Tag Archives: vision

The Hunger of Laborers

Posted on November 26, 2016 by expressyourself4him

Part of the DNA within a man is found through their occupation.  Unfortunately, many struggle to find a job which compliments and highlights their God given talents.  Subsequently, when Christmas and holiday parties arrive in a few weeks, these conversations are often unpleasant, a constant reminder of one’s frustration of being an outcast, not where you feel like God wants you to be.

The appetite of laborers works for them; their hunger drives them on, Proverbs 16:26.

If and when you find that ideal situation, you don’t need any motivation to get out of bed.  Rather, every day drives and motivates individuals, excited to pursue that path they are on.  Perhaps, this is what Solomon means by the hunger of laborers.  This state drives workers, providing a sense of purpose until their job or task is complete.  Anyone who has never experienced or tasted this sensation yearns for the day you find the perfect match.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him, Colossians 3:17.

For those of us who are a work in progress, the apostle Paul provides sound advice.  While on the journey called life, every deed and word count.  Therefore, dedicate your life to the Lord.  If you lose your way, remember the words of Hosea 4:6.  Since people perish without vision, set short term goals, serving as markers to lead your way.   God willing, you will one day find the hunger of laborers.

by Jay Mankus

 

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The Path to Excellence

Posted on November 16, 2016 by expressyourself4him

As I examine successful athletes, authors and entrepreneurs, I find a common characteristic which exists.  Beyond a drive, focus and passion, those who rise above their competitors seize the moment daily.  Vision serves as a blue print to carry out and fulfill goals set by each individual.  Although delays and timing may be off, staying the course results in a path toward excellence.

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize, 1 Corinthians 9:24.

When my two boys were much younger, each qualified for the Yes Athletics National Cross Country Championships for 3 consecutive years.  As an 8 year old, Daniel was the East Regional Champion.  However, when you compete against the best in the country, breaking the top 100 is an accomplishment.  After talking to other coaches, parents and runners, I realized my kids hadn’t put in the miles or training to have a chance to contend.

No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize, 1 Corinthians 9:27.

If you want to be considered elite, dedication, sacrifice and an unswerving concentration is a must.  Despite whatever talent you possess, the hungrier will creep up on anyone who isn’t willing to put in the time to improve.  Everyone will reach their limit at some point, but God will honor those who grind it out daily no matter how they are feeling.  I’m not sure what the future holds for my own aspirations, but I must fight with everything I have to keep my dreams alive by walking on the path to excellence.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Turn It Up

Posted on October 19, 2016 by expressyourself4him

In a contest, the best players and teams have a tendency to coast at points during the regular season.  Falling into this trap often leads to disappointing loses and major upsets.  At some point you have to respond, by raising your level of competition.  If you are dedicated, gifted and talented, when you turn it up success usually follows.

For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay, Habakkuk 2:3.

According to one of the Old Testament prophets, vision requires patience, resolve and timing.  If you are impatient, you may quit before seeing and tasting the fruits of your labor.  Therefore, when others are on the verge of giving up on a shared dream, remain steadfast by turning up the intensity.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up, Galatians 6:9.

Perhaps the apostle Paul is referencing Habakkuk in the verse above.  The notion of delayed gratification is a foreign to this generation.  In life you can’t just put a prayer request on a credit card, then wait for it the mail to be delivered.  Although some prayers do get answered instantaneously and or quickly, this is not the norm.  Rather, in times of doubt, turn up your faith, waiting for a spiritual harvest to arrive.

by Jay Mankus

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Fasting to Go Forward

Posted on October 1, 2016 by expressyourself4him

The future is like a mystery novel full of twists and turns.  Within this darkness and uncertainty, its important to take some time to be still before the Lord.  Thus, before you speculate on what you think will happen its better to fast and pray prior to going forward.

When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven, Nehemiah 1:4.

While serving as a cup bearer to the king, Nehemiah’s main responsibility was to taste test food and vine prepared for the king in case it was poisoned.  Essentially, Nehemiah was a body guard, willing to die for his leader.  Yet, when news spread about the fate of Jerusalem’s walls, Nehemiah placed his whole trust in the Lord by beginning a fast.

Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.” I was cup bearer to the king, Nehemiah 1:11.

During this 3 month fast, the Lord began to provide Nehemiah with a clear vision for the future.  Instead of wavering, Nehemiah stepped out in faith to implement God’s plan.  Taking a leave of absence, Nehemiah served as an administrator to help Israel rebuild this wall in 52 days.  Thus, Nehemiah is the ideal example of fasting to go forward.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

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The Absence of Discipline

Posted on September 4, 2016 by expressyourself4him

One of the definitions of discipline eludes to a branch of knowledge.  Similar to higher education, discipline is self-taught or prodded through some sort of accountability relationship.  This concept involves dedication, hard work and strict training.  For those who commit by developing daily routines usually experience blessings, success and wealth.

For lack of discipline they will die, led astray by their own great folly, Proverbs 5:23.

On the other side of the spectrum, you will find apathy.  Those who indulge in this behavior will go through periods of complacency.  The by-product of this decision causes individuals to lose sight of their goals, living day to day.  Subsequently, vision for the future slowly disappears as depression, laziness and hopelessness take over.  This is what likely inspired Solomon to claim the lack of discipline will lead to death.

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline, 2 Timothy 1:7.

If you have found yourself in a steady decline recently, the apostle Paul provides a message of hope.  The Holy Spirit was sent by God following Jesus’ ascension into heaven to empower those who call on the name of Lord.  Therefore, don’t allow a spirit of pessimism to reign within you.  Rather, claim the promise in the passage above so that you will escape an undisciplined life.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

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Finding a State that is More Than Enough

Posted on September 2, 2016 by expressyourself4him

It doesn’t take much for someone to lose their confidence, mojo or swagger.  Life has a way of being cruel, dropping bombshells out of no where that can paralyze souls.  Thus, if you take a few moments to observe individuals around you, you’ll find many going through the motions.  Struggling to get through each week, I finding myself in a similar pattern, hoping to discover a state that is more than enough.

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.  Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being My priest.  Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children, Hosea 4:6.

When you’re left looking for answers to get out of a funk, sometimes you need to examine the past to see what’s led to previous success.  For me, the greatest influence in my life was nearly two months I spent at Tentmakers Youth Ministry Trade School.  Every day I was challenged, equipped and pressed to develop a vision oriented life style.  Once I received a full time position in Columbus, Indiana, I applied a 90 day action plan to perfection.  Unfortunately, after 90 days I was in foreign territories, not sure what to do.  Subsequently, I lost my way and passion for youth ministry.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly, John 10:10.”

I guess what I am trying to say is that I’m tired of mediocrity.  Yet, until I rebuild a life based upon discipline, purpose and vision, the crappy results will remain the same.  When push comes to shove, something has to give.  Therefore, join me in this quest to find a state that is more than enough by rediscovering the abundant life of Christ.  Sure, there will be growing pains but the effort is worth the journey.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Too Many Vehicles to Pull Over

Posted on June 25, 2016 by expressyourself4him

My house lies a quarter of a mile from Interstate 95 in northern Delaware.  Residing in the I-95 corridor, an hour north of Baltimore and hour south of Philadelphia, I regularly travel this busy highway.  In recent trips, its seems like the average speed now exceeds the 65 limit by nearly 20 miles per hour.  Thus, police officers are often faced with the dilemma of too many vehicles to pull over.

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days, 2 Timothy 3:1.

Perhaps this aggression is a sign of end times.  The apostle Paul receives a vision, a glimpse of the moral decline within society.  As this culture leaves absolutes for politically correct stances, selfish individuals will continue to commit transgressions against innocent citizens.  Subsequently, road rage is causing impatient drivers to take their frustrations out on anyone who infringes upon their lane or space.

People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 2 Timothy 3:2.

