Tag Archives: KIng Solomon

Indecision verse Poor Decision Making

Posted on November 4, 2023 by expressyourself4him

King Solomon writes the book of Proverbs for one of his sons with a sense of urgency to make good decisions in life. Perhaps, Solomon wanted his children to avoid making some of the bad choices that he made when he was young. Meanwhile, as an adult, Solomon thought that 700 wives wasn’t enough, so he added an additional 300 concubines to his harem.

Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. 6 In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths, Proverbs 3:5-6.

The apostle Paul reminded the Church at Rome of a similar fate due to human nature, Romans 3:9-12. A warning to members of Galatia in Galatians 5:16-17 help explain what influences poor decision making. This internal tug of war can lead to indecision as a major deadline approaches. When you’re unsure of what to do, lean on the Lord for understanding.

Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition ([b]definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. 7 And God’s peace [shall be yours, that [c]tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall [d]garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, Philippians 4:6-7.

Unfortunately, indecision often breeds anxiety. Whenever you weigh the pros and cons of any decision, you have to pull the trigger eventually. Yet, if you find yourself consumed by uncertainty, seek godly counsel to pull your mind in the right direction. Whatever you end up deciding, life is all about living and learning so that you can move on from past failures and mistakes.

by Jay Mankus

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Don’t Just Sit There… Do Something

Posted on September 26, 2023 by expressyourself4him

As a child who struggled with stuttering, I decided to become a follower of others at an early age. Rather than show any initiative, I did whatever people told me to do, even if it was something questionable. Whenever you fail to lead or volunteer, most people simply sit back and wait for others to do something. As I stood on the sidelines of life until high school, I finally started to do something.

Now when Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, Why do you look at one another? 2 For, he said, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt; get down there and buy [grain] for us, that we may live and not die. 3 So ten of Joseph’s brethren went to buy grain in Egypt, Genesis 42:1-3.

At this time in Jacob’s life, his old age limited his ability to go on long trips. Subsequently, as Jacob became frustrated with his own weaknesses, he was hoping that one of his sons would take charge. When this didn’t happen as his grown kids complained about being hungry, Jacob finally lost it exclaiming, don’t just sit there… Do something! While the attached translation is slightly different, do something is more of a modern expression.

He becomes poor who works with a slack and idle hand, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. 5 He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame, Proverbs 10:4-5.

King Solomon does a simply compare and contrast in the above passage. Human nature has a way of enticing individuals to eat, sleep, and be merry. However, Solomon doesn’t hold back, calling it as he sees it. The lazy breed idle hands which often leads to poverty. Meanwhile, the diligent possess a vision-oriented mentality, always looking to seize each day or opportunity. May today’s passage inspire you to stop observing by getting up and doing something to make a difference in life.

by Jay Mankus

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Waiting Longer than You Expected

Posted on September 12, 2023 by expressyourself4him

It was King Solomon who first said, “many are the plans in a man’s heart, but the Lord’s purpose prevails, Proverbs 16:9. Since the Old Testament wasn’t written at the time of his life, Joseph had to learn this valuable life lesson on his own. When the Chief Butler of Pharaoh was restored to his position in the king’s palace, Joseph expected to be out of prison once what was promised to him was fulfilled. Two years later, Joseph was still in prison as the butler quickly forgot about Joseph.

And the chief butler told his dream to Joseph and said to him, In my dream I saw a vine before me, 10 And on the vine were three branches. Then it was as though it budded; its blossoms burst forth and the clusters of them brought forth ripe grapes [almost all at once].11 And Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes and pressed them into Pharaoh’s cup; then I gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand. 12 And Joseph said to him, This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days. 13 Within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your position, and you will again put Pharaoh’s cup into his hand, as when you were his butler. 14 But think of me when it shall be well with you and show kindness, I beg of you, to me, and mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this house, Genesis 40:9-14.

While praying in the Garden of Gethsemane in the early morning on Good Friday, one of Jesus’ disciples overheard a spiritual truth spoken by Jesus. “God’s spirit is willing, but the human body is weak, ” Matthew 26:41. At this pivotal movement, Jesus recognized that individuals don’t always do what they promise. Jesus waited 33 years to fulfill God’s will for His life, but on that final day and all the drama recorded in the Bible likely made time stand still for the son of God.

After two full years, Pharaoh dreamed that he stood by the river [Nile]. 2 And behold, there came up out of the river [Nile] seven well-favored cows, sleek and handsome and fat; and they grazed in the reed grass [in a marshy pasture]. 3 And behold, seven other cows came up after them out of the river [Nile], ill favored and gaunt and ugly, and stood by the fat cows on the bank of the river [Nile]. 4 And the ill-favored, gaunt, and ugly cows ate up the seven well-favored and fat cows. Then Pharaoh awoke. 5 But he slept and dreamed the second time; and behold, seven ears of grain came out on one stalk, plump and good. 6 And behold, after them seven ears [of grain] sprouted, thin and blighted by the east wind. 7 And the seven thin ears [of grain] devoured the seven plump and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and behold, it was a dream, Genesis 41:1-7.

