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It’s About that Time for Another Spiritual Alignment

Posted on March 8, 2023 by expressyourself4him

My wife Leanne spent the last four years working at the front desk of an auto repair shop in Delaware. While Leanne’s knowledge about cars started with basic details, every year she has picked up a keen sense to notice subtle sounds. These noises that don’t mean anything to me, serve as warning signals that a part is about to break, needs to be replaced or is wearing down. Just as my wife weekly points out these signs for me in my car, it’s about time for another spiritual alignment.

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, I am the Almighty God; walk and live habitually before Me and be perfect (blameless, wholehearted, complete), Genesis 17:1.

From a vehicle point of view, whenever a bus, car or truck is out of alignment, this unequally wears out the tread of your tires. If you don’t notice this sound or vibrations, you’re putting your vehicle at risk as well as increasing the cost of your next alignment. Based upon the passage above, the Lord provides instructions to Abraham for a spiritual alignment. God’s call is to walk with God habitually, day after day, with your whole heart, soul and mind.

You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy; 44 But I tell you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 [aj]To show that you are the children of your Father Who is in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the wicked and on the good, and makes the rain fall upon the upright and the wrongdoers [alike]. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward can you have? Do not even the tax collectors do that? – Matthew 5:43-46

In the first portion of His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus offers a similar call to those in attendance. Recognizing man’s fallen state in Romans 3:9-12, Jesus isn’t demanding perfection; He is asking Christians to strive for perfection. Jesus expects Christians to go above and beyond how the world lives. Thus, the call is to pray for and forgive those who hate you. Spiritual alignments help you love God and love your neighbors as yourself, Matthew 22:37-40. This spiritual exercise allows believers to keep in step with the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25, awake and alert for God’s next warning sounds in life.

by Jay Mankus

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When the Word of the Lord Arrives

Posted on February 27, 2023 by expressyourself4him

When it comes to planning, some like to wing it, others procrastinate until a deadline arrives while the organized are precise; knowing exactly what they want to do and when. To those who attend church regularly, most people just show up, some have their quiet time before and others wait in eager expectation for what God is going to do at some point during the service. To those paying attention, you’ll know when the Word of the Lord arrives.

After these things, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram, I am your [a]Shield, your abundant compensation, and your reward shall be exceedingly great, Genesis 15:1.

The context of the passage above occurs immediately after the events of Genesis 14. Highlights of this chapter contain Lot being taken as a prisoner of war, Abram forming an army and the successful defeat of the contries which captured Lot, Abram’s brother’s son. During his triumphant return, the King of Sodom offers Abram a generous reward, plunder from this battle. Rather than accept this gift, Abram tells this king to divide this among the allied forces that fought with Abram’s men.

And the tempter came and said to Him, If You are God’s Son, command these stones to be made [[a]loaves of] bread. 4 But He replied, It has been written, Man shall not live and be upheld and sustained by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God, Matthew 4:3-4.

The Word of the Lord arrives in the form of a vision for Abram. God compares Himself to a shield of protection and an abundant compensation in the form of blessings. Receiving this gift from the King of Sodom would have comprised Abram’s faith and made this king feel like he added to Abram’s wealth. Just like the Devil who tried to tempt Jesus with food at the end of his 40 day fast, the King of Sodom was just as persuasive. Yet, when Christians look for the way out of temptation, 1 Corinthians 10:13, the Word of the Lord keeps you in step with the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25. Go and do likewise.

by Jay Mankus

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The Picture of Perfection

Posted on January 23, 2023 by expressyourself4him

As a young aspiring athlete, my picture of perfection was the best player in every sport. Wayne Gretsky in hockey, Dr. J in basketball, Steve Carlton in baseball and Reggie White in football. Before the existence of social media, news was strictly based upon a player’s performance. Today, there is no picture of perfection as critics on the right and left pick apart rising stars like vultures during a feeding frenzy.

You, therefore, must be perfect [growing into complete [ak]maturity of godliness in mind and character, [al]having reached the proper height of virtue and integrity], as your heavenly Father is perfect, Matthew 5:48.

