Tag Archives: Great Commission

When America Lost their Spiritual War

Posted on August 19, 2021 by expressyourself4him

As I student, I learned great details about World War 1 and World War 2 in History class. Between reading books and listening to lectures, I was forced to memorize important battles, dates and leaders to pass unit tests. While I am grateful of the public education that I received, one topic was never touched. I had to attend seminary to ascertain the true history of America minus the politics and politically correct textbooks,

Now the serpent was more subtle and crafty than any living creature of the field which the Lord God had made. And he [Satan] said to the woman, Can it really be that God has said, You shall not eat from every tree of the garden? – Genesis 3:1

Institutions up and down the East Coast like Harvard and Duke were established by churches. These schools for higher education were initially Christian based designed to spread and fulfill the Magna Carta and Great Commission. Yet, just as the Judges in the Old Testament began to do what was right in their own eyes, America has forgotten it’s spiritual heritage. Although Great Awakenings revived faith in this country, America lost their spiritual war in the middle of the 20th Century.

In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides]. 11 Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil. 12 For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere. 13 Therefore put on God’s complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place], Ephesians 6:10-13.

on June 18, 1963, Atheists won their case before the Supreme Court. This victory for the left was the beginning of the end of Christianity as the dominant worldview in America. When this highest court in the land made it illegal for the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:1-15) to be said and the Bible to be read in public schools, God was officially removed from education. While Christian Academies still exist today, traces of God continue to be removed from public squares across the country. America’s current spiritual conditional is merely the consequences of losing this spiritual war. Perhaps, the prayers of the saints is the only thing left to save America from becoming the latest fallen empire.

by Jay Mankus

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When the Presence of God is Unrecognizable

Posted on August 27, 2020 by expressyourself4him

In the colonial days of America, colleges were established for aspiring preachers. The British who settled in America fled England to find religious freedom after being forced to comply with the church of England. The early college graduates were inspired to fulfill the Magna Carta, like the disciples who sought to complete Jesus’ Great Commission, Acts 1:8.

And also all that generation were gathered to their fathers, and there arose another generation after them who did not know (recognize, understand) the Lord, or even the work which He had done for Israel, Judges 2:10.

Benjamin Harris first printed the New England Primer in 1690. After publishing a similar volume in London, this book became the single most influential Christian textbook in American history. Young students were introduced to the English alphabet by memorizing a verse from the Bible for each letter. This was used for more than 150 years before schools transitioned from Bible based curriculum toward a secular emphasis.

And the Israelites left there then, every man to his tribe and family, and they went out from there every man to his inheritance. 25 In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes, Judges 21:24-25.

When you read articles, current events and updated changes to public education, the presence of God has disappeared. While the Pledge of Allegiance is still practiced in some school distracts, the Bible verse of the day, prayer and the Ten Commandments have been removed. The complaints from atheists continue today, seeking to erase the presence of God from America’s founding. Until leaders like Joshua rise up to take a stand, America is about to experience a Judges like era when the people of this nation will not recognize or understand the God of the Bible.

by Jay Mankus

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Acts 29

Posted on November 14, 2019 by expressyourself4him

The title of today’s blog is a trick question. While I was a young Christian in college listening to a motivational speaker, he asked the audience to open their Bibles and turn to Acts 29. Most of the room was flipping through the beginning of the New Testament, unable to find this page or chapter. This search continued for several minutes until one bold individual spoke out, “there is no chapter 29, Acts only has 28 chapters.”

But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth, Acts 1:8.

This pop quiz left many in the room embarrassed. As the speaker began his lesson, this opening question served two purposes. First, this man urged believers to become better students of God’s Word. Second, to view life in terms of an unfinished chapter of the Bible where God uses modern Christians to fulfill the great commission, Acts 1:8. This 60 minute speech made a long lasting impact on my life, instilling a desire to ascertain God’s will for my own life, Romans 12:1-2.

Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you], Romans 12:2.

To prepare for today’s blog, I did a search for Acts 29 for fun to see what I would find. To my surprise, Acts 29 is a diverse, global family of church planters who seek to carry on the work of the apostle Paul. This ministry is characterized by theological clarity, cultural engagement, and missional innovation as churches are planted throughout the world. One of my searches located beliefs and theories that Acts 29 is simply missing. Since Acts 28 does not reveal the outcome of Paul’s trial in Rome, common sense suggests there must be another chapter. Whatever the reason for this abrupt ending, may this blog inspire you to seize each day with a renewed desire to fulfill the great commission.

by Jay Mankus

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Reunited

Posted on March 20, 2019 by expressyourself4him

While sitting in the back seat of my parents’ car growing up, the radio was set to a local soft rock station. During summer vacations, I often listened to the American Top 40 with Casey Kasem. One of the songs that I remember listening to was Reunited by Peaches and Herb. This R&B classic sings about a couple who comes to their senses, deciding to get back together. Like anything in life, sometimes you don’t realize what you have until it’s gone.

They got up that very hour and went back to Jerusalem, and found the eleven [apostles] gathered together and those who were with them, 34 saying, “The Lord has really risen and has appeared to Simon [Peter]!” – Luke 24:33-34

Following a post-resurrection conversation with Jesus, Peter was inspired to reunite with the rest of the disciples. Although Judas Iscariot was not present, committing suicide due to guilt from betraying Jesus, eleven men got together in Jerusalem. While musicians who reunite often go back on tour or craft a new album, the disciples were waiting on instructions, unsure of what to do. Prior to his ascension into heaven, Jesus has one last meeting with these leaders to discuss God’s plan for reuniting believers.

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. 17 And when they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted [that it was really He]. 18 Jesus came up and said to them, “All authority (all power of absolute rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Matthew 28:16-19.

This event is known as the Great Commission, a blue print that future apostles follow throughout the book of Acts. The opening lyrics from a Kurt Kaiser song sums up the passage above. “It only takes a spark to keep a fire going. And so all those around will warm up to its glowing. That’s how it is with God’s love, once you’ve experience it, you spread His love to everyone, you want to pass it on.” Just as the disciples passed on Jesus’ message to apostles, modern Christians are encouraged to do the same. The only way to be reunited in heaven with those whom you love on earth is by fulfilling the Great Commission today.

by Jay Mankus

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Abandon Ship, Abandon Ship

Posted on December 7, 2012 by expressyourself4him

Edward Smith, Captain of the Titanic said, “I never saw a wreck and never have been wrecked, nor was I ever in any predicament that threatened to end in disaster.”  These famous last words illustrate why the apostle Paul warned people about being over confident in 1 Corinthians 10:12.  Unfortunately, Vince Young, former backup quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles didn’t learn from history calling the 2011 Eagles the next “dream team,” ending in a nightmare at 8-8.  Starting quarterback Michael Vick revised this statement with one of his own, calling the 2012 Eagles “a dynasty.”  After 8 straight loses following a 3-1 start to this NFL season, at 3-9 its time to abandon ship.

The word hype means to advertise, build up, excite and publicly tout.  If a professional athlete wants to get on ESPN, they will celebrate excessively or show boat to draw attention to themselves hoping to make Sports Center.  Meanwhile, if a journalist wants national exposure, he or she will try to write something controversial so that people will talk about their piece around the water cooler at work.  This probably explains why writers of the 1997 film Titanic include a scene with Leonardo DiCaprio standing up on top of the forward bow, yelling, “I’m king of the world!”  Instead of jumping ship, our culture has abandoned humility.

Gone are the days of acting like you have been there, handing the ball to the official after scoring a touchdown in football.  Or simply running around the bases following a home run in baseball.  Meanwhile, narcissists are running rampant in society, likely due to a lack of discipline, parenting and  the rod of correction, Proverbs 13:24.  Either way you slice it, people are abandoning the principles of the Magna Carta.  Europeans came to this country on ships to fulfill the great commission, Mark 16:15-16, by spreading the gospel to the new world.  Today, revisionists are erasing Christ from our history books as we now live in the Common Era.

As the ship called America is sinking, I am optimistic that Captain Jesus can save us from a sea of despair.  However, its not a bad idea to put on the life vest of salvation, 1 Thessalonians 5:8-9.  When the upcoming financial cliff approaches, be prepared for the worst, 1 Peter 1:3-7 so that through this adventure your faith will be refined for the next ice berg.  As for now, slow speed ahead with your eyes on the prize, Philippians 3:20-21!

by Jay Mankus

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