Tag Archives: faithfulness

Inside the Praise of an Apostle

Posted on September 3, 2014 by expressyourself4him

Praise is not a natural emotion, at least once the sinful nature entered life’s equation.  When one rule was overlooked to indulge curiosity, the world forever changed.  At one point following Israel’s exodus out of Egypt, God’s anger continued for a generation, 40 years to be exact, Psalm 95:10.  Spoiled, spineless and spiritually lukewarm, many Jews forgot how to praise their God.

A few thousand years later, a misguided man was brought to the forefront.  Blinded by the presence of Jesus, a prideful leader was humbled by the Almighty God, Acts 9:1-19.  Although his transformation was immediate, not every cheered, especially the victims of his persecution.  Nonetheless, Saul from Tarsus tarried on with his relationship with God, unlike what most Christians will ever experience.  Pushed to the brink of death several times, a heart of worship grew within the apostle Paul.

Instead of pouting, “why me God,” Acts 16:16-36 takes a look inside a heart of praise.  Punished for doing the right thing, Paul used negative circumstances as a stepping stone to present prisoners with the good news of Jesus Christ.  The rest of this account is a testament to God’s blessings and faithfulness during the storms and trials in life.  If today’s generation of Christians can apply one lesson from the life of Paul, its simple.  Stop pouting and start praising, whether life is good, bad or indifferent, Philippians 4:4-9.

by Jay Mankus

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Prepared by the Past… One Dot at A Time

Posted on September 4, 2013 by expressyourself4him

Life is like a dot to dot picture given to children at many sit down restaurants in America, part of the kid’s meal, keeping young people occupied until the meal is served.  However, instead of having 10 numbers, your life puzzle have thousands, too many to keep on one page without any numbers to follow.  Thus, when you try to comprehend God’s logic of why this or that happened, you can’t make any sense of the dots, unable to get a clear picture of how your past fits into the present and future.  Nonetheless, some people throughout history have experienced moments in time when God revealed how their dots fit together.

Genesis 41:9-40 is one of these occasions where faithfulness, patience and prayer met.  The second youngest of 12 brothers, God gave Joseph the gift of dream interpretation.  Humbled by his previous days of bragging to his brothers, Joseph gives God the sole credit in Genesis 41:15-16.  Before the days of resumes and cover letters, the positive words of Pharaoh’s chief cup bearer served as a reference, giving Joseph a face to face meeting with the leader of Egypt.  Beginning in Genesis 41:28-36, Joseph turns this opportunity into an interview, sharing his previous work experience along with what he would do if in charge.  Impressed by Joseph’s presentation, Joseph goes from the dungeon to the penthouse, second in command to Pharaoh.  Joseph’s dot to dot puzzle is completed in Genesis 45:5-8, using words to explain the picture, God’s plan for his life.

Tomorrow, I start my first day as an ambassador with Amazon.  Receiving this promotion last Saturday, I haven’t been this excited since managing a store for Michael Jordan Golf back in 1997.  As the dots in my life begin to take shape, I am beginning to see how God has prepared me by previous positions.  Teaching for a decade will help me train new hires in my department, insuring their success God willing.  While I am far from completing my own dot to dot, I am confident that one day, God will make everything clear, Ecclesiastes 3:11.  If you are struggling with your own puzzle, frustrated by a lack of progress, do not fret.  May you find comfort and rest from in the words of Solomon in Ecclesiastes 3:12-14.

by Jay Mankus

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Spiritual Kisses

Posted on May 13, 2013 by expressyourself4him

Steven Curtis Chapman once jokingly sang about being in love or having the flu bug during his Great Adventure Concert Tour.  Likewise, Psalm 85:10 describes 4 attributes, which when joined together develop chemistry.  When love and faithfulness connect, its as if righteousness and peace kiss.