The Sermon on the Mount points to perfection, but in the sense of striving towards it. The apostle Paul quotes an Old Testament prophet in Romans 3:9-12 to burst the bubble on human perfection. In case you haven’t heard, this is impossible as all men and women has fallen short of God’s glory despite how hard each has tried, Romans 3:23. Despite this painful reality, Hebrews 4:15-16 refers to Jesus as a great high priest who was a model of perfection, dying on our behalf.

For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), [d]recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live], Ephesians 2:10.

If life is meant to be a series of trial and error, sooner or later you’ll start to take steps toward perfection. The apostle Paul compares God to a spiritual potter, constantly molding and fashioning us into His image, Romans 9:20-21. Meanwhile, Paul compares God to a carpenter in the passage above. Depending upon your gifts and talents, the Holy Spirit seeks to guide you toward the good works God has planned for you in the future, Philippians 1:6. As you keep in step with the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25, may your life resemble the fruits if God’s Spirit like a picture of spiritual perfection.

by Jay Mankus

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Not Just a Seasonal Holiday… A Daily Declaration

Posted on December 24, 2022 by expressyourself4him

I was introduced to the expression, “make room in your heart for Jesus this Christmas season” as a college student. I don’t remember if this was from the Black Student Union Bible Study I attended, Campus Crusade, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes or Intervarsity Christian Fellowship. Whoever was the original source of this message, Christmas is not a seasonal holiday. Rather, the Mass of Christ should be a daily declaration.

But as he was thinking this over, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary [as] your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of (from, out of) the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus [the Greek form of the Hebrew Joshua, which means Savior], for He will save His people from their sins [that is, prevent them from [a]failing and missing the true end and scope of life, which is God], Matthew 1:20-21.

John 16 provides an introduction to what God with us will look like following Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension into heaven. Starting with John 12, this final portion of John’s gospel reflects upon Passion Week, the week leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion. From Palm Sunday to Resurrection Sunday was an emotional roller coaster for Jesus’ twelve disciples, 11 after Judas’ suicide. All these events took place to fulfill what was prophesized in the Old Testament. Like Christmas, Easter isn’t a seasonal holiday, it’s a daily declaration of a Savior to came to seek and to save that which was lost, Luke 19:10.

All this took place that it might be fulfilled which the Lord had spoken through the prophet, 23 Behold, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel—which, when translated, means, God with us, Matthew 1:22-23.

The daily declaration is made possible by and through the power of the Holy Spirit who has given us everything we need for life. 2 Peter 1:3-4. Unfortunately, fictional characters like Dr. Temperance “Bones” Brennan played by Joy Keenan have convinced many Christians that God doesn’t exist and can’t speak audibly to human beings. Yet, for those who keep in step with the Holy Spirit via prayer and daily Bible Study, the Spirit of Emmanuel is alive and well. Therefore, as you open up your Christmas presents this year, don’t fall prey to a seasonal practice of Christmas. Rather, make Jesus Christ a daily declaration in your home and at work.

by Jay Mankus

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The One Who Keeps You From Stumbling

Posted on November 3, 2022 by expressyourself4him

King David likely wrote the below Psalm as he was reminded of his days serving as a lowly shepherd. David wrote about the rocky terrain which shepherds often faced after more favorable fields of grass were depleted. As a former cross-country runner, I know all about stumbling and twisting my ankles during races on an uneven terrain. Yet, David speaks of a God who can keep you from stumbling.

The God who girds me with strength and makes my way perfect? 33 He makes my feet like hinds’ feet [able to stand firmly or make progress on the dangerous heights of testing and trouble]; He sets me securely upon my high places, Psalm 18:32-33.

Despite this perspective, David did stumble and fall, big time, as described by 2 Samuel 11-12. David writes about this painful moment in Psalm 32 and Psalm 51. Idleness led David to not show up for work, going to war with Israel’s army, had an affair and once Bathsheba got pregnant, he tried to cover this up by giving her husband leave to sleep with his wife. When Uriah refused to go into his house, David panicked and sent Uriah out to die in battle.

