Tag Archives: heaven

Lost and Found

Posted on December 8, 2023 by expressyourself4him

If you’ve ever lost something valuable at school or work, most places still have a lost and found area. While this doesn’t mean that a good Samaritan will take the time to return what you lost, there is a process in place to restore what was lost. During a meal with a first century tax collector, Jesus refers to His purpose for coming to earth: to seek and to save that which was lost.

And Jesus said to him, Today is [[b]Messianic and spiritual] salvation come to [all the members of] this household, since Zacchaeus too is a [real spiritual] son of Abraham; 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost, Luke 19:9-10.

This concept was shared with a Pharisee named Nicodemus. Meeting under the cover of darkness, Nick wanted to know more about being born again, John 3:1-5. Trying to be sarcastic, Jesus shuts down any attempts by Nicodemus to be funny. Jesus felt so strongly about the topic of lost and found, the hope of eternal life is presented below.

For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten ([d]unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him, John 3:16-17.

Christian artist Brit Nicole sings about this message in her song “the Lost Get Found.” If you want to dissect this spiritual concept, God isn’t a disciplinarian looking to strike sinners down with fire and brimstone from heaven. Rather, God’s heart breaks when a sheep gets lost, Luke 15:6-7. Therefore, God loves the lost and sent His one and only son Jesus to save us from sin. This is the hope of Christmas: the Mass of Christ.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Be the Light… Not the Darkness

Posted on December 7, 2023 by expressyourself4him

As a college student, I struggled to distinguish when my professor was saying something that I needed to know for an upcoming test from general knowledge on a topic. Subsequently, my notetaking skills had to evolve and improve if I wanted to raise my grades. When I apply this concept to the Bible, darkness is mentioned 175 times with 439 verses discussing light. Common sense tells me to be the light and not the darkness.

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a peck measure, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your [z]moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and [aa]recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven, Matthew 5:14-16.

Jesus choses light as one of the tone setters for His Sermon on the Mount. While darkness can be scary, light has the ability to penetrate darkness. The brighter the light, the more darkness and the unknown can be illuminated for all to see. Anyone who decides to demonstrate the beatitudes serves as a powerful light for the world to be drawn to. Yet, light is a choice and darkness has the power to persuade an entire room into becoming negative.

Do all things without grumbling and faultfinding and complaining [[l]against God] and [m]questioning and doubting [among yourselves], 15 That you may show yourselves to be blameless and guileless, innocent and uncontaminated, children of God without blemish (faultless, unrebukable) in the midst of a crooked and wicked generation [spiritually perverted and perverse], among whom you are seen as bright lights (stars or beacons shining out clearly) in the [dark] world, 16 Holding out [to it] and offering [to all men] the Word of Life, so that in the day of Christ I may have something of which exultantly to rejoice and glory in that I did not run my race in vain or spend my labor to no purpose, Philippians 2:14-16.

This is a point the apostle Paul is trying to prove in a letter to the Church at Philippi. Don’t let the temptation of darkness steer you in the wrong direction, Matthew 7:13-14. Rather, rise above this urge to shine like stars among the darkness of night. The more perverse and wicked a generation, the greater the light of Christ can shine. As you approach another Christmas, may the songs of this season inspire you to be the light and not the darkness among hectic shoppers.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

The Great Commission Misnomer

Posted on December 4, 2023 by expressyourself4him
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_z44eQikDgY

The Great Commission is Jesus’ instructions to His disciples following His resurrection on Easter Sunday. Jesus entrusts these 11 men, down one after Judas’ suicide, to spread the good news about Jesus long after His ascension, John 3:16-17. The most common quoted verses appear at the end of the Gospel of Matthew and Mark. However, I chose the passage from Luke who records Jesus’ last words before His ascension into heaven.

So when they were assembled, they asked Him, Lord, is this the time when You will reestablish the kingdom and restore it to Israel? 7 He said to them, It is not for you to become acquainted with and know [b]what time brings [the things and events of time and their definite periods] or fixed [c]years and seasons (their critical niche in time), which the Father has appointed (fixed and reserved) by His own choice and authority and personal power. 8 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 1:6-8.

The Great Commission serves as a blueprint for modern churches for where to share their faith. If you would place the Great Commission on a map, plan A is your local city or town. Once everyone in this location has been reached, plan B begins with all the surrounding areas outside city limits. This includes local counties, suburbs and states. The final plan calls for going to the ends of the earth, beginning with your state and country.

