Category Archives: Uncategorized

Passage of the Day:

You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, ¹¹ persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. ¹² In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, ¹³ while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. ¹⁴ But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, ¹⁵ and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that the servant of God^[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work, 2 Timothy 3:10-17.

Reflection:

I was introduced to the term quiet time through the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. During a sports camp one summer, I was given a small pamphlet with a series of passages to read each day. After locating a quiet place to concentrate, my small group huddle came together to discuss what everyone just read. Each quiet time was like a building block that fit into the spiritual theme for the week. Now as an adult, my daily quiet time consists of reading a book of the Bible straight through, stopping each day after I have filled an entire page of my journal with notes. This is my quiet time with God.

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.

Building Up Bible Believing Behaviors:

The apostle Paul’s final words to a first century pastor is centered around studying the Bible. While there are numerous Christian podcasts and talk shows available to listen to, nothing replaces studying the Words of God on your own. Hebrews 4:12 states that the words inside the Bible are living and active. Subsequently, each time you devote time to read and study the Bible, you’ll probably learn something new based upon what’s going on in your life. As long as you remain open to the Holy Spirit’s calling, daily quiet times with God can and will transform your life.

Song of the Day:

I was introduced to the attached song when I was in college. Whenever times got tough for me, I was reminded to keep living in the pages. This can be accomplished by scheduling a daily quiet time with God.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” ³⁷ He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. ³⁸ Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” ³⁹ Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” ⁴⁰ Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. ⁴¹ “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” ⁴² He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” ⁴³ When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. ⁴⁴ So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. ⁴⁵ Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. ⁴⁶ Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!” – Matthew 26:36-46

Reflection:

Prior to Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion, Jewish religious leaders were trying to find a way to kill Him. However, Jesus’ following had become so great, the Pharisees and teachers of the law were unable to entrap or outsmart Him, Matthew 22:46. In the days known as the Passion Week, Jesus’ knew that God’s plan for His life was about to be fulfilled. Nonetheless, Jesus’ humanity was overcome by the darkness of knowing His fate on a cross. In the middle of the night, Jesus asked the ten disciples with Him to stay and keep watch in prayer. Unfortunately, their tired bodies gave into the temptation to sleep and were not prepared for what was about to happen on that first Good Friday.

Prayerful Action:

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 8:26-27.

Building Up Bible Believing Behaviors:

The placement of the apostle Paul’s words in the above passage points to Jesus’ confession nearly two thousand years ago. The spirit deep inside of you is willing, but the human body is weak. When Paul recounts his own struggles to control his sinful nature in Romans 7:11-25. he recognizes that the Holy Spirit is the only to successfully overcome a weakened body. Therefore, the next time you begin to endure periods of spiritual darkness like Ephesians 6:10-13, put on the full armor of God so that you can stand your ground by praying through the darkness.

Song of the Day:

I stumbled upon the attached song when I was trying to find Christian music for my two oldest boys. May the words of Pray by Manafest inspire you to turn to prayer when experience difficult times in life.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. ¹⁸ Now Bethany was less than two miles^[b] from Jerusalem, ¹⁹ and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. ²⁰ When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. ²¹ “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. ²² But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” ²³ Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” ²⁴ Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” ²⁵ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; ²⁶ and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” ²⁷ “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” ²⁸ After she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” ²⁹ When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. ³⁰ Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. ³¹ When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there. ³² When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” ³³ When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. ³⁴ “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. ³⁵ Jesus wept, John 11:17-35.

Reflection:

In this age of hero worship, fame and fortune is placed above hard work and dedication. Subsequently, rather than look up to father figures, more and more young people have become captivated by social media influencers. This explains why many individuals are self-absorbed with daily posts that scream, “look at me; look at me!” These are the thoughts that came to my mind when my mother told me the news that my father suddenly passed away yesterday, May 18th. My father was forced to leave his home in Lithuania and all of his possessions during World War 2. His parents and older brother John began an improbable escape toward one of four Displaced Persons Zones set up for refugees also forced from their homes. I spent the last two years of my father’s life recounting these events and documenting them into a screen play. While there will be lots of weeping in the days and weeks to come, Joseph J. Mankus Sr. has passed but won’t be forgotten.

Prayerful Action:

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. ¹⁵ Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that,” James 4:14-15.

