Tag Archives: what comes around goes around

Family Drama

Posted on June 16, 2023 by expressyourself4him

In this age of social media, thoughts are shared daily in the form of blogs, pictures, posts, tweets, and videos. While I don’t recommend it, dirty language is shared daily which adds fuel to family drama. Before concluding the events of Isaac’s life, Moses highlights one dramatic scene in today’s featured passage. After being duped by Rebekah and Jacob, Isaac is on the verge of having a heart attacked, shocked and stunned.

And Isaac his father said to him, Who are you? And he replied, I am your son, your firstborn, Esau. 33 Then Isaac trembled and shook violently, and he said, Who? Where is he who has hunted game and brought it to me, and I ate of it all before you came and I have blessed him? Yes, and he shall be blessed, Genesis 27:32-33.

Depending upon your mood or mental state, you may overreact. If someone says the wrong thing at the wrong time, you might explode, going off on family members who push you over the edge. In this age of cellphones, videos may go viral whether you like it or not. While some You Tubes may be humorous, others are downright embarrassing, resulting in more family drama. Subsequently, the next family outing will be dicey with many on edge.

When Esau heard the words of his father, he cried out with a great and bitter cry and said to his father, Bless me, even me also, O my father! 35 [Isaac] said, Your brother came with crafty cunning and treacherous deceit and has taken your blessing. 36 [Esau] replied, Is he not rightly named Jacob [the supplanter]? For he has supplanted me these two times: he took away my birthright, and now he has taken away my blessing! Have you not still a blessing reserved for me? – Genesis 27:34-36

The apostle Paul told the Church at Galatia, “you reap what you sow,” Galatians 6:7-8. Although Jacob received the blessing that he desired, payback will come in the form of Laban. Just as Jacob deceived his father, Laban would do the same to Jacob. The rock group Ratt sings about this in Round and Round, “What comes around goes around.” To avoid family drama in the future, start sowing fruits of the Spirit, Galatians 6:22-23.

by Jay Mankus

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When Prayers Get God’s Attention

Posted on February 25, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Listening is one of those traits that requires more than just one of your senses. Yet, if the person who approaches you has a habit of rambling on and on, it won’t be long until you tune them out. Perhaps, this is the point Jesus is trying to make during his Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6:5-7. If you want your prayers to get God’s attention, find a private location and start pouring your heart out to the Lord.

For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with God), and His ears are attentive to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who practice evil [to oppose them, to frustrate, and defeat them], 1 Peter 3:12.

If you read the Bible long enough one thing is clear, you can’t fool God. Sure, you may skirt the initial consequences of telling a lie, but what comes around goes around, Galatians 6:6-7. If you reap what you sow, a lame prayer life is only going to get you minimal results. The secret to getting God’s attention when you pray can be found in Deuteronomy 28:1-14. Obedience is the first step toward righteousness.

And Jesus answered them, Truly I say to you, if you have faith (a [n]firm relying trust) and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, Be taken up and cast into the sea, it will be done. 22 And whatever you ask for in prayer, having faith and [really] believing, you will receive, Matthew 21:21-22.

When the basics like following the Ten Commandments become a daily goal, spiritual hunger is what takes prayer to the next level. Are you willing to embarrass yourself in public like the harlot who washed Jesus’ feet with an expensive bottle of perfume in Luke 7:37-39? When this type of passion is displayed, doubt starts to disappear as the mountains you once thought were immovable begin to fall. As you move in this direction spiritually, your prayers will get God’s attention. Use today’s song as a daily prayer to get started in the right direction.

by Jay Mankus

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Serve or Be Served… The Latter is More Enticing

Posted on August 3, 2017 by expressyourself4him

When professional athletes struggle to reach their full potential, videos are examined to see what bad habits or flawed fundamentals are present.  Unfortunately, in life most people don’t have film to examine.  Rather, individuals are forced to rely on friends, self reflection or therapists to turn floundering careers around.

