Tag Archives: Jesus

Opening the Door of Faith

Posted on December 27, 2015 by expressyourself4him

Back in the days where common courtesy reigned, men would open the door for ladies.  Whether you were entering a building, car or home, gentlemen put the opposite sex first, waiting patiently until girls or women went before them.  However, throughout history God regularly poured out his mercy, sending grace like rain upon the oppressed.

On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles, Acts 14:27.

In the middle of the first century, arrogance filled Jewish leaders, making Gentiles, those living outside of Israel feel like lesser human beings.  As Paul and Barnabas began their earthly ministry, this attitude offended these men of God.  Thus, instead of attempting to reach Jews with the good news about Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, these apostles turned their attention to the Gentiles, opening the door of faith to all nations.

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me, Revelation 3:20.

In a vision, John, the disciple whom Jesus loved uses the illustration of a door to explain an new opportunity to connect with God.  This analogy has Jesus knocking at a door.  However, this doesn’t belong to a building.  This door is like a human heart, which Jesus wants to enter.  Yet, the Lord doesn’t force himself into your life,  Rather, you have to exercise free will, opening this door of faith on your own.  May the Christmas spirit inspire those who have drifted away from the Lord to come back home by opening the door of faith.

by Jay Mankus

 

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The Savior of the World

Posted on December 25, 2015 by expressyourself4him

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it, Matthew 7:13.

Two times of year at Christmas and Easter, backsliders, the religious and prodigals reunite at church.  The motives for this annual tradition vary.  Some do this as an act of penance.  Others do this as an obligation to their friends or parents.  Meanwhile, there are those who hope this visit will transform their life, praying that the Savior of the world will become real.

But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it, Matthew 7:14.

However, in recent years there has been some confusion over what the term Savior means.  Is Jesus the Savior of the World, for those who seek Him out?  Or is Jesus the Savior for the world, everyone included?  As Universalism expands throughout the world, the Pope and some evangelists are taking stances not found in the Bible.  Fearful of offending those outside the church, spiritual leaders are now claiming the God of the Bible is the same God as those whom other religions worship.  Unfortunately, this is not true.

Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves, Matthew 7:15.

During his sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke about two destinations, heaven and hell.  Based upon his own words in the gospel of Matthew, those who enter hell is much greater than those who take the road less traveled.  While Jesus is the Savior of the world, He is not the Savior of all.  While this teaching may be unpopular, it comes straight from Jesus’ mouth.  I’m assuming the false prophets are those who stray from the Bible’s teaching, trying to appease a cynical culture.  In view of this, study the Bible for yourself in 2016 and you will discover the truth about the Savior of the world.

by Jay Mankus

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Forgetting to Thank the One Providing the Blessings

Posted on November 26, 2015 by expressyourself4him

The expression “you don’t know what you had until its gone” often hits home over the holidays.  Each year death takes away someone or something special from our lives.  Unfortunately, when life is going well, people forget to be grateful.  Take for example the Israelites, freed from 400 years of oppression and slavery.  Yet, this wasn’t enough as hungry stomachs led to complaining and grumbling.  When God answered their prayers in the form of manna, bread from heaven, the magic of this miracle soon wore off, craving more.  As quail arrived, sent by the Lord, the Israelites forgot to thank the One providing the blessings.

The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the LORD‘s hand in Egypt!  There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death,” Exodus 16:3.

Doctors tend to notice certain details that most individuals miss.  In the case of Luke, a first century physician, his version of the Healing of 10 Lepers mentions an unique observation.  Leprosy attacks the vocal cords, limiting one’s ability to project their voices.  One of the ten healed by Jesus was overcome by emotion, crying out at the top of his lungs for the first time in years.  While Jesus is disappointed that only one person came back to thank him, Luke highlights the immediate healing experienced by this man.  The other nine took their speech for granted, yet one man did not miss the opportunity to thank the One who performed this blessing.

One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice.  He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.  Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?  Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” – Luke 17:15-18

On Thanksgiving Day, hearts and minds tend to be fixed on cooking, football or shopping.  Instead of slowing down to enjoy life, the pursuit of happiness causes souls to search for self-gratification.  This exercise usually leads to disappointment or emptiness.  Therefore, this year on this sacred day, make sure you take the time to thank the good Lord above for all the blessings in this life.  If you don’t, you will miss a golden opportunity to prepare your heart to catch the spirit of Christmas, with good tidings and great joy to all!

by Jay Mankus

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Challenging Demons

Posted on November 14, 2015 by expressyourself4him

While channel surfing last weekend, I stumbled upon Destination America’s new show called the Demon Files.   This reality series features Ralph Sarchie, a former NYPD sergeant who has become a renown demonologist with his team who visit people experiencing paranormal activity.  In the episode I saw, Ralph was challenging the demon or spirit inside a haunted house.  Although I don’t know much about this realm, I do know you should be careful who or what you challenge.

