Tag Archives: Prayer

Prayers that Please God

Posted on June 13, 2016 by expressyourself4him

If you admire, are fond of someone or respect them, a common response is to please these people.  Teenagers tend to court the opposite sex, trying to curry favor or earn another date.  Students will stick up for or go the extra mile for their favorite coach or teacher.  If this is true, why can’t adults begin to study prayers which please God.

This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 1 Timothy 2:3.

According to the apostle Paul, one such prayer involves leaders and those in authority.  Beyond lifting specific names up to the Lord, content should include godliness. holiness and peace.  However, once you leave this outline, its important to keep in step with the Holy Spirit.  Usually, I find myself drawn to passages in the Bible.  As individuals begin to claim God’s promises, power is unleashed and on occasion prayers are answered instantaneously.

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit, Galatians 5:25.

For those who need an aid to prayer, several acronyms exist.  PRAY stands for petition, requests, adoration and yourself.  ACTS refers to asking, confession, thanksgiving and supplication.  Whatever you choose, try to find a quiet place, void of distractions.  From here, open your heart, be honest to God and lean on God’s grace and mercy.  As you develop a daily routine, may you begin to verbalize prayers that please God.

by Jay Mankus

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The Departed

Posted on June 6, 2016 by expressyourself4him

While the term departed usually refers to the deceased, depart has a slightly different meaning.  When you remove the ed, this word applies to an individual who abandons, deserts or exits the current path that they are on.  Thus, the question arises, what causes someone to deviate from the life they cherish.

Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk, 1 Timothy 1:6.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t take much to distract the average person from vanishing off the straight and narrow.  Jesus refers to a broad road that leads to destruction.  Meanwhile, the apostle Paul takes a different angle.  As a believer begins to waver in their faith, conversation is an obvious indicator.  The longer someone goes without tapping into prayer or plugging into God’s Word, the sooner meaningless talk will approach.

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it,” Matthew 7:13.

The point of this blog is to be careful that you don’t get lured into a false sense of security.  Whether you are currently standing tall or on the verge of indulging into sinful pleasures, it doesn’t take much to fall away.  Therefore, be wise in the choices and decisions that you make or you may be the next unlikely candidate to depart from the faith.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

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Another Reason to Pray

Posted on May 27, 2016 by expressyourself4him

In this age of chaos, parents have loads to worry about.  However, as priorities distract many from taking time to pray, minds can race out of control.  Thus, when the temptations of life prey upon children, asking God for a hedge of protection is another reason to pray.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, Philippians 4:6.

A few years ago I began to become fed up with the mediocre life I was living.  In response I started to keep a prayer journal writing down my thoughts and concerns.  Although this may not work for everyone, if I don’t write prayers down my mind wanders, having a hard time concentrating.  In this past week, I have begun to see the fruits of answered prayer.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus, Philippians 4:7.

One of the common phrases I jot down daily is hoping my children reach their full potential.  While the context changes weekly, my oldest son’s recent success can only be described as an answer to prayer.  I didn’t ask for a specific outcome, yet God allowed James to become an individual state champion in pole vault as well as helping his team win a state title.  Life goes on from here, but I will use this miracle as another reason to pray.

by Jay Mankus

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Seducing the Unstable

Posted on May 19, 2016 by expressyourself4him

Fluctuating, volatile and unpredictable are terms synonymous with unstable.  This character flaw can cause individuals to be blown and tossed by winds of change.  When you throw in an invisible force luring souls with temporary pleasures, the stage is set for seducing the unstable.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour, 1 Peter 5:8.

A pawn of Satan in the past, Peter is possibly referring to his own seduction.  Prior to Jesus’ resurrection, his faith was weak despite witnessing countless miracles.  Reflecting upon his previous mistakes, Peter appears to have been careless, unprepared for the Devil’s daily attacks.  This lack of insight influenced Peter to deny Jesus publicly three times.

Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings, 1 Peter 5:9.

Now older and wiser, Peter leaves behind a game plan to avoid falling into this trap.  Although not mentioned, using prayer as a hedge of protection provides individuals with a barrier of resistance.  Thus, if you feel like you’re starting to teeter in the wrong direction, cry out to the Lord Jesus so that you will be spared from Satan’s seduction.

by Jay Mankus

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When Distractions Hinder Your Prayers

Posted on May 2, 2016 by expressyourself4him

In a letter to the church of Corinth, the apostle Paul foresaw how marriage complicates life.  Instead of getting up and doing what you want, there is someone else and if you have children, multiple voices are fighting for your attention.  Subsequently, Paul chose to live his life as a single man, limiting common distractions that can hinder your prayer life.

I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.  Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do, 1 Corinthians 7:7-8.

However, in a letter to a disciple who was married, Peter provides advice for those who are struggling to find time with God.  While some may consider this a check list, there are certain qualities necessary to roll back life’s distractions.  If you are considerate, over time this will smooth over the rough edges, leading to grace and respect.  Yet, you still have to make time, setting aside a portion of your God to spent with the Lord.

Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers, 1 Peter 3:7.

Sometimes, the context of a passage of the Bible loses its meaning over time.  Woman’s Right’s Groups consider this chapter to be chauvinist, not considering the modern woman.  While this topic is something I may consider in the future, each day brings with it new challenges, some expected and others a surprise.  Yet, through it all, my goal is to reach a point in my life when nothing hinders my prayers.

by Jay Mankus

 

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No Where to Go but Up

Posted on April 25, 2016 by expressyourself4him

In the middle of his junior year, my oldest son James suffered from chronic hip pain, derailing any chance of running winter track full time.  When a need arose for a new pole vaulter, James gave it a shot.  Despite enduring meets of failing to clear the starting height, he persisted.  Fifteen months and twelve feet later, James has no where to go but up, already surpassing the mark he set last summer.

