Tag Archives: faith

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2014 movie “God’s Not Dead”

Bible Verse of the Day:

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all^[b] sin. ⁸ If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us, 1 John 1:7-10.

Biblical Connection:

While college was once a platform for ideas, Atheist, Communist and Marxist professors seek to conform young minds to their secular worldview. A billionaire recently spoke out about how his daughter attending Harvard completely transformed into a leftist. While God is certainly not dead, college parents who don’t recognize their children when they come home have their doubts.

False teaching about God increased at the end of the first century. Subsequently, John who was a former disciple of Jesus seeks to set the record straight about these lies. John explains what God desires as well as what it means to walk in the light of God’s truth. Like the man who goes to visit his mother, he fails to recognize human nature and how God uses trials to strengthen faith.

Closing Song:

Syncretism is the best explanation for why many people believe that God is dead. As Christians continue to add and subtract from the Bible, Deuteronomy 4:2, blending secular beliefs with their own, outsiders are dumbfounded and turned off by this hypocrisy. Only when followers of Jesus practice the words of today’s featured passage can the world’s misunderstanding about life be straightened out.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1992 movie “A Few Good Men”

Bible Verse of the Day:

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, ¹⁹ since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. ²⁰ For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse, Romans 1:18-20.

Biblical Connection:

When two marines give Private William Santiago a code red, trying to teach him a valuable lesson, tragedy occurs. This act of discipline triggers a pre-existing condition that results in his death. As Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee attempts to explain a code red to the jury, it’s not listed in any of the Marine manuals. Yet, Kaffee uses common sense to illustrate that not everything is included.

After the Church in Rome is formed, the apostle Paul receives news of members of the congregation acting as elitists. Paul uses today’s passage to help Roman Christians understand that all human beings are sinners. To those outside the church, Paul points to the visible qualities of God’s creation like rainbows and sunsets so that no one can claim, “I never knew or saw God.”

Closing Song:

Story tellers like Jesus made convincing arguments by using cultural parables that His first century audience could relate to and understand. In modern-times, communicators like Charlie Kirk were able to reach college students by using common sense and logic. The next time you find yourself in a theological debate and discussion, use common sense like Tom Cruise in today’s scene to prove God’s existence to skeptics.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2006 movie “The Ultimate Gift”

Bible Verse of the Day:

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God^[a]; believe also in me. ² My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. ⁴ You know the way to the place where I am going,” John 14:1-4.

Biblical Connection:

When Jason discovers that Emily has a terminal condition, he finds her in the hospital chapel apologizing for how he handled this initial news. As Emily begins to contemplate her eternal destiny she wonders if God takes prayer requests in advance. Instead of focusing on her condition, Emily’s dying wish is that Jason and her mom would become a couple.

As Passion Week has arrived, the week of the crucifixion, Jesus prepares the disciples for his death. While these 12 men can’t fathom life without Jesus, He begins to explain why his death on a cross is necessary. In a later letter, the disciple whom Jesus loved writes about knowing for certain about your eternal destination in 1 John 5:10-13. This is what Emily was wondering about in this chapel.

Closing Song:

One of the mistakes young Christians make is treating prayer like you’re at the checkout counter at a local supermarket. One Old Testament prophet claims that sometimes sinful actions prevent God from hearing your prayers, Isaiah 1:15-18. However, when you approach the Lord in a humble manner, pouring out your soul in prayer, God does take advance orders like securing your eternal destiny in heaven.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2000 movie “Remember the Titans”

Bible Verse of the Day:

That, however, is not the way of life you learned ²¹ when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. ²² You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; ²³ to be made new in the attitude of your minds; ²⁴ and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness, Ephesians 4:20-24.

Bible Verse of the Day:

Back in 1971, a Virginia school board decided to integrate an all-Black school with an all-white high school. As football players gathered together for training camp, tensions rose. Today’s scene provides context of how a racial divide prevented players from coming together to form a team. Shortly after this scene, Coach Boone plans an early morning run to Gettysburg’s battlefield.

The apostle Paul understood the importance of reminding human beings due to lapses in memory. Just as players began to focus on their own selfish desires, Paul reminds Christian in Ephesus of their call to faith in Jesus. While the easy thing to do is abandon God in times of crisis and trials, the key to change involves embracing the attitude and mind of Christ.

Closing Song:

Chase Utley’s father once told Chase as a child, “don’t tell people how great you are, show them!” This little leaguer went on to become a World Champion with the Philadelphia Phillies. When attitudes begin to assign with the mind of Christ, godly actions follow.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1993 movie “Rudy”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you, Philippians 4:8-9.

Biblical Connection:

Daniel Eugene Ruettiger was a high school dreamer which I can relate to as an average student as well. Growing up near Notre Dame, Daniel who developed the nickname Rudy always wanted to attend Notre Dame. Subsequently, when he is denied access to the bus visiting his favorite college, this academic obsracle ignited a fire deep inside of Rudy’s soul to do whatever it took to fulfill his dream.

The apostle Paul writes to the Church at Philippi. After the events in Philippi detailed in Acts 16:16-34, Paul had fond memories of all that God had done in this city. Rather than dwell on being imprisoned, Paul and Silas turned their cell into a worship center. This positive outlook on life led the lead jailor to faith in Christ. This is Paul’s call to focus on the excellent and praiseworthy things in life.

Closing Song:

Rudy spent the years following graduating from high school trying to prove his doubters wrong. Despite 2 years of failing to get into Notre Dame, he finally succeeded. Then when opportunity arose, Rudy fought with every ounce of his body and soul to will his way onto the Notre Dame football team. This is how you overcome obstacles to fulfill your dreams in life.

by Jay Mankus