Tag Archives: sense

Watch Out for The Easy Way Out

One of the more teachable moments in Hollywood comes from a scene from A League of Their Own.  When the Rockford Peaches star catcher played by Gina Davis quits the team, manager Tom Hanks confronts her before driving home with her husband.  Davis’ excuse was that “it got too hard.”  Hank’s response, “It’s suppose to be hard, if it wasn’t everyone would play.”  Thus, whether you are an athlete or trying to make the best of this life, make sure you don’t take the easy way out.

I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who had no sense, Proverbs 7:7.

In the past few weeks, I’ve struggled to put my priorities in order,  Subsequently, my time reading the Bible, praying and working out has been pretty lame.  I could take the Gina Davis approach, claiming its just too hard to keep up with, perhaps taking a holiday from God.  On the other hand, each day without God brings me closer and closer to person in Proverbs 7:7, deteriorating what common sense that I still possess.

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.

In the famous poem known as Footprints, 2 sets of footprints become one while walking on the beach.  This imagery suggests that sometimes God carries us when we can’t go any further.  As you read this blog, maybe you’re exhausted, tired or ready to give up the fight.  Before you decide, make sure you don’t succumb to the easy way out.  Pray, show resolve and hang tough!

by Jay Mankus

 

Receive Your Call

Before you can receive a call, you have to hear or sense it.  Depending upon where you are in life, distractions can delay, postpone or cause individuals to miss their call.  If you allow compromise, impatience and selfish ambition to influence your decisions, you could bypass the life God created for you to live.

So she said to Abram, “The LORD has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my slave; perhaps I can build a family through her.” Abram agreed to what Sarai said, Genesis 16:2.

When individuals feel like they missed God’s calling, panic is a common response.  Thinking God was not going to honor the promise of a child, Sarah became desperate.  This fleeting act isn’t uncommon as people today often lower their standards before waiting to receive what they desire.  Subsequently, careless acts often leads to disappointment, resulting a second rate life, without any clear direction or idea if people are on the right track.

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” – Isaiah 6:8.

Despite your current situation, its never too late to receive God’s call.   Therefore, remember the words of Isaiah, keeping an ear open for God’s voice.  Wait in eager expectation, ready at a moment’s notice.  Thus, when a faint whisper is spoken, you will be ready to receive God’s call.  Don’t be afraid!  Rather, trust in the Lord and God will make your paths straight.

by Jay Mankus

Getting Close to God’s Heart

To sense the invisible, God created human beings with a conscious, a general awareness to lead you to the right path.  Beyond the ability to feel, hear, see, taste and touch, it takes time to draw near to God.  For some getting close to the Lord’s heart is a lifelong journey, using trial and error to find your way.

And he has raised up for his people a horn, the praise of all his faithful servants, of Israel, the people close to his heart. Praise the LORD, Psalm 148:14.

Along this search, obstacles, road closures and temptation pop up causing some to quit, giving up before acquiring a heart like David.  Finding the time the read the Bible, prayer and meditate on God’s principles is hard to fit into one’s daily schedule.  Thus the thought of getting close to God’s heart becomes a pipe dream for most, content with a mediocre faith.

But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart,” 1 Samuel 16:7.

According to Jesus, the heart is like a treasure chest, Luke 6:43-45.  What people store up inside come out in the form of actions, behavior and words.  The moment souls are irritated, pushed or prodded, either good or evil will come out.  In view of this reality, its essential to guard your heart, Proverbs 4:23, nourishing it with the promises of God in the Bible.  Then and only then will seekers begin to get close to God’s heart.

by Jay Mankus

The Anointing

Sometimes there are things in life that are difficult to explain.  While you may try to verbalize specific details, unless you experience, feel or sense it, no one will likely believe you.  Earlier on, I disregarded such a notion.  Yet now, after stumbling upon the words of a Psalmist, I have come to acknowledge the anointing of God is real.

He strengthens the bars of your gates and blesses your people within you, Psalm 147:13.

The opposite of this force is similar to the Haunting, a show on Destination America.  Although many people remain skeptics, certain properties, homes or land are subject to demons, ghosts or spirits which dwell on these premises.  Once limited to documentaries and horror movies, powers of darkness has risen up to make their domain a living hell on earth.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms, Ephesians 6:12.

In view of these unwelcomed visitors, its essential for individuals to begin to ask God for a special anointing.  Home owners can invite members of their church to dedicate and prayer over newly acquired property.  Meanwhile, prayer walks along the borders of businesses and land owners can serve as a hedge of protection for those who believe in the power of the Holy Spirit.  Finally, setting aside time to prayer for children and family members, especially inside of their own room can have life altering effects.  May readers embrace this concept and be inspired to practice it so that the anointing of God will be fanned into flame to negate any demonic influences currently keeping you from living the abundant life Jesus promised, John 10:10.

by Jay Mankus