Acts 1:6 -7 - So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, "Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?" 7 He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority;…  NASU 

·  We Really Do Not Need To Know The "Future". 

I am pretty certain that we have all wanted to know the future at some point in time during our lives.
 
When I was born no one could tell what gender a child was going to be when born. You had to wait and see. I know there were a lot of old wive's tales that went around how you could know the sex of your child before birth but they were just that.
 
In our world today they can tell you if a child is going to be a boy or a girl with some degree of accuracy. Yes, I know it isn't 100% and some times they are incorrect. We almost receive some type of satisfaction when they are wrong.
 
It is like in your face, see you and all your modern technology are not so smart after all. 

·  Why Has This Happened? 

In life a lot of events happen to us and we would like to know about it before they happen.

Why didn't I get that job, or promotion? Why did my mom or dad have to die when I was so young? Why did my child have to die? Why did my parents divorce? Why didn't I win that game?  Why did we have to move? Why did my neighbor win the lottery and not me? The list can go on forever.
 
I likewise have got caught in the trap of asking the question "Why this had to happen to me?" 

The problem with asking the "Why" question is you may never know the truth? You might also believe something about why it has happened and be totally incorrect. 

·  The Better Question To Ask 

Until one day I found a better question to ask. It is the question "What?". Instead of asking "Why?" try asking yourself the question "What?".
 
What can I learn from this event? What can I now do to make this a positive situation? When you ask the "What" question I believe a lot more positives will come from this type of questioning.
 
When you arrive at positive answers to the "What' questions and start to act upon them your life changes for the better.
 
People have experienced tragedies in their lives only to turn these into positives because they asked themselves the "What" question. What have I learned from this situation? What can I do to insure it doesn't happen again? What can I share with others to help them if something like this happens to them.

·  Jesus Told The Disciples 

As you continue to read the above text verse 8 Jesus informs the apostles to prepare themselves to focus on what they are going to do next and that is be His witnesses. Jesus doesn't want them to be concerned about the future of what God is going to do, but rather be prepared for what they are going to do.
 
Jesus had basically told the disciples not to worry about the future because God has that in control. What He wants them to do is focus on their next mission. I would say that Jesus' command is applicable for us today. We are not to be concerned about the future. We are to be concerned about what we are going to do when the future arrives. 
 
So my Pump Up for us today is this: don't worry about the future, God is in control. What you need to do is prepare yourself for your next mission.
 
Think on These:
 
Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow; it only saps today of its strength.
 
True patience means waiting without worrying.

Stay Pumped,

Gary A. Serago
Minister of God's Word

Mt 14:26-31 - When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid."  

28 Peter said to Him, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." 29 And He said, "Come!" And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" 31 Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him,…"    NASU

• It Is The Walking On The Water Club

There is no doubt in my mind if you want to have a life filled with excitement then you want to join the walking on the water club. I am not referring to a literal walking on water, but what I am referring to is when you do something by faith.

It is totally crazy. Everyone, all of your family and friends are advising you to stay in your seat and don't rock the boat.

But you know there is adventure that awaits you if you can just overcome the fear, the negative comments, all of your critics and take a walk on the water with your faith.

Peter saw Jesus walking on the water and wanted to join Him. So he asked the Lord if he could join Him in walking on the water.

Jesus said, "Come."

• What Is The Water That You Need To Walk On?

I remember in 1978 hearing a revival speaker challenge the congregation to get out of their boat and to quit playing it safe.

I had a great job. I belonged to the union Boilermakers. I had a family and I was growing closer to God, but when I got out of my safe little boat is when I really began to experience life and some of its exciting challenges.

I started to study for the ministry and only the Lord knew what was going to happen to me for getting out of my comfortable little life boat.

• Only The Lord Knows What Will Happen To You

When you get out of your comfortable little life boat God knows what is going to happen to you. If you read more of this story you will see that Peter takes his eyes off of the Lord and begins to sink.

You likewise may begin to sink in your new adventure but keep reading and you will see that the Lord stretched out His hand and took hold of Peter.

Peter didn't drown in his new adventure. One thing for sure he would always have that story to tell anyone who would listen.

I can see Peter telling his grandchildren about Jesus walking on the water and how he wanted to join Him and so he did. Can you see the children's eyes lighting up as Peter told them the story? Can you see them saying, "Grandpa tell us the story about how you walked on the water with Jesus."

• What Story Will You Tell Your Grandchildren?

Will you tell them about your adventures in life or will you tell them about how you played it safe and stayed in the boat?

Years ago when I was ministering in MD we were in need of a youth minister. I met with a man named Jon Schank who was working at NSA. Jon had been in the Navy for 9 yrs. All he would have to do is serve another 11 yrs and he could receive a pension.

He had never been trained at a Bible College or Seminary and I was asking him to leave one ship where he had knowledge and familiarity and come and sail on some waters that were totally uncharted by him and me.

We both would be learning as we sailed together.

Jon is still sailing with the Lord today because he dared to step out of the boat.

Think On These:

Where we go and what we do advertise what we are.

Every accomplishment, great or small, starts with the right decision, "I'll try."

Stay Pumped,

Gary A. Serago

Minister of God's Word

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Gen. 39:10 - She kept putting pressure on him day after day, but he refused to sleep with her, and he kept out of her way as much as possible. NLT 

• Life Has Many Different Types Of Pressures

There are a lot of different types of pressures we can find ourselves facing everyday. There are pressures that come from being greedy, lazy, or fighting addictions. 

In our text above Joseph, who was a slave in Egypt, found himself facing the pressures that come from the sexual nature. He was a handsome young man and his boss' wife wanted to have a sexual relationship with him, but Joseph would not be seduced. 

