Tag Archives: satan

Runnin’ with the Devil

Posted on April 20, 2016 by expressyourself4him

In 2009, VH1 rated Van Halen’s song the 9th greatest hard rock song of all time.  Runnin’ with the Devil debuted in 1978.  Like most songs in its day, you had to buy a vinyl record, a 45 with Eruption playing on the B-side.  Maybe I was naive back then, but running with the Devil is now literally occurring rather than a figure of speech.

In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, 2 Corinthians 4:4.

The apostle Paul warns people about the perfect storm which causes individuals to become deceived by the Devil.  The ruler of the air, also known as Satan, uses fallen angels turned demons to cast a spell upon human minds.  This process is subtle, slowly poisoning pure hearts and minds with a virus.  When sin spreads, judgment is skewed, eventually leading some to run with the Devil.

And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever, Revelation 20:10.

In an imperfect world, everyone will have their stints, moments of irrational thoughts.  Periods when you will do or say the wrong thing.  Yet, despite the path you are currently on, there’s still one card anyone can play.  This trump card reveals the Devil’s future in hell.  Therefore, whether you are dancing, flirting or running with the Devil, turn back now while there is still time.

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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Prosthesis

Posted on April 5, 2016 by expressyourself4him

The Greek language has a special way of revealing God’s promises for the future.  The term prosthesis comes from the Greek word prothesis meaning purpose.  In English, a prosthesis is an artificial body part intended to restore lost usefulness.  In life, whether you lose a limb, friend or talent, behind the scenes God is at work to replace that which was lost.

For the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost, Luke 19:10.

The apostle Paul refers to the Lord as the poiema.  Although the English translation is workmanship, the Greek actually means end product.  While individuals endure, face and suffer many loses in life, this is not the end of the story.  God is not done with you yet, using these setbacks as an opportunity to display His power in times of weakness.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them, Ephesians 2:10.

Essentially, God is the author of life, we are the characters used in this play.  The word poet is derived from poiema.  Thus, God is the poet and we are the poems that are being written.  Unfortunately, Satan plays the part of critics, trying to convince individuals that they are worthless, no good and should not waste their time waiting for God to complete his work in you.  Therefore, many go through life, falling apart physically, mentality or spiritually.  In these days of despair, may we lean on the great prosthesis to hold us together until the end.

by Jay Mankus

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Sweat and Blood

Posted on March 20, 2016 by expressyourself4him

The medical term for sweat and blood is hematidrosis.  Initial signs of this rare condition often develop from the forehead, underneath nails or begin as a nose bleed.  Meanwhile, the phrase blood, sweat and tears refers to pouring your heart and soul into a business, career or project.  When you invest a large portion of your life or time into something special, its like a woman giving birth, enduring labor pains until you see the end result, a child of God.

Jesus did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption, Hebrews 9:12.

While every venture in life is a noble cause, nothing compares to the sacrifice made by the Son of God.  Following Adam and Eve’s blunder, the serpent, symbolic of Satan, is notified about an individual who will crush his head.  Yet, this wasn’t possible until a series of event had to play out.  An the eve of the completion of God’s plan, overwhelming stress led Jesus’ sweat to become like blood.  Whether this was figuratively or literally occurred, it doesn’t matter.  The point is that an innocent man laid down his life, willing to die, once and for all to atone for the sins of the world.

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends, John 15:13.

As another Palm Sunday approaches, don’t forget about the sweat of blood endured for you and for me.  While everyone has their own unique struggles to conquer sin in their life, the author of Hebrews has a simple suggestion.  In your battle against sin, you have not shed blood like Jesus.  Therefore, lean on God’s grace, throw off those things holding you back spiritually and thank the Lamb of God for giving everyone a second chance.  May the truth about the resurrection revive and rejuvenate your faith this Easter and continue throughout the year.

by Jay Mankus

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Putting Grace on the Map

Posted on February 28, 2016 by expressyourself4him

There are certain types of characters, individuals or professions that make the average person feel uneasy.  Appearance, dress and modesty or lack there of sends a message.  Yet, some read more into this, judging someone’s character without ever meeting.  In the Old Testament, those who lived near the city gates symbolized wealth.  Thus, if you visited Jericho, you would find a brothel run by Rahab, a well-known harlot who made a living by entertaining those looking for a good time.

Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there, Joshua 2:1.

Despite her reputation and past, the Lord choose to use a prostitute to accomplish his will.  Beside putting grace on the map, this story in history sends an important message to those who feel unworthy.  Regardless of what you have done, God extends his mercy to those who are open to being a vessel of the kingdom.  In fact, this one act did not go unnoticed.  Rather, this woman of the night eventually becomes part of the lineage of Jesus and enters the Hall of faith in Hebrews 11.

Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, Matthew 1:5.

So what is a whore doing in the family tree of Jesus?  Well, we may never know the answer for sure.  However, that doesn’t mean we can’t speculate on why.  According to the author of Hebrews, God is the builder of all things.  Thus, if sin reveals the fallen nature of mankind, forgiveness by a Savior who died on a cross to atone for our mistakes brings new life.  Therefore, the next time you hear Satan whisper, “God will never use you.”  Remind the devil of the Creator of life who put grace on the map.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

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The Stand, the Sword and the Spirit

Posted on January 30, 2016 by expressyourself4him

Between 1950 and 1956, author C.S. Lewis wrote seven children novels known as the Chronicles of Narnia.  The first and best known, the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was made into a modern movie by Disney, released in theaters on December 9th of 2005.  Narnia is only accessible through a wardrobe, found by accident during a game of hide and go seek.  After no one believes the youngest, Lucy, Peter secretly follows her, having his own encounter with the White Witch, symbolic of Satan.  As I look at our current society, it appears that fantasy has become reality as many are now under the power of darkness, held prisoner by the Devil.

