Stir up one another to love and good works...

(Hebrews 10:24) “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works...”

I realize that there seems to be a style to my thoughts as they seem to run in a certain direction and then change course without warning, leaving a topic hanging in the air. Almost like a squash ball as it is belted against four walls. As I said before; this blog came about when I stopped penning my daily diary, those entries were some of my deepest thoughts, struggles and obvious delights put to paper. It was a succouring time of soberness as are these blogs. However I never looked through the shift by blogging to now change my intentions, I still deal with my thoughts as the Lord mercifully deals with me a struggling pilgrim. I wasn't and still don’t want this to change, all I look for is what the Lord is teaching me on a daily basis or what am I failing to apply in obedience to God my Father, i.e. when I look at spiritual gifts, the infilling of the Holy Ghost or two Spirits, it is not because I now have pet subjects that I am now obsessed with. God saved me in a Pentecostal Church and there they taught me many wonderful truths but with that came many unanswered questions as time progressed. I often address these once unanswered questions as I seek out their truth. In a nutshell I have structure with my blog, I deal with my daily thoughts and where they lead me, I do not have a programme of study that I follow, this blog was never about that. There are far greater bible teachers that one could learn from, but what I am convinced of is that we all have the ability to feed one another and provoke each other to good works. I hope and pray that God will use it to build and rescue others just as He often uses it to feed me.

Nevertheless having said this I will always endeavour above all else to be true to God’s Word. Emotions play an integral part in a believer’s life, but they should never overshadow the Word of God and if they do we then operate in the realm of deception. It is a consideration that now drives me to find accurate answers from the Bible, hence the squash ball effect. So please understand if and when the squash ball changes direction, all it means is something more pressing has captivate my soul.

Now let us continue with the “body principal”... what is the importance of God’s children finding sweet fellowship one with another? It is critical! We must make every effort to seek out like minded people with the intention to feed each other. We must not be like the mosquito, a blood sucker always taking and never supplying. We must learn to take responsibility with the talent (gift) God has given us, and no! It is not a competition, we must never look to outdo one another that will only ever result in contempt and set us up with pride which in turn will lead to our demise. However scripture warns us to be deliberate with this application to our lives.

“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 drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)

That we should consider one another, to provoke to love and to good works. Christians ought to have a tender consideration and concern for one another; they should affectionately consider what their several wants, weaknesses, and temptations are; and they should do this, not to reproach one another, to provoke one another not to anger, but to love and good works, calling upon themselves and one another to love God and Christ more, to love duty and holiness more, to love their brethren in Christ more, and to do all the good offices of Christian affection both to the bodies and the souls of each other. A good example given to others is the best and most effectual provocation to love and good works. 2. Not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, Heb_10:25. It is the will of Christ that his disciples should assemble together, sometimes more privately for conference and prayer, and in public for hearing and joining in all the ordinances of gospel worship. There were in the apostles' times, and should be in every age, Christian assemblies for the worship of God, and for mutual edification. And it seems even in those times there were some who forsook these assemblies, and so began to apostatize from religion itself. The communion of saints is a great help and privilege, and a good means of steadiness and perseverance; hereby their hearts and hands are mutually strengthened. 3. To exhort one another, to exhort ourselves and each other, to warn ourselves and one another of the sin and danger of backsliding, to put ourselves and our fellow-christians in mind of our duty, of our failures and corruptions, to watch over one another, and be jealous of ourselves and one another with a godly jealousy. This, managed with a true gospel spirit, would be the best and most cordial friendship. 4. That we should observe the approaching of times of trial, and be thereby quickened to greater diligence: So much the more, as you see the day approaching. Christians ought to observe the signs of the times, such as God has foretold. There was a day approaching, a terrible day to the Jewish nation, when their city should be destroyed, and the body of the people rejected of God for rejecting Christ. This would be a day of dispersion and temptation to the chosen remnant. Now the apostle puts them upon observing what signs there were of the approach of such a terrible day, and upon being the more constant in meeting together and exhorting one another, that they might be the better prepared for such a day. There is a trying day coming on us all, the day of our death, and we should observe all the signs of its approaching, and improve them to greater watchfulness and diligence in duty. (Matthew Henry)

It will never happen if we sit back and wait for it to occur we must be proactive with our intention. Start with a group of believer friends if you must and then wait on the Lord to multiply that as and when He pleases. Some will neglect this instruction as the Word has declared it so, but may we resolve from this day forth to be among the obedient number. May God help us with our endeavour!

Signing off

Tyrone