Tag Archives: Prayer

When Your God is Too Small

Posted on February 7, 2016 by expressyourself4him

Confidence and faith often go hand and hand.  However, when individuals struggle to find consistent results, doubt causes many to question the power of God.  Thus, as circumstances go from bad to worse or dire, belief in God tends to shrink.

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind, James 1:6.

The author of the first Catholic letter, James, written to Christians scattered throughout the Middle East, witnessed this lack of faith during the first century.  James compared this behavior to the waves and wind on the Mediterranean Sea.  Whenever unexpected storms rolled in, the composure of believers disappeared, blown and tossed like a rag doll.

And have mercy on those who doubt; Jude 1:22.

The last author of these letters, Jude, had pity on those who wilted during trials in life.  Essentially, those people who demonstrated this mindset served a small God.  In view of this, James urged the community of faith to avoid falling for this lie.  Therefore, the next time doubt tries to whisper “you don’t have a prayer,” cling to the power of the resurrection to supersize your God.

by Jay Mankus

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Theories about Falling Apart

Posted on February 6, 2016 by expressyourself4him

I grew up in the soft rock era as nearly every album contained a minimum of one ballet per side.  During the 1980’s, radio stations played the same 12-15 songs in a loop.  Except for all request lunch hours or evenings with Delilah, individuals waited in their cars, on their deck or listening to a stereo as depicted in Tom Hanks’ film That Thing You Do.  Groups like Air Supply sang about being lost without their significant other in All Out of Love.  However, when it comes to theories about falling apart, no one compares to the band Chicago.  While I loved their music, their songs are filled with break up lyrics, trying to recover from one broken relationship after another.

Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me, John 15:4.

Canadian Rock band Thousand Foot Krutch continues to expand upon theories about falling apart.  In their video of the song Falls Apart, TFK uses ropes like strings on a puppet.  The lyrics suggest that everything falls apart when they walk away from their girl.  However, beyond the obvious is a spiritual message.  Whenever a person of faith walks away from God, their life begins to slowly fall apart.  Like Bette Midler’s famous song, the Lord is the Wind Beneath Our Wings.  Thus, any type of absence, departure or period of prodigal journey will weaken the human soul.

“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.

In a private meeting with his disciples, Jesus gives one final theory about falling apart.  The Lord compares himself to a vine, the source of life.  God plays the role of a gardener, pruning those areas of life that are unproductive.  By staying connected through Bible Study, prayer and worship, spiritual nourishment is provided.  However, the moment you become disconnected, removing God from the equation, emptiness replaces the Giver of Life.  Therefore, if you feel like you’re on the verge of falling apart, tap into a higher power to rejuvenate a thirsty soul.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Where Did My Fervor Go?

Posted on January 19, 2016 by expressyourself4him

As a child, there was nothing like the anticipation of opening presents under a Christmas tree.  I must confess that sometimes I snuck down stairs in the middle of the night just to see what was in my stocking.  On a couple of occasions I dozed off under our tree, before going back up to my bed so I wouldn’t be seen.  Unfortunately, somewhere between adolescence and adulthood, I lost my fervor for life.

Apollos had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John, Acts 18:25.

One of the more interesting characters of the Bible is a man named Apollos who first met Paul during a trip to Ephesus.  Although this man from Alexandria was an outsider, his passion for God made up for his limited knowledge.  To a certain extent, I see a lot of Apollos in me during my early years in youth ministry.  I didn’t possess the theological background that most youth pastors acquire, yet my determination and fervor was strong.  Yet, when I left the ministry for good 5 years ago, my fire has dimmed.

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, Colossians 3:23.

Previous mentors would suggest that I haven’t re-fueled, not spending enough time in Bible study, prayer or worship.  Other friends might lean to a lack of commitment, fellowship and service to a local church.  While this advice may be true, the most logical reason for losing my fervor is a lack of joy.  When you’re a perfectionist, its hard to enjoy the little things in life.  Thus, as I continue to search for answers, I cling to a life verse from high school.  Whatever I do in the future, I must devote my heart to serving the Lord.  If you find yourself in a similar state this year, may the Lord show you the way to rekindle your fervor for life.

by Jay Mankus

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Just Pray

Posted on January 15, 2016 by expressyourself4him

In recent years, my mother and wife’s mom have been rushed to the hospital.  The older you become, the closer death draws near.  Yet, when you reach that point of helplessness, worry doesn’t do anything but make matters worse.  Thus, as my wife returned from visiting her ailing mother, the first thing that came to my mind to cope with her stress was, “just pray.”

