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The Best Financial Advice You Will Ever Receive

3/29/2017

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Matt. 6:19-21 - "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  NASU 
  • Jesus' Lesson 
This lesson is a part of what is commonly known as "The Sermon on the Mount." Jesus has quite an audience. While this large crowd is listening to Him He uses this time to teach the audience some very valuable life lessons.
 
He teaches them about being merciful, gentle, peacemakers, accepting persecution, being the salt of the earth and being the light of the world.
 
He teaches them it is wrong to murder, commit adultery and to hate. He teaches them properly how to give to the poor, how to pray, how to forgive and how to fast properly.
 
After the lesson on fasting, Jesus teaches them about how to properly handle their finances.
 
He says, "…store up for yourselves treasure in heaven…" There is good reason for Christ followers to store up treasure in heaven. The reason is no thieves can break in and steal what you have deposited into your account in heaven.
 
There is no stock market to crash there. There are no Ponzi schemes taking place in Heaven. Your TREASURE is 100% secure in Heaven. 
  • Who Does This? 
Acts 4:36-37 -  Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement), and who owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.
 
Joseph (aka Barnabas) was a Levite. This means he was from the priestly tribe of Levi. Levi was one of the 12 sons of Jacob. Moses and Aaron were from this tribe. Jesus was not from this tribe.
 
We can see from the above passage that Barnabas had a tract of land; he sold this piece of property and gave the money to the apostles. In other words, he was laying up a treasure in heaven that could not be taken from him.
 
There are lots of people who give to the Lord's church to help advance the Lord's Kingdom here on earth. My dad did a very similar deed for the church he attended in AZ. The church was in a building program and dad gave them the deed to a piece of property that was his.
 
When I was in MD we likewise had a building program and a young man who had recently been converted to Christ gave the title to his motorcycle and the money was given to the Lord's church.
 
These three men were all making deposits or storing up their Heavenly Treasure Account.
  • What About You And Me? 
We say we are Christ followers. Therefore, we should be storing up for ourselves a treasure in heaven.
 
I am not against saving for one's retirement or putting money into our IRA. I believe we should be prepared for a time when we are not employed. I also believe we should be making deposits into our HTA's or Heavenly Treasure Account.
 
There is a day coming when we are going to depart from this world and go to the next one. What will await for us upon our arrival in heaven depends on what we were focused on while here on earth. 
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  • How Does One Increase Their HTA's? 
You can follow the example of Barnabas or Tabitha: Acts 9:36-37 - Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which translated in Greek is called Dorcas); this woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did.  NASU
 
Even doing little things for people is seen by God and rewarded by Him also.
 
Matt 6:3-4 - "But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.  NASU
 
Lk 14:13-14 -  "When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, otherwise they may also invite you in return and that will be your repayment.  "But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." NASU
 
I hope this financial advice will bless you beyond measure. May your HTA increase daily. 
 
Think On These:
 
Two marks of a Christian: Giving and Forgiving.
 
Blessed are those who can give without remembering and receive without forgetting.

Stay Pumped,

Gary A. Serago

Minister of God's Word

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A Christian Never Forgets That Jesus Can Do This.

3/22/2017

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Luke 8:23-24 - But as they were sailing along He fell asleep; and a fierce gale of wind descended on the lake, and they began to be swamped and to be in danger. They came to Jesus and woke Him up, saying, "Master, Master, we are perishing!" And He got up and rebuked the wind and the surging waves, and they stopped, and it became calm.
  • He Allows Storms To Come Into Our Lives 
The disciples were in the boat with Jesus. A fierce storm comes upon them while they are in the boat. Four of these disciples were experienced fishermen. This was not the first storm they had ever encountered, but it is so fierce they had given up all hope.
 
They go to Him and say, "Master, Master, we are perishing!" 
 
In other words they are telling Him, we are all going to die. They were frightened by this storm. They were in a panic. 
  • When Jesus Is In Your Boat 
Some Christian make the mistake of thinking that once they have accepted Jesus into their lives every day will be smooth sailing. When Jesus is in your life what this means is your faith will be tested.
 
When Jesus is in your life you must never forget that storms are going to come and threaten you. Some storms may be so severe your thought process says, "Jesus has abandoned you."
 
There isn't anything further from the truth.
 
Once you accept Jesus into your life the devil declares war against you. He is now determined to destroy your faith. One way he does this is by trying to make you believe Jesus doesn't care about you.
 
Jesus not only cares about you. He died for you. 
  • He Can Calm The Storms In Your Life 
Jesus gets up and rebukes the winds and the waves. We must never forget that Jesus is in charge of everything. If He wants the wind and the waves to cease they will cease and in this case they did cease.
 
If He wants your cancer to be gone, it will be gone. The doctors may say, "We can't explain it. This x-ray shows the cancer very clearly and this one shows no cancer."
 
Jesus can calm the storms in your life if you will let Him. 
​
  • Take Aways 
As a Christian you will experience trials while sailing through life with Jesus.
 
