Tag Archives: Bible

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1997 movie “Volcano”

Bible Verse of the Day:

I appeal to you, brothers and sisters,^[a] in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. ¹¹ My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. ¹² What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas^[b]”; still another, “I follow Christ,” 1 Corinthians 1:10-12.

Biblical Connection:

When an ancient volcano rises from the bottom of tar pits in Los Angeles, the city is put in alert. Using the subway system, steams of lava follow through this concrete chasm until it ends underneath a new hospital. To release the pressure from this massive flow of lava, this building is blown up to divert the lava into the Pacific Ocean. When a little boy is separated from his family during this explosion, a police officer tries to help him become reunited.

The apostle Paul addresses the topic of hero worship going on in the Church of Corinth. Instead of being united as a follower of Jesus, church leaders were being elevated to Christ-like status. Instead of reminding these new converts of embracing the body of Christ, a popularity contest began to divide members of this church. When ash covers the faces of the residents of Los Angeles, everyone looked the same. In the same way, Christians should be unified in following Jesus.

Closing Song:

When arrogance, power hungry Christians and pride is allowed to reside within a church, similar divisions that the apostle Paul confronted will arise. To avoid a similar fate, we need to seek harmony and unity within the body of Christ by remaining a humble servant playing your part.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1989 movie “Born of the Fourth of July” (Language Warning)

Bible Verse of the Day:

They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes.^[a] 2 When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. ³ This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. ⁴ For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. ⁵ Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones, Mark 5:1-4.

Biblical Connection:

Ron Kovic is a 10-year-old boy who was born on the Fourth of July. After attending an Independence Day parade on his birthday weekend, a desire to serve his country is conceived within Ron. This boy’s dream turns into a nightmare as Ron’s first battle ends up taking his ability to walk. Now confined to a wheelchair, Ron shares with a friend of his desire to be made whole again.

In the first century, Jesus meets another man who wants healing from his current condition. According to Mark, a man had lost total control of his body. This condition influenced by a demonic spirit led this man to move out of his house to avoid hurting anyone. This real-life demonic possession opens the door for Jesus’ visit and miraculous healing to be made whole again.

Closing Song:

Every human being is like an onion. The more layers that you unpeel via engaging questions, you get to know their life story of the good, bad and ugly. Subsequently, when certain life events and trials occur on or near a holiday, special days life the Fourth of July have a dark side. Therefore, be careful when you enter deep conversations as you may uncover the beautifully broken.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2002 movie “Superfire”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. ¹⁹ Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; ²⁰ you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies, 1 Corinthians 6:18-20.

Biblical Connection:

Superfire contains an earlier scene that illustrates the Law of Human Nature described by C.S. Lewis in the first book of Mere Christianity. The lead tanker pilot whose job it is to release the chemicals to put out forest fires was blamed for the deaths of fire jumpers from a past super fire. This one failed event defined James Merrick’s reputation before his meeting his new team. Sometimes one act, brash decision or careless choice leads individuals to become trapped by sin.

While addressing a serious situation in the Church at Corinth, the apostle Paul warns Christians about sinning sexuality. Paul makes a distinction between breaking one of God’s commands and sinning against your own body. While Paul doesn’t use the word addiction, he alludes to the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5:27-30. The point Jesus is making centers around hearts and mind set on sin. Thinking about sin often leads to becoming trapped by sin.

Closing Song:

May the words of today’s song serve as a prayer to help you the next time you feel trapped by sin. Following the advice of Jesus by laying these burdens down at the feet of God.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2005 movie “Man of the House”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. ²³ Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror ²⁴ and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ²⁵ But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do, James 1:22-25.

Biblical Connection:

A Texas Ranger is assigned a cheerleading squad after one of the girls witnesses a murder. Rather than try to get to know these women, Roland Sharp keeps his focus on protecting the members of the University of Texas squad. During two different encounters, ordering pizza for dinner, the girls discover Roland is divorced and has a daughter. This is what happens when you listen.

The earthly brother of Jesus addresses the difference between listening and applying what you learn. As God fearing Jews began to follow the teaching of Jesus, these new converts had to let go of their legalistic traditions. Jesus didn’t want first century Christians to just listen to the words of the Sermon on the Mount. Rather, Jesus urged those in attendance to put His words into practice.

Closing Song:

As the Man of the House continued,Roland begins to open up to some of the cheerleaders. As Roland begins to listen, he takes steps in restoring his relationship with his daughter. When you have opportunities to meet new people this summer, you’ll be surprised by what you learn when you become an active listener.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2002 movie “Men in Black II”

Bible Verse of the Day:

So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. ¹⁵ Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. ¹⁶ He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction, 2 Peter 3:14-16.

