Category Archives: Truth

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2015 movie “McFarland USA”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. ²⁵ Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. ²⁶ Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. ²⁷ No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.

Biblical Connection:

All sports use running to get into shape over the off-season. Yet only 1 high school sport involves running during each competition without a break, half-time or time out. This was the dilemma facing Coach White as he tried to recruit athletes for the Cross-Country team he was starting. White sought out troubled students, hoping they would find a new home in Cross-Country.

The apostle Paul appeals to sports fans who attended the Corinthian Games, a first century track and field event hosted by Corinth in non-Olympic years. Like Coach White, Paul reveals that running involves self-discipline. However, as you beat your body into submission, do this in a manner that you will receive a crown that last for eternity.

Closing Songs:

Cochren and Company’s song compliments today’s featured passage. The lyrics point to the spiritual promise in Romans 10:9-11. If today’s blog finds you running off course like the prodigal son, run back to Jesus as your heavenly father is waiting for you with open arms, Luke 15:20.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1986 movie “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (language warning)

Bible Verse of the Day:

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, ¹⁵ so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”^[c] Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky ¹⁶ as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. ¹⁷ But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. ¹⁸ So you too should be glad and rejoice with me, Philippians 2:14-17.

Biblical Connection:

When the timing is right, a friend will bear their soul to you. This is the case of Cameron who opens up to Ferris and his girlfriend in today’s scene. When you’re a victim of verbal abuse, you often hold this pain inside of you. After skipping school with Ferris, Cameron lets his guard down. One of the first steps toward being healed of verbal abuse is opening up to a friend.

In a letter to the Church at Philippi, the apostle Paul writes to first century Christians about their attitude, emotions and words that they use. Bad attitudes can turn a home, school or workplace into a negative atmosphere. Instead, Paul calls this congregation to become like stars shining in the darkness of this world. Words should be encouraging and uplighting, not daggers to your soul.

Closing Song:

Verbal abuse is often fueled by tongues of fire. Individuals who go scorch earth upon other people are simply expressing and lashing out at others based upon what they have endured in their past. May today’s message inspire you to think twice about verbally assaulting other people.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1985 movie “Better Off Dead”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. ² He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” ³ Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.^[a]” ⁴ “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” ⁵ Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. ⁶ Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit^[b] gives birth to spirit. ⁷ You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You^[c] must be born again.’ ⁸ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit,” John 3:1-8.

Biblical Connection:

I was a sophomore in high school in 1985 when Better Off Dead appeared in theaters. I related to Lane Meyer who became suicidal after being dumped by his girlfriend. I become a loner in Junior High and actually thought about planning my own death. Yet, when I was at my lowest point following a nervous breakdown, I was introduced to entering a personal relationship with Jesus.

Although Nicodemus wasn’t suicidal like Lane Meyer, there was an emptiness, a void in his life. Nicodemus went to Jesus at night, afraid of what his fellow Pharisees might think of him. While initially sarcastic with Jesus in today’s passage, Nicodemus shuts up and begins to ponder the words of Jesus. At some point, Nicodemus enters into a relationship with Jesus based upon updates provided in John 7:50 and John 19:39.

Closing Song:

In this month of suicide awareness, the film Better Off Dead is now used in high school to talk about this sensitive issue. When individuals begin to turn their attention away from self-pity and toward Jesus, the abundant life is attainable, John 10:10.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Trailer from the 1987 movie “Fatal Attraction”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father^[d] is not in them. ¹⁶ For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. ¹⁷ The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever, 1 John 2:15-17.

Biblical Connection:

I was a senior in high school when Fatal Attraction debuted in theaters. The impact of this film was so powerful that married couples went to see this film together, convicting and urging one another to never have an affair. The trailer begins with a biblical theme of be careful of your first glance when you meet someone. A second glance at the Tree of Knowledge cost Eve their home in Eden.

