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Passage of the Day:

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. ⁴ Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. ⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; ⁶ and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; ⁷ and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. ⁸ For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 Peter 1:3-8.

Reflection:

I was introduced to today’s passage as a college student at the University of Delaware. God’s promise in 2 Peter 1:3-4 gave me hope as I was struggling to alter my life from past sinful tendencies. When I couldn’t make these changes on my own, I turned to a local accountable group. Rather than settle for a lukewarm faith, I was tired of saying I am going to change but kept giving into temptation over and over again. The more I meditated upon 2 Peter 1:3-4, I began to see that the Holy Spirit is the source that provides fortitude within you.

Prayerful Action:

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you, John 14:26.

Developing the Spiritual Gifts to Press On:

The Holy Spirit is a topic that has been heavily debated among Christian denominations for centuries. Being filled with the Holy Spirit has become a divisive topic in Christian communities today. I’ve been told by a few leaders from charismatic churches that you’re not really saved if you aren’t filled with the Holy Spirit. However, this belief goes against the words of Moses in Deuteronomy 4:2 about adding and subtracting commands from the Bible. Meanwhile, the apostle Paul places love above spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3. Therefore, if you want to experience the abundant life that Jesus promised in John 10:10, pray daily that you’ll keep in step with the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25. As you test spirits inside your heart, soul and mind,1 Thessalonians 5:19-22, may the Holy Spirit will begin to fill you with the fortitude to press on spiritually.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

Rather than continue to reflect upon fortitude, I thought it would be beneficial to highlight how the Holy Spirit transformed members of the first century church. May the lyrics to today’s song inspire you to reach your hands toward heaven when your life isn’t going as you expected or planned.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come, make us gods^[a] who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.” ² Aaron answered them, “Take off the gold earrings that your wives, your sons and your daughters are wearing, and bring them to me.” ³ So all the people took off their earrings and brought them to Aaron. ⁴ He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf, fashioning it with a tool. Then they said, “These are your gods,^[b] Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.” ⁵ When Aaron saw this, he built an altar in front of the calf and announced, “Tomorrow there will be a festival to the Lord.” ⁶ So the next day the people rose early and sacrificed burnt offerings and presented fellowship offerings. Afterward they sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry, Exodus 32:1-6.

Reflection:

Following the introduction of the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20, Moses spends the next 11 chapters of the Bible with God on Mount Sinai. During this 40-day period, God shares important details, instructions and a vision of how the Lord wants Israel to approach and worship Yahweh. The longer Moses was gone, the more impatient and restless Israel became. Leadership is tested in the absence of other spiritual leaders. As the elders of Israel questioned whether Moses would return, Aaron demonstrates the opposite of fortitude. Rather than hold off peer pressure to conform, Aaron goes with the flow, doing what’s right in his own eyes.

Prayerful Action:

When Moses approached the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, his anger burned and he threw the tablets out of his hands, breaking them to pieces at the foot of the mountain. ²⁰ And he took the calf the people had made and burned it in the fire; then he ground it to powder, scattered it on the water and made the Israelites drink it. ²¹ He said to Aaron, “What did these people do to you, that you led them into such great sin?” – Exodus 32:19-21

Developing Spiritual Guts to Press On:

The apostle Paul devotes an entire portion of a letter to the Church at Corinth to help them learn from the mistake of Israel, 1 Corinthians 10:1-11. Meanwhile, the author of one New Testament book reminds first century Christians that God disciplines those whom He loves, Hebrews 12:4-7. Whether you’re competing, serving or working, sometimes you may quit. Or if you clock out early from work each time that you’re facing adversity, you’re missing out on the opportunity to develop fortitude. May today’s passage help you learn from your mistakes so that courage and guts will be conceived the next time trials come your way, James 1:2-4.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

In the final 2 weeks of September, we’ll examine men and women in the Bible who demonstrated courage, guts and or fortitude. As for today, live and learn from the moments when fortitude was absent and missing from your life.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus^[b]), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. ³ “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. ⁴ Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. ⁵ He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. ⁶ He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. ⁷ Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. ⁸ The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.^[c] 9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. ¹⁰ Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” ¹¹ So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn., John 21:2-11.

