Tag Archives: The Holy Spirit

A Moment Closest to Christ in the Face of Adversity

Posted on December 17, 2022 by expressyourself4him

When I was in college, I attended a Walk to Emmaus Weekend. Following this amazing retreat with men, a group of us started an accountability group to keep the spiritual momentum going. Ed hosted this weekly get together on Monday night which was attended by Dave, D.R., Jack and me. The Reunion Group relied on an outline for sharing that included your moment closest to Christ. While at work today, the Holy Spirit opened by eyes and heart to a spiritual element that has been missing from my life.

And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever— 17 The Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive (welcome, take to its heart), because it does not see Him or know and recognize Him. But you know and recognize Him, for He lives with you [constantly] and will be in you, John 16:16-17.

The emotions that I experienced were brought on due to my sister’s current battle with ovarian cancer. When I first moved to Delaware 25 years ago, I spent the first 10 years getting together on Friday nights for a combination of cards and games. While these nights at her house were often competitive and intense, this time brought our families together as my two oldest boys got to spend time with their older cousins Lizzy and Rachael. Unfortunately, over the past 15 years I’ve become so consumed with my own life that I haven’t spent enough time with the people I love.

I will not leave you as orphans [comfortless, desolate, bereaved, forlorn, helpless]; I will come [back] to you. 19 Just a little while now, and the world will not see Me any more, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also. 20 At that time [when that day comes] you will know [for yourselves] that I am in My Father, and you [are] in Me, and I [am] in you, John 16:18-20.

My moment closest to Christ came in the form of a rhema, a message from the Holy Spirit. I was reminded of the song Wanting the Things You Get by Santa Fe. The message of the attached You Tube pierced my heart, flooding my soul with conviction of not investing my time on earth in relationships. Instead, I’ve wasted a decade on self-indulgence on my computer, phone and watching television. My pledge for 2023 is to begin focusing my life and time centered around getting to know and love my neighbors. As I continue to pray for the miracle of healing for my sister Kathie, seize every moment that you have with family this Christmas.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

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

S.A.N.S. Episode 317: Hope Has a Name

Posted on December 15, 2022 by expressyourself4him

I first heard today’s song while driving home from work. I wasn’t able to catch the name or who this was by, but I couldn’t wait to get home to see if I could find Hope Has a Name on You Tube. Depending upon the musician, everyone has their own opinion of how a certain song should be done. Some focus on the melody, others on keys and notes and song writers add their own two cents on how a song can be enhanced. Yet, when you sing about hope, Jesus is His name.

For in [this] hope we were saved. But hope [the object of] which is seen is not hope. For how can one hope for what he already sees? 25 But if we hope for what is still unseen by us, we wait for it with patience and composure, Romans 8:24-25.

The passage above comes from one of the most famous chapters in the Bible. The apostle Paul begins Romans 8 by comparing and contrasting the sinful nature with the Holy Spirit. The middle focuses on hope and the source of salvation. Yet, the ending is the most powerful as Paul declares that nothing can separate us from the love of God. As you listen to River Valley Worship’s version of Hope Has a Name, may you be touched as I was the first time, I heard this worship song.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

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

S.A.N.S. Episode 296: Never Alone

Posted on November 24, 2022 by expressyourself4him
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EotykMCgYXk

There are several remixes of Transform’s song Never Alone. While I wasn’t able to find an older remix that is longer and better than the attached video, this one will have to do. While the lyrics aren’t that spiritual in nature, the song points to the biblical promise in the passage below. In his letter to the Church at Rome, the apostle Paul tells this congregation that nothing can separate you from the love of God. Therefore, you’re never alone.

For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things [n]impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers, 39 Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord, Romans 8:38-39.

One of the ways Jesus comforted his disciples during Passion Week was to introduce the concept of a Holy Ghost, John 14:16-17. While Jesus doesn’t go into detail like the prophet Isaiah, Jesus compares the Holy Spirit to a spiritual counselor and guide. When you add this fact to the apostle Paul’s words, Christians should never feel alone. If you do, it’s likely due to the schemes of the Devil trying to separate you from God’s flock, 1 Peter 5:8. May today’s song comfort your heart.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

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

Active and Moving

Posted on November 20, 2022 by expressyourself4him

To survive in the spiritual realm, you have to be alert, discerning, and proactive. Based upon the words of the apostle Paul in Ephesians 6:10-12, the Devil is always scheming something to take down Christians daily. One of Jesus’ disciples reveals this plot in 1 Peter 5:8. As someone who wasn’t prepared for Jesus’ arrest, Peter learned the hard way after publicly denying Jesus three times. Staying spiritually active and moving prevents you from becoming separated from God’s flock, other believers.

