the shepherds is revealed in the passage below.

And all who heard it were astounded and marveled at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary was keeping [h]within herself all these things ([i]sayings), weighing and pondering them in her heart, Luke 2:18-19.

The arrival of shepherds to this barn in Bethlehem isn’t a coincidence. Rather this God instance occurred so that this eyewitness account could be passed down for generations. Instead of becoming arrogant and proud, Mary pondered this encounter in her heart, wondering if everything that has happened to her is real or merely a dream that she’s going to wake up at any time. As King Solomon wrote hundreds of years earlier, God makes everything beautiful in His time, Ecclesiastes 3:11.

by Jay Mankus

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A Child Who Can Alter Your Legacy

Posted on December 18, 2022 by expressyourself4him

If you haven’t learned this from watching cable news, it only takes one act to alter your legacy forever. When earth’s first couple participated in original sin by breaking God’s only boundary placed in the Garden of Eden (not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge), the sinful nature was conceived. Subsequently, when Cain, the first-born child on earth, had his own moral dilemma, a peptalk from God couldn’t alter the decision he had already made in his mind. Cain eliminated the source of his jealousy, Abel.

So Cain went away from the presence of the Lord and dwelt in the land of Nod [wandering], east of Eden. 17 And Cain’s wife [one of Adam’s offspring] became pregnant and bore Enoch; and Cain built a [f]city and named it after his son Enoch, Genesis 4:16-17.

According to Jude 1:14, Jared’s son Enoch lived seven generations after Adam. When you take into consideration Adam and Eve and Cain and Abel, Eve gave birth to two girls. Each of these two were likely women Cain and Abel eventually married. Since Abel’s life was struck down before he was able to have children, Cain’s wife gave birth to the first Enoch. This is what I call a God instance, not a coincidence as Enoch would go on to alter Cain’s legacy as a man and a father.

When Enoch was 65 years old, Methuselah was born. 22 Enoch walked [in habitual fellowship] with God after the birth of Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters. 23 So all the days of Enoch were 365 years. 24 And Enoch walked [in habitual fellowship] with God; and he was not, for God took him [home with Him], Genesis 5:21-24.

Since the earth’s population was reduced from six to five people following Abel’s murder, God didn’t give Cain the death penalty. Rather than cut the earth’s population back to four, Cain was sentenced to a life as a vagabond. However, Moses does record his family’s lineage in the passage above. Instead of dwelling upon and being haunted by his grave error in judgment, Cain devoted his life to raising Enoch. Like Solomon in the book of Proverbs, Cain did all he could to point Enoch in the right direction by avoiding the same mistakes he made in life. As Paul Harvey would say, “and now you now the rest of the story” of how just one child can alter your legacy on earth. If a murderer can raise a godly child who Cain built a city to honor, anything is possible.

by Jay Mankus

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Recognize, Perceive and Understand

Posted on May 6, 2022 by expressyourself4him

A coincidence is a remarkable concurrence of events or circumstances without apparent causal connection. Over several decades of attending church, I’ve heard pastors refer to God instances where the hand of God is perceived to perform a miracle. Prior to 1555, the Bible did not contain individual verses. These were added to the Vulgate Bible to help readers identity memorable portions of a book.

By this we come to know (progressively to recognize, to perceive, to understand) the [essential] love: that He laid down His [own] life for us; and we ought to lay [our] lives down for [those who are our] brothers [[l]in Him], 1 John 3:16.

Everyone knows about John 3:16’s popularity as one of the most iconic verses in the Bible. However, do you recognize, perceive or understand a commonality between John 3:16 and 1 John 3:16? The latter is quoting the words of Jesus addressed to a first century Pharisee named Nicodemus. The passage above serves as a reminder so that you recognize, perceive, and understand God’s love for you.

 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, John 3:16.

