​Rom. 8:18 - "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us."   NASU

• Sufferings (vs.) Future Glory 

The apostle Paul really gives us a gem with this passage of scripture. He informs us how to handle times of sufferings.
 
We all are going to suffer in this world. We may suffer physically, mentally, or emotionally, but we will all suffer in some way.
 
It really doesn't matter how we suffer. What matters is how we deal with our sufferings when they come.
 
The way I picture this scene is this way: first visualize a set of scales. On the one side we place all of our present sufferings and on the other side you place your future glory of being in Heaven.
 
KABOOM!
 
The side with your future glory being much heavier immediately forces the pan down and your sufferings go flying off of the other side.
 
Paul is basically saying that, our present sufferings in this life are not worthy to be compared with our future eternal glory in heaven.
 
When you suffer please remember to compare your sufferings with your future reward of being in God's glory, Heaven.
 
The apostle John said it this way:
 
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, 4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away."  Revel. 21:1-4   NASU 

• Temporarily (vs.) Eternal 

A good way for us to look at our suffering is like this: our sufferings are temporary. They have a life span and they will come to an end.
 
On the other hand with God our glory is eternal. There will be no end to our glory.
 
It is a no brainer. When you are suffering compare them to eternal glory with God in Heaven. There really is no comparison.
 
Think On These:
 
People always get into trouble when they think they can handle their lives without God.
 
God isn't just a present help in time of trouble, but a great help in keeping us out of trouble.

Stay Pumped,
 
Gary A. Serago
 
Minister of God's Word

​Exodus 16:14-15 - When the layer of dew evaporated, behold, on the surface of the wilderness there was a fine flake-like thing, fine as the frost on the ground. 15 When the sons of Israel saw it, they said to one another, "What is it?" For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, "It is the bread which the LORD has given you to eat. NASU
 

• Manna From God 

God had freed the Israelites from their Egyptian bondage and fed them in the wilderness with what is known as "Manna". Manna means "what is it?"
 
Ex 16:31 - The house of Israel named it manna, and it was like coriander seed, white, and its taste was like wafers with honey.
 
Manna from God was a blessing but the Israelites didn't recognize it as such at the beginning.
 
What blessing have you received from God but at the beginning you didn't recognize it as such? 

• Blessings From God 

One thing I have noticed about God over the last 43 years is God's blessings come in many different ways. In fact, some of His blessings when they first arrived were not viewed as blessings at all.
 
The mature Christian will always wait on the Lord and allow the situation of life to play itself out and it will be then we recognize the blessing(s) from the Lord.
 
One of my favorite passages of scripture is Genesis 50:20 - "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive."
 
In this Genesis passage, Joseph was talking to his brothers who had sold him into slavery. He tells them like it is. You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.
 
As you travel through this life remember there are evil people and they may do evil things against you.
 
It is then you must give God time to work.
 
Let Him show you that He can take this evil that has been done to you and use it for good.
 
Think About These:
 
We learn some things from prosperity, but we learn many more from adversity.
 
Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to God.

Stay Pumped,
 
Gary A. Serago
 
Minister of God's Word

James 3:7-10 - For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.  NASU
 

• A Communion Meditation 

The Elder at the communion table was giving a meditation about a man who was going to have a needed surgery. This surgery was going to leave him speechless and the doctor asked him if he had anything he'd like to say before his surgery.
 
This meditation gave me the idea for today's Pump Up.
 
What would be your last words? 

• Stroke Victims 

As a minister of God, I have seen numerous people who have had strokes that left them speechless. If you knew today would be your last day of speaking audibly what words would come from your mouth?
 
James says the tongue can't be tamed. It is restless and full of deadly poison. The tongue has been used to praise God and curse men.
 
What would be your last words?
 
Would your last words give praise to God, be words of love for your family members, or would they be curse words? 

• Former Curser 

I didn't grow up with the best vocabulary. If it were a curse word I most likely have used it, of which I am not proud.
 
My tongue wasn't used to praise God; in fact, I used God's and Jesus' name in vain.
 
Since I have given my life to Jesus Christ I have been able to change my vocabulary for the better.
 
The good news is I have tamed my tongue to some degree.
 
I never use God or Jesus' name in vain now. It has been 43 years and when I speak of God or use Jesus' name it is always in a praiseworthy fashion as it should. 

• Your Last Words 

If today something was going to happen where you would lose your speech, what would be your last words?
 
Choose well, my friend. 
​

• My Last Words 

I would express my love to my wife, children, grandchildren, friends, and my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
 
Think About These:
 
 The written word can be erased, not so with the spoken word.
 
The man who has to eat his own words never asks for another serving.

Stay Pumped,
 
Gary A. Serago
 
Minister of God's Word