Tag Archives: following the Holy Spirit

Amoral or Ignorant?

As public education in America continues to decline year after year, learning has been replaced by inclusion, equity, and diversity. As more and more high school graduates fail to meet basic reading and writing standards, a new generation of individuals aren’t being taught the importance of morality in every aspect of life. When many of these former students become adults, don’t be surprised if they are amoral, not knowing right from wrong.

Furthermore, [a]brethren, we beg and admonish you in [virtue of our union with] the Lord Jesus, that [you follow the instructions which] you learned from us about how you ought to walk so as to please and gratify God, as indeed you are doing, [and] that you do so even more and more abundantly [attaining yet greater perfection in living this life]. For you know what charges and precepts we gave you [[b]on the authority and by the inspiration of] the Lord Jesus. 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 4:1-3.

In the first century, the apostle Paul explains another reason for immoral behavior. During numerous missionary trips, Paul met individuals who he describes as ignorant. Apparently, Thessalonica was a breeding ground for people who were ignorant of faith in God. Perhaps, many of these individuals were taught to trust themselves as a child. Subsequently, trusting in God was a sign of weakness to many living in Thessalonica.

That each one of you should know how to [c]possess (control, manage) his own [d]body in consecration (purity, separated from things profane) and honor, 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 apostle Paul addresses the issue of being amoral and ignorant in the fourth chapter of his letter to the Church at Thessalonica. Paul uses common sense to introduce this topic with maintaining self-control. Paul addresses this issue in Romans 8:5-8 and Galatians 5:16-18 where morality comes down to following the Holy Spirit or indulging your flesh. When Christians develop a Christ like mindset, 1 Timothy 1:16, ignorance will be replaced by faith in Christ, Galatians 2:20-21.

by Jay Mankus

All Insuranced Out

When I was a teenager, the only insurance that impacted me was obtaining auto so that I could drive.  The rest were an after thought.  I only went to the doctor when I was sick thus life was much more simplistic.  I guess you can say I was young and naive.

I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all, Ecclesiastes 9:11.

Today, insurances have spun out of control.  Disability, identity protection, health and life have become nearly essential.  It only takes one accident, encounter with fraud, illness or tragedy to alter your life forever.  Without these protective measures, individuals can lose their life savings and more.

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come, John 16:13.

However, if nothing happens to you, monthly bills can wipe away an entire pay check.  Thus, one is left to ponder, do I take the risk, bite the bullet by paying for all these insurances or do I trust God that nothing back will happen to me or my family?  There must be an easier solution to this long list of security measures, but as of now, “I’m all insuranced out” forced to play the game until something better comes along.

by Jay Mankus

It’s Not a Matter of If… But When!

Back in 1991, Michael W. Smith sang about finding his Place in the World.  Sure, its a noble effort, yet the pessimistic didn’t want to get their hopes up only to be disappointed once again.  As for me, this concept was like a dream that didn’t seem achievable until I began to open up the Bible.

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. – Psalm 143:10

According to King David, discerning God’s will isn’t a matter of if, but when.  Prepared by countless hours in the fields as a shepherd, trusting the Lord was a daily occurrence providing grass for the herd, protection from wild animals and daily bread to survive.  Like a spiritual antenna, David learned to follow the Spirit of the living God, leading him to solid ground.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. – Romans 12:2

Although I don’t have the faith of David, I am making progress, trusting that the work God began in me will be carried on to completion, Philippians 1:6.  Sure, I’ve had my doubts along the way and periods of darkness, unaware of my next step in life.  Even still, my soul finds comfort in writing as I try to find my place in this world.  I’m not there yet, but it’s not a matter of if, but when.

by Jay Mankus

Worship + Fasting = Spiritual Insight

The question, “am I in the right place,” is something I often ponder.  At my wit’s end, I turned to the pages of the Bible to find answers to this dilemma.  To my amazement, the words of Acts 13:2-4, jumped off the pages today, putting an equation into my mind: Worship + Fasting = Spiritual Insight.

Worship isn’t a service you attend once a week on Saturday night or Sunday.  Nor is worship a portion of a church service where you sing hymns or modern worship songs.  Rather, worship is an acquired adoration of a living God, where an individual devotes time each day to honor and revere the creator of the heavens and the earth.  As this relationship kindles, lyrics of praise become etched upon their hearts, paying tribute to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Fasting is a spiritual practice neglected by many denominations in recent years.  My first encounter with fasting began in high school, by not eating red meat on Friday’s during the Catholic celebration of Lent, prior to Easter.  Authors like Jentezen Franklin have helped me grasp this concept through books like the Fasting Edge.  The notion of fasting can be traced back to Jesus’ words in Matthew 26:41.  By replacing food with prayer for a meal, day, week or month, your body can be strength by a willing Spirit.  Like any type of training, start small and work your way your goal of a day, few days or an entire week.

According to Acts 13:2, something supernatural transpired when worship and fasting were present in Paul and Barnabas’ life.  During a normal Sunday service, the Holy Spirit filled each with spiritual insight.  Prior to this day, their future was unclear.  However, in the midst of these joint acts of faith, God called each to the mission field.  Though cautious initially, the Holy Spirit guided their inaugural journey, leading them to Seleucia and Cyprus, Acts 13:4.  The apostle Paul didn’t just write about faith, Galatians 5:25, he lived it!

Like a teacher becoming a student, are you where God wants you to be or are you resisting a spirit of change?  Since everything else I have tried has failed up to this point, its time for me to try the equation Worship + Fasting.  As I commit to next 3 days to this exercise, I am praying that spiritual insight will follow.  The only thing standing in the way of a modern miracle is weak faith.  Therefore, trust the promises within 2 Peter 1:3-9 to pave the way for blessings and a fruitful life in Christ!

by Jay Mankus