Now the word of the Lord came to [a]Jonah son of Amittai, saying, 2 Arise, go to [b]Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim against it, for their wickedness has come up before Me. 3 But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from being in the presence of the Lord [as His prophet] and went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish [the most remote of the Phoenician trading places then known]. So he paid the appointed fare and went down into the ship to go with them to Tarshish from being in the presence of the Lord [as His servant and minister]. 4 But the Lord sent out a great wind upon the sea, and there was a violent tempest on the sea so that the ship was about to be broken. 5 Then the mariners were afraid, and each man cried to his god; and they cast the goods that were in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone down into the inner part of the ship and had lain down and was fast asleep, Jonah 1:1-5.

The misnomer that I see all the time is churches sending missionaries to the ends of the earth before reaching surrounding towns and villages. Subsequently, many metropolitan cities have been bypassed for more exotic locations overseas. While all nations need to hear the good news about Jesus Christ, inner cities are in desperate need of hope. May today’s blog inspire individuals to develop a heart for nearby cities before reaching others outside your home country.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

The Flame within the Bush

Posted on November 30, 2023 by expressyourself4him

As a child, I was taught that God first appeared to Moses in a burning bush. When I received my first Children’s Bible, there was a picture of this bush on one of the pages. Yet, according to the Classic Edition of the Amplified Bible, an angel of the Lord appeared to Moses in the form of a flame. Perhaps, this Bible story was watered down so a child could understand, but the flame within in this bush is the key to this encounter with God.

Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian; and he led the flock to the back or west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb or Sinai, the mountain of God. 2 The [a]Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush; and he looked, and behold, the bush burned with fire, yet was not consumed, Exodus 3:1-2.

From a spiritual perspective, Jesus’ target audience for His Sermon on Mount in Matthew 5-7 was common people. Jesus crafted his message toward farmers or fishermen to reach as many people as possible. When transitioning from current events toward spiritual issues, you have to meet people where they are. As a caretaker of Jethro’s livestock, Moses became familiar with the terrain and topography of Midian. Choosing a flaming inside a bush was much less overwhelming than God speaking through a cloud or thunderous voice from heaven.

And Moses said, I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush is not burned. 4 And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the midst of the bush and said, Moses, Moses! And he said, Here am I, Exodus 3:3-4.

The Old Testament highlights the transition from God walking and talking with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden to messengers in the form of angels, Judges and prophets. When John the Baptist spoke about Jesus in Matthew 3:11, John points to the Holy Spirit and fire. Just as a fire alarm gets the attention of a smoke infested building, the flame within a bush thousands of years ago was the spark that introduced Moses to the God of his forefathers.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

A Window Into Prayers Lifted Up to Heaven

Posted on November 26, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Unless you have an encounter with an angel, receive a rhema from God or are touched by the Holy Spirit, it’s hard to understand the mind of God. Anyone who has lifted up prayers to God knows how frustrating it can be to pray about the same thing for weeks, months or years without receiving an answer or seeing any progress. Yet, at the end of Exodus 2, Moses provides a window into God’s perspective and response when prayers are lifted up to heaven.

However, after a long time [nearly forty years] the king of Egypt died; and the Israelites were sighing and groaning because of the bondage. They kept crying, and their cry because of slavery ascended to God. 24 And God heard their sighing and groaning and [earnestly] remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob, Exodus 2:23-24.

During an interesting exchange at the end of Exodus chapter 2, God reveals to Moses his intentions based upon prayers that have been lifted up by Israelites. Since God is omnipresent, the Lord heard and seen all the harsh treatment that His chosen people were experiencing in Egypt. Yet, just as the film Bruce Almighty tried to illustrate, if God granted every prayer request such as winning the lottery, answers to prayer wouldn’t be as powerful or special.

God saw the Israelites and took knowledge of them and concerned Himself about them [knowing all, understanding, remembering all], Exodus 2:25.

The key take away into this window of prayers lifted up to heaven is that God knows and understands your current situation. Some days are like a blessing, but most of our days on earth God puts us into situations where you are forced to mature. The Bible refers to these events as trials, 1 Peter 1:6-7, to test and refine your faith. When God doesn’t answer any prayers for an extended period of time, Isaiah 1:15-18 provides further insight into this window into heaven.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Questions about the Afterlife

Posted on October 7, 2023 by expressyourself4him

As a former seminary student, I’m always curious to hear what kind of message is presented at a funeral. Unless my ears are deceiving me, nearly every speaker assumes that the individual lying in a coffin is now in heaven. If you listen to the words of Jesus in the passage below, just the opposite appears to be true. This is just one lingering question about the afterlife.

Enter through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and spacious and broad is the way that leads away to destruction, and many are those who are entering through it. 14 But the gate is narrow (contracted [k]by pressure) and the way is straitened and compressed that leads away to life, and few are those who find it, Matthew 7:13-14.

