Tag Archives: love

A Year 4 Transformation: Day 365-Learning to Love Like Jesus

Posted on December 28, 2024 by expressyourself4him

Passage of the Day:

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. 1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God, Ephesians 4:29-5:2.

Reflection:

The apostle Paul takes concepts from acts of the sinful nature in Galatians 5:19-21 and reveals specific behaviors from Ephesians 4:31 which prevent Christians from loving and forgiving others. Meanwhile, Paul uses the imagery of taking off your old self by replacing this with qualities that allow you to forgive others. The more I read today’s featured passage; Paul is providing instructions on how to love like Jesus.

Prayerful Action:

And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins, Mark 11:25.

Learning to Love this December as God Forgives You:

As Jesus prepares for his impending betrayal, arrest and death on a cross in Mark 11, He is blunt about the barriers that exist in any attempt to forgive. Using a teachable moment to speak to His disciples, Jesus points to grudges and the roots of bitterness that exist within human minds. The key to emulating the love of Jesus starts with forgiving as God forgave you, Matthew 6:14-15. If unwholesome thoughts pop into your minds, turn to prayer, take these thoughts captive and make them obedient to Christ. Yet, love is a lifetime of failures, trial and error, to become more like Jesus.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

The Bible refers to human beings as jars of clay in the hands of God the Potter. As Christians hunger and thirst for righteous, God will continue to mold and fashion you into a vessel of love and forgiveness. May the lyrics of Somebody Prayed ignited a flame of faith within you today.

by Jay Mankus

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A Year 4 Transformation: Day 363-Geniune Love

Posted on December 26, 2024 by expressyourself4him

Passage of the Day:

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like, James 1:19-24.

Reflection:

As a former high school teacher, listening and doing are crucial to following directions. As an adult, parent or teacher following up on a group, you may see nodding heads, claiming to understand. Yet, if you probe further, checking up to see if individuals have listened, understand and are actually doing what is expected, you’ll find a number of lost people. Perhaps, a similar situation in the first century sparked James to address fake from genuine love.

Prayerful Action:

But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do, James 1:25.

Learning to Love this December as God Forgives You:

When I stood among a class of teenagers, I realized early on that I couldn’t fake being prepared for a lecture. I either knew what I wanted to teach, or whispers began to spread about the train wreck about to happen. The same concept applies to love as detailed in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3. Anyone can say I love you, but genuine love demonstrates this by listening and living out acts of love. Genuine love emulates the life and love of Jesus.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

If a heart beats like a drummer beating a drum, it’s a sign of life. While Christmas has passed for this year, genuine love is an essential part of living out your faith daily. Don’t be afraid to shine the love of Jesus in your heart.

by Jay Mankus

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A Year 4 Transformation: Day 357-Learning to Become a Cheerful Giver

Posted on December 20, 2024 by expressyourself4him

Passage of the Day:

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God, 2 Corinthians 9:6-11.

Reflection:

As the son of an immigrant from Lithuania, I learned to appreciate what my parents were able to afford. While some of my neighborhood friends were spoiled by their parents, I was content with receiving hand me downs from my older sisters. When I went to visit my father’s mother, she kept the plastic wrapping on beds and couches, doing whatever possible to make what she purchased last as long as possible. The apostle Paul compares giving to the sowing principle. As Christians learn to become cheerful givers, don’t fall into the trap of lavishly buying expensive gifts for friends, hoping for a similar gift in return. Rather, give without expectations, doing so out of the goodness in your heart. And if money is what you’re currently lacking, volunteer by giving others your time and talents this Christmas season.

Prayerful Action:

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act, Proverbs 3:27.

Learning to Love this December as God Forgives You:

Since the first 40 years of my life, I was lacking in money, I devoted 15 years of my life to youth ministry. As I lived paycheck to paycheck, the life experiences that I encountered were worth more than any earthly salary that I received. My favorite moments were unscripted conversations that opened the door for future engagements as students poured out their souls, searching for answers and meaning in this life. Learning to be a cheerful giver doesn’t happen overnight. However, if you are steadfast, God will open your heart and mind to help those in need.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

When you have more than an hour commute to work, there’s plenty of time to place in a CD into my stereo system. As I learn to become a more cheerful giver in life, I was reminded of today’s song. May the lyrics of Hostage of Peace fill you with a spirit of joy as you prepare for Christmas.

by Jay Mankus

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A Year 4 Transformation: Day 354-Biblical Charity Doesn’t Seek Attention

Posted on December 17, 2024 by expressyourself4him

Passage of the Day:

“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you, Matthew 6:1-4.

Reflection:

As a former teacher at a Christian High School, there were a number of secret donors who helped out my family over the course of a decade. Since my children received free tuition in my first 5 years, my putrid salary was manageable. However, when the school faced financial issues, teachers were required to start paying 10% of their children’s tuition. Without saying a word, one or a couple of wealthy individuals paid this for me each of my final 5 years. I had inclinations of who gave in secret, but I was never able to personally thank this secret donor or givers. This is biblical charity.

