Category Archives: Uncategorized

Passage of the Day:

And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. ²⁶ She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. ²⁷ When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, ²⁸ because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” ²⁹ Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. ³⁰ At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” ³¹ “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ” ³² But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. ³³ Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. ³⁴ He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering,” Mark 5:25-34.

Reflection:

There was a belief in the first century that cloaks or robes of Jewish Rabbis possessed special healing powers. If you’re broke like the woman in today’s passage, you have nothing to lose. When doctors made her bleeding condition worse, she became vulnerable, doing or trying anything to be healed. Subsequently, all this woman wanted was to just touch Jesus’ clothes. Despite the large crowds pressing upon Him, Jesus knew that power had been released out of His body to a person in the crowd. Rather than be happy for this woman, Jesus wanted to set the record straight. This woman wasn’t healed by merely touching part of Jesus’ robe. Nor was she healed by chance. Jesus made sure the proper perspective was clarified; she was healed by her faith.

Prayerful Action:

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. ²² If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer,” Matthew 21:20-22.

Renewing Your Mind:

Doubt is one of the main contributors for Christians not experiencing Jesus’ promise of an abundant life, John 10:10. If the Devil came to steal, kill and destroy the aspirations, dreams, and goals of Christians, you have to overcome ungodly beliefs planted in your thoughts over the course of your life. If it only took one conversation to change Eve’s mind in Genesis 3:1-6, you have to be prepared for similar battles, 1 Peter 5:8. As human minds are renewed by studying the Bible in 2024, you’re on the way to developing a proper biblical perspective, Romans 12:2.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

The attached song is one of the most powerful on this topic. As Christians learn to lean on and trust in God, Proverbs 3:5-6, a spiritual perspective will be conceived in your mind. When you are at your weakest point in life, this opens the door for Jesus to be strong, 2 Corinthians 12:6-10. As you develop this spiritual perspective, be content with what you receive, Philippians 4:11-13.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, ⁷ in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast. ¹⁰ For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do, Ephesians 2:6-10.

Reflection:

In 2002, the Jason Bourne series began with the film the Bourne Identity. Matt Damon plays a man suffering from amnesia, desperately trying to figure out his true identity. As Christians, depending upon your former way of life, you may struggle to realize your new identity in Christ Jesus. The apostle Paul reminds us today of the lengths God went through to save the world from sin, Romans 6:23. Therefore, you may need to go back to the basics in 2024 to become rejuvenated spiritually.

Prayerful Reflection:

Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. ²¹ So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. ²² For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; ²³ but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. ²⁴ What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? ²⁵ Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! – Romans 7:20-25

Renewing Your Mind:

If the Devil is the father of all lies as stated in John 8:44, this spiritual enemy will do whatever it takes to prevent you from believing and knowing God’s plan for your life, Philippians 1:6. If you allow your mind to go back to the start: where, when and why you entered into a personal relationship with Jesus, Romans 10:9-10, your mind will be renewed as you remember that you are a new creation in Christ, 2 Corinthians 5:17.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

In the summer of 1990, I was living a double life. I was a spiritual leader on campus at the University of Delaware, but each summer I indulged in earthly pleasures on earth. When I went back to the start, I know I had to make a decision: live for God or embrace the world? After breaking my ankle in August of that year, I sat in bed contemplating this decision. The song Go On by Closer from their”Rain album,” kept playing in my mind. At the end, the lyrics quote the old kids’ song, I Have Decided to Follow Jesus, “no turning back, no turning back.” May you experience a similar rededication in 2024.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. ¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people., Ephesians 6:10-18.

Reflection:

When the apostle Paul calls members of the Church at Ephesus to put on the full armor of God, this isn’t physical clothing. Rather, this spiritual protection requires a combination of mental preparation and prayer. This invisible battle against spiritual forces of evil involves multiple pieces of armor with each one focusing on a different aspect of faith. The helmet of salvation is the piece of armor designed to protect your mind from the father of all lies, John 8:44.

Prayerful Action:

But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. ⁹ For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Thessalonians 5:8-9.

