Tag Archives: soul

Keeper of the Door

John Cusack plays a key master at a graduation party in the 1989 classic Say Anything.  Known as one of the more responsible seniors at his school, Cusack is delegated a role like a designated driver.  However, he greets each person at the door, taking the keys of every driver upon entry.  Thus, in the wee hours of the morning, Cusack drives home any drunk student in their own car, with his date played by Ione Skye  following behind to drive him back to the party.  Although some might be bitter with this assignment, better to be the keeper of the door than not invited at all.

The author of Psalm 84:10 makes a similar observation about the kingdom of God.  The Psalmist recognizes that while the party life style appears attractive to outsiders, it leaves an empty feeling deep within your soul.  Therefore, even if you are a lowly door keeper in the house of God, its far better than dwelling with the wicked.  The author’s point is that individuals should accept their lowly position, thankful for their invitation to the eternal party called heaven.

Unfortunately, its hard to play the door mat, being trampled and walked over by arrogant and ignorant people.  Humility is a tough pill to swallow, especially for the prideful.  Maybe this is why the Psalmist focuses on the joy of spending just one day in the presence of God.  If current believers can be rejuvenated by the Sabbath, expressing the same passion as Psalm 84, this world would be a much better place to live.  Therefore, before the sun sets on Sunday, starting a new week, spend some time with God, keeping the door of communication open all week long.  Listen for the knocking, Revelation 3:20, so that you can be a modern day keeper of the door!

by Jay Mankus

Tiring Hands

If you have to be honest, I think every soul goes through phases of doubt.  These periods are highlighted by an absence of God, with moments of agony, distress and frustration.  Many have come to this edge, on the brink of throwing in the towel, walking away from blind hope.

Like the words of the Asaph in Psalm 77:2, lifting up your hands in faith can become tiring.  When prayers come back unanswered and the wicked prosper, one may sound like an Old Testament prophet, crying out for answers.  Whenever these ruts continue, voices like, “what’s the use” or  “God doesn’t care anymore” creep into your mind.

So what do you do, when your strength to tarry on abandons you?  Why repeat the same pattern with similar unsatisfying results?  As for my faint soul, I cling to the promises of Psalm 77:7-11, restoring confidence and a sense of peace back into my exhausted body.  The path of God, Psalm 77:19 takes my tired hands, breathing life via the Holy Spirit which keeps me holding on.

by Jay Mankus

Ahead of His Time

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English has been the primary language in America since the early British settlements of the 1600’s.  Described as the Great American Melting Pot in Saturday Morning advertisements aired while children watched cartoons during the 1980’s, this country has gone through a major cultural transformation.  Instructions enclosed inside new products have multiple languages, with Spanish and English always mentioned.  Electronic telephone directions are played in English first, then Spanish.  In addition, depending upon the airport you travel through, intercom updates can be heard in Japanese, German or French.

Believe it or not, Pontus Pilate was ahead of his time.  After his wife was warned in a dream, likely a nightmare, Matthew 27:19, Pilate tried to pass the buck and responsibility for Jesus onto the religious leaders.  According to John 19:1-16, Pilate tried to persuade them, yet gave into public pressure.  However, in a last ditch effort to wash his hands of Jesus’ death, Pilate does something remarkable in John 19:19-20.  While he had a notice prepared and fastened to Jesus’ cross that read, “King of the Jews,” few recognize the last words of verse 20.  Like modern America, Pilate had ordered 3 separate plaques, in each of the 3 major languages of the day.

Maybe Pilate’s wife was mad at him, twisting his arm to have these 3 signs made.  Possibly a deep sense of remorse filled Pilate’s soul, inspiring him to do something in his power.  Or God, through the whisper of the Holy Spirit urged Pilate to inscribe the truth about Jesus for all to see in Aramaic, Latin and Greek.  Although, no one will know for sure until heaven, I suspect the hand of God played a vital role, helping Pilate be ahead of his time in communicating to all nations the truth about Jesus!

by Jay Mankus

Caught in the Middle

Children can become casualties of war, caught in the middle of their parent’s divorce.  As a teacher, I’ve seen this far too often, with kids used as pawns to make the other spouse jealous.  Maybe this explains Jesus’ tone within Matthew 18:1-9, a warning to all adults to insure their actions do not lead a little one astray.

As a friend, its not uncommon to be caught in the middle of infighting.  Gossip, slander and half truths are the usual suspects, aimed at swaying you to their side of the argument.  Unfortunately, playing favorites is easy to fall prey to, something the pagans of Jesus’ day indulged, Matthew 5:46-47.  Yet, God expects Christians to possess higher standards, Matthew 5:48, striving for perfection in Christ, Philippians 4:13.

