Ephesians 2:12 - "…remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world."  NASU 
​

• It Can't Get Any Worse 

While reading this verse the thought came to me of something I heard a man say many years ago about a person who was experiencing a severe crisis in his life. The statement was "his life is like the last chapter of a book titled "What's The Use".
 
If you are a Christian and you are having a rough day. I highly recommend reading this verse and think about how horrible a non-Christian's life is.
 
A non-Christian is separated from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, a stranger to the covenants of promise, they have NO HOPE and they are without God in this world.
 
What problem could a Christian have that would even vaguely compare to being separated, excluded, having no hope, and without God?
 
Now I can't speak for anyone but myself but seriously could a person's life get any worse than the person who is outside of Christ? I absolutely think it cannot.
 
How horrible would your life be if you were hopeless and without God? And yet, that is exactly where we were when we were without Christ in our lives. 

• You Don't Have To Live In The Worse Place 

The good news my friend is we don't have to live in the worst place in the world. We can live in the best place. We can live in Christ.
 
The words "in Christ" are found 90 times in the New Testament. I would like to share some of the great blessings a person who is "in Christ" has in this life.
 
Romans 3:24 - "…the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;
 
Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
 
Romans 8:1 - "…no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
 
Romans 8:39 - "…the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
 
1 Corinthians 1:2 - To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus,
 
1 Corinthians 15:22- "For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive."
 
2 Corinthians 5:17 - "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come."
 
I have listed 7 things a Christian has because he/she is "in Christ". The next time you are having a rough day I would like to suggest you read and meditate on the 7 things you have because you are "in Christ".
 
The good news is to remember there are 83 other items we have because we are "in Christ". As you read your New Testament you might want to underline every time you see the phrase "in Christ".
 
Now would be a good time to look up and say "Thank you God for allowing me to live "in Christ" the greatest place on earth."
 
Think About This:
 
We have forgiveness because of where we are and that is "in Christ".
 
Ephesians 4:32 - Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

Stay Pumped,
 
Gary A. Serago

Minister of God's Word

Revelation 22:21 - The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. NASU 
​

• Many Know How The Bible Begins 

Genesis 1:1 states, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."  We probably have all heard, read or quoted that verse at some time in our life.
 
How many of us could have quoted the last verse of the Bible? I know I couldn't have if I were asked before I started to work on this Pump Up.
 
As I was reading this last verse a thought came to me to slow down and reread this passage of scripture and so I did. 
 
Let's reread it slowly and dissect this verse:
 
"The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen"
 
What is GRACE? 
   
Here is a definition from (Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers) -
 
Favor or kindness shown without regard to the worth or merit of the one who receives it and despite what that same person deserves. Grace is one of the key attributes of God.

The Lord God is "merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abounding in goodness and truth" (Ex 34:6). Therefore, grace is almost always associated with mercy, love, compassion, and patience as the source of help and with deliverance from distress.
 
The Christian were being persecuted during the writing of the book of Revelation. The last verse of the Bible talks about the Grace of the Lord Jesus and John under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit is pronouncing a blessing upon all Christians.

The blessing is he wants the Lord Jesus' Grace to be with all Christians. 

• This Gift Is For Us Also 

You might want to read this definition over and over from time to time and allow the promise that is given to us to comfort us especially in times of distress.
 
The "Favor and Kindness" or "Grace" of Jesus our Lord is with us.
 
I am not sure what you might be going through today, tomorrow, next week or next month but I can tell you this much if you are a Christian the "Grace" that comes from our Lord, Jesus Christ, is sufficient to get us through any trial.
 
Here is what He told the apostle Paul: And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." (2 Corin. 12:9)
 
This you can take to the bank. Jesus' grace is sufficient for us. 

• Conclusion

Genesis starts by informing us God created the heavens and the earth.
 
Revelation concludes by John giving us a blessing and the blessing is the "Grace of Jesus" is with all believers.
 
Think About These:
 
Anyone in the world can give up; it is the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else in the world would understand if you quit, that is true courage.
 
Knowledge knows a fact. Wisdom knows what to do with that fact.

Stay Pumped,
 
Gary A. Serago

Minister of God's Word

Jn 6:66-69 - As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore. So Jesus said to the twelve, "You do not want to go away also, do you?"  Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. "We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God."  NASU 
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• If Only I Could Have Been There 

I don't know about you but I wish I could have been there to see this encounter Jesus has with His disciples. Jesus has finished teaching about eating His flesh and drinking His blood and those disciples who took Jesus' teaching literally instead of figuratively stopped following Jesus.
 
They gave up. They quit. They walked away because they didn't understand Jesus' lesson.
 
When Jesus asks the twelve if they want to go away also, I absolutely love Peter's reply, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life." 

• Have I Ever Wanted To Quit 

Honestly, I have never wanted to quit being a disciple or follower of Jesus. I have wanted to quit the ministry on numerous occasions. Why you might ask? There is only one reason.
 
PEOPLE!
 
If you are in the ministry or have been in the ministry I don't need to say anymore. You totally understand what I am saying. People will walk out on you exactly like they did Jesus. They will talk about you, they will slander you, and the good Lord knows they are going to misquote you.
 
Can you imagine how Jesus was misquoted after telling His disciples they were going to have to eat His flesh and drink His blood (John 6:53-56)? 

• Why Am I A Follower Of Jesus 

I am a follower of Jesus for the same reason as Peter. Where else can I go? I believe with every ounce of strength within my being that Jesus has the Words of eternal life and He is the Son of God. I am with Him all the way to the end of my life.
 
