Tag Archives: Jesus

Video of the Day: Trailer of 2020 ESPN Promotion “March Madness”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; ⁵ in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; ⁶ in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; ⁷ in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; ⁸ through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; ⁹ known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 2 Corinthians 6:4-9.

Biblical Connection:

Every March sporting websites offer a free challenge with one-million-dollar prize going to the winner that completes a perfect Men’s NCAA Basketball bracket. Year after year, this prize continues to go unclaimed due to unpredictability of 68 teams playing one another over the course of 3 weeks. Although one individual once picked the first 49 games correctly, no one who has entered these contests has been perfect. Perhaps, this is why the annual men’s college basketball tournament has been coined March Madness.

From the spiritual realm, every day is filled with the unknown. You may have an idea of your daily routines in a typical work week, but only God knows what hardship that you will be facing. When Saul was called by God to become an apostle of Jesus Christ, his previous popularity as a Jewish leader vanished overnight. After changing his name, Paul opens up about the hardships that he has endured since becoming an apostle. When you put your faith on the line, Christians shouldn’t be surprised by unknown hardships, Ephesians 6:10-12. This is the madness occurring every month.

Closing Song:

Sometime the hardship of the unknown is simply trying to figure out God’s will for your life. The longer this process continues, Romans 12:1-2, the harder it becomes to trust God in the dark. May the lyrics of today’s song help remind you to let God fight the battles of the unknown.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from 1986 film “Hoosiers”

Bible Verse of the Day:

The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. ¹³ Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. ¹⁴ Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh, Romans 13:12-14.

Biblical Connection:

Playing Coach Norman Dale, Gene Hackman gets to know fans, faculty members, and the parents of his players. After a few conversations with Shooter, Dennis Hopper, who lives and breathes Indiana high school basketball, Coach goes to Shooter’s home to offer him a job. This sets the stage for an intense conversation. Knowing that he was given a second chance as a coach, Dale returns the favor to Shooter with a couple of strings attached.

The apostle Paul writes a letter to the Church at Rome in today’s featured passage. Paul is writing with a sense of urgency, calling members of this Christian Church to put on the armor of God detailed in Ephesians 6:12-20. Paul also appears to be referencing the acts of the flesh and the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:16-23. Apparently, some Christians were merely going through the motions, not committing to make Jesus the Lord of their lives. If God gives sinners a second chance, the least that you can do is to clothe yourself with Jesus by putting on the mind of Christ.

Closing Song:

Paul doesn’t beat around the bush early in his letter to the Church at Rome, Romans 3:9-12. This blunt assessment of mankind’s sinful tendencies helps Christians realize their need for God, Romans 6:23. Subsequently, the next time you pick up the pieces from a fall from grace, be willing to forgive others as God has forgiven you by offering others a second chance, Matthew 6:14.

by Jay Mankus

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