Category Archives: Uncategorized

Passage of the Day:

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? ¹⁵ Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. ¹⁶ If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? ¹⁷ In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead, James 2:14-17.

Reflection:

The epistle known as one of the Catholic Letters, written to Christians scattered throughout the Middle East following Christian persecution, has always held a special place in my heart. My wife and I named our first son James as a way to honor this book of the Bible. Since I’ve never been a big reader, I enjoy shorter books that I can easily get through. While James 2 starts with the biblical view on favoritism, the second section of this chapter is devoted to faith and deeds. As the little brother of Jesus, James doesn’t hold back God’s view on faith. Perhaps, James is having a flashback to what Jesus said in Luke 11:23. Faith is either in action where you are gathering up heavenly blessings or your faith is dead as you lead others away from Jesus.

Prayerful Action:

“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters,” Luke 11:23.

Fueling Your Faith this Spiritual Season:

My last baseball coach in high school played with members of the Big Red Machine in the minor leagues. No one in Cincinati likely remembers Coach Dillon as his playing days ended abruptly due to a career ending injury before being called up to the Cincinati Reds. While Coach Dillon never made it to the place he dreamed about, he coached every play hard, wanting each to reach their full potential. Every time I made a bad play, committed an error or made a mental mistake, Coach Dillon would get after each player so that this wouldn’t happen again. Perhaps, Jesus was so sick and tired of interacting with lukewarm Christians that he gave believers two options: gather or scatter. Put your faith in action by following after me, Matthew 16:24-27. This is what God desires.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

You Need to Know is one of my favorite songs from college. May the lyrics of this Bob Hanson song speak to your heart and inspire Christians to place their faith into action.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:^[a] The old has gone, the new is here! ¹⁸ All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: ¹⁹ that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. ²⁰ We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. ²¹ God made him who had no sin to be sin^[b] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21.

Reflection:

Prior to becoming a high school Bible teacher, I wanted to help any students who were overwhelmed by all of the terminology in the Bible. Since I was lost when my own faith journey began, stumbling around in the darkness of the great unknown, I felt compelled to write a pamphlet entitled Finding a New Life in Christ. I compared today’s featured passage to doing laundry, taking off dirty clothes by putting on Christ. This is where faith begins.

Prayerful Action:

For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”^{[b] 7} Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,”^{[c] 8} and, “A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.”^[d] They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for, 1 Peter 2:6-8.

Fueling Your Faith this Spiritual Season:

People don’t have a come to Jesus moment when times are going great in your life. Rather, most people suffer their own prodigal experience where you hit rock bottom, Luke 15:14-16. Unfortunately, when you do turn to Jesus for the first time, Romans 10:9-11 or come back after a season, there is plenty of dirty language and stains that need to be addressed. This is where the assurance of faith and reconciliation with God provides hope for all come to the feet of Jesus, Matthew 11:28-30. After confession, James 5:16, comes the daily process of taking off the old and putting on the new, Colossians 3:1-4.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

Listening to Christian music has helped my transition from living according to human nature toward the Holy Spirit, Romans 8:5. Like the Alcohols Anonymous model, take one day at a time, taking off your old self and practices by covering your life in prayer to put on Jesus daily.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. ³³ With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all ³⁴ that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales ³⁵ and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. ³⁶ Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), ³⁷ sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet, Acts 4:32-37.

Reflection:

I recently had a Christian tell me that they didn’t need a church. This person went on to share their rationale for coming to this conclusion. Unfortunately, like many beliefs that individuals develop over this course of their own life, this isn’t biblical. Sometimes you have to find out the hard way like Moses in Exodus 18 who attempted to be a spiritual leader all by himself. Perhaps, one of Jesus’ disciples came to this conclusion in 1 Peter 5:8. I heard a sermon years ago on this verse where the pastor made our community aware of the Devil’s schemes. When Christians isolate themselves from their church or Christian community, the Devil will pounce by placing doubts, lies and ungodly beliefs into their thought life and mind. If this believer doesn’t immediately reach out to someone in their community of faith, this slow fade will continue until souls are ravaged or faith is lost.

