Tag Archives: Halloween

Receive, Reject or Redeem

Posted on October 30, 2023 by expressyourself4him

When I read the four gospels in the New Testament, I am reminded of how frustrated Jesus was with the Pharisees of the first century. These religious zealots always found something to complain about. While listening to Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Wes provided a biblical perspective on how to handle modern-day hot topics. You can accept what is said by receiving it, reject foolish comments or redeem holidays like Halloween by making the most of strangers coming to your front door.

Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will]. 19 Do not quench (suppress or subdue) the [Holy] Spirit; 20 Do not spurn the gifts and utterances of the prophets [do not depreciate prophetic revelations nor despise inspired instruction or exhortation or warning]. 21 But test and prove all things [until you can recognize] what is good; [to that] hold fast, 1 Thessalonians 5:18-21.

The apostle Paul shares advice with the Church at Thessalonica on how to accurately receive, reject and or redeem hot button issues. The previous chapter serves as a reminder to Christians of their obligation to God, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7. Subsequently, once you know what God expects, you can begin to test what is being shared daily so that you don’t fall prey to an exaggeration, false statement or lie designed to change your perspective.

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]. 9 Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and model your way of living on it, and the God of peace (of [e]untroubled, undisturbed well-being) will be with you, Philippians 4:8-9.

Paul’s advice to the Church of Philippi prevents believers from becoming modern-day Pharisees. While these Jewish leaders tested what they heard with the Old Testament, the New Testament offers grace, mercy, and understanding. Therefore, as you learn to receive, reject or redeem controversial topics, follow in the steps of the Bereans, Acts 17:11, so that truth is embraced, rumors are denounced, and holidays are redeemed to share the good news about Jesus Christ.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 301: What a Beautiful Name/Agnus Dei

Posted on November 29, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone in 2022, it’s officially time for Christmas music. While stores in Aiken have been playing Christmas music since the days following Halloween, Christmas season is now here. As you listen to the Cottrell’s version of What a Beautiful Name / Agnus Dei worship montage, may the words help you overcome the commercialism of Christmas. The lyrics should help you make Jesus the reason for this special season.

And the Word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us; and we [actually] saw His glory (His honor, His majesty), such glory as an only begotten son receives from his father, full of grace (favor, loving-kindness) and truth, John 1:14.

A first century physician serves as a church historian. Luke is the author of Acts who writes about several of the apostle Paul’s missionary trips in accordance with the Great Commission left behind by Jesus, Acts 1:8. At some point during this spiritual journey, even this doctor was moved by what he saw and witnessed. Luke came to the conclusion that there is no other name on earth that compares with Jesus, Acts 4:12. May today’s song bring you closer to the One who saves.

by Jay Mankus

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Halloween House Cleaning

Posted on October 29, 2022 by expressyourself4him

When I was a teenager, I participated in a seance. I had a crush on the girl leading it, so I didn’t hesitate to join in this late-night summertime activity. I was in Junior High at the time, and I didn’t know what faith was, so I didn’t think about the spiritual consequences. At the time, I thought this was pretend, like Whoppi Goldberg’s character in Ghost. This is my Halloween house cleaning story.

But when the unclean spirit has gone out of a man, it roams through dry [arid] places in search of rest, but it does not find any. 44 Then it says, I will go back to my house from which I came out. And when it arrives, it finds the place unoccupied, swept, put in order, and decorated, Matthew 12:43-44.

In the years that followed these seances, I battled severe depression. During one restless night, I even planned my own suicide, jumping off my second-floor banister with a noose around my neck. Before I went through with this, my best friend from baseball actually hung himself a week later. I was an emotional wreck for the next few years until my high school swim coach introduced me to Jesus.

Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and make their home there. And the last condition of that man becomes worse than the first. So also shall it be with this wicked generation, Matthew 12:45.

Halloween has become the second most celebrated holiday in the United States, a close second to Christmas. Halloween is the only time each year that children and parents come into your house, a great time to witness by sharing the love of Jesus. Unfortunately, if you participate in certain activities, there are spiritual doors that you may open like I did at seances. Though I don’t believe everything I see on television, there are many who speak about opening the door for the Devil to enter their life, Ephesians 4:26-27. May this blog prompt you to do your own Halloween House Cleaning this fall.

by Jay Mankus

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What Will You Be?