March 2, 2020, will be my spiritual birthday and I will be 45 years old in the LORD. I am closer to my faith becoming a reality and I am not going to abandon Him now.

Forty-five years He has been watching over me. Yeah, you could say I have a friend in Jesus.
 
My faith, in the Word of God, informs me Jesus is the Son of God. I know this about Him He wants us to be with Him in Heaven for all eternity and I want that as well. 

• My Desire For You 

I hope you are a follower of Jesus. I hope you know He has the Words of Eternal Life.

If you are reading this Pump Up and you have never been immersed (aka - baptized) into Christ please consider being obedient to His Word.
 
Acts 2:38 - Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
 
Yes, I am a follower of Jesus Christ because He has to Words of Eternal Life.
 
Think About This:

The Word of God is not simply for information but for our transformation.

Stay Pumped,
 
Gary A. Serago

Minister of God's Word

​John 1:22-23 - Then they said to him, "Who are you, so that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?" 23 He said, "I am A VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, 'MAKE STRAIGHT THE WAY OF THE LORD,' as Isaiah the prophet said."  NASU 

• A Voice For God 

John the Baptist was being asked, "Who are you…?"  He tells them he is the Voice. He is the one Isaiah prophesied about many years ago. Isaiah under the guidance of the Holy Spirit informed them there would be a "Voice Calling Clear The Way For The LORD In The Wilderness" and John is saying he is that voice. 

• What A Compliment 

Could you ever imagine being called "the or a Voice" by God?
 
No, I am not talking about singing or being on a TV show. I am talking about God calling you "the or a Voice" because your voice is used to inform people about Jesus Christ the Messiah who is coming.
 
John the Baptist was telling everyone the Messiah was coming and you better repent for the kingdom of God is near. 

• Can We Be A Voice Today? 

I believe we can be a voice today. We can tell people about Jesus Christ. John was telling everyone the Messiah was coming. Look at how Mark (1:4-5) describes John's preaching:
 
John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea was going out to him, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.
 
John was getting it done. He was accomplishing the task before him. He was preaching the Lord was coming and the people were listening. They were coming to him from Judea and Jerusalem. I believe we can preach a similar message today because Jesus Christ is coming again.
 
I also believe if we tell people about Jesus Christ people will likewise be converted. They will put their faith in Jesus Christ, confess Him as their Lord and be baptized for the forgiveness of their sins and receive the Holy Spirit. 

• John Did 

John did what he was told to do and say. We have been told to go into all the world and preach the gospel. I believe that is why people are being baptized into Christ because we have "voices" and we are using them for God today.
 
Go ahead and be like John the Baptist and allow your voice to be used to glorify God and His Son, Our Savior Jesus Christ.
 
What greater compliment could one receive than someone saying, "He/She uses their voice for God."?
 
Think About These:
 
Procrastination is the grave in which opportunity is buried.
 
Small town newspaper once ran this advertisement: "Read the Bible to know what people ought to do. Read this paper to know what they actually do."

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

​I Kings 19:10 - He said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the sons of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars and killed Your prophets with the sword. And I alone am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.”

• When You Lose Your Passion

Elijah uses the past tense verb construction when he said: "I have been very zealous..." I have been but I am no longer very zealous or passionate, Elijah said. I am sure that we all have been "passionate" about something and then we lost that "passion."

I have seen people start college with a full head of steam only to drop out and never graduate. People will start down what would appear to be a great career and in a few years, they are no longer producing like they did when they started with the company.

Look at all the marriages that begin filled with love and passion and then end up in a divorce court.

I know athletes who were passionate about their sport and they get an injury and quit rather than spending the necessary time to recuperate, refocus and re-enter the competition.

• What Causes A Person To Lose Their Passion?

What happens in a person's life that causes them to lose their passion for what they once held so dear? They lose their focus on what it was that caused them to be passionate in the first place.

Howard Thurman said, "Don’t ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs are people who have come alive.” 

Look at what Elijah did. He fell into the trap of looking at what other people were doing. Elijah accuses the Israelites of forsaking God's covenant, tearing down His altars and killing His prophets.

• What Will Help You Regain Your Passion?

Remember the victories that you have had in the past. He forgot to remember what God had just done with him.

God had sent down fire and consumed the altar and the offering that was on it in answer to Elijah's prayer.  All the people started confessing that Elijah's God was LORD and they killed all of the false prophets of Baal. Elijah needed to remember the victory that he had over the false prophets.
                                 
Elijah had forgotten this great victory somehow. He forgot what God was doing with him. All he could see is what is negative and wrong with the world around him. He is unable to see that God is in control.

When you and I fail to see what God is doing with us and that He is in control. Then it becomes easy to lose your passion. 
 
Remember your victories and your passion will return.

• How Do We Restore Our Passion?

Some times we need to get away. We need some downtime. We must restore ourselves physically, mentally and spiritually. We need to recharge our batteries by getting a fresh vision of God.  

If your passion needs to be restored today open up your eyes and see what God has done with you and what He wants to do with you right now.
 
E. M. Forster said, "One person with passion is better than forty people merely interested."
 
You are that one person with passion. You are better than forty people merely interested. Now turn your passion loose on the world with God's guidance and Watch For Future Victories.
 
Think on This:

"Purpose may point you in the right direction but it’s passion that propels you.” - T. McAshan

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