As I write blogs today, the Holy Spirit urges me to remind my readers of key biblical principles. I often question with a whisper, “are you sure you want me to address this again?” While you may be aware of certain biblical truths, using a new context or illustration often drives home this point in a more powerful way. This is the purpose of 1 John 3:16: serving as a clear reminder of John 3:16-17 so that another generation of Christians will understand the unconditional love of God.

by Jay Mankus

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Abstain from and Shrink any Hints of Evil

Posted on July 7, 2021 by expressyourself4him

When it comes to sex education, abstinence remains the best policy. Abstaining from sex provides a 100% guarantee that teenagers will avoid becoming pregnant or contract a sexual disease. Unfortunately, administrators, educators, and school boards abandoned biblical principles back in the 1960’s. In the last 50 years, elementary, junior high and high schools pass out condoms like candy. Instead of making sex education safer, students are encouraged to experiment with condoms or explore what pronoun they prefer.

For this is the will of God, that you should be consecrated (separated and set apart for pure and holy living): that you should abstain and shrink from all sexual vice, 1 Thessalonians 4:3.

The apostle Paul doesn’t hold back his feelings about sexual desires in the passage above. Paul urges one church to abstain from and shrink any ties to lustful desires, Galatians 5:19-21. Whether it’s a coincidence or not, the first and last act of our carnal desires are sexual in nature. The first is a gateway sin known as sexual immorality, opening the door to ungodly relationships. The final act is participating in orgies which is essentially full blown sexual sin.

That each one of you should know how to possess (control, manage) his own body in consecration (purity, separated from things profane) and honor, 5 Not [to be used] in the passion of lust like the heathen, who are ignorant of the true God and have no knowledge of His will, 1 Thessalonians 4:4-5.

The passage above provides guidelines to abstain from and shrink all sexual vices. This requires a substitute, a replacement in the form fruits of the spirit, Galatians 5:22-23. In order to control and manage your own body, abstinence from carnal appetites is essential. Since God calls Christian’s to higher standards than the world, self control must lead the way. Until individuals understand the internal battle going on daily, Galatians 5:16-18, you won’t be able to abstain from and shrink the sexual disease known as sin. Flee now while you still have time to turn around.

by Jay Mankus

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Are You Talking to Me?

Posted on November 8, 2019 by expressyourself4him

The phrase “you talkin’ to me” is a classic line from the 1976 film Taxi Driver. Robert De Niro plays Travis Bickle who looks at himself in the mirror and imagines what he what he would say if confronted by a bad guy. Unfortunately, this generation is so busy staring at their cell phone or electronic device that this conversation would never commence.

And I said, Who are You, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus, Whom you are persecuting, Acts 26:15.

While addressing King Agrippa about his conversion from Judaism to Christianity, Paul points to his life altering conversation with God. During a trip to Damascus, Saul who changed his name to Paul was exposed to what appears to be some form of lightning. Suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him, Acts 9:3. This is how the Lord got Paul’s attention, blinded for a short period of time due to exposure to these bright lights.

But arise and stand upon your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, that I might appoint you to serve as [My] minister and to bear witness both to what you have seen of Me and to that in which I will appear to you, Acts 26:16.

Once Paul realized what was actually happening, it took some time for everything to sink in. Luke records Paul’s conversation with God in the passage above. Whenever any individual has an encounter with God, this event doesn’t happen by chance or coincide. Rather, God is talking to you for a specific purpose, revealing a calling, plan or vision that God wants you to fulfill. In view of this, don’t be caught with earbuds drowning God’s voice out so that when God’s whisper appears, you’ll know God is talking to you.

by Jay Mankus

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How God Works Behind the Scenes

Posted on January 17, 2019 by expressyourself4him

One day a family emergency arose in the house of Kish.  Those of you who are pet owners understand the frustration when your dog gets out, roaming the neighborhood until you are able to get them back on a leash.  According to the passage below, donkeys escaped from a back field and did not return.  Similar to a household chore, Saul is requested to take a servant with him to corral these animals.

