Category Archives: Uncategorized

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1994 movie “Forrest Gump”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Praise the Lord.^[a] How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him! ² The Lord builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the exiles of Israel. ³ He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds, Psalm 147:1-3.

Biblical Connection:

Memorial Day in the United States dates back to 1868. This initial celebration was to pay homage to the soldiers killed during the Civil War. This commemoration, also known as Decoration Day, now pays tribute to all Americans lost in war. When Forrest Gump, played by Tom Hanks saves Lieutenant Dan’s life, Gary Sinise, he couldn’t image a life that didn’t include walking on his legs.

This is just one example of the wounds of the war. Psalm 147 speaks of emotional wounds. Authors Chester and Betsy Kylstra, Restoring the Foundations, refers to this internal wound as a soul/spirit hurt. This type of broken heart often remains unspoken, as months and years pass. This is the type of healing that God promises to mend and repair. A prayer for all former veterans on this day.

Closing Song:

This is my favorite patriotic song, a touching tribute to all veterans of the United States of America. As you interact with individuals this Memorial Day weekend, may you honor and give thanks to all who served like my father Army Captain Joseph Mankus.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2007 movie “Evan Almighty”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight and was full of violence. ¹² God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways. ¹³ So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth. ¹⁴ So make yourself an ark of cypress^[c] wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out. ¹⁵ This is how you are to build it: The ark is to be three hundred cubits long, fifty cubits wide and thirty cubits high, Genesis 6:11-15.

Biblical Connection:

Evan Baxter recently moved to Washington, DC to begin his first term as a congressman. This former Buffalo newsman decided to run for the House of Representatives with a campaign slogan “change the world.” When Morgan Freeman appears, God reminds Evan of this goal which brought him to Washington. However, Evan’s initial response to God is, “this wasn’t part of my plan.”

Since the creation of the earth, mankind has followed a series of cycles which lead the masses toward doing what is right in their own eyes, Judges 2:18-19. However, when this first occurred in the days of Genesis, God’s wrath was poured out upon the earth in the form of a flood. Yet, this deluge of water was not unleashed until God found a willing servant to follow his call the first time.

Closing Song:

According to Genesis 2:5-6, earth’s initial atmosphere was much different than today. Based upon the scientific data shared in Genesis 7:11-12, the tectonic plates were set into motion, separating Pangea for one giant land mass into 7 separate continents. This allowed the floodwaters to recede into the newly formed oceans between land masses. Noah’s faithful response to God’s initial call saved mankind as God pushed the reset button on the descendants of earth.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2000 movie “Unbreakable”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” ³⁹ So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons, Mark 1:38-39

Biblical Connection:

David Dunn and Elijah Price are on opposite sides of the spectrum. David was the sole survivor of a train crash and discovers that he possesses superhuman strength. Meanwhile, Elijah grew up an accident waiting to happen. Elijah broke so many bones over the years that he developed the nickname Mr. Glass. Awakened to his special ability, David calls Elijah for advice on where to start.

The Gospel of Mark is written with a sense of urgency. Subsequently, one of the first mornings Jesus spent with his twelve disciples he went off to pray early in the morning. When Peter realized that Jesus was missing, he panicked, sending the disciples out to search for Jesus. Unsure of what to do or where to go, God revealed to Jesus their agenda for this day, going to the people.

Closing Song:

All Christians experience times of prayer that Leanna sings about. Rather, than trying to impress God with big theological words, honesty is the best policy when it comes to prayer. As you pray this morning, may the Holy Spirit lead you to the people that God wants you to touch today.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2004 movie “National Treasure”

Bible Verse of the Day:

When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, ¹³ he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. ¹⁴ For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” – Esther 4:12-14

Biblical Connection:

Nicolas Cage plays Benjamin Franklin Gates, a descendant of treasure hunters. Intrigued as a child by the legend of the Templar Treasure, Gates follows this dream until he’s confronted by a moral dilemma. Does Ben sit back and allow one of his former business partners to steal the Declaration of Independence? After trying to warn the authorities, Ben makes up his mind to act.

In today’s featured passage, Mordecai brings up the concept of sinning by omission. The earthly brother of Jesus addresses sins of action and sins of inaction in James 4:17. As the cousin and guardian of the Queen of Persia, Mordecai urges Esther to use her high position to defend and protect the Jews. Merely keeping the status quo won’t save her descendants.

Closing Song:

The lyrics of today’s song serve as a prayer to rid your life of selfish ambition and selfish desires. The end goal is to for any glimpses of self to be burned up so that only the love of Christ is present for all to see.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2003 movie “Bruce Almighty”

Bible Verse of the Day:

A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet. On shigionoth.^{[a] 2} Lord, I have heard of your fame;  I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy, Habakkuk 3:1-2.

Biblical Connection:

Jim Carrey plays Bruce Nolan, a television reporter in Buffalo, NY. At the end of the worst day of Bruce’s life, he complains to God who suddenly responds, appearing to him as Morgan Freeman. This sets the stage for the other side of prayer as God puts Bruce in charge for a day to see what it’s like to oversee the prayers of mankind. One of the next scenes is thousands of people winning the lottery on the same day, splitting less than $10 per winner.

Habakkuk was a Levitical musician who uses a song format in his book of the Bible. This minor prophet lived 600 years before the birth of Christ, consider a contemporary of the prophet Jeremiah. Habakkuk approaches prayer with a knowledge of God’s amazing miracles of the past. These answered prayers brought blessings to Israel as well as a holy reverence from other nations who heard or witnessed the power of God. This is a way to get God’s attention as you pray.

Closing Song:

One of my friends from college had a mother of prayer. Within a year, Pam’s mother led her entire family to the Lord. Pam’s mom used the similar strategy in the lyrics of Katy Nichole’s song. As you reflect upon the other side of prayer, may today’s message inspire you get God’s attention as you pray.

by Jay Mankus