Tag Archives: walking with God

The First Pro-Life Advocates in the Bible

Posted on November 13, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Prior to the introduction of the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20, there wasn’t anything written down in the form of rules or regulations. God gave Adam and Eve one rule in the Garden of Eden, “do not eat from the Tree of Knowledge,” Genesis 2:17. The only thing the first inhabitants of the earth had to follow were how people lived their lives. By studying the daily witness of godly individuals like Enoch, Genesis 5:24, walking with God is a common theme in Genesis.

Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, of whom one was named Shiprah and the other Puah, 16 When you act as midwives to the Hebrew women and see them on the birthstool, if it is a son, you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, she shall live. 17 But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded, but let the male babies live, Exodus 1:15-17.

As Moses transitions from the early history of earth to reflecting upon his own life in Exodus, there are two women he feels compelled to mention. Shiprah and Puah were two female servants who witnessed a major transition while living in Egypt. When the Pharaoh who appointed Joseph as governor passes away, the new king feared that Israel would one day become greater than Egypt. Subsequently, this king turned Israel’s descendants into slaves and ordered all Hebrew mid-wives to immediately kill any Hebrew male born.

So the king of Egypt called for the midwives and said to them, Why have you done this thing and allowed the male children to live? 19 The midwives answered Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; they are vigorous and quickly delivered; their babies are born before the midwife comes to them. 20 So God dealt well with the midwives and the people multiplied and became very strong. 21 And because the midwives revered and feared God, He made them households [of their own]. 22 Then Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son born [to the Hebrews] you shall cast into the river [Nile], but every daughter you shall allow to live, Exodus 1:16-22.

According to Exodus 2:1-6, the convictions of Shiprah and Puah spawned the first pro-life movement in Egypt to save all newborn males from being slaughtered. As other Hebrew mid-lives heard of their strong spiritual convictions by fearing God and not Egypt’s king, other infant boys were also saved. Perhaps, Moses realized that if Shiprah and Puah did not fear God, the man who God chose to rescue Israel from 400 years of slavery would have been aborted. Therefore, the book of Exodus commences by honoring the first two pro-life advocates of the Bible.

by Jay Mankus

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The First Dark Age on Earth

Posted on January 3, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Modern historians tend to politicize their beliefs and subsequently rewrite history based upon their own worldview. This may explain the recent introduction of terms like Migration Period and Early Middle Ages to replace what my old textbooks called the Dark Ages. This secular period from 476–800 AD marks a gradual transition away from following God after Constantine’s influence on the Roman Empire. The apostle Paul would refer to this as letting your sinful nature run free, Galatians 5:16-21.

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.

Despite what I was taught in Seminary, there isn’t nearly enough content to highlight the First Dark Age on Earth. Shortly after Enoch’s legacy of faith was forgotten, mankind took a turn for the worse. The words of Moses paint the picture of the thoughts going on inside the people on earth: “every imagination and intention of all human thinking was only evil continually. ” Meanwhile, their intentions were far worse: The earth was depraved and putrid in God’s sight, and the land was filled with violence (desecration, infringement, outrage, assault, and lust for power), Genesis 6:11.

There were giants on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God lived with the daughters of men, and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown. 5 The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination and intention of all human thinking was only evil continually, Genesis 6:4-5.

The Bible is full of verses containing light and darkness. When you walk with God in Psalm 1 and 1 John 1, you are living in the light of Christ. However, anyone who stops walking with God due to busy-ness, carelessness, forgetfulness, idleness, or rebellion will quickly find themselves in darkness. According to Moses, walking with God and not walking with God is the difference between blessings and curses, Deuteronomy 28. May you make room in your life for Jesus in 2023 so you avoid the pain of a personal dark age on earth without God, John 15:1-5.

by Jay Mankus

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The Third Child is a Charm

Posted on December 6, 2022 by expressyourself4him

The origin of the expression the“ third times a charm ” dates back to the 17th century in Great Britain. Likely based upon their spiritual heritage and knowledge of the Bible, the English believed the number “3” was lucky, bestowing fortune on a person when they encountered it in their life. This couldn’t be more evident when you consider the third boy mentioned in the Bible. While Jude mentions that Enoch was seven generations from Adam, the rest of Adam’s descendants are skipped by Moses, Jude 1:14.

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, Genesis 4:1-2.