Biblical Connection:

Agent K asks to leave the agency at the end of Men in Black I, returning to his former life. Yet, when the world is in danger of an alien attack, Agent J finds K working in a post office. Searching for the Light of Zartha, Agent K’s memory begins to return. Getting emotionally involved with the Queen of Zartha, K realized he comprised his agent’s status by not following the rules set by the agency.

Peter writes to first century Christians to confront the topic of false teachers inside the church. This issue continues today as leaders have a tendency to add, alter or subtract from the commands of the Bible to excuse their actions, Deuteronomy 4:2. Subsequently, Peter call believers to be found blameless and spotless. This is a call to follow the commands set by God in the Bible.

Closing Song:

I joined 2 different accountability groups when I was in college. While one was more of a sharing group, the other challenged me to put my faith into action. When one of these individuals caught me in an inappropriate relationship, I was convicted like agent K with a sense of urgency to follow the rules established for life and at work.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1993 movie “The Sandlot”

Bible Verse of the Day:

For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. ² They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. ³ They all ate the same spiritual food ⁴ and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. ⁵ Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.⁶ Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did, 1 Corinthians 10:1-6.

Biblical Connection:

Scotty Smalls moves during the summer of 1962. As a novice baseball player, Smalls is eager to learn as Benny Rodriguez takes him under his wings as the neighborhood’s best player. Unfortunately, Scotty is ignorant of baseball’s history, thinking that Babe Ruth was a lady. This lack of knowledge places Smalls in a bind when a Babe Ruth autographed ball is hit over the fence.

As the apostle Paul writes to the Church of Corinth, he points to Israel’s past. Hoping that first century Christians don’t repeat a list of historic mistakes, Paul urges these members to learn from history. At the conclusion of this section on Israel’s past mistakes, Paul urges Christians to look for a way out when tempted. This is the key to avoid repeating the same mistakes over and over again.

Closing Song:

When you become a student of history, you will learn valuable life lessons. However, the moment that you think you’ve arrived spiritually, ignorance and pride will lead you toward disobedience. Heed Paul’s advice so that you start breaking free of sinful addictions of your past.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1993 movie “Sister Act 2”

Bible Verse of the Day:

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light ⁹ (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) ¹⁰ and find out what pleases the Lord. ¹¹ Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. ¹² It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. ¹³ But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. ¹⁴ This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you,” Ephesians 5:8-14.

Biblical Connection:

Today’s scene depicts a classroom 32 years ago. Doing a favor for a nun, Sister Mary Clarence volunteers to help teach a music class at a local Catholic High School. When a teacher loses control of their class, chaos will reign. When a substitute is forced to take over, removing these distractions takes a new approach using learning techniques that engage students.

The apostle Paul addresses members of the Church at Ephesus about deeds of darkness which are stunting their spiritual growth. These fruitless deeds are present in the classrooms of public education today. Unless the light, truth of the Bible, exposes these deeds of darkness, distractions will continue. When order is restored to classrooms, learning has a chance to succeed.

Closing Song:

Every age has individuals who believe that each generation is worse. While the world continues to deteriorate, there are always remnants of light that exists. There is where Christians must stand up to deeds of darkness so that the light Christ exposes spiritual distractions. Let your light shine into a world filled with darkness.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2021 movie “The Peanut Butter Falcon” (Language Warning)

Bible Verse of the Day:

My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words.²¹ Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; ²² for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. ²³ Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. ²⁴ Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips, Proverbs 4:20-24.

Biblical Connection:

The Peanut Butter Falcon is a film based upon how certain cultures talk. Subsequently, a fisherman seeking to have his own charter boat has a tendency use 4 letter words in most sentences spoken. I debated on whether to include today’s movie clip, but the message was too great to withhold. Tyler attempts to correct Zak’s perception as a bad guy. While trying to protect Zak from this ungodly belief, Tyler references the words of Jesus in Luke 6:43-45.

King Solomon is one of the first Bible authors to explain the importance of the human heart. Solomon compares your heart to a wellspring for life. Yet, the heart is vulnerable and must be protected to prevent individuals from being corrupted by the world. Although Zak was born with Downs Syndrome, this doesn’t make him a bad person. Whatever baggage that you carry with you from your past, what is in your heart will define the person that you ultimately become.

Closing Song:

The next time someone tries to identity you as a bad person, remember the words of Jesus and Solomon. Guard your heart so that you’ll begin to express the goodness deep down inside of you.

by Jay Mankus