Prayerful Action:

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ⁴³ Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. ⁴⁴ All the believers were together and had everything in common, Acts 2:42-44.

Fueling Your Faith this Spiritual Season:

I didn’t know what a community of faith was until my junior year of college. When a mutual friend was speaking at a church that met in a local high school, David and I decided to visit. There was about 20 people gathered together on that day, sitting in folding chairs. On the surface, this was an infant church plant, but deep inside my heart I felt a special connection with the leaders. This became my home church, where I was baptized, served and taught a college and career Bible Study. Like the spiritual blueprint in today’s prayerful action, this body of believers introduced me to and convinced me of the importance of having your own community of faith.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

While today’s song doesn’t use the term community of faith, Group One Crew highlights that Jesus is the cornerstone of faith. May today’s lyrics inspire you to become an active member of your community of faith.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one, Ephesians 6:10-16.

Reflection:

A keynote speaker from a college retreat said something profound that I have never forgotten. Speaking about his own faith journey, he mentioned that the closer he got to God, the more the Holy Spirit revealed his own imperfections and sins. Meanwhile, during times of disobedience and rebellion, the further he drifted away from the Lord, the better he felt about himself. Perhaps, this is one of the schemes the apostle Paul is referring to in his letter to the Church at Ephesus. By removing and Bible and prayer from public education in the early 1960’s, children in the United States no longer have a spiritual measuring stick to keep egos in check. Like a shield on a spaceship in a science fiction film, once this loses power it can no longer protect this craft. When faith is not built upon the Word of God, Romans 10:17, the shield of faith becomes ineffective.

Prayerful Action:

Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people, Ephesians 6:17-18.

Fueling Your Faith this Spiritual Season:

During my final 5 years as a high school Bible teacher, I displayed a large poster featuring each piece of the armor of God in my classroom. This Roman military uniform was not optional. Rather, this mandatory outfit served a specific purpose. The belt of truth secured the breastplate of righteousness in place and kept it from falling off. The shoes contained spikes underneath to provide a firm base of support, digging in to prepare for oncoming attackers. When the enemy began their aerial barrage, soldiers hid behind the shield of faith which was coated in fireproof liquid to extinguish flaming arrows. Many of today’s battles are invisible, occurring in the spiritual dimension. When Christians don’t put on this spiritual attire before leaving home, faith can and will fail. Today serves as a wakeup call to find and take up the shield of faith.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

Cain was one of the many individuals from the Old Testament who did not know about the shield of faith. May we all learn from Cain’s mistake in Genesis 4:7-8 so that thoughts of evil aren’t acted upon. Then, the shield of faith can become an important part of your daily wardrobe.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

When evening came, Jesus and his disciples^[e] went out of the city. ²⁰ In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. ²¹ Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!” ²² “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. ²³ “Truly^[f] I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. ²⁴ Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. ²⁵ And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins,” Mark 11:19-25.

Reflection:

According to C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity, faith is the second Theological virtue based upon the teaching of the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:13. The context of today’s featured passage occurs during Jesus’ last year on earth. Once Jewish leaders decided they wanted to eliminate the threat Jesus poised to their religious ways, fleeing the city at night was necessary to stay alive. Mark reflects upon a previous event where Jesus points to the potential of faith. Depending upon your degree or level of faith, the spiritual possibilities are unlimited, 2 Peter 1:3-4. Yet, when believe withers like this fig tree, faith falls flat on its face.

Prayerful Action:

 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock,” Matthew 7:24-25.

Fueling Your Faith this Spiritual Season:

As a former cross-country runner and swimmer, I understand the importance of training. If I wanted to improve each year, I needed to push my body beyond what I thought was possible, 1 Corinthians 9:26-27. In the same manner, if you want to reach your full potential spiritually, you have to develop a similar mindset, 1 Timothy 4:7-8. The fig tree in today’s passage is symbolic of the spiritual potential Christians can experience when faith is ignited. When belief and faith are united by denouncing thoughts of doubt, Christians can move the mountains currently blocking God’s calling and will for your life.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

Today’s song addresses the daily obstacles which limit faith. May the lyrics of the classic song inspire you to run the race of faith by throwing off anything that is hindering your spiritual journey, Hebrews 12:1-3.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”^{[h] 55} “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”^{[i] 56} The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁵⁸ Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain, 1 Corinthians 15:54-58.

Reflection:

Pop culture in America glorifies horror movies all month long. This blitz of death and gore comes to a climax every Halloween, on October 31st. Up until now, I have kept my devotions free from current events. Yet, as I read today’s featured passage, I am reminded of the most horrific act ever committed nearly 2000 years ago. However, just like villains’ that never seem to die, Jesus of Nazareth rose from the dead and ascended into heaven, Matthew 28:5-15. This is the hope of everlasting life.

Prayerful Action:

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. ¹⁴ This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. ¹⁵ And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him, 1 John 5:13-15.

Clinging to a Glimmer of Hope this Fall:

Prior to the resurrection of Jesus, Father Time was undefeated. However, as the apostle Paul breaks down the spiritual elements of Jesus’ victory over death to the Church at Corinth, the hope of life everlasting was conceived. Following Jesus’ death on Good Friday, hopelessness spread throughout the land. Based upon the words of John 21, some of the disciples went back to their old jobs as fishermen. Yet, Easter Sunday provides the greatest comeback story of all time. As news spread through the Middle East of Jesus’ resurrection, the hope of life everlasting became a reality.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

I was introduced to today’s song at a retreat in high school. May the lyrics of the Champion inspire you like it did for me many years ago.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone.¹⁰ For my enemies speak against me; those who wait to kill me conspire together.¹¹ They say, “God has forsaken him; pursue him and seize him, for no one will rescue him.”¹² Do not be far from me, my God; come quickly, God, to help me.¹³ May my accusers perish in shame; may those who want to harm m be covered with scorn and disgrace.¹⁴ As for me, I will always have hope I will praise you more and more, Psalm 71:9-14.

Reflection:

The older I become, the less hope I have in some of my dreams of ever becoming a reality. Perhaps, the Psalmist is taking a moment to reflect upon his own life, realizing that he isn’t young anymore. Meanwhile, as more and more enemies vocalize their hatred, King David is overwhelmed by all the people conspiring to kill him and claim his throne. Yet, as David turns to prayer to express his emotional concerns, something supernatural occurs. The Lord shifts his attention toward hope and praise.

Prayerful Action:

My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds, of your saving acts all day long—though I know not how to relate them all.¹⁶ I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign Lord; I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone, Psalm 71:15-16.

Clinging to a Glimmer of Hope this Fall:

King David’s life is a like a series of peaks and valleys from a lowly shepherd to a war hero. From a musician for royalty to the leader of Israel. While David possessed a heart after God, his sinful nature was as hungry and out of control as a drug addict. Although God forgives sin, there are always consequences that one must face. Nonetheless, when you turn to the Lord in prayer, a moment of despair can quickly be transformed into hope and praise.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

Staying optimistic through unexpected trials in life isn’t easy. However, as the Holy Spirit begins to change Christians from the inside out, hope and change often follows.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,¹⁹ to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.²⁰ We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.²¹ In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. ²² May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you, Psalm 33:18-22.

Reflection:

I’ve experienced numerous times in life when I’ve felt hopeless. This lonesome road was due in part from a lack of progress and success. The longer this feeling persisted, the more fleeting hope became. According to a Psalmist, hope comes from acknowledging and experiencing God’s unfailing love. To the active learner, reading and studying the Bible is where I was introduced to the concept of hoping in God’s unfailing love. If you have ever been forgiven or experienced the grace of God, you know what hope is. This is the message that the Psalmist addresses today.