As a Christian it will be your faith in Jesus that will get you through the storms of life.
 
As a Christian don't ever forget that Jesus is the one who can rebuke any storm in your life.
 
Think On These:
 
Feed Your Faith and Doubt Will Starve To Death
 
All men need a faith that will not shrink when washed in the waters of affliction and adversity.

Stay Pumped,

Gary A. Serago

Minister of God's Word

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What To Do When God Takes Someone You Love.

3/15/2017

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Genesis 5:23-24- “So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.”  NASB 
  • The Friendship Started 
Barbara Jo and I had just moved into our new house at the lake. I was mowing the grass when I saw an older man riding his lawn mower towards me. He turned off his mower and I turned off mine. He said, "Hi, my name is Harry." I said, "Hi, my name is Gary." 
 
That was the introduction of what was going to be a great friendship. It didn't last long enough was the only problem.
 
He said to me, "Did I see you riding a Harley?" I said, "Yes, you did." His next words were, "I got my first one in 46, right after I came home from the war."
 
Harry had grown up in Chicago and worked as a Union Carpenter. It had been the trade of his father and grandfather.
 
In 3 1/2 years he taught me a lot of little carpentry tricks to fix things and also how to live. 
  • How To Live To Be 93 
Harry lived to be 93 yrs old. He told me his advice to a long life is to stay active. He informed me he was not going to make the mistake his dad did. His dad retired and according to Harry didn't stay active and died in his 60's.
 
Harry did exactly what he said he would do. He stayed active. Our first winter here we received about 6-8 inches of snow on our first snow fall. I took my snow blower over to Harry's to help clear his driveway. He came out and stopped me. He said, "I know what you're trying to do and I appreciate it, but I have to do this myself."
 
I learned a valuable lesson from my friend. If you want to live to be 93 stay active.
 
I watched him paint his garage last summer. He sat in a lawn chair and painted the lower half then stood and used a roller and painted the top half. It took him days but he did it.
 
I did go over and make him come down off the ladder once. He had 15 or 20 bees buzzing around his head. He said, "I just have a little bit more to do." I said, "Harry it will be there tomorrow. Now come down off the ladder you are making me nervous."
 
He came down but he wasn't real happy. He wanted to finish painting his garage. I sprayed the bees nest and he finished the job later that day.
 
So how do you live to be 93? According to Harry, "Stay Active." 
  • What To Do When God Takes Someone You Love 
I think the best thing you can do is talk about them. You have memories to share and life lessons that will bless others, so talk about them. Share those stories. One way to never let them die is to talk about them. When you talk about the one that has deceased others will know it is okay to speak about them with you also.
 
Let me close with this story of Harry. He put a roof over his back steps that led to his garage. He did this when he was 92. He framed it out, put plywood over it and shingles over the plywood.
 
When I saw his new addition I said to him, "Harry why didn't you call me and I would have helped you." He said, "I didn't need you."
 
What a hoot! I wish you all could have known him. The world doesn't have too many gems like Harry left in it. 
​
  • Greatest Compliment 
The day before Harry died I took some food over to his house. I sat on the couch and talked with him for a few minutes. When I got up to leave he stuck out his hand and I shook it and he told me this, "You were a good neighbor."  I likewise told him, "That he was a good neighbor as well."
 
Harry was a real blessing in my life and I am going to miss him. It won't be the same mowing the grass this year and looking over not seeing him mowing his grass.
 
So long Harry, I am going to miss you my friend.
 
Think On These:
 
A man never gets so rich that he can afford to lose a friend.
 
A friend takes an interest in you, but not a controlling one.

Stay Pumped,

Gary A. Serago

Minister of God's Word

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Are You A Roper Holder Today?

3/8/2017

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Acts 9:23-25 - When many days had elapsed, the Jews plotted together to do away with him, 24 but their plot became known to Saul. They were also watching the gates day and night so that they might put him to death; 25 but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a large basket.  NASU
  • Saul Created Either a Revival or a Riot 
In the above passage Saul has completed his on the road to Damascus conversion. He is now preaching Jesus to be the Messiah. The Jews cannot believe what they are seeing and hearing. Before their very eyes the same person, Saul, who was persecuting the converts to Jesus Christ, is now preaching that Jesus is the long awaited Messiah.
 
There were some Jews who had listened to him for a few days and now they have heard enough. There is only one thing to do with Saul and that is kill him. It is quite evident that he has lost his mind according to them. They liked Saul when he was persecuting those who believed Jesus to be the Messiah, but now they see him as a traitor.
 
Their plan was to kill this new messenger of Jesus the Messiah.
 
Yet, on the other hand, there were some Jews who had listened to him preaching about Jesus and they were glad to hear his conversion story and accept Jesus as the Messiah. 
  • True Conversion Bewilders Some People 
Saul hadn't lost his mind as some of the Jews were proclaiming. They were trying to argue with Saul but his new understanding of the Old Testament scriptures and how Jesus was the fulfillment of these prophecies was overwhelming.
 
