Tag Archives: Genesis

Expressing Your Dependence Upon God

Posted on June 30, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Attention spans vary depending upon the situation, the topic, and the time of day. For example, if you’re in church and you have plans to do something afterward, your mind may wonder back and forth between the sermon. At the end of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, He ends with a call to action. “Don’t just listen, but put my words into action.” How you respond will express your current dependence upon God.

 If a person does not dwell in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken-off] branch, and withers; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. 8 When you bear (produce) much fruit, My Father is honored and glorified, and you show and prove yourselves to be true followers of Mine, John 15:6-8.

Prior to the introduction of the Ten Commandments in the book of Exodus, one common theme runs through the book of Genesis. This can be summarized by Moses’ description of Noah and Enoch’s lives: habitually walking with God. Genesis 5:22 and Genesis 6:9 set the standard for all those who seek to keep in step with the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25. This is how modern Christians should express their dependence upon God.

And why should you be anxious about clothes? Consider the lilies of the field and [x]learn thoroughly how they grow; they neither toil nor spin. 29 Yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his [y]magnificence (excellence, dignity, and grace) was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and green and tomorrow is tossed into the furnace, will He not much more surely clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not worry and be anxious, saying, What are we going to have to eat? or, What are we going to have to drink? or, What are we going to have to wear? 32 For the Gentiles (heathen) wish for and crave and diligently seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows well that you need them all. 33 But seek ([z]aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness ([aa]His way of doing and being right), and then all these things [ab]taken together will be given you besides. 34 So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble, Matthew 6:28-34.

The middle portion of Jesus’ sermon listed above is a convincing argument of why believers should place their hope and trust in God, Proverbs 3:5-6. Unfortunately, many minor miracles are overlooked daily. The half glass empty mindset casts doubt, sometimes leading to second guessing if a lifelong commitment to Jesus, Romans 10:9-10, is really worth it? However, those who take the plunge called faith put it all on the line by expressing your dependence on God to provide day after day. May today’s Scripture challenge you to go all in for Jesus.

by Jay Mankus

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Centered and Resting in God

Posted on February 17, 2022 by expressyourself4him

The term centered refers to an individual who is well balanced, confident, and serene. Meanwhile, resting is the act of ceasing work in order to relax, refresh oneself, and recover. In the book of Genesis, God laid out a plan for Israelites to rest once a week. Rather than lay in bed all day, the Sabbath is a day of worship where believers are centered on and place their trust in the Lord that God is in control.

Through Him you believe in (adhere to, rely on) God, Who raised Him up from the dead and gave Him honor and glory, so that your faith and hope are [centered and rest] in God, 1 Peter 1:21.

One of my resolutions each year is to spend more time with God. While reading the Bible and prayer doesn’t guarantee that you’ll have a great day, it will improve your chances. I find that if I start my day by opening up the Bible first thing in the morning before I do anything else, my perspective is centered on God. Perhaps, this is what Jesus experienced in Mark 1:35-38, inspired to follow the Spirit’s calling.

For he who has once entered [God’s] rest also has ceased from [the weariness and pain] of human labors, just as God rested from those labors [f]peculiarly His own. 11 Let us therefore be zealous and exert ourselves and strive diligently to enter that rest [of God, to know and experience it for ourselves], that no one may fall or perish by the same kind of unbelief and disobedience [into which those in the wilderness fell], Hebrews 4:10-11.

As someone who weekly struggles with getting a full night of sleep, resting plays an integral role in my productivity. Anytime I wake up following a great night of sleep, I’m more energized and ready to go. Yet, if I stay up too late and barely get any sleep, I don’t get much done; if anything at all. This is why it’s important not only to be centered on God, but to rest in his strength as well, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.

by Jay Mankus

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Tithes and Lives

Posted on December 17, 2017 by expressyourself4him

According to the book of Genesis, the first family on earth felt compelled to make offerings to the Lord.  It’s unclear if God first communicated the concept of a tithe to Adam while living in the Garden of Eden or later on in life.  Nonetheless, sons of Adam, Cain and Abel began to practice what is referred to as first fruits.  As a farmer, Cain brought forth crops during the harvest.  Meanwhile, little brother Abel was a shepherd, not withholding any expense, presenting the Lord with some of his finest sheep.  These offerings often reveal who trusts God completely from those whom are still trying to control the steering wheel.

In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord, Genesis 4:3.

Like buying Christmas gifts, some individuals have the means to purchase anything they want.  Meanwhile, the majority have to set spending limits to avoid going into debt.  This limitation can create animosity between family members or friends over the holidays.  If you expect a certain amount of gifts in your mind, any type of high expectations can lead to disappointment.  From God’s perspective, He is the Creator of life, a spiritual father to all.  Unfortunately, human nature breeds selfishness, causing many to forget about God the Father, like the wayward child in the parable of the prodigal son.

And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, Genesis 4:4.

