Tag Archives: Christianity

Inspiration Behind Just Once:

James Ingram was searching for a perfect moment in a relationship where love lasts. Based upon the lyrics of Just Once, James never found what he was looking for. James was longing for an emotional connection that endured the test of time, hoping that his love for one woman would move beyond just a feeling. Finally, James conveys the sadness of love where two individuals can’t get on the same page, eventually going their separate ways.

Week 1 Theme:

Although Valentine’s Day is celebrated throughout the world, many people struggle to overcome the heartbreak of a failed relationship. The next 7 days will highlight the barriers, obstacles, and pain associated with falling in and out of love.

Biblical Application:

We love because He first loved us. ²⁰ Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. ²¹ And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister, 1 John 4:19-21.

Exegesis of Just Once:

I did my best
But I guess my best wasn’t good enough
‘Cause here we are back where we were before
Seems nothin’ ever changes
We’re back to bein’ strangers
Wonderin’ if we ought to stay
Or head on out the door

Human effort only takes you so far in a relationship. No matter how hard you try to love someone, the other person must have a mutual interest. While the easy way out is to suggest, “if this was meant to be, we’d still be together.” Yet, love is much more complicated. As individuals change, they either grow closer or further apart. This is how the first stanza ends. When couples don’t share common goals, ideals, and interests, daily conversations become superficial and fade away.

Just once
Can we figure out what we keep doin’ wrong?
Why we never last for very long
What are we doin’ wrong?
Just once
Can we find a way to finally make it right?
To make the magic last for more than just one night?
If we could just get to it
I know we could break through it

James is referring to someone he is dated more than once. This on again off again relationship is taking an emotional toll on James. This connection appears to be built upon the physical. Subsequently, the magic of one date doesn’t last. Perhaps, due to a lack of vision for the future, this couple falls into the same unhealthy patterns that led to their initial break up.

Hmm-hmm

I gave my all
But I think my all may have been too much
‘Cause Lord knows we’re not getting anywhere
Seems we’re always blowin’
Whatever we’ve got goin’
And it seems at times with all we’ve got
We haven’t got a prayer

When you want something so badly, you try to become the person whom you love wants you to be. Then when the true you is revealed, there is resistance. If you’re honest with yourself like James, you’ll realize that the two of you aren’t compatible. This may explain the comment “we haven’t got a prayer.”

Just once
Can we figure out what we keep doin’ wrong?
Why the good times never last for long
Where are we goin’ wrong?
Just once
Can’t we find a way to finally make it right?
To make the magic last for more than just one night?
I know we could break through it
If we could just get to it

James is doing everything in his power to save this relationship, hoping for some sort of spark to reignite love. The only question is do both sides want to fight and save this relationship?

Just once
I want to understand
Why it always comes back to goodbye
Why can’t we get ourselves in hand
And admit to one another
We’re no good without each other?
Take the best to make it better
Find a way to stay together

When you are about to get dumped, these are the thoughts of someone who doesn’t want to let go of love. Common sense doesn’t work in relationships when the other person has already made up their mind.

Just once
Can we find a way to finally make it right?
(Whoa!)
Make the magic last for more than just one night?
I know we could break through it
If we could just get to it
Just once

Whoa-oh
We can get through it
Just once

This final portion of the lyrics is like saying a Hail Mary, hoping that God will somehow salvage and save your relationship.

Final Thoughts:

Just Once is part of one of the saddest movie endings. In the final scene of the 1982 film The Last American Virgin, a high school student finds his girlfriend making out with another boy. As he abruptly leaves this party in tears, Just Once plays as he drives home. Unless you’re a rock star or super model, this one scene demonstrates the pain of love that James sings about and most human beings have personally endured.

by Jay Mankus

Inspiration Behind All You Zombies:

Rob Hyman and Eric Bazilian were working on a new sound by combining genres. When a vision for All You Zombies came to Rob and Eric, they immediately wrote this in a small studio in Philadelphia. The Zombies in this song are symbolic of people wearing masks, moving without awareness, swayed by invisible forces to conform. Biblical imagery is used to compare the Israelites to Zombies who made irrational decisions by following human nature instead of God. The line “you don’t have to hide anyone” is a call to action for anyone living in shame, fear or silence.

