Tag Archives: faith

Video of the Day: ESPN Films Trailer of North Carolina State’s Title “Survive and Advance”

Bible Verse of the Day:

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. ⁶ But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. ⁸ Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do, James 1:5-8.

Biblical Connection:

The first round of the 2025 NCAA Basketball tournament began yesterday. Similar to the opening day of Major League Baseball, everyone is tied for first place. While the talent on each team differs, the degree of belief and confidence will separate winners and losers. Former head coach Jim Valvano devoted one practice a year to visualizing becoming national champions. This is the image that Coach Valvano wanted his players to see before participating in March Madness. This 3-week journey isn’t about winning pretty. Rather, the goal is to Survive and Advance.

The author of this Bible passage is the earthly brother of Jesus, a skeptic who became an elder in the Church at Jerusalem. While James wrote to Christians scattered throughout the Mediterranean following Nero’s persecution, he’s also speaking to himself. James was like the Jewish religious leaders of the early first century, not believing that his brother was the promised Messiah. Rather, James had to witness Jesus’ resurrection from the dead before he finally believed. Only God knows who will win the 2025 title. Yet, belief and doubt will play a huge role in determining a champion.

Closing Song:

I was introduced to this song during the Coronavirus pandemic. As countless individuals continued to succumb to this biological disease, I clung to the God of miracles. While God may not care who wins a sporting event, the Lord does elevate people of faith to hold fast to the God of miracles. May you survive and advance past the trials that you’re currently facing in life.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: ESPN Clip of Events Behind a Tragic Death “Len Bias”

Bible Verse of the Day:

It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; ⁴ that each of you should learn to control your own body^[a] in a way that is holy and honorable, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4.

Biblical Connection:

Len Bias was one of the top college basketball players in the nation as a senior at the University of Maryland. After being drafted second overall by the Boston Celtics, Len Bias decided to celebrate with some of his friends on campus. When you’re young and about to become a professional athlete, there’s a built in degree of invincibility. Unfortunately, Len didn’t have the discipline to stop using cocaine. Meanwhile, first lady Nancy Reagan’s Just Say No to Drug campaign came a season too late for Len Bias who died before fulfilling his lifelong dream.

According to one first century historian, the apostle Paul’s first visit to Thessalonica didn’t go as planned, Acts 17:1-9. Despite this rough start, Paul and Silas later planted a church in this city. Based upon the words of Luke in Acts, Thessalonians struggled with self-discipline with a tendency to overreact. Subsequently, Paul lays out God’s expectations for the members of this new church. The best way to avoid temptation is by learning to control your own body. When it comes to drugs, people must be willing to purge and remove the sinful tendencies from their lives to avoid a similar fate to that of Len Bias.

Closing Song:

When you play with fire, sometimes you get burned. However, when you experiment with drugs, you’re putting your life on the line. May the sad story of Len Bias and the lyrics of today’s song move you to come to the feet of Jesus to unload your burdens, Matthew 11:28-30.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Trailor from 2010 30 for 30″Reggie Miller vs. the New York Knicks”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever, 1 Corinthians 9:25.

In every sport, there are rivalries based upon close proximity, divisional games, hated rivals, old friends and when top players clash. Within professional sports, non-rivals can form rivalries if certain teams end up playing each other in the playoff’s year after year. When these series turn into instant sports classics, winning teams survive and advance while the losers go home, thinking about what could have been. This is the inspiration behind Winning Time: the epic NBA playoff series between Reggie Miller’s Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks.

As a former competitive athlete, I’ve experienced the agony of defeat, losing a state title by the smallest of margins. Meanwhile, the game of golf can be just as cruel, sent packing after 36 holes, missing the cut and leaving without a paycheck. The apostle Paul addresses Christians who attend the non-Olympic year track and field games. Although all runners seek victory, only one receives a crown. Subsequently, Paul encourages first century Christians to focus on how you play the game. Win or lose, as long as you gave the Lord your best, you can walk away with eyes focused on eternity.

