Ask, Seek, Knock.

By:  Bill and Teddy Rogers


Matthew 7:7-12 says “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

Note 1: In the above scripture verses, we are told to persist in pursuing God. People often give up after a few halfhearted attempts and conclude that God cannot be found.

But knowing God takes faith, focus, and follow through, and Jesus assures us that we will be rewarded. Don't give up in your efforts to seek God. Continue to ask Him for more knowledge, patience, wisdom, love and understanding. He will give them to you in His time.

Note 2: The child in Jesus' example asked his father for bread and fish – something good and necessary. If the child had asked for a poisonous snake, would a wise father have given it to him? No! God knows when we are asking for something that is not good for us and does not give us what we are asking for, even though we persist in our asking.

As we learn to know God better as a loving father, we learn to ask for what is good for us, and then, He grants our request in His time.

Note 3: Jesus is showing us the heart of God the father. God is not selfish, envious, resentful or stingy, and we don't have to beg as we come with our requests. He is a loving father who understands and cares.

If we can be kind, just imagine how kind God, the creator of kindness, can be!

Matthew 7:8 says “For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

So, don't give up, continue to ask, to seek and to knock and you will be successful! 

 

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Seven Reasons Not To Worry!

By:  Bill and Teddy Rogers


Mattthew 6:25 says “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?”

1. The same God who created life in you can be trusted with the details of your life.

Matthew 6:26 says “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”

2. Worrying about the future hampers your efforts for today.

Matthew 6:27 says “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”

3. Worrying is more harmful than helpful.

Matthew 6:28-30 says “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?”

4. God does not ignore those who depend on Him.

Matthew 6:31-32 says “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.”

5. Worry shows a lack of faith in and understanding of God.

Matthew 6:33 says “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

6. There are real challenges God wants us to pursue and worrying keeps us from them.

Matthew 6:34 says “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

7. Living one day at a time keeps us from being consumed with worry.

Note: The Bible tells us not to worry about those needs that God promises to supply.

Worrying has consequences:

• It can bring your activities to a complete stop;
• It can damage your health;
• It can cause the object of your worry to consume your thoughts;
• It can disrupt your productivity;
• It can negatively affect the way you treat others;
• It can reduce your ability to trust;
• It can cause you to waste today.

Don't let worries about tomorrow affect what you do today. Planning for tomorrow is time well spent but worrying about tomorrow is time totally wasted! For we are not even promised a tomorrow.

Do you know for sure where you are going when you die? Are you ready?

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Life And Death Are In The Power Of Your Tongue...So Choose Life!

By:  Bill and Teddy Rogers

The tongue is one of the smallest organs in the body and its potential for good or evil is very great.

The word “tongue” is often a reference to the spoken word and what our tongue produces has eternal significance, for it reveals what is in our heart. This holds true whether we’re speaking of spiritual, physical, or emotional “life and death.”

Proverbs 18:21 says “The tongue has the power of life and death.”

In the Bible, the books of Psalms, Proverbs and James contain many scriptures referencing tongues (way too many to list in this post).

TONGUES CAN GIVE AND SAVE LIVES

Proverbs 11:30 says “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives.”

Tongues can reconcile peoples and make peace. Tongues can make marriages sweet, families strong, and churches healthy. Tongues can give hope to the despairing, advance understanding, and spread the gospel.

Tongues can also save lives. Examples: A doctor recommends a life saving surgery; a counselor gives hope to a person contemplating suicide with an uplifting word; or a tornado warning is issued just in time.

TONGUES CAN CAUSE DEATH OR RUIN A LIFE

Proverbs 16:28 says “A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.”

People can die because of something someone says. Example: A false witness can be the cause of a death or prison sentence.

Tongues have caused the death of marriages, families, friendships, churches, careers, and even governments.

Tongues have caused wars and mass destruction. And, murders are often initiated because of arguments.

A slanderer can destroy the reputation of a good person and a seductive woman or man can, by their tempting words, ruin a person's life.

Proverbs 21:23 says “Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.”

WATCH WHAT YOU SAY

Have you ever lied? Have you ever hurt someone's feelings by your words or tone of voice?  Are you bitter toward anyone? Do you become angry with those who strongly disagree with you?

What you say and what you don't say are both important. Proper speech is not only saying the right words at the right time, but it is also controlling your desire to say what you shouldn't.

Examples of an untamed tongue include gossiping, putting others down, bragging, manipulating, false teaching, exaggerating, complaining, flattering and lying. Before you speak, ask “Is what I want to say true? Is it necessary? Is it kind?”

Today, be a person whose mouth is full of life. Speak words that encourage, that are kind and tenderhearted. Remember, compassion produces greater results than criticism or blame. Say something affectionate to a loved one at an unexpected time. Seek to only speak words that are good for building up – not tearing down. 

ASK GOD FOR WISDOM 

Ask God to give you wisdom on when to speak and what to say or what not to say. The power of life and death is in your tongue today...so choose life!

If you are saved, God is your Heavenly father. He loves you and wants the very best for you. And, always remember, there is much power in your words.

Do you know for sure where you are going when you die? Are you ready?

 

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