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Tag Archives: the Garden of Eden

More Than Just Deception

Posted on February 15, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Lying is a form of trickery. When an individual is afraid of how someone will respond to something you did or said, words are crafted in such a manner to minimize the truth. This is the decision Abram made on his own when a famine postponed his journey to God’s promised land. Rather than walk in faith with the belief that God will do exactly what He said in Haran, Abram was fearful that a man married to a beautiful wife would be killed and his wife taken by Pharaoh.

And when he was about to enter into Egypt, he said to Sarai his wife, I know that you are beautiful to behold. 12 So when the Egyptians see you, they will say, This is his wife; and they will kill me, but they will let you live. 13 Say, I beg of you, that you are [c]my sister, so that it may go well with me for your sake and my life will be spared because of you. 14 And when Abram came into Egypt, the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful. 15 The princes of Pharaoh also saw her and commended her to Pharaoh, and she was taken into Pharaoh’s house [harem], Genesis 12:11-15.

The passage above is the opposite of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Eve listened to the tempter, convinced Adam that eating from the Tree of Knowledge would be beneficial and gave her husband a bite of the fig in her hand. Meanwhile, this new couple approached Egypt, Abram was the schemer who sold Sarai on the idea that “just say you’re my sister, no one will ever know but us.” Abram’s decision was more than just deception, the choice to lie was a reflection of his lack of faith in God.

You shall have no other gods before or besides Me. 4 You shall not make yourself any graven image [to worship it] or any likeness of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5 You shall not bow down yourself to them or serve them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, Exodus 20:3-5.

Moses is the author of the first five books of the Old Testament. Moses isn’t afraid to mince words in the passage above. While Moses is writing the Ten Commandments for the nation of Israel to follow, God’s character is unveiled. Human beings who place anyone or anything above the Lord as their top priority open the door for generational sins to be passed down to your children. Subsequently, Abram’s lying was adopted by Isaac and Jacob. Therefore, the next time you find yourself stretching the truth, may the consequence of generational sins convict you to stop this deception before it’s embraced by your future descendants.

by Jay Mankus

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When a Child Second Guesses Parents

Posted on December 27, 2022 by expressyourself4him

The other day a thought popped into my mind about a hypothetical conversation that may have occurred as Abel and Cain came home for dinner one night. After tilling rock hard ground in desert like conditions, Cain sees the Garden of Eden over in the distance, lush green beyond the sandy soil. Cain sarcastically asks his parents, “can you go over why you two were kicked out of the Garden of Eden?” Adam and Eve look at each other in silence, before Eve starts to share her accounts of that fateful day.

For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing the difference between good and evil and blessing and calamity. 6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good (suitable, pleasant) for food and that it was delightful to look at, and a tree to be desired in order to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she gave some also to her husband, and he ate, Genesis 3:5-6.

As Adam takes a big bite, chewing feverishly, a nervous laughter prompts Eve to set the scene. Eve was memorized by the Tree of Knowledge, unable to resist taking a second glance. The more Eve stared, the low bearing fruit got her attention, eliciting lust within her heart for this tree’s fruit. Cain immediately interrupts, “you’re telling me our family got kicked out of Eden over two figs?” Eve replies, “but it was so good.”

And Adam knew Eve as his wife, and she became pregnant and bore Cain; and she said, I have gotten and gained a man with the help of the Lord. 2 And [next] she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3 And in the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground. 4 And Abel brought of the firstborn of his flock and of the fat portions. And the Lord had respect and regard for Abel and for his offering, Genesis 4:1-4.

Hindsight is always twenty/twenty as anyone can play Monday morning quarterback. While Cain has a right to be disappointed by his parents, he should have been more concerned about getting his own life under control rather than pointing the finger at someone else. Jesus addresses this in his Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 7:1-5. There is plenty of time for personal reflection, especially after making poor choices in life. Yet, like the Michael W. Smith classic song, we’re all Living and Learning.

by Jay Mankus

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Breaking Generational Sins Before It’s Too Late

Posted on December 19, 2022 by expressyourself4him

The first mention of generational sins in the Bible is found in Exodus 20:5. As God unveils the Ten Commandments to the Nation of Israel, Moses is urged to inform individuals of the sins of the father. This includes any addiction, bad habits, careless choices, unwholesome desires or any act of disobedience that is in direct conflict with God’s commands, decrees and precepts. Following Moses’ disclaimer about generational sins, the ten commandments are centered around loving God and loving your neighbor.

