Category Archives: Uncategorized

Passage of the Day:

“Anyone who strikes a person with a fatal blow is to be put to death. ¹³ However, if it is not done intentionally, but God lets it happen, they are to flee to a place I will designate. ¹⁴ But if anyone schemes and kills someone deliberately, that person is to be taken from my altar and put to death. ¹⁵ “Anyone who attacks^[c] their father or mother is to be put to death. ¹⁶ “Anyone who kidnaps someone is to be put to death, whether the victim has been sold or is still in the kidnapper’s possession. ¹⁷ “Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death. ¹⁸ “If people quarrel and one person hits another with a stone or with their fist^[d] and the victim does not die but is confined to bed, ¹⁹ the one who struck the blow will not be held liable if the other can get up and walk around outside with a staff; however, the guilty party must pay the injured person for any loss of time and see that the victim is completely healed,” Exodus 21:12-19.

Reflection:

Following the introduction of the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20, God spends the next few chapters laying out a series of civil laws regarding how you should treat your neighbor. Moses goes into greater details of these laws in the Books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy. The founding fathers of the United States based their judicial system on the laws God gave to Moses. However, when courts banned teachers and students from praying out loud in public schools, 1962, Judeo-Christian values started to fade. One year later the public reading of the Bible during homeroom was also banned. Forty years later, 2002, the Ten Commandments were banned from being displayed in courthouses. This is what you get after 80 years of removing the Bible and prayer from public education, a former president convicted of 34 crimes that weren’t clear during Trump’s trial.

Prayerful Action:

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles, Psalm 34:17.

Beneath the Surface:

Like the great empires of the past, America is on the verge of collapse. As democratic and progressive leaders have followed the Saul Alinksy playbook by overwhelming the systems in America, this is what you get. Despite settlers from Europe coming to America to fulfill the Magna Carta, this religious founding has been removed from history textbooks. Now America finds itself like Israel rejecting God for a king in 1 Samuel 8. Only God knows the future, but for today, the apostle Paul’s prophecy in 1 Timothy 4:1-2 has been fulfilled. People now believe what their itching ears want to hear.

American Justice was founded on the belief that human beings are innocent until proven guilty. Apparently, if your name is Donald J. Trump, this doesn’t apply. Perhaps, a word from King Solomon is a good place to end: God makes all things beautiful in His time, Ecclesiastes 3:11.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

One day Samson went to Gaza, where he saw a prostitute. He went in to spend the night with her. ² The people of Gaza were told, “Samson is here!” So they surrounded the place and lay in wait for him all night at the city gate. They made no move during the night, saying, “At dawn we’ll kill him.” ³ But Samson lay there only until the middle of the night. Then he got up and took hold of the doors of the city gate, together with the two posts, and tore them loose, bar and all. He lifted them to his shoulders and carried them to the top of the hill that faces Hebron. ⁴ Some time later, he fell in love with a woman in the Valley of Sorek whose name was Delilah, Judges 16:1-4.

Reflection:

No matter how disciplined that you are, we have all done something that we regret. During an unexpected temptation or weak moment, all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory, Romans 3:9-12. Yet, it’s one thing to tell a lazy lie than to end up participant in some sort of X-rated moment. Although all sin is considered the same, James 4:17, committing sexual acts cause you to sin against another soul, 1 Corinthians 6:15-16.

Prayerful Action:

Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body, 1 Corinthians 6:18.

Building Up Bible Believing Behaviors:

When I grew up, X-rated content was limited to adult bookstores. Unfortunately, after forty years of pushing the envelopes, even things like coloring books have become X-rated. Curse words, perversity and nudity have become accepted in American culture as sexual content continues to sell. Nonetheless, Jesus calls His followers to strive for perfection, Matthew 5:48. While everyone has their own version of kryptonite, flee from these desires so that you avoid X-rated moments.

Song of the Day:

James 1:13-15 serves as a warning against giving into temptation. May the lyrics of God Help Me empower you to resist temptation.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?” ²³ Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. ²⁴ Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. ²⁵ “All this I have spoken while still with you. ²⁶ 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. ²⁷ Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid, John 14:22-27.

