Serago's Pump Ups
  • Home
  • Pump Ups
  • About
  • Ask Gary a Bible Question
  • JOIN
  • Home
  • Pump Ups
  • About
  • Ask Gary a Bible Question
  • JOIN

This Simple Truth Is Constantly Under Attack

5/18/2022

0 Comments

 
Genesis 1:26-27 - Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." 27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.   NASU 
​
  • Mankind Made In The Image Of God 
Who is the "Our" in this passage of scripture? I believe it is God Almighty, our Heavenly Father, the "I AM" of Exodus 3:14, the "Word/Logos" of John 1:1 (who will become Jesus when He comes to earth John 1:14) and the Holy Spirit.
 
Mankind was made in God's image and by that I believe it means we have become a "spirit being". We are a "created spirit" being. This is the big difference between mankind and God. Mankind is "created spirit" and God is "uncreated spirit". In other words, He has always been in existence. 
  • The devil's plan 
His plan now isn't any different than it was thousands of years ago. His plan is to mar, mangle, deface, ruin, mutilate, harm, spoil, impair, and deform God's creation, mankind.
 
How does he do this? The way he does it is by getting us to believe his lies.
 
He lied to Eve in the garden and he hasn't stopped lying. He is the father of lies (John 8:44).
 
Gen. 3:1-6 - Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, "Indeed, has God said, 'You shall not eat from any tree of the garden'?" 2 The woman said to the serpent, "…God has said, 'You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.'" 4 The serpent said to the woman, "You surely will not die! 5 "For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."
 
His plan is to lie to you and me about God.
 
In the garden of Eden God said they would die if they ate of the forbidden fruit and they did die, spiritually, after they ate of the forbidden fruit. To die means to separate and that is exactly what happened, their fellowship with God had gone through a separation.
 
They would later die physically.
 
The devil said they would be like God that was a lie. They were already like God. He created Adam and Eve in Their image. 
  • God's Plan 
He created a male and a female. The devil's plan is to destroy God's plan and he is doing a fairly good job of that here in the USA. Supreme Court Justice Jackson was asked, "Can you provide the definition for the word 'woman'?" She replied, "She was not a biologist."
 
The devil had to be laughing with her answer. I am not a biologist either but a woman is an adult female. Not a male who thinks he is a female or one who has gone through an operational procedure to become one. 
  • Mankind's Plan 
We need to realize we can not improve on God's plan. There is an evil one out there that is to be avoided. The reason why is because he is a liar and he will be lying to you if you will allow him.
 
Spend time in God's Word learning about the great I AM and you will not regret it.
 
Think About These:
 
I have trust issues because people have lying issues.
 
Tell a lie once and all your truths become questionable.
 
Even the smallest lie can break the biggest trust. 
 
Stay Pumped,

Gary A. Serago

Minister of God's Word
0 Comments

How To Be Around Difficult People

5/11/2022

0 Comments

 
​Lk 14:2-4 - And there in front of Him was a man suffering from dropsy. 3 And Jesus answered and spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?"  4 But they kept silent. And He took hold of him and healed him, and sent him away.  NASU 
  • Jesus Helping Others  
Have you known someone that was difficult to be around? Jesus at times was surrounded by Pharisees who were very difficult to be around. They had an attitude that they knew everything about God's Word. They also believed Jesus was one who violated God's Word constantly and this couldn't have been further from the truth.
 
Jesus knew the truth about what God wanted Him to accomplish and He did it. You have to know what you are doing is the correct thing even while being criticized or persecuted. When you know in your heart you are doing the right thing it is easier to continue on with the task. 
  • Being Like Jesus Can Create Its Own Set Of Problems
Being like Jesus can create problems. He was trying to heal a man and the Pharisees were not impressed. As they say in another place there are six days in which to be healed come on one of them, but not on the Sabbath Day.
 
We can see that man's traditions were violating the Word of God. One thing we need to remember and that is "It is never wrong to do the right thing." There are some people who are very outspoken and they will try to stop you from doing the right thing. You must move forward deliberately even in the face of opposition. 
  • A Brother's Story
 I remember a brother in the Lord came to me one day when I was ministering in MD. His name was Larry and he wanted to explain to me why he missed Sunday morning service. I assured him that wasn't necessary but he went on with his story.
 
He was driving to our worship service and he saw an elderly woman standing by her disabled vehicle. He stopped to help her and became involved in the situation and by the time he had helped her fix her vehicle the worship service was finished.
 
I told Larry that he had done exactly what Jesus had wanted him to do.

The next Sunday as I was greeting people after the service an elderly lady came up to me and said a man from this congregation had stopped to help her last week and she tried to pay him. She said the only payment he would accept is for her to attend one of our worship services. She said so please tell him I said thanks and that I did attend.  
  • It Was Sunday When Larry Did His Good Deed
Larry was living like Jesus. I believe Larry was exactly like Jesus when he was helping that elderly lady. I am sure some modern day Pharisees would have found fault with Larry but I wasn't going to find fault with him because the way I see it "It is never wrong to do right" regardless of the day.
 
