Tag Archives: Come to your senses

The Devil’s Triangle

Across the surface of the earth, there are small sections which produce anomalies.  For one reason or another, abnormal, odd or strange events seem to happen within defined areas.  One of the most famous occurs over water, others take place in the mountains and some form a triangle between three specific geographical points.  Whether you are referring to the Devil’s Triangle at sea or a 44 mile highway loop in Oliver Springs, Tennessee, some places appear to be cursed, filled with a history of accidents, disaster or tragedy.

And that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will, 2 Timothy 2:26.

Although I don’t want to jump to conclusions, these places produce acts and occurrences that defy science.  While several of these unusual accounts can be explained due to rare barometric conditions, others seem to be linked to the supernatural.  According to the apostle Paul, people will experience traps set by the devil, demonic influences or powers of darkness.  Thus, when you find yourself within the snares of the Devil’s Triangle, you need to know what you’re up against.

In which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient, Ephesians 2:2.

As a fallen angel, Satan controls the airspace, sending minions to create havoc throughout the face of the earth.  These invisible attacks plants seeds of doubt, urges hearts to indulge in worldly pleasures and promotes a New Age mindset.  Sometimes this involves sending people into our lives that lead to subtle changes in the form of compromise.  While people may visit places on earth known as the Devil’s Triangle, you don’t have to leave your home to experience a spiritual war upon your soul.  Prepare yourself with prayer!

by Jay Mankus

To Roam or Rule

The great thing about free will is that individuals are not coerced into doing something they don’t want to do.  Rather, each day you have the option to roam or rule.  The first is accomplished by sight, allowing wandering eyes to guide you, often in a self-seeking manner.  The second is exercised by faith, becoming a kingdom man or woman, by finishing the work God has called you to do.

Christ made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, Ephesians 1:9.

Depending upon your degree or level of faith, its not uncommon for someone to go back and forth between roaming and ruling.  As darkness approaches, hope can be lost causing many to take the reigns.  Yet, as people come to their senses, the Holy Spirit awakens souls to rule and reign in the authority delegated to Christ like believers.  For the average person, this roller coaster ride lasts a lifetime, full of twists, turns and strange occurrences.

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus, Philippians 1:6.

In my moments of greatest uncertainty, I cling to promise above.  I don’t always know what God wants me to do, but I do know there is still work to accomplish.  Thus, with all my heart, soul and mind, I press on hoping I am on the right track.  Although, I still may roam from time to time, I pray that the Lord will guide me to rule, keeping in step with the next assignment God wants me to complete.

by Jay Mankus

The Lord’s Patience

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASnWPv5Lc64

If you have children, coach or teach, then you understand willful disobedience.  Unfortunately, human nature tends to cause adults to become angry, frustrated or resentful.  In the heat of the moment, its not uncommon to say or do something you regret.  If only individuals possessed the Lord’s patience.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance, 2 Peter 3:9.

One of the more awkward conversations in the Bible occurs in John 21.  Peter meets face to face with a resurrected Jesus.  Without bringing up Peter’s public denial, Jesus asks him if he the loves the Lord three times.  These words cut to the heart, a painful reminder of Peter’s past transgression the week prior.  Before the day was over, Peter received a glimpse of the Lord’s patience.

Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go,” John 21:18.

In this age of instant gratification, its hard to allow time to take its course on life.  Instead of pressing others to comply with your rules and regulation, sometimes you have to let those whom you love to wander off.  Only when people come to their senses will the day of repentance arrive.  Therefore, as a friend, mentor or parent don’t force the issue.  Rather, pray that the Lord’s patience will awaken souls and lead to salvation.

by Jay Mankus

Dropping off the Map

In a typically week, I scan through 4,000 emails at work.  This daily grind has caused me to neglect my own personal email account.  Subsequently, in the last couple of years, I’ve dropped of the map so to speak, forgetting to connect with people I care about.

Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living, Luke 15:13.

While watching an episode of A Football Life on the NFL Network, I was struck by the words of former Chicago Bear and Pro Football Hall of Fame member Mike Singletary.  In his pursuit to become a great linebacker, he neglected other areas of his life, most notably his family.  Like Mike, I suffer from tunnel vision, so focused on the task at hand that I can shut out the people that I care about most.

“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!” – Luke 15:17

From a biblical perspective, everyone has their prodigal moment, period or phase in life.  Human nature causes curious individuals to drift off course, replacing God or family with the pleasures of the world.  Depending upon the length of this detour, its not uncommon for someone to drop off the map, leaving church, fellowship or the faith for a while.  Whether this blog finds you in a good place, sliding away or somewhere in between, may we all come to our senses soon so we can be reunited with those whom we love.

by Jay Mankus

 

Before I Sink Any Further

One of my favorite shows on the Discovery Channel was called Swamp Loggers.  From June 2009-December 2012, Bobby Goodson was the star of a family run business, illustrating how technology could be used to log once unreachable forests.  Through success and failure, this program was as close to real life as a reality show has come.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5CWGi82N7k

However, in real life, there aren’t any machines who can save us from sinking.  King David often used the analogy of a swamp, which bogs human beings down, sucking each in like a suction cup, Psalm 69:14-15.  Whenever you get stuck, there is only One who can save you, Acts 4:12.  This life guard can walk on water, silence storms and stretch out His hand to lift you up.

Before you sink any further, take David’s advice in Psalm 30:1-3.  Sure, you might be able to get yourself out of a few jams from time to time, but the open arms of the Great I Am is waiting.  Come to your senses now, Luke 15:17, swallow your pride and ask God to relieve you from distress, Psalm 4:1.  Before I sink any further, I surrender all, all to you O Lord.

I encourage everyone to share a time you’ve been saved from the muck and mire in life.

by Jay Mankus

Finally Home

Movies with a happy ending often bring a tear to my eyes.  However, in life, sometimes people give up hope of living happily ever after.  As individuals struggle to keep a good paying job, marriages are suffering, on the verge of fading.  The matrimony vows of for better or for worse are usually forgotten, erased from memories when things don’t turn out for the good.

Until yesterday, I was worried about myself, my home and where my family and I would live in the future.  With bleak, broken dreams and disappointment on the horizon, my life was on the verge of collapse.  Crying out to the Lord day after day, God finally answered my prayers yesterday.  Lost, displaced and unsure if I would ever find a new occupational home, I now have a sense I am finally home with Amazon.

Like the peace of Christ mentioned in Philippians 4:6-7, God has released all my burdens, concerns and worries about finances.  Psalm 130:3-4 expresses the joy one receives when forgiven, staked to a new homestead and leash on life.  Nothing in the Bible illustrates this point more than Luke 15:17-24, the conclusion of the prodigal son.  Like this immature child, everyone makes mistakes, poor decisions and acts selfishly.  However, there is a God in heaven, waiting on the front porch for your return.  Come to your senses now so that you will experience the pleasure of finally being home!

by Jay Mankus