Tag Archives: held hostage

Clouds of Darkness

It doesn’t always take a meteorologist or radar to predict a pending storm.  Temperatures may drop, wind gusts rise and skies blacken to serve as a warning sign.  Before the thunder claps, streams of showers on the horizon begin to fall like a ballet in the distance.  However, until it comes, nobody knows what’s hidden in the clouds of darkness.

This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain.  For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet.  No one was strong enough to subdue him, Mark 5:3-4.

Besides weather, clouds of darkness can hover over individuals.  Elements could be demonic, a product of bad environments or caused by poor decisions.  In this state, people can take a change for the worse, often reaching a place where they appear to lose their mind.  Loved ones become helpless, unable to snap friends, neighbors and co-workers out of the spell, veiled by a cloud of darkness.

When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid, Mark 5:15.

Prior to the arrival of Jesus, those held hostage by these clouds were helpless.  However, resurrection power changed the fate of those living in darkness forever.  Today, healing is just a prayer away.  Complete restoration doesn’t usually occur overnight.  Rather, ungodly beliefs take time to be purged, cleansed by the power of the Holy Spirit.  If clouds of darkness start to surround you, may the Lord of Light stand with you until the storm is over.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

 

Life’s Ransom

Director Ron Howard used a 1954 episode of The United States Steel Hour from the series Fearful Decision to produce the 1996 film Ransom starring Mel Gibson and Rene Russo.  Author Ed McBain’s novel King’s Ransom also influenced Howard’s portrayal of police procedure in this movie.  When a millionaire’s son is kidnapped, the ransom is set for $2 million for his safe return.

The Bible refers to another ransom in Psalm 49:7-9.  However, this amount is like the entertaining Master Card commercials, priceless.  Whether you’re rich or poor, white or blue collar, no payment is sufficient enough to receive eternal life.  Helpless, life a parent held hostage, Jesus intervenes, going to the bank called Calvary, Matthew 20:28.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4coHVchwlg

The apostle Paul describes life’s ransom in Romans 6:23.  The wages, payment due for the errors, mistakes and sin you’ve committed in life is death, separated from God.  Despite your dire condition, Jesus decided to pay the ransom for your life on Good Friday, 30 AD, Romans 5:8.  Thus, the gift of God is in the mail, waiting for you to receive the Lord Jesus Christ, Romans 10:9-10.  May the power of the Easter message come alive in your soul, resurrecting faith, hope and love, 1 Corinthians 13:13.

by Jay Mankus

Inside The Mind of A Terrorist

10 hours ago

In the infancy of America, terrorism was fought on the shores of Tripoli, as supply ships bound for the Atlantic were held hostage or sunk .  Since 9/11/01, the war on terror has shifted to sneak attacks on our own soil.  With the bombing at yesterday’s Boston Marathon, many Americans want to know, what’s inside the mind of a terrorist.

16 hours ago

Like Japanese pilots during World War II, there is a kamikaze mindset within most terrorists as some do change their mind.  Nonetheless, this willingness to die to accomplish a Jihad, Holy War, is often unstoppable for public officials.  The term kamikaze literally means God wind or divine wind.  Unfortunately, once a terrorist buys into this notion, the unthinkable is played out on television like yesterday’s 2 bombings near the finish line in Boston.

However, what makes any terrorist like a fire cracker waiting to explode is the belief that by dying they are actually doing God’s will.  While recent movies on terrorism have suggested a terrorist is promised 72 virgins in heaven for their sacrifice on earth, it doesn’t matter whether this its fact or fiction.  Once the idea to commit suicide or set off bombs in the name of Allah is conceived, the process of James 1:13-15 is set into motion.

17 hours ago

May God help all of us in America and anyone else in the world currently battling terrorism.  My hope is that anyone thinking of such destruction will be convicted in their hearts and be led toward peace.  Freewill is a powerful weapon, yet prayer can still penetrate the mind of a terrorist by altering their future acts.  Pray for your enemies as Jesus called to his disciples and followers to do in Matthew 5:43-48.

by Jay Mankus