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Passage of the Day:

Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. ² I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. ³ You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? ⁴ For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere human beings? ⁵ What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. ⁶ I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. ⁷ So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. ⁸ The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. ⁹ For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building. ¹⁰ By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. ¹¹ For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ, 1 Corinthians 3:1-11.

Reflection:

The city of Corinth was a wealthy port city in Greece at the time the apostle Paul wrote this letter. As this church in Corinth grew, believers began to have favorite leaders and preachers. Rather than get drawn into a debate on the G.O.A.T. of Christians in the first century, Paul points out that everyone has a part to play. Some Christians may sow spiritual seeds, others may water by nourishing those seeking a newfound faith, but God ultimately makes people and things grow.

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.

Preparing Your Fields to Beat Spiritual Fruit:

One common theme echoed by multiple New Testament authors is that storms, trials and rough stretches in life will come upon you, James 1:2-4 and 1 Peter 1:6-7. If you’re not ready, your foundation will be rocked and washed away by waves and wind. Only those who develop a will to endure like the image in 1 Corinthians 9:26-27 can continue to produce spiritual fruit. In your own weakness, lean on Jesus to be strong, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10.

Song of the Day:

When I feel, my faith is starting to crumble, I turn to songs like My Anchor. Over the years, songs like the Anchor Holds and When God Ran have helped remind me to build my spiritual foundation on the Rock of Christ.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?” ²⁸ Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, ²⁹ “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” ³⁰ They came out of the town and made their way toward him. ³¹ Meanwhile his disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat something.” ³² But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” ³³ Then his disciples said to each other, “Could someone have brought him food?” ³⁴ “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. ³⁵ Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. ³⁶ Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together, John 4:27-36.

Reflection:

If you have ever tried to fast for a doctor’s appointment, before a procedure or combined with prayer to meet a spiritual need, hunger pains can become overwhelming. Subsequently, when Jesus’ own disciples hear their leader talk about food, their minds immediately assume someone brought Jesus a meal. However, in the context of producing spiritual fruit, words from the Bible, uplifting music and fellowship with other Christian believers satisfy a human being’s spiritual hunger. This is the living water that led a Samaritan woman and her entire family to faith in Jesus.

Prayerful Action:

Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. ³⁸ I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor,” John 4:37-38.

Preparing Your Fields to Bear Spiritual Fruit:

The life of a farmer involves getting up at the crack of dawn and working until the sun sets. Farmers with animals are up earlier to milk cows, collect eggs or let their herd out to pasture. The more farmers put into their farm often is directly related to the fruits produced in the future. While you may be tempted to sleep in, skip a day of work or take an extended break, keep pressing on to do the work behind the scenes so that spiritual fruit will be conceived in your life.

Song of the Day:

In this age of gender confusion and pronouns, hard work remains the best option for bearing spiritual fruits. This is the paradigm of sowing and reaping: the more you sow spiritually, the more you will begin to bear the fruits of the Spirit.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed. ² So they bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate the governor. ³ When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. ⁴ “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.” “What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.” ⁵ So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself, Matthew 27:1-5.

Reflection:

In the first few years of high school, two of my friends committed suicide. Prior to Brian’s death, I had my own battle with depression, as the demon of suicide tried to place this thought into my mind. The last one was one of my teammates, coming as a complete shock to everyone on the swim team. Yet, when your older brother is a high school all-American who received a full ride to swim in college, Kevin fell short of everyone’s expectations. Rather than dwell on times in life when the Devil wins, Christians need to learn how to tap into the power of the Holy Spirit.

Prayerful Action:

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, 2 Peter 1:3-4.

Preparing Your Fields to Bear Spiritual Fruit:

Despite witnessing countless miracles performed by Jesus, the disciples struggled with doubt. One of the best passages about tapping into resurrection power is Matthew 21:20-22. Spiritual belief is like confidence that a professional athlete possesses. However, when athletes go into a slump, nothing comes easy. In the same way, if you want to begin doing what was previously thought impossible start believing in the power of the Holy Spirit so you can start claiming this power when you pray.

Song of the Day:

When you make a mistake in life, the last thing you need to hear is, “I told you so.” When the Devil wins in your life, don’t dwell on the negative. Rather, listen to the words of today’s song so that God’s love will give you the desire to press on and begin tapping into resurrection power.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. ¹⁵ I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! ¹⁶ So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. ¹⁷ You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. ¹⁸ I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see, Revelation 3:14-18.

Reflection:

The opening of the Book of Revelation serves as a spiritual evaluation for 7 first century churches. This faith report card begins with what these body of believers are exceling in. Immediately following these positive comments, John details what area or areas each church needs to improve upon moving forward. Unfortunately, the members in Laodicea were rebuked as God was disappointed by their lack of consistency. Some days these Christians pleased the Lord, but a spiritual complacency likely brought on by procrastination was recently making God want to vomit. Bearing spiritual fruit is based upon the daily choices that you make in life. When Christians start going through the motions in their faith, a lukewarm spirit is conceived.

Prayerful Action:

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. ²⁰ Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me, Revelation 3:19-20.

Preparing Your Fields to Bear Spiritual Fruit:

A sign that someone doesn’t love you is that they stop caring about you. According to John, God disciplines those whom He loves. Like a coach or teacher that wants you to succeed in life, God is like a strength and conditioning coach seeking to push you so that you’ll reach your spiritual potential. As you examine your own spiritual life this June, seek humility like the apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 1:15. As a spiritual mentor once told me, “The closer you get to God, the more the Holy Spirit will reveal your imperfections. Rather than being offended by spiritual criticism, make it a goal to please the Lord daily this month. If you can do this once, you can do it again. When you please the Lord a couple days in a row, you can make this a habit.