I wonder how many times that elderly lady told the story of how her car broke down and a nice young Christian man stopped to help her?  
  • Who Are We Helping?
What I believe about Larry is this "that was his mindset" or M.O. (modus operandi or method of operation). He was always looking to help people. I know for a fact that elderly woman was not the first person Larry had helped and I am pretty sure she wasn't the last. He went about doing good and helping people because he was always looking for that opportunity.
 
In life you can find two types of people - there are the "Givers" and the "Takers". 
 
Larry was a giver all the time. What makes Larry's story even more remarkable was the amount of suffering he endured on a daily basis. If I told you of his struggles you would be saying, "Where does he get his strength?".
 
When others would have quit, become cynical or walked away from their faith not Larry. He endured hardships like a true spiritual warrior.
 
So who are we helping today? 
 
We won't help anyone if we aren't looking for people to help. It has to become a part of our mindset.
 
Find someone today that you can help, I am sure you will be glad that you did. After all that is why Jesus came to earth to do good and help people who had gotten themselves into a terrible fix.

Think About These:

You can give without loving, but you can't love without giving.

 The manner of giving is worth more than the gift.

Stay Pumped,

Gary A. Serago

Minister of God's Word
0 Comments

Have You Done What You Could?

5/4/2022

0 Comments

 
Mark 14:6-8 - But Jesus said, "Let her alone; why do you bother her? She has done a good deed to Me. "For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them; but you do not always have Me. "She has done what she could; she has anointed My body beforehand for the burial.  NASU
 
  • She Anointed Jesus 
Her act of kindness will never be forgotten according to Jesus. In Mark 14:9 Jesus says, "Truly I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her."
 
I can actually say I am participating in a prophecy of Jesus as I make mention of this lady who anointed Jesus. If you will tell people about this lady then you likewise can participate in fulfilling a prophecy of Jesus.
 
We know there are numerous reasons people were anointed in this day and age. It was done to refresh a person's body after traveling all day. The sun would have beaten down upon one's body and the oil would have brought relief.

We know that people's body were to be anointed with oil when sick and to be prayed for during this time of anointing (James 5:14).
 
But Jesus' body was being anointed because He was on His way to die and be buried, "…she has anointed My body beforehand for the burial."
 
Jesus knew His time was at hand and drawing nearer and nearer. 
  • She Has Done What She Could 
Every time I read those words I always ask myself, if I am doing everything "I Could".
 
She had done what she could. She had this very costly oil and she poured it over Jesus' head. He said she was preparing Him for burial. This was a prophetic act whether she knew what she was doing or not Jesus knew what it meant.
 
He was going to die.
 
What about us today? If Jesus were to appear before us today, what would he say?
 
Would He say, "We are doing what we could."? 
  • What Could We Be Doing? 
She gave some very costly perfume. Maybe we are poor and don't have a lot of money. What can we do for others?
 
Can we show some acts of kindness or display compassion to those in need?

Can we share the gospel message with someone who doesn't know Jesus?

Can we tell our waiter or waitress where we eat that we are going to pray for our meal and ask them if they have a need we can pray about for them?

Wouldn't it be nice to know if Jesus were here He would say about us that "He/She has done what he/she could."? 
 
Think About These:
 
Faith with works is a force. Faith without works is a farce.
 
Faith without works is like an automobile without gasoline.

Stay Pumped,

Gary A. Serago

Minister of God's Word
0 Comments

Are You This Committed To The Lord?

4/27/2022

0 Comments

 
John 11:16 - Therefore Thomas, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, "Let us also go, so that we may die with Him."  NASU 
  •  Courageous Statement 
Jesus has informed His disciples He is going to return to the town of Bethany in Judea because Lazarus his friend has fallen asleep (died) and He will awake (resurrect) him for the glory of God.  
 
The disciples totally didn't understand what Jesus was referencing. As can be seen in John 11:12-13 - The disciples then said to Him, "Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover." Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that He was speaking of literal sleep.
 
Jesus in John 10 eludes those Jews who were wishing to stone Him because they thought He was guilty of blasphemy. Now He wants to go back into this same area and the disciples are concerned He will be stoned to death this time.
 
When the disciples see that can not persuade Jesus to change His mind, Thomas says, "Let us also go, so that we may die with Him."
 
WOW!
 
That is what I call courage. Are we willing to die for Jesus today? Thomas was ready to die with and for Jesus. 
  • Thomas' Reputation 
I think years ago some well meaning preacher has besmirched the character of Thomas by calling him "Doubting Thomas". This character assassination of Thomas has stuck to him. Every one of the disciples "doubted" who Jesus was. I think it is totally unfair for Thomas to be harangued for hundreds of years by this uncomplimentary remark.
 