Yet, in today’s featured passage, the Lord provides a glimpse of the future 14 years. As Jospeh provides the interpretation of Pharaoh’s dreams, time is of the essence. According to Moses in Genesis 41:30-36, God gives Joseph a plan of action to make the most of the 7 years of abundance. As if waiting for this day his entire life, Joseph aces this interview with Pharaoh, hired on the spot to be governor of Egypt. All of his time spent waiting finally pays off as Joseph discovers God’s will for his life.

by Jay Mankus

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Don’t Let Envy and Jealousy Ruin Your Heart

Posted on August 12, 2023 by expressyourself4him

When one of the wisest individuals in the Bible urges readers to guard their hearts, Proverbs 4:23, this warning should be heeded. If King Solomon compares human hearts to the well spring of life, erosion and ground water runoff can contaminate this spiritual well. Based upon Moses’ suggestion in the passage below, envy and jealousy filled the hearts of Joseph’s brothers with hatred.

Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children because he was the son of his old age, and he made him a [distinctive] long tunic with sleeves. 4 But when his brothers saw that their father loved [Joseph] more than all of his brothers, they hated him and could not say, Peace [in friendly greeting] to him or speak peaceably to him, Genesis 37:3-4.

From a sociology perspective, the study of the development, structure, and functioning of human society, there will be certain personality types that will get under your skin. These individuals tend to be more boastful, confident or outspoken. Despite how blessed, gifted and talented people in your life may be, remember that God has a specific plan for everyone, 1 Corinthians 12:1-7.

You have heard that it was said to the men of old, You shall not kill, and whoever kills shall be [ac]liable to and unable to escape the punishment imposed by the court. 22 But I say to you that everyone who continues to be [ad]angry with his brother or harbors malice (enmity of heart) against him shall be [ae]liable to and unable to escape the punishment imposed by the court; and whoever speaks contemptuously and insultingly to his brother shall be [af]liable to and unable to escape the punishment imposed by the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, You [ag]cursed fool! [You empty-headed idiot!] shall be [ah]liable to and unable to escape the hell (Gehenna) of fire, Matthew 5:21-22.

Jesus uses the Sermon on the Mount to warn those in attendance of the dangers of envy and jealousy. While the apostle Paul writes, “in your anger do not sin,” Ephesians 4:26, Jesus goes deeper, pointing to your heart. Luke 6:45 reveals that your mouth speaks out of the overflow of your heart. Therefore, before hatred is conceived in your heart, stop the root of bitterness in its tracks, Hebrews 12:15. Clothe yourself with Christ, Colossians 3:12-14, so that love prevails.

by Jay Mankus

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Grow Up Old Man

Posted on July 15, 2023 by expressyourself4him

One Old Testament Bible verse that I was introduced to in college has made a major impact in my life. King Solomon writes in Proverbs 27:17 “as iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” Solomon points to accountability and the need for Christians to have mentors in their lives. If you don’t have anyone to challenge you or highlight any of your flaws, you’re less likely to change.

I have been twenty years in your house. I served you fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flocks; and you have changed my wages ten times. 42 And if the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Dread [lest he should fall] and Fear [lest he offend] of Isaac, had not been with me, surely you would have sent me away now empty-handed. God has seen my affliction and humiliation and the [wearying] labor of my hands and rebuked you last night. 43 Laban answered Jacob, These daughters are my daughters, these children are my children, these flocks are my flocks, and all that you see is mine. But what can I do today to these my daughters or to their children whom they have borne? – Genesis 31:41-43

During a heated discussion between Jacob and his father-in-law, there is a suggestion made by Moses in the passage above. While Laban was brought into Jacob’s life to teach him a valuable life lesson, “you reap what you sow,” he attempts to urge his father-in-law to grow up. Unfortunately, it’s hard to convince any narcissist that they themselves have done anything wrong.

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; now that I have become a man, I am done with childish ways and have put them aside, 1 Corinthians 13:11.