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap, Galatians 6:7.

One of the forces at work which determines positive or negative results in the Sowing Principle.  What comes around goes around is an earthly way to describe the biblical expression: you reap what you sow.  Essentially, if you serve others, the Lord will honor this decision by sending unexpected blessings in times of need.  Meanwhile, if the idea of being served by others entices you, the rewards for this choice will be temporary; resulting in a permanent void inside of your heart.

“Give and it will be given to you.  Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap.  For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you,” Luke 6:38.

Jesus explains this concept to his followers in the verse above.  In the Parable of the Sower found in Matthew 13, Jesus uses the imagery of a harvest to illustrate this principle.  Those who are planted within a fertile soil, environment, production increases.  Thus, if you reach a point in life where you are disciplined, grounded and serving others with your God given gifts, it’s possible to experience bountiful blessings.  Yet, if you feed your sinful nature, pursuing selfish desires, temporary pleasures will quickly vanish leaving a trail of heart break.  The choice is yours.

by Jay Mankus

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Sinning, Stupidity and a Slippery Slope

Posted on July 10, 2015 by expressyourself4him

You don’t have to be Forrest Gump to say something that you regret.  It only takes a careless word, foolish act or fopa caught on film to ruin one’s reputation.  Perhaps, this is the difficult lesson Donald Trump is learning following his generalization of Mexican immigrants.  Whether you are blatantly sinning or do something stupid, is the media ready for the slippery slope for those who are politically incorrect?

“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets,” Matthew 7:12.

I wouldn’t call the band Ratt prophetic, yet their classic song Round and Round reveals a simple truth, “what comes around goes around.”  Or as the apostle Paul proclaims, “you reap what you sow,” Galatians 6:7.  Taking this one step farther, Jesus makes the finger pointers aware of their actions, “you will be judged in the same manners that you judge others,” Matthew 7:2.  Therefore, before you pick up a stone to throw, jump on the pile of bashers or incite a mob, be careful what you wish for.

And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself, Matthew 22:39.

Currently, Donald Trump is the media’s whipping boy.  However, tomorrow it could be you.  Sure, the elite do control the bully pulpit, yet the Lord controls the universe.  Subsequently, no one is perfect and stupidity is not immune to the wise.  I’m not sure what source or standard cultural leaders are following today, but when the shoe is on the other foot, a ground swell of forgiveness will likely emerge.  Therefore, follow the golden rule by treating others as you want to be treated.

by Jay Mankus

 

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The Lie-Oh-Meter

Posted on February 6, 2015 by expressyourself4him

In politics, the experts, life long politicians and successful campaign managers have suggested lying is all part of the game.  Little white lies are like wild cards in poker, waiting for just the right moment to be played.  While this style may work in the corporate world, sooner or later, what comes around goes around.  When this moment arrives, the Lie-Oh-Meter will expose the shady for their untruthful ways.

I hate and detest falsehood but I love your law. – Psalm 119:163

As for parents and teachers, a face to face encounter, staring a suspect in the eye is a good starting point.  Based upon the television series on Fox, Lie To Me, which aired for two full seasons beginning in 2009, liars tend to demonstrate facial expressions.  Thus, law enforcement officials use this science based upon research done by Paul Ekman, a professor emeritus of psychology at the University of California in San Francisco.  Instead of relying on out dated polygraph tests, body language has become the new Lie-Oh-Meter.

Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight. – Proverbs 12:22

From God’s perspective, a false witness is a punishable offense, Proverbs 19:9.  Going one step farther, deceitful ways can result in being excommunicated from part of God’s family, Psalm 101:7.  Yet, Christians alike have embraced the practice of embellishment, creating a society of hypocrites.  The only way to break free from this addiction is to cherish God’s law.  Only when this is achieved will souls begin to love God’s commands like the Psalmists of old.  Until this day, rely on the Bible to ascertain truth from fiction, serving as a modern day Lie-Oh-Meter.

by Jay Mankus

 

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