Tag Archives: God

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2002 movie “Minority Report”

Bible Verse of the Day:

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. ⁵ For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. ⁶ For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”^[a] made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ, 2 Corinthians 4:4-6.

Biblical Connection:

Tom Cruise plays Chief John Anderton who oversees a state-of-the-art police force that stops crime before it happens. When a lawyer questions this idea based upon pre cogs, artificial intelligence of this era, Chief Anderton uses logic to shut down his concerns. Unfortunately, when a pre cog accuses John of a crime later on in the film, he realizes that they are holes in AI.

The apostle Paul brings up an interesting observance that few modern-day scholars recognize today. The god of this age, aka the ruler of the air-Ephesians 2:2, has blinded the minds of unbelievers. When you consider politics, many individuals aren’t willing to change their opinions on certain candidates. As more and more people become dependent on artificial intelligence, they too have become blinded, unable to see the holes in AI.

Closing Song:

Some Christians are relying on artificial intelligence sites like Chat GPT to find the answers that they are looking for in the Bible and in life. Yet, this can never replace your own personal experience seeking God by studying the Bible daily. When you seek God, the Lord will reveal Himself to you. And when you’re spiritually lost, God will help you find your way back home.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Deleted scene from the 2014 movie “Ragamuffin”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— ⁹ yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. ¹⁰ Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death, 2 Corinthians 8:9-10.

Biblical Connection:

I was a youth pastor in Indiana when Rich Mullins was at the height of his popularity. Every Christian artist has their own niche, a gift that stands out to reach their audience. Rich was a worship leader while on stage. Yet, behind the scenes, Rich was trying to highlight the love of God. Sometimes this approach upset pastors like today’s scene, creating debate and friction.

The apostle Paul wrote several letters to the Church of Corinth following this church plant. While only two are recorded in the Bible, one theory is that a third letter writer was omitted due to the frustration and outrage within the apostle Paul’s tone. When Christians are confronted by the truth exposing a flaw or lie within your life, this hurts. Yet, this pain is necessary to mature and move on to become the person that God desires.

Closing Song:

Peace is one of my favorite songs written by Rich. When the truth of the Bible is revealed to your soul, peace is one of the benefits of this revelation. While Christians continue to disagree and rub others the wrong way, embrace the truth of God’s Word even when it hurts.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2014 movie “Unbroken”

Bible Verse of the Day:

You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. ³⁷ For, “In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.”^{[f] 38} And,“But my righteous^[g] one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.”^{[h] 39} But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved, Hebrews 10:36-39.

Biblical Connection:

Unbroken chronicles the life of Louie Zamperini during his service in World War II. After competing in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Louie joined the armed forces. Zamperini survived a plane crash, 47 days clinging to a rapt and two Japanese POW camps. In the scene that is depicted in Unbroken, Louie has flashbacks of his runner career to stay mentally tough during this strenuous ordeal.

The author of Hebrews calls Jewish Christians to persevere during the trials they faced in the first century. Whether this was Nero’s persecution, imprisonment or facing death for their faith, the goal for all Christians is to do the will of God. Louie’s determination to fight through adversity and hold this plank up over his head enabled his faith to save him from certain death.

Closing Song:

Julie writes about the brokenness hidden deep inside of human beings. This is where faith steps, reaching out to God in prayer to survive when the world around you are falling apart. When believers like Louie place their trust in the Lord, God will hold you together.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2000 movie “Pay It Forward”

Bible Verse of the Day:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’^[h] 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. ⁴⁰ And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. ⁴¹ If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. ⁴² Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you, Matthew 5:38-42.

Biblical Connection:

As a former teacher, classroom discussions were some of my favorite moments from each year that I taught. When a teacher gives a student a stage to share their thoughts, powerful things often happen. When a student expounds upon the concept of paying it forward, classmates begin to visualize what this utopian idea might resemble. This commences a healthy debate in this class.

King Solomon reflects upon the concept that there is nothing new under the sun in Ecclesiastes 1:9. Yet, as Jesus teaches about Jewish law during a first century sermon, He conceives the idea about paying it forward. However, Jesus uses the expression “go the extra mile.” Using human nature as a starting point, going the extra mile is going above and beyond what is expected.

Closing Song:

Jesus didn’t just lecture to a large audience and go on with His life. Rather, Jesus modeled and practiced what He preached, Matthew 7:24-27. Therefore, as summer comes to an end Labor Day weekend, seize the moment by going the extra mile before the summer of 2025 comes to an end.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1982 movie “Airplane 2”

Bible Verse of the Day:

“But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend,⁹ I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you.¹⁰ So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you;  I will uphold you with my righteous right hand, Isaiah 41:8-10.

Biblical Connection:

Whenever I travel on a plane, each flight has an initial departure location and its final destination. While delays are bound to happen, flights may need to be rerouted to get you where you want to go. However, from a human nature perspective, there are certain things that your body is accustomed to having. When this is denied, you may overreact like this classic scene from Airport 2.

From the days of Abraham to Moses, God promised Israel a land flowing with milk and honey. Unfortunately, time and a lack of obedience pushed back the fulfillment of this promise. When Christians don’t get what they expect or want, they may panic like the passengers on this aircraft. Yet, the prophet Isaiah reminds Israel that God will get you back to where you belong.