The prophet Isaiah uses the term Emmanuel to refer to the coming Messiah, Jesus.  When translated into English, Emmanuel means God with us.  Perhaps, this inspired three Magi to each bring gifts from their lands.  One brought gold, another frankincense and the last myrrh.  If there is a lesson people can learn from these three wise men it’s that tithes and lives go together.  Giving tithes and transforming lives go hand in hand.  As Christmas Day approaches, may the Holy Spirit inspire you to give back to God through tithes and a rededicated life to Jesus.

by Jay Mankus

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Angels with Error

Posted on February 21, 2017 by expressyourself4him

The book of Job, the person not what Trump wants to create, is the oldest book in the Old Testament.  What this means is that Job was finished prior to Genesis.  Why its not clear if Job lived before the flood, he does talk about walking with dinosaurs.  Due to the atmospheric changes in the weather following the flood and lack of dinosaurs mentioned on Noah’s ark, Job could have died prior to Genesis 7.  Another clue is found in the first few chapters of Job’s book, referring to Satan by name twice and angels with error.  All of this leads me to believe Job experienced a moment in time when 1/3 of the angels were kicked out of heaven, falling to earth in the form of demons.

If God places no trust in his servants, if he charges his angels with error, Job 4:18.

Theology introduces many terms which were created and developed to help common church going individuals to understand the complex.  One of these biblical ideas is the concept of free will.  The definition eludes to freedom given by God to make choices without coercion or force.  This element also applies to angels, also known as cherubs, seraphim and archangels.  The context of Job 4 is Eliphaz, a close friend of Job addresses and begins to contemplate why Job has endured several trials.  While the initial statement refers to trust, one possible explanation is that angels with error, now demons, have unleashed their wrath.

And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day, Jude 1:6.

According to Jesus, everyone will face a day of judgment.  While the facts of life will be presented in the form of video clips that include highlights and low lights, this will be a scary day for all.  Nothing that you do now can save you.  What I mean by this is that in the end, there is no one righteous.  All have exercised free will, falling short of God’s glory.  Yet, Romans 5:8 gives the hopeless hope through God’s demonstration of love.  While I deserve hell and damnation, God sent His one and only Son to restore that which was lost, Luke 19:10.  Despite angels with error, eternal life is in reach of the humble by grace through faith.  Reach out today by accepting God’s free gift, Romans 6:23.

by Jay Mankus

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When Life Stops Giving and Starts Taking Away

Posted on August 31, 2015 by expressyourself4him

I recently overheard a conversation between an elderly couple.  Looking back at life, one made an interesting observation.  Coping with a string of funerals to attend, a trend developed.  “When you reach a certain age, life stops giving and starts taking away.”

And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”- Job 1:21

According to the family tree recorded in the book of Genesis, the aging process was slowed down, allowing the first generation of descendants on earth to live for over 900 years.  This was made possible by some sort of canopy, shielding bodies from the sun’s rays.  Prior to original sin, God designed human being to live forever.  Yet, the wickedness of mankind led God to limit life expectancy to 120 years after the flood.

Then the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years.”- Genesis 6:3

Subsequently, as childhood leads to adolescence, years fly by before you know it.  Thus, like a turning point, births and weddings are replaced by funerals.  From a worldly perspective, death is an unpleasant reality, where life stops giving and starts taking away.  In view of this fact, its essential to make a reservation for eternity, 1 John 5:13.  May the promise of Romans 10:9-10 show you the way to heaven’s gates.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

 

 

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The Babel Connection

Posted on April 19, 2015 by expressyourself4him

Now the whole world had one language and a common speech, Genesis 11:1.

A generation ago, anyone who claimed to have an encounter with an alien or observe a UFO was considered crazy.  In recent years, the tide has turned inspiring shows like Ancient Aliens, Hangar 1 and Monsters and Mysteries in America.  If you listen to the experts on these programs, aliens are given credit for unexplained technological advances discovered by archeologists.  Meanwhile, the Bible and its historical records have been bypassed, disregarded and neglected as a source.

Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.” – Genesis 11:4

Unfortunately, the Babel connection has not been included in this conversation.  According to Moses, there was no language barrier prior to the construction of the Towel of Babel.  Subsequently, people came together to achieve a common goal, to construct a building that would reach the heavens.  Due to their selfish motives, the Lord sent a spirit of confusion upon the people of earth.  Although this project was never completed due to language barriers, the words of Genesis 11:6 suggest technology in the Old Testament was much further advanced than first thought.

The LORD said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them, Genesis 11:6.

While most will focus on God’s response to the inhabitants of Babel, early civilizations developed a keen sense of unity.  These spirit of teamwork led to amazing achievements once thought to be impossible.  Following the flood, descendents of Noah made the Land of Shinar their home, making up for lost time, quickly exceeding beyond pre-flood life.  Time and eternity will determine actually who built what, yet for now don’t be afraid to examine the Bible to uncover the mysteries in life.

by Jay Mankus

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