Tag Archives: the Old Testament

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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Draw Near

Posted on October 23, 2016 by expressyourself4him

In the Old Testament, God’s presence is limited to a few select individuals.  After Adam and Eve were kicked out of the Garden of Eden at the end of Genesis 3, intimacy with God was severed.  Thus, God revealed himself to the forefathers of Israel, prophets and some leaders to guide and direct their paths.  However, due to continued disobedience throughout several centuries, God decides go silent for 400 years serving as a transition for the New Testament.

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.  Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded, James 4:8.

Before Jesus arrived on to the scene, priests were used as a mediator between God and mankind.  To atone for sin, priests performed animals sacrifices with the shedding of blood to cleanse individuals, families and cities from their transgressions.  Without practicing this biblical principle, forgiveness is not obtained.  Therefore, drawing near to God can not occur unless repentance and contrition has been completed.

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water, Hebrews 10:22.

The new covenant introduced to his disciples during the Last Supper, Jesus eliminated the need for the Old Testament practice mentioned above.  Described as the Lamb of God, a perfect sacrifice without blemish, Jesus laid down his own life so that in Him, we too might have life.  While worshiping God at a building, home or a temple is still a vital aspect of faith, you can draw near to God anywhere and anytime.  As you draw near, God’s grace is a free gift available to all approach the Lord with a sincere heart, eager to forgive sinners as far as the East is from the West.

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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Family, Strangers and the Needy

Posted on June 8, 2016 by expressyourself4him

The Bible kindly suggests that retirement is not an option, with always another calling to consider.  As life expectancy was altered following the introduction of sin by Adam and Eve, things changed.  Thus, as earth’s atmosphere shifted from an Open Canopy to what it is today after the flood, people needed to rely on families as age took its toll on human bodies.  Those without a family were at the mercy of strangers and the needy to survive.

When Naomi heard in Moab that the LORD had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them, she and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there, Ruth 1:6.

In the Old Testament, it was custom for harvesters to leave some of their crops for the poor.  Typically, the area along the edges of property lines was not picked clean, giving the less fortunate a place to pick up something to eat.  Thus, if you were desperate enough, this is where you would go if you wanted food.  Although times have changed, today individuals in need try to find a busy intersection where the wealthy may pass by in a nice vehicle.

And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.” Naomi said to her, “Go ahead, my daughter,” Ruth 2:2.

A modern parable of the Good Samaritan is written daily as those moved or touched stop to offer a couple of dollars here or there.  Yet, is this the right decision or should God’s people take a more proactive role?  Perhaps, taking this person to lunch like the Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37 is a better alternative.  While this act of love is difficult for me, its what any loving family member would do for a relative.  Therefore, don’t just limit your kindness to those you know.  Rather, extend Christ’s love to strangers and the needy.

by Jay Mankus

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Putting Grace on the Map

Posted on February 28, 2016 by expressyourself4him

There are certain types of characters, individuals or professions that make the average person feel uneasy.  Appearance, dress and modesty or lack there of sends a message.  Yet, some read more into this, judging someone’s character without ever meeting.  In the Old Testament, those who lived near the city gates symbolized wealth.  Thus, if you visited Jericho, you would find a brothel run by Rahab, a well-known harlot who made a living by entertaining those looking for a good time.

Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there, Joshua 2:1.

Despite her reputation and past, the Lord choose to use a prostitute to accomplish his will.  Beside putting grace on the map, this story in history sends an important message to those who feel unworthy.  Regardless of what you have done, God extends his mercy to those who are open to being a vessel of the kingdom.  In fact, this one act did not go unnoticed.  Rather, this woman of the night eventually becomes part of the lineage of Jesus and enters the Hall of faith in Hebrews 11.

Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, Matthew 1:5.

So what is a whore doing in the family tree of Jesus?  Well, we may never know the answer for sure.  However, that doesn’t mean we can’t speculate on why.  According to the author of Hebrews, God is the builder of all things.  Thus, if sin reveals the fallen nature of mankind, forgiveness by a Savior who died on a cross to atone for our mistakes brings new life.  Therefore, the next time you hear Satan whisper, “God will never use you.”  Remind the devil of the Creator of life who put grace on the map.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

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Finding Your Why

Posted on May 9, 2014 by expressyourself4him

Author Simon Sinek wrote the book Start with Why, uncovering how great leaders inspire others to take action.  While many modern businesses have a high school mentality, punishing everyone for a few workers transgressions, Sinek highlights what separates great companies and leaders from the rest.  While Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, Steve Jobs and the Wright Brothers didn’t have much in common, they all started with why.

