Category: Perseverance

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

Mountaintop Experiences – Must Be Present to Win

R. Mangold

And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them. Exodus 24:12

This may sound counterintuitive if you’re looking for motivation to “do” something for God, but there are times God doesn’t want us do anything…just “be there.” One of the most difficult things for us to master is the art standing still and letting God be God; yielding full control to Him – we must decrease in order for God to increase! This is not an excuse to sit around and do nothing; rather it’s an admonishment to know when to wait on the Lord!

God called Moses up to the mount, not “do” or “give,” something, but to receive. In order to receive we must be present with no pretense. God wanted to “give” Moses the commandments so he could in turn “teach” or “give” the Israelites the benefit of God’s covenant and commandments.

In our busy fast-paced world, our challenge is simply to “be there.” We’re bombarded with phone calls, voicemail, email, and texts, which often distract us from being “present” in very important situations, not the least of which are times when our family, or more importantly, God is trying to get our attention! Like the old adage says when it comes to drawings…you must be present to win!

Part of the Mountaintop Experiences Serminute Series

“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 Art of the Rebound

R. Mangold

Wilt Chamberlain holds the NBA record for the most REBOUNDS leading the NBA in rebounds in 11 different seasons, and has the most career rebounds in the regular season (23,924), the highest career average (22.9 rpg).

Watching a basketball game, you quickly realize that just as important as getting the ball in the hoop is when you miss the hoop, catching the REBOUND!

The Bible is chocked full of examples of REBOUNDS. Naturally they’re not labeled as such, but we can learn as much from Biblical REBOUNDS as we can Basketball – i.e. Samson, Moses, David, and even Peter, Paul, and Onesimus.

Proverbs 24:16 tells us, “A just man falls seven times, and rises up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.”

Our modern vernacular says, “A just man falls seven times, and REBOUNDS again. By not getting back up, you’ve only shown you’re shallow and lack maturity. In fact, NOT getting back up is considered not just failure, but in Proverbs’ terms…the WICKED are the ones that DON’T get back up!

The true mark of your success is not in never having fallen; it’s most assuredly in the fact that you HAVE fallen, and taken the REBOUND and getting back in the game!

“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 Secret to the Redwood's Majesty

R. Mangold

The northern California coast plays host to the world’s tallest and most majestic tree; The Redwood. Known for their enormous height and beauty, the secret to the strength of this giant can be traced to its extensive root system. Towering up to 350 feet, the Redwood’s root system is surprisingly shallow. Buried no deeper than 6 to 10 feet below these skyscrapers, you will find a convoluted network that travels for miles beyond each individual tree to intertwine into a sophisticated root system. With a lifespan of nearly 2000 years and each tree weighing nearly 500 tons, the success and longevity of this kingly tree is a direct result of the tapestry of interwoven roots that connect with other Redwoods. 

Despite having shallow roots in the sandy soil of California; these trees have survived for centuries not independently but collectively. The Apostle Paul stated we are members of one body. If we think we can survive in isolation, we’re wrong. As Christians our survival depends on our ability to band together until “we all come in the unity of faith.” (Eph. 4:13)  

Let us take to heart the lesson the Redwoods teach us; united we stand and divided we fall.

Redwood Ecology – California Stateparks (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

A Friend Named "Failure"

R. Mangold

II Cor. 12:9 – And he said unto me [Paul], My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

  • If Failure exposes our weakness…
  • If Failure removes the veneer of pride and selfishness…
  • If Failure causes God’s strength to be perfected in us…
  • If Failure draws us closer to God…

Then Failure is our friend!

These famous people defined their failure as…

  • “Failure is only the opportunity to begin again, only this time more wisely.”– Henry Ford

  • “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”– Thomas Edison

  • “If you have made mistakes, even serious ones, there is always another chance for you. What we call failure is not the falling down, but the staying down.”– Mary Pickford

  • “I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” – Michael Jordan

The Unrelenting Rizpah

R. Mangold

To no fault of their own, Rizpah’s 2 sons were hanged; their bodies left to feed the wild beasts. Parents, if you’re facing the trauma of a child who’s ravaged by the repercussions  of sin, take Rizpah’s tenacity to heart! At great peril to herself, this courageous mother stood guard over her sons’ corpses. God is merciful and not willing that any perish, but calls us to repent. Where’s there’s life, there’s hope! Others may give up on your child, and believe all hope is lost, but praying parents can fend off any attack from the enemy of their souls. NO ONE can pray for your child like YOU CAN Mom and Dad!

Scripture: And Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth, and spread it for her upon the rock, from the beginning of harvest until water dropped upon them out of heaven, and suffered neither the birds of the air to rest on them by day, nor the beasts of the field by night. 2 Sam. 21:10

“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 Time to Forget

R. Mangold

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 3:13-14)

Paul was relentless in his pursuit of God! However, If he was ever going to become for God, all that God intended him to be…

There were 3 things that Paul HAD to forget….

  1. He had to forget his past accomplishments.
  2. He had to forget his past crimes against the Truth.
  3. He had to forget the wounds in his life caused by others.

By Guest Author Rev. Jim Willoughby – Long-time friend and co-laborer in Christ, Rev. Jim Willoughby has inspired literally thousands with his anointed preaching, powerful discernment, and laser-sharp focus on winning the lost for Christ. We want extend a very warm welcome and heart-felt thanks to Jim for his contribution to Serminutes, and we look forward to many more to come! Visit Bro. Willoughby’s 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

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

He'll Leave the Light on For You

R. Mangold

And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Joshua 10:13 – In another place it says, “let not the sun go down upon your wrath:” Today, while the sun is yet shining, we MUST take vengeance upon the things that are standing between us and our walk with God? He’ll be there to support you, and just like Motel 6…”He’ll leave the light on for you!”

“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.


Ready to Reap

R. Mangold

Friends, they that wait on the Lord will renew their strength. You know why you’re so weary in well doing? You’ve forgotten who you’re waiting on! You’ve tried so long to make it on your strength; you’ve grown weary of the promise. You gave up before your reaping season even started. HE IS THE GOD OF THE HARVEST! Don’t stop sowing, don’t stop believing; your reaping season is set to ignite! Wait I say upon the Lord!

“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.