Except for those individuals for who experienced a near death experience, the afterlife and heaven remain a mystery. All Christians have is the promise of John 14:1-4 and 1 John 5:11-13 in the Bible. The author of Hebrews refers to members of the Old Testament of dying prior to receiving what was promised to them by God. The key to securing a place in heaven is faith.

For it is impossible [to restore and bring again to repentance] those who have been once for all enlightened, who have consciously tasted the heavenly gift and have become sharers of the Holy Spirit, 5 And have felt how good the Word of God is and the mighty powers of the age and world to come, 6 If they then deviate from the faith and turn away from their allegiance—[it is impossible] to bring them back to repentance, for (because, while, as long as) they nail upon the cross the Son of God afresh [as far as they are concerned] and are holding [Him] up to contempt and shame and public disgrace, Hebrews 6:4-6.

Jesus alludes to the above passage in his Parable of the Sower, Matthew 13:18-19. Can you lose your salvation? Well, to those who are infant Christians, not fully knowing the decision they just made, they can slip away if the Devil steals what was sown in their heart. Meanwhile, to those who pervert God’s grace with addictions to their flesh also may find their selves on the outside looking in. Don’t take the chance of walking on this fence spiritually. Rather, habitually walk with God daily to confirm your spiritual reservation in heaven.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Sooner or Later… It Happens

Posted on October 6, 2023 by expressyourself4him
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eL_6Dmvhirc

Due to copyright restrictions, the attached clip from Forrest Gump had to be altered to avoid any lawsuits. Subsequently, as Forrest Gump played by Tom Hanks begins running across the country to sort things out in his mind, the audience is reminded that sooner or later, it happens. These unforeseen, embarrassing, and painful events serve as trials to bring about maturity in life.

And Judah said to Israel his father, Send the lad with me and we will arise and go, that we may live and not die, both we and you and also our little ones. 9 I will be security for him; you shall require him of me [personally]; if I do not bring him back to you and put him before you, then let me bear the blame forever. 10 For if we had not lingered like this, surely by now we would have returned the second time, Genesis 43:8-10.

At the end of the opening book in the Bible, Moses records the great famine that stuck Egypt. This once in a century weather pattern brought devastation, destitute living conditions and starvation. If it wasn’t for Pharaoh’s dream and Joseph’s interpretation, countless individuals would have starved to death. While fall temperatures are like a breath of fresh air, soon or later bad weather will arrive.

And their father Israel said to them, If it must be so, now do this; take of the choicest products in the land in your sacks and carry down a present to the man, a little balm (balsam) and a little honey, aromatic spices and gum (of rock rose) or ladanum, pistachio nuts, and almonds. 12 And take double the [grain] money with you; and the money that was put back in the mouth of your sacks, carry it again with you; there is a possibility that [its being in your sacks] was an oversight. 13 Take your brother and arise and return to the man; 14 May God Almighty give you mercy and favor before the man, that he may release to you your other brother and Benjamin. If I am bereaved [of my sons], I am bereaved, Genesis 43:11-14.

Perhaps, this is a message Jesus reinforced to his disciples prior to his death, resurrection and ascension into heaven, 1 Peter 3:15-16. Well before the Boy Scouts motto, “be prepared,” was conceived, Jesus instilled this within the leaders of the first century church, Matthew 26:41. Therefore, don’t be caught off guard by the Devil’s schemes, Ephesians 6:10-18. Rather, arm yourself with the armor of God so that you’ll be prepared the next time it happens.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

More than Just a Dream… Jacob’s Ladder

Posted on July 22, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Jacob’s Ladder and Jack and the Beanstalk have similarities. Jacob’s Ladder comes from the Hebrew word סֻלָּם יַעֲקֹב Sūllām Ya‘aqōv. Based upon the account of Moses, Jacob has a dream where a ladder leads up to heaven. Meanwhile, Jack and the Beanstalk is an English fairy tale where a gian’s beanstalk leads up to the clouds in the sky. While Jack finds a giant in this magical place, Jacob realizes that surely the Lord is in this place.

And Jacob left Beersheba and went toward Haran. 11 And he came to a certain place and stayed there overnight, because the sun was set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down there to sleep. 12 And he dreamed that there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven; and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it! 13 And behold, the Lord stood over and beside him and said, I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father [forefather] and the God of Isaac; I will give to you and to your descendants the land on which you are lying, Genesis 28:10-13.

