ExpressYourself4Him

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2009 movie “500 Days of Summer” (language warning)

Bible Verse of the Day:

The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. ⁸ Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. ⁹ Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling, 1 Peter 4:7-9.

Biblical Connection:

Tom Hansen meets up with the girl who dumped him to try to figure out what went wrong in their relationship. Unfortunately, the woman who he thought was his soulmate is now married, referring to the fate which brought she and her husband together. This is where facts meet the fiction that you were taught about relationships growing up.

First century Christians believed that Jesus was going to return in the form of the second coming in their lifetime. Subsequently, disciples like Peter lived each day hoping and praying that Jesus would return. When the event known as the Rapture didn’t occur, future generation of Christians lost this sense of urgency. Perhaps the apostle Paul wrote Philippians 2:12, calling Christians to work out their salvation with fear and trembling, sorting out facts from fiction with the Bible.

Closing Song:

When human beings realize that they have believed a lie, these ungodly beliefs from your past have a way of haunting you with regret. Yet, the sooner you test everything that you hear, read and see with the Bible, you’ll learn to cling to what is true and avoid being let down by cultural beliefs.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the television series “Joan of Arcadia”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.

Biblical Connection:

Joan Girardi, a senior in high school, breaks up with her boyfriend Adam before getting on a bus. In the Joan of Arcadia series, God appears to Joan through people of all ages. Since Joan doesn’t have a Christian friend, this older woman explains to Joan to pain of love. When you open yourself up to another individual by becoming vulnerable, love in complicated and hurts.

The apostle Paul writes to a church who had become focused on the wrong aspect of faith. Rather than live out the love of Jesus, Corinthians got carried away with spiritual gifts. The greater your gift, the more you were elevated by this congregation. This is the inspiration behind today’s passage, laying out what biblical love is for the Corinthian Church.

Closing Song:

Criticism is hard to take depending upon the motive and tone. Yet, God disciplines those whom He loves. Although hearts and souls may need time to heal, the pain of love is part of living.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1978 movie “Superman”

Bible Verse 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,” John 11:17-22.

Today’s featured scene is one of my favorites from Superman. After Lois dies in an earthquake while Superman is off saving a dam from cracking, he shows emotion. Following a moment of frustration and tears, Superman uses his supernatural power to turn back time. Unfortunately, outside of Hollywood, you have to deal with unexpected events and natural disasters.

Jesus faces a similar situation in the first century. As Jesus was busy training his disciples and leading the lost into a personal relationship with God, Lazarus passes away. While Martha blamed Jesus for her brother’s death, Martha believes that Jesus could somehow turn back time like Superman. After weeping, Jesus brings a man dead for 4 days back to life.

Closing Song:

Christians who rely on their feelings rather than faith have a tendency to feel dead inside. This is when you need a spiritual awakening like today’s song. Although human beings can’t turn back time, the power of the Holy Spirit is available to rejuvenate your soul.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2008 movie “Fool’s Gold”

Bible Verse of the Day:

“Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. ³² “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. ³³ “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world,” John 16:31-33.

Biblical Connection:

The expression “the calm before the storm” can be traced back to the 17th century from a play entitled The Dumb Knight. It is believed that this saying comes from seafaring folklore. Treasurer hunter Finn is divorced by his wife Tess, left to search alone for a Spanish galleon which was part of a treasure fleet. However, after finding a vital clue, Tess and her wealthy boss come to help.

As Jesus talks to his disciples during Passion Week, He warns them of a spiritual storm on the horizon. Perhaps the disciples had become too comfortable after spending 3 years with Jesus. Less than a week after Palm Sunday, things didn’t go as the disciples expected. With Jesus arrested and crucified later on that Friday, Jesus overcame the world by rising from the dead, on Easter Sunday.

Closing Song:

When things don’t go as planned, remember the words of Jesus. Or as the author of Hebrews writes in chapter 12 verse 4, at least you haven’t shed blood. Take heart when things don’t go your way. Press on to keep living.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1991 movie “Point Break” – (Language Warning)

Bible Verse of the Day:

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. ⁶ The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace, Romans 8:5-6.

Biblical Connection:

Keanu Reeves plays Johnny Utah, an undercover cop who tries to infiltrate a notorious gang of surfers. After meeting the leader, Bodhi, he’s hoping to build a level of trust so that he can find out when the next bank heist will be going down. Yet, these bank robbers spend all their money on surfing trips, treating surfing as a spiritual experience which starts in your mind.

The apostle Paul follows a personal confession in Romans 7 with a section on the human mind. The subtitle that appears in my Bible reads Life through the Spirit. Paul addresses a spiritual tug of war which first appeared in Galatians 5:16-17. As the human mind craves temporary pleasures, the way to combat this is by keeping in step with the Holy Spirit via taking your thoughts captive.

Closing Song:

The chorus of I Give Myself became a daily prayer for me during my tough transition in South Carolina. Listening to the lyrics and praying them helped me get my mind right.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1975 movie “Jaws”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! ³⁰ The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross, Acts 5:29-30.

Biblical Connection:

Prior to the first shark attack at Amity Island, the mayor overruled the Sheriff, not willing to close the beaches for July 4th weekend. This is one of those examples in life when a politician puts their career over the safety of the citizens in their town. The mayor was more concerned about keeping local businesses open during the busiest time of the summer, hoping to be re-elected in the fall.

In the first century, religious leaders often worked with local political leaders. As Peter began to share his faith with some of these leaders, he doesn’t hold back about the importance of obeying God. Peter notes that the last time religious leaders gave into a mob mentality by giving critics what they want, Jesus was crucified on a cross and rose from the dead 3 days later.

Closing Song:

In this progressive age, the Bible is the last place politicians often look for direction. The next time you find yourself being forced into doing something that you know is wrong, follow God’s commands and calling.

by Jay Mankus