Bible Study Topics – Page 7 – Serminutes

A Piece of Clay – Forming While it Counts

July 19, 2011R. Mangold

I took a piece of plastic clay
And idly fashioned it one day,
And as my fingers pressed it still,
It moved and yielded at my will.

I came again when days were past;
The bit of clay was hard at last,
The form I gave it still it bore,
But I could change that form no more.

I took a piece of living clay,
And gently formed it day by day,
And molded with my power and art
A young child’s soft and yielding heart.

I came again when days were gone;
It was a man I looked upon;
That early impress still he wore,
And I could change it never more.

(Author Unknown)

“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

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

Divine Detour or Rebellious Roadblock

July 15, 2011R. Mangold

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

This is a comforting scripture we often refer to in times of inexplicable circumstances. How blessed we are that God included this reassurance in HIS word for us. There is nothing more disturbing when tragedy and catastrophe happens, than thinking it happened for no good reason. The pain, the anguish and the loss happened and it was just random. We need to know that no matter how dark the trial or test, no matter how long and hard the road, and no matter how much it hurts at this moment, God is going to work it all out…and not just work it out, but work together with my circumstances for something GOOD!

At these crossroads of calamity, if we’re not cautious, we’ll allow the very situation God ordained for our good, to entertain self-pity, incite rebellion, or engender bitterness.

If you’re inclined toward allowing dire circumstances to embitter you, ponder this – Will you allow this junction in your life to remain a “Divine Detour” or become a “Rebellious Roadblock?” Divinely inspired detours result in God’s perfect purpose coming to pass. Rebellious roadblocks result in continued despair and isolation. In so doing, we forever alter the outcome and exempt ourselves from God’s true motive – allowing all things to work together for our good.

Jesus Knew When to Retreat

July 14, 2011R. Mangold

Even brave and courageous heroes know there is a time to fight, and a time to flee. Some battles will exhaust your every resource, weapon, and ration to the point you are unable to continue the war. One of our greatest American patriots, then General George Washington understood this all too well as he faced the greatest military force on the planet, the British Empire.

Holed up in Valley Forge in the winter of 1777-1778, Washington utilized that time to regroup the Continental Army, and on June 19, 1778, six months after its arrival, the army marched away from Valley Forge in pursuit of the British, who were moving toward New York. The ordeal had ended. The war would last for another five years, but for Washington, his men, and the nation to which they sought to give birth, a decisive victory had been won — “a victory not of weapons but of will.”

In 338 B.C. the Greek Orator and Statesman Demosthenes said, “The man who runs may fight again.” There were several opportunities for the Jews to kill Jesus (see below), but He evaded capture, only in the end to conquer Death, Hell, and the Grave! In the grand scheme of things, retreating from minor skirmishes in order to win the war on Sin, was a superior move on Christ’s behalf, and ultimately ours!

Jesus’ was Mission-minded, so when “all things” were fulfilled He could say without reservation, “IT IS FINISHED!”

After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him. John 7:1-9

Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand, 40 And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode. 41 And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spoke of this man were true. 42 And many believed on him there. John 10:39-42

A Daring God

July 13, 2011R. 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?

Mountaintop Experiences – A Different Lesson From Abraham's Sacrifice

July 12, 2011R. Mangold

And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. ²And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.³And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. Genesis 22:1-3

For almost 25 years the only real promise Abraham and Sarah were clinging to was they’d have a son. When the glorious day arrived, true to His Word, “laughter” returned to their household in the form of a bouncing baby boy named Isaac! But, just several years after the promised arrived, a parent’s worst nightmare became Abraham’s reality.

The promised child was now being demanded by the very God that had promised him to be sacrificed! Our instinct would be to offer ourselves rather than our child. But there were no counter-offers, no bartering, no bargaining, just simple obedience by Abraham. If reading this story in today’s headlines, our inclination would be to cry child abuse, religious fanaticism, or dementia. Abraham knew when it was God speaking and had no doubt God would provide himself a lamb.

There’s little doubt what was going through Abraham’s mind and heart, the same God that had provided a son in his old age, would continue to provide. Thankfully, God hasn’t asked us to sacrifice our children, yet are we? No, it may not involve a knife, an altar, and fire, but the altars of greed, success, and selfishness line our country’s landscape. We spend countless hours chasing a pipe-dream of financial security, a bigger house, or esteem amongst our peers.

Abraham trusted God for everything, doubters would say to an extreme, including the promise of making him a great nation. Our goals and dreams are important, but never at the expense of our children, for our children often are the avenue by which God will bring about the promises He’s spoken into your life. Don’t sacrifice those special moments in their lives in exchange for the fleeting broken promises of this world.

Part of the Mountaintop Experiences Serminute Series

Mountaintop Experiences – Moses' Right-hand Man Joshua

July 11, 2011R. Mangold

And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle. Exodus 33:11

With the seeming weight of the world on his shoulders, Moses made a plea for God to show him who would one day take the helm of the Israelite nation. But, standing in the shadows was a young man who had accompanied Moses up the mount, and when everyone was commanded to remain in their tents as Moses entered the tabernacle, tenacious Joshua “departed not.”

There are two angles; Moses’ and Joshua’s. Moses the visionary concerned with future leadership and Joshua capturing the vision of his leader calling him Moses’ servant and minister. While fulfilling the role of a servant or minister, we become privy to moments those who choose to remain on the peripheral seldom see.

Before Joshua defeated Jericho, before he commanded the sun to stand still, before triumphantly leading Israel to the Promised Land, he humbled himself and became Moses’ servant remaining in the background so discretely and humbly, it never even occurred to Moses’ when considering who his successor would be. A good servant doesn’t draw attention to himself; his focus is the mission for which he’s called. Joshua’s private service to Moses his mentor, led to public victories and accomplishments, not for his glory, but for the glory of God, and for the advancement of an entire nation.

Part of the Mountaintop Experiences Serminute Series

Leaving Behind a Treasured Legacy

July 8, 2011R. Mangold

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: ²⁰But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: ²¹For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matthew 6:19-21

Part of any good treasure includes wealth that will outlive you and be passed to your future generations. The scripture teaches us in Proverbs 13:22 – A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.

Investing in God’s treasure for you, brings with it benefits that are not only good for you, but good for generations to come. Not only is this true, but the opposite it true. If you don’t invest yourself in the Kingdom of God, you’re selling yourself short and generations to come.

If you compromise now on your treasure, where will that leave your children? Where will that leave your children’s children. The greatest legacy I could ever leave behind is not the Mangold Name or Mangold fortune, but rather name of Jesus Christ. Future Christians that are going to mine for as much treasure as they can find in God’s Word!

You want to leave your children something…LEAVE THEM TRUTH!

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