ExpressYourself4Him

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1998 movie “The Parent Trap”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. ² With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet. ³ Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? ⁴ Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God,” Acts 5:1-4.

There is nothing new about identical twins trying to fool family and friends. When I lived in Ohio, I attended a Twins Day celebration in Twinsburg. With thousands of twins present that year, there were over 100 that I saw that I couldn’t tell the difference between who was who. After a divorce separated Annie and Hallie at a young age, a plan was put into place to fool their parents.

In the early first century church, Barnabas became a popular Christian leader due to his generosity, Acts 4:36-37. Rather than be the people God created them to be, Ananias and Sapphira tried to imitate Barnabas’ faith without the sacrifice. The Holy Spirit revealed this to Peter who gave each a second chance to tell the truth. Instead of coming clean, God saw and punished their dishonesty.

Closing Song:

The lyrics of the song Knot examines the heart of someone who claimed to be a Christian, but never verbally shared their faith. While people still pretend to be a Christian when it’s popular, the true story of Ananias and Sapphira reminds human beings that God sees everything.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1981 movie “Raiders of the Lost Ark”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. ¹¹ If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen, 1 Peter 4:10-11.

Biblical Connection:

Harrison Ford was a subpar professor in his first appearance as Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark. However, when Jones left the classroom and went into the field as an archeologist, he was quick on his feet. Synonymous as the man with the fancy hat and whip, Harrison Ford spent 3 decades building upon the legend of this fictional character. This Hollywood success story serves as a great life lesson to find your areas of strength.

Peter wrote today’s passage in the book of 1 Peter to encourage suffering Christians who endured persecution in the first century. One of Peter’s words of advice is to become faithful servants in local churches. The best way to apply this is to discover gifts and talents that God has blessed each individual. If you’re not sure about your areas of strengths, taking a spiritual gifts assessment may be helpful. Sometimes people with the gift of discernment can see gifts that you never noticed.

Closing Song:

I was over 40 years old before my greatest gift was unveiled to me. I attended a Discernment Conference a few days after losing my job as a teacher. During one of the active learning exercises, a few adults from church shared insights. After putting these thoughts together, the Holy Spirit revealed that I have the gift of writing in the Spirit. A few days later, Express Yourself 4Him was conceived. This is what can happen when you find out your areas of strength.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1984 movie “Ghostbusters”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. ⁴⁶ After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray. ⁴⁷ Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. ⁴⁸ He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, ⁴⁹ but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, ⁵⁰ because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid,” Mark 6:45-50.

Biblical Connection:

Three parapsychologists in New York City lose their college funding and are forced to start a new business. Despite calling this enterprise ghostbusters, today’s scene appears to be one of their first personal encounters with a ghost. Running away in fear, Peter Venkman, Ray Stantz and Egon Spengler use this to their advantage, attracting frightened yet skeptical customers.

The word ghost appears 109 times in the King James Bible. Back in 1611, the word ghost was interpreted as spirit which explains the original trinity Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Based upon the words of John Mark, the disciples believed in ghosts. As paranormal shows grow in popularity, there is evidence that ghosts do exist in some form of spirit entity.

Closing Song:

The lyrics of Holy Ghost speak of a higher power. Since God works in mysterious ways, there are times of uncertainty that all you can do is trust, waiting for clarification. Why most people don’t fully understand why ghosts exist, the fact is that they do.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Montage from the 2016 NBA Finals “Greatest Comeback Ever”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. ¹³ And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴ You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it, John 14:12-14.

Biblical Connection:

As the 2025 National Basketball Association finals begin tonight, both teams will be contending for their cities first title. Over the course of this season, a loss or series of loses may have challenged their belief in reaching the finals. Yet, like the members of the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers, once they fell down 3 games to 1 with no major for error, their belief never wavered.

Spending the last week of his life prior to His crucifixion, Jesus is preparing the disciples for life without Him. Part of this teaching included a pep talk similar to an NBA huddle during a timeout. With a sense of urgency, Jesus highlights the power of belief. Perhaps, Jesus reminded these 12 men of the time He cursed a fig in Matthew 21:18-22. When Christians place their faith and trust in Jesus, anything is possible, including being part of a NBA Championship team.

Closing Song:

In any head-to-head competition, except for the Olympics in case of a tie, there will be a winner and loser. While one will receive a victor’s crown, the other will taste the bitter pill of defeat. This is why the apostle Paul urged Christians to compete in such a way to earn an eternal crown, 1 Corinthians 9:24-25.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2017 movie “Wonder Woman”

Bible Verse of the Day:

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. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand, Ephesians 6:11-13.

Biblical Connection:

When princess Diana of the Amazons comes in contact with the outside world, she is pulled into the heart of World War 1. Following army pilot Steve Trevor, Diana follows her search for the truth which uncovers powers of darkness at work in the world and in the heavenly realms. This sets the stage for Diana to battle the God Ares, disguised as a German leader.

One of the Devil’s greatest schemes is to use other human beings to get under your skin. Rather than address the spiritual heart of the matter, I often get distracted by unexpected earthly battles. In today’s passage, the apostle Paul pulls back a spiritual curtain to examine what’s going on in the heavenly realms. If you want to be prepared for future temptations, you must start to pray in the Spirit and learn to put on the armor of God daily.

Closing Song:

While Jesus won the battle of death by rising on Resurrection Sunday, the ongoing war behind the scenes will continue until Jesus’ second coming. Subsequently, stand your ground in these days of evil with the armor of God secured in place. Don’t let your guard down as you stand firm in the Lord.

by Jay Mankus