He will not allow your foot to slip or to be moved; He Who keeps you will not slumber, Psalm 121:3.

While this fall from grace is epic, David learned to see God as the One who keep you from stumbling. Perhaps, David understood what the apostle Paul writes about in 1 Corinthians 10:13, learning to search for the way out of temptation following his rebuke by the prophet Nathan. Then again, it’s possible David is literally focusing on God’s ability to keep his feet from twisting an ankle. Whatever the interpretation, both can apply as Christians learn to keep in step with the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25.

by Jay Mankus

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The Cure for a Troubled Mind

Posted on September 30, 2022 by expressyourself4him

A troubled mind is like being a parent at a little league game. One error leads to another as a ground ball in the infield ends up becoming an inside the park homeroom. Great for the hitter who never stops running and gut-wrenching for the fielding team. As a former coach, I once watched my catcher not know the rule for a dropped third strike with the bases loaded. Electing to throw the ball to first rather than step on home plate, he airmailed first by 10 feet. As my right fielder loafed to the ball, all 4 runners scored.

Remember [earnestly] also your Creator [that you are not your own, but His property now] in the days of your youth, before the evil days come or the years draw near when you will say [of physical pleasures], I have no enjoyment in them—Ecclesiastes 12:1.

King Solomon suggests that troubled minds are a byproduct of forgetting God. I find this to be true in my own life when a go a few days without reading the Bible or praying. Rather than keep in step with the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25, I begin to feed my earthly desires, Romans 8:5-8. The apostle Paul goes on to explain in chapter 8 that a carnal mind can’t not please God. This points to the spiritual frustration within Cain in Genesis 4:5-8. Cain’s troubled mind made him to act out rather than submit to fruits of the Spirit.

Nevertheless, God was not pleased with the great majority of them, for they were overthrown and strewn down along [the ground] in the wilderness. 6 Now these things are examples (warnings and admonitions) for us not to desire or crave or covet or lust after evil and carnal things as they did, 1 Corinthians 10:5-6.

The apostle Paul uses history as a way to prevent yourself from making the same mistakes over and over again in life. Providing a brief summary of Israel’s past failures, Paul claims that these serve as warnings to not crave, covet or indulge your sinful nature. Denzel Washington uses a nearby field in Gettysburg in the film Remember the Titans to communicate to his players, “if we don’t learn from this battle, we too will be destroyed.” Thus, the cure for a troubled mind is seeking daily reminders from the Bible on how to live.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 222: Pursue

Posted on September 11, 2022 by expressyourself4him

From time to time, artists will join together to do a project together or unite for one song. Such is the case with Tayler Doiron and Daniel Garcia. These two artists are part of Vantage Worship, singing Pursue as a duet. The lyrics of Pursue point to Jesus’ words in Matthew 22:36-40. The greatest two commandments is to pursue the love of God and focus on loving your neighbor as yourself.

Shun youthful lusts and flee from them, and aim at and pursue righteousness (all that is virtuous and good, right living, conformity to the will of God in thought, word, and deed); [and aim at and pursue] faith, love, [and] peace (harmony and concord with others) in fellowship with all [Christians], who call upon the Lord out of a pure heart, 2 Timothy 2:22.

Yet, before you can pursue God, Christian’s must learn to overcome temptation, 1 Corinthians 10:13. As believers mature by finding the way out of temptation, seeking God first by pursuing righteousness is possible. As you listen to Pursue, may you be inspired to keep in step with the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25. May today’s song get you in the mood to worship the Lord on Sunday.

by Jay Mankus

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A Habitual Faith

Posted on September 6, 2022 by expressyourself4him

As a child, exceling as a student did not come naturally to me. Playing sports did, but only baseball was easy and natural. If I wanted to get better, habitually practicing was my goal. I spent most of my free time playing ball outside, hitting tennis balls against the side of our house and playing the course golf course that I created in my backyard. Unfortunately, I wasn’t gifted with great size or strength, so I learned to be gritty, willing myself to get better and enhance my skills daily.