Prayerful Action:

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, Luke 6:38.”

Learning to Love this December as Forgave You:

Charity has become a publicity stunt for wealthy Americans, a way to rebuild one’s reputation. Subsequently, an agent leaks a potential donation to a friendly member of the press, getting cameras set up for a press conference which follows this charitable act. According to Jesus, the Pharisees had this concept down in the first century before cameras were invented. Before this fake attempt at giving became spiritually accepted in Jewish synagogues, Jesus corrects this flawed view with a public rebuke. As long as God knows who the giver is, each will be rewarded for their secret charitable act in eternity.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

May the advice that Jesus gives in the Sermon on the Mount inspire you to give of yourself this Christmas. As the today’s song suggests, give until you have nothing left to give.

by Jay Mankus

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A Year 4 Transformation: Day 352-Love Will Find a Way

Posted on December 15, 2024 by expressyourself4him

Passage of the Day:

One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” 29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.[e] 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’[f] 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[g] There is no commandment greater than these,” Mark 12:28-31.

Reflection:

In the first Jurassic Park movie, a group of experts are brought to an experimental island with genetically created dinosaurs. The scientists overseeing this project believed that they could control this dinosaur population by making sure every species was female. However, the expert played by Sam Neill Grant begins to doubt this grandiose plan, stating “life will find a way.” This belief also applies to the spiritual realm. As new Christians enter into a personal relationship with Jesus, “love your neighbor as yourself” is one of many commands in the Bible that shine light on God’s expectations for this new spiritual life. However, as Christians grasp, mature and understand what this encompasses, love will find a way out of your heart in the form of charitable actions and encouraging words.

Prayerful Action:

Do everything in love, 1 Corinthians 16:14.

Learning to Love this December as God Loves You:

As you pass by a volunteer from Salvation Army ringing a bell as you enter or exit a store, you may feel a tug on your heart. This call to give may wait until after you purchase the gift that led you to this place. Yet, if you’re in a hurry or listening to a song playing on your air buds, you may pass by without noticing on your way in and out. Since charity is inspired by love, I have to be moved by God to give to a cause like Salvation Army or someone in need. When I prepare myself through prayer and studying the Bible, love will find a way to prompt a spiritual response to give. However, when your heart is calloused, hardened or wounded, opportunities to love are missed. Stay alert and sober minded this December so that you seize each moment that you have to be charitable.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

At the end of the Scrooged, Bill Murray opens up about how the Christmas Spirit can change you. Bill interrupts a live television event to share what he learned from the ghosts of Christmas past and present. Just as Bill’s character was overwhelmed by the spirit of Christmas, may God continue to work on your own spiritual life until love finds a way to move through you.

by jay Mankus

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A Year 4 Transformation: Day 349-Charity Reflects Your Degree of Love

Posted on December 12, 2024 by expressyourself4him

Passage of the Day:

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command,” John 15:9-14.

Reflection:

Charity is one of those words that have evolved over the years. From a human perspective, charitable groups like Goodwill, March of Dimes, the Salvation Army is what introduced me to the concept of charity. Yet, the Bible compares charity to your degree of following Jesus’ command to love one another. After sharing an analogy about a spiritual Vine and its branches, Jesus explains how someone can become a true friend of God. The more God fills you with a desire to love your neighbor as yourself, acts of charity will naturally flow out of you.

Prayerful Action:

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other, John 15:15-17.

Learning to Love this December as God Forgives You:

Whenever a teacher repeats a specific message, this is a sign to students that you should probably write this down. As a former high school teacher, I tried to prepare my students for college lectures where professors rarely slow down. To anyone paying attention, Jesus’ one command is to love each other. Christian students should not be confused by the bottom line of this passage. The more the love of Jesus naturally flows out of your heart, charity will take the form of fruits of the Holy Spirit. Subsequently, charity will reflect your degree of love.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

Linda Elias is the wife of Rick Elias, a former member of Rich Mullins’ Ragamuffin Band. During my final semester of college, the Meaning of Life became my favorite Christian album. May the lyrics of Where There’s Love inspire you like it did for me more than 30 years ago.

by Jay Mankus

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A Year 4 Transformation: Day 348-Putting on Love

Posted on December 11, 2024 by expressyourself4him

Passage of the Day:

Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. 12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity, Colossians 3:9-14.

Reflection:

One of my favorite books of the Bible as a new Christian was Colossians. My spiritual mentor informed me about the importance of putting to death your old self, highlighted by the apostle Paul in Colossians 3:5-8. Ken explained this to me as former addictions, behaviors, choices and earthly desires you indulged in prior to entering into a personal relationship with Jesus. In place of these old practices, God urges Christians to put on your new self. Similar to the fruits of the Spirit detailed in Galatians 5:22-23, the key ingredient which binds each of these virtues together is love. Putting on love enables Christians to bear with, pray for and forgive all who trespass against you.

Prayerful Action:

 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres, 1 Corinthians 13:6-7.

