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I Chron. 21:20 - He was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years; and he departed with no one’s regret, and they buried him in the city of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.
I am putting their conversation below for you to read: Old James Ryan: My family is with me today. They wanted to come with me. To be honest with you, I...I wasn't sure how I'd feel coming back here. Every day I think about what you said to me that day on the bridge. I tried to live my life the best that I could. I hope that was enough. I hope that, at least in your eyes, I've earned what all of you have done for me. Ryan's Wife: James? [Looking at the headstone] Ryan's Wife: Captain John H Miller. Old James Ryan: Tell me I have led a good life. Ryan's Wife: What? Old James Ryan: Tell me I'm a good man. Ryan's Wife: You are. Ryan was concerned about his legacy. He wanted affirmation from his wife the one who knew him better than anyone else. He wanted to hear from her that he was a good man, that he had led a good life. Isn't that what most people want when they know they are coming down to their last few years or days? Why is it that we wait until our life is about over before we start to think about our legacy?
The king was the same age as the actor Paul Walker, when he died a few years ago. The big difference between the king and Paul Walker is Walker had people who mourned his death. He had helped people during his life. His life was not all about him; he was concerned about others and helped them while he could. As I said most people care about their legacy but it is for certain that not all people are concerned about what type of legacy they will be leaving.
In fact, most people were probably glad that he was gone. How sad is that? He lived 40 years and when he died no one regretted this King's death. This is such a different picture from when King David died.
King Jehoram made choices that only benefitted him. In the end he was stricken with an illness that lasted two years. He spent the last two years of his life in great pain according to the scriptures (I Chron. 21:18-19). 2017 is a few days away. If you need to make some changes in your life there is no better time than right now. Give yourself and others a great gift, give them a new you in the New Year. Think on This: We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. Stay Pumped, Gary A. Serago Minister of God's Word Share this Pump Up with others by Sharing on Your Facebook Page, Twitter or Forwarding to a friend.
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Luke 2:15 -16 - When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us. ”So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger." NASU
What some may not know is the meaning of Bethlehem. It means "house of bread". Jesus was the Bread of Life or the Bread of God that came from the "house of bread" to give spiritual life to the world. John 6:33 - "For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world." John 6:35 - Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. John 6:41 - So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” John 6:48 - "I am the bread of life." John 6:51 - "I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”
The sheep that were offered on the altar were special as they were sheep without a blemish. When John the Baptist saw Jesus he said this about Him. John 1:29 - The next day he *saw Jesus coming to him and *said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! John saw Jesus as the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world and this Lamb was born in Bethlehem where a lot of other lambs were born that would sacrifice their blood. But only the blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus, could totally atone for the sins of mankind.
What greater gift could anyone receive? Truly, Jesus is the Gift that keeps on giving. Think on This: Jesus really is the reason for the season. The greatest gift that could be given has been given. I send this out every year at this time for all my new subscribers. I hope you don't mind reading a repeat. Stay Pumped, Gary A. Serago Minister of God's Word Share this Pump Up with others by Sharing on Your Facebook Page, Twitter or Forwarding to a friend. John 1:4-5 - In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. NASB
The people in this world who will accept Jesus as the Light of the world. He will give them spiritual Life. John 8:12 - Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life." John 12:36 - "While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light." It is Christmas time and for many this is known as a time to give gifts. I would like to encourage all of my readers, if you have not given yourself the gift of Life through Jesus Christ the Light of the world, now is the time. If you already have given yourself the gift of Life then by all means please share this gift with others, and as you share, remember this one thing:
One of the saddest things I have experienced in my life time is sharing the gospel with people and them not allowing the Light to shine into their life. I can remember equating this event to the lyrics of a song sung by the rock band known as the Eagles. The song was entitled "Already Gone." The lyrics are as follows: "Just remember this my girl when you look up in the sky You can see the stars and still not see the light, that's right." I could tell them about Jesus the Light, but they were not able to comprehend what I was saying. In other words, I was not able to lead them out of the darkness and into the Light. They could see the stars but they couldn't see the Light, Jesus Christ the One who made the stars.
Also, it is my prayer that anyone you shine the Light on will be led out of the darkness and will truly see the Light of the world, Jesus Christ. Think on These: We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. Life is 10% what you make it and 90% how you take it. Stay Pumped, Gary A. Serago Minister of God's Word Share this Pump Up with others by Sharing on Your Facebook Page, Twitter or Forwarding to a friend. Matt 1:19-25 - And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." … And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus. NASU
She was pregnant and Joseph knew he had not known her sexually. Therefore, she must have had relations with someone else. When many would have acted distastefully Joseph decided to take the high road and separate from her quietly. God uses an angel to tell Joseph it is okay to take Mary as his wife. The confusing dilemma she finds herself in, of being pregnant, is because she is highly favored with God. You may find yourself in an uncomfortable situation and asking, "Why is this happening to me?" It may very well be happening because God has a special plan for you just like He did Joseph and Mary. God is able to take a chaotic situation and turn it into a peaceful one if we will have faith and let Him work in our lives. Look at Mary's life and think about how confusing her life was for a while. Pregnant yet she had not been sexually immoral. Even her own fiancée didn't believe her. One thing I have discovered in working with God is when He has something for you to do, many people will doubt your plan.
Now I am not saying that God has spoken to me audibly or even used an angel to convey His will to me in a dream, BUT I am saying that God wanted me to do certain things in my past that I can see clearly now. God wanted me to minister to people in Maryland so He stopped my plans of going to Missouri. I wanted to attend Ozark Bible College but God said, "No. I want you to attend Eastern Christian College." I have learned that sometimes when my plans are flustered God is behind the scenes working diligently for His glory. What is God telling us to do today? What is God telling you to do today? Stay calm and wait patiently on the Lord and you will see Him reveal His will to you. I can tell you this His will for you will not be contrary to anything He has said in His Word.
It is the Christmas season and it is my prayer that you will be looking to do good to all people. Think On These: Christmas is a time when we want our past forgotten and our present remembered. The way you spend Christmas is far more important than how much. Stay Pumped, Gary A. Serago Minister of God's Word Share this Pump Up with others by Sharing on Your Facebook Page, Twitter or Forwarding to a friend. |
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