Category Archives: Truth

Passage of the Day:

You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? ¹¹ Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. ¹² I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? ¹³ No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.^[e] 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,^[f] 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”^{[g] 16} For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him, John 3:10-17.

Reflection:

Today’s title is the exact words my father told me when I hugged him to say goodbye on May 16th. Two days later, my father suddenly passed away. These five words resonate in my mind, wondering if my father somehow knew that this would be the last time we would talk. This will be the first time in 55 years that I won’t have a father to call on Father’s Day. While commercials continue to air, hinting at the best item to purchase for a father, the one gift that I will always remember from my father are the words, “I love you, my son.”

Prayerful Action:

But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, ⁵ to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.^[b] 6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,^[c] Father,” Galatians 4:4-6.

Preparing Your Fields to Bear Spiritual Fruit:

On a dark night, three of Jesus’ disciples listened from afar, wondering why a prominent Pharisee wanted to meet with Jesus. This is the context of one of the most famous verses in the Bible. Although Nicodemus didn’t understand the concept of being born again, the disciple whom Jesus loved does mention a subtle transformation in John 7:50-52 and John 19:38-42. While all human beings have their own version of a prodigal child, Luke 15:11-20, the best spiritual fruit that you can provide for your father today is a genuine exchange of “I love you.”

Song of the Day:

Rather than get caught up in the materialism of Father’s Day, spend quality time with family in your living years so that you won’t have any regrets when your earthly father passes away.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

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. ²² We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. ²³ Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. ²⁴ For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently, Romans 8:18-25.

Reflection:

Forbearance is the act of patience, leaning on self-control, restraint and tolerance to avoid losing it. I had a hot temper as a child, breaking and throwing things daily. When things didn’t go my way, I became an emotional wreck as if the world was going to end. Perhaps, childish outbursts in the first century inspired the apostle Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 13:11. Trials have a way of revealing your emotional state of mind. Through errors, failures and setbacks in life, patient remains a goal that is rarely obtained. Like the aging of a fine wine, forbearance takes years of practice to possess.

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.

Preparing Your Fields to Bear Spiritual Fruit:

I was urged years ago to avoid praying for patience. Those who seek forbearance will be placed into circumstances where patience will be tested. These extreme situations will overwhelm you with nearly impossible odds. Yet, patience is a fruit of God’s Spirit so it’s the unicorn for many Christians. Nonetheless, if you keep in step with the Holy Spirit and lean on the power of the Great I Am, even forbearance is possible to those who believe.

Song of the Day:

I have been praying for God’s will for my life since moving to South Carolina in June of 2022. This prayer remains a mystery to me. Subsequently, balancing patience without losing my sanity has been challenging. This is the humbling journey of those who seek forbearance.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

“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. ²⁸ “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. ²⁹ I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe, John 14:25-29.

Reflection:

One of my favorite times in church was known as the passing of God’s peace. This was the only time in the Catholic Mass that you could reach out and greet the people around you. While my mother would hug me and kiss me on the cheek, everyone else shook hands with a grin on their face. When I started attending a Methodist Youth Group in high school, this portion of their service was known as offering the peace of Christ. Handshakes were replaced by hugs, often lasting several seconds. I wasn’t sure how to feel initially, but this too became a memorable experience for me as a young Christian.

Prayerful Action:

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God, Matthew 5:9.

Preparing Your Fields to Bear Spiritual Fruit:

I played intramural sports in college where some of the contests got extremely heated. After getting kicked out of a basketball game for throwing a punch, my college roommate exclaimed, “if Jesus was here, He would have fought back like I did tonight.” These words completely contradict Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:39. Passing on the peace of Christ means turning the other cheek. This may not be easy, especially for anyone with anger management issues, but letting peace rule in your hearts will conceive fruits of the Holy Spirit. This should be your goal, to seek peace on earth.

Song of the Day:

I was fortunate enough to see Rich Mullins live in concert shortly before his tragic death. Rich possessed an amazing ability to turn a concert into a worship service. May the lyrics of the attached song inspire you to pass on the peace of Christ daily.

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:

Over the course of my life, moments of joy have always been quickly interrupted by demonic influences, trials or unforeseen circumstances. The Holy Spirit led me to Elijah’s victory over followers of Baal in 1 Kings 18 only wanting to die one chapter later due to Queen Jezebel’s death threat. Perhaps, this is the inspiration behind Jesus’ words in John 10:10. If you want to maintain joy for extended periods in life, you have to know what you’re up against.

Prayerful Actions:

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, Ephesians 6:10-11.

Preparing Your Fields to Bear Spiritual Fruit:

In his letter to the Church at Philippi, the apostle Paul urges Christians to develop a positive mindset. Rather than dwell on your previous failures, positive thinking promotes rejoicing like having a modern-day gratitude journal. Those that reflect upon the blessings bestowed upon their lives by God, makes a steady dose of rejoicing attainable. However, if you don’t arm yourself spiritually with the helmet of salvation, the Devil will steal your joy. Therefore, whatever is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things.

