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Passage of the Day:

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons^[a]: ² Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ³ I thank my God every time I remember you. ⁴ In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy ⁵ because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, ⁶ being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. ⁷ It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. ⁸ God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus, Philippians 1:1-8.

Reflection:

Based upon the words above, the Church at Philippi brought fond and specials memories to Paul. As the spiritual father who led members of this congregation into a personal relationship with Jesus, these individuals have become part of Paul’s daily prayers lifted up to the Lord. Over the years, I heard a couple of pastors refer to Philippians as Paul’s love letter to a church that held a special place in his heart. Yet, as Christian’s past and present enter into the partnership of fulfilling the Great Commission, Acts 1:8, all must hope that God still has a plan for your life.

Prayerful Action:

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will, Romans 12:1-2.

Clinging to a Glimmer of Hope this Fall:

This future plan doesn’t require magic or scientology to become a reality. Rather, in a letter to the Church at Rome, Paul points out the biblical dedication and heavenly mindset to ascertain God’s calling and will for your life. When you offer your body up to the Lord as a living sacrifice, where Christians surrender all aspects of their lives to Jesus, this is the starting point. As Christians learn to keep in step with the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25, lean on the Bible like Jesus in Matthew 4:1-11. Like the words of Joshua 1:8, reading, meditating upon and studying the Bible starts the renewing of your mind. Depending upon your degree of commitment, God’s future plans for your life will be revealed in HIs time, Ecclesiastes 3:11.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

May today’s song serve as a daily prayer to renew the hope within your soul that God still has plans for your life. Let the Words of God speak to your heart this fall.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Lord, see how my enemies persecute me! Have mercy and lift me up from the gates of death,¹⁴ that I may declare your praises in the gates of Daughter Zion, and there rejoice in your salvation.¹⁵ The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug; their feet are caught in the net they have hidden. ¹⁶ The Lord is known by his acts of justice; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands.^{[c] 17} The wicked go down to the realm of the dead  all the nations that forget God.¹⁸ But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish, Psalm 9:13-18.

Reflection:

As an adult, I don’t enjoy dealing with adversity. Yet, God has taught me the importance of hanging in there as the storms of life come crashing ashore. I’ve learned more spiritually in the past 2 years due to the afflictions I’ve experienced than the past 20 years combined. Most people run from trials and tribulations, leaving before God teaches them the intended life lesson. Unfortunately, most people have to endure catastrophes like Hurricane Helene or Milton to see what’s really important in life. After experiencing 9 days without power, I have a new perspective on life and mow I know the hope of the afflicted.

Prayerful Action:

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds, Psalm 147:3.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

The next time you find yourself picking up the pieces of a shattered life, God wants you to come as you are. May the lyrics to Come as You Are help you comprehend the hope of the afflicted.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, ²¹ and since we have a great priest over the house of God, ²² let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. ²³ Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. ²⁴ And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, ²⁵ not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching, Hebrews 10:19-25.

Reflection:

The world is full of dead ends requiring detours that may result in additional stumbling blocks that prevent you from getting where God wants you to be. At the end of this chapter, the author of Hebrews records one of the most famous passages in the Bible, the Hall of Faith-Hebrews 11. Today’s featured passage sets the stage for the foundation of the spiritual warriors mentioned. When you draw near to God with a sincere heart, believing without a doubt in the assurance that faith provides results in unswerving hope.

Prayerful Action:

“Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. ¹⁵ But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord,” Joshua 24:14-15.

Clinging to a Glimmer of Hope this Fall:

Despite the patterns of disobedience demonstrated by the Israelites, Joshua remained faithful to the Lord. While being outnumbered 10 to 2, Caleb and Joshua gave positive reports on the Promised Land. After replacing Moses as Israel’s spiritual leader, Joshua mediated on God’s commands day and night, Joshua 1:8. When you become spiritually grounded in the Bible, Colossians 2:6-7, unswerving hope is conceived. This is the spiritual foundation that modern-day Christians should all seek.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

Today’s song helped me when I was struggling Christian in college. May the lyrics of Stumbling Block into a Steppingstone lead you toward an unswerving hope in Jesus.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: ² Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; ³ not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. ⁴ And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. ⁵ In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”^{[a] 6} Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. ⁷ Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you, 1 Peter 5:1-7.

Reflection:

When I was growing up, the church was the center of our local community. Whether this was attending Sunday School, a special outreach event like Lock Ins or Youth Group on Sunday nights, this is where I learned what it means to be a Christian. Unfortunately, nearly 50 years later, there are so many options outside the church to choose from. Due to a growing animosity of Judeo-Christian values, local and state governments are preventing the type of Christian fellowship that I experienced as a teenager at my high school. As these relentless attacks continue, finding hope at a local church is much more difficult.

Prayerful Action:

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings, 1 Peter 5:8-9.

