Tag Archives: The Bible

The Bible and the Declaration of Independence

Posted on April 28, 2017 by expressyourself4him

A rare copy of the Declaration of Independence was recently discovered at the West Sussex Records Office in Chicester, United Kingdom.  The unique aspect of this copy is that the names of the founders are randomly placed on the back.  In the original, the names of the founders are aligned by the state each represented.  Researcher Emily Sneff and Harvard Professor Danielle Allen spent 2 years tracking down this piece of history.  Based upon the differences, new theories have been introduced with some questioning history as we know it.

See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God, Hebrews 3:12.

The unearthing of the Dead Sea Scrolls has had a similar impact on the Bible.  Since 1946 archaeologists have collected 981 manuscripts which support the authenticity of the Old Testament.  Despite these historical treasures, there is a movement to treat the Bible and Constitution as a living document.  While authors of the Bible refer to this book as living and active, this means the message within God’s Word can penetrate soul and spirit to touch the human heart.  On the other hand, those who view the Bible as a living document refers to changing with the times making biblical principles obselete.

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart, Hebrews 4:12.

Although many people put on a good front, pain exists deep inside individuals searching for answers to life.  Over time you will come across those who think they have all the answers.  These so called experts may even introduce new ideas to combat moderns issues.  Yet, in the end, the Bible and Constitution have withstood the test of time.  The prophet Isaiah came to a similar conclusion thousands of years ago, “the grass withers, the flowers fade, but the word of God stands forever.”  May these two documents serve as a guiding light as you try to make it through the ups and downs in life.

by Jay Mankus

 

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Hope verses Heart-break

Posted on April 25, 2017 by expressyourself4him

Anticipation, day dreaming and utopia are synonyms for hope.  Like an anxious child eager to open presents on Christmas morning, hope is like a promise waiting to be unwrapped.  The only problem is sometimes the hype doesn’t live up to your own expectations.

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer, Romans 12:12.

When desires are unfulfilled, a wave of agony, dire and sadness replace inner joy.  In these moments of disappointment, its easy to overreact.  However, if you are not careful, heart-break can lead to depression.  If healing does not occur, hope can fade like the setting sun.

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit, Psalm 34:18.

If this blog finds you down in the dumps or recovering from a broken heart, the Bible provides two words of encouragement.  The first urges individuals to rely on prayer in times of trouble.  Prayer serves as a source of hope.  Meanwhile, if your spirit has been crushed by a relationship, tragedy or uncertainty don’t lose hope.  God promises to surround you with either angels, friends or strangers to get you through the tough times in life.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Entitle…mints

Posted on March 18, 2017 by expressyourself4him

Infants spend the first few years of life eating and sleeping.  Shortly after this stage, crawling, walking and talking takes over their attention.  Yet, the sweet taste of mints, either with chocolate or pure sugar, leaves a longing that many children never forget.  This apparent harmless taste gives birth to a powerful force that few can tame.

For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do, Galatians 5:17.

Several authors of the Bible refer to an inner desire at odds with God.  Like an infant craving milk, if you don’t get what you want, anger erupts in the form of crying.  While adults are suppose to grow out of adolescence, occasional tantrums still exist.  When expectations aren’t met or satisfied, fits of rage replace childish rants of the past.

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me, 1 Corinthians 13:11.

Perhaps, this sinful pattern inspired the words written above.  A sense of entitlement trains minds to believe “this belongs to me, I deserve this and that’s mine.”  Despite growing up physically, letting go of entitle mints is a tough habit to break.  This vicious cycle causes growing pains to continue throughout life no matter how old you become.  Nonetheless, I still strive to put aside childish ways so that I can become the man God wants me to be.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Will You Pass the Love Test

Posted on March 6, 2017 by expressyourself4him

For those of you who enjoy taking cup cake classes in school, searching for an easy A, the Bible contains some difficult challenges.  Depending upon how self critical you are, the words of scripture expose darkness with light.  Subsequently, no matter how good of a person you may be, its surprising how many people fail the Bible’s love test.

Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen, 1 John 4:20.

The one whom Jesus loved opens up this short quiz.  When all other disciples abandoned Jesus following his arrest, John stood by his side at the cross where he died.  What John heard on this day sent shock waves to what he believed about love.  Despite being beaten, mocked and tortured, Jesus cried out, “forgive them for they know not what they do.”  This statement inspired question number one.

1. Is there anyone you despise, hate or treat with contempt?

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins, Matthew 6:14-15.

