​Proverbs 15:23 - A man has joy in an apt answer, And how delightful is a timely word!    NASB

     Some Days Are Harder Than Others

Just when you thought you couldn't go another step, when the weight of the world was crushing you, it happened. You received a call or maybe even a visit and as that person spoke to you your strength rejuvenated within you.

What a blessing some people are able to bring into your life immediately.

The Message says it this way: Congenial conversation—what a pleasure! The right word at the right time—beautiful! (Proverbs 15:23 MSG)

     My Early Christian Life

When I first became a Christian there was a man named, Jay Pancake, who attended the same congregation that I did. He was about 20 or so years older than me. We became great friends. If I had a stressed out look on my face he could always tell it. He would always say to me, "You need to come out to the house and drink some of Patsy's ice tea with me." I'd say, "When?" And he say, "Today, of course."

We both knew what that meant. Whatever was causing me to struggle was going to disappear. Jay had that wisdom that only comes through life experiences and aging. Has life taught you some valuable lessons? Then share them with others. Helping others over the obstacle they are facing is just one way we can be like Jesus.

     Are You Having One Of Those Days?

Solomon says, "How delightful is a timely word!" Hopefully, this Pump Up will give you a lift today or maybe you have a Jay Pancake in your life. Give him or her a call or better yet, if they live close to you stop in and visit with them. They will know by the look on your face why you are there and they won't mind at all.

     Be On The Lookout

One of the worse traps we can fall into in this life is thinking only about ourselves. As you travel around today be on the lookout for someone who could use a timely word. Be a Jay Pancake to someone today.

Follow the advice of Solomon either from the Message: Congenial conversation—what a pleasure! The right word at the right time—beautiful!
 
Or from the NASB - A man has joy in an apt answer, And how delightful is a timely word!

I guarantee you that there is someone in the world today who you will come in contact with that could use a timely word from you.

Think About These:

A friend is someone who believes in you. Even when you have ceased to believe in yourself.

No matter how good or bad your life is, wake up each morning and be thankful that you still have one.

Stay Pumped,

Gary A. Serago

Minister of God's Word

Ps 46:10 - "Be still, and know that I am God;…"  NIV 

            The Best Advice
 
This friends is the best advice I can give you when your life is filled with frustrations. It is at this time that you want to find a place where you can "be still". The Hebrew word used here means "to be astonished, be silent, or to quiet yourself".
 
Now that is not all you are to do. While you are being silent, "KNOW that I am God," the Lord says.
 
As you read all of Psalm 46 you will see the Psalmist is letting us know God is the one who protects us. He is our refuge, strength and ever present help in trouble.

             Your Most Frustrating Time In Life
 
As you read this Pump Up think back on a time in your life when you were totally frustrated with your life. Ask yourself this question, "What brought on your frustrations?"
 
A lot of our frustrations come as a result of "unmet expectations". We expect something (a promotion or a financial raise at work) to happen to us or for us at work and if it doesn't happen we become frustrated with the situation.
 
Similar expectations can take place at home, school, or in our personal lives, and when they don't happen the frustrations come upon us quickly.

            How To Handle Frustrating Situations
 
The Psalmist says, "Be Still, and know that I am God…"  In other words, he is saying, "Trust in God." God sees what is going on in all of our lives. Some of these very things may be happening to us as a test.
 
Heb 11:17 - "By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac,…"  NASU
 
How frustrated could that command have made us? God tells Abraham now to go and sacrifice his son, Isaac. It took 25 years for God to fulfill His promise to Abraham that he would have a son.
 
Now he has a son and he is told by God to sacrifice him. I am sure that didn't meet his expectations of things to do with Isaac.
 
But God's word informs us it was a "test". Instead of becoming frustrated control your emotions and keep telling yourself this is a test from God and He would not be giving it to me if He didn't think I could pass it.
 
            How Are God's Tests Frustrating You Today?
 
I would like for you to think on that question for a minute.
 
Are some of the frustrations you are experiencing from God? Is He trying to give you a test that will make you spiritually stronger?  
 
It really doesn't matter if God is giving you a test or not. The key here is Ps. 46:10 -"Be Still, and know that I am God…" is the answer to our frustrations.
 
The frustrations you are facing could be coming from someone else besides God but the key is Being Still, and know who your God is, and what He is capable of accomplishing with you.
 
Think on These:
 
What chance can a man have to control his destiny when he can't control himself?
 
During times of frustrations the best weapon to hold is your tongue.

Stay Pumped,

Gary A. Serago

Minister of God's Word

I Sam.17:36-37 - "Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has taunted the armies of the living God.” And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and may the Lord be with you.”

• Importance Of Remembering Your Victories

David was remembering how God had delivered him from the paw of a lion and a bear. It is important that we remember our past victories with the Lord and David was doing exactly that.

When was the last time you remembered some of your victories that you had with the Lord? This is very important please take some time either now or when you finish this Pump Up and replay some of the victories you and the Lord have shared in your life. 