Biblical Application:

When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. ⁷ Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. ⁸ Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. ⁹ But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” ¹⁰ He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” ¹¹ And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” – Genesis 3:6-11.

Exegesis of All You Zombies:

Holy Moses met the Pharaoh
Yeah, he tried to set him straight
Looked him in the eye
“Let my people go”

Moses was called by God to confront King Pharaoh, seeking freedom for Israel after living as slaves in Egypt for 400 years.

Holy Moses on the mountain
High above the golden calf
Went to get the Ten Commandments
Yeah, he’s just gonna break ’em in half

After God unleashed 10 plagues upon Egypt, Israel was given their freedom. While living in the wilderness, Moses went up to Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments. The longer that Moses was gone, the Israelites began to think that he was dead. Israel then pressured Aaron to create a god that they could see. When Moses received news about the creation of this golden calf, Moses was so angry that he broke the tablet that the Ten Commandments was written on.

All you zombies hide your faces
All you people in the street
All you sittin’ in high places
The pieces gonna fall on you

The chorus speaks to a middle class oppressed by government officials sitting in high places. The proud will eventually be humbled.

No one ever spoke to Noah
They all laughed at him instead
Workin’ on his ark
Workin’ all by himself

According to Genesis 2:5-6, the earth’s initial atmosphere did not include rain. Rather, a system of springs around the world, just underneath the ground sprung up to water the earth. Subsequently, concept of rain was foreign, not invented yet. This is why residents of the earth laughed at Noah.

Only Noah saw it comin’
40 days and 40 nights
Took his sons and daughters with him
Yeah, they were the Israelites

Once the ark was completed, only Noah saw the approaching storm. Noah boarded the ark with his family once all the animals were safely onboard.

All you zombies hide your faces
All you people in the street
All you sittin’ in high places
The rain’s gonna fall on you

This chorus speaks to the masses who are oppressed by the leaders in charge. However, if these officials live by the motto “do as I say, not as I do” will be humbled by God.

Holy Father, what’s the matter?
Where have all your children gone?
Sittin’ in the dark
Livin’ all by themselves
You don’t have to hide anymore

The lyrics fast forward to modern-day, when All You Zombies was written. When faith is lost, people stop going to church, staying home to find a substitute for God. A call to action is sent out to those hiding their beliefs and faith.

All you zombies show your faces
All you people in the street
All you sittin’ in high places
The pieces gonna fall on you

The Bible contains a consistent theme that God humbles the proud and uplifts the meek.

All you zombies show your faces (I saw you out there)
All you people in the street (let’s see you)
All you sittin’ in high places
It’s all gonna fall on you

The time has come to face your fears by leaving this Zombie like malaise.

Final Thoughts:

The Hooters took a chance by creating a song centered around biblical themes. This one hit song vaulted a local band in Philadelphia to become famous internationally. Whenever a person of faith takes a stand spiritually, blessings often follow. May this be your goal for 2026.

by Jay Mankus

Inspiration Behind Bring Me Back to Life:

The origins of Bring Me Back to Life stem from a serious conversation with a friend when lead singer Amy Lee was 19. While talking over a meal Amy was asked by s friend, “are you happy?” This simple question triggered a realization that Amy was hiding behind an emotional facade. This self-reflection conceived the lyrics to Bring Me Back to Life.

Biblical Application:

Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. ² He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” ³ Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.^[a]” ⁴ “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” ⁵ Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. ⁶ Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit^[b] gives birth to spirit. ⁷ You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You^[c] must be born again.’ ⁸ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit,” John 3:1-8.

Exegesis of Bring Me Back to Life:

How can you see into my eyes like open doors?
Leading you down into my core where I’ve become so numb
Without a soul, my spirit’s sleeping somewhere cold
Until you find it there and lead it back home

Amy reflects upon the conversation where a friend was able to see something inside of her that wasn’t right. At this moment, Amy was comfortably numb. stagnant and slowly dying inside.

