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

God Answered His Prayer By Saying "No."

1/29/2020

0 Comments

 
2 Corinthians 12:7-9 - "…there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me — to keep me from exalting myself! 8 Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. 9 And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." NASU 
​
  • God Said "No." 
The Apostle Paul asked God three times to remove a thorn in his flesh and God answers his prayer with the equivalent of a "No" answer.
 
God goes on to say that His Grace is sufficient for him. WOW!
 
If one of the Apostle Paul's prayers was given a "No" answer what are the chances that some of our prayers may receive the same answer from God?
 
Many times when we pray we are expecting a "Yes" answer from God and if God answers it with a "No" we have a difficult time excepting His "No" answer.
 
One thing we should remember a "No" answer from God may lead to a more productive life. 
  • I've Seen God Say No 
I wanted to go to Ozark Bible College in Joplin, MO. in 1978, but God said "No."
 
He then said "Yes" and opened up doors for me to attend Eastern Christian College in 1979. After that He opened up doors for me to start a 20 year ministry in Glen Burnie and Severn, MD.
 
I have often wondered what might have happened had God said "Yes" to my prayer to attend Ozark Bible College.
 
All the friends I have made in Maryland would have never happened. All the people that I have baptized into Christ would not have happened, at least by me.
 
Let me repeat this - One thing we should remember a "No" answer from God may lead to a more productive life. 
  • If God Says "No" To One Of Your Prayers 
I believe that when God closes a door it is because He has a better one opened for us. We need to take the time to remember God's Grace is sufficient for us.
 
He really does give us what we need. All one has to do is think about Jesus Christ and how God gave His Son to make it possible that all of our sins are forgiven.
 
If God has said "No" keep your eyes and ears open for the "Yes" answer that He has coming your way. 
  • God Has Said "No" To A Lot Of The Bible Greats
God said "No" to Moses leading the children of Israel into the Promised Land. 
God said "No" to David being permitted to build the temple for Him, and
God said "No" to Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.
 
Since God has said "No" to those Bible Greats we shouldn't be too surprised when He says "No" to us.
 
It is what God will do with us after He says "No" that really counts.
 
Think On This:
 
Keep your chin up and your knees down.

Stay Pumped,
 
Gary A. Serago

Minister of God's Word
0 Comments

When You Believe This Your Life Will Change

12/4/2019

0 Comments

 
Matt. 6:7-8 - “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him." NASU 
​
  • Your Heavenly Father Knows 
Jesus was teaching a lesson to His disciples about God. He shares with them they have a relationship with God and this relationship is like that of a father with his child.
 
Jesus says God is our Father. He not only makes that declaration but goes on to inform us our Father knows what we need before we ask Him.
 
We don't have to be like the Gentiles and continue to ask for the same thing over and over again believing the more we ask, God may cave into our many demands.
 
Jesus says we don't have to pray that way because God is our Father and He loves us. He gives us what we need, not what we ask for 1,000 times.
 
As an earthly father, I always had a great feeling within my being when I provided something for my children and especially when I knew it was something they desired.
 
Jesus is telling us God already knows what we need before we even ask Him. This has helped to change my prayer life and me. When I pray for something I very calmly and with faith in God know He will answer this prayer exactly at the right time and the correct way.
 
Barbara Jo and I have a house we are trying to sell in Prescott, AZ. Now I know God knows we are trying to sell it. We have hired a Christian lady to be our agent and we have confidence in her and our God the house will be sold when He wants it to be sold and to the person, He would like to have that house.
 
This passage of scripture gives me an enormous amount of comfort because it says my Heavenly Father already knows my/our needs. 
  • God Knows Your Needs 
If you will absolutely 100% believe God knows your needs when you pray you will have a peace that everything is going to be fine not because you have asked but because God who already knows what you need will give it to you exactly at the right time.
 
If you are a parent you know what I am talking about because how many times have you provided for your children because of your love. Well, guess what? Our love for our children fails in comparison to God's love for us. 
  • It Is Time 
Yes, it is time for all of us to have our lives changed and the best way to have our lives changed is by believing God who knows our needs before we even ask Him for anything will answer them according to His will and His time. 
  • Christmas Season 
The greatest blessing we have ever needed is for our sins against God to be forgiven and guess who took care of that problem?  When did He take care of our sinful problem? He took care of it BEFORE WE EVER ASKED.
 
