Tag: Daily Devotionals

God's Missing Children

R. Mangold

“Your child is missing!” Words no parent ever wants to hear. With the advent of one gallon plastic milk containers, and on-the-fly breakfasts, one may not recall at one time the American breakfast table included cereal and cardboard milk containers with pictures of missing children. A heart-wrenching reminder that somewhere a child was not enjoying breakfast with their parents because they were lost or abducted…or worse!

Jesus was adamant about keeping his flock complete asking, “What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?” (Luke 15:4)

You may be enjoying the green pastures and still waters of an impressively large congregation. But, our Good Shepherd is fixated on the empty pews. Sure, He loves all those that are present in the safety of the fold, but the heart of our Heavenly Father aches for those faces that are missing from the table He has prepared especially for them. Today, won’t you join the Shepherd in leading that one lost sheep home? After all, at one time we were ALL sheep who had gone astray.

“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

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 Answer is IN You

R. Mangold

We keep looking for the answers to come from outside us, but God promised Eve that her “seed” would deliver her!  What God births FROM US is the thing that will deliver us!  “OUT OF YOUR BELLY shall flow RIVERS of living water!

Eve believed God’s Word SO much when she bore a son, She said, I’ve gotten a “man” from God.  Her faith was that this child was her Promise!  Every time she birthed a son she had the hope this could be the One who would destroy the thing destroying her…Her “seed”…Whatever God speaks into you…His Word CANNOT FAIL, IT WILL COME TO PASS!

 ~ From T.D. Jakes’ sermon, The Blood Speaks

From Guest Author Rev. James Willoughby is an Evangelist and Bible Teacher, as well as a published author. His teaching ministry, Focal Points carries him into many different venues. Emphasizing…discipleship training, small group development, structures and strategies for leadership, and ministry mentoring for young men and women. His evangelistic ministry has been blessed of God with great anointing, and powerful demonstration of the Spirit in healings and miracles as he ministers the Word of Faith. View all posts by jswilloughby →

“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

My Promise Is NOT for the Birds

R. Mangold

And when the fowls came down upon the carcasses, Abram drove them away. Gen. 15:11

Abram called God out about the promises He made about his future. Confirming His Word, God told Abraham to prepare a sacrifice; his answer is on the way. Soon vultures dove in to devour his sacrifice, but Abram “drove them away” until the Word of God arrived.

When God gives you a promise, and you’ve made the necessary sacrifice, the enemy is quick to swoop in to consume it. Have FAITH in God’s Promises, and prepare to resist the devouring doubts and fears until your promise comes to pass! Your promise isn’t for the birds!

Is Light Really Faster Than Sound?

R. Mangold

Light does indeed travel faster than sound, but when it comes to God, the SOUND of His Word preceded the existence of LIGHT. God spoke, and then the light came forth! So His Word will always outpace the light. That’s why even during the dark times, I have to walk by faith not by sight and trust the sound of the Shepherd’s voice…”Let there be light!”

“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

Faith is a FORCE!

R. Mangold

Faith is more than a fuzzy word we throw out to encourage someone to believe God will answer their prayer. Faith is a FORCE! Faith is a force so great that just a “mustard grain’s” worth of it will move an entire mountain. By faith patriarchs of old subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens! Sound like a buzz-word, or a force of nature to you? (Heb. 11:33-39)

“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 Devourer's Days are Numbered

R. Mangold

I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; (Mal. 3:11) What’s the Devourer been consuming in your life? Does it seem like you’re running out of time, money, and patience? When we fail to give God the “first fruits,” it’s open season for the Devourer. But, by entrusting God FIRST with our time, money, and resources, the Devourer’s days are numbered! Stress is low, blessings flow, and the crops grow, when God’s in control of the show!

“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

How Do I Renew My Mind?

R. Mangold

Romans 12:2 says, “Be ye TRANSFORMED by the RENEWING of your mind…”

HOW DO I RENEW MY MIND?!

Philippians 2:5 says, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus…”

Here’s why the Cross couldn’t whip Jesus!

Hebrews 12:2 says, “He despised the shame of the Cross!”

But when they were putting the nails into His body….HIS FOCUS WASN’T THE NAILS!

His focus was on the JOY that was before Him!

And if you are going to gain the mind of Christ; you’re going to have to get your mind off “THE NAILS” in your life, and get your mind wrapped around this idea, “AFTER THIS….I’m going to get my stuff”!

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

Putting the Brakes On

R. Mangold

Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart (Ps. 26:2). Anyone who knows me well knows I’m not a mechanic. I have on occasion changed brakes on cars. When finished, the daunting task of “trying” them out can be frightening. But any work performed must be tried out. God is working on each of us, and at times we need our “reins” tried to “prove” the work is done well. Remember, it’s great to be on the move in God, but there will be times we need the brakes put on to prove the work God’s doing in our 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