Tag Archives: games

God’s Invitation to Faith

Posted on November 20, 2023 by expressyourself4him

As a former youth pastor in Columbus, Indiana, some of my students would come over to my apartment at night with a burning question on their heart. According to the disciple whom Jesus loved, one Pharisee caught up with Jesus after sunset, afraid of what his peers might think of their meeting together. Jesus used this conversation as an invitation to faith.

Jesus answered him, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again (anew, from above), he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with, and experience) the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus said to Him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter his mother’s womb again and be born? 5 Jesus answered, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, unless a man is born of water and [[a]even] the Spirit, he cannot [ever] enter the kingdom of God, John 3:3-5.

After meeting with a couple of key teenage leaders, I became open to the idea of meeting in the chapel once a month. Rather than having a series of games, ice-breakers, and planned talk, the youth group met in a small chapel designed for hosting prayer gatherings. This night gave students an open forum to share what was on their hearts, minds and soul.

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. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him, John 3:16-17.

Depending upon the moving of the Holy Spirit, touching testimonies were shared by quiet teens, finally opening up about what was going on inside their broken heart. On a couple of occasions, one of the brave individuals who got up in front to speak, gave an invitation to receive Jesus into their hearts, John 3:16-17. This is what Jesus envisioned 2000 years ago as he spoke the words above to Nicodemus, offering an invitation to faith.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Household Gods

Posted on July 3, 2023 by expressyourself4him

When I first studied Genesis 31, I thought I had found a typo in my Bible. The end of Genesis 31:19 reads Rachel stole her father’s household gods. I assumed that Rachel took possessions that she thought were rightfully hers. However, in the passage below, Moses clearly states that Laban possessed images of gods worshipped by the people in Paddan-aram.

So Laban went into Jacob’s tent and into Leah’s tent and the tent of the two maids, but he did not find them. Then he went from Leah’s tent into Rachel’s tent. 34 Now Rachel had taken the images (gods) and put them in the camel’s saddle and sat on them. Laban searched and felt through all the tent, but did not find them. 35 And [Rachel] said to her father, Do not be displeased, my lord, that I cannot rise up before you, for the period of women is upon me and I am unwell. And he searched, but did not find the gods, Genesis 31:33-35.

This passage struck a nerve in my soul, causing me to wonder, “what households gods do I possess?” Is the Lord lifted up on high or do I display graven images that have led guests and visitors astray? Meanwhile, what kind of activities, games, or hobbies inside my home distract me from spending more time daily with the Lord? – Mark 1:35-36

Then God spoke all these words: 2 I am the Lord your God, Who has brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 You shall have no other gods before or besides Me. 4 You shall not make yourself any graven image [to worship it] or any likeness of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5 You shall not bow down yourself to them or serve them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, Exodus 20:1-5.

Compared to Canaan, growing up in Paddan-aram was likely a much more suitable place to become a good and decent human being. Yet, every city has bad influences which divert your attention toward idle practices. According to Moses, Laban had collected images of gods worshipped in Paddan-aram or nearby towns. If the book of Genesis serves as God’s ultimate display of free will, the Ten Commandments places a limitation on exercising free will, starting with household gods.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Abducted by Technology

Posted on August 20, 2016 by expressyourself4him

The definition of abduction refers to someone being taken away by force or through deception.  When most people think of the term abducted, its usually in the context of kidnapping.  The 1996 movie Ransom starring Mel Gibson and Rene Russo uses this story line as the back drop for this film.  Yet, the second description of abduction can not be denied as individuals can be abducted through deception.

But God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die,’ Genesis 3:3.”

This past week a couple from Michigan filed a law suit against the creators of Pokemon Go.  These parents claim their quality of life has been infringed upon since this popular app has been introduced in the United States.  Furthermore, communities and neighborhoods are no longer safe with followers of this game walking the streets at all hours of the day and night.  Essentially, what these concerned citizens are suggesting is that teenagers have become abducted by technology.

The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them, Proverbs 11:3.

At some point in time, this generation has chosen apps, games and social media over relationships.  Fueled by the great deceiver, Satan is relying on the old argument which caused Eve to ignore God’s only law, “do not eat from the tree of knowledge.”  Unfortunately, many don’t know the Word of God like they should.  Thus, when challenged by temptations in life, we all fall hard, wondering what happened to lead us to this place.  If this abduction of technology has already occurred, bear down, purge yourself from this environment of sin and cry out to the Lord for divine intervention.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.