Tag Archives: miracle

Making Room for God’s Servants

Posted on March 21, 2017 by expressyourself4him

Churches, temples and other places of worship ask their members to pitch in.  This typically involves gifts, offerings and tithes to help maintain buildings, ministry needs and running costs.  Yet, in the early days of any congregation, sacrifices and time are crucial.  Those who see the big picture often make room for God’s servants.

She said to her husband, “I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God.  Let’s make a small room on the roof and put in it a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp for him. Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us,” 2 Kings 4:9-10.

In the Old Testament, there’s an account of a woman who came up with a selfless idea.  Not wanting to act alone, she shared this with her husband, convincing him to put an addition on their home.  When construction was completed, she left on open invitation to the prophet Elisha to stay whenever he was in the area.  This act of kindness was repaid by the Lord.

“About this time next year,” Elisha said, “you will hold a son in your arms.” “No, my lord!” she objected. “Please, man of God, don’t mislead your servant!” – 2 Kings 4:16

The symbolism of a barren woman in the Bible represents a lack of blessing from God.  Meanwhile, those who give birth to multiple children are deemed to have God’s favor.  The context of the passage above suggests this woman was well beyond the age of child bearing.  Despite this fact, Elisha promises the impossible, the miracle of a future son.  While not every kind act of repaid in full, the Lord honors those who make room for God’s servants.

by Jay Mankus

 

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The Sword of the Lord

Posted on December 15, 2016 by expressyourself4him

When I was a child, I felt invincible.  Yet, age is the great equalizer.  Subsequently, in my latter years, I have experienced times when I feel like God has abandoned me.  These moments in times have left me lost in a world of darkness.

“Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Did not the LORD bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the LORD has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian,” Judges 6:13.

After Joshua’s death in the Old Testament, Judges began to lead the nation of Israel.  Unfortunately, Gideon endured a similar fate, wondering if God had forgotten the promises made to his chosen people.  During a conversation with an angel, Gideon poured out his heart, sharing his concerns.

The three companies blew the trumpets and smashed the jars. Grasping the torches in their left hands and holding in their right hands the trumpets they were to blow, they shouted, “A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!”

Judges 7:20

In the hours and days that followed, the Spirit of the Lord fell upon Gideon.  This encounter empowered Gideon to free Israel from the hands of the Midianites.  Although, there were likely some concerns with Gideon’s heart and mind, the Sword of the Lord was the source of victory.  This invisible power provided a miracle which generations continue to recount.  If you are feeling helpless today, cry out to God so that the Sword of the Lord will rescue you from trouble.

by Jay Mankus

 

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When You Run Out of Words to Say

Posted on December 11, 2016 by expressyourself4him

As someone who clings to pray, I experience many days where I draw a blank.  Unable to come up with the words to express what I’m feeling, I pause, wondering where to go next.  Unfortunately, no matter how hard I try, I don’t have the gift of conversation.  Sure, I have my hot button issues that friends may tell me to shut up or change the topic.  Nonetheless, most of the time I am tapped out, running out of words to say.

And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, Ezekiel 11:19.

When it comes to prayer, some people truly have a gift.  As these individuals open their mouth, words flow freely as it God is in room with them.  Trying to follow anyone like this in a prayer group can be humbling, spitting out whatever comes to my mind.  Yet, there is much to learn from those who possess the gift of prayer.  Asking, probing and seeking wisdom is a great place to start, especially if you struggle like me to come up with words to lift up to God as you pray.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also, Luke 12:34.

Several years ago I attended a Bible Study with a couple of doctors.  One was a physician and the other a vet.  One thing I took away from these interactions was the need to focus on a specific word when you pray.  When my eye was beginning to revert back to its pre-surgery state the word regeneration came to my mind.  Immediately, I began to ask God to regenerate the cells within my eyes, to restore that which was lost.  Suddenly, I noticed a quick improvement.  Although my eye hasn’t been completely restored, when you run out of words to say in the future, narrow in on a key word and pray with faith for a miracle.

by Jay Mankus

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Hoping to See Another Sun Set

Posted on November 5, 2016 by expressyourself4him

The image at the top of Express Yourself for Him was taken during a family vacation back in 2012.  The sun was setting upon Seal Beach, just south of Los Angeles when I began taking pictures with my ipad.  This is one of the few times in my life I actually slowed down to enjoy God’s creation in its infinite beauty as the sun set over the Pacific Ocean.