If you ever find yourself facing the pressure that comes form sexual temptations you better have a plan to help you get away. 

• One Successful Way Of Handling Pressure

Joseph's way of handling the pressure he was facing was to avoid this woman and the situation.  

If there is a pressure that is being applied to you see if you can use the Joseph method and avoid the area where it is coming.  

This won't always work because some times the pressure is coming from where you work, go to school or even live.  

When people asked me how I was able to leave the partying life and become a Christian so easily I always tell them that I CHANGED MY ENVIRONMENT. 

I quit going to the bars and associating with the people who used drugs and alcohol. I started associating with other Christians.  

If it is possible a change of friends, and places you go will greatly help you overcome some types of pressure.

• Tony La Russa's Formula

Tony La Russa, who has won 3 World Series (1 with the Oakland A's and 2 with the St. Louis Cardinals), gave a locker room speech that goes something like this: Pressure comes when someone calls upon you to do a task for which you are not prepared. If you have to take an important test and haven't studied, you feel pressure grind as you trudge off to class. However, if you have cracked your books, you are disappointed when you learn the professor has cancelled the exam. 

The key to staying pressure free is being prepared for the situation that you are about to face.  

Joseph had prepared himself mentally and spiritually so that when the situation did arise he departed.  

In Joseph's case the best thing he could do was RUN AWAY from the pressure. He did exactly what the Apostle Paul would say many years later. 1 Corin. 6:18 - Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body. NASU

• What Daily Pressure Situations Are You Facing?

If Tony is correct and pressures come when you are unprepared what steps do you need to implement into your life today so that you can be prepared? 

Identify what you believe are the top three things that are putting pressure on you today and then make a plan that helps you to be prepared to conquer them.

• Is God Putting Pressure On You?

Is God allowing certain pressure to be placed upon you because He wants you to grow spiritually? God knows the best way for us to grow is by overcoming these pressures.

1 Corin. 10:13 - No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. NIV 

If you will take the word "temptation" and translate it "pressure" because we know temptations bring their own type of pressure. You will be able to see that God permits pressure to come into our lives to make us stronger. 

When the pressure becomes too great He will provide a way for you to escape. 

Be prepared and overcome the pressures in life that you will face and when you do you will be glad that you stayed the course.

• The Word "Prepare"

The word "prepare" is used 40 times in the New Testament. In John 14:2 Jesus says, "…I go to prepare a place for you."  

I don’t know about you but that really sounds cool to me. If Jesus is preparing a place for me then I want to go and see what it looks like.  

He is also preparing a place for you and I hope you want to go and see it also. 

Think On These: 

You can either worry about the future or prepare for it. 

No man ever reached to excellence in any one art or profession without having passed through the slow and painful process of study and preparation.

Stay Pumped,

Gary A. Serago
Minister of God's Word

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Matt. 26:56- "But all this has taken place to fulfill the Scriptures of the prophets."Then all the disciples left Him and fled." 

• Jesus Knew His Betrayers 

Jesus was deserted by His disciples, His friends the ones He chose to travel with Him. This has to be one of the worst feelings a person will experience in this lifetime. When your friends are disloyal to you this has its own type of pain.
 
This reminds me of the old saying when you go to a friend in time of need to ask for a favor and he says, "I'd love to help you out, which way did you come in?"
 
One of the main differences is Jesus knew His betrayal was coming and He even knew the ones going to betray Him.
 
He asked Judas, "Are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?" He not only knew who would betray Him He knew how it was going to be done.
 
He told Peter before the rooster crows you will have denied Me three times (Matt.26:34). We know from reading the gospels Peter will do exactly as Jesus informed him. 

• We Travel In A Different Boat 

We can't predict who will desert or betray us. It just happens and we are left to deal with the aftermath. Maybe this has happened to you with a friend, co-worker, neighbor or your spouse. Betrayal is very painful. The mental anguish wreaks havoc upon you. Like any trial the best way to overcome this is by God's Word. 

• How Christians Handle Betrayal 

Romans 3:23 - "…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,…" NASU
 
First, a Christian remembers that we are all sinners and therefore, we all make mistakes. You may also want to remember this passage of scripture:
 
Luke 22:3-4 - And Satan entered into Judas who was called Iscariot, belonging to the number of the twelve. 4 And he went away and discussed with the chief priests and officers how he might betray Him to them. NASU
 
The word "satan" means adversary or one who is against what you are for and the devil is the one who is against what God is for. The devil enters into Judas and then we see Judas begin his betrayal of Jesus.
 
The person who betrays you likewise may have had the devil enter into them and this person then becomes an adversary or one who is against you.
 
Second, remember that God is sympathetic and He cares about what happens to you. He knows you are hurting and He will send relief, but you will have to be patient and wait for it to arrive.
 
1 Peter 5:6-8 - Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, 7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 
 
The devil may have devoured your friend and what will the devil do next? He will get your friend to betray you exactly like he got Judas to betray Jesus.
 
Third, don't betray or desert your friends. You didn't like it done to you so practice the golden rule and do to others what you want them to do to you.
 
The best way to counter betrayal is by being a loyal friend.
 
A friend is one who walks in when everyone else is walking out on you.
 
Be the friend you want to have in your own life. This is how a Christian handles being betrayed or deserted by a friend.
 
Think On These: 
 
"A happy life consists not in the absence, but in the mastery of hardships." - Helen Keller
 
Some people may still have their first dollar, but the man who is really wealthy still has his first friend.

Stay Pumped,

Gary A. Serago

Minister of God's Word