Integrity – Serminutes – Sermon in a Minute

Making More Out of Our Children

September 7, 2011July 23, 2018R. Mangold

MakingChildren While Woodrow Wilson was president of Princeton University (1902-1910), he is reported to have made this speech to a group of parents. (Source Link: Holman Old Testament Commentary)

I get many letters from you parents about your children. You want to know why we people up here in Princeton can’t make more out of them and do more for them. Let me tell you the reason we can’t. It may shock you just a little, but I am not trying to be rude. The reason is that they are your sons, reared in your homes, blood of your blood, bone of your bone. They have absorbed the ideals of your homes. You have formed and fashioned them. They are your sons. In those malleable, moldable years of their lives you have forever left your imprint upon them.

Our 28^th President of the United States seems to have struck a nerve and verbalized what every good Sunday School teacher, preacher, and pastor has been saying for years – We can only do so much in the time we’re given at church. As parents we could unrealistically expect our pastors and teachers to miraculously do in a couple of hours a week, what we fail to do with the remainder of our time with our children.

Training up a child in the way he should go takes a commitment. Trainers must train themselves as well. If we’re inadequately training ourselves to be good Christians, how could we even think we’re equipped to train our children. The best way to train them? By example. Children will follow our lead…good or bad. Make each moment count with them and don’t expect your pastor to do it in just one or two services a week. The investment your make in your child doesn’t impact just them, but generations to come; for the promise is unto you AND your children.

Related Topics

Children – Loving, Parenting, and Cultivating Them for Success

“Serminutes” – Sermon in a Minute. One Minute Spiritual Sermonettes and Sermon Ideas for Busy Christians, Pastors, Teachers, and Bible Students! Visit our ABOUT PAGE for details on what exactly that is. Thank you for visiting today! May the Lord richly bless you. Rev. RD Mangold

No Such Thing as a Secret

August 29, 2011R. Mangold

There is a great deal of controversy today surrounding our privacy and the lack thereof. Our government seems to have taken great lengths to ensure that your privacy be limited. Every aspect of our lives seems to be monitored in some fashion.

Government agencies can retrieve records of every transaction that you perform. From the things you purchase at the grocery store right down to the type of toilet paper you use.

– Every store you shop at more than likely has security cameras

– Hidden cameras make videos of practical jokes being played on people

– Spy cams and “Nanny Cams”

– You can even view your home as it would be seen from space with satellite cameras

We are being closely scrutinized today from every corner of our lives. But, even as tenacious as the government is, it has its limits…But an even HIGHER POWER is watching and sees it ALL!

This HIGHER POWER is not seeking to infringe on our privacy, but we will be called into judgment one day by God Almighty. Every aspect of our lives will be vividly called into view one day. And those events will have one of 2 labels Good or Evil.

Amazing how differently we act when we know we’re being recorded. The most frightening aspect of this whole scenario could be that not only will our actions be called into question but our thoughts and intents as well. There will be no secrets with God.

Consider these passages…

Psalm 19:12 – Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.

Eccl 12:14 – For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

Daniel 2:22 – He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.

Luke 8:16-18 – No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light. 17 For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad. 18 Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

Lot's Law of Unintended Consequences

July 25, 2011R. Mangold

Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other. ¹²Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. ¹³But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly. Genesis 13:11 -13

Lot witnessed firsthand the blessings God showered on Abraham’s household. Just by virtue of the fact Lot accompanied Abraham he too lived a blessed life. When the blessings began to cause “strife,” Abraham released Lot to go in the direction of his choice. Given the chance, who wouldn’t have chosen the well-watered plains of Jordan?

The law of unintended consequences played heavily in Lot’s choice of the “greener pastures” of Jordan and cost him dearly. Despite his best efforts to positively affect his environment, Lot was the only righteous man in Sodom (2 Peter 2:7) and was spared, but tragically his family would never be the same. Lot’s rebellious wife became a pillar of salt. His sons-in-law were incinerated with the Sodomites. Finally, in a drunken stupor Lot’s incestuous relationship with his two daughters birthed the Moabites and the Ammonites who were wicked before the Lord and arch-enemies of Israel.

We may be tempted to make choices in the name of popularity, convenience, or financial security, but at what catastrophic cost? Choices made now can forever affect your descendants for generations to come. Weigh each choice against the backdrop of God’s perfect Will and direction for your life; not wowed by “greener pastures.”

“Unintended Consequences” Series – LINK

“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 View Inside vs. Man's View Outside

July 20, 2011R. Mangold

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart. I Samuel 16:7

When reading this text we could view man’s inability to see through to the heart as a negative; it’s not – it’s a reality. When God looks on the heart, only He can fairly judge the “thoughts and intents of the heart.” But, man is not helpless in making some judgment calls.

On several occasions the bible indicates man’s judgment is based on what he sees outwardly. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always tell the whole story if our intent is to mask our true feelings. Good or bad our outward appearance tells a story.

Even Jesus indicated this by saying, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works (outward appearance – my addition), and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Matt. 5:16).” In other words, what you do reflects your relationship (or lack thereof) with your Heavenly Father.

Next time you feel it doesn’t matter what you do, and people shouldn’t judge based on the things you say and the choices you make – remember, man looks on the outward; it’s the only way he can judge your character. There may be some bias, but it’s a reality even God knows exists. The best way to be properly judged by both God and man is to ensure both your heart and your actions align properly with God’s perfect will!

Knowing vs. Feeling

July 18, 2011R. Mangold

For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: Job 19:25

A great deal of what we do is predicated by what we feel. Our society is all about doing whatever makes us feel good. Think about how many times a day you say these words, “I feel like…or I don’t feel like.” But, what about a level of living that goes beyond what we feel and centers more around what we know?