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God, Philippians 4:6.

Beside dealing with health concerns, almost everyone has a co-worker, family member or neighbor who is their own worst enemy.  This type of individual tends to be stubborn, failing to listen or take the advice of friends.  Thus, a vicious cycle is repeated as the same mistakes and sins occur over and over again.  Although gossip is often the first response to these unfortunate souls, a better alternative is to resist this temptation through prayer.

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words, Romans 8:26.

Jesus demonstrated an unusual but effective practice related to prayer.  Whenever a person was on the verge of death or presumed dead, Jesus told everyone to leave the room or house.  The purpose of this was to get rid of anyone who did not believe God could change a dire situation.  Essentially, Jesus removed doubt from hindering his prayers.  Subsequently, healings, miracles and resurrections occurred on a regular basis.  Wherever you are and whatever you are going through, when you feel like giving up, just pray.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

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All These Things

Posted on January 12, 2016 by expressyourself4him

Prior to beginning his ministry on earth, Jesus faced three temptations during a forty day fast.  The first was physical as the Devil attacked the human bodies dependence on food.  According to Matthew 4:4, relying on the spiritual, the Bible, strengthens minds.  Yet, seeking God is much more than overcoming temporary pleasures.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well, Matthew 6:33.

Not giving up, Satan fought back, testing Jesus to see if He was willing to use God’s power for his own glory.  The request was not impossible.  Jesus could have called on angels to save His life.  This mental temptation feeds on pride, daring souls to prove the Devil wrong.   Instead of participating in this folly by lowering God’s standards, Jesus quotes scripture to expose the Devil’s cunning plot.  The key to righteousness is remaining humble, wrestling with desires of the sinful nature to keep in step with the Holy Spirit.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own, Matthew 6:34.

The final obstacle Jesus overcame was devotion, who will you worship?  The Father of Lies continues to make empty promises today, deceiving the uneducated daily.  Knowing and practicing foundational biblical truths is the last step of obedience before you can experience the promise of Matthew 6:33.  Although young men stumble and fall, seeking God and his righteousness must be your top authority.  Until this occurs, all these things are just a fantasy.  However, when you cross this threshold, following in the footsteps of Christ, the Lord will begin to provide in supernatural ways.

by Jay Mankus

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Silencing Her Critics

Posted on January 10, 2016 by expressyourself4him

When I think of an Open Mic night, I usually picture amateur comedians or singers trying to get noticed to start their careers.  However, in the ministry, open mic nights often serve as a precursor to the end of an event, conference or retreat.  This time gives individuals a chance to share what’s on their heart or what God taught them.  Touched by this concept on numerous occasions in high school and college, I adopted this practice once a month as a youth pastor in Indiana.

Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul, Psalm 66:16.

Several students gave moving testimonies in our chapel, a small prayer room in the church basement which held about 50 people comfortably.  While a member of my student leadership team usually spoke, one month a shy girl volunteered.  She was an outcast, unattractive and not very interesting when she talked.  However, on this particular Sunday evening, she silenced her critics.

“Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him, Luke 8:39.

Opening up about trying to kill herself, brought most of the room to tears.  However, a spirit of boldness entered this rejuvenated soul, thanking those who showed random acts of kindness along the way.  For one shining moment, she was a star sent to give a heavenly message to stir the hearts of her teenage peers.  I’m not sure what has happened to this child of God, losing touch with many of my former students, but I will never forget the night she silenced her critics.

by Jay Mankus

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Expecting to Find a Place of Prayer

Posted on January 6, 2016 by expressyourself4him

In recent years, cynicism, doubt and hypocrisy have hardened many hearts.  Trying to find real genuine people who aren’t hiding behind a series of lies is tough.  Perhaps this explains why Bible believing churches are vanishing, pressured to confirm by a liberal culture.  Jesus predicted this in the last days where a decaying spiritual climate would develop.

Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, Matthew 24:12.

