Tag Archives: souls

Uncommitted

Posted on October 28, 2016 by expressyourself4him

Depending upon who you are and where you live, expect to come in contact with various individuals.  Some will appear confident, others lost and a few wander aimlessly throughout life wondering what to do next.  As you watch people, there will be visible signs of a lack of commitment.  For reasons unknown, passion is missing influencing souls to drift, float and abandon dreams before experiencing the fruit of their labor.

Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established, Proverbs 16:3.

As a former cross country runner, the first day of practice revealed who put in the hard work over the summer and who didn’t.  When you have to run between 6 and 10 miles each day during this initial week, you can’t fake it.  You’re either in shape or struggling to survive.  Until your body gets conditioned to twice the amount of a typical race, 3.1 miles, even great athletes will have a battle a mind telling you to slow down, stop or quit.

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act, Psalm 37:5.

If you take the running illustration above and apply this to life, how you invest your time reveals your degree of commitment.  On the other hand, those areas you avoid, forget or neglect, speak volumes of their importance within your life.  Unfortunately, I currently find myself living a lie, stuck in a rut void of production.  Thus, I need to re-evaluate my steps by turning my attention to the Lord above.  When my commitment fueled by trusting in God takes hold, I expect the chains of uncommitment to be broken.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

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Satan’s Secret Ambition

Posted on October 25, 2016 by expressyourself4him

Anytime an individual loses a lofty status, there is something inside that churns souls to regain that which was lost.  This same passion was present inside Lucifer once expelled from heaven along with a third of the angels.  Satan’s secret ambition is revealed during Jesus’ fast prior to beginning His earthly ministry.  Bitterness, revenge and selfishness fueled this arch angel, waiting for a chance to get pay back.

You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones.  You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you, Ezekiel 28:14-15.

According to the Gospels, the first 4 books of the New Testament, Jesus withdraws into the wilderness, a barren region filled with sand, scorpions and serpents.  Hungry and weakening due to the heat, Satan implements a set of 3 challenges to the son of God.  Jesus passes the first test by quoting scripture.  Satan replies with another passage from the Old Testament.  Although Jesus could have fulfilled the second request, this required Jesus to call upon angels for selfish reasons, similar to Jim Carrey in Bruce Almighty.

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.  “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me,” Matthew 4:8-9.

Passing the first two tests with flying colors, Satan offers Jesus the earthly authority Adam lost in the Garden of Eden after failing to keep God’s only rule.  Satan doubled down, desperately seeking praise from God in the form of Jesus bowing down.  Despite a lack of food and sleep, Jesus refused to give into temptation, relying on the Word of God to do the right thing.  Although, Satan did achieve his ultimate goal when Jesus was crucified on a cross, victory only lasted a few days before the resurrection sealed his fate.  In view of Jesus’ final battle, remember that Jesus conquered death so that you and I might live in Him.

by Jay Mankus

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Mouths of Fire

Posted on October 10, 2016 by expressyourself4him

According to the site Crazy Hot Seeds, the top 3 hottest peppers in the world for 2016 are the Carolina Reaper, the hottest, the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion ranking second and the third is 7 Pot Douglah.  In recent years, restaurants are offering daring individuals a free meal or shirt for eating spicy dishes or peppers.  Some even offer a wall of fame with victorious eaters having their pictures and or names engraved on plaques hanging on restaurant walls.  Unfortunately, the losers are left with mouths on fire or a worst case scenario for a cook from London, losing his hearing after eating the world’s spiciest noodles.

With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors, but through knowledge the righteous escape, Proverbs 11:9.

King Solomon refers to a different kind of mouths on fire in the Bible.  Whether Solomon engaged in people watching or received this revelation from God, individuals who like to talk a lot can ruin the lives of their neighbors.  Like a snake, tongues can spit venom upon those whom they dislike, lashing out with words instead of fangs.  While the childhood saying, “sticks and stones will break my bones, but names will never hurt me” seems nice, but its untrue.  Deep inside human souls, scars and wounds remain long after words have been spoken.

The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell, James 3:6.

Jesus’ younger brother also recognized that words are like a mouth set on fire.  When accompanied by anger, words can be like daggers, stabbing friends in the back in the form of gossip.   Before you reach this point, its vital to find the knowledge to escape the temptation to hurt those you love with a poor choice of vocabulary.  Although you can’t escape mouths of fire, you can control what comes out of your own mouth.  May the words of the Bible give you direction, insight and wisdom to tame mouths of fire.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Feelings Only Tell Half the Story

Posted on October 2, 2016 by expressyourself4him

Emotion, passion and sentiment is not always visible within individuals.  While some people may wear their feelings on their sleeves like an intense roller coaster ride, others remain reserved, hiding pain on the inside.  During my sophomore year of high school, a friend from cross country punched me in the arm, near my shoulder blade every time I saw him.  This reaction only told half the story.  This gesture released the frustration inside his heart as he helplessly watched his mother lose a year long battle with cancer.  After her funeral, Carl became my best friend at Concord High.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths, Proverbs 3:5-6.

