Short Sermons – Page 12 – Serminutes

Great Givers

May 23, 2011R. Mangold

Great givers hold nothing back.

They go the extra mile –

Cheerfully.

Their motives are pure,

Their commitment is sure.

Sacrifice is not a stranger,

Nor is it a burden.

They gladly spend and are spent.

They see the end of the matter

And count that joy worth

Every investment.

The reward they seek

is an

Eternal “Well Done!”

Great Givers:

Jesus

Stephen

Paul

Mary (& her alabaster box)

Jonathan

By: Sis. Marjorie Kinnee – For more visit her blog at http://phebeblog.blogspot.com/

Sis. Marjorie Kinnee attends New Life Apostolic Church in Detrot, MI and is a published Apostolic Author and Managing Editor of the Apostolic Writer’s Online

“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

Big Lessons in Small Packages – The Rabbit

May 22, 2011R. Mangold

There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise…The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks; (Prov. 30:24-28)

This particular species rabbit (coney) resides near rock formations and crevices of mountains. Ill-equipped to face predators, the coney surrounds itself with protection and can quickly evade capture by hiding amongst rocks. What great wisdom may we glean from our “feeble” friend the rabbit?

Not quick to defend itself
Sometimes it’s better to flee (youthful lusts)
Holding his peace allowing God to fight his battles
No greater protection and defense than God

Ironically, David, Israel’s most courageous king was quite the “rabbit!”

“My rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust;” (Ps. 18:2)
“Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” (Ps. 61:2)
“My defense; and my God is the rock of my refuge.” (Ps. 94:22)
“Rock of our salvation.” (Ps. 95:1)

Apostle Paul spells it out better than anyone who our true “Rock” is…they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. (I Cor. 10:4)

“Serminute” Series – Big Lessons in Small Packages

Mission "Ant-possible 3" – The Power of a Team

May 21, 2011R. Mangold

There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise: The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer. Proverbs 30:24-25

Despite Proverbs stating the ant isn’t a strong creature, it is able to lift 20-50 times greater than their own weight all done with their mouth muscles. If a 175 lb. man could lift this weight with his mouth it would be nearly 8800 lbs.

Alone, an ant could accomplish very little, but multiply their efforts by millions; you have a true force to be reckoned with. And, if the weight of all the ants in the world were combined, their weight would be greater than the weight of all the humans.

God’s multiplication is even better; 1 can put 1000 to flight; 2 can put 10,000 to flight! Jesus had a team of 12 and empowered them to evangelize the entire world. If you’re a Christian reading this, Jesus’ team set the gold standard for effectiveness. Let’s continue building the team Jesus started over 2000 years ago. Our work, like the ants’ is never done. Let’s colonize the place Jesus is preparing for all of us – Heaven!

“Serminute” Series – Big Lessons in Small Packages

Mission "Ant-possible 2" – The Power to Rebuild

May 20, 2011R. Mangold

There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise: The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer. Proverbs 30:24-25

As children we were amazed at the speed with which ants rebuilt after we maliciously spread the tiny grains of sand that comprised their homes. Without fail like tiny machines the ants would return to rebuild their mounds.

Ants aren’t a strong “people,” but what they lack in strength, they make up for in wisdom and tenacity. They show no visible signs of complaining. They just keep their heads down, roll up their sleeves and get to the business of rebuilding.

We’re going to have setbacks in life; emotional, financial, spiritual or otherwise. One may argue, the ant knows no better, that’s what their created to do. I would argue we do know better, and have a God who’s willing to help us rebuild saying, “cast all your cares upon me, because I care for you.”

Remember a just man falls seven times, and rises up again. Next time the devil kicks over your world consider the wisdom of the ant and her ability to rebuild…setback after setback!

“Serminute” Series – Big Lessons in Small Packages

Immobilizing Effects of Guilt

May 19, 2011R. Mangold

And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. Genesis 3:8

For Adam and Eve, hearing God’s voice meant a visit with the Creator. Each encounter with God brought another blessing; a new tree from which to eat, a new flower upon which to gaze, a new creation for which to praise Him. But this time God’s presence brought fear. Guilt and shame reared their ugly heads. Adam and Eve knew death was the punishment for disobedience. Like children, they ran and hid prolonging their impending doom.

Guilt leaves us feeling unworthy of a relationship with our Creator. Guilt, a close cousin to Fear, immobilizes us like a deer in the headlights. But God’s perfect love casts out all fear. He desires to reconcile with humanity. Don’t turn a deaf ear to the overtures of Grace. Don’t spurn the love of your Heavenly Father. Don’t ignore His outstretched hand. Doing so means an outcome we all dread – eternal separation from the very one who died to save us!

