Tag Archives: Christianity

Passage of the Day:

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. ¹⁷ This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. ¹⁸ There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.¹⁹ 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 4:16-21.

Reflection:

If you are ever church shopping, looking for a local church to call your spiritual home, you’ll notice the smallest details most Christians overlook. Unfortunately, this is where you could become judgmental, dissecting every imperfection inside this body of believers. Since there is no such thing as a perfect church, falling short of God’s glory in some shape or form, Romans 3:23, you have to accept specific weaknesses. Maybe the worship music is outdated or subpar? Is the biblical teaching solid, but dry? However, my one non-negotiable for a home church is a spirit of love. As long as love is present, flowing inside and outside of church, I’m willing to accept other shortcomings.

Prayerful Actions:

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children ² and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God, Ephesians 5:1-2.

Learning to Love this December as God Loves You:

At the end of the first century, John becomes the oldest living disciple of Jesus. While other apostles and disciples were put to death for their faith, John was exiled to the Island of Patmos where the book of Revelation was written. If someone wanted to know what Jesus was really like, he could provide specific details from his 3 years as one of Jesus’ spiritual pupils. Yet, from an elder statesman perspective, John had visited enough churches to know which ones emulated the love of Jesus from those which were superficial. Genuine love follows the Golden Rule of loving one another without any exceptions like earthly brothers and sisters. When a spirit of charity in the form of forgiveness is demonstrated by a body of Christian believers, love is made complete.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

The love of God is a mystery to those currently living outside of a loving church. However, to anyone who has experienced a powerful movement of God’s love, this answer is found by listening to the hearts of Christians who have tapped into the power of the Holy Spirit, 2 Peter 1:3-4. Therefore, as you listen to the lyrics of Listen to Our Hearts, may you begin to grasp when love is made complete.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. ⁵ They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. ⁶ We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit^[a] of truth and the spirit of falsehood. ⁷ Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. ⁸ Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love, 1 John 4:4-8.

Reflection:

As followers of Jesus in Antioch earned the nickname Christians by local citizens in Acts 11:26, the disciples already knew the inspiration behind charity. As a member of Jesus’ inner circle, John speaks of the power of the Holy Spirit deep down inside of those who enter into a personal relationship with Jesus, Romans 10:9-11. Without mentioning the Devil, John wants any doubting or struggling Christians to know that the power of God is greater than the forces in this world. Therefore, if you find yourself fighting a losing battle, a life void of any charity, lean on the power of the Holy Spirit to help you overcome doubt by beginning to loving others.

Prayerful Action:

No temptation^[c] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted^[d] beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,^[e] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it, 1 Corinthians 10:13.

Learning to Love this December as God Loves You:

The apostle Paul addresses Christians who aren’t quite right in Philippians 2:3-4. If you find yourself falling prey to temptation, addicted and held in bondage to sin, charity is the last thing on your mind. Paul suggests that sometimes you have to take care of your own spiritual needs before you can help others, removing sin from your own life first, Matthew 7:3-4. Yet, in your struggle with sin, greater is He who is in you than is in this world. When you place your trust in the inspiration behind charity, the love of God will shine through you as you stay connected to Jesus.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

We all go through rough stretches in life. This may last weeks, months or even years. Yet, when you place your hope and trust in the inspiration behind charity, God’s love will shine through you after the storms of life subside.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh^[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love. ¹⁴ For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”^[b] 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. ¹⁶ So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh, Galatians 5:13-16.

Reflection:

One of the obstacles that you’ll see in movies and television is that most characters have inner/personal demons that often result in self-destructive acts. According to the apostle Paul, the greatest obstacle to charity is the human flesh. This is a generic term which is expanded upon in Galatians 5:19-21. These 15 sinful acts speak to the depravity of the human condition. Whenever you seek to do something charitable, these earthly desires inside of you are waging war against your soul. These are the obstacles to charity.

Prayerful Action:

Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul, 1 Peter 2:11.

Learning to Love this December as God Loves You:

The apostle Paul devotes an entire chapter to this topic in Romans 7:1-25. This serves as a public confession of a flesh that was out of control. Whenever you give into these sinful desires, the next time you are tempted, the harder and harder it becomes stop. This is why addictions are so difficult to overcome. However, when you rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to intercede on your behalf, you can be victorious in overcoming these earthly desires, 1 Corinthians 10:13. Lean on the Holy Spirit to help you overcome obstacles to charity this holiday season.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

Level Head shares stories of fallen believers from God’s grace, held captive by specific fleshly desires. May today’s lyrics remind you of the obstacles to charity and God’s power to rescue you from the poor choices of your past.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

For I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. ⁸ But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, ⁹ because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.¹⁰ When Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am. ¹¹ No one, then, should treat him with contempt. Send him on his way in peace so that he may return to me. I am expecting him along with the brothers.¹² Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was quite unwilling to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity.¹³ Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. ¹⁴ Do everything in love, 1 Corinthians 16:7-14.