The earth was without form and an empty waste, and darkness was upon the face of the very great deep. The Spirit of God was moving (hovering, brooding) over the face of the waters, Genesis 1:2.

During an interaction at work last month, one of my managers noticed that I was always diligent and working hard when he sees me. My quick response naturally flowed out of me, “I only have one speed.” Either I’m still a hyperactive child in my fifties or I possess an old school mentality: “work is work and play comes after hours.” Like the Spirit of God hovering and moving over the earth prior to creation, I get antsy when I remain stagnant. Active and moving is more of my natural pace in life.

For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the [g]breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart, Hebrews 4:12.

According to one biblical author, the Holy Spirit isn’t the only thing moving and active. While the Bible has been translated into 724 languages as of 2022, the words inside this book are supernatural. The passage above highlights how a verse or an entire passage can emotionally move you. Whether it’s your conscience, heart or soul, conviction has a way of moving through our bodies. The next time you read the Bible, may you experience an active and moving God who resides in your heart via Jesus.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

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

A Vast and Lofty Mountain

Posted on November 12, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Since the days of Moses, there has been an impression that the higher up you are in elevation, the closer you are to God. As a former skier, being in the snowcapped Rocky Mountains in the middle of winter is a clear sign of God’s creation, Romans 1:18-20. Looking down from the top of any cliff is intimidating. Yet, as someone who climbed the Blue Ridge Mountains during Christian retreats in college, I have felt God’s presence while on a vast and lofty mountain.

Now all the people perceived the thunderings and the lightnings and the noise of the trumpet and the smoking mountain, and as [they] looked they trembled with fear and fell back and stood afar off. 19 And they said to Moses, You speak to us and we will listen, but let not God speak to us, lest we die. 20 And Moses said to the people, Fear not; for God has come to prove you, so that the [reverential] fear of Him may be before you, that you may not sin. 21 And the people stood afar off, but Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was, Exodus 20:18-21.

I grew up in a church where the wrath of God in the Old Testament was emphasized. Meanwhile, God’s grace and the love of Jesus in the New Testament was rarely featured. Subsequently, I felt like the Israelites in the passage above, dwelling on God the disciplinarian. Fearing God is one thing, but thinking you’ll be punished each time you make an error or mistake is emotionally draining. Thus, God was too holy for me, far away on a vast and lofty mountain.

Then in the Spirit He conveyed me away to a vast and lofty mountain and exhibited to me the holy (hallowed, consecrated) city of Jerusalem descending out of heaven from God, Revelation 21:10.

When I became a high school Bible teacher, this ungodly belief slowly faded away. From time to time, this unworthy feeling would consume my soul, but the Holy Spirit set me free from this clouded and distorted view of God. I can’t point to the exact moment when this was flushed from my memory, but God’s grace paved the way to transform my mind. If this blog finds you in a similar place where I once was, may you find the confidence in the words of the apostle Paul in Philippians 1:6-7.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

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

S.A.N.S. Episode 280: There is Power

Posted on November 8, 2022 by expressyourself4him

As times change, so does the positions within churches across the country. One of the latest trends is the transition from a Director of Music to Worship pastors. Such is the case for Lincoln Brewster, who serves as a pastor when he isn’t on tour. Today’s song comes from a live performance for K-Love Radio. The song Lincoln chose to perform is There is Power. The lyrics speak to the power of healing and preaching in the name of Jesus.

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control, 2 Timothy 1:7.

