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Video of the Day: Clip from the 1989 movie “Born of the Fourth of July” (Language Warning)

Bible Verse of the Day:

They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes.^[a] 2 When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. ³ This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. ⁴ For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. ⁵ Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones, Mark 5:1-4.

Biblical Connection:

Ron Kovic is a 10-year-old boy who was born on the Fourth of July. After attending an Independence Day parade on his birthday weekend, a desire to serve his country is conceived within Ron. This boy’s dream turns into a nightmare as Ron’s first battle ends up taking his ability to walk. Now confined to a wheelchair, Ron shares with a friend of his desire to be made whole again.

In the first century, Jesus meets another man who wants healing from his current condition. According to Mark, a man had lost total control of his body. This condition influenced by a demonic spirit led this man to move out of his house to avoid hurting anyone. This real-life demonic possession opens the door for Jesus’ visit and miraculous healing to be made whole again.

Closing Song:

Every human being is like an onion. The more layers that you unpeel via engaging questions, you get to know their life story of the good, bad and ugly. Subsequently, when certain life events and trials occur on or near a holiday, special days life the Fourth of July have a dark side. Therefore, be careful when you enter deep conversations as you may uncover the beautifully broken.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2002 movie “Superfire”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. ¹⁹ Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; ²⁰ you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies, 1 Corinthians 6:18-20.

Biblical Connection:

Superfire contains an earlier scene that illustrates the Law of Human Nature described by C.S. Lewis in the first book of Mere Christianity. The lead tanker pilot whose job it is to release the chemicals to put out forest fires was blamed for the deaths of fire jumpers from a past super fire. This one failed event defined James Merrick’s reputation before his meeting his new team. Sometimes one act, brash decision or careless choice leads individuals to become trapped by sin.

While addressing a serious situation in the Church at Corinth, the apostle Paul warns Christians about sinning sexuality. Paul makes a distinction between breaking one of God’s commands and sinning against your own body. While Paul doesn’t use the word addiction, he alludes to the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5:27-30. The point Jesus is making centers around hearts and mind set on sin. Thinking about sin often leads to becoming trapped by sin.

Closing Song:

May the words of today’s song serve as a prayer to help you the next time you feel trapped by sin. Following the advice of Jesus by laying these burdens down at the feet of God.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2005 movie “Man of the House”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. ²³ Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror ²⁴ and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ²⁵ But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do, James 1:22-25.

Biblical Connection:

A Texas Ranger is assigned a cheerleading squad after one of the girls witnesses a murder. Rather than try to get to know these women, Roland Sharp keeps his focus on protecting the members of the University of Texas squad. During two different encounters, ordering pizza for dinner, the girls discover Roland is divorced and has a daughter. This is what happens when you listen.

The earthly brother of Jesus addresses the difference between listening and applying what you learn. As God fearing Jews began to follow the teaching of Jesus, these new converts had to let go of their legalistic traditions. Jesus didn’t want first century Christians to just listen to the words of the Sermon on the Mount. Rather, Jesus urged those in attendance to put His words into practice.

Closing Song:

As the Man of the House continued,Roland begins to open up to some of the cheerleaders. As Roland begins to listen, he takes steps in restoring his relationship with his daughter. When you have opportunities to meet new people this summer, you’ll be surprised by what you learn when you become an active listener.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2002 movie “Men in Black II”

Bible Verse of the Day:

So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. ¹⁵ Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. ¹⁶ He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction, 2 Peter 3:14-16.

Biblical Connection:

Agent K asks to leave the agency at the end of Men in Black I, returning to his former life. Yet, when the world is in danger of an alien attack, Agent J finds K working in a post office. Searching for the Light of Zartha, Agent K’s memory begins to return. Getting emotionally involved with the Queen of Zartha, K realized he comprised his agent’s status by not following the rules set by the agency.

Peter writes to first century Christians to confront the topic of false teachers inside the church. This issue continues today as leaders have a tendency to add, alter or subtract from the commands of the Bible to excuse their actions, Deuteronomy 4:2. Subsequently, Peter call believers to be found blameless and spotless. This is a call to follow the commands set by God in the Bible.

Closing Song:

I joined 2 different accountability groups when I was in college. While one was more of a sharing group, the other challenged me to put my faith into action. When one of these individuals caught me in an inappropriate relationship, I was convicted like agent K with a sense of urgency to follow the rules established for life and at work.

by Jay Mankus