Tag Archives: honeymoon

The George Bailey of the Bible

Posted on September 23, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Jimmy Stewart plays George Bailey in the Christmas classic “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Every time George is about to leave Bedford Falls and Bailey’s Saving and Loans, something happens to keep him in town. When the stock market crashes on Black Friday, there’s a run-on money at Bailey’s Savings and Loans. George cancels his honeymoon and uses the money saved for his trip to prevent his father’s company from going out of business. George focused on needs, not wants.

 When the seven years of plenty were ended in the land of Egypt, 54 The seven years of scarcity and famine began to come, as Joseph had said they would; the famine was in all [the surrounding] lands, but in all of Egypt there was food. 55 But when all the land of Egypt was weakened with hunger, the people [there] cried to Pharaoh for food; and Pharaoh said to [them] all, Go to Joseph; what he says to you, do, Genesis 41:53-55.

According to Moses, once the great famine reaches Egypt, Pharaoh placed Joseph in charge over all grain distribution. Whenever Egyptian citizens wanted food or any foreigners from outside this country, Joseph decided how much each individual could buy. Subsequently, as people wanted to purchase an excessive amount of grain, Joseph displayed George Bailey like wisdom to help customers see what they needed was more important in the long run.

When the famine was over all the land, Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians; for the famine grew extremely distressing in the land of Egypt. 57 And all countries came to Egypt to Joseph to buy grain, because the famine was severe over all [the known] earth, Genesis 41:56-57.

Due to modern luxuries like credit cards, human beings can live outside their means. Whether it’s living in a larger house that’s unnecessary, paying off a sports car that is simply for show or blowing a large chunk of change monthly on cable, consider the costs. Films like the Pursuit of Happiness highlight the price individuals have to pay to acquire their lifelong dreams. In the end, may today’s blog inspire you to prepare for the future by leaning on the Lord to provide for your needs.

by Jay Mankus

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From Not Ashamed to Shame

Posted on December 12, 2022 by expressyourself4him

The apostle Paul makes a bold statement about not being ashamed in the beginning of his letter to the Church at Rome, Romans 1:16. Paul writes with a sense of pride, clinging to the Good News about Jesus Christ like a badge of honor. As a former persecutor of the first century church as a zealous Pharisee in Acts 7, Paul was ashamed of any Jew who believed that Jesus of Nazareth, a mere carpenter, was the promised Messiah of the Old Testament.

And the man and his wife were both naked and were not embarrassed or ashamed in each other’s presence, Genesis 2:25.

Six thousand years earlier, shame was an emotion yet to be discovered. According to Moses, when Adam and Eve looked at each other’s naked bodies for the first time, feeling ashamed never entered their minds. Perhaps, this is what newlywed virgins experience on their honeymoon as they lay with each other naked for the very first time. Unfortunately, this paradise didn’t last long as a bite from the Tree of Knowledge radically altered their emotions from not ashamed to experiencing shame.

And when the woman saw that the tree was good (suitable, pleasant) for food and that it was delightful to look at, and a tree to be desired in order to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she gave some also to her husband, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves apronlike girdles, Genesis 3:6-7.

Everyone born after the Garden of Eden is created with a heart, soul, mind, and a conscience. This gut feeling serves a spiritual thermostat for human beings. According to Moses, Adam and Eve went from innocent eyes in Genesis 2 to a guilty conscience in Genesis 3 which conceived shame for the very first time on earth. Anyone who is hard on themselves experiences shame daily. While you can’t put the Genie back in the bottom, you can start with confession to make the presence of shame flee, James 5:16.

by Jay Mankus

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Living in Unbroken Fellowship

Posted on February 6, 2020 by expressyourself4him

Whenever you purchase or receive something that is brand new, there is a tendency to be careful and cautious to preserve and protect a pristine condition. New car owners tend to go the extra mile to clean, maintain and watch over their vehicle by parking it in such a manner to prevent the first imperfection from occurring. Meanwhile, proud owners of other high retail value items often go through a honeymoon period. As an individual or family savors the newness of advanced technology, happiness, joy and pleasure is found in unbroken fellowship.

For by the death He died, He died to sin [ending His relation to it] once for all; and the life that He lives, He is living to God [in unbroken fellowship with Him], Romans 6:10.

After saving money for a couple of years, my wife and I decided to buy a new used car over Labor Day Weekend. Despite having a little over 100,000 miles, the exterior and interior looked brand new. Unfortunately, a week after driving it, my car was side swiped during a college visit. This accident helped my realize how superficial my love affair was with this vehicle. After reading the passage above, my goal should be to live in unbroken fellowship with God. This should be my focus and priority for 2020.

[So] if we say we are partakers together and enjoy fellowship with Him when we live and move and are walking about in darkness, we are [both] speaking falsely and do not live and practice the Truth [which the Gospel presents]. 7 But if we [really] are living and walking in the Light, as He [Himself] is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses (removes) us from all sin and guilt [keeps us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations], 1 John 1:6-7.

Yet, enjoying fellowship with God is complicated. Human nature steers individuals toward darkness, curious and wondering what is on the other side of the boundaries clearly defined in the Bible. If you gaze too long on the other side of the fence, enticement and lust is conceived. Those who act upon these feelings, end up walking in darkness and sometimes break off their relationship with God. Nonetheless, John provides a chance for redemption through forgiveness. Therefore, if you possess a contrite heart, eager to make up with God, living in unbroken fellowship is still possible after confessing your sins daily.

by Jay Mankus

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