and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day draw near. [hebrews 10:24]
it is an overwhelming privilege to be used by God to stir the affections for Christ in the body of Christ. i hear at least weekly, someone say, “please pray for a desire for God and for his word.” or some just lamenting their lack of desire for God and his word. but why am i, specifically, hearing these requests or laments? because God has scheduled a divine appointment for me to stir these sisters or brothers up in their affections for Christ! does he need me for this? no. could he not just grant these requests through the Holy Spirit? of course. and he does! but he has chosen me, and each of us who are in Christ, to be a conduit of this grace, mercy, and mission.
so as we look at this verse, let us consider a few ways how…
- meet together– this is something that takes time, energy, gas money, maybe even the risk of getting covid. but if God is calling us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow him, these are not things we will cling to as we seek to live generously for our generous God. consider what things God is calling you to lay down in order to meet together. [hebrews 10:24, matthew 18:20]
- remember the mission– when we talk with others about God’s big picture plan of redemption and the grace that we receive through it, we remember that we are on the same mission with him, and with each other. if God is calling someone to mind that you can build up in this way, consider reading and talking through ephesians 1 together. amazing truths to fire us up in Christ and his mission!
- bear one another’s burdens– when someone gets so wrapped up in their own burdens and struggles, the last thing they’re going to think about is love and good works. consider how you can share in someone’s struggle. how to encourage them to let you carry some of the load, while gently exhorting them to look outside of themselves at the beauty of the cross and then at the building up of the body of Christ. [galatians 6:1-3, ecclesiastes 4:9-12]
- worship together– this is definitely not something reserved for wednesday nights! acts tells us that the early church was worshipping at the temple together daily, sharing meals together with glad and generous hearts, praying together, praising God together. this led to awe in people’s hearts, favor with people, and the Lord adding saved souls to his kingdom every day. imagine what this would look like at matthias! [acts 2:36-47, col 3:16]
SO WHO IS STIRRING YOU UP?
WHO ARE YOU STIRRING UP?
Lord, give me a passion for your bride. show me opportunities to stir others’ affection for you that would lead to zeal for your glory, passion for your mission, and a great desire to see your name lifted high in this church, and in this community, and to the ends of the earth.
NOW REACH OUT AND STIR IT UP!!
~arwen eastman