The second participant chimes as from an unique perspective.  Serving as a tax collector, Levi also known as Matthew worked in one of the most corrupt occupations of his day.  During Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, he mentions prostitutes on the same level with tax collectors.  Thus, its highly possible that Matthew made many enemies, cheating and stealing money from hard working citizens.  With this in mind, forgiveness is something that Matthew sought, touched by Jesus’ words above.

2. Have you forgiven everyone who has hurt you or is there a grudge you are currently holding on to?

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’  The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  There is no commandment greater than these,” Mark 12:30-31.

Finally, John Mark is an individual who initially left the mission field, letting down the apostle Paul.  Yet, over time Mark matured, eventually winning back the respect he lost with Paul.  This transformation was made possible with the words shared by Jesus above.  The context of this question involved a trap with Pharisees attempting to trick Jesus into de-emphasizing one of the 10 commandments.  Yet, his words essentially summarize the first four with one comment and the final six with his second statement setting up the final question.

3. Where is your love for God currently and are you following the golden rule in your interactions with others?

If you failed this test like me, may God’s forgiveness, grace and mercy lift you up and fill you with a heart willing to bear with, embrace and love one another.

by Jay Mankus

 

5 Comments

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Awakening Demons

Posted on February 11, 2017 by expressyourself4him

The Bible suggests that demons are territorial.  Yet, there are passages that detail Satan roaming the earth, seeking to expand his control.  This is accomplished by exploiting weakness to influence, poison and seduce minds through a series of subtle compromises.  If anyone wanders off the narrow path described in Jesus’ sermon on the Mount, you might just awaken a demon or demons.

“When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it.  Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order, Matthew 12:43-44.”

The most common example of awakening demons occurs to people who have gone through some sort of rehabilitation.  Those recovering from addiction are at the greatest risk.  Jesus refers to an individual in the passage above who is on the right track, healed from their condition.  Unfortunately, at some point this person reverts back to their prior behavior, opening the door for demons to return.  In this scenario, additional demons are awakened to torment this soul.

“Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation, Matthew 12:45.”

In this day and age, the byproducts of demons are often felt but not seen.  This technicality causes many to leave the notion of demons to the world of fiction.  This lack of belief allows demonic powers to spread.  Yet, the moment anyone begins to threaten their domain, its like accidentally stepping on a bee hive.  If you have experienced some kind of bizarre attack which defies logic, perhaps you have just awakened demons.  Don’t go into this battle alone.  Rather, find a group of saints to form a hedge of protection with prayer.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

I’ve Got This

Posted on February 6, 2017 by expressyourself4him

Whether you recognize this or not, everyone has a favorite expression.  This may be from a movie, lyrics in a song or a catch phrase you have developed over time.  Whenever my oldest son James became focused doing something, especially in sports, he’d look over and confidently say, “I’ve got this.”  This spirit of determination led to countless awards, medals and an individual and team state championship in track his season year.

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

During my first few seasons as a high school golf coach at Red Lion, I only had 3 reliable players I could count on.  John, Chad and John were the foundation of a team that went to 2 straight state tournaments and a fourth place finish their senior years.  After just missing states as freshmen and sophomores, this core group began to believe they were good enough.  With the fate of the team on their shoulders, John, Chad and John developed a “we’ve got this coach” mentally.  Subsequently, these 3 regularly earned all 5 points in 5-4 victories.

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope, Romans 15:4.

When you don’t have someone to rely on in life, turning to the Bible is a great alternative source.  There are ample passages in the Bible that inspire souls to keep going.  Determination is a trait some possess naturally, but others can feed off of leaders, others or teammates to finish the job.  May those struggling to find their way be encouraged and hopeful to overcome the odds to reach any dreams or goals you haven’t yet achieved.

by Jay Mankus

 

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Closing Your Eyes on the Poor

Posted on January 31, 2017 by expressyourself4him

Poverty is something you can be born into, forced into by extreme conditions or reached by a series of bad decisions.  Upon graduating from college, I went into social work.  I spent two days a week as a youth director at a church in Rising Sun, Maryland and the rest of my time as a Program Coordinator for the Methodist Action Plan in the inner city of Wilmington, Delaware.  I made just enough to eat and put gas in my car.  To save money I slept on a couch in my sister’s basement for 6 months.  Essentially, I was poor, unable to fulfill my goals in life on my own.  When my church home Cornerstone heard of my plight, a love offering was taken prior to my departure for a youth ministry trade school.  Without any previous conversation, this gift was exactly what I needed to attend this school.

Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses, Proverbs 28:27.