Why doesn't anyone comment on this statement: "Let us also go, so that we may die with Him."  made by Thomas?
 
I for one want to highlight what Thomas said to the other disciples when Jesus was going to return to Bethany and resurrect Lazarus. "Let us also go, so that we may die with Him." 
 
As I see the world more and more critical of Christianity there just might be a time in the near future when we need to be prepared to die for Jesus.
 
Think About These:
 
A person's faith is not judged by what he says about it, but by what he does about it.
 
All men need a faith that will not shrink when washed in the waters of affliction and adversity.

                 *****************************************************************
I am organizing a trip to the Holy Land in January/February 2023. If you are interested in possibly going on this trip reply to this Pump Up and I will add your name to the list. As I receive more details I will send them to you. I am very happy to inform you that Dr. Mark Ziese is going to be our Bible Lecturer for this trip. You can read more about him and the trips he has already led on his website.

www.MarkZiese.com

I hope you will be able to join us on this adventure of a lifetime.

Stay Pumped,

Gary A. Serago

Minister of God's Word
0 Comments

What Are You Doing With What You Have Been Given?

4/20/2022

0 Comments

 
Matt. 25:20-21 - "The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, 'Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents.'  21 "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave…"      NASU
  • Jesus' Parable About The Talents 
Jesus is trying to teach His disciples to be prudent, prepared and use their abilities wisely with this parable.

Mt 25:15 -"To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability…"   
​
  • Look What I Have Done With What You Gave Me 
We might think this slave in verse 20 is bragging, but what he is really doing is stating the facts. He was giving an account for what was entrusted to him.  He was given 5 talents (a talent is a weight of money) and being very prudent he wisely invested it in some way and his 5 talents have now become 10 talents. 
  • What Have We Done With What God Has Given Us? 
Now before you say God hasn't given me anything I would caution you not to say that. God has given all of us a lot more than we might be willing to identify at first.
 
Let's investigate a statement people have said to me. 
  • The Only Thing God Has Ever Given Me Is A Lot Of Suffering.  
I have had some people say to me the only thing God has given them is suffering. Okay, lets for the sake of argument say that all you have ever had in life is suffering and that God gave it to you.

Then you are the perfect person to teach others how to endure and overcome this type of suffering. You certainly don't want to miss this great opportunity to teach others.
 
Isn't that what we are supposed to be doing in life? We are to be learning the hard and difficult lessons and then sharing what we've learned with others.
 Eph 4:28 - "…rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need."   NASU
 
In Ephesians Paul is talking about why we work so that we can share with the one who has a need. This same principal is valid with what we experience in life. 
  • Types Of Sufferings That Can Benefit Others 
A person who has experienced bankruptcy is qualified to speak to people about how to avoid getting yourself into financial problems or at the very least share with us what he did to bring this type of suffering into his life.
 
We see people attend Alcoholic Anonymous meetings so that they can share some of their life stories to help the people who are in attendance.
 
A person who has overcome cancer is better qualified to speak to someone who is presently in the battle on what they did to stay strong and keep moving forward.
 
We have all experienced some difficulties in life and that qualifies us to share with others what worked for us and didn't work for us during those difficult times. 
  • Master I have Gained 5 More 
Okay, it is honesty time now. What are the top 5 lessons in life that you have gained?
 
What have you survived, overcome, struggled with, or experienced that you need to start sharing to help others?
 
You certainly didn't think that you were going to go through this learning experience and then not share your knowledge with anyone, did you?
 
Think About These:
 
The best advice you'll get is from someone who made the same mistake himself.
 
Education is what you get from reading the small print in a contract. Experience is what you get from not reading it.
 
A wise man learns by the experiences of others. An ordinary man learns by his own experiences. A fool learns by nobody's experiences.

Stay Pumped,

Gary A. Serago

Minister of God's Word
0 Comments
<<Previous

    Archives

    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014

    Author

    Gary A Serago.

    Categories

    All
    Angels
    Bad Decisions
    Christian Lifestyle
    Confession
    Encouragement
    End Times
    Endurance
    Evangelism
    Facts About Jesus
    Faith
    Fear
    Finances
    Forgiveness
    Friendship
    Fulfillment Of Scripture
    God's Will
    Grace
    Heaven
    Hope
    Humility
    Job Stress
    Leadership
    Mercy
    Positive Attitude
    Praise
    Prayer
    Restoring Your Passion
    Stubbornness
    Success
    Suffering
    Temptations
    Thankfulness
    Trust
    Truthfulness
    Wisdom
    Worship

    RSS Feed

Ask Gary a Bible Question
© COPYRIGHT 2015. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.