How did He do that? He did it by sending His Son, Jesus, to be born as a human and then
33 years later offer His life as a sacrifice to atone for OUR SINS on the cross at Calvary.
 
God knows what we need and He does see our needs are fulfilled.
 
Christmas season is about God providing for His children what we really need and what we really need is "peace" with Him which we have through Jesus Christ - Romans 5:1 -
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,…
 
Do you want to change your life?
 
Then believe this: your Father knows what you need before you ask Him."
 
Think About This:
 
When we let God guide He will provide.

Stay Pumped,
 
Gary A. Serago

Minister of God's Word
0 Comments

When No Is The Best Answer From God

8/14/2019

0 Comments

 
2 Corinthians 12:7-9 - "…for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me — to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness."  NASU
 
  • God Says No For A Reason 
The apostle Paul asked God three times to remove a thorn from his flesh and God's answer was "No." God goes on to say, His Grace is sufficient for him.
 
WOW!
 
The apostle Paul was told "no" by God. What do you think our chances are of hearing a "No" to one of our prayers from God?
 
I find it interesting that when I am asking God for an answer to a specific prayer I want the answer to be "yes" but I have found a "no" answer may lead to a more productive life. 
  • When God Said, "No" To Me 
I was converted to the Lord Jesus Christ in 1975. In 1978 I met Don DeWelt, who was a professor at Ozark Bible College in Joplin, MO. I wanted to attend OBC and become a preacher after hearing him teach God's Word.
 
All I needed was my five acres of land to sell. So, I could use the money to help support my family while in college. God said, "No." The college semester started and the land had not sold. Needless to say, I didn't accept the "no" from God like a Christian who trusted God should have.
 
It took a few months for me to come to grips with God's will and let me say this, "I regretted the attitude I had for quite some time."
 
Once I got my attitude adjusted and I was back on track it was no big deal God can still use me as a Christian. I don't have to be a preacher to be used by God. 
  • God Was Opening Another Door 
Professor Dan Dyke was working to get me to come to Eastern Christian College in Bel Air, MD. At the same time, Dave Berresford was trying to get me to attend Eastern New Mexico State University in Roswell, NM.
 
I filled out and submitted the paperwork and left the rest in God's hands. I can honestly say my emotions were neither up nor down this time. It was whatever God wanted.
 
I did attend Eastern Christian College in 1979 as God said, "Yes." I went from ECC to the First Christian Church of Glen Burnie and served the Lord there for 20 years.
 
As I look back I can say, "God knew exactly what the best course for me was." But for me to get there I had to hear God say, "No."
 
If God has said, "No" to one of your prayer requests please learn from my mistake. Don't get upset with God. Say to yourself "God knows best and I will trust Him with all my heart." 
  • God Has Said No To These Bible Greats 
Moses heard God say, "No" to leading the children of Israel into the Promised Land.
 
David heard God say, "No" to being permitted to build the Temple.
 
Jesus heard God say, "No" in the Garden of Gethsemane.
 
Since all of these Bible Greats have heard God say, "No" don't be surprised if God says "No" to some of our prayers.
 
It is what He will do with you after He says, "No" that counts.
 
Oh, by the way, God sold my five acres of land four weeks after the OBC semester started in 1978.
 
Think About This:
 
Keep Your Chin Up and Your Knees Down.

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

Your Life Will Be Different When You Pray This Prayer

5/29/2019

0 Comments

 
Your Life Will Be Different When You Pray This Prayer

Luke 22:40 - When He arrived at the place, He said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation."
NASU
 
            The Prayer That Changes Things
 
We have all been informed to pray this prayer. This isn't the first time we see this command as we read our Bibles. It is also found in Matt. 6:9-13 and is a part of what is known as the model prayer: Pray, then, in this way: 'Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name….13 'And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.   NASU
 
This is a very interesting command.
 
If we pray it we may never know the temptations that we were able to avoid. Think about it. We pray not to enter into temptation and the Lord answers our prayers and we don't enter into temptation.
 