The apostle Paul provides one of the best pieces of advice about growing up spiritually. The context of this chapter is centered around charity, loving others by giving back. However, children get so consumed by temporary needs that most lose sight of the needs of others. If you ever reach a point in life where your faith is stagnant, this is probably a sign that you need to grow old by putting aside your childish ways, Colossians 3:12-14.

by Jay Mankus

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The Well of Enmity

Posted on June 2, 2023 by expressyourself4him

King Solomon is considered one of the wisest person to walk the face of the earth. People would travel throughout the Mediterranean just to hear him speak and teach. One of his statements appears multiple times in one of his books, “there is nothing new under the sun,” Ecclesiastes 1:9-18. The below passage speaks to this topic as Isaac had water disputes with his neighbors on more than one occasion.

Now Isaac’s servants dug in the valley and found there a well of living [spring] water. 20 And the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac’s herdsmen, saying, The water is ours. And he named the well Esek [contention] because they quarreled with him. 21 Then [his servants] dug another well, and they quarreled over that also; so he named it Sitnah [enmity], Genesis 26:19-21.

Due to the reality of Ephesians 6:12, this is a battle taking place every day in the spiritual realm. Enmity is the state or feeling of being actively opposed or hostile to someone or something. Just tune into social media or the television and you’ll find words full of poison and venom. Like a debate that leads to a disagreement, tensions mount the longer this discussion continues, we all have our own well of enmity.

In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides]. 11 Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil. 12 For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere, Ephesians 6:10-12.

If you’re not covered with a hedge of protection via prayer, you become vulnerable to master spirits and spiritual forces of evil that exist today. You may not notice this enmity right away until an unexpected stranger says something or does something that gets under your skin. As you cope with your own wells of enmity, consider the words of 1 Peter 3:9 so that you’re open and willing to repay any evil thrown at you with a blessing.

by Jay Mankus

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Exceedingly Grievous

Posted on March 24, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Grievous refers to something bad, very severe or serious. Whenever you add exceedingly in front of grievous, God is magnifying the great extent of a specific addiction, bad habit or unwholesome cravings. King Solomon devotes a portion of his teaching to what God detests, Proverbs 6:16-19. This clarifies what breaks God’s heart like the words of Moses in Genesis 6:5.

And the Lord said, Because the shriek [of the sins] of Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is exceedingly grievous, 21 I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether [as vilely and wickedly] as is the cry of it which has come to Me; and if not, I will know, Genesis 18:20-21.

Today, cable channels design entire shows on evil with episodes that follow real life cold case murders. If history often repeats itself with a series of cycles. The end of the earth’s first cycle was highlighted by every imagination and intention of all human thinking was set on evil continually. Rather than wait on the first Great Awakening to occur, God chose to send a worldwide flood to start over with Noah and his family.

Do not love or cherish the world or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh [craving for sensual gratification] and the lust of the eyes [greedy longings of the mind] and the pride of life [assurance in one’s own resources or in the stability of earthly things]—these do not come from the Father but are from the world [itself]. 17 And the world passes away and disappears, and with it the forbidden cravings (the passionate desires, the lust) of it; but he who does the will of God and carries out His purposes in his life abides (remains) forever, 1 John 2:15-17.

If parents checked out the content of mature video games before purchasing them for birthdays and Christmas, some adults would feel the same way God felt in Genesis 18, exceedingly grievous. Since God promised to never send another global flood to destroy the earth, what should Christian’s do next? What’s our next move? Pointing the finger to blame others will only elevate hostility. Beside emulating Jesus, Matthew 5:13-16, fast and pray for another Great Awakening to reverse this trend of exceedingly grievous public acts.

by Jay Mankus

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Lying is Like a Boomerang

Posted on February 11, 2023 by expressyourself4him

The oldest boomerang discovered dates back to the Stone Age. Modern designs are constructed with aerofoil sections which enables boomerangs to spin about an axis perpendicular to the direction of its flight. Prior to throwing my first boomerang, I dabbled with an aerobie frisbee which is designed for distance, not meant to return back to you. While studying the life of Abram, I realized that lying is like a boomerang as sooner or later your careless words will come back to hit and haunt you.

And when he was about to enter into Egypt, he said to Sarai his wife, I know that you are beautiful to behold. 12 So when the Egyptians see you, they will say, This is his wife; and they will kill me, but they will let you live. 13 Say, I beg of you, that you are [c]my sister, so that it may go well with me for your sake and my life will be spared because of you. 14 And when Abram came into Egypt, the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful. 15 The princes of Pharaoh also saw her and commended her to Pharaoh, and she was taken into Pharaoh’s house [harem], Genesis 12:11-15.

If integrity is doing what’s right when no one is looking, Abram didn’t begin his journey with God on a good note. According to Moses, Abram was more concerned with saving his own life during a trip to Egypt rather than telling the truth. Rather than adhere to the words of King Solomon in Proverbs 3:5-6, Abram trusted in his own understanding. Meanwhile, Abram encourages his wife Sarai to play along, “you’re my sister,” wink wink. Based upon the passage below, this wasn’t Abram’s only lie.