And Cain said to his brother, [b]Let us go out to the field. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. 9 And the Lord said to Cain, Where is Abel your brother? And he said, I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper? 10 And [the Lord] said, What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to Me from the ground. 11 And now you are cursed by reason of the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s [shed] blood from your hand. 12 When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength; you shall be a fugitive and a vagabond on the earth [in perpetual exile, a degraded outcast], Genesis 4:8-12.

After the act of original sin, a joint venture by Adam and Eve, who was right there with her while taking a bite from the forbidden Tree of Knowledge in Genesis 3:6, the second sin in the Bible is mentioned in the passage above. Just as Eve made a decision to break God’s only boundary in the Garden of Eden, Cain made up his mind to eliminate his competition and the source of his envy/jealousy. Cain’s act of murder was passed down to his children and grandchildren, up to four generations.

Lamech said to his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; you wives of Lamech, listen to what I say; for I have slain a man [merely] for wounding me, and a young man [only] for striking and bruising me. 24 If Cain is avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech [will be avenged] seventy-sevenfold, Genesis 4:23-24.

Although I’ve read the book of Genesis on numerous occasions, I failed to see the confession made by Lamech to his two wives. Following some sort of altercation and dispute, Lamech admits to killing a young man who physically assaulted him. Lamech reflects upon what God said about Cain and his earthly punishment. When I heard Lamech’s confession, this is clearly a sign from God to break any generational sins in your family before it’s too late. Follow the apostle Paul’s advice in Galatians 5:16-25 to break this sinful pattern so you don;t follow in your father’s wayward footsteps.

by Jay Mankus

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You Shall Surely Die?

Posted on December 7, 2022 by expressyourself4him

The modern New Age Movement began in the early 1970’s. Hollywood played the role of the serpent as actors and actresses began to suggest that you can become like the God of the Bible. Sound familiar? The origin of the New Age Movement began in the Garden of Eden. Moses refers to the serpent mentioned in Genesis 3 as the craftiest of all the animals God created. The serpent tried to convince Eve that God was holding her back by denying her access to the Tree of Knowledge.

And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and blessing and calamity you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die, Genesis 2:16-17.

According to some versions of the Bible, when Eve was being enlightened by the words of the serpent, Adam was right there with her. If this is indeed the case, Adam was informed a chapter earlier about God’s only rule in the Garden of Eden. Based upon Eve’s initial response, Adam did tell her the boundaries set by God. The serpent’s conversation with Eve then turns toward one issue, “what does God mean by the words you will surely die?”

But the serpent said to the woman, You shall not surely die,5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing the difference between good and evil and blessing and calamity. 6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good (suitable, pleasant) for food and that it was delightful to look at, and a tree to be desired in order to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she gave some also to her husband, and he ate, Genesis 3:4-6.

Based upon Adam’s initial conversation with God, the consequence for breaking God’s only rule is death. If the creation of earth and human beings was designed to dwell and live forever, God is correct. However, the Father of Lies twists God’s words by planting a thought inside of Eve’s mind. The more Eve pondered the possibility of becoming like God, her eyes turned toward low bearing fruit hanging from the Tree of Knowledge. While all human beings will die in the end, disobeying God results in spiritual death, John 3:3-5. May today’s blog help you realize the need to be reborn this Christmas season.

by Jay Mankus

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The First Medical Miracle

Posted on December 3, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Daniel Hale Williams performed the first documented successful pericardium surgery in 1893. Over the past 129 years, countless miracles have occurred with many procedures now considered routine outpatient surgeries. One thing that you may not know about my family is that my Uncle Tony is the longest living recipient of an open-heart transplant in the Unted States. Still alive today, Tony Mankus is a living example of a medical miracle.

And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam; and while he slept, He took one of his ribs or a part of his side and closed up the [place with] flesh. 22 And the rib or part of his side which the Lord God had taken from the man He built up and made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. 23 Then Adam said, This [creature] is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of a man, Genesis 2:21-23.

Moses writes about the first medical miracle ever recorded in the Bible. Rather than place Adam under general anesthesia like a common procedure in American hospitals, God wanted until Adam was sound asleep. Likely following a full day of work in the Garden of Eden as a ground’s keeper and farmer. As Adam was unconscious, God operates as a surgeon who removes a rib and part of his side to form the first medical miracle, in the Bible forming the first woman on earth.

And Mary said to the angel, How can this be, since I have no [intimacy with any man as a] husband? 35 Then the angel said to her, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you [like a shining cloud]; and so the holy (pure, sinless) Thing (Offspring) which shall be born of you will be called the Son of God. 36 And listen! Your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is now the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment, Luke 1:34-37.

