Bible Study Ideas – Page 10 – Serminutes

Let There Be

June 16, 2011R. 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

STIR IT UP!

June 15, 2011R. Mangold

In 2 Timothy 1:1-6, Paul tells Timothy, the faith that was in your Grandma, and your Mama….I now see is also in you! So this is a gift…passed down from generations. Someone said, “If you ever see a turtle on a fencepost, you know he didn’t get there by himself”.

None of us started out with our own ‘stuff’! Just like the son of Aaron the High Priest. The only anointing upon him was what soaked into the clothes he now wore…FROM HIS FATHER IN MINISTRY! Only AFTER you walk under HIS anointing, do you get your own anointing! That’s where “double portion“ comes from! Nobody can pray it on you! You receive it by manifesting as a faithful son in ministry!

There are gifts passed from generations, deep inside of you…It was there when you were born! You’ve been studying generational curses; you NEED to study generational BLESSINGS!

As you reach adulthood, all the gifting that was apparent in you as a child, has a tendency to get covered up with A LOT OF STUFF….THAT’S why Paul told Timothy…STIR UP THE GIFT!

STIR IT UP, CHILD OF GOD!

By Rev. J.S. Willoughby – To read other posts by Rev. J.S. Willoughby visit his blog at http://jswilloughby.wordpress.com

Limiting the ONE Without Limits

June 14, 2011R. Mangold

Yes, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it? Isaiah 43:13 (AKJV)

Despite being ALL powerful, even God has a limit. As ludicrous as it sounds, what may come as even more of a shock is what that “limit” is…YOU.

I’m not saying we’re more powerful than God. I AM saying each time we attempt to impose our plan over God’s, in essence we limit His ability to bring about a favorable outcome for us. He will not “force” Himself on us. He may through a set of very undesirable circumstances, convince you His way is superior, but the freedom to choose is yours.

What loathsome ingredient in a man’s character would ever insist his plans are better than God’s? Pride! The very look of which God detests (Pro. 6:16-19)! To the reader of Exodus Pharaoh appears to be withstanding God by holding Israel hostage, but God allowed those circumstances to prove it was in Egypt’s best interest to let HIS people go!

Before we limit God, insisting on our God-given right to choose, let’s humbly submit ourselves to God’s Divine Will. He knows our end from our beginning! Let’s remove our prideful limits off God, allowing Him to “work” an optimal outcome for our blessing and His Ultimate Glory!

"Ain't" – A Boy's Fascination with God's Creation

June 13, 2011R. Mangold

He was just a little boy,
On a week’s first day.
Wandering home from Bible school,
And dawdling on the way.

He scuffed his shoes through the grass;
He found a caterpillar.
He found a fluffy milkweed pod,
And blew out all the ‘filler.’

A bird’s nest in a tree o’er head,
So wisely placed up high.
Was just another wonder,
That caught his eager eye.

A neighbor watched his zig zag course,
And hailed him from the lawn;
Asking where he’d been that day
And what was going on.

‘I’ve been to Bible School ,’ He said,
And turned a piece of sod.
Picking up a wiggly worm replied,
‘I’ve learned a lot about God.’

‘M’m very fine way,’ the neighbor said,
‘for a boy to spend his time.’
‘If you’ll tell me where God is,
I’ll give you a brand new dime.’

Quick as a flash the answer came!
Nor were his accents faint.
‘I’ll give you a dollar, Mister,
If you can tell me where God ain’t.’

~ Author Unknown

“Serminute” Series – Big Lessons in Small Packages

God Cannot Lie

June 12, 2011R. Mangold

“Let God be true, but every man a liar…” Romans 3:4

Humanity’s first ever encounter with Satan was laden with insidious deceit. He twisted the truth just enough to convince Eve to take that fateful bite. Satan called God a liar then, and hasn’t stopped spreading his despicable delusions since. When will the people of God stand up and bear witness? GOD CANNOT LIE! God’s Word is absolute, infallible, eternal, and forever settled outlasting both Heaven and Earth! God has magnified His Word “above all” His Name. [Ps. 138:2]

Just by virtue of who God is, He is incapable of lying. The Creative Omniscient Power of God is so vast, the moment He spoke what could defy human logic or the laws of physics, it would cease to NOT be true. So incredible is His power, the moment the words leave God’s lips, it becomes TRUTH! Jesus said it best, “With man it is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” [Matt. 19:26]

In the words of God Himself, “So shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” [Isa. 55:11]

One Chance Too Many

June 11, 2011R. Mangold

Steve Irwin, or as he was nicknamed the Crocodile Hunter, knew the imminent danger he faced each time he approached a deadly creature. By his own estimate, Steve had been bitten by thousands of animals, insisting it was always his fault, not the animals’.