Reflection:

Regardless of your spiritual state, there will always be questions that you have for God to answer. Judas wondered why Jesus only revealed Himself to twelve men. Rather than openly respond, Jesus focuses on what is truly important. Listening, knowing and obeying the Bible’s teaching are the three essentials to becoming a follower of Jesus. Therefore, if you want to wake up in God’s Spirit, emulate Jesus’ practices in Mark 1.

Prayerful Action:

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed, Mark 1:35.

Building Up Bible Believing Behaviors:

As a former assistant golf professional, there are numerous techniques available to teach individuals how to swing a golf club. Since human beings possess different abilities, heights and strength, you have to customize your instruction to each individual. In the same manner, some people love the mornings and others are night owls. The goal is when you enter God’s presence through prayer and Bible Study, do this when you are most awake. As you figure out your most productive time to be with God, you’ll be in a better position spiritually to wake up in the Holy Spirit.

Song of the Day:

Whenever I have moving times in prayer or studying the Bible, I tend to have my most productive days at work. This was the inspiration behind today’s title, to wake up in God’s Spirit.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. ⁸ You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. ⁹ Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! ¹⁰ Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. ¹¹ As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. ¹² Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned, James 5:7-12.

Reflection:

The tag line for Nike’s slogan “Just do it” comes from an unusual source. Dan Wieden, the founder of the Wieden+Kennedy agency, credits the inspiration to a death row inmate Gary Gilmore ’s last words: “Let’s do it.” While Phil Knight, the CEO of Nike, is often associated with Just Do It today, Jesus’ earthly brother wrote a similar expression in the middle of the first century. Rather than make a public vow to put God first in your life, it’s more powerful and effective to just do it by living this out daily.

Prayerful Action:

If you make a vow to the Lord your God, do not be slow to pay it, for the Lord your God will certainly demand it of you and you will be guilty of sin, Deuteronomy 23:21.

Building Up Bible Believing Behaviors:

One of the things I told Leanne when we first started dating was that I had been careless in the past of my use of the word love. I had told other girls that I loved them, but my actions didn’t align with the biblical definition of love, 1 Corinthians 13:1-7. In the same way, if you truly want to put God first in your life, the actions, behavior, choices and decisions you make will reflect your desire. This is the meaning of let your yes be yes and no be no. The goal is to please the Lord, not people, Galatians 1:10.

Song of the Day:

The main aspect of keeping any vow is having the will to fulfill what you have declared. This inner desire will be challenged and tested by trials in life. In the end, your actions will determine whether or not you put the Lord first in your life.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. ² Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. ³ They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. ⁴ For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, ⁵ because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer, 1 Timothy 4:1-5.

Reflection:

At some point in their lives, every generation of Christians over the past 2000 years have believed that they are living in the last days. This refers to Jesus’ second coming to the earth, often known as the rapture, where living Christians living on earth suddenly disappear, vanishing without a trace. As I read today’s featured passage, I visualize what’s going on daily with talk shows. As opinions have become elevated to truth status, facts no longer hold their weight to persuade minds. This is what Christians have to understand when reaching a secular audience where truth has become relative, constantly changing and evolving with the times.

Prayerful Action:

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world, 1 John 4:1.

Building Up Bible Believing Behaviors:

In my younger years, I was extremely gullible, easily fooled by friends and family. As I have matured, I have learned to test the information people tell me before passing this on to others. This is the advice one of Jesus’ disciples shares with first century Christians. The apostle Paul uses the Church at Berea as model to emulate, Acts 17:11, testing what you hear with Scripture to decipher truth from lies. Although podcasts and talk shows continue to spread in popularity, make sure you confirm the validity of what you hear before sharing thisinformation with others.

Song of the Day:

Like the words from Jack Nicholson in A Few Good Men, most people can’t handle the truth. Perhaps this fear stems from the fear of dying and the afterlife. The attached song breeches this topic and explains what happens when you die. May the lyrics of this Kry song speak to your heart and prepare you to understand the times that we are currently living in.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.
³¹ For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? ³² It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. ³³ He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights.³⁴ He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
³⁵ You make your saving help my shield, and your right hand sustains me; your help has made me great. ³⁶ You provide a broad path for my feet, so that my ankles do not give way, Psalm 18:30-36.