A little over a year later, I remembered this act of generosity striving to pay it forward.  Thus, when the church I was serving in turned away a homeless college student, I offered the couch in my apartment.  Although, this was an inconvenience to me, the Bible instructs followers to lend a helping hand.  I’m not sure if this lack of privacy led to my decision to leave youth ministry six months later, but I have become jaded.  This negative experience has led me to become selfish, putting my family first.  In the process, I have begun closing my eyes to the poor.

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver, 2 Corinthians 9:7.

If acknowledging a flaw is the first step to recovery, then I must confess that I have turned a blind eye to the poor and needy.  Instead of stopping to listen and lend a helping hand, I pretend that I don’t see those pandering at various intersections.  The Lord has a firm warning to those who ignore the poor.  Solomon suggests curses will follow those who continue to avoid the needy.  May the Holy Spirit help people like me trying to break the bad habit of closing my eyes on the poor.

by Jay Mankus

 

2 Comments

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Buy the Truth and Don’t Sell It

Posted on January 12, 2017 by expressyourself4him

As commentators, the media and writers continue to exaggerate and stretch the truth toward political lines, its hard for the average American to know what is right.  Subsequently, a climate has been established for individuals to unknowingly embrace lies.  Its no wonder that America has become a nation divided by a lack of clarity.

Buy the truth and do not sell it— wisdom, instruction and insight as well, Proverbs 23:23.

According to Solomon, truth is something that must be sought out.  The apostle Paul takes this process one step further, to test everything you hear and read.  While you should be able to trust certain people and outlets, if you don’t question anything you are opening yourself to becoming vessels of propaganda.

Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21.

Romans 10:17 reveals the faith comes from hearing and reading words of the Bible.  Without a daily intake of the Bible, anyone is vulnerable to embracing and believing lies of the Devil.  Therefore, don’t let another day go by as a low information voter.  Rather, buy the truth and when you obtain it, don’t sell it!

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

It’s Better to Have a Mary Christmas

Posted on December 23, 2016 by expressyourself4him

The Bible introduces the world to an average family coping with a typical sibling rivalry.  However, in this case, both sisters are adults, revealing two distinct personality traits.  While its unclear who is the oldest, it appears Martha plays the role as the responsible one, working diligently to clean the house, cook and prepare for holiday guests.  Like any individual, this work can be exhausting, creating tension with those who don’t help or share in this burden.

38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said, Luke 10:38-39.

Meanwhile, Mary is drawn in a different direction, like a social butterfly longing to interact with visitors.  Jealous of her sisters conversation with Jesus, resentment brews within Martha’s heart.  Sensing this bitterness, Jesus serves as a moderator to address this family crisis.  According to a doctor who either knew the family or felt this story was worth passing on, Jesus reveals what is better, seizing the time you have with close friends and family.

40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” 41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her,” Luke 10:40-42.

Unfortunately, a similar scene is played out in American homes every Christmas.  The perfectionists work diligently to make the decorations, meals and the tree just right.  On the surface everything is peaceful until someone doesn’t pull their own weight.  When this moment arrives at your home, its better to emulate the character of Mary so that you will experience a very Merry Christmas.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

To Those Who Believe in Prayer

Posted on December 2, 2016 by expressyourself4him

Earlier in the week, I was reading an online article about the fires in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.  The residents of this region within the Great Smokey Mountains were deeply concerned about the fires spreading along what is known as the Chimney Top.  One woman who was interviewed pleaded with Americans of faith, “if anyone who believes in prayer, we need your help.”

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you, John 15:7.

Within 24 hours of this request, the Lord sent a couple of inches of rain to provide water to this drought ravaged state.  Weather forecasters are calling for more rain in the next coming days to stop the spread of any further fires from breaking out.  Doubters and skeptics will likely ignore the obvious, giving chance, good fortune and luck the credit.  Yet, for me, I am putting two things together, desperate hearts plus seeking God leads to answered prayers.

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours, Mark 11:24.

When I read the Bible, sometimes the words of Jesus seem too good to be true.  Perhaps, individuals are afraid of being disappointed and left down.  This fear has infected minds leading to a lack of faith that breeds unanswered prayers.  In view of this, its essential to begin to claim God’s promises in prayer.  As for the fire victims of Tennessee and those picking up the pieces from tornadoes in the south, these fellow Americans are in desperate need of prayers.  Therefore, if you believe in the power of prayer, begin now to see what miracle God will do next.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

 

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.
← Older Posts
Newer Posts →