Thousands of years later, Mary had her own doubts about an encounter with an angel. Scientifically, to conceive a child without having sex is impossible unless it’s done via a test-tube with donated sperm. Yet, the angel reassured Mary that this would be accomplished through the power of the Holy Spirit. After dealing with the fact that God could have chosen anyone, Mary came to realize that anything is possible with God, especially, medical miracles.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 290: Household of Faith

Posted on November 18, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Sometimes you hear a song on the radio, but the DJ fails to tell you after the song is over who this was by. I first heard this song months ago but didn’t catch the artist’s name. While I assumed the title was Household of Faith, something distracted me on my way home from work. Subsequently, my short-term memory erased the lyrics from my mind. After a recent You Tube search, this song was on the top of my computer screen as I discover Household of Faith is by Winner and Shen.

Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. 6 In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths, Proverbs 3:5-6.

As someone who was witnessed multiple friends and neighbors have their marriages end in divorce, the lyrics of Household of Faith serve as a prayer to keep faith at the center of your marriage. Unfortunately, when couples lose the will to love one another, it’s like Eve in the Garden of Eden staring at the forbidden fruit hanging from the Tree of Knowledge. May today’s song inspire you to hold fast to faith whenever a spiritual storm approaches.

by Jay Mankus

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Living Forever Take 3

Posted on November 16, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Part of any Hollywood blockbuster movie are dramatic shifts in the storyline, like a roller coaster with unexpected twists and turns. Viewers are immediately grabbed, their attention is gained and locked in until this two-hour ride ends. Due to original sin, the fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, breaking God’s only rule, the Lord’s initial plan of living forever on earth is derailed. The apostle Paul writes about God’s backup plan in Romans 5:12-21, sending a second Adam to restore that which was lost.

And the Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to tend and guard and keep it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and blessing and calamity you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die, Genesis 2:15-17.

Life expectancy went from 800-900 years all the way down to 120 following the flood. Christian Scientists point to the Open Canopy Theory, an atmosphere without rain which sheltered human beings from direct sunlight thereby slowing down the aging process. This is the most practical way to explain the steep decline in life expectancy. Meanwhile, the curse bestowed by God upon future men and women in Genesis 3:16-24 also points to the gradual decay of the earth as well.

When men began to multiply on the face of the land and daughters were born to them, 2 The sons of God saw that the daughters of men were fair, and they took wives of all they desired and chose. 3 Then the Lord said, My Spirit shall not forever dwell and strive with man, for he also is flesh; but his days shall yet be 120 years, Genesis 6:1-3.

According to the Old Testament, Enoch was the only believer to not experience death on earth, Hebrews 11:5. The key to Enoch’s success and ascension into heaven was due to a consistent relationship with God, Genesis 5:22. From time to time, God will extend someone’s life like Hezekiah. This form of a blessing is addressed by Moses in Deuteronomy 28:1-14, with a simple equation: obedience to God results in blessings.

 I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Omnipotent [Himself] and the Lamb [Himself] are its temple. 23 And the city has no need of the sun nor of the moon to give light to it, for the splendor and radiance (glory) of God illuminate it, and the Lamb is its lamp. 24 The nations shall walk by its light and the rulers and leaders of the earth shall bring into it their glory. 25 And its gates shall never be closed by day, and there shall be no night there, Revelation 21:22-25.

When you read the final chapter of the Bible, living forever takes on a new shape and form. Take 1 caused life to end before 1000 years. Take 2 allowed Jesus to restore that which was lost, Luke 19:10, to redeem all who have sinned and fallen short of God’s given. Take 3 begins with the creation of a new Jerusalem. When this city of gold is placed upon the new earth, heaven will be limited to this holy city. All of those in the Book of Life will live forever on earth residing in the New Jerusalem.

by Jay Mankus

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Responding to the Open Doors in Life

Posted on August 15, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Human nature is on full display in Genesis 3. Back in the Garden of Eden, Genesis 2:15-17, God only gave Adam and Eve one rule. The rest of the garden was free to explore. The story of mankind’s fall from grace was passed down orally until Moses wrote the first five books of the Bible. According to Genesis 3, no timetable is provided on the length of the serpent’s temptation. Sometimes open doors are snare traps set by the Devil. Responding to these open doors require caution, maturity and wisdom.

When angry, do not sin; do not ever let your wrath (your exasperation, your fury or indignation) last until the sun goes down. 27 Leave no [such] room or foothold for the devil [give no opportunity to him]. 28 Let the thief steal no more, but rather let him be industrious, making an honest living with his own hands, so that he may be able to give to those in need, Ephesians 4:26-28.

