Category: Love

Digging Wells of the Past – Special Dedication

R. 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!

“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 Daring God

R. Mangold

For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:6-8

Who doesn’t have a hero to look up to in life who has braved challenges and come through – some victorious in this life, others having gone on to meet their reward in the Life to come.

Stories of survival – be it from illness, danger, or tragedy, those brave souls who “dared” put their fears to the side and face head-on the challenges they were presented with, inspire us all.

For Christians, Jesus braved impossible circumstance as He “dared”…

  • To robe himself in flesh and walk amongst his creation
  • To be tempted in all points like we are,
  • To be wrongfully accused…
  • To be beaten and broken for our sin!
  • To face Death, Hell, and the Grave and take back the Keys!

Despite coming to His own, and not being welcomed…

Despite humanity’s propensity for cruelty, wickedness, and sin…God dared to love us when we were unlovable!

God dared to give even when our capacity to receive had yet to be realized.

Knowing the lengths to which God went to prove His love for you…

Knowing He dared to love you…

Won’t you dare to love HIM today with all your soul, mind and strength?

“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

Disposed to Dispose

R. Mangold

For there is no respect of persons with God. Romans 2:11

We live in a disposable society. We eat off of paper plates, drink out of plastic cups and use throw away napkins. We shave with disposable razors, take pictures with throw-away cameras, clean our houses and baby’s backsides with disposable wipes and we even have what the accountants call, “disposable income!”

Dare I say, this “throw-away” mentality can even creep into our spiritual walk…

  • We swap churches and faiths like name brands
  • We wait until we’re in a good mood to praise God
  • We don’t like this sermon, so we’ll wait for the next one

 This disposable mentality can have us even feeling that way about people…

  • We avoid praying with people because the look “different”
  • We only share Christ with the “normal” people
  • We only help others when it benefits us

God’s commandments are not based on OUR “personal preferences!” We are to be lead by God’s Love and Mercy! God’s Kingdom is eternal, comprised of the souls of humanity. Don’t cast aside opportunities to share God’s unmerited grace and unfailing love with everyone…not just those we “deem” worthy. No soul is disposable to God – He gave His only begotten Son to save us ALL!

“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

Let There Be

R. Mangold

1In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.3And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. 4And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. Genesis 1:1-4

“Let there be…” God spoke into nothingness and created everything. He had no base with which to start; no form, no light,…nothing. Before words were even words, God’s Eternal Word authoritatively commanded the heavens and earth into existence.

Perhaps as you read this, you’re feeling like it’s been an eternity since there’s been “light” in your life. Quite literally you have more dark days than light. I have great news friend, God’s Word continues to speak light and life into existence – He’s still saying, “Let there be light!” The only hindrance to the achievement of God’s purpose is simply us drawing back the curtains of our life and “letting” the light of God’s unconditional love to shine its warmth in places we never thought possible.

Initially our response to light may be to squint and might even burn our eyes a bit. But once our vision adjusts, we’ll see by “letting” in light, we let in life and love! No longer will you feel empty, helplessly flailing around in darkness wondering if God even cares.

God saw the light that it was good; so will you. Won’t you let HIM speak the words, “Let there be light” into your 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

Big Lessons in Small Packages – The Tongue (Verbal Bullying)

R. Mangold

Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindles! James 3:5-12

As kids, when bullies called us names, our standard retort was, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me!”  Those words, while meant to volley back against insults, often fell on the deaf ears. According to the School Bullying Council, every day some 160,000 students stay home from school afraid of bullies. With the advent of social networking, there has been an increase in teens committing suicide because of “words” posted on sites like Facebook by “cyber-bullies.” Yes, when taken to heart words can hurt…even kill.

Paul described these “verbal bullies” as “tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not (I Tim. 5:13).” Our words can be as sharp and cutting as any dagger. How tragic would it be, if as Christians we were guilty of bullying fellow Christians? Not physically, but verbally and mentally, isolating them from the body of believers cutting them off from their source of vital spiritual strength. We’re all admonished to “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” (Eph. 4:29)…Oh be careful little tongue what you say!


“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 – The Sparrow

R. Mangold

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. (Matt. 10:29-31)

Sparrows, seemingly inconsequential creatures, make their nests virtually anywhere they please, even being presumptuous enough in David’s day to nest on the altars of the Lord (Ps. 84:3). If one didn’t know better, they’d think their “Daddy owned the place!” Oh wait…He does!

Sold at a bargain price of 2 for a penny (farthing), sparrows were used in ceremonial cleansing of lepers; one was killed, the other set free. It may have been arbitrary to men which was killed, or set free, but not so with God. He took discriminate interest in both.

Our finite thinking dictates, the sheer magnitude of God’s responsibility, the survival and existence of the entire universe, interferes with His ability to account for one single human life; let alone the number of hairs on our head, or the life of an insignificant sparrow…NOT SO! Omniscient, God has the capacity to infinitely know everything that can be known about everything!

You are the hallmark of God’s creation, the apple of His eye, made in HIS likeness and image. Robed in flesh, God Himself became the ransom for your soul. Considering the ultimate price He paid to redeem you, your worth to God is immeasurable!

Related Topics

“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


The Blessing of Intercession

R. Mangold

INTERCESSORS ARE A RARE BREED!

It is not our fine clothes, or cars, or bank accounts that are going to win the lost! And it is not Fund-raisers, Polished Communicators, or Building Contractors that will build the Church of the Living God…but INTERCESSORS!

• ABRAHAM…dickered with God over Sodom…

• SAMUEL…thundered from his knees, “Spare my people!” and the Philistines came NOT AGAIN TO ISRAEL DURING THE LIFE OF SAMUEL…1 Samuel 7

Paul “…I could wish myself accursed for Israel’s sake!”

In Luke 11:1-8…right after they asked Jesus, “Lord teach us to pray…” He tells them of a man who needs bread and goes to his friend at midnight. HE ASKED FOR 3 LOAVES…but because he was URGENT AND TROUBLESOME…HE GAVE HIM AS MUCH AS HE NEEDED!!

JESUS EVER LIVES TO INTERCEDE FOR US!!

But you will never know the ministry of intercession until you allow the Lord to put you in their place…to let you by the Spirit understand their despair…

• The anguish of a broken home

• The loss of a child…

• When the one you love says, “I don’t love you anymore”…

WHEN YOU CAN FEEL THEIR PAIN AND HEAR THEIR VOICE IN THE NIGHT…

THEN YOU’LL PRAY!

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

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

Heaven's Best Seller List

R. Mangold

Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name (Mal. 3:16). The Lord loves being the subject of your conversations, the object of your affections, and the center of your attention. He so enjoys this, He’s writing a book about it! The starring role is none other than Y-O-U! It’s sure to on Heaven’s Best Seller List.

“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

There's Always Plenty at Father's House

R. Mangold

A new robe, a new ring, a new pair of shoes; but didn’t the prodigal son squander all his inheritance? When you come back to Daddy’s House, you’ll soon realize, there’s a few things money can’t buy that the Father had plenty of; Love, Grace, Mercy, and Forgiveness! Arise today dear prodigal from the muck and mire of your squandered past and let the Father meet you on your road to Restoration!

“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.