Category: Humility

Big Lessons in Small Packages – Widow's Mites

R. Mangold

And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, 2 and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. 3 So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; 4 for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God,but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.” Luke 21: 1 – 4

Who can truly say what he or she has is exclusively theirs? James reminds us, “Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights… (James 1:16-17)

If what we’ve been given comes from God anyway, why be so stingy? Why do we clench our hands so tightly and hoard the blessings God has so generously provided?

Several reasons… 

  • We’re selfish
  • We don’t trust God
  • We mistake prosperity with God’s approval
  • We see blessings as scarce when God is truly the source
  • We love the BLESSINGS more than the BLESS-ER

God doesn’t need your dough! All things were created through Him and for Him (Col. 1:16). Your giving isn’t as important to God as it is to YOU. Understand this; few things in life disrupt the flow of God’s blessings like arrogance, pride, and selfishness. It’s absurd to think we can supplant God’s provision with our own chicanery, cunning and contrivance.

The poor widow’s giving amounted to more than the wealthy, because God can do more with your humility and generosity than you can with your affluence and influence!

“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

Big Lessons in Small Packages – A Child

R. Mangold

13 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. 15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. 16 And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them. (Mark 10:13 – 16)

One of the most profound of all “Big Lessons in Small Packages” has to be this portion of Jesus’ teaching. The “adults” were quick to shoo away the children assuming they would be more of a nuisance to Jesus. There were only a few times Jesus was this “displeased.” One such episode resulted in Jesus quite literally “turning the tables” on “religious” professionals of His day. The impact of Jesus’ words regarding children had virtually the same effect.

By no means was Jesus saying become childish, in fact, Paul said to put away childish things (I Cor. 13:11). Rather Jesus was teaching us to strip away the pretense we display as adults; afraid to convey any sign of tenderness, love, and humility. As adults, we’re constantly on guard, always in control, have all the answers, and put on a strong front. Tragically, we keep a tally of those who’ve wronged us, harboring grudges, we lash out in anger, we distrust, we retaliate, we remain bitter. But as children, we were quick to love, quick to forget, and quick to move on. These qualities and childlike nature give us a glimpse into the beautiful Kingdom God is preparing for His “children!”

“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

Hippocratic or Hypocritcal?

R. Mangold

In the 5th Century Hippocrates, the “Father of Western Medicine” penned the words to perhaps history’s oldest binding document, the Hippocratic Oath. A portion of this oath states, “I will do no harm or injustice to them [patients].” Graduating medical students swear, to the best of their ability, to cure their patient doing the least amount of harm in the process, and when possible strive not to further exacerbate the wound or condition.

When a wayward sinner, who is bound by addictions, battered and abused by the world, and kicked to the proverbial curb of life, enters our doors, we’d do well to adhere to the Hippocratic Oath as Christians; DO NO HARM! How dare we sneer and thumb our noses at the mirror-image of who we were before Christ found us? Have we grown so accustomed to God’s blessings and favor that we’ve forgotten, but for the grace God we’d be in their very shoes?

Rather than take a “Hypocritical” approach of the priest and Levite, oblivious to the anguish and pain, let us adopt the Samaritan’s “Hippocratic” approach who was quick to provide healing to the wounded traveler – because…”such were some of you.”

Source Link to Hippocratic Oath Information: U.S. National Library of Medicine

 

“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

God's Order or Ours?

R. Mangold

What glorious paths can be ours when we tap into, and allow God’s Order to become our own! From the beginning we can see that our God is indeed a God of order. He is NOT chaotic, but very methodical; structuring our world from the very seed out…to include all of life that is. And placing within that seed that which will sustain and propagate life through the ages.

The Problem comes when we, that is Man, begins to worship the order over the God of the order (in his search of an image). And when God does not grace us with His Presence, due to our sins, or whatever…we (like Saul) take it upon ourselves to do it on our own. We order the thing and present “our thing” as “God’s thing” and try to manipulate, dominate and coerce others into it, with a great degree of exclusivity involved. (After all, IT IS, ‘our thing’) and we end up with something that kinda resembles God…and yet, not at all. For at its heart it is corrupt and flesh based.

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

To Rebel is to Repel

R. Mangold

Yet honor me [Saul] now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and beforeIsrael, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD thy God. (I Sam. 15:30)

Once the most humble man in Israel, rebellious Saul was stripped of his kingship. When told of God’s rejection, Saul quickly sidesteps his relationship saying the “Lord THY God.” In stark contrast, David’s vocabulary is replete with relationship in Psalms, “I will love thee, O LORD, my strength, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer; my God…” (18:1-2). Remember, when you rebel, you repel your relationship with God!

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

Humble Beginnings

R. Mangold

Moses started out a basket case. David was a sheepish boy. Solomon was a sleeper. And, Jonah was fish bait. Moses went on to lead Israel to the Promised Land. David was “giant-killing” man after God’s own heart. Solomon was the wisest man of his day. Jonah preached a revival message that saved a nation. Don’t underestimate God’s resourcefulness in your life. He even used a vocal donkey to save a prophet’s life!

 “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


Living by the Sword…of the Spirit

R. Mangold

Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. (Matt. 26:52) Jesus commanded Peter to put the sword in its place. Do you have the Word of God or the “Sword of the Spirit” in its rightful place? We obtain Eternal Life by that Sword, and our flesh is to “die daily” by that same Sword; cutting away carnality, yet being clothed in humility.

“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



A Leader Willing to be Led

R. Mangold

And he Moses said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence. Ex. 33:15 – As strong of a leader as Moses was, he was also humble enough to know that unless God carried them, their travels were destined for failure. I wonder how many burdens would be lifted and cares would be released, were we to allow God to carry us and leave his proverbial footprints in the sand of our lives?

“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.