The first child born to Adam and Eve was Cain which means “I have gotten and gained a man with the help of the Lord.” This help was followed by Abel who went on to become a successful shepherd before his life was cut short, murdered by Cain. Despite receiving harsh punishment from the Lord, Moses does mention his family lineage beginning in Genesis 4:17. Cain was allowed to have a wife who gave birth to Enoch. While Jared was the father of the second Enoch, but Cain was so proud of his son that he built a city and named it after Enoch. Perhaps Jared named his son after the first Enoch.

 [Prompted, actuated] by faith Abel brought God a better and more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, because of which it was testified of him that he was righteous [that he was upright and in right standing with God], and God bore witness by accepting and acknowledging his gifts. And though he died, yet [through the incident] he is still speaking. 5 Because of faith Enoch was caught up and transferred to heaven, so that he did not have a glimpse of death; and he was not found, because God had translated him. For even before he was taken to heaven, he received testimony [still on record] that he had pleased and been satisfactory to God, Hebrews 11:4-5.

One of the first three boys mentioned in the Bible end up in the Hall of Faith. While Hebrews 11:1 and 11:6 receive most of the headlines in sermons, the passage above highlights the faithful nature within Abel and Jared’s Enoch. As a parent who understands the power of prayer, I’m sure Cain’s daily prayer for Enoch and his other children was to avoid the same errors, mistakes, and sins he committed. Rather than write a book like Proverbs, Cain invested his remaining days on earth to become a godly father. May the story of Cain and Enoch inspire you to not give up on your own children, intervening daily like the persistent widow in Luke 18.

by Jay Mankus

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Blending in or Standing Out?

Posted on December 7, 2020 by expressyourself4him

Camouflaged animals are brilliant in hiding themselves from prey by changing colors or blending into their environment. Other birds, reptiles, and insects are great at nearly disappearing, seamlessly blending in with their surroundings. In today’s modern age of Cancel Culture, many individuals are afraid to reveal, share or verbalize their beliefs. As progressives continue to bully conservatives into conforming to social norms, the timid and weak tend to blend in rather than stand out.

So the Lord said, I will destroy, blot out, and wipe away mankind, whom I have created from the face of the ground—not only man, [but] the beasts and the creeping things and the birds of the air—for it grieves Me and makes Me regretful that I have made them. 8 But Noah found grace (favor) in the eyes of the Lord. 9 This is the history of the generations of Noah. Noah was a just and righteous man, blameless in his [evil] generation; Noah walked [in habitual fellowship] with God, Genesis 6:7-9.

In the Old Testament, one man found himself living during a dark era in history. Genesis 6:5 describes this period as one filled with wickedness. Since one word doesn’t do the overall spiritual climate justice, Moses suggests that perverted and warped minds acted upon their sinful fantasies. Instead of accepting this drastic change as a progressive movement, Noah decided to take a stand, finding favor in the Lord’s eyes. As Noah continually walked with God, a plan was designed to save the world.

[Prompted] by faith Noah, being forewarned by God concerning events of which as yet there was no visible sign, took heed and diligently and reverently constructed and prepared an ark for the deliverance of his own family. By this [his faith which relied on God] he passed judgment and sentence on the world’s unbelief and became an heir and possessor of righteousness (that relation of being right into which God puts the person who has faith), Hebrews 11:7.

The author of Hebrews details the lengths at which Noah went to take a stand for God. Prompted by faith, Noah began to see subtle signs of God’s impending flood. Despite being laughed at, mocked and ridiculed, Noah remained faithful by continually building an ark daily. According to scientists, the earth’s initial atmosphere consisted of an Open Canopy, void of any rain. Following the flood, God started over with Noah’s family. If you want to follow in Noah’s footsteps, resist the urge to blend in by taking a stand for God.

by Jay Mankus

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Enjoy Your Walk

Posted on October 22, 2020 by expressyourself4him

When I normally give my dog Akira a walk, it’s before the sunrise, guided by the street lights in my neighborhood. Since I’m usually in a hurry, rarely do I enjoy the walk, thinking about everything that I have to do. With my wife out of town, I was able to see the smile on Akira’s face today. This is her favorite time of the day, eager to get out, explore and see other dogs. Akira’s joy made me think about a different kind of walk.

Now He Who has fashioned us [preparing and making us fit] for this very thing is God, Who also has given us the [Holy] Spirit as a guarantee [of the fulfillment of His promise]. 6 So then, we are always full of good and hopeful and confident courage; we know that while we are at home in the body, we are abroad from the home with the Lord [that is promised us], 2 Corinthians 5:5-6.

