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John 1:19-23 - This is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent to him priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" And he confessed and did not deny, but confessed, "I am not the Christ." They asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?"
And he said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" And he answered, "No." Then they said to him, "Who are you, so that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?" He said, "I am A VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, 'MAKE STRAIGHT THE WAY OF THE LORD,' … NASU
In the interview process James was asked, "Will you be honest if we hire you?" James answered, "I will be honest regardless of whether you hire me or not." John the Baptist knew who he was and if you want to live a richer life I highly recommend this pathway for a better life. Know who you are. He wasn't the Christ nor was he trying to be the Christ. He was completely satisfied with being the "Voice of One Crying in the Wilderness." Don't try to be anyone else. Just be yourself and the best way to be yourself is by knowing who you are. Know who you are.
Sometimes parents try to motivate with incorrect methods. We have probably all heard children called names such as "stupid, clumsy, lazy, idiot" or a plethora of other names. Parents think this will motivate their child. Maybe you heard: "You will never amount to anything, or You don't have a lick of sense do you? or Why can't you be like …?" It has been said, "It is easier to build up a child, than repair an adult. Choose your words wisely." I read about Steven Spielberg's life and I found one part rather amusing. He applied and was denied entrance twice into the prestigious film school at USC. He later applies and is accepted at Cal State University in Long Beach. He graduates from CSU and goes on to direct some of the movie industries' biggest blockbusters. What I found really amusing is in 1994 USC gave him an honorary doctorate degree. The same school that said in essence: "You are not good enough to attend here." Would bestow upon him an honorary doctorate degree. Go Figure!
He was given a goal to accomplish and this is what motivated him. What is your goal? The greatest blessing you can give yourself is a goal. So, what is your goal? Let me ask you this one question, "Who Are You?" You must answer this question. You need to tell yourself in very positive affirmations who you are. It is imperative that you have a positive mental attitude about yourself. Now go and do great things for yourself and others. Think About These: It is your Attitude not your Aptitude that determines your Altitude. Some people entertain ideas; others put them to work. Stay Pumped, Gary A. Serago Minister of God's Word
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Joshua 14:7, 10-11 - "I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land,….and now behold, I am eighty-five years old today... 11 I am still as strong today as I was in the day Moses sent me; as my strength was then, so my strength is now, for war and for going out and coming in". NASU
Toby Keith sang a song and the lyrics were "I am not as good as I once was but I am as good once as I ever was". Well, Caleb says he was just as strong now as he was when he was 40 years old. Now that my friends is positive thinking something we all could probably use a little more of in our lives. If you need your batteries charged you can always do what Caleb did and that is set out on a new adventure.
What was it that Caleb was going to do once again? Josh.14:12 -"…give me this hill country about which the LORD spoke on that day, for you heard on that day that Anakim were there, with great fortified cities; perhaps the LORD will be with me, and I will drive them out as the LORD has spoken." NASU Caleb wants to do battle with the Anakim. Caleb wants to conquer knew territory. He wants to engage in another fight. Just like he had done many times before and how is he going to win this battle? He is going to win this battle with his faith in the LORD and the execution of a plan that has worked for him before. Caleb believes he can do anything as long as the LORD is with him.
Parents name their children Joshua and Caleb all the time but the 10 negative thinkers you never hear of again and I have never known a parent to name one of their sons after the 10 negative thinkers. There were 10 other spies who didn't believe the Israelites could conquer the land. One thing is for sure you must stay away from those who are negative thinkers because they will suck the life and energy right out of you.
What is the best way to pump new life into your body and mind? You really need to know the answer to that question because from time to time you are going to need to use this knowledge. Anyone can get mentally and physically tired and lose their focus. When this happens you must have a plan in place to get you out of this funk. So when you lose your focus what is your plan to get you back on top of your game? If you have ever watched or participated in high school or collegiate wrestling then you know that they have what is known as an overtime period, aka "sudden victory". Most wrestlers when they enter this period will use a takedown or an escape that they have practiced and executed a gazillion times. Why? Because it is something they know so well they can hit this move even when totally exhausted. So you need to have a move that you can execute to charge your batteries even when you are totally exhausted. Think About These: The plain fact is that most humans are happy when they are striving for something worthwhile. Every accomplishment, great or small, starts with the right decision, "I'll Try." Stay Pumped, Gary A. Serago Minister of God's Word Ps 30:5, 10-12 -
5 Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning… 10 "Hear, O LORD, and be gracious to me; O LORD, be my helper." 11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness, 12 That my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever. NASU
The formula is an easy one: Prepare Yourself Mentally and Trust God Fully. David says, "Weeping may last for the night, BUT a shout of joy comes in the morning…" David is writing this Psalm after he got in trouble with God for numbering the people. He knew he had done wrong and the plague had come upon him and his people because of his actions. He also knows that joy comes in the morning. We must train our minds to think all I have to do is make it until tomorrow because "joy" comes in the morning. We are all 24 hours away from a joyous occasion. When I find myself in tough situations I always tell myself, "I can endure anything for 24 hours. I will get a fresh start tomorrow." It is like a wrestler who needs to get out of bounds and get a fresh start. It is not exactly what you want to do, but sometimes it is what you have to do.