Reflection:

Life in general is all about managing the people in your spheres of influence. As the apostle Paul kept in step with the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25, his ministry team grew beyond Silas, relying on spiritual leaders like Timothy to help plant new first century churches. Unfortunately, time is not always on the side of Christian missionaries. When you find yourself under pressure, your true character is exposed. If you add the spiritual dimension of Ephesians 6:12 to this equation, it’s easy to lose your cool. This is why Paul urges Corinthian Christian to do everything in love.

Prayerful Action:

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God, 1 John 4:7.

Learning to Love this December as God Loves You:

No one is immune to human nature, Romans 3:9-12. Subsequently, charity and love aren’t something that you can manufacture in your own strength. John reminds fellow first century Christians that love comes from God. As you enter into a personal relationship with Jesus, this source of love can gradually shine through you. As Christians learn to rise above their current circumstances, the power of love can transform congregations, even in today’s progressive age.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

Today’s song comes from the Change Your World Album. Debuting shortly after Huey Lewis’ Power of Love song, the lyrics of Give It Away compliment today’s message on love. May today’s song inspire you to be a shining light of charity and love this Christmas season.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

If I speak in the tongues^[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ² If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. ³ If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,^[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing, 1 Corinthians 13:1-3.

Reflection:

First century Corinth was no different than living in the United States of America in 2024. Nearly everywhere you go or travel, there is someone that means well, but love is absent from their lives. Based upon the words chosen by the apostle Paul, Corinthian Christians could talk a game good, but their actions were void of love. You probably know someone in life who knows the Bible inside and out, but when it comes to demonstrating this knowledge in public, chaos and confusion follow. Subsequently, learning to become charitable by living out the love of Jesus in your heart takes time.

Prayerful Action:

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love, Galatians 5:6.

Learning to Love this December like God Loves You:

One of the Christian mottos I was introduced to in college was “talk softly and carry a big stick.” Although I wasn’t sure what the big stick was, this analogy was likely based upon Matthew 16:24-27. As Jesus was explaining expectations for His disciples, one of these requirements to take up the cross. Depending upon what Bible commentary you prefer, Christians should take the cause of Christ, the gospel, with them whenever they go in life. As Christian’s pray for and seek to become more charitable, love will slowly shine through as you give Jesus away.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

As someone who had a bad temper in my past, changing to become more like Jesus has its own set of growing pains. May today’s song Love in Action inspire you to shine the love of Jesus as a form of charity.

by Jay Mankus

Passage 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.

Reflection:

For three years, Jewish religious leaders tried to deceive, trick and test Jesus’ knowledge of the Law. Today’s passage is their final attempt, seeking to make Jesus de-emphasize of the Ten Commandments. Instead, Jesus gives a modern understanding of keeping these ancient rules. Breaking the Commandments into two categories, keeping God’s Law comes down to 2 decisions: loving God and loving your neighbor. If you love God with all your heart, you will keep the first 4 commandments. Meanwhile, by loving your neighbor as yourself, you’ll uphold the final 6. When you do, love in action is charity.

Prayerful Action:

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock,” Matthew 7:24-25.

Learning to Love this December as God Loves You:

As a former baseball, basketball, cross country, and golf coach, it’s easy to notice who has been practicing and who is just showing up. Sometimes the most talented athletes rely on their past successes instead of seeking to maximize their God given abilities. Unfortunately, Christians can fall into similar bad habits, going through the motions rather than hungering and thirsting for righteousness. As Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Mount, He calls listeners to put God’s Words into action. When Christians exercise love, acts of charity follow.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

When Christians learn to become doers of the Word, they begin to emulate Jesus. May the words of What Would Jesus Do inspire love in action in the form of charity this December.

by Jay Mankus

Passage of the Day:

“To the angel^[a] of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits^[b] of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. ² Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. ³ Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you, Revelation 3:1-3.

Reflection:

Every day there are countless unknowns: good, bad or indifferent. Tomorrow could be the best day of your life or the worst day you’ve ever experienced. Based upon today’s featured passage, members of the Church at Sardis were going through the motions as a Christian. Yet, according to the angel, many were sleeping with a faith void of any spiritual fruit. The warning in this passage reminds me of Jesus’ parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30. None of the servants knew when their master would return. Subsequently, each one needed to live each day as if their master would return any minute. If you were in this situation, is your faith ready?

Prayerful Action:

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.²¹ To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. ²² Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches,” Revelation 3:20-22.

Fueling your Faith this Spiritual Season:

King Solomon points to a devise that sharpens tools, making the analogy that fellowship with godly Christians sharpens your faith, Proverbs 27:17. Although I tried to become a lone ranger Christian early on in my faith journey, I realized that I couldn’t do this alone. Another New Testament author builds upon this concept in Hebrews 10:23-25, urging first century Christians to keep meeting with one another outside of church. The more you surround yourself with a positive environment, you’ll find that your faith will be ready for Jesus’ second coming.

Song of the Day:

Final Thoughts:

Listening to Christian songs weekly has a way of keeping my faith alive outside of church. Sometimes, the melody mixed with special lyrics inspires me to be more active spiritually. May the words of Never Let Go motivate you to seize each day with a vibrant faith.

by Jay Mankus