The apostle Paul provides advice to a teenager pastor in the passage above. Paul speaks about weak individuals who struggle with the fear of what other people think. Rather than be consumed by peer pressure, Paul urges this young man of God to lean on the power of the Holy Spirit. This includes a spirit of power, love, and self-control. While hidden from human sight, this supernatural power can transform lives by placing your sole trust in the Lord, Proverbs 3:5-6.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

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

Cut It Out… Or Be Cut Off

Posted on November 7, 2022 by expressyourself4him

There were two common expressions the parents of teenagers in my neighbors used while trying to discipline unruly kids. The first was “knock it off,” but my dad often said, “cut it out.” When your father is a former defensive end and tight end in college, you do exactly what he says. One Old Testament prophet and Jesus make similar points in the passages below:

Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened at all, that it cannot save, nor His ear dull with deafness, that it cannot hear. 2 But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear. 3 For your hands are defiled with blood and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue mutters wickedness. 4 None sues or calls in righteousness [but for the sake of doing injury to others—to take some undue advantage]; no one goes to law honestly and pleads [his case] in truth; they trust in emptiness, worthlessness and futility, and speaking lies! They conceive mischief and bring forth evil! – Isaiah 59:1-4

I came face to face with this expression during the summer before my senior year of college. While playing sand volleyball with my good friend Eddy, I broke my ankle. Instead of enjoying my final month of summer, I was bed-ridden for two weeks. While lying in bed, I heard the Holy Spirit whisper “cut if out or be cut off”. Like the Laodiceans in Revelation 3:15-16, I had become a lukewarm Christian.

 I am the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser. 2 Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit. 3 You are cleansed and pruned already, because of the word which I have given you [the teachings I have discussed with you]. 4 Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. [Live in Me, and I will live in you.] Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me. 5 I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing, John 15:1-5.

In the days that followed, I had come to a crossroads of faith. This was God’s way of saying, “make Jesus Lord of your life, Romans 10:9-11, or live for yourself.” At college I was a strong Christian, but at home in Cleveland I was chasing after earthly pleasures. August of 1991 altered my prodigal journey as I came to my spiritual senses to return home for good by beginning to cut out my former way of life, Colossians 3:5-9. May my personal journey inspire you to go all in by making Jesus Lord and Savior.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

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

S.A.N.S. Episode 225: Never Felt Better

Posted on September 14, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Back in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, there was a belief among conservative Christian churches that any form of Rock music was of the Devil. This ungodly belief was formed by preachers who didn’t understand the events of the sexual revolution of the late 1960’s. Never Felt Better by Barnabas touches on how this group was ostracized at the time this song was written, but the band members felt like they were following God’s will for their lives.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will, Romans 12:1-2.

The apostle Paul addresses how to discover God’s will in the passage above. As Christians begin to develop and share their earthly talents and spiritual gifts, the Holy Spirit often places burdens on your heart in the form of a calling from God, Galatians 5:25. Whenever individuals are able to keep in step with the Spirit, spiritual blessings tend to follow. While Barnabas never received the attention of groups like Petra or Stryper, the members was faithful to God’s calling.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

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

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

Leave a comment

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

A Lesson in Humility

Posted on July 8, 2022 by expressyourself4him

When you can’t make your dream job happen, you have to come up with plan B. When plan B fails miserably, you have to scramble to use all of your available resources to hope something will turn up. This is a brief summary of my life over the past 7 months. Following months and months of disappointments, this emotional letdown has taught me a lesson in humility.

A false balance and unrighteous dealings are extremely offensive and shamefully sinful to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight. 2 When swelling and pride come, then emptiness and shame come also, but with the humble (those who are lowly, who have been pruned or chiseled by trial, and renounce self) are skillful and godly Wisdom and soundness, Proverbs 11:1-2.

One of the wisest persons to walk the face of the earth writes about humility in the passage above. King Solomon was no saint who had his own self-destructive practices. Solomon’s love for women led to 700 wives and 300 concubines. This series of poor decisions to indulge his sexual desires resulted in several dysfunctional relationships. Subsequential, Solomon provides his own lessons in humility.

Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [[b]possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God God], did not [c]think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped [d]or retained, 7 But stripped Himself [of all privileges and [e]rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being. 8 And after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross! – Philippians 2:6-8.

While I thought my life was bad, the Holy Spirit reminded me of what Jesus went through to save the world from sin. During his own set of temptations in Matthew 4:1-11, Jesus could have bragged about his divine power by turning stones to bread and fly through the air like Superman. Yet, despite being the Son of God, Jesus humbled himself by laying down his own life to save the world, John 3:16-17. The next time you think that your life is so important, consider Jesus’ lesson in humility in the passage above.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

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