Tag Archives: The Holy Spirit

Finger Pointing Doesn’t Solve the Problem

Posted on April 4, 2017 by expressyourself4him

When someone is caught doing something they are not suppose to do, there are three common defenses.  The first excuse usually sounds something like, “I didn’t know.”  If you can’t claim plausible deniability, the blame game is often the next response.  Finally, if this doesn’t work, there’s always one final trump card to play, “the Devil made me do it.”

The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it,” Genesis 3:12.

This pattern of denial was demonstrated by Adam and Eve after breaking the only rule in the Garden of Eden, “do not eat from the tree of knowledge, Genesis 2:17.  As soon as this line was crossed, the finger pointing began.  Trying to deflect who was ultimately responsible, the consequence of sin began to influence human behavior.  Instead of learning from this mistake to avoid future errors, energy was wasted on finger pointing.

Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate,” Genesis 3:13.

Jesus spent his last three years on earth introducing a new way of living.  This teaching involved a new covenant based upon the element of truth.  Within the gospel of John, Jesus urges listeners to seek the truth which will ultimately set you free.  When hearts and minds become renewed by the power of the Holy Spirit, finger pointing is replaced by acts of contrition.  May a spirit of revival reverse social media’s blame game with a movement based upon solutions.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Not Just Words…A Lifestyle

Posted on March 29, 2017 by expressyourself4him

Whether you are an athlete, co-worker or student, no one likes to be lectured by someone who does not practice what they preach.  While admonishing, correcting or rebuking an individual may have good intentions, when this act is carried out by a hypocrite, this conversation loses its meaning.  Subsequently, the purpose of any effort to illustrate what is right is lost by mere words.

But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever, 1 Timothy 5:8.

As a teenager pastor, Timothy struggled to earn the respect of older members of his congregation.  Understanding his frustration, the apostle Paul wrote Timothy a few letters to convince others of the correct course of action.  The verse above is meant to keep in line anyone who thinks they are above God’s law.  Thus, Timothy was encouraged to stress the importance of developing a godly lifestyle, not empty words.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work, 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

Over time, Timothy came to realize that the standard for life is the Bible.  This collection of books provides the confused, those stuck and uncertain with the answers necessary to move forward.  While there will always be those who challenge authority, the Word of God is the guiding light to lead the lost.  Wherever you are at this stage in life, may the Holy Spirit inspire you to become fixated on a Christ-like life style, not just words.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

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Greater is He Who is In You

Posted on February 24, 2017 by expressyourself4him

One of Jesus’ disciples makes a power statement in a collection of small books known as the Catholic Epistles.  One specific letter written by John addresses the two opposing forces within this world.  The first, the Holy Spirit and latter the ruler of the air, Satan.  Although both are invisible, John wants to encourage those who may be fighting a losing battle that God is greater.

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world, 1 John 4:4.

However, stating this and believing it are two different things.  Whether you’re an athlete, competitive or trying your best to survive, experiencing a series of failures can break anyone’s momentum.  The devil preys on doubt, planting seeds within minds to second guess God’s power and who really is in control.  Subsequently, even the confident go through periods of darkness, fighting inner demons which seek to attack your heart, soul and mind.

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds, 2 Corinthians 10:4.

At some point, the disciples passes the Christian torch to the apostle Paul whose missionary journeys gave birth to churches throughout the Middle East, Europe and Africa.  According to Paul, the only way to stand your ground against the enemy involves changing your tactics.  Whenever faith begins to falter or wilt, taking every thought captive and making it obedient to Christ is crucial.  As soon as this discipline is put into practice, then and only then will you truly believe that greater is He who is in you than is in the world.

by Jay Mankus

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I’m All Boycotted Out

Posted on February 15, 2017 by expressyourself4him

I read a Facebook post last week blasting Vice-President Mike Pence’s tie breaking vote to nominate Betsy Devos as the next Secretary of Education.  Moments later a heard a Fox News host discuss a movement to boycott Nordstrom’s after they dropped the Ivanka Trump’s clothing line.  While listening to Talk Radio on my way to lunch, I heard soundbites of Democratic plans to continue to fight, obstruct and take president Donald Trump to court.  After less than a month of America’s 45th president, I’m all boycotted out.