Folks that live in this dimension are more driven. For example, we know exercise is good for us, and if we determined to do it only when we felt like it, with few exceptions, we just plain wouldn’t do it. We know that eating certain food is healthy for us, so our choices, if lead by knowing vs. feeling will include, according to nutritionists, are better for you.

When living for God, there is a time we must fall back upon what we know and less upon what we feel. Knowing God’s Will and Word, will take you much farther than just “feeling” it. Our feelings are so fickle. If we waited until we felt like praising God, our flesh would soon win out.

Job couldn’t change the way he felt about his dilemma, but he tapped into a vital resource, his knowledge of who his redeemer is! Life is going to make you feel highs and lows. Your moods will change like the wind, but what should never change is what you know God is capable of…exceeding, abundantly above all that we could ask or think!

Digging Wells of the Past – Special Dedication

July 17, 2011R. Mangold

And Isaac dug again the wells of water, which they had dug in the days of Abraham his father; for the Philistines had stopped them after the death of Abraham: and he called their names after the names by which his father had called them. Genesis 26:18

The legacy we leave to our children is of utmost importance. A prime example was Abraham. Even God said, “I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment (Gen. 18:19).” Abraham’s legacy went beyond wealth and prestige, it instituted a perpetual generational blessing. Many times over God described Himself as the “God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” What a testament to the integrity and longevity of Abraham’s dynasty!

As important however, was Isaac’s continuation of that dynasty. When the malevolent Philistines filled the wells Isaac dug with his father, Isaac never hesitated, he dug them again. Yes, water in Isaac’s day was paramount, but his purpose for unearthing those wells “ran much deeper.” You see, Isaac was a pivotal figure in the propagation of God’s purpose. He was the inescapable link between the past of his father Abraham, and the future of his son Jacob (later named Israel).

They may have just been wells to the Philistines, but they represented far more to Isaac. The wells represented a perpetuation of God’s blessings; flowing from the past in which they were promised, to the future in which they would come to fruition.

NOTE: This Serminute is dedicated to my grandson Gavin Rodger Mangold. Born April 21, 2011, weighing 9.15 lbs. and measuring 23″ long. Today Gavin will be dedicated at our church, Grace Apostolic Church of Clawson. May his father, Nathanael Rodger Mangold, continue to allow the flow of God’s perpetual blessings from my generation, to Gavin’s. I’ve carried this legacy as it was handed down to me by my parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. To God be the glory!

Fixated on the Quick Fix

July 16, 2011R. Mangold

A “Quick Fix” is any activity, even if legitimate, that avoids a real solution to a problem or challenge; always looking for the easy way out. We don’t want to face the hard work associated with learning or gaining experience from facing challenges and dealing with dilemmas. After all, that would take real courage, and who has time for that?

Quick fixes come in many shapes and sizes. There are the scams for getting rich, losing weight, gaining strength, and saving time and money. Ironically, we spend millions each year for quick fixes, and were we able to calculate these figures, one could suggest, we may be spending more on quick fixes than actual solutions? In other words, do we spend more on Band-aids than we do on the cure?

Spiritually, quick fixes lead to counterfeit Christianity – Christian “characteristics” vs. the Christ-like Character. We feebly imitate something we cannot duplicate. Growth, integrity, and experience with God are constants. There is no substitute for any of these elements. You can’t buy them or bypass them. Inevitably, we must all measure up to the Gold Standard – God’s Word. There is no shortcut…anything short of the proper way; Jesus said is a “thief and a robber.” John 10:1

Changing the Unchangable?

July 10, 2011R. Mangold

My son, fear thou the Lord and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change: For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knows the ruin of them both? (Proverbs 24:21-22)

What brings a man or a woman to the point of lowering their guard on God’s mandates? What burning insatiable desire in mankind causes us to spin and take an “about face” stance on issues that before were nonnegotiable? Simply put…PRIDE!

No longer in pursuit of God’s sanctioning, preferring rather the approval of our fellow man, we insist on our intellect, we impose our position, we conspire to retire the essence, the anointing, the power, and the favor! Much like Uzzah, who touched the Ark of the Covenant, so too does mankind touch and tarnish, desire to desecrate, foundational truths. It seems everything we touch, we contaminate with our pride, our preferences, and prejudices.

God is God – He doesn’t change! But, some change can be good when we “decrease” and God “increases.” But, if the catalyst for change is based in self satisfaction or personal preference, we put our plans above God’s and we destabilize those over which we have influence. Uzzah thought he was stabilizing the Ark, when in reality he was indicating his ideas and mode of transport for God’s anointing were superior to God’s commandments. The outcome cost Uzzah his life, and disrupted the flow of God’s anointing and favor to the entire nation of Israel!

Who Was Tempting Who?

July 7, 2011R. Mangold

Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. Matthew 4:1

Ironically, the devil can’t resist a good temptation nor can he resist spreading lies. He started in Eden and he hasn’t stopped since. He relished the idea of bringing God’s first created humans to their demise. Satan salivated at the idea of making God’s perfect and upright servant Job curse God. Then Lucifer lasciviously set his sights on Jesus Christ!

The devil attacking when he believed Christ was at His weakest, soon found himself face to face with the conqueror of all conquerors; the King of all Kings; the Lord of all Lords! With each temptation Christ stealthily wielded the Sword of the Spirit defeating the devil on each front – lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, and the pride of life!

The devil is the very embodiment of evil, wickedness, and pride – He was just prideful enough to think he even stood a chance of bringing the likes of Jesus Christ to his knees. It was the devil’s own foolish pride that tempted him into tempting Jesus! It’s almost as if God, knowing the devil couldn’t resist the temptation of tempting Jesus, allowed it to happen to crush Satan one more time! Knowing this fact, one could argue…who was tempting who?

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!

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