Steve Irwin died September 4, 2006 while filming a documentary in the Great Barrier Reef, when a barb from a Sting Ray entered his heart and killed him instantly. Ironically, after the thousand or so bites and attacks by much wilder animals, a normally peaceful and not easily provoked creature, the Sting Ray took the daredevil Crocodile Hunter’s life!

Like Steve Irwin, we think we can cheat death, or even punishment. The Bible says, “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil [Ecc. 8:11].”

We’d do well to learn from examples of just one offense that resulted in immediate punishment or death – One bite of the fruit (Adam). One glance over the shoulder (Lot’s Wife). One strike of the rock (Moses). One haircut (Samson). One touch of the Ark (Uzzah). One lustful look at a bathing beauty (David).

Some Bridges Are Better Off Burned

June 10, 2011R. Mangold

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God [is] faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. [I Cor. 10:13]

We’ve all heard the adage, “Don’t burn any bridges.” Good advice if you want to leave the channels open to perhaps return to some ONE, some PLACE, or some THING. But, when it comes to our past, sometimes burning bridges is absolutely necessary. Those times when the bridge has brought you to a place in God and there’s no turning back are for one-time use only to get you through your trial or test. It was a way of “escape” to endure your temptation, trial, or test, [I Cor. 10:13] but it’s only a one-way ticket.

God immediately caused the Red Sea to fold back on the Egyptians after Israel’s safe passage. Israel’s enemies, their former way of life, and the shame of slavery were literally washed away forever! What God used to bring Israel out, He also used to destroy their enemies! That proverbial “bridge” was better off burned!

Jesus said, “No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God [Luke 9:62].” There’s no turning back in God. There’s no second-guessing. God is calling you to move forward, put the past to rest, and let that bridge burn!

A Personal Hymn to HIM – Meager Homage

June 9, 2011R. Mangold

A short verse penned in a lucid moment of creativity as I pondered how inadequate my praise is in aptly describing the power, majesty, and sheer glory of God Almighty. ~ RDM

If each pedal from each flower blooms,
Each tree bring fruit to bear,
Each bird its anthem ring at once,
Your praise to fill the air.

If fountains of raindrops, and crashing of waves,
The tide retreating from shore,
In harmony break forth in chorus,
God’s Glory to implore.

Were the wind to whisper then muster a gust,
Or the whirlwind bluster with force;
All pale in meager homage,
To rival their Ultimate Source.

Your Glory spans the universe LORD,
Your Power knows no end,
Your Mercy is everlasting,
Your Love greater than any friend.

It’s Your air I breath, Your Life in my limbs,
Each day is a blessing from You,
May each step I take, each thought I think,
Each moment Your Glory shine through.

Try as I may to sum all Your works,
On pages in books to write,
My time on Earth will not be enough,
Writing from dawn until night.

My finite thoughts are inadequate,
My attempts more feeble than most,
To express my heartfelt gratitude,
For each day YOUR Glory grows.

"Sitting"…Don't Stand For it!

June 8, 2011R. Mangold

A recent scientific study has deftly concluded sitting can be bad for you. The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences says after 4 hours of sitting, the body starts sending harmful signals telling the body’s genes that regulate the amount of glucose and fat to start shutting down. Doctors from the British Journal of Sports Medicine, wrote, “excessive sitting leads to obesity, diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Dangers increase for people who do little exercise as it is.”

Christians, our day calls for action! If we’re sitting around, we’re losing ground! We could easily become “spiritually obese”, gorging ourselves on the blessings of God! David said, “Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful [Psalm 1:1].” Idly standing or sitting is going to get you in trouble!

The angel asked the disciples at Jesus’ ascension, “Why are you standing here gazing?” They had a promise in Jerusalem waiting for them. [Acts 1:11]

I know it’s easier to “sit” and wait for things to happen, but Jesus commanded us to GO! Go compel, preach, baptize, and disciple our world! [Mark 16:15]

Endangered Species

June 7, 2011R. Mangold

There are have been a good number of success stories of saving animals from extinction – The Giant Panda, Bald Eagle, and even the American Alligator. Ironically, many are willing to take up these worthy causes, yet as Christians there is a cause far more worthy, from an eternal standpoint that bears our immediate diligence; the souls of fellow mankind.

Who can forget scenes of people rallying around beached whales, trapped seals, or the oil laden birds from the BP Oil spill in 2010? Amazing efforts to save the animals, save the environment, and ultimately save the planet. But, even Christ taught that heaven and earth will pass away [Matt. 24:35]. We have a duty to evangelize the hurting, the destitute, and the broken. Jesus said he came to seek and to save that which was lost or virtually extinct – His relationship with His people! [Luke 19:10]

Not to take away from our responsibility for the great gifts in God’s Creation, but even Christ placed an even greater value upon YOU, saying, aren’t you worth more than a sparrow? The salvation of our fellow man is of utmost priority to Jesus and He gave His life to provide it for “the world!”

Related Topics

“Serminute” Series – Big Lessons in Small Packages
Sparrows

“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

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