Luke 18:38-42 - And he called out, saying, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" 39 Those who led the way were sternly telling him to be quiet; but he kept crying out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" 40 And Jesus stopped and commanded that he be brought to Him; and when he came near, He questioned him, 41 "What do you want Me to do for you?" And he said, "Lord, I want to regain my sight!" 42 And Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well."   NASU

                His Faith Led Him To Try Something 

This blind man was led by his faith to yell out for Jesus to have mercy on him. Where has your faith been leading you? No, seriously, where has your faith been leading you?
 
Have you ever met a person who was really alive? One guy says, "They have passion for something they want to accomplish." I say, "They have faith and are living accordingly. They aren't afraid to try something others would consider crazy."
 
                His Faith Was Opposed
 
This man was crying out to Jesus and those who were leading him were sternly telling him to be quiet. Do you understand the ramifications of their advice? If he had listened he would have remained blind.
 
You cannot expect people who don't have the faith you do to support you or even understand what you are trying to accomplish.
 
If your faith is leading you to try something out of the ordinary and others are telling you to "forget about your crazy idea." You are probably on the right path.

You need to know your faith in something will many times be opposed by others just like this blind man's faith was opposed.
 
All great plans are opposed and many times from the ones you went to for support.
 
The blind man was "STERNLY" told to be quiet by those who were leading him. The ones who were supposed to know what they were doing and where they were going were 100% wrong.
 
We have probably all read the saying, "The Ark was built by amateurs and the Titanic by professionals."
 
                Has Your Faith Led You To Being Threatened Or Ridiculed?
 
The blind man was threatened to "shut up" but that didn't stop him.
 
In 1979 I wanted to go to Bible College and as I shared my idea with other people I was told this was the craziest idea that I have ever had and that I had a lot of crazy ones, but this was right up at the top.
 
I was informed (as if I didn't know) that I had a family and who was going to support my family if I were in college?
 
I was reminded of my past that I had been out of high school 9 years and if you will remember you weren't that great of a student in high school.
 
Last but not least you have a great job as a union Boilermaker. You are going to throw away a job that some people would love to have to chase after this crazy dream?
 
                Faith Is Always Rewarded
 
Well, my faith led me to Eastern Christian College in August 1979, I graduated in 1983, my family survived the experience, and pretty much every negative thing that was said to me about going to college NEVER HAPPENED.
 
I do want you to know that my faith was tested while in college, but I kept believing and stuck to my plan.
 
                His Faith Was Rewarded
 
The blind man and Jesus have an encounter and Jesus asks him, "What do you want Me to do for you?" He says, "Lord, I want to receive my sight!"
 
In other words, his faith has led him here to ask Jesus for help. Have you ever wondered why those who were leading the way wanted him to be quiet? What were they thinking? It really doesn't matter what they were thinking because whatever it was they were wrong.
 
Did you see what Jesus said? "Receive your sight; YOUR FAITH has made you well." His faith was rewarded because he would not listen to the naysayers.
 
His faith was rewarded. Has your faith led you to your reward?
 
                What Reward Is Your Faith Going To Bring You?
 
No, I am serious where is your faith going to lead you? We don't just read the Bible and say, "Oh that was nice, good for him or her." The Word of God is for us and it is to challenge us to Step Up and Step Out on Faith.
 
So get your faith in gear and Get Going With God.

Think on These:
 
Mankind needs a faith that will not shrink when washed in the waters of adversity and affliction.

Feed your faith and doubt will starve to death.

Stay Pumped,

Gary A. Serago

Minister of God's Word
 

When You Have Faith You Don't Need This.

Mk 16:2-4 - Very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. They were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?" Looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away, although it was extremely large. NASU 
​

• All The Answers 

When you have faith you don't need all the answers. All you need is a desire to accomplish what it is you want to do.
 
These three women, Mary, Mary, and Salome, did not know how they were going to move the extremely large stone, but they didn't let that stop them from walking to the tomb.
 
I have been in way too many meetings where the people were frozen with fear to do anything because according to them they didn't have all the answers. They couldn't possibly be expected to make a rational decision without first investigating this issue.
 
Mary, Mary, and Salome had no idea how they were going to move the extremely large stone but that was not going to stop them from going to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus.

•  Surprise, Surprise! 

They were amazed when they arrive at the tomb and notice the stone had already been rolled away from the entrance. As you read on you will notice an angel is the one who rolled the stone away from the entrance for them.
 
Let me say it this way, "They had faith and God rewarded their faith by sending an angel to remove the stone." 

• What About Your Faith? 

Do you need all the answers before you will move?
 