This friendship coincided with my own decision to trust Jesus as my Savior.  Following this decision on December 4th, 1984, I began to break out of my own depression due to a losing battle with stuttering.  My transformation wasn’t immediately, but as I began to attend monthly Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ meetings, I discovered I wasn’t alone in facing demons from my past.  No matter who you are and where you live, there will always be cycles of ups and downs.  Yet, faith stabilizes broken and weary souls and when you enter into accountability relationships, this strengthens one’s ability to develop a firm foundation.

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity, 1 Timothy 4:12.

As I reflect upon the past 30 plus years, feelings tend to reveal a part of my past that I haven’t fully let go of, hoping to still remain in control.  Depending upon the year or in some cases decade, its easy to regress, slipping back into former habits of the flesh.  This is where the power of testimonies take faith to the next level.  God has given me opportunities to share my faith from time to time.  Unfortunately, many of these chances were neglected, overlooked or wasted.  Nonetheless, I’m thankful for the few I made the most of, especially during a church service in Friendship, Maryland when I gave my first ever sermon.  Don’t let troubles in life rain on the open doors that the Lord provides.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

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The Point of the Cross

Posted on September 27, 2016 by expressyourself4him

In the Old Testament, initial commandments, laws and principles were passed down through word of mouth from one generation to the next.  Until Moses arrived upon the scene, there was no written word of God.  As one of the forefathers of Israel, God spoke directly to Moses, usually in the mountains on either Mount Horeb and or Sinai.  One of the messages delivered to Moses is that there is no forgiveness without the shedding of blood.

For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life, Leviticus 17:11.

In the early first century, Jesus built an earthly ministry using disciples.  Prior to his death of the cross, Jesus revealed the purpose for his human sacrifice.  Befuddled by Jesus words, many of his followers thought he would become an earthly king.  Thus, it wasn’t until resurrection Sunday when the disciples began to connect the dots.  The apostle Paul writes several of his epistles about the point of the cross.  Jesus who had no sin became sin for us so that in Christ, we might become the righteous of God.

He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world, 1 John 2:2.

An entire chapter of 1 Corinthians is devoted to Jesus’ relationship to the cross.   According to 1 Corinthians 15, Jesus conquered sin and death with his resurrection.  In a letter to the church at Colosse, Paul talks about how Christians are buried with Christ in their baptism and raised with Him through the resurrection.  So what is the point of the cross?   Life begins at the cross, Matthew 16:24-26, as you deny yourself, take up the cross and follow Jesus as a servant and vessel of love.

by Jay Mankus

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Suppressing the Urge to Quit

Posted on September 23, 2016 by expressyourself4him

Disappointment, heart break and failure are hard to recover from.  The pain from these gut wrenching experiences attacks one’s confidence.  Whenever you lose hope or faith, thoughts about quitting begin to surface.  As soon as this arises, you must suppress the urge to quit.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith, 2 Timothy 4:7.

The apostle Paul compares life to an Olympic race, similar to a marathon.  Thus, when a spirit of doubt creeps inside your mind, you must battle this like a heavy weight champ.  If you allow negativity to fester, your invisible opponent’s power will strengthen to the point of overwhelming wounded souls.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, Philippians 4:13.

When you don’t have the strength to carry on, the apostle Paul introduces a trump card.  Despite the pain Jesus endured, he suppressed any desire to quit by fulfilling God’s plan and purpose.  Therefore, the next time you feel like giving up, call out to Jesus in prayer to suppress the urge to quit.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

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Finding a State that is More Than Enough

Posted on September 2, 2016 by expressyourself4him

It doesn’t take much for someone to lose their confidence, mojo or swagger.  Life has a way of being cruel, dropping bombshells out of no where that can paralyze souls.  Thus, if you take a few moments to observe individuals around you, you’ll find many going through the motions.  Struggling to get through each week, I finding myself in a similar pattern, hoping to discover a state that is more than enough.

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.  Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being My priest.  Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children, Hosea 4:6.

When you’re left looking for answers to get out of a funk, sometimes you need to examine the past to see what’s led to previous success.  For me, the greatest influence in my life was nearly two months I spent at Tentmakers Youth Ministry Trade School.  Every day I was challenged, equipped and pressed to develop a vision oriented life style.  Once I received a full time position in Columbus, Indiana, I applied a 90 day action plan to perfection.  Unfortunately, after 90 days I was in foreign territories, not sure what to do.  Subsequently, I lost my way and passion for youth ministry.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly, John 10:10.”

