Tag Archives: faith

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1981 movie “Raiders of the Lost Ark”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. ¹¹ If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen, 1 Peter 4:10-11.

Biblical Connection:

Harrison Ford was a subpar professor in his first appearance as Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark. However, when Jones left the classroom and went into the field as an archeologist, he was quick on his feet. Synonymous as the man with the fancy hat and whip, Harrison Ford spent 3 decades building upon the legend of this fictional character. This Hollywood success story serves as a great life lesson to find your areas of strength.

Peter wrote today’s passage in the book of 1 Peter to encourage suffering Christians who endured persecution in the first century. One of Peter’s words of advice is to become faithful servants in local churches. The best way to apply this is to discover gifts and talents that God has blessed each individual. If you’re not sure about your areas of strengths, taking a spiritual gifts assessment may be helpful. Sometimes people with the gift of discernment can see gifts that you never noticed.

Closing Song:

I was over 40 years old before my greatest gift was unveiled to me. I attended a Discernment Conference a few days after losing my job as a teacher. During one of the active learning exercises, a few adults from church shared insights. After putting these thoughts together, the Holy Spirit revealed that I have the gift of writing in the Spirit. A few days later, Express Yourself 4Him was conceived. This is what can happen when you find out your areas of strength.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1984 movie “Ghostbusters”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. ⁴⁶ After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray. ⁴⁷ Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. ⁴⁸ He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, ⁴⁹ but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, ⁵⁰ because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid,” Mark 6:45-50.

Biblical Connection:

Three parapsychologists in New York City lose their college funding and are forced to start a new business. Despite calling this enterprise ghostbusters, today’s scene appears to be one of their first personal encounters with a ghost. Running away in fear, Peter Venkman, Ray Stantz and Egon Spengler use this to their advantage, attracting frightened yet skeptical customers.

The word ghost appears 109 times in the King James Bible. Back in 1611, the word ghost was interpreted as spirit which explains the original trinity Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Based upon the words of John Mark, the disciples believed in ghosts. As paranormal shows grow in popularity, there is evidence that ghosts do exist in some form of spirit entity.

Closing Song:

The lyrics of Holy Ghost speak of a higher power. Since God works in mysterious ways, there are times of uncertainty that all you can do is trust, waiting for clarification. Why most people don’t fully understand why ghosts exist, the fact is that they do.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Montage from the 2016 NBA Finals “Greatest Comeback Ever”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. ¹³ And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴ You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it, John 14:12-14.

Biblical Connection:

As the 2025 National Basketball Association finals begin tonight, both teams will be contending for their cities first title. Over the course of this season, a loss or series of loses may have challenged their belief in reaching the finals. Yet, like the members of the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers, once they fell down 3 games to 1 with no major for error, their belief never wavered.

Spending the last week of his life prior to His crucifixion, Jesus is preparing the disciples for life without Him. Part of this teaching included a pep talk similar to an NBA huddle during a timeout. With a sense of urgency, Jesus highlights the power of belief. Perhaps, Jesus reminded these 12 men of the time He cursed a fig in Matthew 21:18-22. When Christians place their faith and trust in Jesus, anything is possible, including being part of a NBA Championship team.

Closing Song:

In any head-to-head competition, except for the Olympics in case of a tie, there will be a winner and loser. While one will receive a victor’s crown, the other will taste the bitter pill of defeat. This is why the apostle Paul urged Christians to compete in such a way to earn an eternal crown, 1 Corinthians 9:24-25.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2017 movie “Wonder Woman”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² 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. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand, Ephesians 6:11-13.

Biblical Connection:

When princess Diana of the Amazons comes in contact with the outside world, she is pulled into the heart of World War 1. Following army pilot Steve Trevor, Diana follows her search for the truth which uncovers powers of darkness at work in the world and in the heavenly realms. This sets the stage for Diana to battle the God Ares, disguised as a German leader.

One of the Devil’s greatest schemes is to use other human beings to get under your skin. Rather than address the spiritual heart of the matter, I often get distracted by unexpected earthly battles. In today’s passage, the apostle Paul pulls back a spiritual curtain to examine what’s going on in the heavenly realms. If you want to be prepared for future temptations, you must start to pray in the Spirit and learn to put on the armor of God daily.