Reflection:

These words of David have been called by some the Runner’s Prayer. As a lowly shepherd, David regularly moved his sheep to new fields to find green grass to graze upon. This constant travel meant walking upon rugged and uneven terrain. Since hiking boats hadn’t been invented yet, David likely wore scandals which made twisting or turning your ankle a daily occurrence. While the context of Psalm 18 was written after God rescued David from the jealous hands of King Saul, the degree to which David trusted down was so vast that even his steps were lifted up to God.

Prayerful Action:

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. ⁴  In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid.  What can mere mortals do to me? – Psalm 56:3-4

Building Up Bible Believing Behaviors:

I wore a soft cast on my ankle for several years after my reconstruction surgery in high school. I didn’t know if I was going to be able to fully run again or compete in any sports for the rest of my life. Despite being an infant Christian, this time of uncertainty led me to trust in the Lord like never before. As the bleeding stopped and pain subsided, I trusted God to do a miracle in my life. By the end of college, 5 years later, I regained full function of my ankle and was even offered a roster spot to play professional Ultimate Frisbee with the local team in Philadelphia. Although I declined this offer, this is the power of trusting God in times of uncertainty.

Song of the Day:

Whenever you begin to see progress, light on the other side the tunnel, trusting in God becomes a daily habit. Although you may be tempted to take the wheel back from God into your own hands, follow the advice from Lauren Daigle to trust the Lord.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” ² He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. ³ And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ⁵ And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. ⁶ “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. ⁷ Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come! ⁸ If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. ⁹ And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell, Matthew 18:1-9.

Reflection:

When I grew up, whenever an adult or parent was about to say something inappropriate, they would first look around to see if any children were present. Rather than speak without thinking, adults might whisper to one another if their comment was edgy to keep age-appropriate content among their peers. Unfortunately, times have changed as F-bombs go unfiltered, regularly expressed in public. Subsequently, children’s ears are being corrupted as curse words are freely exchanged without a thought of how this will influence children’s future language.

Prayerful Action:

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it, Proverbs 22:6.

Building Up Bible Believing Behaviors:

I remember the first time my father heard me curse. My dad responded like his former Army drill sergeant when a recruit was getting out of line. This initial rebuke shocked my soul and quickly brought me back on track, Matthew 7:13-14. As I grew up, my father was the disciplinarian in my house, using a paddle given to him by his fraternity brothers in college. When your father was a defensive end in college, it only took a couple of spankings to realize I didn’t want to experience that anymore. Although modern educators refer to this as cruelty, I was simply scared straight.

Song of the Day:

As society evolves, I pray that Americans return to the Judeo-Christian which this country was founded upon. Although revisionist historians have doctored and rewritten history in modern textbooks, the Bible provides plenty of guidance to notice and see all the little children living around and among your spheres of influence.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “Pray to the Lord to take the frogs away from me and my people, and I will let your people go to offer sacrifices to the Lord.” ⁹ Moses said to Pharaoh, “I leave to you the honor of setting the time for me to pray for you and your officials and your people that you and your houses may be rid of the frogs, except for those that remain in the Nile.” ¹⁰ “Tomorrow,” Pharaoh said. Moses replied, “It will be as you say, so that you may know there is no one like the Lord our God. ¹¹ The frogs will leave you and your houses, your officials and your people; they will remain only in the Nile.” ¹² After Moses and Aaron left Pharaoh, Moses cried out to the Lord about the frogs he had brought on Pharaoh. ¹³ And the Lord did what Moses asked. The frogs died in the houses, in the courtyards and in the fields. ¹⁴ They were piled into heaps, and the land reeked of them. ¹⁵ But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the Lord had said, Exodus 8:8-15.

Reflection:

As a college friend used to say, “when times are good, most people abandon God.” As things go according to plan and or your expectations are met, it’s easy to live a happy go lucky life. However, the moment the tables are turned as in the life of Pharoah, he summons Moses and asks for prayers to relieve the circumstances brought by God. According to the book of Exodus, the softening of Pharoah’s heart does not occur until the death of his first-born son, Exodus 12:31-32.

Prayerful Action:

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. ¹¹ Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. ¹² Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me, Psalm 51:10-12.