Clinging to a Glimmer of Hope this Fall:

Peter’s analogy of the Devil is similar to the words of the apostle Paul in Ephesians 6:12. This ongoing spiritual battle is addressed by another disciple of Jesus in John 10:10. As you look to your community to find a church that fits your spiritual needs, the Devil wants you to focus on all the negative aspects of church. When you combine 1 Peter 5:8-9, Ephesians 6:12 and John 10:10, spiritual forces of evil are lurking around every corner, seeking to steal your joy, kill any glimpses of hope and destroy your life. This is what local churches are up against and why putting on the armor of God to remain hopeful in your local church.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

If you’re not careful, you might find yourself sitting back in a chair or pew, pointing out everything that’s wrong with your church. Fight back against this urge by becoming willing servant so that when visitors see your devotion, they’ll find hope in your church.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, ¹⁶ I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. ¹⁷ I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit^[f] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. ¹⁸ I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, ¹⁹ and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength ²⁰ he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, ²¹ far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come, Ephesians 1:15-21.

Reflection:

In my early years as a Christian, some of the decisions I made were emotional rather than keeping in step with the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25. However, when I entered youth ministry upon graduating from the University of Delaware, I reached a spiritual point where I no longer knew what to do. This unsettling reality led me to attend a Youth Ministry Trade School 6 months later. Based in Hopkins, Minnesota, Tentmakers gave me the knowledge, spiritual insight and vision from the Bible to build a successful ministry whenever God called me. From time to time, I’ll open up some of the large binders that I received to see how this information and theories apply to modern-day situations. When I became a high school Bible teacher and golf coach, I found myself exactly where God wanted me. This is the hope in God’s calling for your life.

Prayerful Action:

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus, Philippians 1:6.

Clinging to a Glimmer of Hope this Fall:

While I spent 10 years of my life fulfilling God’s call for my life, there have been plenty of years where I didn’t have a clue to God’s will for my life. After leaving youth ministry after 3 years, I lost my way, uncertain of where to go or what to do. Following my decade of teaching, I went through a similar transition before ending up at Amazon. If success is the process of arriving, part of determining God’s calling and will for your life is based upon trial and error. When you figure out what you’re not supposed to do or not gifted in, be confident that God is not done with you. Rather, through the various distractions in life, God will show you His calling and will.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

While the context of today’s song is about the lives aborted babies never had on earth, poising the question “what was I supposed to be” serves as a prayer and reflection. It’s never too late to ask God, “where do you want me and what plans do you still have for me?” May today’s song give you hope in God’s calling for your life.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. ³ We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.⁴ For we know, brothers and sisters^[b] loved by God, that he has chosen you, ⁵ because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. ⁶ You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. ⁷ And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. ⁸ The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore, we do not need to say anything about it,1 Thessalonians 1:2-8.

Reflection:

Whenever you begin working on a new project, the details necessary to complete this can be overwhelming. Progress takes time, which often means breaking your check list down into a series of steps. From a spiritual perspective, many citizens of Thessalonica initially rejected the good news about Jesus Christ as detailed by Luke in Acts 17:1-9. Nonetheless, God-fearing Greeks and some open-minded Jews placed their hope in Jesus, believing spiritual transformation was possible. This is where hope leads to the spiritual journey called faith.

Prayerful Action:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God., Hebrews 12:1-2.

Clinging to a Glimmer of Hope this Fall:

If hope is a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen, entering into a personal relationship with Jesus requires a will to endure. Like entering into the spiritual union of marriage, you have to believe that you’ll commit to this relationship through thick and thin. The author of Hebrews writes about playing the long game, viewing a relationship with God to running a marathon. You never know if you’ll finish this race, but hope for spiritual transformation will keep you going when you want to quit.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

Focusing on the negative often leads to broken relationships. However, when you remember the good, Philippians 4:8, hope for spiritual transformation will grow deep inside your heart and soul.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ¹⁹ Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”^[d] says the Lord. ²⁰ On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”^{[e] 21} Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good, Romans 12:17-21.

Reflection:

If you study cultural trends, music and television reflects current beliefs, ideas and opinions. Back in the 1950 and early 60’s, American shows were family oriented with songs that spoke to situations in life. Today, adult content permeates the airwaves with explicit and sexual vibes pushing the envelope further than I ever imagined. Those who follow human nature tend to repay evil for evil, going with the flow culturally. Yet, the apostle Paul calls members of the Church at Rome to God’s standards. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus calls those in attendance to perfection, Matthew 5:48. While no one is perfect, Romans 3:9-12, people of faith should strive to meet the standards in the Bible.

Prayerful Action:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor^[i] and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous,” Matthew 5:43-45.

Clinging to a Glimmer of Hope this Fall:

Integrity is doing what’s right when nobody is looking. While God sees all things, Christians should follow Jesus’ first century call to love your neighbor. Just as Israel followed the Ten Commandments throughout the Old Testament, modern-day Christians should seek to pursue biblical principles. While people may think you’re strange for not repaying evil for evil, doing the right thing in God’s eye is proof that people of faith don’t finish last.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

Today’s song serves as a reminder that we all lose our way in life. Rather than emulating biblical standards, peer pressure may lead you to repay evil for evil. May the lyrics of City on a Hill help you find hope that in God’s eyes, people of faith don’t finish last.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Who has done this and carried it through, calling forth the generations from the beginning? I, the Lord—with the first of them and with the last—I am he.” ⁵ The islands have seen it and fear; the ends of the earth tremble. They approach and come forward; ⁶     they help each other and say to their companions, “Be strong!” ⁷ The metalworker encourages the goldsmith, and the one who smooths with the hammer spurs on the one who strikes the anvil. One says of the welding, “It is good.” The other nails down the idol so it will not topple. ⁸ “But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend,⁹ I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. ¹⁰ So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand, Isaiah 41:4-10.