Renewing Your Mind:

Jesus makes an interesting observation during His Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6:19-23. Jesus brings up a hypothetical scenario to illustrate when darkness enters someone’s life. If your eyes become unhealthy by allowing darkness and evil to enter your life, this is a byproduct of thoughts not being taken captive, 2 Corinthians 10:5-6. As Christians learn to put on the helmet of salvation spiritually, your minds will be protected from future attacks and temptations.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

The lyrics of Slow Fade contain the second glance. Perhaps, this is the concept Jesus was warning first century followers to avoid. When minds are protected with the helmet of salvation, you’ll have better control to follow God’s Spirit over your flesh, 2 Timothy 1:7.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. ¹⁰ And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast, 1 Peter 5:8-10.

Reflection:

As individuals seek a fresh start in 2024, a few days of eating healthy and working out builds positive momentum. However, as you seek to meet and uphold your New Year’s Resolutions, don’t let your guard down by allowing tempting thoughts to enter your mind. One of Jesus’ disciples compares the Devil to a roaring lion who seeks to prey upon weakened souls. As Christians become tired and weary, you’re at your most vulnerable condition. This is one of the main reasons for Peter’s warning to be alert and sober minded.

Prayerful Action:

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, ² but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. ³ That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers, Psalm 1:1-3.

Renewing Your Mind:

Great coaches, leaders, and teachers share similar personality traits. After being passed the torch by Moses to become the new leader of Israel, Joshua sets the spiritual tone in Joshua 1:7-9. Rather than taking a lazy faire approach, Joshua reminds Israel of the connection between obedience to God and success. When Christians let their guards down, a spirit of apathy tends to follow. As Christians proactively pray and prepare their minds against demonic attacks, the better your chances will be to hold firm to faith by withstanding temptation. 

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

If you start to expect the unexpected and pray for a hedge of protection, Job 1:10, you’ll spend 2024 alert and sober minded.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. ¹⁸ They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. ¹⁹ Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed. ²⁰ That, however, is not the way of life you learned ²¹ when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. ²² You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; ²³ to be made new in the attitude of your minds; ²⁴ and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. ²⁵ Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. ²⁶ “In your anger do not sin”^[d]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ and do not give the devil a foothold, Ephesians 4:17-27.

Reflection:

If you own a study Bible, the subtitle above this passage says something like “Instructions for Christian Living.” As a man, I tend to skip instructions unless I struggle to put something together. Perhaps, a similar method is used by new Christians who aren’t sure where to start reading or how to study the Bible. The call for spiritual mindful instructions by the apostle Paul is to avoid falling back into bad habits of your past. If you want to life for Christ, this requires putting to death former sinful practices and replacing these with the teachings of Jesus.

Prayerful Actions:

 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me, Galatians 2:20.

Renewing Your Mind:

One of the mistakes new Christians often make is not knowing when to take the Bible figuratively or literally. When the apostle Paul uses expressions like crucified or put to death, he’s referring to instructions for your mind as a new follower of Christ. This mindset involves a renewing of your mind with words of the Bible so that spiritual conviction will result in cutting ties with your former way of life. This includes any actions, behaviors, choices or deed which go against biblical teaching.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

One of the choruses of the attached song talks about stop playing games with God. The Christian life is full of trial or error, trying to undo addictive habits and desires. Unfortunately, knowing the Bible doesn’t always result in change. Therefore, take baby steps if you need to until the mindful instructions of the Bible slowly transform you into the person that God desires.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted^[a] by the devil. ² After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. ³ The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” ⁴ Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’^[b]” ⁵ Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. ⁶ “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’^[c]” ⁷ Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’^[d]” ⁸ Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. ⁹ “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” ¹⁰ Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’^[e]” ¹¹ Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him, Matthew 4:1-11.

Reflection:

Jesus’ earthly brother compares the Devil to a crafty fisherman, luring fish out of hiding with tempting bait, James 1:13-15. Perhaps, this knowledge was passed down to James by Jesus at some point following the events which transpired in the passage above. Overcoming temptation doesn’t just require discipline and a strong mind. Rather, you have to know Scripture and be able to discern the context in which the Bible takes place. This is part of putting on the mind of Christ.

Prayerful Action:

Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. ¹⁴ As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. ¹⁵ But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;  1 Peter 1:13-15.

Renewing Your Mind:

I once looked at committed followers of Jesus as crazy and foolish for missing out on temporary pleasures that I indulged in as a teenager. Yet, looking back, I was the one who was clueless according to the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 2:14-16. Without access to the Holy Spirit, Ephesians 2:18, you are unable to comprehend or understand the things of God. However, as this spiritual transformation begins to occur, Romans 8:26-27, renewed minds are guided by the Holy Spirit.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

During the faith journey known as life, there will be many setbacks, some of these will be self-inflicted. Yet don’t let early failures in 2024 influence you to give up. Life is a marathon, Hebrews 12:1, which requires training; living and learning how to put on the mind of Christ.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; ⁴ that each of you should learn to control your own body^[a] in a way that is holy and honorable, ⁵ not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; ⁶ and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister.^[b] The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. ⁷ For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. ⁸ Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8.