The sun rises, and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place where it rises, Ecclesiastes 1:5.

Five years later, doctors are wondering if my right eye will overcome glaucoma to see another sun set.  Tomorrow’s surgery is science’s logical answers to my disease.  Yet, in the heavenly realm, there are angels agreeing with prayers lifted by the saints.  Perhaps a combination of the two may be what I need for a miracle to arrive.

God set the earth on its foundations, so that it should never be moved, Psalm 104:5.

Either way, the future is a mystery, waiting to be unpeeled one day at a time.  I wish I could say that I am confident of my eye condition, but I can only take things one day at a time.  Therefore, I will press on with the Lord’s help savoring each sunset I get to see.

by Jay Mankus

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Life Without Sight?

Posted on September 17, 2016 by expressyourself4him

When I first moved to Delaware, I worked 2 jobs and went back to school to try to finish my Masters in Theology.  After 2 successful years, I began to develop some eye issues.  Unfortunately, the strain on my eyes was too much as I was diagnosed with iritis 15 years ago.  While dropping out of school helped, its been a decade of ups and downs, unsure if my medication would improve my condition.

Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise, Jeremiah 17:4.

In the past 6 months, one of my eyes has been unresponsive for some reason.  Thus, I’m facing a dangerous scenario of either surgery or possible losing my sight in this eye.  For someone planning on writing a movie script per year in retirement, this is a major problem.  Thus, one has to wonder why this trial has knocked on my door.  This is where faith, science and the human body collide.

And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven, James 5:15.

Despite the odds confronting me, I am still holding out hope for a miracle.  As I wait a month for my next check up, all I can do is be a good patient by following my doctor’s instructions.  Meanwhile, I will lift my situation up to the great healer in the sky.  The anticipation and waiting will be tough, yet I serve a living God who has a record of restoring sight to the blind.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

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Silenced by Signs and Wonders of God

Posted on December 30, 2015 by expressyourself4him

It takes a lot to shut up the arrogant and prideful.  These dominant individuals usually have a comeback, something to say to one up you.  However, during the first century, strange and unexplainable events befuddled religious leaders.  When Paul and Barnabas addressed an assembly of believers, the room was silenced by signs and wonders of God.

The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them, Acts 15:12.

Those in the field of science struggle with the concept of faith.  Their entire industry is based upon concrete evidence gathered through a series of experiments.  Over time theories are developed as data is collected following these tests.  These are the conditions which cause scientists to trust only what they can see or prove.  Whenever signs and wonders are placed on the table, officials often try to excuse this content, lookng to find a logical explanation.

That the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things, Acts 15:17.

Sign and wonders are given credibility by the number of eyewitnesses.  Whether you are talking about a miracle, something supernatural or an unidentified flying object, the more people who testify, the greater the likelihood that others will believe.  While some people will come forward with some preposterous stories, time will often sort out fact from fiction.  Nonetheless, when credible people of faith come forward like Paul and Barnabas doubters can be silenced by signs and wonders of God.

by Jay Mankus

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The Position of Labor

Posted on December 16, 2015 by expressyourself4him

Prior to modern medicine and state of the art hospitals, wives would give birth to their children at home.  Without an epidural injection, woman were forced to endure pain until their children came forth.  In biblical times, there was no stirrups to separate a woman’s legs to expedite this process.  Rather, woman squatted with their elbows spread out on either side, pushing with all their might.  This is the position of labor described in the Bible.

Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months, James 5:17.

Common sense tells individuals that you can’t give birth unless you are pregnant.  While Hollywood will beg to differ, producing films like Junior where Arnold Schwarzenegger gives birth during a scientific experiment, this is not normal.  In the same manner, unless you are laboring in prayer, attempting to give birth a miracle, most will become disenfranchised with prayer.  Only when the Holy Spirit breathes new life into souls, Romans 10:9-10, can individuals begin to see the spiritual fruit of prayer.

Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit, James 5:18.