Closing Song:

I was introduced to today’s song over my years in Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The lyrics of Destined to Win highlight the words of the apostle Paul in today’s Bible verse. When you struggle with confidence, turn your eyes toward eternity, claiming God’s promises of the Bible in prayer.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from 2012 ESPN mini documentary “The Jeremy Lin Phenomenon”

Bible Verse of the Day:

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, ¹⁶ keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander, 1 Peter 3:15-16.

Biblical Connection:

Most Harvard students make six figure salaries shortly after graduating. After going undrafted, Jeremy Lin put a typical financial career on hold, taking a chance as a free agent in the National Basketball Association. The New York Knicks took a chance on Jeremy after a couple of injuries to players in their starting lineup. Serving as a reserve off the bench, something magical happened, a gift from above that opened the door for a craze known as Linsanity.

Following this Cinderella story book reality, playing 9 seasons with 8 different teams, Jeremy Lin has transitioned into an inspirational speaker, sharing his faith all around the world. Throughout Jeremy’s success, he remained humble, applying the words of one of Jesus’ disciples. Whether this was part of a post-game press conference or an interview for a media personality, Lin became a living ambassador for Jesus Christ. May Jeremy’s faith inspire you to have your own faith journey ready when the Holy Spirit gives you an opportunity to share your testimony.

Closing Song:

Every believer has a story to tell, Galatians 1:11-24. The apostle Paul breaks a Christian testimony into 3 parts: your life before entering a personal relationship with Jesus, how and why you entered into this relationship and how God has transformed your life since. This is a Christian’s blessed assurance.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1998 film “He Got Game”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ² “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— ³ “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”^{[a] 4} Fathers,^[b] do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord, Ephesians 6:2-4.

Biblical Connection:

Denziel Washington plays Jake Shuttlesworth, a proud father of the most talented young basketball player in the nation. Unfortunately, Jake ends up in prison for killing his wife in a violent family feud. As Jesus Shuttlesworth, Ryan Allen, grows up without a parent at home, Jake is left to writing letters to his son from a prison cell. When a judge has compassion on Jesus, Jake will have his sentenced reduced if he convinces Jesus to attend college rather than enter the NBA draft.

As a parent of three children, I understand the temptation of trying to live your life through your children. While coaching 4 different sports over 15 years, a few of my parents, fathers and mothers, pushed their children like Jake Shuttlesworth. However, when you’re a high school Bible teacher at a Christian school, there were times I was filled with conviction for exasperating my own children. As a parent, you should want the best your children, but you have to trust God to allow your children to take ownership of their own life.

Closing Song:

At some point in the last few years, I have transitioned from a parent to a life coach for my three children, now all in their twenties. As I pray for each one daily, I ask the Lord to fill them with leadership and maturity so that it is the Holy Spirit speaking and not an exasperating parent.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2012 film “The Vow”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven, and you are on earth, so let your words be few. ³ A dream comes when there are many cares, and many words mark the speech of a fool. ⁴ When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow, Ecclesiastes 5:2-4.

Biblical Connection:

Leo and Paige are a newly married couple whose relationship is put to the test when Paige experiences a severe car accident. When Paige awakes from coma, her memory of her husband and parents is forgotten. During Paige’s recovery she struggles to regain glimpses of her past. Despite wanting Paige to return to her rightful home with Leo, she’s persuaded to recover at her childhood home with her parents. As Paige searches to uncover questions from her past, Leo never forgets his vow to love Paige for better or for worse.

As an immature teenage boy, I confused like with love. Whenever I entered into a serious relationship, I carelessly told girls that I loved them. As I matured in college, I realized that love is an action, not just a word that you cling to. Subsequently, when I met my wife Leanne, I told her that I would never utter the word love unless I was willing to spend the rest of my life with her. This is the advice that King Solomon gives readers today. Don’t be hasty, loose or quick with your words. Rather, when you are ready to make a lifelong commitment, keep your vow to love.

Closing Song:

As a former high school Bible teacher, I talked to students about the will to love a future spouse. When a man develops and possesses a will to love, this mindset will persuade men to keep their vow to love. When you put God’s words into practice, this is the spiritual foundation that marriages need for surviving in today’s everchanging culture.

by Jay Mankus