Hippocratic or Hypocritcal?

May 18, 2011R. Mangold

In the 5^th Century Hippocrates, the “Father of Western Medicine” penned the words to perhaps history’s oldest binding document, the Hippocratic Oath. A portion of this oath states, “I will do no harm or injustice to them [patients].” Graduating medical students swear, to the best of their ability, to cure their patient doing the least amount of harm in the process, and when possible strive not to further exacerbate the wound or condition.

When a wayward sinner, who is bound by addictions, battered and abused by the world, and kicked to the proverbial curb of life, enters our doors, we’d do well to adhere to the Hippocratic Oath as Christians; DO NO HARM! How dare we sneer and thumb our noses at the mirror-image of who we were before Christ found us? Have we grown so accustomed to God’s blessings and favor that we’ve forgotten, but for the grace God we’d be in their very shoes?

Rather than take a “Hypocritical” approach of the priest and Levite, oblivious to the anguish and pain, let us adopt the Samaritan’s “Hippocratic” approach who was quick to provide healing to the wounded traveler – because…”such were some of you.”

Source Link to Hippocratic Oath Information: U.S. National Library of Medicine

Righteous Enough to Get Your Prayers Answered?

May 17, 2011R. Mangold

If you’ve ever prayed God would perform the miraculous for you, you know what it’s like to hope with all that lies within you that God will answer. Of course, there are times God is silent and our request is seemingly denied. But, we’re quick to quote, “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much;” almost as if to say, if we’re “righteous enough” God will take up our cause. But, can we truly determine how righteous we are by twisting God’s arm?

There was never a greater righteous man than Christ. Every time He called upon heaven His prayers were answered; blinded eyes opened, deaf ears unstopped, raging seas tamed, and the dead resurrected. Christ’s track record was stellar. However, in his darkest hour in the Garden of Gethsemane, feeling the impending doom, Christ prayed three times, “Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but thy will be done.” Yet he still had to drink the “bitter cup.” Today, don’t be discouraged by unanswered requests. Humanity was afforded salvation and redemption when Christ set aside his own humanity and prayed, “Father, thy will be done.”

God of the Leftovers

May 16, 2011R. Mangold

Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above to them that had eaten. John 6:13

We live in a wasteful and disposable society. When we’re done with it, we toss it. Not so with Jesus. He told the disciples to gather up the fragments of this miracle of feeding the 5000. Doesn’t it sound strange that God, manifested in the flesh, who could fully create more of anything he wanted, is concerned about fragments?

I like to think Christ was concerned about gathering the 12 baskets of fragments because He wanted us to be concerned with the leftovers, the pieces nobody else wanted. Society is full of fragments of people whose hearts are hurting and looking for compassion. They feel they’re the leftovers or the parts no one else wants. The Greek woman told Jesus she was willing to settle for the fragments, or crumbs from the Master’s table; she knew even in the fragments, there was life; every morsel invaluable!

Don’t ignore the fragments – they’re important to God and they should be important to the very people who at one time were fragments themselves.

The Life Well Lived

May 15, 2011R. Mangold

So many speak of their willingness to die for their belief in Jesus and His Truth; and those are grand and noble sentiments. But wouldn’t it be grander and more noble to LIVE WELL for Him?

The impact of a sacrificial martyr’s death fades in comparison, to the robust impact and influence of the life lived out day-by-day in consistent, committed Christian excellence.

~ J. Samuel Willoughby

By 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 →

The Grip of Regret

May 14, 2011R. Mangold

Benjamin Franklin said, “In this world nothing can said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Aside from God being the most certain of all things in this world, I’ve another to add to Mr. Franklin’s list of certainties. If you’ve your wits about you, and you’ve lived any length of time on this planet you’re going to have regrets! Ironically, we often find our regrets don’t center on the things we’ve done as much as they do upon the things we’ve left undone; those moments we wish we would have acted differently, said something differently, or treated someone differently. Perhaps we left a kind word unsaid, or a kind act undone.

Life is going to be full of those moments without you adding more to that list. James teaches us, “He that knows to do good, and does it not, to him it is sin (4:17). Don’t frame your life by regrets for things done or undone. If God’s called you and you’re not answering that call…start NOW! If you’re doing something you shouldn’t…STOP IT! Allow the Holy Ghost full reign of your appetites, affections, and attitude. Another certainty to add to Mr. Franklin’s list…You’ll never regret serving God!

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