The context of Jacob’s dream serves as a needed break from the stress of reuniting with Esau. The last time these brothers were together, Jacob left abruptly after his brother talked about murder. Subsequently, as Jacob was dreading a potential attack from Esau, God places a vivid dream into Jacob’s mind. The origin of Jacob’s ladder comes from the passage above. When Jacob was in desperate need of some good news, God reminds him of a promise made to Abraham.

And your offspring shall be as [countless as] the dust or sand of the ground, and you shall spread abroad to the west and the east and the north and the south; and by you and your Offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed and bless themselves. 15 And behold, I am with you and will keep (watch over you with care, take notice of) you wherever you may go, and I will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done all of which I have told you. 16 And Jacob awoke from his sleep and he said, Surely the Lord is in this place and I did not know it, Genesis 28:14-16.

Jacob’s Ladder was one of the first Christian songs that I heard as a child. Yet, early on, I cared more about the game Chutes and Ladders than Jacob’s Ladder. Now that I am older and wiser, I understand the importance of good news as well as being reminded of God’s promises. Therefore, the next time your current situation seems bleak, place your trust in the Lord, Proverbs 3:5-6, and God will make your paths straight.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Crafty Cunning and Treacherous

Posted on June 28, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Crafty is having or showing skill in achieving one’s ends by creative, deceitful or evasive ways. The first mention of this term in the Bible is in association with the Serpent in the Garden of Eden. Based upon the account of the prophet Ezekiel, the archangel Lucifer was kicked out of heaven along with 1/3 of all the angels in heaven. This crafty serpent planted the seed of doubt into Adam and Eve’s mind which eventually gave birth to sin.

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? 2 And the woman said to the serpent, We may eat the fruit from the trees of the garden, 3 Except the fruit from the tree which is in the middle of the garden. God has said, You shall not eat of it, neither shall you touch it, lest you die. 4 But the serpent said to the woman, You shall not surely die, Genesis 3:1-4.

According to the apostle Paul, there is no one righteous as all have fallen short of God’s glory, Romans 3:23. This is the direct consequence of original sin. From a spiritual perspective, sin is like catching a common cold that lingers without seeking any help or treatment. As public education becomes more and more sexualized as early as kindergarten, it doesn’t take much for the innocence of a child to be lost forever.

[Isaac] said, Your brother came with crafty cunning and treacherous deceit and has taken your blessing, Genesis 27:35.

Prior to Genesis 27, Jacob was a momma’s boy. Moses describes Jacob as a shy, quiet and insecure teenager. Yet, once influenced by a loving mother, Jacob placed pleasing his mother over doing the right thing. As my Junior High principal used to say, “it takes two to tango.” Even if something isn’t your idea, if you join in and participate, you’re just as guilty, Psalm 1:1. If you notice your own children, slip sliding away from God, pray that any crafty, cunning or treacherous spirit is broken.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

The Dew of the Heavens

Posted on May 30, 2023 by expressyourself4him
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqdZMtySm2A

When my father’s company transferred him to their Delaware office, one of the perks included membership to a local golf club to entertain his clients. Subsequently, I was introduced to golf the following summer and began participating in the Penn Oakes Country Club Junior Golf program. Every Monday morning when my mom dropped me off, the grass will filled with dew. Putting and chipping was difficult until the summer sun evaporated all the dew from the greens. This is how I learned about the dew from the heavens.

Then his father Isaac said, Come near and kiss me, my son. 27 So he came near and kissed him; and [Isaac] smelled his clothing and blessed him and said, The scent of my son is as the odor of a field which the Lord has blessed, Genesis 27:26-27.

As Moses provides a brief history of how Israel came to be a nation, his words point to his leadership during the Exodus out of Egypt. The oral tradition of Isaac’s blessing to Jacob refers to the Dew of the heavens. From Moses’ perspective, this could be a reference to manna from heaven which appeared initially like a morning dew, Exodus 16:21. On the flip side, morning dew forming in a desert can also be refreshing in an arid climate. Whatever the meaning of this passage, Isaac points to how God supernaturally provides each day.

And may God give you of the dew of the heavens and of the fatness of the earth and abundance of grain and [new] wine; 29 Let peoples serve you and nations bow down to you; be master over your brothers, and let your mother’s sons bow down to you. Let everyone be cursed who curses you and favored with blessings who blesses you, Genesis 27:28-29.

Following this heavenly provision, Isaac turns his blessing toward food, wealth and an abundance of natural resources. Isaac doesn’t settle for average as his blessing goes over the top, beyond what most people dream. As Jacob listens to these words, I can imagine goosebumps appearing up and down his arms. Just as Moses witnessed the Red Sea departing and swallowing up the Egyptian Army, the Dew of the Heavens is like the icing on a cake of God’s ability to provide, Matthew 6:33-34.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.
← Older Posts
→