I guess what I am trying to say is that I’m tired of mediocrity.  Yet, until I rebuild a life based upon discipline, purpose and vision, the crappy results will remain the same.  When push comes to shove, something has to give.  Therefore, join me in this quest to find a state that is more than enough by rediscovering the abundant life of Christ.  Sure, there will be growing pains but the effort is worth the journey.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Deep Darkness

Posted on August 29, 2016 by expressyourself4him

The title deep darkness suggests a place exists that is so dark, pitch black, that no one can see.  Typically, an evening sky provides moon light or stars in the country to help the human eye to adjust to the night.  On the other hand, Solomon who coins this term may be referring to a spiritual condition.

But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble, Proverbs 4:19.

A narcissist is defined as an individual who is excessive in their self-absorption.  This character trait tends to be egocentric, extremely independent and wrapped up with one’s self.  Perhaps the passage above inspired C.S. Lewis to create a state known as diabolical pride.  Those who reach this phase in life are blinded from reality, unable to recognize that which is causing them to stumble.

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it, Proverbs 4:23.

According to Solomon, the key to escaping deep darkness involves placing a shield of faith around your heart.  The apostle Paul takes a different approach, calling for the breastplate of righteousness in Ephesians 6.  In view of the powers of darkness that are a clear and present danger, the human heart is the last line of defense.  Once poisoned, souls begin to embrace evil.  Thus, the only way to overcome deep darkness is through the light of Christ.  Take measures today to safe guard yourself with the Sword of the Spirit to ward off future attacks and temptations that seek to lure you back into deep darkness.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Pinocchio and Politics

Posted on August 12, 2016 by expressyourself4him

Not so long ago, integrity was a vital aspect in life.  Being a man or woman of your word was considered essential to maintaining one’s reputation.  Unfortunately, sometime over the last thirty years, character, honesty and truth have been minimized.  In its place, gravitas, personality and spunk have stolen the spot light.  Subsequently, we now live in an age where Pinocchio and politics intersect with the most charismatic liar often winning elections.

A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of birth, Ecclesiastes 7:1.

History recounts Solomon as one of the wisest leaders to ever live.  Reading his accounts within the Bible can result in great advice, especially during trying times.  The Holy Spirit inspired Solomon to encourage individuals to strive toward keeping their vows spoken.  To do otherwise would diminish one’s standing in their community.  Therefore, despite what appears to be politicians getting away with lie after lie, don’t lower your standards to expose participants trying to redefine reality.

A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold, Proverbs 1:22.

Whatever your political leanings may be, one thing is obvious, the mudslinging has begun.  Apparently, the media enjoys participating in this demolition derby, crushing and smashing any candidate who threatens to reveal their true intentions.  While no one is perfect, its sad to see national leaders regularly lie on television.  The expert deceivers walk a fine line between context, passing the buck and shifting blame.  In the end, souls numb the pain of conviction, pressing on to reach their goal.  Although God knows the truth, zealous contenders continue to risk telling lies like Pinocchio as long as they make it to the top.  May the Holy Spirit open the eyes of low information voters before election day arrives.

by Jay Mankus

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A New Type of Addiction

Posted on July 31, 2016 by expressyourself4him

Cravings, dependence and enslavement are all terms associated with addiction.  This invisible struggle tends to go unnoticed.  Initial signs are subtle as souls wrestle with self-control prior to patterns being revealed.  In the context of alcohol and drugs, actions, behavior and obsessions become obvious over time.  Unfortunately, until individuals come to grips with their losing battle, conditions will continue on a downward spiral.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God, Colossians 3:1.

Last weekend I had lunch just north of Amish country.  After picking up my kids from their week long camp, I wanted to spend some time together learning of their experience.  Hoping to get a flavor of Lancaster County, my son chose a diner with several cars in the parking lot.  To my surprise many of the customers were busy playing Pokemon Go on their phones.  This popular app’s success is a sign of a new type of addiction.

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things, Colossians 3:2.

Recreation serves as a vehicle to revitalize souls.  However, when individuals become captivated with what’s on their phones, hearts and minds become weakened.  Hobbies are a good and fun way to pass time.  Yet, as people become attached and hooked to their phones or tablets, unhealthy patterns form.  The concept of being still before the Lord is replaced by a new type of addiction to technology.  May those distracted by these modern devises reflect upon the apostle Paul’s words and be moved to fix their hearts and minds on eternal things.

by Jay Mankus

 

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