June 2011 – Serminutes – Sermon in a Minute

Mountaintop Experiences – Must Be Present to Win

June 30, 2011R. Mangold

And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them. Exodus 24:12

This may sound counterintuitive if you’re looking for motivation to “do” something for God, but there are times God doesn’t want us do anything…just “be there.” One of the most difficult things for us to master is the art standing still and letting God be God; yielding full control to Him – we must decrease in order for God to increase! This is not an excuse to sit around and do nothing; rather it’s an admonishment to know when to wait on the Lord!

God called Moses up to the mount, not “do” or “give,” something, but to receive. In order to receive we must be present with no pretense. God wanted to “give” Moses the commandments so he could in turn “teach” or “give” the Israelites the benefit of God’s covenant and commandments.

In our busy fast-paced world, our challenge is simply to “be there.” We’re bombarded with phone calls, voicemail, email, and texts, which often distract us from being “present” in very important situations, not the least of which are times when our family, or more importantly, God is trying to get our attention! Like the old adage says when it comes to drawings…you must be present to win!

Part of the Mountaintop Experiences Serminute Series

“Serminutes” – Sermon in a Minute. A one minute spiritual pick-me-up for busy Christians! Visit this POST for details on what exactly that is. Thank you for visiting today! May the Lord richly bless you. Rodger Mangold

Clutter-free Breeding Ground of Thought

June 29, 2011R. Mangold

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; I Peter 1:13

We’re each a culmination of our experiences; some good; other’s not so good. Toting enough of this baggage around with us creates clutter and often impedes our ability to maintain healthy relationships. The exchange for discarding this clutter, be it a broken heart, misplaced trust, harbored resentment, or traitorous betrayal, takes place in our minds.

Is it any wonder that we’re taught by Peter to “gird up the loins of our mind?” The loins are the reproductive center of the human anatomy. So, stated another way, shore up the breeding ground of your thoughts or mind. We are products of what our mind “reproduces” on a regular basis. Fortify your thoughts like the Philippians, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things (4:8).

The battlefield for many of us is waged in the mind. Negativity breeds negativity, but the benefits of thinking on truth, honesty, purity, love, etc. brings with it a mind clear of baggage and clutter, where seeds of faith, hope, and love can flourish.

Mountaintop Experiences – It is Good for us to be Here

June 28, 2011R. Mangold

And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. ⁴Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. ⁵While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. Matthew 17:3-5

Another gospel says Peter was “afraid” and wasn’t quite sure what to say at the sight of Jesus’ transfiguration, and watching Him converse with Moses and Elijah! I feel, if you want to get the best read on someone, see how they respond under duress. With no time to prefabricate a fitting response, you just say the first thing that comes to mind. Peter’s response was, “It is good for us to be here…something needs to be done here to commemorate this momentous occasion…let’s pitch a few tabernacles or tents!” Seems a bit strange, but consider Peter witnessed a once in a millennia event!

Recognizing it was good for them to be there and the fact Peter wanted to make tabernacles is significant. Tabernacles are temporary by nature. Peter knew the experience was one to cherish and enjoy, but not one which was meant to be permanent. We relish moments of power, revelation, and anointing, but they’re not meant to be a permanent position – mountaintop experiences are transient; they’re mingled with valleys, desserts, and wilderness. Each station is of value, yet temporary nonetheless. Lastly, wherever you’re at, as long as Jesus is with you, you’re in the right place at the right time!

Part of the Mountaintop Experiences Serminute Series

No Free Rides When You're Running from God

June 27, 2011R. Mangold

Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, ²Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me. ³But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. Jonah 1:1-3

In Isaiah 55:11 God declared regarding His Word, “it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” How is it we think our plans supersede God’s? Jonah was foolish enough to think he could outrun God’s command to arise and cry against Nineveh. In all actuality, when we run from God it’s going to cost us dearly, and Jonah indeed “paid the fare thereof” and it was more than he was willing to pay…

He paid the fare for the ship ride to Tarshish
He paid in toiling on the stormy seas
He paid for 3 days and nights in the belly of the giant fish

Ironically, like Jonah we utilize more energy running from God than we would simply performing the actual assignment God tasked us with!

The shipmaster rightfully called Jonah “O Sleeper.” Jonah needed to be awakened from his self-centeredness and pride to complete His God-given mission as do we. Awake thou that sleepest,” because Jesus called us to “preach the gospel to every living creature”…if not, the fare may be more than we’re willing to pay!

There are no free rides when you’re running from God!

The Most Expensive Bowl of Soup Ever!

June 26, 2011R. Mangold

Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. ¹⁷For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. Hebrews 12:16-17

In the exclusive district of Mayfair in downtown London, “Kai” a Chinese restaurant serves what could possibly be the most expensive soup in all of Great Britain. At $170 (US) the shark fin soup, made up of rare Japanese Mushrooms, chicken, pork, Hunan Ham, and ginseng, is called, “Buddha Jumps Over the Wall.” Legend says Buddah, after having smelled the aroma of this soup, despite being a vegetarian, requested a bowl of it. (Source: http://www.rescoweb.com/06MC/contenido.asp?IdIdioma=EN&IdContenido=206)

As expensive as this soup sounds, (or smelled to Buddha) it’s “chump-change” compared to the price Jacob charged his twin brother. Esau sold his birthright, the firstborn’s inheritance, for a measly bowl of soup (stew, porridge, or lentils). The Bible called Esau “profane” because he “despised his birthright.”

Our most valuable commodity in this life, and the life to come, is our soul. Our new “birthright” is now heavenly as Christ has made us heirs, and joint heirs with Him! (Romans 8:17)

Jesus asked, “What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” You may be “starving” for worldly love and acceptance, despising the true love Christ demonstrated by His sacrifice at Calvary. To Him the value of your soul is priceless! Don’t sell it for a meager bowl of mushy vegetables!

