Tag Archives: Jesus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1992 movie “Scent of a Woman” (language warning)

Bible Verse of the Day:

Plans are established by seeking advice; so if you wage war, obtain guidance. ¹⁹ A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much, Proverbs 20:18-19.

Biblical Connection:

One of the important lessons that I learned while serving over a decade in youth ministry is that I’d rather meet an honest liar than a phony Christian. The blunt like retired Army Colonel Frank Slade doesn’t hold back on how he feels about snitches. Now blind, Slade is defending Charlie Simms who is on the verge of being expelled for protecting his friends. Blade shifts his defense toward the kind of leaders this elite prep school is seeking to produce each year.

King Solomon writes the book of Proverbs as a way to teach one of his many sons about how to life a biblical life. Each sentence provides spiritual food for one’s soul. Just as Frank Slade prepares Charlie for his hearing in front of the school board, great plans are established by seeking advice. As Jesus once said, “consider the cost before making a decision in life,” Luke 14:28-33. Meanwhile, God wants believers to live a quiet life, lead by example and avoid gossip, 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12.

Closing Song:

Today’s culture in America promotes the end justify the means. This leads politicians to say what they need to in order to become elected. Once in office, their true colors are revealed in how each governs. The next time you pull the lever by casting your vote, consider the type of leader that you want to place in power.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 1998 movie “You’ve Got Mail”

Bible Verse of the Day:

These are the last words of David: “The inspired utterance of David son of Jesse, the utterance of the man exalted by the Most High, the man anointed by the God of Jacob, the hero of Israel’s songs:² “The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me; his word was on my tongue.³ The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel said to me: ‘When one rules over people in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God,⁴ he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings grass from the earth,’ 2 Samuel 23:1-4.

Biblical Connection:

After realizing that her independent book shop can’t compete with the new mega bookstore, Kathleen Kelly searches for love on the internet. Her online pen pal just happens to be John Fox, the superstore magnate. Fox plays dumb, teasing Kathleen as she is eager to meet her new online friend. If only human beings were just as eager to receive a voice mail from God.

The prophet Samuel details David’s last recorded words spoken before his death. Referred to as a man after God’s own heart, David gives credit to God’s Spirit speaking to him. The God of Israel served as a guide to David as his led this nation as their king. Yet, the Holy Spirit is available today for all who believe, 2 Peter 1:3-4. This is how you can receive a voice mail from God today.

Closing Song:

David’s close relationship with God helped him see the purpose for rain. While rain may ruin your outdoor plans for a day or week, this water from heaven makes grass green. This is just one realization from the former king of Israel, who received via a voice mail from God.

by Jay Mankus

Video of the Day: Clip from the 2017 movie “The Shack”

Bible Verse of the Day:

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.² Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,³ those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south.^{[a] 4} Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle.⁵ They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away.⁶ Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress, Psalm 107:1-6.

Biblical Connection:

After the death of his daughter Mackenzie Allen Phillips, Mack receives a personal invitational to meet with God in a place called the Shack. As this grieving father seeks answers to the tragedy of his past, God appears to Mack as a woman. While God tries to explain life, Mack can’t get over the pain his daughter’s death left upon his soul. This pain from your past spoils many Thanksgivings today.

The Psalmist has a different perspective on pain in today’s featured passage. Every Christian has a story of redemption, a testimony of how and why each entered into a personal relationship with Jesus. While Mack and others like him don’t receive the answers that they are searching for on earth, it’s importance to share your painful story so that thanksgiving is a state of mind, not 1 day.

Closing Song:

As you sit down with family or friends for a meal, don’t be afraid to share what you’re experiencing in life. Opening up about your own struggles might lead others to unload the pain stored up in their heart. May your testimony play a role in letting go of the pain in your past.

by Jay Mankus

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