Engaging Our Culture: January 31-Rewards for Sticking with It

Posted on January 31, 2025 by expressyourself4him

Video of the Day: Scene from the 1996 film “Jerry Maguire”

Bible Verse of the Day:

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God, 2 Corinthians 5:20.

Biblical Connection:

Tom Cruise plays Jerry Maguire, a successful sports agent who experiences an overwhelming sense of guilt one evening. This conscience moment inspires Jerry to write a new mission statement which goes against everything he initially believed as a sports agent. Aftering sending copies to members of his firm, Jerry is fired and loses all of his clients except for one. Cuba Gooding Jr. plays Rod Tidwell, an aging wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals. Rod trusts Jerry to become his ambassador of kwon. Jerry spends the second half of this film doing whatever he can to help his lone client receive the contract that he deserves.

In a letter to the Church at Corinth, the apostle Paul calls members of this congregation to become ambassadors for Christ. The textbook definition for ambassador is an accredited diplomat sent by a country as its official representative to a foreign country. From a spiritual perspective, Jesus is commanding first century Christians to fulfill the great commission, Acts 1:8, in their spheres of influence. Just as Jerry Maguire traveled for city to city for Rod Tidwell, God wants Christians to share Jesus by being the light of Christ in our communities and places of work, Matthew 5:14-16. Only when individuals continue to do this on a consistent basis will you reap God’s blessings like Tidwell’s new contract.

Song of the Day:

As January comes to an end, keep on striving to seize each day of 2025, making an impact to become a Champion for Christ.

by Jay Mankus

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Engaging Our Culture: January 30-Standing Up to Bullies

Posted on January 30, 2025 by expressyourself4him

Video of the Day: Scene from the 2005 film “The Pacifier”

Bible Verse of the Day:

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, Ephesians 6:12.

Biblical Connection:

 After recovering from a failed rescue operation, Navy SEAL Shane Wolfe played by Vin Deisel is handed a new assignment. Unlike any other detail, Deisel is tasked with protecting the five Plummer kids from enemies of their recently deceased father. With Mrs. Plummer overseas helping with the investigation of her husband’s death, Deisel is faced with taking care of an infant, 2 children and 2 teenagers. When Seth Pummer played by Max Theiriot is bullied by his wrestling coach, Deisel’s intervention turns into an afterschool wrestling match.

The apostle Paul points out a key fact about all bullies. Although certain types of people will rub you the wrong way, there are spiritual forces going on behind the scenes which prompt bullies to act out. Meanwhile, bullies often have a back story, something that triggered this type of behavior within them. Therefore, the next time you encounter a bully, you might want to pull them off to the side and start asking probing questions. If there aren’t willing to listen, wait for another moment as you pray for them. The more you see people through the realm of Ephesians 6:12, you’ll begin to understand why bullies act the way that they do.

Closing Song:

Don’t allow bullies of your past to continue to push you around. Rather, put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the Devil’s schemes.

by Jay Mankus

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Engaging Our Culture: January 29-You Were Born for This Moment

Posted on January 29, 2025 by expressyourself4him

Video of the Day: Scene from the 2004 film “Miracle”

Bible Verse of the Day:

 This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart, Jeremiah 29:10-13.

Biblical Connection:

Kurt Russell plays Herbs Brooks, Head coach of America’s 1980 Olympic hockey team. The United States made it to the medal round, playing the Soviet Union in the semi-final game. As the host team at Lake Placid, New York, the Americans were facing a team of professionals. Since the United States team was compromised of college players, this was a real-life David verse Goliath competition. As Brooks addresses the team prior to the opening faceoff, he believes in them just like David trusted in God’s power to defeat Goliath.

Jeremiah is referred to as the weeping prophet, often given bad news from God to share with the Israelites. However, in today’s featured passage, God shares with Jeremiah a glimpse of Israel’s future. This vision serves as a sign of hope that God has a plan for your life. While Herb Brooks believed that each member of the United States hockey team was born to be on this gold medal team, every human being is born for a purpose. Free will gives individuals the choice to live for yourselves or live for God. It’s never too late turn to God and begin to live for Him, Romans 10:11.

Closing Song:

When you experience your first rough stretch in 2025, turn to God to get you through adversity.

by Jay Mankus

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Engaging Our Culture: January 28-Coming to Your Senses

Posted on January 28, 2025 by expressyourself4him

Video of the Day: Clip from a 2024 Speech “Motivation 2 Study”

Bible Verse of the Day:

So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son,’ Luke 15:15-21.

Biblical Connection:

Today’s inspirational speech reminds me of the Parable of the Prodigal Son. However, based upon Mark’s testimony, he was raised by his mother. Like the younger son in Jesus’ story, Mark wasted his early years hanging around people who dragged him down. Yet, like the father who waited for his son to return on his front porch, Mark’s mom never stopped believing in him. When you’re chasing after temporary pleasures in life, a mentor once told me, “Sin will cause you to stay longer than you ever intended.” If today’s devotion finds you held hostage to an addiction or bad habit that you can’t resist, come to your senses like the prodigal son. Follow the prayers in today’s passage so that you can come home and be reunited with your heavenly Father.