Building Up Bible Believing Behaviors:

Jesus wept is the shortest verse in the Bible. This emotion released by Jesus lets men realize that it is okay to cry. Based upon accounts from the four gospels, Jesus and Lazarus were close friends and He was acquaintances with his sisters Mary and Martha. While Jesus had the power and plan to raise Lazarus from the dead, most families are forced to deal with the grim reality of death. Nonetheless, the best way to honor the lives of those who have passed is to strive to emulate the godly traits that were demonstrated in their living years.

Song of the Day:

My wife encouraged me to go see my folks this past week for four days. Before catching my flight on Thursday, I hugged my father which I know now was for the last time. After saying, “I love you,” my father followed you with “I love you, my son.” Upon hearing these words something in my spirit told me the end of his life was near. While the living years have passed for my father, I will never forget the values that he instilled within me the past 54 years.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. ¹² As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy^[b] met him. They stood at a distance ¹³ and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” ¹⁴ When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. ¹⁵ One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. ¹⁶ He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. ¹⁷ Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? ¹⁸ Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” ¹⁹ Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well,” Luke 17:11-19.

Reflection:

Optimism is a spirit of hopefulness and confidence about the future. Optimism can be recognized by individuals who believe in and live with an overflowing confidence that success will come. After one of ten lepers were officially given a clean bill of health by a priest, this man seeks out Jesus to thank Him for performing a miracle in his life. According to Luke, this is one of the most grateful healed patients that he has ever encountered.

Prayerful Action:

Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Ephesians 5:19-20.

Building Up Bible Believing Behaviors:

Where did everyone else go? Where they like the man in John 5:1-7 who believed that the water in this pool possessed mystical power? Did any of the other nine healed lepers ever come back to thank Jesus? Based upon Luke’s observations, this man was the only one who remembered and gave thanks to God. This is the quality that Christians should seek to emulate today, giving God the glory as our soul is overflowing with optimism and praise for the Lord.

Song of the Day:

Jesus revealed that the words people speak come from the overflow of their hearts, Luke 6:45. If Christians begin to dwell on the positive, optimism will start to overflow from their hearts. This is the image and vision of Christians overflowing with optimism.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Jesus told his disciples: “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. ² So he called him in and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.’ ³ “The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I’m not strong enough to dig, and I’m ashamed to beg— ⁴ I know what I’ll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.’ ⁵ “So he called in each one of his master’s debtors. He asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ ⁶ “‘Nine hundred gallons^[a] of olive oil,’ he replied. “The manager told him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred and fifty.’ ⁷ “Then he asked the second, ‘And how much do you owe?’ “‘A thousand bushels^[b] of wheat,’ he replied. “He told him, ‘Take your bill and make it eight hundred.’ ⁸ “The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. ⁹ I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings, Luke 16:1-9.

Reflection:

Whenever you’re told that your services are no longer needed or welcome, it’s easy to check out mentally. In this attached parable, Jesus tells a story about a man about to be fired. Filled with a sense of desperation, this shrewd individual uses common sense and savvy business practices. Perhaps, this manager became too comfortable, mailing it in daily. Before he knew it, this business that he was responsible for managing was on the verge of going out of business. If you want to save your job, marriage or anything else important to you, never give up by keep fighting, doing everything in your power to restore what’s falling apart.

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. ¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers, Galatians 6:9-10.

Building Up Bible Believing Behaviors:

Fourteen years ago, I found myself in an identical situation as the Shrewd Manager. After the school I was teaching at was sold in the middle of the year, I was informed that I would be replaced at the end of the semester. Rather than letting the root of bitterness fill my soul, I did all that I could do to provide a smooth transition for my replacement. On my last day of teaching, one of the secretaries told me, “I wish you weren’t leaving.” This is how others respond when you demonstrate a never give up attitude and behavior.

Song of the Day:

Today’s song came from one of my great finds at a bargain bin in Delaware. The Son Shine House was a place a refuge for me in college, where I went to find life altering music. May the words of Whatever It Takes motivate you to adopt a never give up mentality for the rest of 2024.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. ¹⁵ The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.^[f] And by him we cry, “Abba,^[g] Father.” ¹⁶ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. ¹⁷ Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. ¹⁸ I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. ¹⁹ For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. ²⁰ For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope ²¹ that^[h] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God, Romans 8:14-21.