Learning to Love this December as God Loves You:

Reading the Bible and putting Jesus’ words into action may take years before your life begins to bring light and love to others. Unfortunately, there are certain people that you cross paths with daily that are difficult to love. These individuals have a back story, painful experiences which often make them hesitant to love and trust other people. This inner pain is poured out in the form of anger, emotional outbursts and harsh words. Situations like this is why Jesus calls Christians to love and pray for those who persecute you, Matthew 5:43-44. When God tests your faith, you’ll gain valuable experience in putting on love.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

Difficult times shape who you are and provides opportunities for spiritual growth. May the lyrics of Love Like This help prepare you to put on love this Christmas season.

by Jay Mankus

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A Year 4 Transformation: Day 338-Modeling Charity

Posted on December 1, 2024 by expressyourself4him

Passage of the Day:

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’[c]; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[d]” 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii[e] and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have,’ Luke 10:25-35.

Reflection:

While the third and final theological virtue in model translations is love, the King James version of 1 Corinthians 13:13 uses charity. One of best examples of charity in the Bible comes from the Parable of the Good Samaritan. Although this is most likely a fictional story, Jesus places two Jewish leaders in this illustration to prove His point. Charity doesn’t come from holding a leadership position in your local place of worship. Rather, charity is a conscious decision that you make daily with a prayer to guide your steps, “not my will, but may your will be done today,” Galatians 5:25. The priest and Levite were either afraid of becoming ceremonial unclean by touching this wounded individual, were on a time crunch so that neither wanted to get involved or were so self-absorbed like people on their cell phones, each passed by without a concern in the world. The bottom line of the Samaritan’s action in this passage is that charity takes time, and loving others can be messy.

Prayerful Action:

“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise,” Luke 10:36-37.

Learning to Love this December as God Loves You:

If your car has ever broken down on the side of a road, you understand what it means to be in need. I recall losing power on an interstate, passed by hundreds of vehicles before a good Samaritan took me to a local towing company before cell phones existed. On the other hand, how many times have I passed someone in a similar situation? Over the years, I have failed to be charitable, following in the footsteps of the priest and Levite. If the Golden Rule states: “do unto others as you want others to do unto you,” Matthew 22:39, may the Holy Spirit convict and inspire all of us to love God and love one another as Christmas Day approaches.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

If you find yourself overwhelmed with another Cyber Monday, may today’s song and parable speak to your heart and soul. Those who are charitable run to those in need like God at the end of the parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15.

by Jay Mankus

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The Crossover Connection Week 33: The Christopher Cross of Christian Music

Posted on September 16, 2023 by expressyourself4him
After being born in New Jersey, my parents took me to the Jersey Shore each summer as a child. Before Atlantic City, New Jersey was known as a casino destination, this is where I fell in love with searching for shells on the seashore. On the ride there and back, the radio was tuned into soft rock where I was first introduced to Christopher Cross.

Be alert and on your guard; stand firm in your faith ([b]your conviction respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, keeping the trust and holy fervor born of faith and a part of it). Act like men and be courageous; grow in strength! 14 Let everything you do be done in love (true love to God and man as inspired by God’s love for us), 1 Corinthians 16:13-14.

Songs like Sailing by Cross set the mood and tone for my visits to the beach. When I first purchased the Maldwyn Pope album Love Will Find a Way years ago, I was brought back to my youth listening to Christopher Cross. While Mal has evolved over the years to more of a crossover artist, if you want to listen to soft rock to conclude the official summer of 2023, Mal Pope is your artist to listen to. Since I couldn’t find a full album, I included a mix of Mal’s music. I hope you enjoy this sound.

by Jay Mankus

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When One Child Ends Up Becoming Everyone’s Favorite

Posted on August 24, 2023 by expressyourself4him

As a coach, parent and teacher, the Bible reveals to readers that God is impartial, Romans 2:11. Meanwhile, if you show partiality to one person over another, James 2:9, this is considered a sin by one of Jesus’ earthly brothers. In the passage below, Moses points out that traits and qualities within Joseph persuaded Jacob to hold him in high regards as his favorite son.

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 37:1-4.

Moses doesn’t go into specific details of exactly how Jacob loved Joseph more than his other sons, but the mention of a special tunic highlights Jacob’s favoritism. As a parent, when the actions of one child go above and beyond the others, this child is easy to love. However, Jesus calls Christians to love everyone, especially your enemies and those who persecute you, Matthew 5:43-45.

So they went with haste and [[g]by searching] found Mary and Joseph, and the Baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known what had been told them concerning this Child, 18 And all who heard it were astounded and marveled at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary was keeping [h]within herself all these things ([i]sayings), weighing and pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, just as it had been told them, Luke 2:16-20.

If Joseph’s brothers were frustrated, think about all of Jesus’ younger brothers and sisters. From early on, Mary knew that Jesus was special. When a child is conceived without having sex, any woman is going to wonder why this happened and who is this child going to become. Some people are blessed with a gift that makes them likeable, often more than everyone else. Therefore, if you aren’t the one everyone is talking about, reflect upon your purpose in life, 1 Corinthians 12:6-7.

by Jay Mankus

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