In a first century letter to Christians scattered throughout the Middle East, John urges human beings to be careful about what their eyes covet. This is consistent with Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5:27-30. When the lust of your eyes is empowered by a second glance, you begin to make irrational decisions. This is the warning with Fatal Attraction.

Closing Song:

Bruce Carroll tells 3 stories about individuals who gave into the lust of their eyes. Whenever human beings feed their flesh,bad things happen in the form of compromise. May today’s devotion serve as a warning to keep people from indulging in a second glance.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2006 movie “Facing the Giants”

Bible Verse of the Day:

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; ¹⁶ for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy,” 1 Peter 1:13-16.

Biblical Connection:

Head Football Coach Grant Taylor starts the season 0-3. As parents quietly seek a replacement and players begin to doubt if they will ever win another game, Coach Taylor’s faith is wavering. This is when an elderly man visits Taylor’s office unannounced. This one encounter uses a parable to help Coach Taylor to adopt a sound mind which one of Jesus’ disciples describes in today’s passage.

Jesus refers to Peter as the rock upon which God will build an earthly church, Matthew 16:18. Although Peter’s overconfidence is exposed during Passion Week by denying his relationship with Jesus, he is restored by Jesus in John 21:17-19. Just like the initial failures of Coach Taylor, Peter used this humiliating experience to adopt a sound mind based upon biblical beliefs.

Closing Song:

Since September has been adopted as National Suicide Prevention month, I wanted to engage our culture with developing a biblical worldview. While all human beings’ experience failure, heartbreak and setbacks, setting your hope in Jesus enables God fearing individuals to become grounded in faith. While suicidal thoughts may enter your mind via the father of all lies, John 8:44, taking your thoughts captive, 2 Corinthians 10:4-6, is the foundation for adopting a sound mind.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2000 movie “Left Behind”

Bible Verse 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.

Biblical Connection:

In wake of the assassination of Charlie Kirk, minds seared by political agendas would rather have their opponents’ life snuffed out than participate in an arena of debate. This fight for control and the future votes of Americans have led some to become deceived by demonic and oppressive spirits. This spiritual influence highlights the actions taken by Nicolae in today’s scene.

The apostle Paul addresses the spiritual climate in the first century. Whenever Christians stray from the Word of God, they become acceptable to being deceived by the father of all lies, John 8:44. Paul targets a religious sect that strayed from God’s commands, adding and subtracting from the Bible to support their new beliefs, Deuteronomy 4:2. This is another sign of end times.

Closing Song:

Only God knows the future of Turning Point USA without the presence of their founder Charlie Kirk. Yet when the timing is right, someone will be called to carry on this conservative movement. May this individual be filled with the Holy Spirit, prepared with the armor of God to pierce through the darkness of the evil present in our day.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1999 movie “The Sixth Sense”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. ⁴⁹ The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.” ⁵⁰ And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. ⁵¹ At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split ⁵² and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. ⁵³ They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and^[e] went into the holy city and appeared to many people, Matthew 27:48-53.

Biblical Connection:

I lived nearly 30 years close to one of the most haunted small cities in the United States. After learning about spiritual mapping, the city of Elkton, Maryland was featured on Destination America for their numerous ghost and spirit sightings. This Sixth Sense scene touches on the spiritual realm. Although accounts may vary, human beings continue to see dead people today.

While Jesus spoke about ghosts and spirits, Matthew details a scene out of a science fiction film. Although skeptics on the day of Jesus’ crucifixion wanted to see God’s divine intervention, the Lord had another plan. When the bodies of the dead supernaturally rose out of their graves, the minds of unbelievers were likely racing, “perhaps, Jesus was the son of God.”

Closing Song:

Unless you have had some sort of supernatural experience, you probably don’t believe in ghosts or spirits. Meanwhile, some of the stunts on paranormal shows like Fact or Fiction have even strengthened your belief. Yet don’t be surprised when you encounter something out of this world like an entity within a haunted house.

by Jay Mankus