And he said to them, “This kind of spirit cannot be driven out by anything but prayer,” Mark 9:29.

Several years ago I attended a Bible Study when a guest pastor visited for a couple of weeks.  Fascinated by his testimony, I began to ask this man questions about the spiritual realm, trying to collect insight into this arena.  To my surprise, he shared about an elder who attempted to challenge a demonic presence in New England.  Without enough prayer support or others to intervene, this man ended up in an insane asylum.  Following his release from the hospital, this elder left the church, struggling to grasp what happened to him.

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour, 1 Peter 5:8.

Perhaps this may explain why most seminaries avoid spiritual warfare, focusing mainly on theology.  Beside demons confronted and cast out by Jesus, there isn’t much information in the Bible about challenging demons.  The apostle Paul emphasizes the armor of God, fighting evil with spiritual weapons as well as making sure you don’t give the devil a foothold.  Nonetheless, Paul’s best advice is to test everything, avoid evil and cling to the truth.  When you encounter powers of darkness in the future, make sure you surround yourself with prayer and others believers before you confront or challenge demons.

by Jay Mankus

 

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The History of Faith

Posted on October 17, 2015 by expressyourself4him

History is one of those topics in school that is often neglected.  However, there are moments in time when a student can retrace history which helps make things click.  If you live on the East Coast, remains from the Revolutionary or Civil War are close, possibly a stones throw away.  As for me, I live less than a mile from a famous battle which turned the tide in the Revolutionary War.  Although obscure to many, traveling over this bridge daily can unlock the history to America’s faith.

To this he replied: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Harran, Acts 7:3.

Prior to Acts 7, important religious information was left to spiritual forefathers, prophets, kings of Israel, Jesus or one of the 12 disciples.  Perhaps, the average person felt left out, not one of God’s chosen people.  Yet, beginning in Acts 7, the history of faith is conveyed by a relative outsider.  This new voice provides a brief glimpse of how Jews and Christians are linked together by a history of faithful leaders.

“You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit!” – Acts 7:51 

In view of Stephen’s speech to Jewish leaders, I wish Americans would begin to retrace their own history of faith.  Political correctness and revisionist historians are trying to hide the spiritual foundation of America’s forefathers.  Just as government officials in the first century were resistant to change, stubborn hearts are preventing many from seeing the truth.  Maybe adults need to take their children on local field trips to a nearby museum or historical site so that the history of faith will be unveiled to those currently grasping at straws.

by Jay Mankus

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A Day Inside the Praetorium

Posted on August 21, 2015 by expressyourself4him

From time to time, people will pass by notorious places.  Sometimes flying over in the air, viewing while using mass transit or stopping in person to visit.  Welcome centers, videos playing on a loop and signs will communication important landmarks.  However, nothing can truly tell the whole story of what happened one fateful day inside the Praetorium.

Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him, Mark 15:19.

The Praetorium depicted in the Bible is where the magistrates, Roman leaders met to do official business.  After being arrested by soldiers, Jesus was led into this palace where a bad day gradually got worse.  Jesus was mocked, spit on, punched out and impaled by a crown with 2″ long thorns.  After the commotion concluded, Jesus was led out into the streets of Jerusalem holding the cross He would die upon.

In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood, Hebrews 12:4.

Reading this portion of the Bible again gives me a different perspective when I’m having a bad day.  Sure, disappointment, heartache and pain is a hard pill to swallow, yet nothing compares to the fate Jesus endured.  Thus, the next time you think you’re life is a wreck, remember this selfless act on the cross.  Although Good Friday began at the Praetorium, new life was made possible 3 days later through the resurrection.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

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Finding Solace by the Sea

Posted on August 17, 2015 by expressyourself4him

Depending upon where you grew up, there are areas, places and towns which make you feel at home.  Perhaps it’s childhood memories that you cherish, a location you spent countless hours at or an environment that brings out the best in you.  For me, I find solace by the sea.