Reflection:

I spent two years working for a wholesale company in Delaware which made gifts of faith for Christian stores throughout the United States. One of these products is the First Breakfast, inspired by today’s featured passage. This is the first documented meal that the disciples shared with Jesus following the resurrection. This meal would have never happened if Peter’s fishing crew would have given up. After striking out all night long, Peter follows the advice of a man onshore, unaware that this is the resurrected Jesus. When you display fortitude, with a will to never give up until you have reached your goal, God will provide more than you ever imagined.

Prayerful Action:

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up, Galatians 6:9.

Developing the Spiritual Guts to Press On:

In today’s instant age of social media, the relationships that I once held dear have been placed on the back burner. While eating with family and friends is meaningful, there’s something supernatural about Christian fellowship shared over a meal. Peter was so excited to see Jesus that he jumped of this boat, left his crew to pull the nets into shore and ran as fast as he could through the water to reach Jesus onshore. If summer travel plans separated you from Christian brothers and sisters, may today’s devotion inspire you to make plans this fall to reconnect.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

Don’t let time rush the conversations that you share with others daily. May the First Breakfast and a desire for Christian fellowship reignite friendships this fall.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. ¹⁹ Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered. ²⁰ When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked. ²¹ Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done, Matthew 21:18-21.

Reflection:

Modern teachers point to the saying “insanity is repeating the same thing over and over again but expecting a different result.” When Jesus went to grab a fig from a nearby tree, He realized that this fig tree wasn’t providing what it was designed to produce. Subsequently, rather than someone else experiencing the same disappoint as Jesus, He immediately withered the fig tree. While the parable of the unproductive fig tree in Luke 13:6-9 urges a caretaker to add fertilize and wait another year, sometimes you simply have to plant another tree.

Prayerful Action:

If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer, Matthew 21:22.

Developing the Spiritual Guts to Press On:

The most successful prayers that I’ve met over the past 40 years possess a combination of belief and fortitude. When one of these 2 qualities are absent from my life, my prayer life is unproductive. Last fall, I found a fox tail palm tree on sale, planting this just off my back patio. The first few months this palm tree looked healthy. However, after a few months of neglect, this fox tail began to die. I tried improving its soil and replanted this in a better location with more sunlight. Nonetheless, my hopes and prayers were denied. While pruning dead branches on a mostly healthy tree stimulates growth, you have to learn when it’s time to move on by planting a new tree.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

When Leanne and I bought our first house, we wanted to become like our fathers who always had a successful garden each year. Although some years are better than others, we press on, living and learning with the goal of thriving as a gardener and spiritually in life.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?” ²⁵ “Yes, he does,” he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?” ²⁶ “From others,” Peter answered. “Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him. ²⁷ “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours,” Matthew 17:24-27.

Reflection:

Unless you live in a tax-free state, you’ll be paying income, property or sales tax annually, monthly or daily. Matthew, a member of the priestly tribe introduces the temple tax to his readers. Rather than using money earned from His years as a carpenter, Jesus has a more creative method to make His payment. Jesus tells Peter to go to the lake, throw out your line and you’ll find a fish which has swallowed 4 coins. This is how Jesus paid his dues to the local temple.

Prayerful Action:

He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish, John 21:6.

Developing the Spiritual Guts to Press On:

Faith is like going fishing with Jesus. When you cast your net where Jesus tells you and haul in a large catch, your belief and confidence will grow each time you go fishing. However, if you give up before you catch anything, your confidence will begin to erode. Since Peter was a member of Jesus’ inner circle with James and John, he kept on witnessing miracle after miracle. If a friend told me to cast my line over there and you’ll catch a fish that is full of enough money to pay your temple dues, I wouldn’t believe him. Yet, when Jesus told Peter to cast his nets in a certain spot, his doubt was replaced with faith and fortitude.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

Every once in a while, I’ll come across a song with a concept that I’ve never heard of. May the words of Fishing in the Sky give you the faith and fortitude to believe that God will provide for your needs.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. ²³ After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, ²⁴ and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. ²⁵ Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. ²⁶ When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. ²⁷ But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” ²⁸ “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” ²⁹ “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” – Matthew 14:22-29.