Closing Song:

Don’t believe the lies of the Devil who will try to convince you that God could never love a sinner like you. Instead, take your burden and laid them at the feet of Jesus, Matthew 11:28-30.

by Jay Mankus

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Engaging Our Culture: January 27-When Bad Things Happen to Good People

Posted on January 27, 2025 by expressyourself4him

Video of the Day: Trailer from the 2010 film “The 5th Quarter”

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.

Biblical Connection:

When I’m not able to find a scene reflective of a film, I’ll provide the entire trailer to give readers a broader perspective. As a former high school teacher, one thing is certain during the course of any year, one or more students will die in a car accident at your school or one nearby. This is the plot based upon the true story of Luke Abbate who dies days before his 16th birthday. When bad things happen to God people, families can be torn apart, always second guessing themselves and God. Older brother Jon, a member of the Wake Forest University football team, changes his number to Luke’s #5. After taking a leave of absence from the team following his brother’s death, Jon leads Wake to one of their most successful seasons ever, moving fans to refer to the 4th as the 5th quarter.

One of the scenes in the 5th Quarter has a coach talking about the two knowns in life: birth and death. Unfortunately, coping with the loss of one loved one is nothing new. After her own brother dies, Martha blames Jesus for Lazarus’ death. Despite her emotional anguish, Martha believed that Jesus could somehow bring Lazarus back from the dead. While the Lazarus effect does occur today, people who have been pronounced dead and do wake up, why bad things happen to good people remains a mystery. King Solomon writes about a time for everything in Ecclesiastes 3. Peter talks about faith being tested by trials in 1 Peter 1:6-7. The younger brother of Jesus points to unexpected events as things that build character, maturity and perseverance. When bad things do happen to you, you may never receive a direct answer from God, but these situations will challenge you to grow in your faith.

Closing Song:

Like the Abbate family who founded The Luke Abbate 5th Quarter Foundation, as you go through your first trial of 2025, may the Lord bring something positive out of this negative experience.

by Jay Mankus

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Engaging Our Culture: January 26-Coming Back from the Gates of Hell

Posted on January 26, 2025 by expressyourself4him

Video of the Day: Scene from the 1999 film “Any Given Sunday”

Viewer Discretion: a couple of curse words do appear on this clip for NFL Championship Sunday.

Bible Verse of the Day:

If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God, Hebrews 10:26-27.

Biblical Connection:

Al Pacino addresses the Miami Shark as Coach Tony D’Amato before taking the field, he compares football to the game of life. Down to their third-string quarterback, the odds of winning this game isn’t good. Yet, Coach D’Amato compares this desire situation to his own failures in life. The only way D’Amato knows how to climb out of their hellish position is by fighting back, “inch by inch.” Since football is often a game of inches, players connect with this analogy, preparing their minds for their upcoming battle on the gridiron. When individuals come together as a team, lesser talent can upset better players on Any Given Sunday.

The author of Hebrews addresses a growing concern within the first century church. Apparently, false teachers began to convince young Christians that the more they sinned, the greater God’s grace would be poured out upon you. Subsequently, Hebrews 6:1-6 blames this on a lack of depth, Christians who stop growing spiritually after learning the elementary teachings of Christ. As a former seminary student, young theologians can be persuaded into justifying ungodly beliefs by over emphasizing certain passages of Scripture and devaluing others. To avoid continuing down the highway to hell, Matthew 7:13, take your thoughts captive by making them obedient to the words of the Bible, Psalm 119:9-11.

Closing Song:

My today’s song open your mind to the ongoing spiritual war happening behind the scenes. Pray for protection so that you won’t find yourself slipping away from God in 2025.

by Jay Mankus

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Engaging Our Culture: January 25-Regaining Your Confidence

Posted on January 25, 2025 by expressyourself4him

Video of the Day: Scene from the 2006 film “Facing the Giants”

Bible Verse of the Day:

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it, ” Matthew 7:13-14.

Biblical Connection:

The dimensions of a typical high school field goal post are 10 feet high, 23 feet, 4 inches wide and 22 feet tall on either side with some up to 25 feet. As David transitions from soccer to a field goal kicker, he struggles to get a feel for kicking footballs. Whenever an athlete begins to lose confidence, doubt enters their minds. If this doubt enters a belief system, kickers will think they are going to miss before they even try. This is where the special teams coach intervenes, using today’s passage as an image, a target to shoot for.

