Tag Archives: God

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1998 movie “Stepmom”

Bible Verse of the Day:

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. ³³ With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all ³⁴ that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales ³⁵ and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. ³⁶ Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), ³⁷ sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet, Acts 4:32-37.

Biblical Connection:

Sports analysts tend to compare up and coming stars with legends of the past. Often wondering who will be the next Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretsky, Tiger Woods, Babe Ruth or Tom Brady? This conversation in Stepmom reminds me of the importance of being true to who you are. Rather than compare yourself to the great attributes of others, be content with who God created you to be.

The first century church quickly became a tight spiritual family. Whenever there was a needy individual, the church pulled their resources together to meet this need. Unfortunately, as people like Barnabas became known for their generosity, others tried to emulate his acts with impure motives. Ananias and Sapphira died of heart attacks after lying to Peter and the Holy Spirit.

Closing Songs:

God wants honesty when approached in prayer. Although you may be focused on what others have been blessed with, you do have unique and special qualities. May the Holy Spirit open your eyes to help you see your spiritual gifts so that you can be true to who you are.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1995 movie “While You Were Sleeping”

Bible Verse of the Day:

This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.¹⁶ You said, ‘No, we will flee on horses.’ Therefore you will flee! You said, ‘We will ride off on swift horses.’ Therefore your pursuers will be swift! ¹⁷ A thousand will flee at the threat of one; at the threat of five you will all flee away, till you are left like a flagstaff on a mountaintop, like a banner on a hill.” ¹⁸ Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! – Isaiah 30:15-18

Biblical Connection:

There are times when adults are stuck in a job that isn’t satisfying. This is where Lucy finds herself as a Chicago Transit Authority ticket booth operator. Lucy falls in love with a man she has never met but sees every day. When Peter falls off the deck and nearly dies, Lucy visits him daily as nurses assume that she is his fiancée. Yet, while Peter is in coma, Lucy falls for Peter’s brother Jack.

Waiting is probably one of the greatest object lessons God provides for young Christians. If you get everything you want immediately, you’ll become spoiled. However, if God forces you to wait for an extended period time like finding a spouse, you’ll appreciate this journey. This is the life lesson the prophet Isaiah writes about: the blessing of waiting on the Lord until God’s plan is revealed to you.

Closing Song:

As you wait on the Lord, be open when life leads you in a new direction. As someone who has moved 3 times since the summer of 2022, change is tough. Yet, when God’s plan for your life is revealed over time, this is the blessing of waiting on the Lord for direction and guidance.

by Jay Mankus

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

Bible Verse of the Day:

You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, ¹¹ persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. ¹² In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, ¹³ while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. ¹⁴ But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, ¹⁵ and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that the servant of God^[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work, 2 Timothy 3:10-17.

Biblical Connection:

The game of football is a violent sport. Backups are only one injury away from being forced into a position to fill in for a starter. When injuries occur in a game, quarterbacks have less than a minute to take control of the offense. After doubting his readiness, Coach Boone inspires Ronny Bass to lead his team. After the initial play, Ronny’s confidence increases as the game goes on.

The apostle Paul is writing a second letter to a first century pastor. If this wasn’t hard enough, Timothy began preaching before his 20th birthday. Rather than encourage Timothy to fill in as a quarterback, Paul writes about the importance of the Holy Bible. Properly studying and using Scripture is the key to winning spiritually. This is the game plan that Timothy followed.

Closing Song:

In another letter to the Church of Galatia, the apostle Paul speaks about making the most of the opportunities that God gives you in life, Galatians 6:9-10. Therefore, even if this blog finds you sitting on the bench, be ready to step up when you are called upon.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1993 movie “Sleepless in Seattle”

Bible Verse of the Day:

 We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. ⁷ No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. ⁸ None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. ⁹ However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”^[b]—  the things God has prepared for those who love him— ¹⁰ these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God, 1 Corinthians 2:6-10.

Biblical Connection:

Sam Baldwin struggles to raise his son Jonah after his wife’s death. After having a nightmare at night, Sam tries to remember how his wife would handle this situation. This conversation leads Jonah to contemplate if heaven is a real place. Unfortunately, many individuals wait until it’s too late, suddenly passing away without a chance to cry out to God like the criminal hanging on a cross next to Jesus, Luke 23:43.

While writing to a city known for its philosophers, the apostle Paul tries to explain the Holy Spirit to new Christians in Corinth. Part of the problem for philosophers is self-reliance, trusting in their own abilities and mind. However, the Holy Spirit is mysterious, able to open spiritual questions like the reality of heaven. As a child, I had a reoccurring dream of falling off a cliff, waking up just before I died. This nightmare led me to discover the hope of heaven, everlasting life, 1 John 5:13.

Closing Song:

Like Jonah’s character in Sleepless in Seattle, human beings lose their way in life. Yet, the Lord provides opportunities via the Holy Spirit to come back to Jesus like the prodigal son in Luke 15: 17-20. May you come to your senses by receiving the free gift of eternal life as your own, Romans 6:23.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1987 movie “Planes, Trains and Automobiles”

Bible Verse of the Day:

 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him, Colossians 3:15-17.

Biblical Connection:

When Neal Page wants to get home for Thanksgiving, a series of events continue to alter his plans. During this emotional journey, Neal understands what it’s like to have a bad day get even worse. Del Griffith tries to help his new friend reach his desired destination, but having his car impounded complicates this even further. While Neal tries to part ways, Del won’t take no for an answer.

The apostle Paul details the obstacles to becoming a Christian in Colossians 3. Paul begins with the positive, the power of the resurrection to transform one’s life. Yet, human nature serves as a daily reminder to what’s holding Christians back from becoming spiritually transformed. Rather than allow self-fulfilled prophecies worsen a bad day, let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts to combat the obstacles of having a bad day.

Closing Song:

The next time you find yourself caught in the in between, cry out to Jesus. When you do, you’ll begin to experience the joy of being captured by God’s love. May the lyrics of today’s song propel you toward a thankful spirit the next time a bad day seeks to steal your joy in life.

by Jay Mankus

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

Bible Verse of the Day:

 From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. ⁴⁶ About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,^[c] lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).^{[d] 47} When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.” ⁴⁸ Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. ⁴⁹ The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.” ⁵⁰ And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. ⁵¹ At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split ⁵² and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. ⁵³ They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and^[e] went into the holy city and appeared to many people. ⁵⁴ When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!” – Matthew 27:45-54

Biblical Connection:

Castle aired on ABC for 8 seasons pairing novelist Rick Castle with New York detective Kate Beckett. This unlikely team was a temporary assignment until fate brought them together as a couple. Today’s clip was from a Halloween week episode from season 4. Street video footage reveals what appears to be real life zombie walking down the streets of New York City.

Today’s Bible passage reveals 3 events that took place on the day Jesus was crucified. First, there was a cosmic eclipse reported by multiple first century historians. Second, there was a great earthquake that destroyed the temple in Jerusalem immediately following Jesus’ death. Finally, in the middle of the afternoon, the walking dead arose from their graves, coming out for eyewitnesses to see and talk about.

Closing Song:

While I’ve never heard a sermon on today’s Bible passage, Halloween is a great time to celebrate the power of God that can bring the dead back to life. As Americans trick or treat across the country, don’t forget the original walking dead on the day Jesus was crucified.

by Jay Mankus