(Wake me up) wake me up inside (I can’t wake up), wake me up inside
(Save me) call my name and save me from the dark
(Wake me up) bid my blood to run (I can’t wake up) before I come undone
(Save me) save me from the nothing I’ve become

Amy sought to break free from being emotionally drained. Any desperately wanted to snap out of this funk, to become alive and excited about life.

Now that I know what I’m without, you can’t just leave me
Breathe into me and make me real, bring (bring) me (me) to life

This is either a cry for help to a friend or a prayer to God to be awakened from this emotional slumber deep inside her soul.

(Wake me up) wake me up inside (I can’t wake up), wake me up inside
(Save me) call my name and save me from the dark
(Wake me up) bid my blood to run (I can’t wake up) before I come undone
(Save me) save me from the nothing I’ve become

Amy is losing hope that she’ll ever break free from the darkness of her current condition.

Bring me to life
I’ve been livin’ a lie
There’s nothing inside
Bring me to life

Amy is looking for a spark to jump start her life back in the right direction.

Frozen (frozen) inside without your touch, without your love
Darling, only (only) you are the life among the dead
All this time, I can’t believe I couldn’t see
Kept in the dark, but you were there in front of me
I’ve been sleeping a thousand years, it seems
Got to open my eyes to everything
Without a thought, without a voice, without a soul
Don’t let me die here, there must be something more
Bring me to life

Reaching out for help, Amy is ready to be set free from living behind an emotional facade.

(Wake me up) wake me up inside (I can’t wake up), wake me up inside
(Save me) call my name and save me from the dark
(Wake me up) bid my blood to run (I can’t wake up) before I come undone
(Save me) save me from the nothing I’ve become

Sometimes we need a friend to come to the rescue when nobody notices your pain.

Bring me to life
I’ve been livin’ a lie (bring me to life)
There’s nothing inside
Bring me to life

This is a prayer than many people have for the start of 2026, to feel alive once again.

Final Thoughts:

A first century Pharisee named Nicodemus was going through a similar situation when he reached out to Jesus. Like Amy, Nicodemus felt lost, unsure of himself until their conversation in John 3. Nicodemus uses sarcasm to hide his uncertainty of being brought back to life. Nicodemus suddenly stops talking and listens to one of the most powerful statements in the Bible. Like Amy, Nicodemus was brought back to life by the end of John 20. This is the spiritual solution to emotional problems, Matthew 11:28-30.

by Jay Mankus

Inspiration Behind Pressure:

Back in the early 1980’s, top artists and bands were expected to release a new album every other year after finishing their current tour. Subsequently, as Billy Joel was in the middle of working on The Nylon Curtain album, he experienced an extended period of Writer’s Block. This anxiety and stress become obvious to Billy Joel’s secretary who tried to intervene saying, “wow, you look like you’re under a lot of pressure.” Following this conversation, Billy Joel’s creativity was revitalized, composing a song about the pressure to succeed and psychological turmoil brought on by Writer’s Block.

Biblical Application:

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.

Exegesis of Pressure:

You have to learn to pace yourself
(Pressure)
You’re just like everybody else
(Pressure)
You’ve only had to run so far, so good
But you will come to a place
Where the only thing you feel
Are loaded guns in your face
And you’ll have to deal with pressure

As deadlines approach, procrastinators often do their best work. However, when you’re suffering from Writer’s Block and your creative ideas have vanished, you sense that time is running out.

You used to call me paranoid
(Pressure)
But even you cannot avoid
(Pressure)
You turn the tap-dance into your crusade
Now here you are with your faith
And your Peter Pan advice
You have no scars on your face
And you cannot handle pressure

When you are the one under a severe time crunch, advice from colleagues usually doesn’t help. Creativity and inspiration take time. Snapping your fingers doesn’t suddenly compose a song. I’ve written 19 songs, but 16 of them came to me in a few months.