Building Up Bible Believing Behaviors:

One thing that I have learned from my experiences as a counselor at a boarding school and high school teacher is that there is a back story behind every action, attitude, behavior and choice made. Writing the Improbable Escape, a screenplay about my father’s family journey from Lithuania to America during World War II, helped me better understand my father. After discovering that his father was a police chief, I began to see what shaped his disciplinarian nature. Meanwhile, as I became married, and Leanne had our three children, I witnessed the softening on my father’s heart. Rather than become stuck in his former ways of thinking like Pharoah, my dad’s heart turned compassionate by loving each of his grandchildren. When all of my children were in high school, there was a twinkling in his eyes as he saw their future potential in life. These are just a few examples of what can happen when you allow your heart to become open to change for the better.

Song of the Day:

Part of the apostle Paul’s teaching about keeping in step with the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25, is contingent on adopting a heart for God. Stubborn people like Pharoah aren’t open to change. However, teachable souls that cry out to the Lord for help open the door for the softening of their hearts. This can happen to you if you allow God to become the Lord of your life.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. ⁶ But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. ⁸ Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. ⁹ Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. ¹⁰ But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. ¹¹ For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business. ¹² Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him, James 1:5-12.

Reflection:

James is writing first century Christians to inform them how they should behave while undergoing various trials and temptations. Although the New International translation uses perseveres at the conclusion of this section of Scripture, other translations use steadfast. Steadfast is being firm in your belief with a determination to adhere to and uphold your convictions. Being steadfast is often the difference between winning and losing spiritually as James illustrates in James 1:13-15.

Prayerful Action:

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 15:58.

Building Up Bible Believing Behaviors:

The apostle Paul insinuates that Christians will come to a crossroads in their spiritual life. When this moment arises, don’t be surprised if the Devil plants thoughts of doubt into your mind. Suddenly whispers of “what’s the point or why not quit,” may enter your mind. This is where possessing a steadfast spirit is essential to standing firm against the Devil’s schemes, Ephesians 6:10-11. If you feel beaten down by the hand life has currently dealt you, hang in there and pray to the Lord for a steadfast spirit. In your weakness, allow Christ to be strong, Philippians 4:13.

Song of the Day:

As I write today’s post, I’m speaking from experience as God as forced me to dig deep. The only thing keeping me from losing faith is the apostle Paul’s call to be steadfast. May the lyrics of today’s song give you the hope to press on.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

You are not to do as we do here today, everyone doing as they see fit, ⁹ since you have not yet reached the resting place and the inheritance the Lord your God is giving you. ¹⁰ But you will cross the Jordan and settle in the land the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, and he will give you rest from all your enemies around you so that you will live in safety. ¹¹ Then to the place the Lord your God will choose as a dwelling for his Name—there you are to bring everything I command you: your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, and all the choice possessions you have vowed to the Lord. ¹² And there rejoice before the Lord your God—you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, and the Levites from your towns who have no allotment or inheritance of their own. ¹³ Be careful not to sacrifice your burnt offerings anywhere you please. ¹⁴ Offer them only at the place the Lord will choose in one of your tribes, and there observe everything I command you, Deuteronomy 12:8-14.

Reflection:

As Moses prepares Israel to enter into God’s promised land of Canaan, he makes an interesting statement. Israel spent forty years wandering in the wilderness mainly because everyone did and lived as they each saw fit. No one appears to have taken the Ten Commandments serious. During the days when Israel was led by a series of Judges, a leader points out that everyone did that which was right in their own eyes, Judges 21:25. This is the context that inspired Moses to urge Israel to rest in God’s presence.

Prayerful Action:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest,” Matthew 11:28.

Building Up Bible Believing Behaviors:

I have a hard time slowing down in life, always reminded by everything I want to accomplish on my days off. However, if I’m constantly going and fail to rest in God’s presence, I’m following the same path as Israel, doing as I see fit. Perhaps, this is why the director of music wrote down the words to Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God.” Don’t just rest in God’s presence when you have problems. Rather, slow down once a week to reflect upon God’s power, promises and presence.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

I discovered I Give Myself Away during the Coronavirus Pandemic. When I started to play the attached song daily, I was reminded to rest in God’s presence, trusting in Him amidst the plague brought upon mankind, Proverbs 3:5-6. Make resting in God’s presence a weekly habit.

by Jay Mankus