Reflection:

One of the first verses in the Bible that I was introduced to as a new Christian in high school was Philippians 4:13. From a logical perspective, I didn’t understand how to place my strength in an invisible spiritual entity. This concept remained a mystery to me until I took my faith more seriously in college. A song by Bruce Carroll helped me realize that God wants Christians to open every area of their lives up to God. When Christians make Jesus the Lord of their lives, Romans 10:9-11, the hope of God’s strength is unveiled.

Prayerful Action:

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength, Philippians 4:12-13.

Clinging to a Glimmer of Hope this Fall:

The context of Philippians 4:13 is about being in need. As a church planter and missionary, the apostle Paul was reliant on love offerings from Christian communities. The apostle Paul tried to become self-reliant as a tentmaker, so that he could earn money when tithes didn’t meet all the needs of his ministry team. Rather than focus on the luxuries of life, the apostle Paul come to grips with the reality of his call to faith as an apostle and missionary. Like the Israelites in the days of manna from heaven, Paul realized the hope of God’s strength.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

As you learn what it means to find hope in God’s strength, may the lyrics of Above and Beyond blow you away spiritually. Bruce Carroll sings this song as a prayer when he didn’t have strength to carry on. Yet, by trusting in God’s love, you too can understand what it means to place your strength in Christ Jesus.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. ²³ Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. ²⁴ For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. ²⁶ In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. ²⁷ And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God, Romans 8:22-27.

Reflection:

In the beginning of Romans 8, the apostle Paul compares and contrasts the sinful nature with the Holy Spirit. The point of this literal exercise concludes with today’s call to action. Yet, Paul writes about how human minds influence the decisions you make on a daily basis. Paul appears to be building upon the words of Jesus in Luke 6:43-45. If mouths speak out of the overflow of human hearts, minds have a similar power to bring your thoughts into existence. The quicker Christians begin to place their hope in God’s Spirit, the sooner lives will begin to flee the bad habits of their past, Colossians 3:5-8.

Prayerful Action:

Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. ¹³ For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, Romans 8:12-13.

Clinging to a Glimmer of Hope this Fall:

When trials in life place you into a difficult situation, you have one of three decisions to make. You can trust in your own judgement, lean on a close friend or place your hope in God’s Spirit to guide you in your decision-making process. Just before my senior year of college, I laid in my bed at home with a broken ankle. It was during this time when God revealed to me my obligation as a Christian to live according to the Holy Spirit. The hope of God’s Spirit is conceived as Christians place their trust in God. In return, the Holy Spirit speaks to your heart and soul, guiding you toward God’s will.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

The Holy Spirit serves Christians like a spiritual compass. As you place your hope in God’s Spirit, may you find yourself home, back toward God’s will for your life.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.⁶ As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools.^[d]7 They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.⁸ Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty; listen to me, God of Jacob.⁹ Look on our shield,^[e] O God;  look with favor on your anointed one.¹⁰ Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.¹¹ For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.¹² Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you, Psalm 84:5-12.

Reflection:

I was fortunate enough to have attended numerous spiritual retreats in high school and college. While several of these weekends were memorable, one message from a keynote speaker has stuck with me through the years. Skip Wilkins was speaking to an auditorium full of athletes while sitting in a wheelchair. My initial thoughts were, “how could this man relate to athletes?” Prior to a water-skiing accident that left Skip paralyzed from the waist down, he was a high school all-American in 4 sports. He spoke about the thousands of full scholarships that he received in the mail daily. Skip went on to talk about how human beings have this void in their hearts, trying different things like sports to see if one will satisfy this internal hunger. When schools began to withdraw these full rides after his accident, Jesus never left Skip. Perhaps, this is what the Psalmist means by the saying, “better is one day in God’s presence than a thousand elsewhere.” This is one of the spiritual blessings of placing your hope in Jesus.

Prayerful Action:

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. ¹² It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, ¹³ while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, Titus 2:11-13.

Clinging to a Glimmer of Hope this Fall:

The apostle Paul reveals to the Church at Rome the gift of God in Romans 6:23. Meanwhile, one of Jesus’ disciples has a vision of a door with only one doorknob on your side of this door, Revelation 3:20. God doesn’t force Christians to spend time with Him. Yet, according to John, Jesus is knocking on the door of our hearts, but we have to let Him in. The blessing of hope in Jesus is experiencing heaven on earth as you hear, listen and obey God’s calling for your life.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

Today’s song helped me during my transition from Delaware to South Carolina in 2022. May the lyrics of This is a Call help you understand the blessing of placing your hope in Jesus, Romans 10:9-10.

by Jay Mankus