Jesus uses a similar illustration when speaking to his disciples in Matthew 21:18-22. According to a disciple who was with Jesus on this day, everyone was in awe of Jesus’ ability to immediately wither an unproductive fig tree. Reading the faces of His disciples, Jesus talks about the relationship between belief and faith. Whenever doubt interferes, prayers offered up to God come back empty. Subsequently, whether you’re trying to kick a game winning field, pass a test in school or be successful at work, you must believe in God’s power to alter your situation and grant you success. A lack of faith is keeping many Christians from removing the mountain, obstacle and roadblock currently standing in their way. Confront your fears today by following the less traveled road.

Closing Prayer:

Don’t be afraid to seek help as we all need to be rescued from a dying confidence when storms of failure come crashing upon the shores of your life.

by Jay Mankus

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Engaging Our Culture: January 24-Digging Deep into Your Soul

Posted on January 24, 2025 by expressyourself4him

Video of the Day: Scene from the 2000 film “Remember the Titans”

Bible Verse of the Day:

“So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell,” Matthew 10:26-28.

Biblical Connection:

The TC Williams football team is facing their toughest opponent of the season, shut out at halftime when Coach Boone addresses his team. As Denziel Washington faces the possibility of losing, one of the team captains interrupts this speech. Demanding perfection at the start of the season, Wood Harris plays Julius Campbell, wants to leave the field at the end of this game in the same manner that he started, undefeated. To fulfill this desire, Coach Yoast makes major changes at the half, playing final two quarters with the best athletes on both sides of the ball.

Today’s featured passage comes near the edge of instructions provided by Jesus. Before sending out his twelve disciples in teams of two on their own, serving as a test run, Jesus is preparing their minds for some of the obstacles that each group will face. Fear is one of the biggest challenges any Christian will face before sharing their faith and testimony with a stranger. Rather than succumb to fear, Jesus points to eternal judgement as the only thing to be afraid of as disciples travel from town to town. Undefeated teams play with a visible confidence, often referred to as swagger. Yet, to remain undefeated, teams must dig deep into their souls when facing adversity to stay perfect.

Closing Song:

If you dig deep enough like atheists of the past such as C.S. Lewis, you’ll discover that life begins at the cross. This spiritual journey will lead you toward an abundant life in Christ Jesus, John 10:10.

by Jay Mankus

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Engaging Our Culture: January 23-Seize the Day

Posted on January 23, 2025 by expressyourself4him

Video of the Day: Scene from the 1993 film “Rudy”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is, Ephesians 5:15-17.

Biblical Connection:

Daniel Eugene “Rudy” Ruettiger spent two years of his life studying and working harder than ever before. At this point in the movie, Rudy had gotten his GPA up high enough to be accepted at the University of Notre Dame. Upon arriving on campus, Rudy punishes his body day after day, making the football as a walk on. Yet, Rudy’s life didn’t turn out the way he had planned so he quit his lifelong dream. This sets the stage for a mentor to speak truth into his life. Charles Dutton plays Fortune who shares advice to encourage Rudy from making the same mistake as he did in the past.

In a letter to the Church at Ephesus, the apostle Paul is trying to impress upon first century Christians a sense of urgency. The Greek word Paul uses in verse 16 translates into redeeming time. Although Carpe Diem, seize the day, is not found in this passage, Paul alludes to this principle. Every day human beings are faced with choices and decisions that need to be made. According to Moses, choices either lead to life or death, Deuteronomy 30:15-17. Therefore, don’t let emotions dictate your decisions. Instead, be wise by keeping in step with the Holy Spirit to see God’s will out.

Closing Song:

As you renew your mind with the words of the Bible, Romans 12:2, God’s will for your life will begin to come into focus. Resist the urge to quit as progress in your faith journey is the process of arriving.

by Jay Mankus

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Engaging Our Culture: January 22-Inspiring Others in Your Living Years

Posted on January 22, 2025 by expressyourself4him

Video of the Day: Scene from the 1940 film “Knute Rockne: All-American”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed, 1 Peter 1:3-7.

Biblical Connection:

George Gipp was one of the leaders on the Notre Dame football team when Knute Rockne was head coach. As George’s talent shined in practice, ascending to a rising star, his teammates nicknamed him the Gipper. At the height of his popularity, earning All-American honors, George was fighting for his life two weeks later. This is the context of today’s clip as Knute Rockne visits George in the hospital. This is where the saying “win one for the Gipper” was conceived. Subsequently, Coach Rockne uses this conversation to inspire future players to reach their full potential.

When the life of an athlete, co-worker, family member or friend is taken away, emotional individuals often blame God directly for this loss. However, one of Jesus’ disciples writes to first century Christians scattered throughout the Middle East to convey trials are allowed to occur to build character. These challenging moments in life force you to dig deep within your heart, soul and mind, searching for answers. Yet, if you develop the courage to face this circumstance head on and make it to the other side, you’ll be able to inspire others to follow in your footsteps.

Closing Song:

This year will be the first time in 55 years that my father won’t be alive for me to call him on his birthday next week. While you have the opportunity, inspire others in your living years.

by Jay Mankus

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