Reflection:

After devoting an entire chapter to his own losing battle with the sinful nature, the apostle Paul follows this up with a call to action in Romans 8. If you’re not careful, sometimes you’ll find yourself playing the What If Game. If this didn’t happen or if that didn’t happen to me, I’d be so much happier and successful. Instead, Paul provides one area of focus to move on, listen and obey the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25. Stop allowing yourself to be held in bondage by the Devil with a decaying soul. Confess the error(s) of your way, forgive and move on into the freedom of being a child of God.

Prayerful Action:

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. ¹² For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known, 1 Corinthians 13:11-12.

Building Up Bible Believing Behaviors:

Death, loss and tragedies can be hard to move on from, especially if you feel like you could have said or done something to stop this from happening. When I was a youth pastor in Indiana, one of the teenagers who attended this church died in a car crash. While there may have been alcohol involved in this accident, death is permanent. While everyone typically takes a different amount of time to recover from a shocking event like this, sooner or later you’ll have to move on. The apostle Paul urged one first century congregation to lean on the strength of Jesus when you have nothing left to give, Philippians 4:13. Trust in the power of Christ to help you move on by looking forward to the plan and work God has for you to do on earth, Philippians 1:6.

The attached song helped me two years ago when I moved to South Carolina. While I still haven’t fully adjusted, finding my place in this state, I’m ready to move on when the Spirit prompts me for my future career.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. ² At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. ³ The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group ⁴ and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. ⁵ In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” ⁶ They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. ⁷ When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” ⁸ Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. ⁹ At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. ¹⁰ Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” ¹¹ “No one, sir,” she said.“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin,” John 8:1-11.

Reflection:

Most Bibles have a disclaimer at the top of John 8:1-11. Subsequently, this passage is likely a story added by John or one of his disciples which falls into a category mentioned in John 21:25. Rather than possess a spiritual longing for God, the woman in today’s passage was overcome by a spirit of lust mentioned in James 1:14-15 and 1 John 2:15-16. The apostle Paul addresses this spiritual conflict in Romans 8:5-8. Therefore, if you want to develop a longing for God, your heart and mind must be fixated on things above.

Prayerful Action:

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. ³ For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God, Colossians 3:1-3.

Building Up Bible Believing Behaviors:

Growing up in the Roman Catholic Church, I was taught to follow the Ten Commandments. After attending church religiously for years without being encouraged to enter into a personal relationship with God, many of my friends and I were lost, longing for something more. This longing was brought up by a co-worker, a counselor at a YMCA Summer Camp. Chrissy and I went through Confirmation together but had lost touch until being paired together for a couple of weeks. Unfortunately, when Chrissy expressed this longing for God, I missed this opportunity to share my faith. What Chrissy was searching for was the same longing as the adulterous woman in today’s passage. When Jesus saved this woman from being stoned to death, His only request was to “Go and Sin No More.” Like the words in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:48, strive for perfection with a daily longing to please God and not you flesh.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

Romans 3:9-12 paints a picture of failure as all human beings have lost control of their flesh like the adulterous woman who Jesus saved. While this internal spiritual battle continues today, Galatians 5:16-17, developing a longing for God will alter your behavior. May the lyrics of Go and Sin No More fill you with a spiritual longing for God.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. ²⁹ If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. ³⁰ Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. ³¹ Do to others as you would have them do to you. ³² “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. ³³ And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. ³⁴ And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. ³⁵ But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. ³⁶ Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful, Luke 6:27-36.

Reflection:

Kindness is the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate. Meanwhile, biblical kindness is taken to a new level where God’s love is extended through acts of the Holy Spirit. Upon moving to South Carolina from Delaware in 2022, I noticed locals refer to southern hospitality. Complete strangers in my neighbor stop to say hello and chat, others wave at you in passing and overall, there is a spirit of kindness that exists within the lives of most South Carolinians. Meanwhile, as I commute over an hour to work each day, it took six months to receive the middle finger whereas in Delaware this was a daily occurrence.

Prayerful Action:

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you, Ephesians 4:32.