Daily emotions rise and fall, leaving behind periods of ecstasy and agony.  While God’s love never fails, 1 Corinthians 13:8, human love is similar to Judas Iscariot’s betrayal of Jesus by a kiss. Matthew 26:48-49.  The side effects of Genesis 3:17-19 has turned the love of many ice cold like Demas in 2 Timothy 4:10.  On the outside there are signs of warmth, but internally the heart has been corrupted, Jeremiah 17:9.

Beside the fallen nature of mankind, Romans 3:23, there are traces of this spiritual element.  Honest and truthful words are like a kiss on the lips, Proverbs 24:26.  Fellowship with other believers brings out a kindred spirit, Acts 4:32-35.  The theological virtues of charity, faith and hope, 1 Corinthians 13:13, make love possible.  Finally, the cherry on the top is Colossians 3:13-14, making spiritual kisses a reality through the power of the Holy Spirit!  On this Mother’s Day, be a vehicle of adoration, passing on the love of Jesus to all you encounter!

by Jay Mankus

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The Second Chance

Posted on May 7, 2013 by expressyourself4him

For a decade, Extreme Makeover Home Edition set out across the United States, searching for families desperately in need of a second chance in life.  More recently, John Taffer and the Bar Rescue crew has scanned bars, clubs and restaurants across the country in danger of closing, breathing in each establishment new life.  Unfortunately, many families, homes and local businesses die before they receive a second chance.

In the Old Testament, the prophet Jeremiah was one of the first to recount God’s ability to give individual souls a second chance.  Lamentations 3:21-25 records this good news, the idea that God gives people a fresh start every morning.  Unfathomable to the average sinner, God’s compassion, faithfulness and mercy is far as the east is from the west according to Psalm 103:12, infinite.

Like a squeaky clean white board which has eliminated traces of previous blemishes made by expo markers, the Lord wants to give everyone a second chance, Isaiah 1:18.  The apostle Paul concurs, describing a love that keeps no record of wrongs, 1 Corinthians 13:5.  Often, the only thing standing in the way of forgiveness is yourself, beating yourself up instead of letting go of the past.  Therefore, say and believe the words of David in Psalm 51:10-12 so that you will experience a second chance today!

by Jay Mankus

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Missing Ingredients in Modern Marriages

Posted on January 21, 2013 by expressyourself4him

Back in the 1970’s, divorce was rare, something that happened only as a result of extreme circumstances.  In fact, to the best of my recollection, the Roman Catholic Church threatened couples with excommunication if this option ever crossed their mind.  The King James Version of the Bible does not use the term reputation as our culture does today.  Instead, King Solomon encouraged people make a good name for themselves, Proverbs 22:1, to develop a good repute in their community.

In a typical wedding ceremony, there is a portion devoted to vows.  Some creative couples write their own, others follow the traditions of their denomination and most simply repeat vows first spoken by a pastor or priest.  Ecclesiastes 5:4-7 warn individuals to take their vows serious, especially ones which include “for better or for worse.”  Yet, mere words don’t hold a marriage together.  Rather, one of the missing ingredients in modern marriages is a will to love once feelings fade.

With this in mind, one of the commands Solomon gave his son is detailed in Proverbs 3:3.  Let love and faithfulness never leave you is a joint command, not to be separated.  In the New Testament, 1 Corinthians 13 is one of most popular passages read out loud during marriage ceremonies.  The original translation uses the term charity in place of love.  Thus, Solomon is introducing a concept to demonstrate charity faithfully.

The last portion of Proverbs 3:3 explains how one must carry out this command.  The term bind means to knit together, joining two pieces into one.  When a person fastens love and faithfulness to their neck, its always in their peripheral vision.  However, this still isn’t enough to save marriage.  Therefore, Solomon adds one further instruction to insure love and faithfulness endures.  If you enter, engrave or mark something mentally to remain in your heart, a will to love is born.  Follow the words of Proverbs 3:5-6 to complete these essential ingredients for a life long relationship.

by Jay Mankus

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