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes, Ephesians 6:11.

Aware of this situation, Paul wrote a letter to the church at Ephesus.  Within a chapter known as the armor of God, the apostle reveals three essentials necessary to withstand this battle.  First, the only way to endure fierce spiritual attacks is to arm yourself with the full armor of God described in chapter 6.  A stand will not be successful without each piece in place.  Second, a soldier of the cross must carry the Bible to fight back like Jesus did during his fast and temptation in the desert, Matthew 4:1-11.  Finally, when you feel like you can’t hold on any longer, pray in the Spirit to lead and keep you from falling.

Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, Ephesians 6:17.

Every day opportunities await, to rise and fall.  To draw near to God or slip closer away toward the gates of hell.  While this realm is invisible and dismissed by academia, faith helps me to see glimpses of Narnia.  Yet, unless I fan into flame the gifts given to me, 2 Timothy 1:6-7, I too will fall.  Since no one is immune to temptation, don’t allow yourself to fall asleep, under the spell of the White Witch.  Rather, arm up by taking a stand with the Sword and Spirit today.  Then, you too might experience something similar to the Chronicles of Narnia.

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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When Pain is Your Teacher

Posted on November 22, 2015 by expressyourself4him

One of Rush Limbaugh’s weekly quotes on his E.I.B. radio talk show is that learning never stops.  Commencement refers to the beginning, the start of a new life.  However, when pain becomes your teacher, few want to finish, often dropping out of the school of life.

To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat from it,’ “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life, Genesis 3:17.

In the real world, tutors exist in the form of mentors.  If you earn their respect, perhaps you might be able pull from their years of wisdom to help you along the way.  Nothing is ever easy, but if you can endure failures, heartaches and setbacks, you might be able to graduate on the next class God has in store for you.

The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, 2 Thessalonians 2:9.

Unfortunately, pain never ceases, a byproduct of original sin.  The remnants of the fiasco in Eden have gradually spread, poisoning souls to the core.  The events of modern terrorist attacks is merely the fulfillment of 2 Thessalonians.  Therefore, whether we like it or not, pain is the teacher which shapes the human heart.  As the school of hard knocks proceeds, may the trials of life serve as a purification process to refine faith in those who believe.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

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My Daughter’s Generation

Posted on October 5, 2015 by expressyourself4him

Over the weekend, I attended my second Father Daughter Retreat.  Since my daughter is the youngest and isn’t as passionate about sports as my sons, I don’t have that same connection.  Thus, its moments like this which provide a vehicle to bond and connect with my only daughter.  Currently, my greatest fear is the direction and issues confronting my daughter’s generation.

The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, 2 Thessalonians 2:9.

In view of the recent school shooting in Oregon, individuals seeking 15 minutes of fame are targeting the lives of Christians, attempting to snuff out their faith.  Whether experts, investigators or law officers want to admit it or not, Satan is like a puppet master pulling the strings which cause these vessels of evil to snap.  Beneath the surface, demons are planting seeds of violence inside the hearts and minds of these pawns.  When the timings is right, devilish schemes are acted upon despite whatever good Samaritan tries to intervene.

But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD,” Joshua 24:15.

Following in the footsteps of Moses, Joshua wasn’t afraid to speak the truth in love.  After seeing the affects of other cultures on God’s chosen people, Joshua drew a line in the sand.  However, Joshua didn’t just talk a good game, he lived one as well.  While you can’t change how people will respond to cultural trends, you can blaze a trail of integrity for your children to follow.  Therefore, despite the obvious negative signs that currently exist, emulate Jesus in this cold and dark world so that someone in your daughter’s generation will leave a legacy of faith.

by Jay Mankus

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Don’t Go There

Posted on October 3, 2015 by expressyourself4him

During my childhood, it was common for neighbors to dare or double dare you to do something against your parents will.  Using the phrase, “what’s wrong, are you chicken,” the darer attempted to use peer pressure to push you beyond your limits.  Depending upon the ego of an individual, those unable to swallow their pride were shamed into doing the unthinkable.

Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? – Acts 5:3

Early in the first century, a couple tried to duplicate the generosity of a giving man called Barnabas.  Hoping to obtain the same fame and popularity, Ananias and Sapphira decided to exaggerate, lie and stretch the truth.  After donating money to the church from a piece of property that was sold, the actual amount was hidden, giving a fake appearance.  Revealed to him by the Holy Spirit, Peter responds, “I can’t believe you went there!”

Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.” – Acts 5:4

Whether you are challenged, dared or tempted to do something, there are certain things that are off limits.  Lying to the Holy Spirit is one of these domains.  If politicians dropped dead each time they lied, there wouldn’t be enough to serve in office.  Nonetheless, this unusual story in the Bible is used as a teachable moment, a warning to the genuine, not to go there.  Since everything usually happens for a reason, may this event in history prevent you from blatantly sinning against God or the Holy Spirit.

by Jay Mankus

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