​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
 
I send this Pump Up out every year at this time for all my new subscribers. I have made some updates to it this year.
 
If you are near Montpelier, OH I will be preaching this Pump Up's complete version on Sunday Dec. 24th at the Montpelier Church of Christ at 10 am. I would love to see you.

• The Meaning of Bethlehem

Most Christians probably know that Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

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.”  
 
Jesus was and is the Bread of Life. If you are spiritually hungry Jesus is the One who can take away all of your hunger pains. If you have been wondering "What is my purpose?" Then look to Jesus for your answers.

• The Sheep of Bethlehem

Bethlehem was five miles from Jerusalem. The sheep which grazed on the hills of Bethlehem would one day be sacrificed in Jerusalem. 
 
The sheep 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 and would sacrifice their blood. But only the blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus, could totally atone for the sins of mankind.  
 
I hope and pray you have allowed the blood of Jesus to wash away your sins.

• Wishing You A Very Merry Christmas

I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and please don't forget that many years ago the Bread of Life, Jesus, and the Lamb of God, Jesus, was born in Bethlehem so that we could be fed spiritually and our sins could be atoned for by the Blood of the Lamb, which is Jesus.

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 Christmas season is only as meaningful as we make it.

Stay Pumped,

Gary A. Serago

Minister of God's Word

Matt. 27:24 - When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of this Man's blood; see to that yourselves." NASU
 

• Pilate's Accomplishments 

According to Matthew Pilate accomplished - Nothing. Pilate was trying to release Jesus.
He was giving them chance after chance to abandon their plan of murder.
 
Earlier in this chapter of Matthew it says, "So when the people gathered together, Pilate said to them, "Whom do you want me to release for you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" For he knew that because of envy they had handed Him over."
 
Pilate was giving them another chance to do the right thing, but they were not going to free Jesus. They were envious of Jesus and because of their envy they had one thing on their minds killing Jesus the Son of God.
 

• Have We Tried To Wash Our Hands 

Pilate saw a riot was starting because of Jesus and so he takes water and washes his hands as if this symbolic action really exonerated him from this murderous plot.
 
Jesus is still causing riots today. You are either for Him or against Him the choice is yours.
 
As we get ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus in 12 days I hope you have made your choice to believe in Him as the Son of God. For you see there is no way we can wash our hands from this Man's innocent blood.
 
He was born so that He could die and atone for the sins of mankind. We have before us each day a choice to either be with Jesus or against Him. It says in Matt 12:30 - He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters.
 
So you see you can't wash your hands and say I choose to remain neutral for there is no neutral ground with Jesus.
 

• Make This Statement 

The best statement we can make is to accept the free gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ and tell others about this free gift.
 
It is the time of the year when everyone is giving gifts. Give the greatest gift to yourself and others and the gift is Jesus is the Light of the world.
 
Jesus came into this dark world to help us see what God really wants for us. God wants us to truly know Him and how much He loves us. Life here on planet earth without Jesus is no life at all. God has given the world the greatest gift, Jesus Christ, His Son. But everyone needs to accept God's gift for themselves.
 
So make a real statement this year accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior if you have already done so. If you have named Him as your Lord and Savior now might be a good time to recommit your life to Him.
 
Think On These:
 
Keeping Christmas is good, but sharing it with others is much better.
 
The Christmas season reminds us that a demonstration of Christianity is often better than a definition of it.
 
Stay Pumped,
 
Gary A. Serago
 
Minister of God's Word
 
 
 

Gen. 32:24-28 - So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak.  When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, "Let me go, for it is daybreak."
 
But Jacob replied, "I will not let you go unless you bless me." 
The man asked him, "What is your name?"
"Jacob," he answered. 
 
Then the man said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome."  NIV
 
There are so many characteristics that can be identified with Jacob the wrestler. I will share with you a few in today's Pump Up. You may want to read this passage of scripture over numerous times and identify more characteristics and then teach them to others. 

• Wrestlers Are Not Afraid To Go It Alone 

"So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak."  Wrestlers are a part of a team, but they all know when it is your turn to walk out on the mat, you walk out their all alone. It is one on one.
 
There won't be any of your teammates coming to your rescue, nor would you want them to interfere. This is between you and your opponent. Jacob wrestled through the night until daybreak, alone.  

• Wrestlers Keep Going Even When They Are Hurt 

"When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man."
 
Who is this man that Jacob is wrestling? I have my thoughts about Him and will allow you to have yours, but I can tell you this much He was powerful enough to dislocate Jacob's hip with a touch.
 
In the 1972 Olympics, Dan Gable, was head butted. His trainer wrapped his head to temporarily stop the bleeding. He continues to wrestle, wins the match and then received seven stitches to close the gash.
 
In the 1999 Freestyle Wrestling Championships, Cary Kolat, dislocated his shoulder during one of his early matches. He continued to wrestle and won the match.
 
There are hundreds of wrestling stories like these. When you get hurt you keep on going. 

• Wrestlers Will Wrestle Against God If He Steps Out On The Mat 

Please know I am not trying to be sacrilegious. Jacob was wrestling with God as I see it. You and I must realize that sometimes we will have to wrestle with God also.
 
Jacob was wrestling with God. Notice what the verse says, Then the man said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God…"
 
He was struggling or wrestling with God. 

• All Christians Are Wrestlers 

Eph 6:12 - For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. NKJV
 
The apostle Paul informs Christians that we likewise are wrestlers and he even names our enemies that we will be wrestling against in this life.
 
These are vital lessons we can learn from wrestlers:
            Some times we may have to go it alone.
            Some times we may have to keep going even when hurt.
            Some times we may have to wrestle with God or His enemies.
 
One passage of scripture we never want to forget is 1 Corinthians 15:57-58 - "…but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord."  NASU
 
Think On These:
 
When God measures a man, He puts the tape around his heart not his head.
 
Who is more foolish: a child who is afraid of the dark or a man who is afraid of the light?

Stay Pumped,

Gary A. Serago

Minister of God's Word