Category: Faith

Big Lessons in Small Packages – The Cloud

R. Mangold

And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man’s hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare [thy chariot], and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not. (I Kings 18:44)

Prior to this passage, Elijah decreed, “There is a sound of abundance of rain.” A spiritual precedent ensues. What you hear, God’s Word, will precede what you see…the miracle! The “sound” meant that rain was on its way. After 7 failed attempts at seeing the incoming precipitation, Elijah’s servant finally came back with news of a “little cloud.” It wasn’t rain, but it contained the rain.

This “little” cloud represented faith to a prophet who knew the 3-year-long drought was about to end. Faith is the substance of things hoped for. The cloud contained the substance, or evidence of the unseen rain. That’s why as Christians, we walk by faith, not by sight.

Sight says, “That’s just a cloud.”

Faith says, “That’s no ordinary cloud, that cloud contains the tangible substance and evidence we’re hoping for…rain!”

Don’t underestimate the worth of a “little” cloud, it could be saturated with a deluge of promised life-giving rain! If God plants His Word in you, no matter how long your drought, don’t stop looking for rain. For those who love God, His Word is enough. If God has spoken it, listen for and anticipate the showers of abundant rain!

“Serminute” Series – Big Lessons in Small Packages

“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

I Met God

R. Mangold

I Met God
by Ralph Cushman

I met God in the morning,
when my day was at its best.
And His Presence came like glory,
a sunrise in my breast.

All day long His Presence lingered,
all day long He stayed with me…
And we sailed in perfect calmness,
O’er a very troubled sea.

Other ships were blown and battered;
Other ships were sore distressed.
But the winds that seemed to drive them,
Brought to us such peace and rest.

Then I thought of other mornings,
With a keen remorse of mind.
When I too had loosed the moorings,
with the Savior left behind.

So I think I know the secret,
learned from many a troubled way…
You must seek God in the morning,
if you want Him in the day

Submitted by Rev. J.S. Willoughby – To read other posts by Rev. J.S. Willoughby visit his blog at http://jswilloughby.wordpress.com

“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

Righteous Enough to Get Your Prayers Answered?

R. Mangold

If you’ve ever prayed God would perform the miraculous for you, you know what it’s like to hope with all that lies within you that God will answer. Of course, there are times God is silent and our request is seemingly denied. But, we’re quick to quote, “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much;” almost as if to say, if we’re “righteous enough” God will take up our cause. But, can we truly determine how righteous we are by twisting God’s arm?

There was never a greater righteous man than Christ. Every time He called upon heaven His prayers were answered; blinded eyes opened, deaf ears unstopped, raging seas tamed, and the dead resurrected. Christ’s track record was stellar. However, in his darkest hour in the Garden of Gethsemane, feeling the impending doom, Christ prayed three times, “Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but thy will be done.” Yet he still had to drink the “bitter cup.” Today, don’t be discouraged by unanswered requests. Humanity was afforded salvation and redemption when Christ set aside his own humanity and prayed, “Father, thy will be done.”

“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

My Promise Is NOT for the Birds

R. Mangold

And when the fowls came down upon the carcasses, Abram drove them away. Gen. 15:11

Abram called God out about the promises He made about his future. Confirming His Word, God told Abraham to prepare a sacrifice; his answer is on the way. Soon vultures dove in to devour his sacrifice, but Abram “drove them away” until the Word of God arrived.

When God gives you a promise, and you’ve made the necessary sacrifice, the enemy is quick to swoop in to consume it. Have FAITH in God’s Promises, and prepare to resist the devouring doubts and fears until your promise comes to pass! Your promise isn’t for the birds!

CONVINCED!

R. Mangold

John 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

It is NOT enough to believe Truth; we must believe it enough to LIVE IT!

Peter said, We believe AND ARE SURE…We’re CONVINCED that you’ve got it!  And we won’t find it ANYWHERE ELSE!  Whether I understand or I don’t understand! I’M CONVINCED!

When people can walk away from Jesus, for whatever reason…they testify by their going they were NEVER truly CONVINCED that Jesus has the words to eternal life.

By Guest Author Rev. James Willoughby is an Evangelist and Bible Teacher, as well as a published author. His teaching ministry, Focal Points carries him into many different venues. Emphasizing…discipleship training, small group development, structures and strategies for leadership, and ministry mentoring for young men and women. His evangelistic ministry has been blessed of God with great anointing, and powerful demonstration of the Spirit in healings and miracles as he ministers the Word of Faith. View all posts by jswilloughby →

“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

Is Light Really Faster Than Sound?

R. Mangold

Light does indeed travel faster than sound, but when it comes to God, the SOUND of His Word preceded the existence of LIGHT. God spoke, and then the light came forth! So His Word will always outpace the light. That’s why even during the dark times, I have to walk by faith not by sight and trust the sound of the Shepherd’s voice…”Let there be light!”

“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

Faith is a FORCE!

R. Mangold

Faith is more than a fuzzy word we throw out to encourage someone to believe God will answer their prayer. Faith is a FORCE! Faith is a force so great that just a “mustard grain’s” worth of it will move an entire mountain. By faith patriarchs of old subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens! Sound like a buzz-word, or a force of nature to you? (Heb. 11:33-39)

“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

The Journey's as Important as the Destination

R. Mangold

It’s a “no-no” to read a book’s ending first; the story leading up to the conclusion is just as important. You may want to know how and when your dilemma will end, but before you skip ahead to the end, what lessons are you learning while on your journey? God is writing your story; He knows your end from the beginning. Trust not only your outcome, but every chapter in between to the “Author and Finisher of our Faith!”

“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