ExpressYourself4Him

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1991 movie “City Slickers”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” ⁶ Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ⁷ If you really know me, you will know^[b] my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” ⁸ Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” ⁹ Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? ¹⁰ Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work, John 14:5-10.

Biblical Connection:

Billy Crystal plays Mitch Robbins, an unhappy Manhattan yuppie who is experiencing a mid-life crisis. When Mitch’s wife notices his unhappiness, she agrees to allow her husband to go on a road trip with his best friends Ed and Phil. Spending two weeks as a cattle rancher, allows Mitch to slow down and get in touch with the emotions he’s suppressed. During a ride with Curly, one of the cowboys on staff, Mitch is introduced to one of the secrets of life.

As Passion week begins, Jesus starts to pour out his soul to his disciples. Just as Curly and Mitch dive into a deep conversation, Jesus reveals His connection to God the Father. After spending three years together, dabbling around and speculating about Jesus, the secret to eternal life is found in today’s passage. John goes into further details in another letter, 1 John 5:11-15. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, an answer not provided in this City Slickers scene.

Closing Song:

Leaving Jesus is written in the context of taking Jesus with you whenever you go. If you know the secret to eternal life, Romans 10:9-10, may you spread this news by weaving Jesus into your daily conversations.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2004 movie “I Robot”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Now, Israel, hear the decrees and laws I am about to teach you. Follow them so that you may live and may go in and take possession of the land the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. ² Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you. ³ You saw with your own eyes what the Lord did at Baal Peor. The Lord your God destroyed from among you everyone who followed the Baal of Peor, ⁴ but all of you who held fast to the Lord your God are still alive today, Deuteronomy 4:1-4.

Biblical Connection:

Will Smith plays homicide detective Del Spooner of the Chicago PD in the year 2035. During the investigation of the apparent suicide, Spooner believes that a robot is responsible for the death of Dr. Alfred Lanning. Fleeing from the scene of this crime, Spooner follows the suspect to a lab where robots are manufactured. This is where Spooner questions the 3 laws of robotic technology.

Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Torah, containing a second statement of Mosiac Law. Subsequently, Deuteronomy is referred to as the book of repetition. If human beings are forgetful in nature, they need to be reminded of God’s specific instructions for life. During the age of Judges, Jewish leaders began to do what’s right in their own eyes. Today’s passage serves as a warning not to add or subtract from God’s laws passed down to Moses.

Closing Song:

As a former high school teacher, knowing information and applying this daily take time. Perhaps, this explains Jesus condensing the Ten Commandments into loving God and others. Rather than trying to remember a long list of rules, Jesus simplified God’s laws into 2 calls to action. While there will always be temptations to add or subtract from the Bible’s teaching, keep it simple by seeking to love God and others daily.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2006 movie “Night at the Museum”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. ³⁵ One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: ³⁶ “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” ³⁷ Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’^[c] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’^[d] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments,” Matthew 22:34-40.

Biblical Connection:

Larry Daley is struggling to find and keep a steady job when a night security guard spot opens up at a local museum. Like any high turnover position, there is a reason which Larry discovers on his first shift. An ancient tablet causes the animals and exhibits to come to life which has overwhelmed previous security guards. During one confrontation, Larry comes face to face with a ruthless leader.

Matthew 22 serves as a first century game show where a series of religious leaders seek to test Jesus’ knowledge, hoping to stump him. One by one, Jesus advances to the Final Jeopardy question under the category: where should I draw the line spiritually? Jesus summarizes the Ten Commandments in 2 statements: loving God and loving others. This is how we should live.

Closing Song:

The lyrics of today’s song demonstrates where to draw the line in the context of living as a Christian. Unfortunately, I find myself withholding parts of my life from the Lord, not making Jesus the Lord of my life. As the summer commences next month, may you be inspired to begin to live your faith as an open book to God.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2002 movie “The Bourne Identity”

Bible Verse of the Day:

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. ⁸ We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. ¹⁰ We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. ¹¹ For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. ¹² So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you, 2 Corinthians 4:7-12.

Biblical Connection:

Matt Damon plays Jason Bourne, a film based upon the 1980 novel The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum. Damon starts out as a mystery man, left for dead before being discovered at sea by a fishing vessel. When Damon regains consciousness, he suffers from amnesia, with only a few memories of his true identity. Damon pays Marie to drive him to Paris, helping him to retrace his steps, trying to figure out who he really is.

The apostle Paul writes another letter to the Church at Corinth. This portion of 2 Corinthians compares human beings to jars of clay, in the process of being molded and fashioned by our heavenly father. As individuals experience daily hardships, imperfections are exposed. As Christians begin to seek God’s calling, Romans 12:1-2, human minds may struggle with a spiritual identity crisis. This compels Paul to talk about life and death, explaining how God works in us.

Closing Song:

The next time you find yourself struggling to overcome the pain of past failures, may you find hope in the words of the apostle Paul. As the Holy Spirit helps you sort out your next identity crisis, remember that faith is a process with big plans for your future, Philippians 1:6.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1996 movie “Larger Than Life”

Bible Verse of the Day:

I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. ² My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, ³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, Colossians 2:1-3.

Biblical Connection:

Bill Murray plays motivational speaker Jack Corcoran who finds out about the secret past of his father. Upon receiving a misleading telegram about a huge inheritance from his circus clown father, Jack is stuck with a destructive elephant. This inconvenience places Jack’s speaking engagements on hold until he is able to figure out what to do with Vera. This is what leads Jack into renting an 18-wheeler which he doesn’t have a clue on how to operate.

Every day on earth is filled with intrigue, fueled by mysteries of the unknown. Sometimes unforeseen circumstances place you into a position where you don’t know what you’re doing. In a letter to the Church at Colosse, the apostle Paul encourages Christians who don’t have a clear understanding of the mysteries of God. Since faith is a process of facing daily trials and tribulations, keep seeking out Jesus to uncover treasures of knowledge and wisdom.

Closing Song:

Whenever you’re a famous actor or a nobody, life lessons are discovered through trial and error. If you currently find yourself in uncharted territory, place your trust in Jesus until you receive clarity and guidance to help through clueless moments in life.

by Jay Mankus