The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent, 2 Peter 3:9.

Last weekend, I spent an entire night, six hours straight, finishing the final edit of my latest screen play Dragged Behind the Devil’s Door.  Over the past 11 months, there were times when I didn’t feel like writing, researching and studying similar films.  However, I set a firm goal to complete this project by May 1st.  While beauty is in the eye of the beholder, the future success and production of this film is now in God’s hands.

My people are being destroyed because they don’t know me, Hosea 4:6a.

One of the translations of the verse above suggests people perish for a lack or wisdom and knowledge.  For me, sometimes its hard to believe that God is actually going to answer my prayer or fulfill my dreams.  Yet, Jesus himself said to followers in his day, “you do not have because you have not asked.”  Therefore, if you reach a goal, obtain new heights or don’t know where to go next, look up to heaven with an expecting heart in faith because there is no where to go but up.

by Jay Mankus

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Keep On Loving

Posted on April 16, 2016 by expressyourself4him

One of my favorite bands growing up was REO Speedwagon.  Their first hit song, Keep on Loving You debuted in 1980 on the Hi Infidelity album.  My sisters friend played this song over and over on a stereo, blaring it throughout the house.  According to the Greek language, there are 3 specific types of love.  REO Speedwagon was singing about eros, a sensual and sexually kind of love.

Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters, Hebrews 13:1.

The author of Hebrews refers to Philia, loving a family member.  While the city of Philadelphia means city of brotherly love, those who visit, especially sports fans from rival cities may not feel this love.  However, love usually doesn’t come naturally.  Most people have to work at, praying for a loving heart or seeking counseling to determine what’s preventing them from embracing others.

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends, John 15:13.

The final type of love is agape, a love without conditions.  An illustration Jesus shares is laying down a life for a friend.  This foreshadows Jesus’ death on a cross not just for his disciples, but for the living, dead and those yet to be born.  Although imperfections keep individuals from displaying love daily, the goal and prayer for everyone should be to keep on loving.

by Jay Mankus

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Sharp, Sloppy or Somewhere in Between

Posted on April 15, 2016 by expressyourself4him

After experiencing a mediocre 2015, I vowed to alter my priorities in 2016.  Early on I was sharp, starting each day off on the right foot with a quiet time in the Bible, prayer and workout sessions.  By the end of January, my daily routine had become second nature.  Yet, somewhere over the last month, I have gotten careless, allowing a lukewarm spirit to enter my soul.

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another, Proverbs 27:17.

Over the weekend, the verse above served as a reminder to what I was missing.  To remain sharp takes time, effort and being open to change.  While the average American can’t afford a personal trainer to keep you in shape, other believers can serve as a life coach.  Meeting together, interacting and talking walks together can be the boost or motivation to stop being sloppy and begin to maximize the life God has given you.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing,” John 15:5.

Like anything in life, everyone experiences cycles, periods where things clicks and phases where nothing flows.  So whether you are sharp, sloppy or somewhere in between, Jesus’ words in the gospel of John provides hope for those struggling.  The analogy within this passage illustrates God as a gardener who prunes those unproductive areas of our lives.  However, individuals must stay connected to the vine, Jesus, to remain sharp.  Therefore, if you feel like you can’t go any further or are sick of mediocre results, reach out to Jesus today and you will find life.

by Jay Mankus

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You Can’t Give What You Don’t Have

Posted on April 6, 2016 by expressyourself4him

The term authority refers to a variety of things depending upon the context.  Authority can mean jurisdiction, permission to act or delegated responsibility.  In biblical terms, authority defines leadership, enabling an individual or group to have the power to make vital decisions.  However, with obtaining this status, you can’t give what you don’t have.

In which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient, Ephesians 2:2.

Following Creation, God gave Adam authority over the Garden of Eden and the animals within.  After Eve convinced Adam to sin by disobeying God’s lone rule, the Lord kicked them out, losing the authority they once possessed.  This loss was Satan’s gain, obtaining rule over the air.  While the names have changed, the Devil continues to encourage the disenchanted to give into temptation, walking in disobedience.

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me,” Matthew 28:18.

According to the gospel, Jesus came to earth to seek and save that which was lost.  Thus, authority can be regained through Jesus.  However, unless you have entered into a personal relationship with Jesus, biblical authority is useless.  On the other hand, when the words of the Bible become your guide to life, authority can be unleashed through prayer.  Therefore, before you take God for granted, make sure you understand what you’re asking for.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Reasoning with God

Posted on April 4, 2016 by expressyourself4him

As I read a portion of the Bible known as the Hall of Faith, Hebrews 11, there is a common characteristic found within many of these individuals.  In times of uncertainty, when life’s circumstances did not make sense, these historical and spiritual figures reasoned with God.   Instead of turning toward doubt, each trusted in God’s ability to resolve their situation with a Hollywood ending.

Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death, Hebrews 11:19.

Take for instance, Abraham who waited most of his life to have a son with his wife Sarah.  Shortly after receiving this promised child, God asked him to sacrifice Isaac.  Within Abraham’s heart, soul and mind, the concept of resurrection was conceived.  Thus, despite his confusion, Abraham took out a knife in faith, hoping and trusting that the Lord would provide a substitute, a replacement sacrifice for his son.

By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict, Hebrews 11:23.

In modern times, life can be just as complex, not sure how or why God allows acts of terrorism, deadly diseases and failure to continue.  Yet, when trials arrive, Hebrews 11 exists to help people learn from models of faith.  Reasoning with God is a natural response, crying out to Him in prayer for understanding.  Although, answers may not come right away, don’t give up hope until God provides a solution for your latest dilemma.

by Jay Mankus

 

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