They were bewildered and embarrassed by Saul's knowledge of the scriptures.
 
Maybe you have gone through a conversion to Jesus and people are bewildered by it.
This happens to a lot of Christians. Your goal is to grow closer to the Lord regardless of what other people think of you.
 
Don't let this surprise you nor deflate you spiritually when people don't believe in your conversion.
 
Your plan needs to be to continue to study God's Word and help those who will listen to you. 
  • The Need For Rope Holders 
The plot to kill Saul becomes so great and well known that the disciples come up with a plan and that is lower Saul through an opening in the wall in a large basket.
 
Can you see all of these disciples working together for a common goal?
 
Their thoughts must have been we have to save Saul's life because he definitely believes like we do that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.
 
They get Saul to get in the basket (how much faith did that take) and while men lift up the basket with Saul in it there are men holding the ropes as they lower the basket down the wall. 
 
These rope holders are heroes.
 
Can you imagine for a second if they would have dropped the basket and Saul would have died once he and the basket hit the ground?
 
Thirteen books of New Testament that were written by Paul would be non-existent and it would be 14 books if you believe Paul is the author of the book of Hebrews, like I do.
 
These roper holders were playing a bigger part in history of Christianity than they could ever have imagined.

Are you playing a bigger part in Christianity than you are imagining today? 
  • What Rope Are You Holding Today? 
Are you holding on to a rope and you're thinking I wish I were somewhere else doing something great for God?
 
Do you think that any of these rope holders knew that Saul would become the Apostle Paul and write over half of the New Testament that you and I can read everyday?
 
Whatever you are doing today see yourself as a roper holder.

Vision what you are doing everyday is going to be used by God to make a huge difference in Christianity.

Think on These:

People may doubt what you say, but they'll believe what you do.

Some people entertain ideas; others put them to work. 

Stay Pumped,

Gary A. Serago

Minister of God's Word

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Is It Okay To Bargain With God When Praying?

3/1/2017

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 1 Sam. 1:10-11 - She, greatly distressed, prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly. She made a vow and said, "O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a son, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and a razor shall never come on his head."  NASU 
  • Hannah Bargains With God 
I have spoken with people who felt it was absolutely wrong to ever bargain with God when praying. You may be reading this Pump Up thinking I believe it is wrong to bargain with God while praying.
 
I would say, "Okay, for you it would be wrong, but not for someone who doesn't believe like you." In our scripture text today we can see that Hannah prayed to the LORD while in great distress and in her prayer she bargains with God. She says, "If You Will…I will…"
 
My friends that is what we call bargaining. If you do something for me then I will do something for you. She not only bargains with God, He accepts the terms of her bargaining. 
  • What Caused Her To Bargain With God 
It was caused by her physical condition that she could not bear children. The reason she couldn't bear children was because God had closed her womb.
 
It wasn't bad enough she couldn't bear children but she was reminded of her situation constantly by her rival Peninnah, Elkanah's other wife.
 
1 Sam. 1:6 - Her rival, however, would provoke her bitterly to irritate her, because the LORD had closed her womb. NASU
 
God says, one woman for one man and man tries to improve upon God's plan and says, you can have more than one wife if you want? Now what could ever go wrong with that plan? Two women under the same roof, in the same kitchen, oh I am sure that will work perfectly. 
  • God Accepts Her Conditions 
God not only accepted her terms he blesses her with a son. Hannah names him Samuel, which means "heard of God."
 
1 Sam. 1:19-20 - And Elkanah had relations with Hannah his wife, and the LORD remembered her.  It came about in due time, after Hannah had conceived, that she gave birth to a son; and she named him Samuel, saying, "Because I have asked him of the LORD." NASU
 
Do you have some physical handicap that you would like to have changed? Then ask the Lord. If it is His will He will grant you your petition.
 
Are you being provoked by someone then take it to the Lord? Hannah did and God changed her situation and life. If it is His will He can do the same for you.
 
Have you ever felt that God or life has dealt you a bad hand? Hannah did and she wept bitterly about it. She takes her prayer to God and bargains with Him in it. 
  • God May Accept Your Conditions 
God may accept your conditions as you bargain with Him, but there is one thing you really need to know. God kept His part of the bargain and so did Hannah keep her end of the deal.
 
Don't bargain with God if you are not serious about keeping your end of the deal.
 
1 Sam. 1:26-28 - She said, "Oh, my lord! As your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you, praying to the LORD.  "For this boy I prayed, and the LORD has given me my petition which I asked of Him."So I have also dedicated him to the LORD; as long as he lives he is dedicated to the LORD." And he worshiped the LORD there. 
 
Think On These:
 
One thing you can give and still keep is your word.
 
A broken promise is something the best glue can't fix.
 
God's promises are like life preservers. They keep the soul from sinking in the sea of trouble.
 
Stay Pumped,

Gary A. Serago

Minister of God's Word

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