ExpressYourself4Him

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2005 movie “The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe”

Bible Verse of the Day:

(What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions^[c]? ¹⁰ He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) ¹¹ So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, ¹² to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up ¹³ until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ, Ephesians 4:9-13.

Biblical Connection:

The underlining message of today’s scene points to spiritual gifts and talents. Unfortunately, many of these stay hidden for a lifetime until an elder, mentor or pastor help you uncover this untapped potential. While Father Christmas provides weapons for the upcoming war against the White Witch, Christians must be proactive in discovering spiritual gifts in their youth.

The apostle Paul highlights Jesus’ part in laying out the biblical foundation for a first century church. Jesus poured his life into training 12 disciples who spent 3 years learning under His leadership. In the book of Acts, apostles are sent out as missionaries to fulfill the great commission, Acts 1:8. Ultimately, Christians serve in the role or roles God has gifted you.

Closing Song:

Sometimes moments of reflection enable you to see a gift from your past that went unappreciated. Meanwhile, life is a journey where other treasures take time to uncover. As you seek to find the right gifts for family and friends this Christmas, don’t neglect the spiritual talents that are ready to be put into practice, 2 Timothy 1:5.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2003 movie “Love Actually”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was quite unwilling to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity. ¹³ Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. ¹⁴ Do everything in love. ¹⁵ You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the Lord’s people. I urge you, brothers and sisters, ¹⁶ to submit to such people and to everyone who joins in the work and labors at it. ¹⁷ I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. ¹⁸ For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition, 1 Corinthians 16:12-18.

Biblical Connection:

 Love Actually follows eight different couples in the month before Christmas. Taking place in London, England, today’s scene has a man who risks failure to pursue the woman he loves. Instead of buying an extravagant gift, this man is creative, using a series of notecards to express his love. Before you set out to purchase Christmas gifts this year, give something sentimental and special.

The apostle Paul shares updates about future visits from Christian missionaries. Paul urges Apollos to return, following up with individuals that he led to faith in Christ. Knowing the ordeals and unexpected circumstances that life brings, Paul urges members of the Church at Corinth to stand firm in their faith. When love inspires your actions, the greatest gift you can give to others is Jesus.

Closing Song:

Leaving is often associated with a negative connotation. However, in today’s song, Leaving Jesus refers to living and taking your faith whenever you go. Don’t go broke this Christmas trying to impress loved ones. Rather, keep in step with the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25, to give a different kind of gift this Christmas.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1970 movie “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town”

Bible Verse of the Day:

You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. ⁸ But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. ⁹ Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices ¹⁰ and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator, Colossians 3:7-10.

Biblical Connection:

Kris Kringle comes from the German name Christ-kind. When translated into English Christ-kind means Christ child. In the context of Christmas, Kris Kringle refers to the gift giver during celebrations. This jolly man is now associated with America’s Santa Claus. In today’s scene, Kringle attempts to bring joy to little children during a time when toys were illegal.

To become alive spiritually, the apostle Paul encourages first century Christians to put on a new self. This process involves recreation by refreshing one’s life. Unlike typical recreation centered around recharging your passion for life, putting on a new self starts with rejecting acts of the flesh listed in Galatians 5:19-21. Then, you emulate Jesus by pursuing the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23.

Closing Song:

My acting career was limited to a Christmas play and solo. I was a shepherd who sang the second stanza of the original Go Tell It On the Mountain. “When I was a young one, I prayed both night and day. I asked the Lord to help me and He showed me the way.” As modern-day Christians learn to put on the new self, God calls you to share your faith journey with others. May this Christmas season inspire you to tell others about Jesus.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1988 movie “Scrooged”

Bible Verse of the Day:

 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, ¹⁰ and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. ¹¹ In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh^[b] was put off when you were circumcised by^[c] Christ, ¹² having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. ¹³ When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you^[d] alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, ¹⁴ having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. ¹⁵ And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross, Colossians 2:9-15.

Biblical Connection:

Francis Xavier Cross is a television executive who places his self above all others. However, after a visit from a ghost of Christmas past and the future, Francis wants to live. Today is my spiritual birthday, coming to faith in Christ in 1984, Romans 10:9-11. After hearing the testimony of Skip Wilkins, I wanted to have what he had in his heart. I wanted to come alive like Francis in Scrooged.

The apostle Paul writes about the spiritual obstacles Christians in the Church of Colosse face. Yet, Jesus is the key to coming alive spiritually. Based upon the words of Romans 6:23, God offers Jesus up as a free gift which cancels the wages of death. This is the power that Paul speaks of in today’s featured passage. By conquering death via His resurrection, Jesus made it possible to come alive.

Closing Song:

Randy Stonehill sings about the individuals who experience Christmas without any hope. Randy compares a restaurant to the characters in the Bible on the first Christmas Eve. As Christmas approaches, you may be overwhelmed like the sad story Randy shares. Yet, it only takes an ounce of faith to want to change like Francis Xavier Cross. May you catch the Christmas spirit, eager to come alive spiritually this December.

by Jay Mankus