All grown up and no place to go
Psych one, psych two
What do you know?
All your life is Channel 13
Sesame Street
What does it mean?

Perhaps Billy Joel is mentioning a selection of ridiculous advice that he received during his Writer’s Block. College friends with a background in psychology didn’t improve his situation.

I’ll tell you what it means
Pressure, pressure

Billy Joel’s friends didn’t understand the pressure of being a song writer. The fear of being a one hit wonder may have crossed Billy Joel’s mind as well.

Don’t ask for help, you’re all alone
(Pressure)
You’ll have to answer to your own
(Pressure)
I’m sure you have some cosmic rationale
Well, here you are, in the ninth
Two men out and three men on
Nowhere to look, but inside
Where we all respond to pressure

With the deadline to complete the Nylon Curtain album looming over his head, Billy Joel is forced to look inside himself. Like a baseball closer trying to finish a game with the bases loaded, all he needs is one out to get the save. In these situations, in life, you have to dig deep to complete your task.

Pressure

All your life is Time Magazine
I read it too
What does it mean?

Billy Joel uses sarcasm to express to others, “you’re not Billy Joel.”

Pressure!

I must meet this challenge and rise above this pressure.

I’m sure you have some cosmic rationale
But here you are with your faith
And your Peter Pan advice
You have no scars on your face
And you cannot handle pressure

Using sarcasm once again, Billy Joel is essentially saying if it was that easy, I’d already be done my album and ready to record the Nylon Curtain in studio.

The pressure

Pressure
One, two, three, four, pressure!

Time is ticking away. Just get ur done.

Final Thoughts:

If you never face any ordeals or trials in life, you wouldn’t be as sharp and toughened up for future events. When the heat is on in pressure packed situations, Tin Cup would say either you define the moment or the moment defines you. Faith is refined by pressure and on the other side when this storm is over, you’ll be equipped to handle greater trials in the future.

by Jay Mankus

Inspiration Behind Carry On Wayward Son:

Lead singer and song writer Kerry Livgren added Carry On Wayward last minute to Kansas’ Leftoverture album. Although band members weren’t pleased that they needed to learn a new song just before heading into the studio to record Leftoverture, there was something special about this tune. When asked if Carry On Wayward Son was inspired by Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son, Kerry referred to the lyrics as his autobiography. This spiritual sojourn that Kerry began in the music industry led him to search for truth and meaning in life. After leaving Kansas, Livgren went on to sing for AD and pursue a solo career where biblical themes inspired many of his songs.

Biblical Application:

Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. ¹² The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. ¹³ “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. ¹⁴ After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. ¹⁵ 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.’ ²² “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. ²³ Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. ²⁴ For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate, Luke 15:11-23.

Exegesis of Carry On Wayward Son:

Carry on my wayward son
There’ll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don’t you cry no more

Even if you don’t have any type of religious background, a sense of conviction and guilt will let you know when you are going down the wrong path in life.

Since God doesn’t force human beings to do anything, free will is offered to allow individuals to learn on their own. Whenever a season of rebellion ends, peace can be found through open and honest confession. Livgren appears to quote Jesus’ words in Matthew 11:28-30 about finding rest for a weary soul.

Once I rose above the noise and confusion
Just to get a glimpse beyond this illusion
I was soaring ever higher
But I flew too high

Life as a famous musician can bring amazing highs and lows in life. Perhaps, the words of this stanza were inspired by a few moments of solitude while on tour. During a live performance, emotions can get so high that you lose a sense of reality.

Though my eyes could see, I still was a blind man
Though my mind could think, I still was a mad man
I hear the voices when I’m dreaming
I can hear them say

Kerry appears to be restless when he wrote Carry On Wayward Son. Kerry could see glimpses of who God wanted him to be, but he wasn’t ready to change. The human conscience was gnawing at Kerry when he rested like God’s still small voice Elijah experiences in 1 Kings 19.