Closing Song:

As today marks the end of July, may you spend time reflecting upon your spiritual journey in life. As you see the hand of God watching over your past, you’ll be more optimistic and avoid a state of panic as the Lord continues the work that He began in you, Philippians 1:6.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from commentary on the 2006 movie “End of the Spear”

Bible Verse of the Day:

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” ¹³ The Pharisees challenged him, “Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.” ¹⁴ Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. ¹⁵ You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. ¹⁶ But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. ¹⁷ In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true. ¹⁸ I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me,” John 8:12-18.

Biblical Connection:

Members of the audience who watched End of the Spear in theaters had a similar experience to those who went to see The Passion of the Christ. Rather than show the scene where members of the tribe have an encounter with God, I wanted to touch on the impact this film has made on our culture. When missionary’s give up their lives for their faith, many are moved by their testimony.

After sparing a woman’s life from being stoned to death, religious leaders begin to dispute the identity of Jesus. When faith is lived out, many can’t fathom or comprehend the sacrifices that loyal people of faith make on a daily basis. Yet, when you come to the light by entering into a personal relationship with God, Romans 10:9-11, lives are transformed like tribal members.

Closing Song:

As the summer light fades, growing shorter day after day in the northern hemisphere, don’t miss your opportunity to come to the light of Jesus, Matthew 11:28-30. May today’s song inspire you to take this initial step of faith toward the light of Jesus.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1999 movie “October Sky”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. ² This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, ³ but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world, 1 John 4:1-3.

Biblical Connection:

October Sky is a true story about an unlikely teenager who is inspired after watching the Sputnik 1 launch in 1957. Despite being a coal miner’s son, Homer Hickam becomes fascinated by rocketry. Surrounding himself with a couple of nerds, Homer relies on one of his father’s mechanists to build a rocket. After being accused of setting a brush fire, Homer uses math to prove his innocence.

At the end of the first century, false teaching about Jesus and Christianity spread throughout the Middle East. Subsequently, one of Jesus’ former disciples encourages believers to test every teaching that one encounters with the Bible, 1 Thessalonians 5:21. Behind each idea is a spirit similar to modern-day opinions. Challenging these theories with biblical insight can distinguish truth from lies and like Homer prove that you are right.

Closing Song:

Whenever you’re searching for an answer, you often have to dig deep. This time-consuming process involves research like the formula used to prove Homer’s innocence. When you’re persistent, willing to keep on digging, you can prove fact from fiction.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2005 movie “The Greatest Game Ever Played”

Bible Verse of the Day:

By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away! ² I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world. ³ For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. ⁴ The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. ⁵ We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. ⁶ And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete, 2 Corinthians 10:1-6.

Biblical Connection:

Today is the first round of the 2025 British Open, the final golf major of this year. Harry Vardon’s family was forced to move when the construction of a new golf course bought their land. Throughout the film the Greatest Game Ever Played, Harry has flashbacks of the four men who told his father they had to move. Images of these men appear on Harry’s driver during the 1913 United States Open. This is one of the tricks minds play on human beings to bring up their past.

In a letter to the Church at Corinth, the apostle Paul brings up the concept of taking your thoughts captive. When minds dwell on the negative, these thoughts can become self-fulfilled prophecies. If you have endured a rough life, past failures could turn into inner demons which can haunt you throughout life. However, by making thoughts obedient to Christ, self-doubt can be erased by belief and faith in Christ, Matthew 21:18-22.

Closing Song:

The popularity of sports psychology continues to grow in professional golf. While Harry Vardon developed his own pre-shot ritual to block out his inner demons, inviting Jesus into your thought life translates into all aspects of life. May your faith be an example to others by daily taking your thoughts captive to avoid evil sown into your mind by the Devil.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the television series “Castle”

Bible Verse of the Day:

It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, ⁵ who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age ⁶ and who have fallen^[c] away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. ⁷ Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. ⁸ But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned, Hebrews 6:4-8.

Biblical Connection:

The ABC television drama Castle ran for 8 seasons featuring detective Kate Beckett and novelist Richard Castle. Castle is introduced to the NYPD when a copycat killer lives out murders in Richard’s books. While Beckett and Castle relationship is on and off again the last 4 seasons, Richard attempts to protect Kate until she is unwilling to change her ways.

The author of Hebrews appears to reference Jesus’ Parable of the Sower. Back in Matthew 13:1-23, Jesus talks about different obstacles farmers face prior to planting seeds. Since not every soil is ideal, Jesus breaks down what each of these specific barriers represent. Since Kate’s heart has become hardened, Richard has reached a point in their relationship where there is nothing else, he can do. Until individuals are willing to change, you have to let them go until they are ready for help.

Closing Song:

Strong willed individuals are often the hardest to help. Richard Castle stuck around for 4 years hoping to make a difference in Kate’s life. Yet, when you find yourself under the ruins of a broken relationship, prayer and time are your available options until those whom you love realize they have a problem and are open for assistance.

by Jay Mankus