Tag: Sermonette

My Hymn to HIM

R. Mangold

 

hymntohim (1)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.

 

Touching God

R. Mangold

touchgod (1)

We fixate on the idea that we want God to touch us, but when is the last time you touched God?

We think we touch God with praise and worship, and we most certainly do, but that’s a small portion of what touches God, the most powerful connection God has with His people is when we’re facing our infirmities, our weaknesses, our struggles, and our pain!

Hebrews 4:15 – 16, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

Rather than enjoy the closeness to God during these seemingly shameful moments, we recoil, and run in shame feeling as though God cannot connect to us during that time.

News Flash – Psalm 34:18 says, “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”

In another translation it replaces “contrite spirit” for “crushed spirit.” Have you ever felt crushed? The Lord has His Divine sights set on you when you’re crushed more than ever. He wants to come to your rescue. He’s touched by the feeling of your infirmity, your trial, your test, and your struggle.

It’s when we’re experiencing these moments of pain and isolation that we can boldly go to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and grace in the time of need!

God is touched by our pain, our weakness, our troubles, and in turn God lovingly touches us back to heal us of our pain. – Pastor RD Mangold

What We Tell Ourselves

R. Mangold

telloursevles (1)

But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? 4 “While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God. – Acts 5:3 – 4

It matters not what others may feel about the wrong you have done.
Search near or far for affirming tones, but true judgment is sure to come.

Lie you may to those you believe who are in league with your backward view,
There will come a day when each deed is weighed and God will reveal the truth.

Rehearse your score and spin your deceit to those you trust the most,
But remember sad friend, try as you may, you cannot lie to the Holy Ghost.

Pastor RD Mangold

Mansion Depot

R. Mangold
DSC00418

Now days if we want to build something, anything, or at least try, we immediately head to our local home improvement store; Lowe’s, Home Depot, or my new favorite, Menard’s. But if you’re building an eternal mansion, where does one go to purchase the building supplies needed for such a monumental task?

Jesus said He went away to prepare a place for us (John 14). Even as you read this, preparations for your anticipated arrival are being made. Every attention to detail is feverishly being paid. What are the materials, the building supplies, the nails, brick, mortar, and accouterments needed for the preparation of such a magnificent “mansion?”

I submit, what if the substance of our mansions consisted of the prayers we’ve prayed, the tears we’ve cried, the burdens we’ve carried, and the lives we’ve touched? What if the royalty and splendor of our mansions were proportional to the amount of our humility, generosity, charity, and love in this present life?

If God used a rough-hewn cross, rusty nails, and a crumpled mess of thorns as the building supplies of our great salvation, how great a mansion He must be preparing for us using the seemingly menial things of this life? Paul stated in Romans 8:18, “…the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

What if the royalty and splendor of our mansions were proportional to our amount of humility, generosity, charity, and love in this present life?

And in 1 Corinthians 1:27 – 30, “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

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

Like the old Capital One commercials used to ask, “What’s in YOUR wallet?” My question is, “What’s in YOUR mansion? Are you providing our Master Builder, The Great Framer of the Universe, with the adequate supplies needed to finish your mansion, or have you chosen rather to lay up for yourself treasures here, that will fade, rust, and wither?

Pastor Rodger Mangold

Photo credit goes to “Yours Truly.” We visited Buckingham Palace in September of 2005. Not too shabby a cottage if I do say so myself. As elegant and beautiful as that and Windsor Castle are, it will pale in comparison to the place God has prepared for those that love Him, and provide Him with suitable building materials!

There's Always Plenty at Father's House

R. Mangold

A new robe, a new ring, a new pair of shoes; but didn’t the prodigal son squander all his inheritance? When you come back to Daddy’s House, you’ll soon realize, there’s a few things money can’t buy that the Father had plenty of; Love, Grace, Mercy, and Forgiveness! Arise today dear prodigal from the muck and mire of your squandered past and let the Father meet you on your road to Restoration!

“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 Math of Forgiveness

R. Mangold

When asked the number of times we should daily forgive our brother, Jesus answered 70 times 7. Even then, people wanted to keep score. But, the true measure of forgiveness? “Forgive, and you shall be forgiven.” How many offenses has God mercifully forgiven you for? It’s easy to calculate…How many offenses have YOU forgiven others for? If you do not forgive, neither will your heavenly Father forgive you. [Mark 11:26]

“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

Weatherproof Your Christian Walk

R. Mangold

The gale force winds of violence and uncertainty, the tumultuous storms of life, and the crashing thunder of moral collapse; all require protection from the elements. Thankfully, God has given us “a garment of salvation, and covered us with the robe of righteousness!” [Isa. 61:10] Mom had it right all these years. Never go outside without a coat on…this world can be a bitter and cold place.

“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



Winter Isn't Forever

R. Mangold

After the Flood, God promised, “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.” The Winter of 2010 was brutal; for many, it seemed an eternity, as do some of our trials. But seasons, by definition, are transient. God hasn’t forgotten His promise. Your trying season too shall pass, giving way to Spring’s budding blossoms of new life and hope.

“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

Living by the Sword…of the Spirit

R. Mangold

Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. (Matt. 26:52) Jesus commanded Peter to put the sword in its place. Do you have the Word of God or the “Sword of the Spirit” in its rightful place? We obtain Eternal Life by that Sword, and our flesh is to “die daily” by that same Sword; cutting away carnality, yet being clothed in humility.

“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