For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock, Psalm 27:5.

As a kid, I spent time playing on the beach at Atlantic City before there were casinos.  Occasionally,venturing to Sea Ilse and Wildwood Crest to stay with friends or visit the boardwalk.  After moving to Delaware, Rehobeth, Fenwick Island and Ocean City, Maryland became seasonal treks, leaving fond memories etched into my mind.

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance, Psalm 32:7.

In the Bible, Jesus found solace in going to the mountains to pray, Mark 1:35-39.  David retreated to a cave with friends to lift his spirits, 1 Samuel 22:1-2.  While it’s not mentioned, I’m sure James and John found joy in fishing, especially when the season was right.  Well, my point of today’s blog is to make people think of that retreat destination or resting place which recharges your spiritual batteries.  Discovering and visiting this place often brings life to dead and dying souls back to life.  As for me, I find solace while I recreate in the ocean.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Making A Lasting Impression

Posted on August 13, 2015 by expressyourself4him

The humble don’t waste their breath telling others what they’ve done or what they are about to do.  Rather, quietly, each go about their own business until their assignment, job or task is complete.  Making the most of every opportunity, individuals who possess a servant’s heart are on their way to making a lasting impression.

While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head, Mark 14:3.

Over the course of your life, you may witness an act that doesn’t make much sense on the surface.  However, there are times people feel compelled to do something, regardless of how bizarre, crazy or strange it might seem.  Nonetheless, one day a woman followed the prompting in her heart to anoint Jesus with an expensive jar of perfume.

Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her,” Mark 14:9.

Based upon Jesus’ compliment of this woman, making a lasting impression involves stepping out in faith.  Sure, doing what’s right when no one is looking is a good start.  However, to keep in step with the Holy Spirit requires a keen awareness, grounded in the wisdom of the Bible.  May those of you who seek to leave behind a legacy of faith, follow in the footsteps of this selfless act.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Finding the Weak Link

Posted on August 12, 2015 by expressyourself4him

Whenever law enforcement or the FBI wants to bring down a powerful criminal, perhaps they might start with surveillance.  After a period of time, officials will search for a small fry who has access to the big fish.  When the weak link is identified, this individual is pressured to provide important information.  If this person does not cooperate, threats of prosecution often persuade them to go along.

Now the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were scheming to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him, Mark 14:1.

Early in the first century, religious officials realized they could not outwit Jesus, so they began to secretly probe his twelve disciples.  During this process, the chief priests identified someone they could influence.  Miffed by Jesus’ waste of perfume, the treasurer Judas Iscariot, was tweaked enough to turn to the dark side.  Tempted by thirty pieces of silver, Judas agreed to betray Jesus with a kiss.

Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly, Mark 14:4-5.

Regardless of how strong someone may appear, each possess flaws, imperfections and weaknesses.  Thus, no one is exempt from being exposed as a weak link.  Satan knows your kryptonite, scanning back and forth throughout the earth, waiting to pounce on the isolated, vulnerable and weak.  Therefore, be on guard, armed with the armor of God, Ephesians 6:12-20 so when the days of evil come, you will be ready to defend yourself.

by Jay Mankus

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Love and Marriage

Posted on August 4, 2015 by expressyourself4him

The sitcom Married with Children mocked the biblical concept of love and marriage.  However, as Christian couples in America began to live hypocritical lives, often resulting in divorce, I guess you can say Hollywood had plenty of material to work with.  Nonetheless, for ten seasons Al Bundy portrayed a new form of love and marriage, laughing at the struggles an average family endures on a weekly basis.

“Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother, Mark 12:19.

During another week in history, “Let’s See if We can Fool Jesus This Time,” also known as Passion Week, the Sadduceees refer to still other aspect of love and marriage.  Referencing Jewish Law found in the Torah, a religious leader tries to play Trivia Pursuit with Jesus.  Before the answer to his question is provided, it is clear he was no match for the King of Kings and Lord of lords.

Jesus replied, “Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God? When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven, Mark 12:24-25.

Love prior to entering any relationship is tough enough on its own.  However, when you add marriage to this equation, the complication is magnified.  The apostle Paul chose to remain single, not wanting this distraction in his life.  Yet for those who are stuck as Al Bundy often eluded to his own marriage, a different form of love is required, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.  Therefore, pray for the fruits of the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:22-23 so that the love you display may have an eternal impact.

by Jay Mankus

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