Several times in life, I’ve lived by a wing and a prayer, praying only after accidents, emergencies and trials occur.  Subsequently, when I don’t receive the answer I desire from these prayers, I’m not surprised because of my position of labor.  However, when I am proactive, seeking a hedge of protection from evil, I begin to experience Elijah like results.  Therefore, don’t take prayer lightly.  Rather, put yourself into the position of labor, persisting in prayer like the widow who never gave up, Luke 18:1-8.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

 

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Tabitha’s Testimony

Posted on November 17, 2015 by expressyourself4him

In recent years, government officials have attempted to shed light on people who have been forgotten or omitted from history.  Thus, February has been coined Black History month with March dedicated to women in America history.  Unfortunately, timing is everything so unless you lived in a densely populated area, acts, contributions and inventions often gone unnoticed.  With this in mind, I felt compelled to convey Tabitha’s testimony.

About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room, Acts 9:37.

Beside Jesus’ resurrection, the healing of Lazarus has gained most of the spot light in the Bible.  Dead for four days, Jesus cancels the funeral, raising his corpse from the dead.  Within the book of Acts, a similar healing takes place.  According to Acts 9, Tabitha had been dead for some time, likely a couple of hours before Peter arrives.  Following one of the principles of Jesus, Peter removed everyone who doubted God’s power from the room.  Shortly after kneeing in prayer, Tabitha arose from the dead.

Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up, Acts 9:40.

Prior to this illness, Tabitha developed a reputation for helping the poor and doing good within her town.  Although its unclear if funeral plans had been made, this miracle inspired many residents of Joppa to believe in the Lord.  According to Acts 9:36, Tabitha was a female disciple, one of the first woman to receive this title.  While March is a long way away, I felt it necessary to recall Tabitha’s life so that other women may be inspired to follow in her footsteps.

by Jay Mankus

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A Good Reason to Turn Around

Posted on November 16, 2015 by expressyourself4him

Whenever you see something in person, you may be inspired to tell a friend about your experience.  If you are an eye witness to a miracle, you will likely to tell anyone who will listen.  In the case of Aeneas, paralyzed from an accident eight years earlier, regaining his ability to walk is a good reason to turn around.

“Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up, Acts 9:34.

Born with a severe speech impediment, I spent the first twenty years of my life wondering if the words I wanted to speak would come out correctly.  Some days I could share what was on my heart, but most days I struggled to spit out words.  There were times I felt like Aeneas, unsure if I ever would be healed.  Thus, after college roommates prayed, laying their hands on me, I had a good reason to turn my life around.

All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord, Acts 9:35.

As news spread about Aeneas’ recovery, residents of Lydda and Sharon turned to the Lord.  Unlike individuals who experience temporary healing at modern revival services, its clear that Aeneas walked as if nothing ever happened.  Unfortunately, most people don’t turn to the Lord until tragedy strikes.  When you encounter a hopeless situation, don’t forget to turn to the Lord for help you so that your example will draw others to seek God in the future.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Who Will Roll the Stone Away?

Posted on August 29, 2015 by expressyourself4him

When facing a challenge, there are two ways to approach any dilemma, with an open or closed mind.  The optimistic see potential, envisioning that somehow or someway the job or task will be completed.  The skeptic will bring doubt to the table, often rejecting or questioning every possible solution that is brought up.  Thus, when an obstacle is blocking your way, the minds wonders, “how will roll the stone away?”

And they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” – Mark 16:3

On a Sunday morning during the first century, a few women headed for a tomb to anoint Jesus’ dead body with spices.  Caught up in all their preparations, none of these women stopped to think about how they were going to enter the tomb.  Guarded by Roman soldiers and protected by a boulder which weighed over a ton, the odds were against them.  However, in this unique case, God cancelled the funeral, arriving to an empty tomb.

For no word from God will ever fail, Luke 1:37.

Every miracle should empower people of faith to believe.  Yet, a disciple named Thomas doubted, another committed suicide and a prophet named Elijah wanted to die after receiving a death threat.  Stones are placed into the paths of our lives on a daily basis.  Unfortunately, most people like me complain, “God why are you allowing this or that to happen?  Or you up there?  Do you care about me anymore?”  These are all good questions, but the answer is easy,  In the Lord’s timing, the Holy Spirit will roll the stones in your life away.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

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