Reflection:

Everyone is afraid of something. Some may be fearful of ghosts. the dark, or deep water. Meanwhile, when it’s late at night, your eyes may play tricks on you, seeing something that doesn’t seem right. As for the disciples, at least 4 were fishermen who often stayed on the water late at night. As the waves and wind picked up, the disciples began to panic, thinking Jesus was possibly a ghost of a fisherman who drown at sea. However, Jesus tried to calm down these men by calling out from the waters. Peter wasn’t sure if this was a practical joke or was really happening, so he challenges Jesus. This reassurance is what led Peter to get out of the boat and walk by faith on the water. Unfortunately, the moment Peter took his eyes off of Jesus, he began to sink.

Prayerful Action:

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” ³² And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. ³³ Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” – Matthew 14:31-33

Developing the Spiritual Guts to Press On:

At the age of 55, I know my limitations, what I can and can’t do. However, if I possessed more confidence in certain areas, I’d be more willing to get out of my boat, comfort zone, and begin to walk by faith. Just like the words of Hebrews 12:1-2, fixing your eyes on Jesus demonstrates fortitude. However, the moment you start looking at your circumstances, courage and guts waver. Therefore, if you want to pursue fortitude this September, it’s time for you to get out of your boat, comfort zone, and start walking by faith.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

As the summer fades into fall, may you overcome any fears that you have to start walking by faith. However, you can’t walk by faith until you get out of your boat, comfort zone.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, ¹¹ but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing. ¹² Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, “Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here.” ¹³ He replied, “You give them something to eat.” They answered, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish—unless we go and buy food for all this crowd.” ¹⁴ (About five thousand men were there.) But he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” ¹⁵ The disciples did so, and everyone sat down. ¹⁶ Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. ¹⁷ They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over, Luke 9:10-17.

Reflection:

Based upon the words of a first century historian, apostles, a.k.a. the 12 disciples were excited to share with Jesus what they were able to accomplish in teams of two. Luke gives the impression that the disciples and Jesus were ready to call it a day. Despite withdrawing from the crowds, there was a spiritual hunger that spread throughout the land. Jesus embraced this hunger, welcoming the growing crowds as He spoke about the kingdom of God until late in the afternoon. While the disciples wanted everyone to leave so that there was enough time to eat dinner before darkness set in, Jesus had a different plan. After taking an inventory of what the disciples had to offer 5,000 men, excluding woman and children, Jesus saw an opportunity to provide daily bread.

Prayerful Action:

“This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, ¹⁰ your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.¹¹ Give us today our daily bread, Matthew 6:9-11.

Developing the Spiritual Guts to Press On:

There are two life lessons Jesus is trying to teach His disciples. First, ministry can be exhausting as you reach out, serve and teach people about the kingdom of God. Second, ministry is never ending, even when you’re hungry, tired and weary. Jesus could have turned away this massive crowd. Yet, part of any ministry is seizing every opportunity that the Lord gives you. Although Luke never uses the term fortitude, Jesus demonstrates the courage and guts necessary to touch the lives of everyone He came in contact with on this particular day.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

This is my favorite song when I partake in communion. Whenever you sit down to eat, remember the feeding of the 5,000 as you thank God for proving you with daily bread.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” ³⁶ Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. ³⁷ A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. ³⁸ Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” ³⁹ He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. ⁴⁰ He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” ⁴¹ They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” – Mark 4:35-41

Reflection:

Since 4 of the first 6 disciple called by Jesus were fisherman, you would think that these seasoned sailors would not panic when a squall suddenly appeared on the water. While all 12 disciples were freaking out, Jesus was sound asleep, likely using this storm to test their degree of fortitude. Although John Mark was not present during this furious squall, this story was passed down to him by Peter as they were ministry partners in the first century. As this storm intensified, Peter thought the disciples were going to drown. After quickly making this squall disappear, Jesus rebuked the disciples for their lack of faith. Perhaps, this moment of fear prompted Peter to write today’s call to action.