Carry on, my wayward son
There’ll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don’t you cry no more

Instead of listening to a nagging adult telling you what you shouldn’t be doing, God trusted Kerry that he would eventually figure out on his that that he was on the wrong path, Matthew 7:13.

Masquerading as a man with a reason
My charade is the event of the season
And if I claim to be a wise man, well
It surely means that I don’t know

People often try to become who others want them to be instead of who they truly are. This charade continues today as many individuals are afraid to ask for advice, direction or help in life.

On a stormy sea of moving emotion
Tossed about, I’m like a ship on the ocean
I set a course for winds of fortune
But I hear the voices say

Like a ship without a rudder, unexpected storms in life result in an emotional roller coaster. If you don’t have a clear vision like the prodigal son, you’ll continue down a path of self-destruction until you finally hit rock bottom, starving for something true and real.

Carry on, my wayward son
There’ll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don’t you cry no more
No!

This stanza is symbolic of an individual who finally comes to their senses. Instead of repeating the same mistakes over and over again, Livgren has decided that enough is enough, no more.

Carry on, you will always remember
Carry on, none can equal the splendor
Now your life’s no longer empty
Surely heaven waits for you

Kerry appears to have had a spiritual breakthrough like the words of Romans 10:9-11. Although there isn’t a clear description of this change, the mention of heaven supports 1 John 5:11-13.

Carry on, my wayward son
There’ll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don’t you cry (don’t you cry no more)

No more

Like the parable of the Prodigal Son, Kerry is finally ready to change for the better. This journey and search for truth came to an end with Jesus, John 3:16-17.

Final Thoughts:

When the CW show Supernatural adopted Carry On Wayward Son as its theme song, the legacy of Kansas continues today. Wherever you are in life, keep searching for the questions in life that you are looking for. Don’t allow others to determine or dictate what you believe. Instead, test and see what is true in the world, always discovering, growing and learning. This is the journey of the wayward son.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1946 movie “It’s a Wonderful Life”

Bible Verse of the Day:

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷ Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life^[e]? ²⁸ “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹ Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰ If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? ³¹ So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own, Matthew 6:25-34.

Biblical Connection:

George Bailey begrudgingly put his dreams on hold whenever a family emergency arose. When George is the one who needs help this time, bitterness consumed his heart. George went out to drink, yelled at a man and wrecked his car. Upon arriving back home following his interaction with a guardian angel, God brings the people of Bedford Falls together to help George in his time of need.

Worry is one thing in life that makes you age. Stress can consume you so much that all you do is focus on the obstacles in front of you rather than the power of God before you, 2 Peter 1:3-4. Jesus teaches a large first century crowd to look up for assistance. If God provides the basic essentials for nature, why wouldn’t God provide for you? This is where faith and trust in God is conceived.

Closing Song:

The last 365 days have been an amazing journey. As I transition to a new series entitled the Message Behind the Music, may the anchor of faith, Jesus, hold you together until the Lord provides daily bread for your life.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2000 movie “Left Behind”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. ¹⁴ For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. ¹⁵ According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. ¹⁶ For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. ¹⁸ Therefore encourage one another with these words, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

Biblical Connection:

Left Behind highlights an event known as the second coming of Jesus or the rapture. Exactly when this day arrives is only known to God. However, the first century church believed that Jesus would return in their lifetime. Subsequently, Christians lived each day with a sense of urgency as if Jesus could return now. The pastor in today’s scene was merely going through the motions of faith.

According to the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 7:13-14, there will be a lot less Christians in heaven than what is taught in modern-day churches. Fear, peer pressure and wanting to be accepted leads most human beings to go with the flow by following human nature. The apostle Paul encourages Christians in Thessalonica to stay alert by avoid going through the motions of faith. Come alive!