So Isaac stayed in Gerar. 7 And the men of the place asked him about his wife, and he said, She is my sister; for he was afraid to say, She is my wife—[thinking], Lest the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah, because she is attractive and is beautiful to look upon. 8 When he had been there a long time, Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out of a window and saw Isaac caressing Rebekah his wife. 9 And Abimelech called Isaac and said, See here, she is certainly your wife! How did you [dare] say to me, She is my sister? And Isaac said to him, Because I thought, Lest I die on account of her, Genesis 26:6-9.

Like father, like son as Isaac appears to have adopted Abram’s bad habit of lying. Moses refers to this as generational sins passed down by a father to his children, Exodus 20:4-5. Abram’s sinful tendency led to a life of exaggeration and half-truths. When placed into an identical situation as his father, Isaac tells the Philistine king that Rebekah was his sister. Before Abimelech took Rebekah to be his wife, Isaac’s caressing of Rebekah gave their little secret away. The next time you think about stretching the truth, remember that lying is like a boomerang which will eventually harm you in the future.

by Jay Mankus

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Trust God to Figure Out the Details

Posted on February 3, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Whenever God calls you to do something, following this by faith will often require details beyond your comprehension. When I was single, I didn’t have to consider how obeying God’s call was going to impact my wife. Subsequently, I lived in six states in the first six months of 1993, following God’s prompting to leave Delaware to attend a youth ministry trade school, moving back to Ohio before teaching a semester at a boarding school in West Virginia. When a position in South Dakota fell through, another door opened at a church in Columbus, Indiana to finish this spiritual journey.

And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you [with abundant increase of favors] and make your name famous and distinguished, and you will be a blessing [dispensing good to others]. 3 And I will bless those who bless you [who confer prosperity or happiness upon you] and [a]curse him who curses or uses insolent language toward you; in you will all the families and kindred of the earth be blessed [and by you they will bless themselves], Genesis 12:2-3.

This wasn’t the case for Abram who just moved to Haran with his wife Sarai. Just when they were about to settle down, God interrupts their plans. As I recently read the passage above, one thing must have perplexed Abram as God promised that he would become the father of a great nation. The one little detail that Moses doesn’t mention in God’s call is that Sarai is barren and has been unable to have any children. While the Bible is silent on this obvious barrier, at some point in his life, Abraham began to trust God to figure out the details.

Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. 6 In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths, Proverbs 3:5-6.

King Solomon writes about a similar concept, trying to teach his children about faith. Faith is something that Abraham didn’t pick up until God tested his allegiance in Genesis 22. After decades of waiting for a son who would start the family tree of Israel, God threw Abraham a curve ball. “You want me to sacrifice the child Sarah and I have been waiting to arrive for decades?” Some scholars believe that Abraham thought that God would raise Isacc from the dead which persuaded him to finally go through with it. This ia a perfect example of how trusting God with all your heart is believing God will figure out all of the details.

by Jay Mankus

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Waiting on Clarity

Posted on February 1, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Clarity has many meanings depending upon the context it is used in. The one definition I found which applies to spiritual clarity is the quality of being easy to see or hear; as in sharpness of image or sound. Unfortunately, I’ve found the beginning of 2023 to be similar to how I ended 2022, cloudy, foggy with low visibility. Like a physical famine sweeping through a third world country, sometimes you have to wait on clarity until the storms of life subside.

Hear counsel, receive instruction, and accept correction, that you may be wise in the time to come. 21 Many plans are in a man’s mind, but it is the Lord’s purpose for him that will stand, Proverbs 19:20-21.

King Solomon adds a solid piece of advice in the passage above. Many are the plans in a man’s or woman’s heart, but the Lord’s purpose prevails in the end. Upon my move to South Carolina, I had an idea of how things were eventually going to play out. Every time I thought God was about to open a new chapter in my life, this door slammed shut in my face. After a series of humiliating circumstances, I find myself once again waiting on clarity for my next phase in life to be revealed.

He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength [causing it to multiply and making it to abound]. 30 Even youths shall faint and be weary, and [selected] young men shall feebly stumble and fall exhausted; 31 But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired, Isaiah 40:29-31.

After complaining and moaning internally, I was reminded of the words from an Old Testament prophet. Isaiah uses a baby eagle learning to fly, leaving its nest for the first time. Like Tom Cruise’s classic line in Top Gun, “sometimes you crash and burn.” While I wait on clarity, I have to get up off the mat of disappointment to rise above how I feel. This is where faith is designed to take over, letting go of your life by letting Jesus take the reins, Romans 10:9-11. In God’s time, clarity will come.

by Jay Mankus

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