Closing Song:

While Jesus won the battle of death by rising on Resurrection Sunday, the ongoing war behind the scenes will continue until Jesus’ second coming. Subsequently, stand your ground in these days of evil with the armor of God secured in place. Don’t let your guard down as you stand firm in the Lord.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1991 movie “City Slickers”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” ⁶ Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ⁷ If you really know me, you will know^[b] my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” ⁸ Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” ⁹ Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? ¹⁰ Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work, John 14:5-10.

Biblical Connection:

Billy Crystal plays Mitch Robbins, an unhappy Manhattan yuppie who is experiencing a mid-life crisis. When Mitch’s wife notices his unhappiness, she agrees to allow her husband to go on a road trip with his best friends Ed and Phil. Spending two weeks as a cattle rancher, allows Mitch to slow down and get in touch with the emotions he’s suppressed. During a ride with Curly, one of the cowboys on staff, Mitch is introduced to one of the secrets of life.

As Passion week begins, Jesus starts to pour out his soul to his disciples. Just as Curly and Mitch dive into a deep conversation, Jesus reveals His connection to God the Father. After spending three years together, dabbling around and speculating about Jesus, the secret to eternal life is found in today’s passage. John goes into further details in another letter, 1 John 5:11-15. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, an answer not provided in this City Slickers scene.

Closing Song:

Leaving Jesus is written in the context of taking Jesus with you whenever you go. If you know the secret to eternal life, Romans 10:9-10, may you spread this news by weaving Jesus into your daily conversations.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2004 movie “I Robot”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Now, Israel, hear the decrees and laws I am about to teach you. Follow them so that you may live and may go in and take possession of the land the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. ² Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you. ³ You saw with your own eyes what the Lord did at Baal Peor. The Lord your God destroyed from among you everyone who followed the Baal of Peor, ⁴ but all of you who held fast to the Lord your God are still alive today, Deuteronomy 4:1-4.

Biblical Connection:

Will Smith plays homicide detective Del Spooner of the Chicago PD in the year 2035. During the investigation of the apparent suicide, Spooner believes that a robot is responsible for the death of Dr. Alfred Lanning. Fleeing from the scene of this crime, Spooner follows the suspect to a lab where robots are manufactured. This is where Spooner questions the 3 laws of robotic technology.

Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Torah, containing a second statement of Mosiac Law. Subsequently, Deuteronomy is referred to as the book of repetition. If human beings are forgetful in nature, they need to be reminded of God’s specific instructions for life. During the age of Judges, Jewish leaders began to do what’s right in their own eyes. Today’s passage serves as a warning not to add or subtract from God’s laws passed down to Moses.

Closing Song:

As a former high school teacher, knowing information and applying this daily take time. Perhaps, this explains Jesus condensing the Ten Commandments into loving God and others. Rather than trying to remember a long list of rules, Jesus simplified God’s laws into 2 calls to action. While there will always be temptations to add or subtract from the Bible’s teaching, keep it simple by seeking to love God and others daily.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2006 movie “Night at the Museum”

Bible Verse 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.

Biblical Connection:

Larry Daley is struggling to find and keep a steady job when a night security guard spot opens up at a local museum. Like any high turnover position, there is a reason which Larry discovers on his first shift. An ancient tablet causes the animals and exhibits to come to life which has overwhelmed previous security guards. During one confrontation, Larry comes face to face with a ruthless leader.

Matthew 22 serves as a first century game show where a series of religious leaders seek to test Jesus’ knowledge, hoping to stump him. One by one, Jesus advances to the Final Jeopardy question under the category: where should I draw the line spiritually? Jesus summarizes the Ten Commandments in 2 statements: loving God and loving others. This is how we should live.

Closing Song:

The lyrics of today’s song demonstrates where to draw the line in the context of living as a Christian. Unfortunately, I find myself withholding parts of my life from the Lord, not making Jesus the Lord of my life. As the summer commences next month, may you be inspired to begin to live your faith as an open book to God.

by Jay Mankus