Tag Archives: good

Admirable, Fitting, and Good

Posted on November 10, 2022 by expressyourself4him

I recently completely a six-month project of regrading my backyard in South Carolina. Prior to moving in, there was a 45 degree drop off at our property line due to having a house on the top of a hill. My brother-in-law Mike worked with a local landscaper to build a retaining wall along a 50 feet section in the middle of our backyard. While this was completed in March, moving 4 tons of sand/fill with wheel barrels took longer than expected. After sodding this area last weekend, I gave the final approval of this work.

God called the dry land Earth, and the accumulated waters He called Seas. And God saw that this was good (fitting, admirable) and He approved it, Genesis 1:10.

Like an artist completing a portrait, God gazed and reflected upon the land mass called the earth. At the end of the second day of creation, God approved of the work He had completed. Unfortunately, human beings often get caught up with what’s happening tomorrow that they fail to focus on what the Lord has allowed you to accomplish today. While I am a realistic, I need to be less critical of myself by developing a spirit of appreciation for all the accomplishments and blessings in my life.

For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them], Philippians 4:8.

The apostle Pail writes about this positive mindset in the passage above. Perhaps, Paul learned this lesson from Jesus’ earthly brother, James 1:2-4. If you learn to consider the obstacles in life as the process and road to maturity, your perspective will change. Since part of life is trial and error, think about life lessons that are admirable, fitting, and good. While human emotions will cause knee jerk reactions in the future, accept this and move on to a healthier and positive state of mind.

by Jay Mankus

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Witnessing the Grace of God

Posted on June 20, 2019 by expressyourself4him

Grace in the biblical sense refers to favor and goodness that God shows to mankind.  Thus, any example of a good, kind or merciful act can be described as the grace of God.  During the first century, a church with little guidance and oversight from the apostles experienced a great spiritual awakening.  When news of this special anointing from God reached Jerusalem, Barnabas was sent to see what was happening.  According to Luke, Barnabas’ first impression was that he was an eyewitness of the grace of God at work.

The news of this reached the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw the grace of God [that was bestowed on them], he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with an unwavering heart to stay true and devoted to the Lord, Acts 11:22-23.

As soon as I read the passage above, I wanted to know what does the grace of God look like?  Just as the Holy Spirit fell upon Gentiles in Caesarea, this same phenomena began to take place in Antioch.   The words that Barnabas conveys to Luke is the bestowing of the grace of God.  As Gentiles repented of their sins, turned to Jesus for forgiveness and were baptized, lives were transformed.  While visiting Antioch, Barnabas spent time talking to these new converts.  Based upon these conversations, Barnabas found unwavering hearts who stayed true and devoted to the Lord.

For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God; 9 not as a result of [your] works [nor your attempts to keep the Law], so that no one will [be able to] boast or take credit in any way [for his salvation], Ephesians 2:8-9.

Reading this portion of the book of Acts makes me wonder, where is the grace of God today?  Is faith dead or has the sinful nature blinded modern Christians from recognizing the grace of God?  The apostle Paul makes an interesting comment about grace in the passage above.  Grace is all God as there is nothing human beings can take credit for.  This gift is either accepted, put on hold for a while or rejected.  When grace is embraced, this is accomplished through faith.  However, Paul makes it clear that no one should boast or take credit in any way.  In view of this, may the Holy Spirit open our eyes today so that we too can witness the grace of God.

by Jay Mankus

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Afflictions Eclipsed by Glory

Posted on June 30, 2014 by expressyourself4him

Usually, I have a tendency to ask God, “why me” when troubles arise.  Yet, as I was worshiping the Lord in song this morning, I received a brief reply.  Like a snap shot or vision, my afflictions of the past and present occur so that these trials can be eclipsed by God’s glory.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7CQ96uohcM

The first major affliction I endured arrived on graduation day, when one of my best friends from high school was diagnosed with cancer.  When her cancer went into remission 1 year later, I breathed a deep sigh of relief until it returned to take Maureen’s life abruptly.  Without experiencing this hardship, I probably would have become a golf course architect, my concentration in college, instead of entering youth ministry.

My second malady was self inflicted, on a golf course while attempting to earn my players card to become a certified P.G.A. professional.  I hit 26 out of 36 greens in regulation, 22 out of 28 fairways and played the hardest hole 1 under par through 2 rounds.  Somewhere in the spiritual realm, strange acts of nature kept by ball from going in the hole, especially when I 3 and 4 putted the same hole, missing my card by 2 shots.  Yet, this epic failure prompted me to become a high school Bible teacher for a decade.

Finally, losing my teaching position in 2012 was a tough blow to my confidence and ego.  However, from the ashes of despair, God carried me until I was ready for my next assignment.  As I start this new adventure on Tuesday with Amazon, I don’t know what the future holds.  Nonetheless, whether, good, bad or indifferent, any afflictions I suffer will surely be eclipsed by God’s glory.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Tattoos of the Heart

Posted on July 13, 2013 by expressyourself4him

I grew up in a genre where roughly 5-10 % of my peers had a tattoo.  According to a recent Pew Research Poll, 45 million Americans now have at least one tattoo, spending $1.65 billion annually.  Anyone who visits one of the 21,000 parlors across the country should expect to pay a minimum of $45 for a small tattoo or $150 for a large one on average.  If you are noticing those around, tattoos appear almost any where from an arm, leg, neck, shoulder or face.  Sometimes I wonder, why don’t I have one.  Yet, a still small voice revealed I have an internal tattoo on my heart.

When the days of my youth wore off in college, I took the words of Joshua 1:8 to heart.  Something deep inside my soul could not run from God any longer.  Thus, I began to examine passages like Proverbs 4:23 and Deuteronomy 6:5-9.  What I found initially was painful, a crooked and deceitful heart, Jeremiah 17:9.  Despite this grave reality, there is a remedy, a spiritual ointment to cleanse your heart, Psalm 119:9-11.  Therefore, I have discovered a lighted trail, Psalm 119:105, illuminated by the Word of God.  As I read, ponder its meaning and meditate on the truth within each passage, a spiritual tattoo is forming on my heart.

In his sermon on the mount, Jesus eludes to tattoos of the heart in Matthew 6:19-24.  Although, there is a catch, the things you treasure influence your heart.  If you are not careful, tattoos of the heart can be replaced by a world full of greed, materialism and ruin.  Regardless of your external appearance or any tattoo that you display, the condition of your heart will sway you toward evil or good, Luke 6:45.  This is what Stephen saw in religious leaders during the first century, Acts 7:51-52.  Therefore, if you want a tattoo of the heart, strive to fulfill Galatians 5:7, proving yourself to be a disciple of Jesus, John 15:7-8.  Come to God’s tattoo parlor by spending time reading the Bible daily!

by Jay Mankus

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