The Bible uses walk in the context of a personal relationship with God. Some authors refer to this relationship as a journey or a race. The apostle Paul takes life one day at a time, walking by faith along the way. Faith serves as a thermostat, regulating Christian lives through beliefs and convictions. Trusting God combined with holy fervor enables modern day believers to enjoy their walk with Jesus.

For we walk by faith [we regulate our lives and conduct ourselves by our conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, with trust and holy fervor; thus we walk] not by sight or appearance. 8 [Yes] we have confident and hopeful courage and are pleased rather to be away from home out of the body and be at home with the Lord, 2 Corinthians 5:7-8.

The closer you get to God, the more enjoyable your walk will become. Yet, like anything in life, some days are good, others are fair and there will be bad days. Instead of walking in sunshine, storms, wind and rain will pour down upon weakened and troubled souls. If you’re not careful, you will allow your environment to dictate your faith. Therefore, walk by faith so that you will begin to enjoy your walk, John 10:10.

by Jay Mankus

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The Comfort and Encouragement of the Holy Spirit

Posted on June 6, 2019 by expressyourself4him

A first century doctor makes an interesting observation about the Holy Spirit.  While initially described as the Holy Ghost in the original King James version of the Bible, Luke describes the feeling and sense new believers experienced following their baptism.  Despite being an invisible force, those who walked with God daily received an inner peace in the form of comfort and encouragement.  When I read the passage below for the first time, I pondered “what does it mean to walk in the comfort and encouragement of the Holy Spirit?”

So the church throughout Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace [without persecution], being built up [in wisdom, virtue, and faith]; and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort and encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it continued to grow [in numbers], Acts 9:31.

The term walking with God is found 62 times in the Bible.  One of the first references of this phrase occurs in the passage below, a command from God to Abram to activate his faith by arising and walking to fulfill God’s calling.  While Adam and Eve walked and talked with God in the Garden of Eden, Genesis 5:22 mentions that Enoch walked faithfully with God.  Subsequently, Enoch was spared death, taken up into heaven like Elijah.  Perhaps, this shines light on the comfort and encouragement of the Holy Spirit.

Arise, walk (make a thorough reconnaissance) around in the land, through its length and its width, for I will give it to you.” 18 Then Abram broke camp and moved his tent, and came and settled by the [grove of the great] terebinths (oak trees) of Mamre [the Amorite], which are in Hebron, and there he built an altar to [honor] the Lord, Genesis 13:17-18.

The comfort and encouragement of the Holy Spirit could also originate from teachings from Moses.  Deuteronomy 28 lists acts that result in blessings and curses from God.  The blessing list lasts 14 verses, followed by 54 verses on curses due to acts of disobedience.  Common sense tells me that if you are walking with God or as the apostle Paul puts it in Galatians 5:25, keeping in step with the Holy Spirit, blessings will abound.  Moses states in Deuteronomy 28:2 that” all these blessings will come upon you and overtake you if you pay attention to the voice of the Lord your God.”  Therefore, as individuals walk with God, blessings will bring comfort and encouragement to ensure believers that you are on the right track.

by Jay Mankus

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Three Years and Counting

Posted on February 4, 2015 by expressyourself4him

This blog marks the end of 3 years of writing, ignited by a Discernment Conference I attended on February 1st and 2nd, 2012.  Since this day, each of the past 3 years represent different phases that I have undergone, summarized by 3 words: disappointment, transition and recovery.  Becoming unemployed is one thing, but losing a position that you were born to do was a tough pill to swallow in 2012.  Meanwhile, re-defining my career path in 2013 was a longer journey than I expected, often spent in the wilderness, trying to find my way home.  Finally, 2014 provided clarity, stability and a clear passion, to one day write full time, averaging one screen play per year, God willing of course.

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come, John 16:13.

In the meantime, its important to ask for and receive feedback from my readers.  Depending upon current and world events, I want to continue to provide a biblical response or perspective on these topics.  However, without having a pulse of my readers, its impossible to meet their needs as well as grow this site.  Therefore, I am urging you to participate in the first poll that I have created below.  This will give me instant feedback that will shape this blog throughout 2015.

To complete my final blog of year 3, I want to offer you essential steps to walking with God.

1) You shall walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land that you shall possess.              Deuteronomy 5:33

2) Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me.           Psalm 119:133

3) Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.                                     James 4:7

May the Lord mightily bless you as you talk one step at a time, obeying His decrees along the way.

by Jay Mankus

 

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