Tag Archives: desert

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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More Than Just A Ditch

Posted on February 21, 2018 by expressyourself4him

If you have ever visited Palm Springs, California, you will see a series of concrete channels.  While this desert region only receives between 2-5 inches of rainfall annually, these man made ditches serve a purpose.  When the rare storm hits this area, water quickly runs off of the surrounding San Jacinto mountains into the Coachella Valley.  Without these flood canals, portions of the city would be washed away.  Although an eye sore to residents and visitors at times, the construction of these ditches collect and restore water levels to this oasis in southern California.

But now bring me a harpist.” While the harpist was playing, the hand of the Lord came on Elisha 16 and he said, “This is what the Lord says: I will fill this valley with pools of water. 17 For this is what the Lord says: You will see neither wind nor rain, yet this valley will be filled with water, and you, your cattle and your other animals will drink, 2 Kings 3:15-17.

During the reign of  Jehoshaphat, the prophet Elisha visits the king of Judea.  Asking for a musician, the melody of a harpist inspires a prophecy from the Lord.  Unusual at first, God commands Judea to dig at ditch in the middle of a desert.  Void of air conditioning and state of the art construction equipment, citizens began this project by hand and whatever tools available.  Similar to the springs underneath the desert in California, water began to fill each ditch dug.  When God asks you to do something that doesn’t make sense, sometimes you have to exercise your faith until you see the benefits of your hard labor.

For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable, Romans 11:29.

Unfortunately, many people don’t receive special gifts or unique callings.  Rather, you have to grind your way through life, often blindly trusting God through confusing and dark periods.  Like Dory’s character in the Finding Nemo film, instead of following her just keep swimming command, God wants his followers to keep digging.  This may get boring from time to time, but you never know when you are going to hit gold.  Therefore, keep the faith as what God is doing through you is more than just digging a ditch.  As long as you remain faithful, springs of joy are bound to rise up at any moment.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

 

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The Departed

Posted on June 6, 2016 by expressyourself4him

While the term departed usually refers to the deceased, depart has a slightly different meaning.  When you remove the ed, this word applies to an individual who abandons, deserts or exits the current path that they are on.  Thus, the question arises, what causes someone to deviate from the life they cherish.

Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk, 1 Timothy 1:6.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t take much to distract the average person from vanishing off the straight and narrow.  Jesus refers to a broad road that leads to destruction.  Meanwhile, the apostle Paul takes a different angle.  As a believer begins to waver in their faith, conversation is an obvious indicator.  The longer someone goes without tapping into prayer or plugging into God’s Word, the sooner meaningless talk will approach.

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it,” Matthew 7:13.

The point of this blog is to be careful that you don’t get lured into a false sense of security.  Whether you are currently standing tall or on the verge of indulging into sinful pleasures, it doesn’t take much to fall away.  Therefore, be wise in the choices and decisions that you make or you may be the next unlikely candidate to depart from the faith.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

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The Great Mirage

Posted on March 4, 2013 by expressyourself4him

Based upon my recent studies, it appears that several leaders went through desert periods in their lives.  Moses wandered in the wilderness for 40 years, teased by a promise he never experienced, Deuteronomy 34:1-4.  After being anointed by Samuel as the next king of Israel, David was forced to flee to the Cave of Adullam in 1 Samuel 22:1-2, running for his life from king Saul. Prophets weren’t even immune as Elijah hid from Jezebel once news spread of her death threat on his life, 1 Kings 19:1-2.

The great mirage in life is that other people have it better than you.  Your mind convinces you that no one understands, no one knows the pain you bear and the suffering you have endured.  While undergoing a desolate time, in an arid and barren wasteland, Satan deceives us into believing this lie.  Meanwhile, false hope serves as an hallucination, an optical illusion that leaves you in worst shape, doubting God’s presence and power.  When your expectations are shattered, a delusional spirit toys with you until you become numb, dis-heartened and pessimistic.

The only way to escape this mirage is by reflecting upon the reason you have entered this place.  John the Baptist went into a desert region to fulfill God’s will, Mark 1:4.  Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to fast and pray for his 3 year ministry on earth, Mark 1:12-13.  Once your mind shifts from why me God to what are you preparing for me next, this great mirage can transform into a promised land.  May God unveil the truth of the Bible, 2 Corinthians 4:4, so that you can be set free from the disappointment of the great mirage.

by Jay Mankus

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Divine Revelation; Not Human Intuition

Posted on September 26, 2012 by expressyourself4him

On Saturday morning, I had about a 30 minute conversation with a parent who read an online article.  Obviously, I was out of the loop since I had not heard about any of the details he mentioned.  Later on in the evening, I talked to a woman who had a daughter at the school referenced in this piece.  When I followed the 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 principle to get to the truth of this matter, I realized I should rely on divine revelation; not human intuition.

Unfortunately, too many people believe what they see on the news or hear from people they trust.  The busyness of life, hectic pace of society and local distractions have led most people to become lazy, not testing the information they encounter.  Therefore, half truths and opinions have replaced facts as reality, like an oasis of lies in the desert.

According to Romans 10:17, faith comes from hearing the message, which is Christ, the word of God.  The more people can set time aside to withdraw to a secluded place like Jesus in Luke 4:42, they can develop an intimate relationship with God.  When you add worship to your weekly schedule, Romans 12:1, divine revelation can break through in the form of a message, sense of peace or a rhema, a word from the Lord in your heart.  Slow down today, find a quiet place and listen to the word of the Lord so that you will know God’s will for your life, Romans 12:2.

by Jay Mankus

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