Tag Archives: living an abundant life

Curiosity and Excitement

Posted on May 9, 2023 by expressyourself4him

When my son Daniel got engaged early this Spring, a sense of curiosity and excitement filled my heart. The curiosity was based upon where and when the wedding will take place. This was followed by the excitement of welcoming Anna into our family as well as looking forward to this special weekend in August. Unfortunately, most Christians don’t look at faith from the perspective of curiosity and excitement.

The girl related to her mother’s household what had happened. 29 Now Rebekah had a brother whose name was Laban, and Laban ran out to the man at the well, Genesis 24:28-29.

When Eliezer informed Rebekah’s family that he was searching for a spouse for his master’s son, a spirit of curiosity and excitement filled Rebekah’s house. Who is this Isaac? What does he look like? Where does he work and what does he like to do in his free time? These are just a few questions that family members ask before their relative gets married.

For when he saw the earring or nose ring, and the bracelets on his sister’s arms, and when he heard Rebekah his sister saying, The man said this to me, he went to the man and found him standing by the camels at the well. 31 He cried, Come in, you blessed of the Lord! Why do you stand outside? For I have made the house ready and have prepared a place for the camels, Genesis 24:30-31.

Rather than become curious and excitement for this upcoming weekend, what if Christians faced each day with a new mindset. Instead of going through the motions of a long work week, believers can start embracing each new day with an eager curiosity and passionate excitement. Perhaps, this is what Jesus meant to express in John 10:10. Living an abundant life that Jesus claims and promises to exist could become reality with a daily sense of curiosity and excitement.

by Jay Mankus

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A Joyful Bliss

Posted on February 24, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Whenever an individual reaches a state of bliss, their life is experiencing perfect happiness where great joy naturally flows out of their soul. Unfortunately, many human beings never get a sniff of bliss. Others may turn to alcohol or drugs to numb the pain they are currently enduring. At some point during a night out on the time bliss is achieved, but when morning arrives a hangover or memory loss forgets the sensational feeling of joyful bliss.

Melchizedek king of Salem [later called Jerusalem] brought out bread and wine [for their nourishment]; he was the priest of God Most High, 19 And he blessed him and said, Blessed (favored with blessings, made blissful, joyful) be Abram by God Most High, Possessor and Maker of heaven and earth, Genesis 14:18-19.

According to Moses, great victories in life can contribute to and directly lead to a joyful bliss. When a priest of the God Most High approached Abram with bread and wine upon his return home from battle, Abram appears to have gotten emotional. As champions reflect upon the journey and work that went into training for a success outcome, certain details stick out. Perhaps, Abram remembered how the Lord led Pharaoh to graciously give Abram servants who became the core of his army.

I am the Door; anyone who enters in through Me will be saved (will live). He will come in and he will go out [freely], and will find pasture. 10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it [b]overflows). 11 I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd risks and lays down His [own] life for the sheep, John 10:9-11.

While speaking with his disciples, Jesus uses another term in place of joyful bliss. According to John, Jesus spoke about living an abundant life by seizing the moment, maximizing each opportunity the Lord gives you every day. As Christians chase after this White Rabbit, joyful bliss, the Devil is looking to steal your joy by killing the spiritual momentum you’ve built up in 2023. This invisible enemy is your main stumbling block, 1 Peter 5:8, keeping you from tasting joy. This is where prayer is used to build a hedge of protection around those whom you love to make a joyful bliss possible with a slice of heaven on earth.

by Jay Mankus

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Spiritual Moments that Matter

Posted on May 3, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Sarcasm is a common response to something unbelievable or a concept too hard to grasp. When Jesus introduced the spiritual concept of being born again, Nicodemus couldn’t wrap his mind around this. Trying to be funny, Nicodemus appears to tease Jesus, imagining a newborn shoved back into their mother’s womb. Jesus wasn’t playing around as this initial conversation leaves behind one of the greatest promises in the Bible, John 3:16-17.

Jesus answered him, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again (anew, from above), he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with, and experience) the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus said to Him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter his mother’s womb again and be born? 5 Jesus answered, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, unless a man is born of water and [[a]even] the Spirit, he cannot [ever] enter the kingdom of God, John 3:3-5.

Another spiritual moment that matters takes place during a parade without floats or a marching band. Jesus’ reputation as a healer and miracle worker had spread throughout the region as countless individuals just wanted to see this man of God. A vertically challenged man named Zacchaeus decided to climb a nearby tree to get Jesus’ attention. This stunt to get noticed works as Jesus takes time from his busy schedule to meet with this corrupt tax collector. This magical meal transformed Zacchaeus’ life.

So then Zacchaeus stood up and solemnly declared to the Lord, See, Lord, the half of my goods I [now] give [by way of restoration] to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone out of anything, I [now] restore four times as much. 9 And Jesus said to him, Today is [[b]Messianic and spiritual] salvation come to [all the members of] this household, since Zacchaeus too is a [real spiritual] son of Abraham; 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost, Luke 19:8-10.

These two memorable moments in the Bible magnify how a spiritual conversation can completely change your perspective about life. Jesus didn’t merely talk about living an abundant life. Rather, Jesus put his own personal agenda aside to fulfill God’s purpose for His life. As a Christian, I stride to have a spiritual moment that matters every week. Yet, every day with Jesus during his three-year earthly ministry, the lost got found and hope was restored to those who had given up. May you experience a slice of this abundant life.

by Jay Mankus

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Fear Tactics

Posted on February 18, 2017 by expressyourself4him

Angst, dread and panic are words synonomous with fear.  When some individuals are about to lose control or power, fear tactics are employed to manipulated others.  This process can get ugly, exposing evil intentions from within.  Unfortunately, this scene is replayed daily across the country resulting in concern, distress and horror.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full, John 10:10.

When teaching the first century about the Devil, Jesus refers to this fallen angel as a thief.  This spiritual bully has a playbook of fear tactics attempting steal, kill and destroy souls.  Unfortunately, this attack is invisible, enticing, luring and tempting unknowing accomplishes to do his own dirty work.

You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies, John 8:44.

Sometimes I read too much into someone’s actions.  Yet, I have experienced moments where Satan used a stranger to verbally assault me.  This happened a few times when I was in youth ministry and teaching.  My initial thought was “what the hell is going on?”  Yet, after a few days of reflecting and seeking discernment from others, I realized these events were merely fear tactics inspired by demonic powers seeking to steal my joy in life.  When the father of lies comes knocking at your door, guard yourself with a hedge of protection through prayer.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Finding A Place Beyond the Rainbow

Posted on November 18, 2013 by expressyourself4him

As a child, watching the Wizard of Oz was an annual event, terrifying at times, haunted by the wicked witch.  Yet, I always hung in there for the finish, expecting the fairy tale ending.  However, I wonder if any other grown ups still think there a better place some where over the rainbow.

According to King David, this place does exist, like heaven on earth, Psalm 23:6.  Once an individual is able to place their sole trust in the divine shepherd, access to a life beyond the rainbow is attainable.  Though gold is not mentioned, happy days are here again and again, staying in daily fellowship with God.  This spiritual anointing is symbolic of rebirth, living life to its fullest, John 10:10.

Unfortunately, life deals out more nightmares than fairy tales.  Sure, from time to time, miracles do happen, but its hard to have faith in a world full of people falling apart at the seams, oozing a trail of sin in their rear view mirror.  This negativity serves like a bad after taste you can’t get rid of with gum or mints.  Rather, hope lies in the beholder, seeing beyond the current shower into what is ahead, the rainbow.  May you experience this joy before you die, Luke 23:43.

by Jay Mankus

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