Jn 5:36 - "… the very works that I do — testify about Me,…" NASU
He wasn't a hypocrite because what He preached was exactly how He lived. John the Baptist was in prison and he is having some doubts about Jesus being the Messiah so he sends some of his men to ask Jesus if He were the One that was to come or should they be looking for another. Jesus gives them this answer in Lk 7:22-23 - And He answered and said to them, "Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: the BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the POOR HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM." NASU Oh yeah, He is the One all right because Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would be doing exactly what Jesus said He has been doing.
I was at the bedside of a man who was going in for some major heart surgery. When we were all alone he confessed to me that he had not been living his life correctly and he would like to have a second chance to make things right at home, at work, and most importantly with the Lord. I prayed that he would come through his surgery successfully and that the Lord would allow him time to change his legacy. I learned something very important from that brother that day. It was when you are faced with the possibility that you might die you don't want to be a hypocrite.
Now is the time for some introspection. Can you say that your works testify that what you're doing matches what you think is important? If you said, "My family, my job or the Lord is important to me." Then your works should be your proof that your family, job or the Lord is really important to you. Don't say that something is important to you and then have no works to support your statement because that will make you a hypocrite and that is certainly not what you're interested in accomplishing. It was really important for Jesus to stay focused on His goals and we see Him doing exactly that staying focused on His purpose for coming to earth. That is why He says that His works testify about Him. So ask yourself this question: "What do your works say about you?" Think on These: The plain fact is that human beings are happy only when they are striving for something worthwhile. This will be a better world when the power of love replaces the love of power. Stay Pumped, Gary A. Serago Minister of God's Word Go To www.SeragosPumpUps.com
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Philippians 4:8 - Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. NIV
Philippians 4:8 - Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious — the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. (from THE MESSAGE)
You may have thoughts like: "I am so stupid, Everybody hates me, I am such a jerk and I would be better off dead." Paul says, think on or meditate on the things which are true. None of the things stated above are TRUE. You're not stupid. You may have done something incorrectly but that one decision doesn't define you. Everyone hates you once again is not true. If you are reading this Pump Up I don't hate you. My Lord doesn't hate you. You certainly would not be better off dead. When I could feel myself starting to be depressed I always would go to the hospitals and visit someone. Just me being there seeing people who were sick always got me to stop thinking negatively. You might not be able to go to hospitals today with Covid but there are still ways to help other people and in helping others you help yourself.
I am not going to give you my list of what things I believe are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. You can do this on your own and your list will mean more to you than my list. However, I will share with you what I believe is PRAISEWORTHY. That is God's unique plan to bring sinful people to heaven with Him for all eternity. What have we ever done to deserve even one second in heaven? The answer would be nothing. So why is it we get an opportunity to go there? We get an opportunity to go there because God in His infinite mercy and loving-kindness developed a plan whereby sinful man could be forgiven through the acceptance of the atoning blood sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ. I love the words of the old hymn To God Be The Glory: To God be the glory! Great things He hath done! So loved He the world that He gave us His Son; Who yielded His life an atonement for sin, And opened the life gate that all may go in. Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Let the earth hear His voice! Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Let the people rejoice! O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son: and give Him the glory! Great things He hath done! If you would like to listen to the entire song I have included a link for you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CeBoSQsBR0 How can anyone overcome being depressed? All one has to do is follow the advice of the Apostle Paul and think about the things that will release you. Think on the things which are TRUE, NOBLE, RIGHT, PURE, LOVELY, ADMIRABLE, and PRAISEWORTHY Think About These: Think right, act right; it is what you think and do that make you what you are. The right train of thought can take you to a better station in life. Stay Pumped, Gary A. Serago Minister of God's Word 2 Sam. 24:24 - But the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. ESV
A prophet named Gad tells David to go to the threshing floor of Araunah and build an altar there. He goes to Araunah’s to buy the tract of ground, to build an altar, and offer the necessary sacrifices to bring an end to the plague. This plague came because David would not listen to the counsel of Joab, a man who was very loyal to David for most of his life. When a person has been very loyal to you and they try to persuade you not to do something it might be wise to listen to them.Had David listened to Joab he would not have brought punishment on his people. Araunah wanted to give King David the land, but David will have no part of it. This is when he makes this famous statement: “No, but I will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing.”
He would not listen to his General Joab. King David counts the Israelites and for whatever reason, this is not permitted and now he has to be penalized for his arrogance. David sees God punishing the Israelites because of his sinfulness. He is told to go to Araunah and build an altar on the threshing floor of Araunah. Araunah wants to give his king the land but King David will not take the ground for free.
But at least when he did repent he gave us the example of how to do it right. He offered to God that which came from his pocket and not the pocket of someone else. When you give to God give from your heart. Whether you are giving Him repentance or a financial offering. Think About This: Repentance is not when you cry. Repentance is when you change. Stay Pumped, Gary A. Serago Minister of God's Word Prov. 11:24-25- "There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more,
and there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want. The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered." NASU
If I have 5 apples and I give one apple away I now have 4 apples. So how does that equate to an increase? Yet, a spiritually-minded person reads this passage and understands it quite easily because they know God sees our liberality and He will bless our action of giving so that we will be blessed with an increase. A person of little or no faith will not understand this concept. Yet, a person of faith understands it perfectly. This course of action to the person of faith makes perfect sense and is crystal clear.
There will be no contentment for the stingy person only a desire of wanting more. They are not able to be happy with what they have because of this deep longing down inside them that only wants more.
Seriously, wouldn't you want to have a little and be content with it, rather than have a lot of stuff and not be content with what you have?
I led a Christ’s Church of the Valley men's group to Rocky Point, Mexico to build 13 houses on my first trip. The house dimensions are 11' x 22'. Yes, you read the dimensions correctly Eleven Feet wide x Twenty-Two Feet long. The stick-built, stucco house had one door, two windows, no running water or electricity. The people cried tears of joy when we gave them a Spanish Bible and the keys to their door at the end of the project. Now most Americans who are reading this Pump Up are saying to themselves my garage is bigger than that and you would be correct. Yet, this house will be the home for 4-6 people and sometimes more. I made God a promise during that trip I would never complain about what I have. This was an eye-opener for me. Then I went on a mission trip to Peru and Africa and my eyes were opened even wider. I have more food in my cupboard than they would eat in a month.
Hopefully, you noticed I never mentioned money. Money is not the only way you can give. When I went to Mexico I gave leadership, direction, and time. I organized the trip. I made all the necessary arrangements, recruited others to help me, and I even took clothes for them. Give things away that you are not using that would be a blessing to others and by all means, give your time to a lot of worthy projects. You need to be one of the ones who scatter because in so doing you will be the one that prospers. Think About These: Generosity will always leave a more pleasant memory than stinginess. He who gives only when he is asked has waited too long. Stay Pumped, Gary A. Serago Minister of God's Word Go To www.SeragosPumpUps.com |
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