Or are you like these three ladies?  

They had a partial plan. They waited until the Sabbath was over and then they bought the spices they would need to anoint Jesus' body.

They then travel to the tomb with the spices and were going to anoint His body except there was one problem. He wasn't there. He had resurrected.
 
They met an angel but didn't even know it. I wonder how many times we humans have met angels and didn't recognize them (Hebrews 13:2 - Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.)?
 
So what about your faith?
 
Do you have a desire, a passion, and a partial plan and as far as you are concerned that is enough. Have you launched out on your journey?

When you meet obstacles do you believe God will help you move them out of your way?
 
If so, that my friends is faith.
 
You don't have all the answers but you trust in God. You believe you will succeed and so you launch out from shore.
 
May you enjoy your journey and may every obstacle you encounter only strengthen your faith.
 
Think On These:
 
Faith is the daring of the soul to go farther than it can see.
 
Faith with works is a Force. Faith without works is a farce.
 
In all relationships of life, faith is worthless unless it leads to action.

Stay Pumped,
 
Gary A. Serago

Minister of God's Word

1 Peter 1:8-9 -"…though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.  NASU 
​

• Peter's Words Of Encouragement 

Peter is writing to Christians who have suffered through various types of trials and tribulations. He is giving them a pep talk as they do daily battle with the evil one. He wants them to know they have an inheritance awaiting them in heaven and it can't be taken from them as long as they remain faithful.
 
Peter states they have not seen Jesus Christ, but they love Him. They have heard about Jesus being crucified and resurrected from the dead.

When I read those words the other day it was like they jumped off the page and said, "Serago, this verse is describing you and your Pump Up readers".
 
I have not nor have you ever seen Jesus Christ, but we love Him. Think about how the knowledge of Jesus Christ has changed our lives.
 
Peter continues with not only do we love Him but we believe in Him. We believe in Him so much Peter exclaims, "we greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory."
 
We believe in Jesus tremendously and in our belief, we greatly rejoice. 

• What Our Faith Accomplishes 

One thing having faith in Jesus Christ has taught me is how to endure suffering. Now I don't believe I suffer in any way close to the resemblance of how our brothers and sisters suffered in the first few centuries. They were suffering unto death on a daily basis.
 
We suffer or are persecuted today in the United States for Jesus, but it is in a much different way. I believe the overabundance of material items that causes lust and greed to form in our hearts, which if left alone to take control of our lives will bring about our spiritual death.
 
In order for lust and greed to take control of our hearts then our faith in Jesus Christ must be pushed out of our lives.
 
Paul says this in 2 Timothy 3:12- Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. What he doesn't say is how the persecution will come.
 
As Peter encouraged those 1st Century Christians he let them know that by keeping their faith the final outcome would result in the salvation of their souls. 

• Let Me Encourage You 

As you know Christmas is one week away and I would like to give you a Christmas gift today. I want to tell you something I believe about all of you, my readers:

I know you have never seen Jesus Christ, but I know you love Him. Not only do I know you love Him, I know you believe in Him. You believe Jesus was crucified on the cross of Calvary, buried in a tomb, and resurrected on the 3rd day from the dead. 
 
You believe this truth so much you greatly rejoice with joy to the point it is inexpressible. All you have to do is keep believing this about Jesus and it will bring the final outcome of salvation to your souls.
 
My gift to you is I believe in you. I believe this about you all. I believe with all my heart you can endure any persecution or suffering and remain faithful to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
 
Keep CHRIST in Christmas.
 
Think About This:
 
Truth is not always popular, but it is always right.

Stay Pumped,
 
Gary A. Serago

Minister of God's Word

Judges 7:2 - The LORD said to Gideon, "The people who are with you are too many for Me to give Midian into their hands, for Israel would become boastful, saying, 'My own power has delivered me.' …" NASU 
​

• Origin Of Victories 

God informs Gideon if he went into battle against the Midianites with 22,000 soldiers the Israelite's victory would be their downfall. They would become puffed up with pride, boastful, and believe the victory happened because of their strength.
 
God wanted Israel to trust Him then. God wants us to trust Him today. 

• Faith 

Are we walking each day in faith so that no matter what enemy we meet we know we will be victorious because we walk with God?
 
Are we facing prideful enemies today?
 
Has the job promotion helped us or hurt us? Has leading a Bible study helped or hurt us? We have an enemy who is constantly trying to get us to believe we can get through this life without God's help.
 
There is one who wants us to believe what we have accomplished we have done it on our own. 