Posted on October 20, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Americans spent $10.14 billion on Halloween in 2021. A majority of this amount is centered around one question: what will you be for Halloween this year? Die hard Halloweener’s plan a year ahead, trying to outdo their costume from the previous year. For one night every year, kids and adults roleplay the creature, individual or superhero they dress up as. Yet, the Bible speaks of a spiritual costume.

And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. 3 For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, Who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in [the splendor of His] glory. 5 So kill (deaden, [a]deprive of power) the evil desire lurking in your members [those animal impulses and all that is earthly in you that is employed in sin]: sexual vice, impurity, sensual appetites, unholy desires, and all greed and covetousness, for that is idolatry (the deifying of self and other created things instead of God), Colossians 3:2-5.

The apostle Paul writes about the mental preparation involved in being a biblical follower of Jesus. Once Halloween is over, as you leave your home daily, who will you be today? Will you put on your happy face, drag down your co-workers with criticism or lead by example? Just as Galatians 5:16-18 speaks of the internal struggle between the flesh and God’s Spirit, your thought life will dictate who you will be on any given day.

Clothe yourselves therefore, as God’s own chosen ones (His own picked representatives), [who are] purified and holy and well-beloved [by God Himself, by putting on behavior marked by] tenderhearted pity and mercy, kind feeling, a lowly opinion of yourselves, gentle ways, [and] patience [which is tireless and long-suffering, and has the power to endure whatever comes, with good temper]. 13 Be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has [freely] forgiven you, so must you also [forgive]. 14 And above all these [put on] love and enfold yourselves with the bond of perfectness [which binds everything together completely in ideal harmony], Colossians 3:12-14.

After writing about putting to death your old self, Paul transitions to putting on Christ like qualities. Unfortunately, maintaining a positive perspective on life when things don’t go your way isn’t easy. What will you be can change in an instant if prayer and daily Bible Study becomes part of your routine. Therefore, if you want to be Jesus the other 364 days of the year, put an end to bad habits of your past and start putting on the love of Jesus.

by Jay Mankus

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A Dwelling Place for Demons

Posted on October 12, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Despite best-selling books like This Present Darkness and Piercing the Darkness by Frank Peretti, the topic of demons remains one of those issues that churches fail to properly address today. While there are a few dominations that overemphasize the Devil and demons, most mainline churches ignore demonology completely. If the apostle Paul refers to the Devil as the ruler of the Air, Ephesians 2:2 and highlights the influence of demons to a teenager pastor, there should be more teaching on this taboo topic.

But the [Holy] Spirit distinctly and expressly declares that in latter times some will turn away from the faith, giving attention to deluding and seducing spirits and doctrines that demons teach, 2 Through the hypocrisy and pretensions of liars whose consciences are seared (cauterized), 1 Timothy 4:1-2.

One of the first mentions in the Bible of demonic forces takes place in Daniel 10:13. Daniel writes about the prince of the kingdom of Persia who spiritually fought him for three weeks. While Daniel withstood this spiritual attack, he lost precious time in doing so. Meanwhile, some of my friends in college who spent summers on missionary trips overseas told me about an oppressive force. Whenever they reached the dwelling place of demons, two of them compared this to suffocation, struggling to breathe in an area.

Then I saw another angel descending from heaven, possessing great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his radiance and splendor. 2 And he shouted with a mighty voice, She is fallen! Mighty Babylon is fallen! She has become a resort and dwelling place for demons, a dungeon haunted by every loathsome spirit, an abode for every filthy and detestable bird. 3 For all nations have drunk the wine of her passionate unchastity, and the rulers and leaders of the earth have joined with her in committing fornication (idolatry), and the businessmen of the earth have become rich with the wealth of her excessive luxury and wantonness, Revelation 18:1-3.

The last reference to demonic strongholds occurs at the end of Revelation. While the apostle Paul paints the picture of a third fold wave in Ephesians 6:12: demonic powers, master spirits and spirit forces of wickedness, John mentions Babylon as a resort for demons. I don’t think John is referring to demons going on vacation, but a specific region, modern day Iran where demonic activity flourishes. If you put two and two together, this might explain Iran’s stance and support of terrorism. As Americans prepare for another Halloween, there are numerous demonic influences that law and order don’t want to consider.

by Jay Mankus

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What are You Willing to Tolerate?

