Asking, Seeking, Knocking

Matthew 7:7-11
I’m seeking the Lord’s will about certain areas in my life, asking Him for wisdom and guidance, and I’m knocking every day. Can’t you just picture a little child pounding on the door, until someone finally answers? Yup, that’s me. But I have the promise that He’s going to answer my knock and give me the guidance I asked for and I will find wisdom and the Lord’s will. Than as if this isn’t enough Christ gives an analogy.
What kind of parent would give their child a stone when he was hungry and asking for food? I’m hungry and asking for the Lord’s will, why would He give me something as cruel as a stone? He’s not going to give me something that’s not His will if I am truly seeking it and hungry for it. When we wanted fish would He give a snake that’s going to hurt us? Why would He give us something dangerous when all we wanted was to be filled with good things? He wouldn’t.
We are humans and parents can give pretty good gifts to their children and supply their needs. So now think how much better a parent God is compared to our earthly parents. He’ll give us much more good things.
Asking, Seeking, Knocking- Our Father giving us good things.

“Where are our young men, fired with the love of Christ and compassion for immortal souls, who are desirous to leave their comforts and their homes for a few years, to serve their Redeemer in foreign lands?"
~Ann Judson~

Are You An Encourager Today?

Mrs. Bullock taught our dean session today and we have been studying the life of Barnabas, the encourager. There were some things that stuck out to me and I though I would put them up here, to be an encouragement to others.
Barnabas’s encouragement changed many lives and furthered the spreading of the Gospel. In Acts 11:19- 26 we see that Barnabas ended up going to Antioch, then he went and retrieved Paul and they returned to Antioch to abide there for a year. After that year was up there were many added to the church and the people were first called Christians. Barnabas brought Christ out of these people by encouraging them to live and serve Him, because they had the courage to live for God they were called Christians, “little Christ’s”.
So Barnabas changed lives… What about us? Whose life are we changing and encouraging to live for God?
An encourager:

• Is committed to the success of others.

• Doesn’t focus on the failures of a person but focuses on their potential.

• Infuse courage into someone else, helping them to be bold enough to do what they should for God.

• Prays for others and lets them know it. When was the last time you asked to pray with someone? To hear someone pray for you gives you the courage and strength to get through that day.

So today start little and be an encourager. Keep in mind that God takes our failures and makes them successes.