Reflection:

The choices that you make every day reflect your priorities in life. As a high school Bible teacher, I shared what I called the Seatbelt Story to illustrate this point. After taking a friend home from a function one night in college, this young woman pretended that her seatbelt was stuck so I could make a move on her. At this moment, I was so fixated on God that I was oblivious to her sinful intentions. This is what I mean by adopting a spiritual mindset.

Prayerful Action:

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ⁸ Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded, James 4:7-8.

Renewing Your Mind:

One year later in college when this girl and I were reunited by chance like a scene from a movie, I was caught off guard. When advances were made the second time, I indulged my sinful nature. When you’re unable to stop yourself from sinning, sometimes you need to bring in an accountability partner to drag you out of a bad situation. Change isn’t easy, especially when it results in anguish and pain. However, this is one of the necessary sacrifices needed to adopt a spiritual mindset.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

After breaking an ankle playing sand volleyball, I spent my last summer as a college student lying in bed, contemplating the rest of my life. I had become lukewarm spiritually, going back and forth between the Holy Spirit and sinful nature. This is when I finally decided to follow Jesus with my whole heart by finally adopting a spiritual mindset, Colossians 3:1-4.

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,” Matthew 26:36-41.

Reflection:

If Jesus turns to prayer in times of trouble, we should emulate this spiritual discipline. As Jesus pours out his heart in prayer, God’s will is His main focus. However, from a human perspective, if you don’t watch and pray, thoughts about giving into temptation will swirl within your mind. Therefore, the next time losing and negative thoughts enter your mind, remember that God’s Spirit is willing. Tapping into this spiritual presence, 2 Peter 1:3-4, is the difference between winning and losing spiritually.

Prayerful Action:

But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. ¹² Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses, 1 Timothy 6:11-12.

Renewing Your Mind:

Due to the hustle and bustle of life, it’s easy to forget the obligations that you have, Romans 8:12-13. The apostle Paul writes a letter to the Church at Rome, reminding Christians of their calling and duty to keep in step with the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25. Unfortunately, many people give up on their New Year resolutions early on in 2024, influenced by a strong-willed sinful nature. If you truly want to develop a will to win, you have to fight for biblical beliefs and your convictions.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

If you have been recently beat down by life or endured years of losses in life, staying optimistic can be tough. However, if you are willing to patiently wrestle with God in prayer, you can develop a will to win spiritually in life by fleeing past sinful desires.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

And Abel brought of the firstborn of his flock and of the fat portions. And the Lord had respect and regard for Abel and for his offering, ⁵ But for ^[a]Cain and his offering He had no respect or regard. So Cain was exceedingly angry and indignant, and he looked sad and depressed. ⁶ And the Lord said to Cain, Why are you angry? And why do you look sad and depressed and dejected? ⁷ If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin crouches at your door; its desire is for you, but you must master it, Genesis 4:4-7.

Reflection:

Whenever envy or jealousy is conceived inside your heart, it’s only a matter of time before actions, behaviors, and words will reflect this, Luke 6:43-45. After failing to intervene when Eve and the Serpent were speaking, God takes a proactive role to confront thoughts rushing through Cain’s mind. This is where the concept of mastering your mind is derived.

Prayerful Action:

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. ⁶ And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete, 2 Corinthians 10:5-6.

Renewing Your Mind:

The apostle Paul reveals his own struggles with sin in Romans 7:15-20. Whenever human beings allow their minds to wander like Eve in Genesis 3:6, sin becomes conceived within your mind. The same spiritual leader who was unable to do the right thing in Romans 7:20 realized that the only way to escape sin is to start looking for the way out of temptation, 1 Corinthians 10:13. This is how Christians need to start learning how to master their minds in 2024.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

The former Ole Miss football player Chucky Mullins once said after losing his ability to walk, “don’t quit; don’t ever give up!” This is the mindset it takes to master your mind spiritually. Although you may fail by giving into sin in 2024, don’t ever give up your quest to master your mind!

by Jay Mankus