Casting Crowns addresses this issue in their song Somewhere in the Middle.  From their The Altar and the Door album, Casting Crowns sings about the ongoing tug of war that exists within each soul.  The disciple Peter and the author of Hebrews highlight this dilemma of being in the world, 1 Peter 2:11-12, yet called to look beyond this present world, Hebrews 12:1-2.  Thus, as you find yourself caught in the middle of right and wrong, remember the apostle Paul’s words in Romans 12:1-2 so that you will conform to God’s ways!

by Jay Mankus

Moment to Moment

When you reach a certain age, time seems to reach warp speed.  If you blink, you might miss a week, month or year.  Thus, as I approach the big 50, I need to slow down, living moment to moment.

As a high school student, back in the Glory Days, I possessed a vibrant spirit, embracing each second with friends or enjoying special events.  However, along the journey of life, I’ve lost my youthful exuberance.  Instead of cherishing and savoring memories, I’ve turned into a grumpy old man who has lost his joy for living.

From a biblical perspective, all I can do is to develop a James 4:13-15 mindset.  My inner child longs for the days of old, living care free, without any concern or worry for tomorrow.  While change won’t happen over night, I am seeking to revive my soul by living moment to moment!

by Jay Mankus

The Pain of Sin

Since the garden of Eden, the consequences of sin have left people in agony.  Guilt has become like a nightmare that won’t go away, often overwhelming your soul.  Meanwhile, shame isn’t far behind, leaving a trail of disappointment, embarrassment, and tattered reputations in its wake.  If this wasn’t enough, the fear of punishment and rejection bombard an individual’s mind, wishing they did not partaken in sin.

Regardless of how moral you claim to be, everyone has had a 2 Samuel 11 moment.  One second you are thinking about others, then boredom leads to idleness, from here aimless wandering leads your heart into the presence of sin.  These momentary lapses in judgments are common, except the time they last.  The sooner a person comes to their senses, the softer the blow you have to endure.  However, if you choose to go on a binge of rebellion like King David, adultery, lying and murder will flush your legacy right down the toilet.

When a man after God’s own heart sins, 1 Samuel 16:7, no one is exempt from the power of temptation.  Psalm 38:1-11 serves as a confessional for David, describing the pain sin has left behind within his soul.  This crippling state should inspire Christians to follow the words of 1 Peter 5:8-9, who also struggled with this pain, swallowing his pride after publicly denying Jesus 3 times.  Submit to God, resist the devil and the pain of sin can become a distant memory, James 4:7-8.

by Jay Mankus

A Woman’s Intuition

From the beginning of time on earth, there has always been a great mystery between men and women.  Dr. John Gray’s teaching series Men are From Mars; Women are from Venus tries to unravel these differences for couples.  However, there are certain things that will never been understood by the opposite sex.  Thus, woman will continue voicing their concerns, wanting to be heard while men tend to fix and solve problems, usually remaining oblivious to a woman’s true feelings.

Recently, God has been teaching me about a woman’s intuition.  Although, hesitant at first, my wife Leanne often has an inkling, instinct and sixth sense that tends to come to fruition.  Her perception is similar to that displayed by Pontus Pilate’s wife in Matthew 27:19.  Though God designed husband’s to be the head of their home, over his wife according to Ephesians 5:22-24, woman were created with this special feeling deep within their soul.  Unfortunately, like a typical man, warnings go unheard as Pilate gave into the cries of the riotous crowd, neglecting his wife’s sixth sense, being warned in a dream, Matthew 27:20.

A Canaanite woman also possessed this quality, a hunch that she followed by faith in Matthew 15:21-28.  Despite her status, being a Gentile, born outside of the nation of Israel, God instilled in her a strong motherly instinct.  When a child is in danger, helpless or ill, an adrenaline rush often kicks in energizing woman.  In the case of her inflicted daughter,  this outsider refused to take no for an answer, begging and pleading with Jesus.  Rewarded by her perseverance, a woman’s intuition brought her to the right place at the right time to the only One who could answer her prayer.  Listen and learn!

by Jay Mankus

The Real Smooth Operator

During the summer of 1984, the English group Sade released the song Smooth Operator, reaching #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart for 2 weeks.  The distinct voice of Sade Adu has etched a place in history for this song, a classic which highlights the unique sounds of the 1980’s.  While modern commercial studs, movie stars and players try to claim this crown, there is only one Smooth Operator, Jesus of Nazareth.

According to Mark 12:13-15, the religious police came after Jesus, pulling out all their stunts to find a way to arrest him.  In Act I, found in Mark 12:15-17, Jesus faces off with the Pharisees and Herodians, thirsty for blood ever since Mark 3:6.  These two religious groups attempt to force Jesus into a corner where he either breaks Roman law, not paying taxes to Caesar or refuses to respect the proper temple tax.  Celebrating too earlier, Jesus asks for a coin, answers both questions, leaving a jaw dropping response in Mark 12:17.

