ExpressYourself4Him

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1995 movie “Jumanji”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? ¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats^[b]; do not be frightened,” 1 Peter 3:13-14.

As a kid, I recall marathon games of Monopoly that would last for a couple of days. Yet, Jumanji features a game that becomes so dangerous, two of the original players quit, waiting until adulthood to complete the game they began decades earlier. Before receiving the roll that he needed to end this game, this boy turned man finally faces his fear.

Peter who once denied knowing Jesus three times prior to His crucifixion addresses the topic of fear. Perhaps Peter is reflecting upon his conversation with Jesus in John 21:15-23. Like a man looking back at the mistakes of his past, Peter urges first century Christians to stand up for what’s right, even if this results in persecution.

Closing Song:

James 1:2-4 connects the dots as trials open the door for Christians to become mature and complete. When you do face your fears, you’ll be placing your trust in the Lord.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2000 movie “Gone in Sixty Seconds”

Bible Verse of the Day:

But Samuel replied: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.²³ For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king,” 1 Samuel 15:22-23.

Biblical Connection:

Gone in Sixty Seconds seeks to humanize car thieves. Based upon the advice of his mother, Memphis abruptly leaves this lifestyle to run a Go Cart track. However, his kid brother was under the impression that Memphis abandoned his friends for selfish reasons. This is just one of the sacrifices that people make for their family.

The Old Testament prophet Samuel refers to a different kind of sacrifice. When I read Leviticus earlier this year, I realized that God has specific commands and rules when making a sacrifice to God. This isn’t something that you can make up as you go. This is the painful lesson that King Saul learned upon receiving the news that God has rejected him.

Closing Song:

Conviction is a key element that keeps me on track spiritually. Whether this comes in the form of guilt or shame, seek forgiveness from the Lord so that you’ll obey when you find yourself in similar situations in the future.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1995 movie “Apollo 13”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³ But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. ¹⁴ If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you, 1 Peter 4:12-14.

Biblical Connection:

Over the years, I’ve met individuals who enjoy quoting famous movies lines. One of the most famous lines was derived from a famous historical event. When things go unexpectedly wrong, you might find a co-worker say, “Houston, we have a problem.” This sense of urgency reminds human beings that problems don’t go away. Rather, the best way to handle problems is head on.

Peter reminds first century believers that Christians shouldn’t be surprised by trials. These unforeseen events are simply a way of life. Subsequently, these tests are allowed by God to refine our faith, 1 Peter 1:6-7. Yet, the greater these challenges, the more help you’ll likely need from outsiders. Spiritual leaders and mentors are vital to assist you in solving life’s problems.

Closing Song:

Not many people enjoy adversity. However, as Christians learn to embrace hardships, James 1:2-4, these life events will help shape your maturity as long as you’re willing to face problems head on.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2006 movie “Amazing Grace”

Bible Verse of the Day:

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.¹² She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life, Proverbs 31:10-12.

Few movies highlight the woman behind a man who is elevated to his full potential due to her godly character. While today’s clip is a montage of Amazing Grace, these scenes reveal that Wilber Wilberforce’s wife continued to encourage and inspire him to fulfill God’s will for his life. This is the woman behind Wilber Wilberforce.

On the night of this post, I will be attending my third rehearsal dinner as a parent, but my first as the father of the bride. Zach asked for permission to marry Lydia while we were on vacation last year at Surfside Beach in South Carolina. As Lydia’s special day will be tomorrow, I’m praying that Lydia will be the woman behind Zach’s success in life.

Closing Song:

While I will have to wait for my father daughter dance tomorrow, Lydia’s high school and college Christian experiences has prepared her for marriage. As women learn to keep in step with the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25, they will become the woman behind their man.

by Jay Mankus

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

Bible Verse of the Day:

By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.”^[a] For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. ⁶ And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him, Hebrews 11:5-6.

Biblical Connection:

After her older is paralyzed following a car accident, Joan makes an offhand remark about walking. This leads to a verbal altercation with Kevin. As Joan’s junior year of high school begins, the Lord begins to reveal Himself through other people like the little girl at this playground. Joan is so upset that she pleads with God to perform a miracle to allow her brother Kevin to walk again.

According to the Bible, only Elijah and Enoch are the only 2 human beings on earth not to experience death. Perhaps, this is what the God character in Joan of Arcadia refers to when talking about playing by the rules. God isn’t a magical Jeanie that snaps His fingers whenever He wants to perform miracles. Rather, miracles occur inside the rules when belief and faith coexist.

Closing Song:

Part of prayer is weaving God’s will into God’s perfect timing. Outside of belief, confidence and faith, things happen in God’s timing. Yet, human beings still long for the Lord to perform a miracle in their life or a life of their loved ones.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1993 movie “Falling Down”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.²⁶ Like a muddied spring or a polluted well are the righteous who give way to the wicked.²⁷ It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep. ²⁸ Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control, Proverbs 25:25-28.

Biblical Connection:

When you have the urge for a certain meal and you’re timing is slightly off, you might be on the verge of snapping. I recently arrived at a drive thru expecting to order lunch. When I found out that I had to order breakfast, I simply drove off. Yet, for this unhappy customer, he persisted until he finally forced his way into ordering breakfast until changing his mind.

King Solomon goes back and forth between the positive and negative in today’s passage. While good news can refresh a weary soul, the wrong response at a bad time can trigger an individual to snap. These are the moments in life that will test an individual. This is why being grounded in your faith is essential so that you aren’t defined by moments of weakness.

Closing Song:

Margaret sings about changes going on in her life. While everyone has beliefs and theories on how to best prepare for life’s trials, self-control and discipline play an important role in keeping individuals from snapping emotionally.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1983 movie “The Right Stuff”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. ⁶ The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell, James 3:5-6.

Biblical Connection:

Speaking is one of those basic things in life that most people take for granted. Yet, in the Right Stuff, one of the astronaut’s wives tried to hide her stuttering from the media. Today’s scene reveals the daily struggle to communicate what’s on your mind. Stutterers often use I’mum or other helpful triggers to finally verbalize what’s on their mind.

The earthly brother of Jesus talks about the flip side, speaking too much. One of my mentors while teaching one time warned me about the expression, “loose lips sink ships.” This is the discipline that James is urging first century Christians to display. While communication is important, an untamed tongue can spark spiritual wildfires. This is the struggle to speak.

Closing Song:

When you do open your mouth to speak, consider the words of the Bible. This way if you’re tempted to say something inappropriate, you’ll be able to keep in step with the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25, to let the Word of God speak through you.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1995 movie “Apollo 13”

Bible Verse of the Day:

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, Philippians 4:6-7.

Biblical Connection:

Today’s clip takes you behind the scenes of how daily challenges force groups of individuals to come together as a team. Rather than calling an emergency meeting held in a board room, Mission Command takes all the contents inside of Apollo 13 to make a square peg fit into a round hole. Every business, company and organization are forced to make similar quick decisions on the fly.

The apostle Paul addresses the stress that comes with facing adversity in life. Rather than succumb, folding to the pressure, Paul reminds Christians in Phillipi to turn to the Lord in prayer. Whenever anxiety begins to overwhelm your soul, place your trust in the Lord to find the answer that you need for your dilemma. This is where solutions to problems are conceived.

Closing Song:

As Americans remember our first moon landing today,life is full of obstacles which must be overcome. Part of success comes from problem solving on the fly. May you learn to fight through an anxious heart by leaning on the Lord in prayer.

by Jay Mankus