God had informed David that because of his sin (numbering the people, which is the equivalent to taking a census, by doing this David was showing his faith was in the number of people and not in God, this also shows David had an issue with pride) He was going to send a plague. He names three different plagues and allows David to choose which plague he wanted to endure. David chose the plague of falling into God's hands because David knew God's mercies are great. You and I need to know the mercies of God are great. He has His eyes on us and He will not give us more than we can bear. 2 Sam. 24:16 -When the angel stretched out his hand toward Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD relented from the calamity and said to the angel who destroyed the people, "It is enough! Now relax your hand!" NASU David was correct when he desired to fall into the hands of the LORD for His mercies are great. In this passage we see God putting a halt to the punishment that was being administered. You and I will do well to trust in the mercies of God for it will be God who will be your helper and turn your mourning into dancing. It will be God who puts a stop to the punishment that is upon you.
Prepare yourself to sing praises to God and give Him thanks forever for it will be God who brings your night of weeping to a close and opens your morning with joy. So remember this formula it is an easy one: Prepare Yourself Mentally and Trust God Fully. Think About These: We learn some things from prosperity, but we learn many things from adversity. When things get rough, remember: It is the rubbing that brings out the shine. Your character is what you have remaining when you have lost everything you can lose. Stay Pumped, Gary A. Serago Minister of God's Word Matt. 5:41 - "And whoever shall force you to go one mile, go with him two." NASB
I was speaking to a well known college wrestling coach a few years back about one of his National Champions. I asked him this question, "What is the difference between him and your other wrestlers? He said without hesitation, "Oh that is an easy question to answer. He does more than he is asked." "How so?" I inquired. He said, "If I tell the team to do 100 pushups he will do 110. If I tell the team I want 20 laps he runs 25. If I tell them 25 pull ups he will do 30. Everything I ask the team to do he will always add more to it." Jesus taught what this wrestler was doing 2,000 years before he was born. He was going the second mile.
So what is happening in your life right now where you need to make a commitment to go the second mile?
Another wrestler said he visualized his opponents in bed sleeping and he was up training getting the edge over his opponents. I am not sure which type of motivation will work for you, but my recommendation is find the one that works and allow it to catapult you to the next level. Think On These: The world might be improved with less television and more vision. The largest room in the world is the room for improvement. Stay Pumped, Gary A. Serago Minister of God's Word I Sam.17:36-37- "Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has taunted the armies of the living God.” And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and may the Lord be with you.”
When was the last time you remembered some of your victories that you had with the Lord? This is very important please take some time either now or when you finish this Pump Up and replay some of the victories you and the Lord have shared in your life.
He saw himself defeating this enemy like he had defeated others before. David didn’t fight alone. He knew God was with him when he entered on to the battlefield. When you go into battle do you see the Lord going with you? If you don’t see God traveling with you don’t go. The Lord has helped you defeat other enemies in your life and He will help you as you face these new ones. Be like David and remember how the Lord has helped you in the past and will now help you as you travel into your future.
When I saw that check I was excited for a second, BUT I couldn’t take the check. I personally thought I had preached the worse sermon ever. So I informed the elder I could not accept money for that sermon. I signed the check and gave it back to him. Later that afternoon I got a call from the Boilermaker’s Union Hall to report to Shippingport, PA at the power plant the next morning. When I got my first paycheck it was for $350.00. God gave me 10 times the amount I gave to Him. God had delivered me from that financial crisis and He has delivered me from many different types of crises since then.
Once you have mentally visualized you and God conquering your enemy then it is time to actually fight the fight. Get Going with God! It is the way to success. Think on This: When we let God guide, He will provide. The Lord calls for us to stand, though not always to understand. Stay Pumped, Gary A. Serago Minister of God's Word |
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