Act II begins in Mark 12:18-27 with a group known as the Sadducees, who do not believe in the resurrection of the dead.  Thus, one of their zealots poses a hypothetical question, hoping to stump and or trick Jesus into giving an unbiblical reply.  Likely yawning, thinking, “is that the best you’ve got,” Jesus quickly disposes these morons.  Toying with their minds, Jesus clarifies their flawed logic by explaining there is no marriage in heaven and Oh by the way, Moses served the God of the living, not the dead.

On fire now, burning through his competition, Act III rolls out one final expert to duel Jesus, a teacher of the law, Mark 12:28-39.  Playing pin the tail on the donkey, this teacher thinks he can get Jesus to de-emphasize one of the 10 commandments, Exodus 20:1-17.  Instead, Jesus divides the commandments God gave to Moses in 2 classifications: 1-4 focus on loving God, 6-10 require loving your neighbor as yourself.  By loving God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and following the golden rule, individuals can insure that they will keep all 10 commandments.  Astonished by his wisdom, this teacher of the law is nearly converted by Jesus in Mark 12:34.  After this, no one else dared to ask Jesus another question, proving once and for all, He is the real smooth operator!

by Jay Mankus

Unleashing the Power of Prayer

During a 3 year stretch, Jesus performed miracles every day, with his 12 disciples likely eyewitnesses of these amazing feats, John 21:25.  Jesus calmed storms, walked on water, restored sight to the blind, gave voices to the mute and enabled the crippled or paralyzed to walk.  However, there are 4 passages in the gospel which reveal why modern Christians aren’t successful in their prayer life.  Mark 11:20-25 holds a powerful truth that needs to be unlocked.

In Mark 11:22, Jesus is disappointed by Peter’s reaction a verse earlier.  Jesus appears to have expected a greater faith by now, one that demonstrates unquestioning power.  However, a spirit of doubt is limiting the disciples ability to receive instantaneous answers to prayer, Mark 11:23.  Back in Mark 5:36-41, Jesus takes drastic measures, removing everyone out of a house except Peter, James, John and a dead girl.  Once doubt is eliminated from their presence, the little girl is risen from the dead.  After the road block of doubt has been bypassed, another element also stifles prayer.

According to Jesus, unconfessed sin or any grudge that is held, prevents a prayer from being carried out, Mark 11:25.  On several occasions, Jesus told the person who approached him, your sins are forgiven prior to the actually healing, Mark 2:5.  In the case of the adulterous woman, Jesus commands her to leave her life of sin, John 8:11.  The conclusion of the Lord’s Prayer contains a similar conditional clause.  Unless you forgive others of their sins first, God will not forgive you of your own sins, Matthew 6:14-15.  Therefore, if your prayer life is unproductive, 3 things must be addressed before the power of prayer can be unleashed.

1. Remove any presence of doubt from your heart, soul and mind.

2. Publicly confess any issue, mistake or sin you are currently struggling with.

3. Ask God to reveal any grudges you are holding on to as well as anyone you have not fully forgiven.

When you add faith to this simple equation, Matthew 21:21-22, God will unlock the power of prayer in your life.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

 

 

 

Soul Surfing

On a long car ride, families scan AM, FM and satellite radio to find the perfect station to meet their listening needs.  During the day, individuals search the world wide web to check up on emails, Facebook messages and find important information for their jobs.  Meanwhile, after a hard day’s work, most people feel entitled to channel surf until they find something that will help them relax and unwind.  As this surfing commences, have you ever considered what exactly is your soul searching for?

King David talks about purity within Psalm 24.  According to verse 4, a pure heart does not lift up their soul to an idol.  To lift means to elevate or raise something up.  An idol refers to any deity, god or icon.  Unfortunately, most soul surfers don’t consciously worship music, the internet or television.  However, soul surfing is subtle, gradually taking hold of you while you are in a bored, idle or vulnerable state of mind.  Thus, before you expect it, a wave of temptations come crashing down on top of you, flipping your world upside down, often knocking you spiritually unconscious.

Jesus refers to soul surfing in Mark 8:34-38.  Spiritual soul surfing requires 3 essentials: a servant’s heart, an unswerving commitment to faith and emulating Jesus.  Like a beginner trying to learn something completely new, spiritual soul surfers must forget their past by focusing on their new life in Christ, Galatians 2:20.  All the money in the world is not worth the price of forfeiting the human soul, Mark 8:36-37.  Therefore, the next time you turn on some music, click on the computer or turn on a television, make sure your soul is surfing on things above, Colossians 3:1-4.

by Jay Mankus