For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed, Romans 13:6-7.

I’ve heard several thousand sermons over the years, but one applies to this topic.  Early on in the 1990’s, Kmart did something to outrage Christians.  I don’t recall what it was, yet there were several members of Cornerstone Church pressuring Pastor Paul to get behind a movement to boycott Kmart.  During a private conversation, Paul had a Solomon like moment, making a brilliant point.  “How can I lead this congregation and look a mother in the eyes who just happens to work at Kmart?  It’s not her fault.  Sometimes you have to stay out of the fray and let the situation please itself out.”

Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s,” Matthew 22:17-21.

Jesus had a similar discussion when religious leaders accused him of being against taxes.  Using this topic as a teachable moment, Jesus makes an important distinction between God and the government.  This simplistic reply silences Jesus’ political critics.  Perhaps, the leaders of this country need to apply this same principle today.  Sure, disagreements lead to gridlock.  Nonetheless, give to God what is God’s and give to the government what is due.  While boycotts might make some people feel good, the love of Christ calls individuals to turn the other cheek.  May the Holy Spirit soften hardened hearts and restore a sense of unity.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Time Flies When You Do What You Were Created to Do

Posted on February 2, 2017 by expressyourself4him

It’s hard to believe that this blog began 5 years ago today.  When I started, I didn’t know how long this new project would last.  As a former high school teacher, I initially wanted to keep my writing skills fresh in case another opportunity presented itself.  Yet, it was the theologian Augustine who inspired me to continue this journey.

And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it, Habakkuk 2:2.

The historian Jerome credits Augustine as the one who established anew the ancient faith.  Following his conversion to Christianity in 386, Augustine began to journal his thoughts.  While sitting on his back porch, Augustine began to relate the flowers he noticed to the Garden of Eden.  The more he learned, read and studied, the deeper Augustine’s thoughts became.  After reading the Confessions of Augustine, this book inspired me to detail my own thoughts within Express Yourself 4Him to record my own spiritual journey.

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart, Hebrews 4:12.

Although I am not certain, I don’t think that any of the great theologians of the past thought they would so influential in the future.  My belief is that many of these writers just wanted to sort out who God was and what they really believed.  If you have ever attended seminary, some of these scholars wrote thousands of pages over the course of their lives.  Yet, time flies when you do what you were created to do.  Unless God tells me otherwise, I hope to continue to share with you the insights the Holy Spirit lays on my heart, mind and soul in this blog.

by Jay Mankus

 

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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

 

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Moving Beyond Hunger Pains to Experience Worship

Posted on January 8, 2017 by expressyourself4him

A decade ago I attended a Bible Study and Sunday School with a few individuals who introduced to me to the Daniel Fast.  When the Babylonians invaded Israel in the Old Testament, several young Jews were taken back to Babylon.  Held captive against their will, these teenagers were reprogrammed to a new culture by king Nebuchadnezzar.  Overwhelmed with conviction, Daniel proposed a 10 day eating challenge limited to fruits, vegetables and water to a chief official.

But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way, Daniel 1:8.

This proposal has evolved into what churches refer to as the Daniel Fast, a three week period to eat healthy.  Some where along the way, 10 days was extended to 21, usually occurring at the beginning of each year.  To avoid shocking my own body, I do a modified fast in 7 day segments.  By the end of the first week, I give up soda or tea to transition over to water.  Depending on how I feel after 2 weeks, I might do a strict fast the last 7 days.  However, the hardest part of any fast involves coping with hunger pains which can ruin the spirits of any participant.

“Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink,” Daniel 1:12.

