Category: Mission

Mission "Ant-possible 3" – The Power of a Team

R. Mangold

There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise: The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer. Proverbs 30:24-25

Despite Proverbs stating the ant isn’t a strong creature, it is able to lift 20-50 times greater than their own weight all done with their mouth muscles. If a 175 lb. man could lift this weight with his mouth it would be nearly 8800 lbs.

Alone, an ant could accomplish very little, but multiply their efforts by millions; you have a true force to be reckoned with. And, if the weight of all the ants in the world were combined, their weight would be greater than the weight of all the humans.

God’s multiplication is even better; 1 can put 1000 to flight; 2 can put 10,000 to flight! Jesus had a team of 12 and empowered them to evangelize the entire world. If you’re a Christian reading this, Jesus’ team set the gold standard for effectiveness. Let’s continue building the team Jesus started over 2000 years ago. Our work, like the ants’ is never done. Let’s colonize the place Jesus is preparing for all of us – Heaven!

“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


Mission "Ant-possible 2" – The Power to Rebuild

R. Mangold

There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise: The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer. Proverbs 30:24-25

As children we were amazed at the speed with which ants rebuilt after we maliciously spread the tiny grains of sand that comprised their homes. Without fail like tiny machines the ants would return to rebuild their mounds.

Ants aren’t a strong “people,” but what they lack in strength, they make up for in wisdom and tenacity. They show no visible signs of complaining. They just keep their heads down, roll up their sleeves and get to the business of rebuilding.

We’re going to have setbacks in life; emotional, financial, spiritual or otherwise. One may argue, the ant knows no better, that’s what their created to do. I would argue we do know better, and have a God who’s willing to help us rebuild saying, “cast all your cares upon me, because I care for you.”

Remember a just man falls seven times, and rises up again. Next time the devil kicks over your world consider the wisdom of the ant and her ability to rebuild…setback after setback!

“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


Mission "Ant-possible!"

R. Mangold

Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Proverbs 6:6

Solomon was contrasting the sluggard with the industrious ant, but as Christians, what’s our take-home message? Have we become like Aesop’s lazy grasshopper, basking in the temporary pleasures of this world, flitting from one blade of grass to another seeking enjoyment and pleasure? Or, are we like the laser-sharp-focused ant who never forgets she’s on “Mission from God?” We’ve been commanded to go into all the world preaching the Gospel of Christ’s Death, Burial and Resurrection. An ant builds a colony, numbering in some cases in the millions. Let’s make God’s Mission, our mission. Let’s work the harvest while it is day, and colonize for the Kingdom of Heaven.

“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

God's Heartbeat

R. Mangold

Tonight, as we sat at supper with Jesus, tensions ran high. I had this compelling urge to stay as close to Him as I could. Perhaps to the envy of the other 11, I laid my head on Jesus’ chest. Within our Messiah, God robed in flesh, I felt the beat a human heart! Yet, it beat with much more authority than mine; there was a pure resolve as if He were on a mission to save the whole world. Bold and resolute, His heart beat with compassionate overtures of mercy and love. My heart’s desire is for HIS heartbeat to become mine, HIS passion, my passion, and HIS mission, my mission. John – The Disciple Whom Jesus Loved

NOTE: Of course I paraphrased here, but I’m fascinated by the notion that John actually laid his head against Jesus’ chest. What a powerful portrait, to be that close to feel Christ’s heartbeat. Is it any wonder John’s called the “Disciple Whom Jesus Loved?”

“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