While listening to an interview yesterday on the Blaze Radio Network, I began to wonder, why do I do what I do?  Subsequently, its important to find your why.  During the exile of Israel in the Old Testament, a prophet unveiled some chilling news.  “People are destroyed from a lack of knowledge,” Hosea 4:6.  This passage suggests if you don’t find your why in life, you will likely come to ruin before you fulfill God’s will on earth, Philippians 1:6.

One of Israel’s founding fathers advised God’s people to read, ponder and meditate on the Torah, Joshua 1:8.  The son of God called His followers to action, putting into practice the words He, Jesus shared, Matthew 7:24.  Meanwhile, the apostle Paul encouraged seekers to devote their lives to holiness, worship and renewing minds to conform with Scripture, Romans 12:1-2.

As you set out to find your own why for what you do, let us know how your journey is going.

by Jay Mankus

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Is It Strange that I Feel This Way?

Posted on September 7, 2013 by expressyourself4him

The new normal in the 21st century is foreign to many who hold to Judeo-Christian values.  While talking to a friend this past week, our conversation turned toward college, the temptations we faced and the culture that currently exists.  When my friend’s daughter came home last week for the first time, just starting her freshman year, she felt uneasy.  One of the things she is wrestling with is the disconnect she has with friends who have embraced the party atmosphere at school.  Not sure how to respond, she asked her father, “is it strange that I feel this way?”

Once of Jesus’ disciples used the term alien to describe how he felt living in and among the world, 1 Peter 2:11-12.  Strange is relative depending upon your normal surroundings, but it is clear when you choose to go against the flow, its not easy, requiring courage, fortitude and faith.  However, Peter expounds upon what believers should expect, a spiritual war, urging you to comply with the sinful nature.  This attack on the human soul begins with the commercialism of alcohol.  The message has become so prevalent on television that beer, liquor and mixed drinks are trying to convince consumers that if you buy this, drink that or are seen holding a certain beverage, you will be the life of the party.  This hyper-reality overlooks the pain hangovers produce, deaths related to drunk driving and the destruction alcoholism can create within families.

During my first semester at the University of Delaware, my floor had the lowest Grade Point Average on campus according to my Resident Assistant.  While not quite as low as the Delta’s in the movie Animal House, I felt like I wasted an entire semester.  Those students who earned a 0.0 GPA did not return, leaving a much quieter dorm.  Even friends I knew who lived in Fraternity homes, either matured or grew tired of partying.  Therefore, for anyone out there, who thinks they aren’t normal for abstaining from drinking, you are not alone.  Like the Old Testament suggests, God always keeps a remnant, a group of followers who overcome temptation by holding true to the Bible.  Hold fast to the promise of Galatians 6:9-10!

by Jay Mankus

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At Wit’s End

Posted on May 30, 2013 by expressyourself4him

Reliant K sings about people trying to reinvent the wheel in their classic song Wit’s All Been Done Before found on the Birds and the Bee Sides album.  Synonymous with humor and intelligence, wit is something King Solomon references in the Old Testament.  “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun, ” Ecclesiastes 1:9.

If this is true, society is at wit’s end.  Unfortunately, history is a vicious cycle in which most societies self-destruct, opening the door for another to take its place.  Unless one studies past civilizations, their demise is forthcoming as most cultures repeat the same mistakes of the past.  This is the state of Psalm 107:27, as the subjects mentioned were at wit’s end.

Beyond the mysticism of this new age, there is a Counselor awaiting those who have reached this destination.  In the darkness of present day, there is hope on the horizon, John 16:12-15.  While I have been confined to another dead end street, I am ready to breakout, set free by a spiritual power.  May the words of Jesus in John 4:23-24 be fulfilled today, leading God’s followers once they reach wit’s end!

by Jay Mankus

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