Closing Song:

We all have wake up calls to snap you out of apathy, bad habits and a false sense of security. As 2025 comes to an end, may you begin striving to live each day in 2026 like Jesus will return today.

by Jay Mankus

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

Bible Verse of the Day:

On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. ⁴⁵ When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy. They began to contradict what Paul was saying and heaped abuse on him. ⁴⁶ Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. ⁴⁷ For this is what the Lord has commanded us: “‘I have made you^[f] a light for the Gentiles, that you^[g] may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’^[h]” ⁴⁸ When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. ⁴⁹ The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. ⁵⁰ But the Jewish leaders incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. ⁵¹ So they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium. ⁵² And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit, Acts 13:44-52.

Biblical Connection:

In life, there are crossroads and turning points causing some to quit and others to press on. Despite all of his previous failures, William Wilberforce did not give hope of ending the slave trade. This persistence enabled William to fulfill his calling. As for me, this blog is my calling, named after a screenplay, that I wrote over a decade ago. My calling is to give stutterers, the shy and silent hope that one day you’ll be able to fully express yourself like I did at Friendship Church in 1991.

The apostle Paul was trained to become a Pharisee for the Jewish faith. Yet, when Paul came to faith on the Road to Damascus in Acts 9, he had a natural desire to want to bring the gospel message in Romans 6:23 to his fellow Jews. Unfortunately, many religious leaders felt that Paul betrayed them by becoming a follower of Christ. Subsequently, Paul’s calling changed in today’s passage. Paul turned his attention toward sharing the gospels with Gentiles to fulfill Acts 1:8.

Closing Song:

God has blessed me with the ability to write in the Spirit, jotting down daily messages that I receive from reading the Bible, listening to Christian music or watching television. As you draw near to God, Matthew 6:33, may the power of the Holy Spirit unveil your true calling in 2026.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1981 movie “Chariots of Fire”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart, Hebrews 12:1-3.

Biblical Connection:

 Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell are British runners training for the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. This film compares and contrasts how a devout Jew in Harold and Christian Eric prepare for and handle success. Today’s scene has Eric’s family wanting him to quit sports and become a full-time missionary. Yet, Eric knows that running is a gift and a way to honor God.

Hebrews 12 takes a quick glance back at chapter 11. The great witnesses are the members of the Christian Hall of Faith. The author notes the members and acts of faith that separated them from nominal followers of Jesus. Each of the great heroes of faith began their journey by learning to run with God, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. By fixing your eyes on Jesus, you don’t lose focus like Peter walking on water, Matthew 14:29-31. This is why running with God requires perseverance.

Closing Song:

As a former runner, getting someone else excited about running is difficult. Perhaps, starting out with a slow jog is more appropriate. My analogy is that you have to start reading the Bible beginning with the New Testament before you can run with God. This initial process requires reading, learning and understanding before you can start living out a newfound faith, Romans 10:9-10. The key is consistency and having a Christian friend to guide you along this faith journey. Once you get the walking with God step down, Galatians 5:25, let the running commence.

by Jay Mankus

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

Bible Verse of the Day:

 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. ²⁶ Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. ²⁷ “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. ²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light,” Matthew 11:25-30.

Biblical Connection:

Human beings all have moments when you feel like your life is broken or simply falling apart. I was a high school sophomore, running 6 miles at a cross-country practice when I had a nervous breakdown. Although I went to church, I didn’t know Jesus. The next 2 months were an emotional roller coaster until a teacher bought me a ticket to hear Christian athletes take about faith in Jesus.

Jesus talks to a group of adults who think they know more than they really do. This is why Jesus stresses the importance of having faith like a child. Within a genuine and innocent child, there is a belief that God will take care of you. The conclusion of today’s passage is for the Maggie’s of this world. The promise of pouring your heart out in prayer so that God will make your life whole again.

Closing Song:

The lyrics of Pray are a modern-day expression of pouring your heart out to God. Some prayers take years to receive answers. I’ve had a few prayers come back to me with a still small voice “wait” and guts feelings that reveal not right now. Yet, for people like Maggie in Joshua, when you lay your burdens at the feet of Jesus in prayer, some answers come quickly like a day or two. As long as you don’t give up hope like Persistent Widow in Luke 18, you will be made whole in God’s timing.

by Jay Mankus