There was a time when driving was a leisure activity, exploring back roads for fun over the weekend.  Yet, as a growing number of people are in a hurry, friction leads some to explode emotionally.  While there are many prophecies that still need to be fulfilled before the end of days arrives, recent acts of terrorism suggest this isn’t too far off.  Before this occurs, may those struggling to make sense of our fallen world slow down enough so that police won’t be overwhelmed with too many vehicles to pull over.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Discovering Your Future Through Past Failures

Posted on February 22, 2016 by expressyourself4him

Prior to computers and type writers, when individuals felt like they had something important to remember, a diary or journal would be pulled out of a drawer to record these thoughts.  Unfortunately, many of these ideas weren’t discovered until someone dies, found by family members while sorting through personal belongings.  Some of the greatest poets of all time did not become famous until after their death, as their pieces were found, gathered and put together into a collection.

These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come, 1 Corinthians 10:11.

Today, I keep a journal next to by bed.  In the past, I’ve allowed great ideas to drift away, lost in my mind before I could write them down.  In the morning, my memory vanished, forgetting an analogy, dream or vision.  One of the draw backs to this is when ideas flow, I don’t sleep, diligently creating an outline or taking notes on the direction of my next blog or movie script.  Despite the weariness that follows, my future becomes clearer as I learn from past failures.

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus, Philippians 1:6.

In a recent interview on the Ellen Show, Ronda Rousey told an audience she considered suicide after losing her first ever UFC fight late last year.  I’m sure we have all experienced disappointment at one point in life, some more than others.  Yet, before you can go forward, you have to dwell of the reality of the matter.  Some individuals aren’t good enough, others are better, more determined than you or you just haven’t fine tuned your talents to get noticed.  Once you reach a conclusion, its time to regroup and move on.  Thus, as I attempt to complete my third movie script and submit it to the 2016 Academy Nicholl Fellowships Competition, I’m hopeful that previous failures over the last 5 years will lead to my big break in Hollywood.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Do You Have Faith for 2015?

Posted on December 16, 2014 by expressyourself4him

I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but its important to look ahead as Christmas Day draws near.  For example, if you pray without faith, will God honor your requests?  But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.  That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord, James 1″6-7.  In the same way, if you don’t believe in the Holy Spirit’s power to transform your situation, don’t expect great things in 2015.

One of my favorite scenes from a movie occurs in Facing the Giants.  As a football coach questions his reason for remaining at Shiloh High, he encounters a man sent from God.  Speaking in a parable like Jesus, this wise elder sheds light on the secret to success in life.  Whenever a farmer prepares his field annually for the next crop, each expects the Lord to provide rain.  However, if you wait too long before you sow seeds in faith, you can miss the harvest.

Therefore, looking ahead, developing a vision is vital for 2015.  Although no one but God knows what the future holds, what are you passionate about?  What motivates you to get up before the sun rises?  If you’re drawing a blank, don’t worry because you have another 2 weeks to reflect these questions.  As you reach out in prayer to discover an answer, may the Lord fill you with faith for 2015 and beyond.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Reaching Your Desired Destination

Posted on October 29, 2014 by expressyourself4him

Whether you’re a child busy day dreaming or an adult trying to crunch financial numbers, everyone has a desired destination.  Some dreams may appear lofty, others middle of the road with a few unrealistic.  Nonetheless, without vision, people perish, Hosea 4:6, dying inside without anything tangible to live for.

Israel longed for a promised land, African Americans envisioned a nation free from slavery and the poor seek a life without hunger.  On the road to success, doubt, a lack of resources and time stand in the way.  Depending upon the voices you hear, the people you surround yourself with and what you choose to believe, your destination may be altered, seeing but never reaching the Land of Oz.

The apostle Paul understood this concept, writing to the church in Philippi, Philippians 3:12-14.  Pride didn’t get in the way of his goal.  Despite his past ideology, Paul set his mind on heaven.  While his life was cut short on earth, martyred for his belief in Christ, faith allowed this servant of God to reach his desired destination.  May promises like Philippians 1:6 encourage you to never waiver until you arrive where you belong.

by Jay Mankus

 

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