Prematurely Pulling the Plug on the Process

June 25, 2011R. Mangold

I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. ¹¹He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. ¹²I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. Ecclesiastes 3:10-12

If you’re a collector, or one that loves antiques, you know that some things gain more value with a very important ingredient…TIME. Herein lies the challenge for many of us – while time may add value to antiques, for humans it’s the proverbial “kiss of death.” In a generation that wants instant gratification, the value of growing, maturing, and experience is all too often minimized in favor of a quicker result.

We’d do well to remember, God is in charge of not only the clay, but the wheel on which the clay is spinning. He has in His mind a perfect plan, a defined design, a prescribed purpose for each of our lives. While we’re spinning on the wheel we’re tempted to offer God our “recommendations” AND even go as far as to say when we feel the work is complete!

In order to maximize the “glory that shall be revealed in us” we must trust God with our future. Let God finish what He’s started in you. He’s faithful to complete it. And when given “time” He makes “everything” beautiful. Yes, “everything” – even the flaws, faults, and failures. Let’s not presume to “pull the plug” on God’s process prematurely.

"Digging" God's Word – The Archaeology of Your Heart

June 24, 2011R. Mangold

Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. I Peter 1:23

Every year the nation of Israel is credited with literally thousands of archaeological discoveries, and even with ongoing instability in the Middle East slowing archaeological endeavors somewhat, the Bible’s reliability as a historical document continues to be confirmed by the field of archaeology every day. Dr. Nelson Glueck, probably the greatest modern authority on Israeli archaeology, said, “No archeological discovery has ever controverted a single biblical reference.”

Hypothetically, if an archaeologist were to do some digging in your “spiritual” life what would his findings be? Would proof of God’s Holy Word be irrefutable? Would the evidence be so compelling, even the harshest critic would concede?

Every detail of a believer’s life is scrutinized by critics – ready to pounce on any proof there’s nothing to what you believe.

Still others are hoping and praying what you say is true, and what you’re living is real…they want it to be true; they need it to be true!

Why are they so desperately hoping the Bible you represent is real? Because this world needs HOPE!

Today dear Christian, why not be living proof God’s Word still changes lives, saves souls, and is the key to eternal life? Like the Apostle Paul called the Corinthians, let’s be ”epistles…known and read of all men.”

The Art of the Rebound

June 23, 2011R. Mangold

Wilt Chamberlain holds the NBA record for the most REBOUNDS leading the NBA in rebounds in 11 different seasons, and has the most career rebounds in the regular season (23,924), the highest career average (22.9 rpg).

Watching a basketball game, you quickly realize that just as important as getting the ball in the hoop is when you miss the hoop, catching the REBOUND!

The Bible is chocked full of examples of REBOUNDS. Naturally they’re not labeled as such, but we can learn as much from Biblical REBOUNDS as we can Basketball – i.e. Samson, Moses, David, and even Peter, Paul, and Onesimus.

Proverbs 24:16 tells us, “A just man falls seven times, and rises up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.”

Our modern vernacular says, “A just man falls seven times, and REBOUNDS again. By not getting back up, you’ve only shown you’re shallow and lack maturity. In fact, NOT getting back up is considered not just failure, but in Proverbs’ terms…the WICKED are the ones that DON’T get back up!

The true mark of your success is not in never having fallen; it’s most assuredly in the fact that you HAVE fallen, and taken the REBOUND and getting back in the game!

Study Not to be Noisy or Nosy

June 22, 2011R. Mangold

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15

“What about him,” asked Peter as he motioned to John (the disciple whom Jesus loved).

“What is it to you if I allow him to live until I return? Just follow me,” replied Jesus. (John 21)

At times we have an innate propensity to “concern” ourselves with someone else’s situation, especially if we feel they have an advantage over us. Peter even tried it with Jesus. The disciples surely must have questioned why it was that John seemed to be Jesus’ “favorite?” See a related Serminute entitled, “God’s Heartbeat” for an illustration of one such account.

Joshua on the other hand said it well when he stated, “as for me…” He left the choosing to the people. When it comes to committing, it would do us well to have an “As-For-Me” mentality. Yes, be prayerfully and genuinely concerned for your brother and sister, but when it comes to commitment, the only one you can truly vouch for is you. Paul admonished the Thessalonians not to be noisy…or nosy, saying, “study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you.”

The next time you find yourself questioning the integrity, commitment, and loyalty of a fellow servant of God, be reminded of Jesus’ words, “What is it to you?”

The Secret to the Redwood's Majesty

June 21, 2011R. Mangold

The northern California coast plays host to the world’s tallest and most majestic tree; The Redwood. Known for their enormous height and beauty, the secret to the strength of this giant can be traced to its extensive root system. Towering up to 350 feet, the Redwood’s root system is surprisingly shallow. Buried no deeper than 6 to 10 feet below these skyscrapers, you will find a convoluted network that travels for miles beyond each individual tree to intertwine into a sophisticated root system. With a lifespan of nearly 2000 years and each tree weighing nearly 500 tons, the success and longevity of this kingly tree is a direct result of the tapestry of interwoven roots that connect with other Redwoods.

Despite having shallow roots in the sandy soil of California; these trees have survived for centuries not independently but collectively. The Apostle Paul stated we are members of one body. If we think we can survive in isolation, we’re wrong. As Christians our survival depends on our ability to band together until “we all come in the unity of faith.” (Eph. 4:13)

Let us take to heart the lesson the Redwoods teach us; united we stand and divided we fall.

Redwood Ecology – California Stateparks (Link)

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