At one time in America, churches were the center of cities, towns and rural communities.  If you needed assistance in form of advice, food or shelter, there was usually some place you could go for help.  In the first century, if there weren’t enough men to start synagogues, worship took place outside of towns, usually at the nearest body of water.  Thus, when the apostle Paul traveled to Philippi he expected to find a place of prayer.

On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there, Acts 16:13.

One of the cornerstones of the first and second great awakenings were nightly prayer meetings.  Although initial events only brought out a few participants, concerts of prayer spread as a spirit of conviction led people to confess their sins.  Unfortunately, in this day and age, a sin isn’t what it use to be.  Compromise, justifying actions and the elimination of absolutes have breed lukewarm spirits.  Thus, there isn’t a sense of urgency to get right with God.  As a new year begins, may be people will change for the better, developing hearts that expect to find places of prayer.

by Jay Mankus

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Victories Don’t Come By Accident

Posted on January 4, 2016 by expressyourself4him

Depending upon the nature of a competition, bystanders may suggest that someone is lucky, getting good breaks along the way.  Eyewitnesses to a sporting event might throw out conspiracy theories, blame biased officials or poor conditions to explain an upset or unlikely champion.  However, in the context of prayer, victory does not come by accident.

Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up, James 4:8-10.

Even those whom drew near to the Lord, walking closely with God during their life experienced moments of doubt.  Job struggled to comprehend the hardships he endured.  Elijah wanted to die after receiving death threat from Queen Jezebel.  Despite being a man after God’s own heart, David wrote against God’s silence in response to his prayers.  Nonetheless, when a persistent prayer enters God’s presence, victory is not far behind.

And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth? – Luke 18:7-8

At the end of the parable of the persistent widow, Jesus brings up the question of faith.  As the day of Christ’s return approaches, cynicism within this world increases.  The more that bad things happen to relatively good people, human minds wrestle to comprehend God’s logic.  Thus, good results are attributed to coincidence, luck and the yin and yang effect.  However, for those who believe in the power of prayer, victories are not a fluke.  Rather, blessings are a direct correlation to obedience, prayer and submitting to God.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Preparing a Room for the New Year

Posted on January 2, 2016 by expressyourself4him

New Year Eve celebrations vary depending upon your age, number of friends and preparations.  Opting for a smaller crowd this year, I spent a quiet evening with an old friend and his wife.  Instead of playing games, we watched War Room for the first time, a 2015 film which illustrates how prayer or a lack there of influences the life of a family.  Several scenes struck a nerve, convicting me that I need to prepare a room for 2016.

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you, Matthew 6:6.

An elderly woman reaches out to a real estate agent trying to sell her home.  Seizing the moment, Miss Clara played by Karen Abercrombie introduces Priscilla played by Elizabeth Jordan to the concept of a war room.  This spiritual mentor challenges Priscilla to find a secluded room, without distractions so that an intimate prayer life with God can begin.  However, until the stage is set with a broken heart desperate for change, most war rooms remain powerless, unable to shift the momentum of losing battles within our lives.

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you, James 4:7.

In the past, prayer didn’t get my attention until I began to see answers to my cries for help.  Yet, this is just the beginning.  War rooms come to life as individuals learn to submit their lives to God and resist the devil.  If you reach this point, your mind will be transformed, resulting in boldness as you reclaim your relationship with God, home and family back from the control of demonic influences.  Although you may not be as successful as Miss Clara, this world is in need of prayer warriors willing to go to battle daily in their war rooms.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Not Right Now

Posted on December 31, 2015 by expressyourself4him

The expression “timing is everything” often applies to failures and victories.  When you force the issue, the results may not be what you want.  However, as you wait for the ideal opportunity, success is a likely destination.

Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia, Acts 16:6.

Whether you are searching for a job, exploring a business venture or starting a ministry, there will always be unforeseen obstacles and road blocks.  One day the apostle Paul assumed taking the gospel into Asia was a prudent decision.   However, as he tried to cross the border into Bithynia, the Holy Spirit denied their entry.

When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to, Acts 16:7.

Whenever the Lord says not right now by failing to answer a prayer request, rejection is a hard pill to swallow.  Trying to comprehend the mysteries of God can be frustrating, especially if you have been a faithful servant.  Nonetheless, there will be head scratching moments in the future when you will receive a silent whisper, “not right now!”

by Jay Mankus

 

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