Although, I am still relatively a newbie when it comes to fasting, I discover something new each January.  During my first week of this year’s fast, the Holy Spirit placed a thought in my mind, “to move beyond hunger pains to experience worship.”  While I still have 2 more weeks to go, this mindset is helping me see the purpose of fasting, to draw closer to the Lord by worshiping God daily.  Thus, the next time you feel called to begin a fast, don’t forget to move beyond hunger pains to experience a heart set on worshiping God.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

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The Path to the Dark Side

Posted on December 26, 2016 by expressyourself4him

While watching the latest film in the Star Wars series, I was struck by a single line.  Like any of the movies, Rogue One uses the imagery of darkness and the force.  Without playing the spoil role, one conversation references a path to the dark side.  This topic also relates to real life as it only takes one poor decision to begin a slide in the wrong direction.

But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him, John 11:10.

As someone who struggles to sleep at night, there are many evenings where I wonder off in the dark to go down stairs.  Despite knowing all the obstacles that I need to dodge, its doesn’t take much to bang into, trip or stumble along the way.  Until I get close to a source of light, I’m susceptible to hurting myself.

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined, Isaiah 9:2.

Whenever anyone tries to live this life on earth on mere human strength, failure is an obvious destination.  Thus, a supernatural force is necessary to escape the temptation of the dark side.  This is what makes Christmas so special, as the promise of a Messiah is fulfilled through the birth of Jesus.  Therefore, if you want to assure yourself the path to heaven, 1 John 5:13, choose the light, fueled by the power of the Holy Spirit to flee the dark side.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Embracing the Headwinds in Life

Posted on November 22, 2016 by expressyourself4him

Without wind a sailboat is dead in the water.  On the other hand, when gale or hurricane force winds arrive, the situation turns to a matter of life and death.  Thus, one man’s curse is another’s blessing.  Either way, its important to embrace the headwinds in life.

And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord,” Job 1:21.

As a golfer, I once hit a drive in high school 340 yards uphill with a 75 miles per hours gust at my back.  On the same day, I struggled to hit mid-irons 100 yards into the same wind.  For an airplane to take off, it must face headwinds.  If attempting to get off the ground with the wind at their back, the downward force of this wind prevents lift, doing just the opposite.  Therefore, headwinds create ideal conditions for flight.

The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit,” John 3:8.

Although wind is invisible, you can hear it coming.  While tornadoes create debris clouds, the Holy Spirit restores human beings from the inside out.  Transformation usually takes time, especially for anyone overcoming previous storms which has ravaged souls.  Beyond broken hearts, pain and scars, a supernatural force uses headwinds to bring individuals back to where they need to be.  In view of this fact, remember to thank the Lord like Job for the good and bad so that God will use headwinds to lift you up.

by Jay Mankus

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Illuminating Prayer

Posted on October 31, 2016 by expressyourself4him

Whenever I am about to lose hope in the power of prayer, I am reminded of a testimony I heard in college.  My friend Pam told me of her mother’s journey from Mormonism to faith in Christ.  When her children became teenagers, a spirit of rebellion entered a sibling leading him into the occult.  What came next can only be described as illuminating prayer.

Pray without ceasing, 1 Thessalonians 5:17.

As a parent, there comes a time when children no longer listen.  Perhaps tired of being nagged, young people tend to tune out adults at some point in life.  When the no longer listening phase begins, its easy for a dad or mom to over-react.  This natural reaction makes the communication gap worse, expanding the wedge between parent and child.

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

While Pam’s mom likely possessed an urge to confront her son, the Holy Spirit had a different plan.  As if following the advice of a friend, Pam’s mother began to prayer over her son’s room each day after he left for school.  This pattern occurred for a week or so, bathing her son’s room in prayer.  Without any communication, dark posters were taken down and thrown away.  By the end of the month, Pam’s mother led her son to faith in Christ.  Although, there is more to the story, this is a glimpse of illuminating prayer.

by Jay Mankus

 

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