Prayerful Action:

 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. ⁷ These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed., 1 Peter 1:6-7.

Developing the Spiritual Gut to Press On:

Life is full of failure which provides opportunities for spiritual growth. Jesus taught Peter that trials are necessary to test your faith and in today’s passage to see where you need to improve. Another disciple in the boat during this squall provides another perspective in 1 John 4:18. When you place your trust in the perfect love of Jesus, fear vanishes. Therefore, if you want to pursue fortitude this month, put these two pieces of advice into practice.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

Fall will likely bring new storms on the horizon. May the lyrics of Fisher of Men prepare you as you find yourself surrounded by wind and waves. If your fortitude fails like the disciples, there’s always tomorrow to begin again with a fresh start, Lamentations 3:19-24.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, ² and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. ³ When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” ⁴ “Woman,^[a] why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” ⁵ His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” ⁶ Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.^{[b] 7} Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. ⁸ Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, ⁹ and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside ¹⁰ and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” ¹¹ What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him, John 2:1-11.

Reflection:

First century Jewish wedding receptions could last up to a week. Wedding guests expected a few days of celebrating with food and drinks. Based upon John’s account of this wedding reception, these parties would end once all the food and wine were consumed. Since Jesus’ mother Mary was close friends with the parents hosting this reception, she didn’t want this couple’s reputation tarnished as cheap and unprepared. Only 6 of 12 disciples had been called at the time of this wedding which explains Jesus initially response, “my time has not yet come.” However, Mary was consumed with fortitude, refusing to take no for an answer. Mary trusted Jesus who not only turned water into wine, but this wine was the best of the best.

Prayerful Action:

Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. ⁵² And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man, Luke 2:51-52.

Developing the Spiritual Guts to Press On:

The context of the above passage takes place when Jesus is 12 years old. Rather than travel back to Nazareth with his family, Jesus stayed in Jerusalem, teaching in the temple for the first time. While there is no mention of a Bar mitzvah, Jesus became a man in the Jewish faith. Joseph and Mary returned to Jerusalem, retracing their steps to find their son. Subsequently, upon returning home, Jesus promised to be obedient to his parents. In a sense, Mary was like the mother of a real-life Superman. Mary noticed a spiritual difference in Jesus, but didn’t quite understand what to do. However, in a time a need, Jesus obeyed His mother and saved the reputations of their family friends. Mary demonstrated spiritual guts by trusting in Jesus to save the day.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

Water into Wine is one of the inspirational songs in college that I turned to when I was in need of a miracle. May the lyrics of today’s song stir your soul and inspire you to seek fortitude this September.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. ⁴¹ Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah, Luke 4:40-41.

Reflection:

Today’s author is a first century doctor who uses the events within a 12-hour period to record these miracles. Based upon Luke’s time frame, Jesus started healing as the sunset and stopped at dawn, just before the sun rose. The first question that popped into my mind as I read today’s passage is did all of these individuals in need of healing wait all day because Jesus was busy? Or did these people simply travel from all over during the day and waited in line to be healed at sunset? Whenever the true context, each needy soul waited as long as necessary, up to 10 hours before being healed by Jesus. As an impatient person, this takes spiritual guts.

Prayerful Action:

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord, Psalm 27:14.

Developing the Spiritual Guts to Press On:

If I don’t do something around the house when it comes my mind, I tend to fall behind. The longer I push this off, the more out of control this situation becomes. Since the summer heat and humidity can be so extreme, summer projects will now need to be done this fall. When it comes to personal hearing, all the individuals who lined up to meet with Jesus couldn’t wait any longer. These specific conditions had become debilitating, creating a sense of urgency within each soul. When a spirit of fortitude conceives the drive to get a condition resolved, you’ll wait as long as necessary. This is the context all everyone who waited past sunset to finally receive healing.

Song of the Day:

Today’s lyrics speak to those individuals who think they can earn their way into heaven, Romans 3:9-12. True healing begins when you realize that you can’t do this on your own, John 3:16-17. Whether you are in desperate need of physical or spiritual healing, may today’s song give you hope to press on.

by Jay Mankus