• The Way Temptations Come 

In I John 2:16 we are told the three ways we will be tempted. There will be the Lust of the Flesh, The Lust of the Eyes, and the Pride of Life. The temptations you and I face will be able to be placed under one of these three categories.
 
The devil has been very successful in getting God's children to sin. Sin has conquered all people except Jesus Christ. Adam and Eve's sin in the garden, David's numbering Israel and Samson's sin of using his strength incorrectly were all three sins which fall under the category of Pride of Life.
 
You and I need to know the devil will use the Pride of Life to conquer us. We must stay alert for we have an enemy who seeks to hurt us by getting us to be prideful.
 
One of my mentors told me this on numerous occasions: "Don't believe everything people say about you, good or bad." 

• The Way To Defeat Temptations 

The apostle Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:13 - No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. 
 
The way to defeat temptations is to know God has provided for you a way to escape.
 
While visiting with some friends in Florida we all decided to go to an Escape Room. They go over some rules with you and then place you in a room and give you 45 minutes or an hour to escape. If you escape you can have the feelings of accomplishment. If you don't they show you how you could have escaped by using the clues that were in the room.
 
God has given us all the clues we need to escape every temptation the devil throws at us.
 
You have not been left alone. God has not only provided the way to escape He has given us a map (The Bible) how to get out of the temptations we are facing. 

• Temptations Didn't Work On Jesus 

When tempting our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (Matt. 4:1f) look at the devil's plan:
 
First, he said to Jesus, "If you are the Son of God turn these stones into bread."
 
The devil tried to get Jesus to doubt Himself. Jesus had been fasting so the devil tries tempting Him with a Lust of the Flesh temptation. Jesus quotes scripture to the devil, the same road map we have in our possession and we have the example of Jesus defeating the devil. Therefore, we can defeat him as well if we will follow the course Jesus used.
 
The devil will try and get you to doubt yourself.
 
Secondly, he said to Jesus, "If you are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, He will command His angels concerning You;…"
 
With this temptation, the devil uses the Pride of Life against Jesus. It fails also. Jesus quotes scripture to him.
 
Thirdly, he said to Jesus, "I will give you all these kingdoms if You will worship me."
 
Jesus once again will quote scripture and the devil's Lust of the Eyes temptation is defeated. God had provided a way to escape and each time it was using the Holy Scriptures.
 
The more of the Word of God you know the better equipped you will be to overcome all temptations.
 
Think About These:
 
Pride hides a man's faults to himself and magnifies them to everyone else.
 
When success turns a man's head, it leaves him looking in the wrong direction.

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

I Kings 19:2-4 - Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, "So may the gods do to me and even more, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time." And he was afraid and arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree; and he requested for himself that he might die, and said, "It is enough; now, O LORD, take my life, for I am not better than my fathers.
​

• Forgetting God Is In Control

Elijah is making the biggest mistake a believer in God can make:
1. He is forgetting what God has done with him.
2. He believes Jezebel, a liar.

Elijah had displayed great faith in God and defeated 450 false prophets of Baal. He challenged them to pray to their god and he would pray to his God. The God who sent down fire from heaven and consumed the sacrifice would be the true God to be worshipped.
 
Baal failed to answer his 450 prophets, because Baal is not a real god. Yet, the God of heaven and earth did NOT fail to answer his one prophet Elijah.
 
Yet, when it was really important Elijah forgets what God has done.

• What Happens To Us

What causes us to forget what great things God has accomplished with us?

Elijah has just defeated these false prophets. Their god Baal was useless to them but Elijah's God was not useless. He was the true God. We don't worship Baal. He is useless. We worship and serve the only true God.

How can we forget so quickly what He has done for us?

• How Is It Possible Elijah Would Believe A Lie?

Jezebel threatens to kill him and he believers her lie. He runs for his life rather than standing his ground. Why didn't he display his faith once again?
 
He could've said, "What happened to your 450 false prophets is now going to happen to you."

What lie is the devil telling you now that you believe?

• Displaying Your Faith Produces Positive Rewards

In the past you have stood your ground and displayed your faith and you were rewarded.
 
If your faith is being tested don't run because you are afraid as Elijah did. Stand your ground! God will reward your faith.

• We Need To Remember What God Can Do

We would be wise to remember that Jesus Christ was crucified and God raised Him from the dead. God has the power over death. Whatever trial you are facing the worse that can happen is you die physically. Then God will show you once again His power as He resurrects you from the dead.
 
Romans 8:11 - But if the Spirit of Him (God) who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. 
 
We can not beat this promise from God. You die in Christ and you will come alive by God's Spirit.

Think On This:
 
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.

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