Song of the Day:

The lyrics to the attached song provide an example of how easy it is to procrastinate before you study the Bible and or pray. Rather than continue to distance yourself from the Lord, seize this moment to spend time with God today.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” ¹⁴ Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. ¹⁵ One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” ¹⁶ Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding, Acts 19:13-16.

Reflection:

When I first became a Christian on December 4th, 1983, I had no idea what I was doing. My high school swim coach who became my spiritual mentor helped me immensely along this journey of faith. However, I can’t imagine what it would be like to go through life without a spiritual counselor like Ken. Perhaps, the 7 sons of Sceva were lost, grasping at straws when they tried to improvise spiritually in today’s featured passage. This is the difference between walking with God daily and winging it.

Prayerful Action:

How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. ¹⁰ I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.¹¹ I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you, Psalm 119:9-11.

Preparing Your Fields to Produce Spiritual Fruit:

Since moving from the Northeast portion of the United States to the south, I’ve noticed two obvious differences. First, metropolitan cities like Philadelphia are outspoken, often fighting back when their opinions or rights have been ignored. Meanwhile, South Carolinians are laid back, polite and reserved. Second, there is a degree of professionalism in the northeast as individuals prepare themselves each day of work. On the other hand, my interactions in the south have witnessed more of a relaxed, read and react style with a tendency to just wing it. As the disciples were about to panic in Mark 1:36-37, Jesus already knew what to do and where to go, Mark 1:38-39. When you walk with God daily, the Holy Spirit provides a clear vision and path to take in life, Galatians 5:25.

Song of the Day:

Those individuals who like to go through life flying by the seat of their pants, winging it daily, take the easy way out. However, the lyrics of today’s song remind Christians that walking with God means facing your obstacles and trials head on. As you go through the fire, 1 Peter 1:6-7, maturity and growth will develop as you seek to sow spiritual seeds in June.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. ² For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. ³ Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. ⁴ I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. ⁵ And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began, John 17:1-5.

Reflection:

About the same time news broke of Grayson Murray’s death, I was on my way to my father’s funeral in Delaware. Being raised Roman Catholic, I was taught to follow the Ten Commandments and partake in the Holy Sacraments. Unfortunately, most Catholic churches still teach works-based salvation, making the devout believe they will receive eternal life. When I started reading the Bible on my own in high school, I began to see another perspective in verses like Romans 5:8 and 6:23. Subsequently, as I said my final goodbyes to my dad, I found myself wishing his eternal life into existence rather than knowing for certain.

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, 1 John 5:13-14.

Preparing Your Fields to Bear Spiritual Fruit:

I never want to attend another funeral where I am unsure of this person’s eternal salvation. Over the course of my life attending church services, I’ve heard numerous sermons on eternal life. The most controversial was one using Matthew 7:13-14 to point out that there will be less people in heaven than expected. Unfortunately, too many Christians pretend, play make believe and fool many with their act, but these individuals won’t fool God. Therefore, stop playing games with God by taking eternal life serious now in your living days.

Song of the Day:

Rather than take turns playing God, focus on your own life. The apostle Paul provides great advice in Philippians 2:12 against becoming complacent. Stop wishing things into existence by working out your salvation with fear and trembling like Jeffrey Dalmer.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?” ¹¹ He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. ¹² Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. ¹³ This is why I speak to them in parables: “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. ¹⁴ In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: “‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. ¹⁵ For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’^{[a] 16} But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. ¹⁷ For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it. ¹⁸ “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: ¹⁹ When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. ²⁰ The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. ²¹ But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. ²² The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. ²³ But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown,” Matthew 13:10-23.

Reflection:

I was taught early on in school that April showers bring May flowers. If you take this seasonal lesson and apply this to the spiritual realm, may flowers are a byproduct of weeding, watering and planting bulbs at the right time each Spring. If you’re too eager and plant too soon, freezing temperatures and or frost will either kill or stunt the growth of these plants. Meanwhile, if you wait too long to plant, arid and dry conditions can result in wilting flowers.

Prayerful Action:

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you, John 15:16.

Preparing Your Fields to Bear Spiritual Fruit:

The next 30 days will be devoted to bearing spiritual fruit. After sharing the Parable of the Sower to a large crowd, Jesus’ twelve disciples were confused, asking for further clarification. Today’s passage provides clarity to the point Jesus was trying to impress upon this audience: search for the right spiritual environment so that you can begin to blossom. The soil and surroundings in which you are planted will influence the fruit that you bear. Seek out fertile, good soil.

Song of the Day:

The lyrics of the attached song by Wes King talks about being filled with the fullness of God. Christians who are eager and willing to keep in step with the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25, will make the effort to search for the right environment/spiritual soil where they will blossom this June.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

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, ¹⁴ who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. ¹⁵ These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you, Titus 2:11-15.

Reflection:

The students at the Methodist Church in Colombus, Indiana where I served as youth director came up with an acronym to describe their youth group BLAZ. The B is for Bible, L for love, A for and and Z for Zeal. During a portion of my time in 1993, a revival broke out as the Holy Spirit led teenagers to give their hearts to Jesus. This was the most spiritually mature students that I ever led or was a part in my 15 years of youth ministry. The two common traits my student leadership team possessed was a yearning for God and a zeal to grow in their faith.

Prayerful Action:

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. ¹¹ Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord, Romans 12:10-11.

Building Up Bible Believing Behaviors:

As today marks another end to a month this year, I thought combining two godly behaviors would provide a strong finish for May. Yearning is the intense longing for something, often in the form of a feeling or strong sensation deep inside of you. Meanwhile, biblical zeal is a single-minded desire fueled by enthusiasm and devotion. Although everyone tends to wear down emotionally over time, those that yearn for and possess a zeal for God will be elevated spiritually. This is the importance of adding yearning with zeal.

Song of the Day: