Tag Archives: Hall of Faith

Becoming One of God’s MVP’s

Posted on June 17, 2020 by expressyourself4him

The phrase Most Valuable Player dates back to 1931. This award was established by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. The criteria for this award attempted to recognize the most outstanding player each season. Major League Baseball changed the name of this award in 1944 after their first commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis died. Meanwhile, the National Football League’s first MVP award was named the Joe F. Carr Trophy beginning in 1938. Lefty Grove was the first professional athlete in the United States to be named the Most Valuable Player.

David said to Saul, Let no man’s heart fail because of this Philistine; your servant will go out and fight with him. 33 And Saul said to David, You are not able to go to fight against this Philistine. You are only an adolescent, and he has been a warrior from his youth, 1 Samuel 17:32-33.

God’s standards for MVP contain a few crucial characteristics. First, faith separates average looking individuals from the pillars of the past recognized in Hebrews 11. This Hall of Faith lists those filled with assurance despite the odds each faced. Second, believing and trusting in the power of God elevates visionaries from mere dreamers. As Israeli soldier’s looked at Goliath’s height, 9 feet 6 inches, David saw an uncircumcised Philistine who could be defeated. The final attribute which gets God’s attention is fanning into flame your spiritual gift and talents.

Your servant killed both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God! 37 David said, The Lord Who delivered me out of the paw of the lion and out of the paw of the bear, He will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said to David, Go, and the Lord be with you! – 1 Samuel 17:36-37

Most Valuable Players don’t listen to their skeptics who dwell on what can’t be accomplished, done or fulfilled. Rather, MVP’s use negativity to fuel, inspire and ignite motivation to do what others said was impossible. Some of the greatest athlete’s of all team were driven to reach new heights to become faster, stronger and mentally tougher than ever imagined. One way that modern day Christians can maximize their God given abilities is by tapping into the power of the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25. While God’s MVP’s usually don’t get recognized on earth, eternal treasures are awaiting in heaven for those filled with a spiritual resolve.

by Jay Mankus

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Bring Me Back

Posted on May 3, 2019 by expressyourself4him

Sometimes life is like being placed into a giant maze without a map.  Whenever you make the wrong turn, its like one step forward, two steps back.  As soon as you hit a dead end, you have to go back to where you started, retracing your steps to find a way out.  If you don’t have any helper, guide or visible signs, this journey will last much longer than expected.

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad and easy to travel is the path that leads the way to destruction and eternal loss, and there are many who enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow and difficult to travel is the path that leads the way to [everlasting] life, and there are few who find it, Matthew 7:13-14.

The Bible serves as a road map to bring you back to God’s desired destination.  During his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus compares life to a series of roads.  The most popular ones are like interstate highways, well defined and marked.  However, Jesus uses the analogy of a small path to illustrate the road to heaven.  Somebody has cleared the path, but if you stray off to the left or right, its easy to lose your way.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness], stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12:1.

The author of Hebrews refers to a great Hall of Faith, saints who have showed people the way to heaven.  Comparing life to a marathon, completing this race requires endurance and persistence.  When I get up each morning, I don’t always feel like doing the right thing.  There are plenty of days when I am exhausted, tired and worn down with little motivation to stay on track.  The group Evanescence sings about this state in their song Bring Me Back to Life.  This blog and song are dedicated to those who need to be brought back into God’s presence.

by Jay Mankus

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Alive But Not Liberated

Posted on March 13, 2019 by expressyourself4him
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzUrF3AYWS8

Hogtied refers to having your hands and feet secured together. While this technique is often limited to rodeo competitions, many people go through life with certain restrictions. Some may end up gagged, stuck or tied up in a no win situation. Spiritual barriers may not be visible, but their affects are felt leaving countless individuals alive, but not liberated.

Out came the man who had been dead, his hands and feet tightly wrapped in burial cloths (linen strips), and with a [burial] cloth wrapped around his face. Jesus said to them, “Unwrap him and release him,” John 11:44.

Prior to modern funeral homes, the dead were wrapped like a mummy to preserve bodies from accelerating the decay process. Bodies were often placed in caves, sealed by a large boulder. In the passage above, Jesus cancels Lazarus’ funeral. However, following this resurrection, Lazarus was alive, but not liberated. Lazarus’ grave clothes restricted his ability to move, talk and walk. Thus, Jesus invites pall bearers to unwrap Lazarus.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12:1.

Following the chapter of the Bible known as the Hall of Faith, Hebrews 11, the author introduces a similar concept. Life on earth is compared to a marathon with the dead serving as witnesses, a large crowd cheering you on toward finish line in the race called life. Just as family and friends liberated Lazarus from his grave clothes, God wants believers to dispose of, get rid of and throw off anything that is weighing you down. As you pray to unload these burdens, you become one step closer to being alive and liberated.

by Jay Mankus

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Great Cloud of Witnesses

Posted on March 24, 2012 by expressyourself4him

In the beginning of Hebrews 12:1-3, the author is reminding believers of a great cloud of witnesses.  People who have finished the race, fought the good fight and are seated in heaven cheering us on until we have completed God’s will for our own life.  Today, Christians need to follow the example of these witnesses, taking them to heart by studying the Hall of Faith, Hebrews 11.

Like the classic show Father Knows Best, sometimes we need to humble ourselves to heed the advice of our elders.  Christians must swallow their pride, seek godly counsel and begin walking by faith, not by sight.  Since the author of Hebrews compares life to a marathon, we need to take every day serious, seize each moment and be on guard for days can be evil,  Ephesians 5:15-16.

While life may appear easy for certain individuals, the great cloud of witnesses risked failure for the kingdom of God.  Building an boat before rain existed, telling others that your 90 year old wife was going to have God’s chosen son and that you would rather be a slave than grow up in royalty.  Although, the world still thinks Christians are crazy today, remember Hebrews 12:1-3.  Prepare yourself for life’s race through prayer, scripture reading and fasting so that whatever obstacles you endure along life’s road, faith will bring you home!

by Jay Mankus

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