Building Up Bible Believing Behavior:

The apostle Paul associates kindness with compassion and forgiveness. Meanwhile, the final six of the Ten Commandments are a guide to being kind and considerate toward fellow citizens in society. Although this Do Not List of standard expectations is often given a negative connotation, the fruits of the Spirit provide specifics details of how you should act and live your lives daily, Galatians 5:22-23. Kindness is a decision that you make when you wake up each morning to love your neighbor as yourself, Mark 12:31. When human beings begin to treat others as they want to be treated, following the golden rule, kindness becomes contagious.

Song of the Day:

The lyrics of Steven Curtis Chapman’s song Kindness provides a what if imagine of how God desires for Christians to live the love of Jesus in our world daily. May today’s song inspire you to display the Christian behavior of kindness.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you, Philippians 4:4-9.

Reflection:

When a customer has a bad or negative experience, they tell more than ten people on average than a customer who has a positive encounter. Subsequently, if Christians aren’t able to maintain their joy for life, your impact on your community and neighbors will take a hit like businesses with bad reviews online. As a teenager, I let my emotions and feelings dictate my degree of joy. However, the apostle Paul urges believers in Philippi to make joy a mindset focused on celebrating the Lord.

Prayerful Action:

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ¹³ Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality, Romans 12:12-13.

Building Up Bible Believing Behavior:

According to the apostle Paul, joy is a byproduct of hope. When hope is present in your life, there is a reason to be joyful. However, when affliction, failure or trials begin to steal your joy as Jesus describes in John 10:10, turn to prayer to maintain joy. As a spirit of joy returns to you, you’ll be able to see the needs of others rather than becoming self-absorbed with your own struggles. This is how you can use the Bible to help you maintain joy during trying times in life.

Song of the Day:

As I write this devotion on joy, it’s something that I’ve lack for more than two years. The main reason for my lack of joy is not being in the right job. Despite two years of prayers and trying all that I can humanly possible, nothing has changed. Yet, I press on, thanking God for the minor victories in life until God’s will for my new life in South Carolina is revealed. Singing Christian songs in my head at work keep me going, allowing joy to be present in the morning.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem. ² One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, ³ and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” ⁴ Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her. (Now she was purifying herself from her monthly uncleanness.) Then she went back home. ⁵ The woman conceived and sent word to David, saying, “I am pregnant.” ⁶ So David sent this word to Joab: “Send me Uriah the Hittite.” And Joab sent him to David. ⁷ When Uriah came to him, David asked him how Joab was, how the soldiers were and how the war was going. ⁸ Then David said to Uriah, “Go down to your house and wash your feet.” So Uriah left the palace, and a gift from the king was sent after him. ⁹ But Uriah slept at the entrance to the palace with all his master’s servants and did not go down to his house, 2 Samuel 11:1-9.

Reflection:

When elders clamored and demanded that the prophet Samuel give Israel a king in 1 Samuel 8:4, one of the king’s responsibilities was to lead this nation off to war each spring. Since the higher elevations were either snow covered or too soft to travel in large groups, wars became a seasonal activity each spring. However, according to Samuel, David decided to take an extended vacation. Rather than go off to work to lead Israel’s army, David suddenly had plenty of free time, taking a stroll on the roof of his palace one evening. David’s boredom combined with idle hands gave the Devil a foothold, Ephesians 4:27. David’s lustful decision supports the theory that Idle hands are the devil’s workshop. This is why Christian’s must learn to eliminate idleness.

Prayerful Action:

My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. “Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children, Hosea 4:6.

Building Up Believe Believing Behavior:

One of the Bible transitions for Hosea 4:6 replaces knowledge with vision. If this is the intent of Hosea, people without vision open their lives up to self-destruction. Subsequently, if you wake up day after day without knowing where you are going or what you need to do, idleness will lead you astray. If idleness continues to occupy your time, you may experience your own prodigal story until you come to your senses, Luke 15:17. Vision oriented Christians see the big picture like Jesus, replacing idle time by meeting with God everything morning to give you daily directions, Mark 1:38.

Song of the Day:

Rachel Rachel’s version of Kansas’ classic tune Carry On Wayward Son reminds me how easy idleness can lead you down a lonesome road. If you ever find yourself wasting time on your phone or turning off your mind to binge your favorite show, eliminate idleness by setting daily goals to keep you on track spiritually.

by Jay Mankus