One chapter after the warning in the passage above, the apostle Paul introduces the concept of keeping in step with the Holy Spirit, Ephesians 5:25. Galatians 5:16-18 details this internal tug of war which Adam and Eve both lost. When a child is told not to do something by their parents, this boundary or restriction elicits a sense of curiosity. Subsequently, the Tree of Knowledge was accessible by exercising free will. Today, there are countless temptations, opens doors that end up trapping the curious into addictions.

Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I tell their faults and convict and convince and reprove and chasten [I discipline and instruct them]. So be enthusiastic and in earnest and burning with zeal and repent [changing your mind and attitude]. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears and listens to and heeds My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will eat with him, and he [will eat] with Me, Revelation 3:19-20.

One of the most beneficial visions in the Bible is a door which only has one handle. God’s side of this door doesn’t have a handle. John’s vision is symbolic of free will. God will try to get your attention daily by knocking or via a still small voice, 1 Kings 19:12. The door handle is on your side so the only way to access open doors is by exercising freewill. Faith comes into play when you try to open these doors, but some may be locked for a season. May today’s song help you learn how to respond to open doors in life.

by Jay Mankus

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What Made the Angels Sing?

Posted on December 21, 2021 by expressyourself4him

“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” first appeared in 1739 as part of a collection of Hymns and Sacred Poems. This compilation features lyrical contributions from Charles Wesley and George Whitefield. Charles Wesley wrote “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” and later went on to found the Methodist Church. Meanwhile, Whitefield became a famous evangelist speaking at Big Tent Revivals on the east coast.

For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father [of Eternity], Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and of peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from the [latter] time forth, even forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this, Isaiah 9:6-7.

Sometime after reading Luke 2:14 which tells of an angelic chorus singing praises to God, Wesley was inspired to begin writing this Christmas carol. Later on music to “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” was adapted from “Vaterland, in deinen Gauen” by Felix Mendelssohn. Going back to the story in the Bible, the birth of Jesus suddenly brought a great company of heavenly hosts to appear before shepherds.

And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord flashed and shone all about them, and they were terribly frightened. 10 But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people. 11 For to you is born this day in the town of David a Savior, Who is Christ (the Messiah) the Lord! – Luke 2:9-11

The anticipation of the Bible’s first prophecy in Genesis 3:15 was within moments of being fulfilled. Jesus was about to become a second Adam to restore what was lost in the Garden of Eden, Luke 19:10. Just as children are anxious to pour out the contents inside of their stockings and rip open their presents, the realization of God with us, Emmanuel, inspired the angels to sing.

by Jay Mankus

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Blinded by Conceit

Posted on August 25, 2021 by expressyourself4him

In this age of work, individuals who strive to become team players are invaluable. Being able to see the greater good makes your business, department or office more efficient and successful. Developing this mindset is like the apostle Paul’s analogy in 1 Corinthians 12:4-8. Whenever you find a role where you thrive, this is where you should excel and remain like a church body with many parts that becomes a well oiled machine. While this is the ideal scenario, seeking attention, fame or praise from others causes many to become blinded by conceit.

He must not be a new convert, or he may [develop a beclouded and stupid state of mind] as the result of pride [be blinded by conceit, and] fall into the condemnation that the devil [once] did, 1 Timothy 3:6.

In the passage above, Paul is listing spiritual qualifications that a pastor should look for as they recruit a leadership team within their church. Since Paul is writing to a teenage pastor who may be persuaded by unqualified individuals, he doesn’t want Timothy to select a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Anyone can make a good first impression, but the longer you are around someone will reveal their true character and nature. Even adults who become Christians later in life have to grow up and mature by putting on the mind of Christ while purging their old self, Colossians 3:1-4.

Furthermore, he must have a good reputation and be well thought of by those outside [the church], lest he become involved in slander and incur reproach and fall into the devil’s trap, 1 Timothy 3:7.

However, cunning individuals like the serpent in the Garden of Eden will keep on pushing the envelope. Meanwhile, Lucifer has the ability to present himself as an angel of light, 2 Corinthians 11:14. According to Paul, Lucifer’s fall from heaven was due to being blinded with conceit. Perhaps. when the Psalmist writes “pride comes before the fall” is eluding to Lucifer and those who follow in his footsteps. Pride can be like having blinders on, unable to see the errors of your way. Therefore, before pride becomes fully developed, snap out of this spiritual funk as soon as possible.

by Jay Mankus

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