Prayerful Action:

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres, 1 Corinthians 13:6-7.

Clinging to a Glimmer of Hope this Fall:

One chapter in the Bible is known as the love chapter, popular for weddings. The purpose for this chapter is to demonstrate to the Church at Corinth that without love, your faith is meaningless. Love is meant to be a byproduct of faith, James 2:26. When Christians realize the depth of God’s love for human beings, this can transform your personal relationship with Jesus. May today’s song help deepen your understanding of God’s love.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

I was introduced to today’s song shortly after graduating from college. May today’s lyrics deepen your hope in God’s unfailing love.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, “Praise be to you, Lord, the God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.¹¹ Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.¹² Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.¹³ Now, our God, we give you thanks,  and praise your glorious name.¹⁴ “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. ¹⁵ We are foreigners and strangers in your sight, as were all our ancestors. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope, 1 Chronicles 29:10-15.

Reflection:

The context of David’s prayer occurs as preparation for the building of God’s temple is about to begin. Just as Moses asked the Israelites to bring offerings in preparation for the construction of God’s tabernacle, a temporary place of worship, King David urges Israel to provide the necessary resources for a permanent structure. Although David wanted to build this temple, God chose his son Solomon to complete this special project. Whenever you’re denied or rejected in life, hope seems like a shadow. Yet, as Christians learn to seize each day that God gives them, hope becomes a reality.

Prayerful Action:

And give my son Solomon the wholehearted devotion to keep your commands, statutes and decrees and to do everything to build the palatial structure for which I have provided.” ²⁰ Then David said to the whole assembly, “Praise the Lord your God.” So they all praised the Lord, the God of their fathers; they bowed down, prostrating themselves before the Lord and the king, 1 Chronicles 29:19-20.

Clinging to a Glimmer of Hope this Fall:

Sometimes hope comes from getting behind a cause that God and the Holy Spirit is behind. In this age of self-absorbed and self-seeking individuals, hope is found in becoming part of something bigger than yourself. Despite David’s sinful and weak moments in life, his final years on earth was focused on getting behind a permanent temple to worship the Lord. When you’re on your own, following the desires of your sinful nature, the only thing others will see is your shadow. However, when God’s people begin to pursue God’s calling, hope and a sense of purpose follow.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

When you lose sight of God, hope becomes a mere shadow. Yet, when you reach out to the Lord for help, spiritual progress gives birth to hope.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! ² Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.”^{[b] 3} But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.⁴ I call out to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain.⁵ I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.⁶ I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side, Psalm 3:1-6.

Reflection:

There are seasons in life when trials seem to never end. These unfortunate events have a way of sucking the joy for life out of you. While the testing of your faith is an ongoing process, sometimes you need time to recover before your next spiritual growth spurt begins. This is the mindset of King David as he cries out to the Lord in prayer. Unfortunately, David is simply experiencing the curse for his previous actions in 2 Samuel 12:9-10. Despite all of David’s imperfections, the turmoil of having your own son rise up and attempt to take away your throne brought him to a place of believing this trial would not cease.

Prayerful Action:

From the Lord comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people, Psalm 3:8.

Clinging to a Glimmer of Hope this Fall:

Many Christians forget that you still reap what you sow, Galatians 6:7. While human beings often blame God during seasons of trials and turmoil, this spiritual principle continues to exist today. Blessings and curses are not merely an Old Testament occurrence in Deuteronomy 28. Rather, when you experience gut wrenching situations like King David, cry out to the Lord for answers. Then and only then will you begin to see a glimmer of hope in the ongoing spiritual storm in your life.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

When Christians allow the words of the Bible to inhabit their thought life, hope is conceived that turmoil will cease. May the lyrics of Inhabit help you see the big picture of how the Lord works in mysterious ways.

by Jay Mankus