• Remembering Your Past As You Head Towards Your Future

He also believed that God would deliver him from the hand of this uncircumcised Philistine. David hadn’t fought Goliath yet physically, but he had fought him mentally and won.

He saw himself defeating this enemy like he had defeated others before. David didn’t fight alone. He knew God was with him when he entered on to the battlefield.

When you go into battle do you see the Lord going with you? If you don’t see God traveling with you don’t go. The Lord has helped you defeat other enemies in your life and He will help you as you face these new ones.

Be like David and remember how the Lord has helped you in the past and will now help you as you travel into your future.
 
·What battles are you fighting today?
 
Is it financial, health, family, work or some other type of battle? Then if you don’t mind me making a suggestion follow in the footsteps of David. He remembered how God had delivered him in the past.When we are entering into a battle we need to remember how God has delivered us in the past.
 
·My Own Personal Financial Crisis
 
I was having a financial crisis many years ago. I was asked to preach at a little country church. This was my first sermon ever. When I entered that church building that day I only had 11 cents to my name. After I finished preaching and all the people had departed one of the elders handed me a check for $35.00. 

When I saw that check I was excited for a second, BUT I couldn’t take the check. I personally thought I had preached the worse sermon ever. So I informed the elder I could not accept money for that sermon. I signed the check and gave it back to him. 

Later that afternoon I got a call from the Boilermaker’s Union Hall to report to Shippingport, PA at the power plant the next morning. When I got my first paycheck it was for $350.00. God gave me 10 times the amount I gave to Him. 

God had delivered me from that financial crisis and He has delivered me from many different types of crises since then.
 
·Remembering Your Victories Like David
 
What you want to do is remember the times God has delivered you. Too many times we forget what God has done for us. Don’t let this happen to you. Remember what God has done for you. He has told us He will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb.13:5).

Once you have mentally visualized you and God conquering your enemy then it is time to actually fight the fight.

Get Going with God!

It is the way to success.

Think About These:

When we let God guide, He will provide.

The Lord calls for us to stand, though not always to understand. 

Stay Pumped,

Gary A. Serago

Minister of God's Word

Gen. 2:16-17 - The LORD God commanded the man, saying, "From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; 17 but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die."        NASU 
​

• God and Coaches Are Similar 

God the Coach, told Adam and Eve, the wrestlers, what to do, "From any tree…Eat Freely." And He also told them what not to do, "From the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall NOT EAT."

Now what is so hard about those do's and don'ts?

Wrestling coaches are like God in that they tell their wrestlers what to do, and what not to do. All coaches will emphasize do's and don'ts -"Do get proper sleep and nutrition, Do attend all of your classes, Don't let your weight get out of control, and Don't miss practices." 

Coaches also are at mat-side giving instructions when their wrestlers are in the battle. Your coach wants the best for you exactly like God wanted the best for Adam and Eve. 

• What Was He Thinking 

I have watched a few matches where the thought, "What was he (the wrestler) thinking?" came to my mind. Some wrestlers tried moves that everyone knew would not work.
 
So why did he try it? 

I believe in the heat of the battle you will resort back to old habits when you become impatient or desperate. Even if you know this move will not work you will try it.

I was watching a match once where one wrestler was known for his ability to ride his opponent. What would the other wrestler do when it was his choice?  

Would he take bottom or neutral?

He took neutral. He was better in the neutral position and that was his strength. He went with his strength. He stayed away from the other wrestler's strength. Now wasn't the time to be macho, now was the time to win a championship.

There was no doubt in my mind the wrestler listened to his coach and won the match. 

• Wrestlers Are Like Adam and Eve 

And then it dawned on me wrestlers are like Adam and Eve sometimes. They don't listen to their coaches. Adam and Eve were not to eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and they didn't listen to God, their coach.

There are some wrestlers today who are going over in their minds, what if. What if I would have done this or what if I would have listened to my coach?

You can't change the outcome of your match now so let me say this, "Use this as a learning experience, listen to your coach the next time, and now it is time to move on in your life.
 
Set another goal and start working to accomplish it." 

• Coaches Aren't Infallible 

Wrestling coaches aren't infallible as God is but they do have an advantage when coaching from mat-side. They're able to see the match from another perspective. I'm not saying all coaches always have the correct advice, but they are there to help you in the heat of the battle.

It all comes down to trust.

Do you trust your coach?

When the pressure on the mat is turned up do you trust your coach? If you don't trust him then why did you ever accept the coach's invitation to come and wrestle for him? You are both going to be frustrated.

Adam and Eve simply didn't trust God. They listened to and believed a lie and lost their match. When the pressure of your life is turned up are you going to trust God, your coach?

If not, why did you become a Christian?

• What Are You Wrestling Against Today? 

Do you have a coach or someone you can trust? Ask them for their advice on how to defeat this opponent you are wrestling at this time.

Have you been coached on how to defeat this problem in your life? Implement what you have been taught.

Think on These:

Confidence is the feeling you have before you fully understand the situation.

A good coach inspires men to have confidence in him; a great coach inspires men to have confidence in themselves. 

Stay Pumped,
 
Gary A. Serago

Minister of God's Word