Posted on July 2, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Tolerate refers to allowing the existence, occurrence, or practice of something that you don’t necessarily like or agree with without interference. As a former high school teacher, students would test me regularly to see what behavior I would tolerate. As my classroom discipline and management improved over the years, I became less and less tolerant of immature and inappropriate acts.

I know your industry and activities, laborious toil and trouble, and your patient endurance, and how you cannot tolerate wicked [men] and have tested and critically appraised those who call [themselves] apostles (special messengers of Christ) and yet are not, and have found them to be impostors and liars Revelation 2:2.

One of my biggest regrets as a former youth pastor occurred during a bonfire. This outreach event was before Halloween with nearly 100 teenagers in attendance. Prior to this night, I always gave a speech followed by an altar call to give students a chance to enter into a personal relationship with Jesus. Yet, for some reason I focused too much on fun rather than faith. This lack of action was the beginning of the end for my ministry in Indiana as I started to tolerate improper behavior.

But I have this against you: that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess [claiming to be inspired], and who is teaching and leading astray my servants and beguiling them into practicing sexual vice and eating food sacrificed to idols, Revelation 2:20.

When it comes to carrying out discipline, the energy that I possess at the time of an incident will dictate what I ultimately tolerate. As a former junior high teacher, my worst behaved class occurred last period every Thursday and Friday. While there were days I laid down the line, as the year wore on I lost the desire to discipline. Perhaps, this was the condition of the first century church mentioned in the passage above. Whether its a woman named Jezebel or someone with ADHD, your energy level will often determine what you tolerate.

by Jay Mankus

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The Haunting Fear of Death

Posted on October 12, 2021 by expressyourself4him

As September turns to October, normal programming is put on hold for a month. While action films may be weaved in here or there, Halloween related movies will take center stage. This month long marathon seeks to scare the hell out of you. As the deaths quickly accumulate in these slasher classics, the haunting fear of death is often desensitized as villains have their own set of nine lives.

What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered in the ear, proclaim upon the housetops. 28 And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; but rather be afraid of Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell (Gehenna), Matthew 10:27-28.

Growing up my mother was a paramedic, often running off to the nearest accident. emergency or fire. I was sheltered from most of this as a child until my neighbor’s house caught on fire and my next door neighbor was rushed to the hospital. My first brush with death was during a sailboat excursion in the Chesapeake Bay. When our vessel capsized in the middle of the channel, a giant cargo ship was heading straight for us until a good Samaritan pulled us out of the water just in time.

And also that He might deliver and completely set free all those who through the [haunting] fear of death were held in bondage throughout the whole course of their lives.16 For, as we all know, He [Christ] did not take hold of angels [[a]the fallen angels, to give them a helping and delivering hand], but He did take hold of [[b]the fallen] descendants of Abraham [to reach out to them a helping and delivering hand], Hebrews 2:15-16.

By the time I reached high school, a classmate and her family were all killed in a car accident and one of my best friends died of cancer shortly after graduating from high school. Two of my teammates in two different sports committed suicide two years apart. These events conceived in me the haunting fear of death. Yet, when I finally put my complete faith and trust in Jesus in college, this fear gradually subsided once I realized that my eternal future was secure, 1 John 5:13.

by Jay Mankus

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Christmas is a Time for Second Chances

Posted on December 25, 2020 by expressyourself4him

The retail calendar is an endless cycle, constantly moving from one celebration to the next. As soon as Halloween festivities end, stores are transformed into a winter wonderland overnight. Meanwhile, on television a month of horror flicks are replaced with movies about joy, thanksgiving, and praise. When Thanksgiving Dinner’s wind down, Christmas shopping comes to life or should I say ignite. Whether you wait in lines or do most of your purchases online, consumerism doesn’t overshadow the fact that Christmas is a time for second chances.

Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to go into the kingdom of heaven. 25 When the disciples heard this, they were utterly puzzled (astonished, bewildered), saying, Who then can be saved [from eternal death]? – Matthew 19:24-25

During a first century conversation, the 12 disciples became deflated following a parable shared by Jesus. The point of Jesus’ analogy was to illustrate that individuals aren’t good, holy or strong enough to save themselves. Attempting to be some sort of superhuman Christian, the disciples became depressed, painfully aware of their limitations. As despair began to set in, Jesus’ words served as a swing in momentum, “anything is possible with God.” Yes, even those of you who need a second chance this Christmas.

But Jesus looked at them and said, With men this is impossible, but all things are possible with God, Matthew 19:26.

George Bailey, played by James Stewart, needed a visit from an angel to notice just how wonderful his life was. A ruthless TV-network chief played by Bill Murray in Scrooged needed to witness his own death to realize what was truly important in his own life. As you sit down at some point this Christmas to watch one of the classics films, the Lord wants to remind you that forgiveness, grace and mercy is available every day, Lamentations 3:31-25. For Christmas is the season of second chances, a fresh start and a new beginning in life. Seize this opportunity to begin again with God, Romans 10:9-11.

by Jay Mankus

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Unmasking Nightmares

Posted on October 31, 2019 by expressyourself4him

As Halloween 2019 arrives, will the events of today result in nightmares tomorrow? Nightmares are triggered by anxiety, stress or trauma. These unpleasant dreams can range from reliving a scene from a recently watched horror movie to strong emotional unrest within your mind. The most severe nightmares are brought on by posttraumatic stress disorder. Engaging in military combat, coping with abuse or witnessing a death can make every night like a real life Nightmare on Elm Street.

Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully, 1 Peter 5:7.

At the beginning of chapter 5, a former disciple of Jesus addresses the sufferings individuals will experience on earth. Anyone who makes the decision to follow Jesus is at greater risk. For example, the person who wrote this letter was crucified up-side down for his faith. When anxieties, concerns and worries overwhelm your soul, Peter urges Christians to cast their cares at the feet of Christ. As nightmares begin to stir your mind into a tizzy, cry out to God in prayer to stop these brain tremors in their tracks.

Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour, 1 Peter 5:8.

Just when I thought it was safe, Peter drops a bombshell about a spiritual danger that exists. As a child, I loved to watch Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom. One of the episodes illustrated the passage above as lions recognized, separated and wore down weak animals who were surrounded and killed. This passage unmasks Satan’s schemes on earth. One of the ways people get worn down is through nightmares. When bodies don’t get enough sleep, minds are weakened, affecting how you function. If you want to fight back, the apostle Paul suggests using spiritual weapons to protect your mind, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. As believers begin to put on the armor of God, Ephesians 6:12-18, minds will receive the protection you need to unmask nightmares as an attack from the evil one.

by Jay Mankus

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More than Just a Fright Night

Posted on October 23, 2019 by expressyourself4him

Every October television networks devote their programming to reruns of Halloween and horror themed movies. Meanwhile, local cities, communities and towns use haunted forests, houses and theme parks to prepare individuals for Halloween. The first purpose-built haunted attraction was the Orton and Spooner Ghost House located in Liphook, England. Since this establishment opened in 1915, nearly every region has developed their own Fright Land to scare the hell out of visitors.

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control, 2 Timothy 1:7.

Most brains have a memory capacity of about 2.5 petabytes. This is equivalent to 2.6 million gigabytes. To place this fact into its proper perspective, Blu-Ray discs hold roughly 50 gigabytes. This means that the human mind is comparable to a digital television able to store up to 3 million hours of television shows. While this potential is impressive, if minds absorb too many images of horror, pornography or other inappropriate content, this opens the door for unclean spirits to enter your life.

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love, 1 John 4:18.

Human minds don’t need an internet connection to be reminded of the unpleasant experiences of their past. All your mind needs is a flashback, a song or some sort of trigger to unleash these haunting memories. Anyone who has ever been abused, raped or fallen prey to pornography have these nightmares seared into their minds. As individuals use horror flicks to get into the mood to celebrate Halloween, it only takes one unwholesome image to inflict a troubled soul. Therefore, as Halloween approaches, be on guard so that this one night of fright doesn’t turn into a lifetime of reliving nightmares.

by Jay Mankus

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