Song of the Day:

The lyrics of today’s song points to prayer as a key factor for maintaining a spirit of joy. When you don’t feel like rejoicing, lean on the strength of Jesus to lift you up in your times of need. Trust in Jesus to produce a steady dose of rejoice, Philippians 4:13.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit, Galatians 5:22-25.

Reflection:

When I moved to South Carolina in 2022, I never realized how much junk that I accumulated over 25 years of living in the same house. Rather than looking for opportunities to give valuable possessions away to the needy, I became a selfish hoarder. Following my father’s death a few weeks ago, I started going through their garage. Between fishing and golfing supplies, it was overwhelming. Instead of dying with the most toys, make an effort to search for charitable moments to give to the less fortunate.

Prayerful Action:

All the believers were together and had everything in common. ⁴⁵ They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need, Acts 2:44-45.

Preparing Your Fields to Bear Spiritual Fruit:

According to a first century historian, the term Christians originated in Antioch as the members of this church emulated the life and practices of Jesus, Acts 11:26. Followers of Jesus who started churches throughout Europe and the Middle East eliminated poverty according to Luke. Rather than limiting their family to blood relatives, early Christians saw their brothers and sisters in Christ as family. If modern-day believers develop a similar mindset, you will seize the opportunities that God gives you daily to be charitable.

Song of the Day:

After returning to South Carolina from my father’s funeral, my wife and I decided to start get ridding of excess possessions now so that our children won’t be overwhelmed when we pass. May the lyrics of today’s song inspire you to start giving possessions away as opportunities arise.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” ¹⁶ Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” ¹⁷ The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. ¹⁸ Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” ¹⁹ Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” – John 21:15-19

Reflection:

Life is often filled with a series of cycles that you go through. Such is the case of a caterpillar which must experience a Chrysalis before this creature is transformed into a butterfly. Following the resurrection of Jesus, Peter went through his own spiritual transformation. While Peter believed that Jesus would become an earthly king of the Jews, the resurrected Christ changed him. Peter went from a man who lied about his relationship with Jesus to dying a martyr’s death, crucified upside down. This is how Christians can fly with Christ.

Prayerful Action:

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will, Romans 12:2.

Preparing Your Fields to Bear Spiritual Fruit:

Chrysalis is a non-denominational Christian community where high school students experience a three-day retreat. Following this weekend, students are encouraged to join an accountability group with other teens from their weekend. When I was in college, I mentored teenagers who attended this amazing experience. One of the guides used in these accountability groups goes through a series of questions, challenging students to bear spiritual fruit weekly. One of the calls to action before ending in prayer is to fly with Christ.

Song of the Day:

Spiritual transformation takes time, often longer than you expect. Therefore, as you wait to bear spiritual fruit, keep your eyes on the prize, eternity, as you fly with Christ.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, ¹³ for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. ¹⁴ 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, Philippians 2:12-16.

Reflection:

In my early years as a Christian, my actions and behavior would change depending upon the people I was around. Before I found my way in college, I lived a double life, limiting my faith to church. The other 6 days of the week, I lived like a chameleon, blending into each new environment, eagerly wanting to become accepted. Subsequently, my life resembled the unproductive fig tree that Jesus cursed in Matthew 21:18-19. Perhaps, this is the inspiration behind the words of the apostle Paul above. Don’t just worship God in church. Rather, take your faith beyond this building, walking with God daily in my absence.

Prayerful Action:

Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. ¹³ For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, Romans 8:12-13.

Preparing Your Fields to Bear Spiritual Fruit:

As a former long-distance runner, if I wanted to improve, I had to run more miles than I did the previous summer. The first week of running was always the hardest, dealing with the heat, humidity and mental anguish to keep going despite how I felt. Perhaps, King Solomon’s words in Proverbs 22:6 deals with a similar concept. The sooner a child is introduced to how to bear spiritual fruit as a Christian, the closer they will walk with God. However, if you wander away from God like the prodigal son in Luke 15, you’ll become consumed by the world. The further away from God you get, the hardest it is to return. This is the logic behind playing your spiritual part the other 6 days of the week.

Song of the Day:

If you have a plan to walk with Jesus outside of church, you’ll figure out a way to make room for God in your busy schedule. However, if you fail to plan, you’re essentially planning to fail like my struggles of being a Christian in college.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

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

Reflection:

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

Prayerful Action:

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock,” Matthew 7:24-25.

Preparing Your Fields to Beat Spiritual Fruit:

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

Song of the Day:

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

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

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

Reflection:

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

Prayerful Action:

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

Preparing Your Fields to Bear Spiritual Fruit:

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

Song of the Day:

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

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

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

Reflection:

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

Prayerful Action:

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. ⁴ Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires, 2 Peter 1:3-4.

Preparing Your Fields to Bear Spiritual Fruit:

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

Song of the Day:

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

by Jay Mankus