Stir It Up!

I woke up early this morning with two little words haunting me - stir up. Interesting, don't you think? I did, too, so I decided that was God's way of telling me I needed to get up, shake off the sleepy and write something. I sat down with my Bible and decided to look up that phrase. You won't believe what I found. (Okay, so maybe you will!)

The phrase "stir up" is used over and over again in Scripture. In my Bible's concordance (which is not exhaustive), "stir up" is mentioned 11 times about all different kinds of things - wrath, hatred, grevious words, unbelief, agitators, kings, generosity, repentance, ministry, memory - quite a mixture, huh?

One of the most familiar passages to me is Proverbs 15:1 which says, "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." That description of stirring up something is not so flattering. It kinda makes me think of stirring up an antbed - ouch. But there are other places in the Bible where stirring up something IS a good thing. Hebrews 10:24 tells us to "stir up one another to love and good works." You and I are supposed to motivate, encourage, stimulate, provoke, and incite other Believers to love one another and do good works for Christ.

In a practical sense, how does that happen? How do we do stir one another up? Well, in order for any of this to happen, we've got to be together. Get this - we should actually go to church - not just for our own benefit, but for the benefit of others. Let me make that statement again - we should go to church not just for our own benefit, but for the benefit of others. The sentence that began in Heb. 10:24, continues in 10:25: "not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." How can we, as Believers, follow the command of Christ to motivate and encourage one another IN the Body of Christ, if we never are WITH the Body of Christ? Hmmm...

Another way to stir up one another to love and do good works is to simply use words. When you see someone doing something well, tell them they did a good job. When you see the potential in someone to fulfill a need in the Body of Christ, tell them you think they'd be great for that particular area of service. When you see someone respond well in a bad situation, tell them you're proud of them and that they honored Christ with their response.

And words aren't the only way - smiles, hugs, cards, - okay, is your mind teeming with ideas yet? There are so many Christians who just need a little "something" to get them going or keep them going. Why don't you and I decide today to be a part of God giving them that little "stir."

And don't just wait until the opportunity presents itself to be an encourager. The first part of Hebrews 10:24 says to "consider one another." We're supposed to be proactive in thinking of ways we can be an encourager to our brothers and sisters in Christ, even before the opportunity to do so, arises.

With all this in mind, let me start my day by encouraging you. You are loved wholly and completely. Nothing you have ever done or will ever do can change the way God loves you. You are beautiful in the eyes of the Father. You are His treasure...His friend...His child. He created you for a specific purpose, and will fulfill that purpose in you. You are His glory here on earth. He's crazy about you.

Now, it's your turn.

Help us, Lord to do a better job of this. Help us to think of ways we can "stir up" one another to love and good works...and then do them. Open our eyes to see those who need encouragement today and thank You for the privilege of being Your arms and hands and mouth to those around us here on this earth. May we serve You well. Thank You, Jesus. Thank You.