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]. 8 If we say we have no sin [refusing to admit that we are sinners], we delude and lead ourselves astray, and the Truth [which the Gospel presents] is not in us [does not dwell in our hearts], 1 John 1:7-8.

When I became a Christian at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes event in the middle of my sophomore year of high school, I began to apply these same principles to my faith. I started a Bible Study at my house, even though I didn’t know what I was doing. My drive to become a better Christian led me to join a weekly accountability group, attend a Methodist youth group religiously every Sunday night and pursue opportunities for monthly retreats. By my senior year, I was appointed the Program Director for my FCA huddle meetings at Concord High School.

If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action], 1 John 1:9.

Yet, this is not what a habitual faith resembles. During a Christian retreat in college, pastor Tommy Nelson introduced me to “Spit Baths.” Pastor Nelson was referring to Christians who schedule time with God daily, but their Bible Study and prayer times are short and meaningless. This message has stuck with me over the years, urging me to dig deeper into God’s Word and pour out my heart to God in prayer. Genuine habitual faith occurs when believers naturally keep in step with the Holy Spirit, daily sharing with others what God is teaching you about the Bible and how it applies to life. May this blog inspire you to pursue a habitual faith.

by Jay Mankus

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What to Do Next When Your Nest is Empty?

Posted on August 24, 2022 by expressyourself4him

The term empty nest began in the middle of the 1900’s. When parents aren’t able to move on after their children start college or move out on their own, doctors refer to this condition as the “empty nest syndrome.” When children are born, parents make a series of sacrifices to raise their offspring to the best of their abilities. However, once a home is vacant, it’s hard to transition to your next phase in life.

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you [the priestly nation] have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you that you shall be no priest to Me; seeing you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children, Hosea 4:6.

One Old Testament prophet blames a lack of vision for an individual who begins to self-destruct. One of the reasons Jesus left his followers with a great commission in Acts 1:8-9 was to provide a sense of direction in life. Rather than guess or speculate, the Great Commission continues to be fulfilled today through missionaries sent to the ends of the earth.

Not that I have now attained [this ideal], or have already been made perfect, but I press on to lay hold of (grasp) and make my own, that for which Christ Jesus (the Messiah) has laid hold of me and made me His own. 13 I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own [yet]; but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward, Philippians 3:12-14.

As for empty nesters, my home is quiet for the first time in 24 years. With my two youngest children now off at college, I need to spend time in prayer to figure out what God wants me and my wife to do next. Once you complete honey do lists at home, parents with empty nests must learn to keep in step with the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25, so that God’s will for your life will be fulfilled.

by Jay Mankus

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Does Your Church Have an Angel?

Posted on June 17, 2022 by expressyourself4him

When I think of angels, I usually imagine guardian angels who watch over an individual’s life. Yet, according to John, one of his visions that makes up the book of Revelation, there were 7 specific churches in Asia Minor who possessed an angel. Based upon the passage below, John compares these angels with spiritual messengers who guided the leaders of these 7 churches.

As to the hidden meaning (the mystery) of the seven stars which you saw on My right hand and the seven lampstands of gold: the seven stars are the seven angels (messengers) of the seven assemblies (churches) and the seven lampstands are the seven churches, Revelation 1:20.

As someone who has attended various churches throughout the United States, there are certain places where you sense the power of the Holy Spirit as you enter. Meanwhile, other church buildings seem strange, often giving me an uneasy feeling as I sit down. Is the difference between these churches the presence of an angel or the power of the faith within the members of a congregation?

For He will give His angels [especial] charge over you to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways [of obedience and service], Psalm 91:11.

One of the Psalmists writes about an angels ability to accompany Christians. Yet, God uses angels to defend and preserve the faith of those who believe. However, if Lucifer and 1/3 of the angels were kicked out of heaven, whether or not freewill is exercised will dictate the spiritual climate of a church. If angels are like modern day spiritual guides, the more church leaders keep in step with the Holy Spirit will set the culture and spiritual tone of modern day houses of worship.

by Jay Mankus

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