How are we going to know what temptation(s) we avoided?
 
I guess when we get to heaven and we are informed do you remember praying for temptations to be avoided? Yes, well here is the temptation that was coming to make your life miserable but you avoided it because of your prayer.
 
WOW!
 
You see Prayer changes things and there really is no way we would ever be able to know to what extent until we get to heaven.
 
            Temptations Are Strong
 
Before you and I ever sin we are tempted.
 
We must remember the temptation is NOT the SIN. It is only when we allow the temptation to defeat us that we will enter into sin. Again, temptation is not the sin. It is only an avenue that will lead to sin if we allow it.
 
You and I both know certain temptations have defeated us. They were stronger opponents than we thought. Some temptations have no effect on this person but totally devastates another. No alcoholic, or drug addict ever thought their first temptation to try the substance they are abusing was going to lead them where they are now.
 
Imagine if they would have been praying, "Lord, may I never enter into that specific temptation." I think we all know there are some temptations going to come our way, but when they come if we have prayed to overcome them we will be the victors and not the losers.
 
You know the temptations that defeat you. So pray for those temptations specifically to be avoided.
 
            Temptations Defeat The Disciples
 
Jesus is in the Garden before His crucifixion and He tells His disciples "to pray that they may not enter into temptation." We know they don't pray. They go to sleep and then the temptations come their way.
 
We will see Peter shortly denying three times he even knows Jesus. While the other disciples run for their lives.
 
            You Can Defeat Your Temptations
 
I believe we can defeat our temptations. I also believe they will be easier to defeat if we have prayed as the Lord has told us. Lord, lead me not into temptation and please deliver me from the evil I will encounter.
 
Think on These:
 
A person falls into temptation because he is unwilling to stand up against it.
 
By yielding to temptation one may lose in a moment what it took a lifetime to acquire.
 
When you flee from temptation DO NOT leave a forwarding address.

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

How To Have A Successful Prayer Life

3/20/2019

0 Comments

 
Daniel 10:12-13 - Then he said to me, "Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia." NASU 
​
  • Remember What May Be Going On Behind The Scenes 
In our text above, Daniel had prayed to God. The angel (I believe this angel is Gabriel although he is not named specifically) states Daniel's words were heard and he was sent to answer his prayer immediately but the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood him or in other words, delayed him in bringing the answer to his prayer.
 
When we pray it would behoove us to remember our prayers were heard and the answer is on the way, but there is a spiritual war going on between God and the devil. The devil tries to inhibit our prayers from being answered. The devil is hoping we will believe God doesn't care about us.
 
Nothing could be further from the truth. God cares about us and we must never forget that truth no matter how hard the evil one tries to deceive us. 
  • Who Exactly Is The Prince Of The Kingdom Of Persia? 
We are not told specifically, but we know this prince cannot be a human being. There isn't any human who could withstand one of God's angels for a nanosecond let alone 21 days.
 
The apostle Paul informs us about the spiritual war which is going on that we cannot see:
 
Ephesians 6:11-14- Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 
 
13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH…
 
Notice where this fight is taking place, it is taking place in the heavenly places, exactly where Gabriel was fighting the prince of Persia and his help comes from the archangel Michael.
 
You will also notice the very first piece of the Armor of God we are to put on is TRUTH. 

It is my belief there is a prince of the USA and he fights God's angel when they are on their way to answer our prayers.
 
So don't give up on your prayers and in my beliefs it doesn't hurt to pray for the angel who is bringing the answer to our prayers since we know he may have to fight to get here with the answer.
  • You Will Have A Successful Prayer If 
If you never forget God hears your prayers and will answer them. He will answer them with a "yes, no or wait awhile" but He will answer them.
 
The devil was trying desperately to get Daniel to lose faith in God, but it never happened. The devil will try to get us to lose faith in God. I implore you not to let this happen. As Paul says, we are to stand firm.
 
1 Corinthians 1:9 - God is faithful…
 
Paul doesn't lie, God is Faithful my friends.
 
Think About These:
 
The tragedy of our day is not unanswered prayer, but unoffered prayer.
 
When life knocks you to your knees, you are in the perfect position to pray.

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.