Now the donkeys of Kish, Saul’s father, had wandered off and were lost. Kish said to his son Saul, “Please take one of the servants with you and arise, go look for the donkeys.” 4 And they passed through the hill country of Ephraim and the land of Shalishah, but did not find them. Then they passed through the land of Shaalim, but they were not there and the land of the Benjamites, but they [still] did not find them, 1 Samuel 9:3-4.

From a human perspective, Saul was embarking on a minuscule task to help his family.  Based upon the details provided by Samuel, this unsuccessful search went on for a couple of days.  This quest just so happened to enable Saul to cross paths with a revered prophet.  While Saul and his servant look for a couple of donkey, Samuel was searching for Israel’s first king.  This unusual encounter illustrates how God works behind the scenes.

Now a day before Saul came, the Lord had informed Samuel [of this], saying, 16 “About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him as leader over My people Israel; and he will save My people from the hand of the Philistines. For I have looked upon [the distress of] My people, because their cry [for help] has come to Me.” 17 When Samuel saw Saul, the Lord said to him, “There is the man of whom I spoke to you. This one shall rule over My people [as their king],” 1 Samuel 9:15-17.

Tonight you may have to work.  Others may be forced to go to school tomorrow morning.  Over the weekend, you will likely have to fix something, start a project or work on something around the house.  These mundane exercises often bring about boredom, a waste of time to many Americans and individuals throughout the world.  Yet, just as Samuel was secretly searching for a king, God is behind the scenes waiting for the next person who is willing to stand in the gap, by awakening their faith, Ezekiel 22:30.

by Jay Mankus

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I’m Sick of It

Posted on April 18, 2017 by expressyourself4him

Every once in a while a song will speak to me.  The timing is perfect, preparing you for the lyrics about to be sung.  Whether its a coincidence, divine intervention or fate, this message connects with your soul.  Such is the case of Skillet’s song Sick of It.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly, John 10:10.

The opening stanza speaks to people struggling with life.  This appeals to those who keep trying to make there life better without any signs of improvement on the horizon.  Like a boxer on the verge of giving up training for a big fight, progress will determine if you continue.  Anyone who is tired of losing often throws in the towel before letting things play out.
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 2 Peter 1:3.
In the film Shawshank Redemption, Andy Dufresne played by Tim Robbins has a I’m sick of it moment.  Frustrated by the injustice he has endured, Dufresne finds himself at a crossroads in life with one of two choices to make.  “Either get busy living or get busy dying.”  This same question must be addressed by anyone sick of their current situation.  May you choose life.

by Jay Mankus

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Victories Don’t Come By Accident

Posted on January 4, 2016 by expressyourself4him

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cD0bG0SFJlU

Depending upon the nature of a competition, bystanders may suggest that someone is lucky, getting good breaks along the way.  Eyewitnesses to a sporting event might throw out conspiracy theories, blame biased officials or poor conditions to explain an upset or unlikely champion.  However, in the context of prayer, victory does not come by accident.

Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up, James 4:8-10.

Even those whom drew near to the Lord, walking closely with God during their life experienced moments of doubt.  Job struggled to comprehend the hardships he endured.  Elijah wanted to die after receiving death threat from Queen Jezebel.  Despite being a man after God’s own heart, David wrote against God’s silence in response to his prayers.  Nonetheless, when a persistent prayer enters God’s presence, victory is not far behind.

And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth? – Luke 18:7-8

At the end of the parable of the persistent widow, Jesus brings up the question of faith.  As the day of Christ’s return approaches, cynicism within this world increases.  The more that bad things happen to relatively good people, human minds wrestle to comprehend God’s logic.  Thus, good results are attributed to coincidence, luck and the yin and yang effect.  However, for those who believe in the power of prayer, victories are not a fluke.  Rather, blessings are a direct correlation to obedience, prayer and submitting to God.

by Jay Mankus

 

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