Category Archives: Truth

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

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