24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 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.
It is written that Love is the greatest of all spiritual gifts. It is also written that God is Love. So the greatest of all gifts both given and imparted to us as believers in Jesus Christ is Love.
In the book of Hebrews we are told to
stir up love and good works in each other. Interesting how graciously we are reminded that unless we are stirred our love and good works settle into a cozy thing some would call a rut ... I call it a couch.
I enjoy resting in a couch. The problem for me is I'd much rather rest in a couch that be up early praying and planning my day. I mean it's just much easier to lay around. But that is not what we are told to do and there is a very loving warning in this instruction.
If I'm inside on a cozy couch it is very easy for me to settle into a daily routine. In fact, I like a routine.
The truth is that when we do get together with other believers an amazing thing happens. God speaks to his people through his people. As we talk about God working in our lives, others are stirred up and encouraged by it. The next thing that follows is action. So we see Love and Good Works stirred up by obedience to follow instruction given in God's Word.
A short time ago I had been asked to lead a worship song and thankfully (Praise God) had a song in my heart.
I was out of practice and spent time practicing. I then was reminded of how it's been impressed upon me to make a worship video out of it. The goal was to do it well, to make it distraction free, and used it as a basis to improve on.
This was actually done out of obedience because I've been praying about how to demonstrate worship and what I put together was as good as I have ability for. It actually turned out even better than I have ability for and even more was proof to me that God uses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise.
I can't even clap and sing at the same time but God is faithful and uses me despite inabilities. I really really want to get better and believe that this was was the way I was shown ... Make the video and learn from your mistakes.
That was for me.
Now the blessing comes in ways that were unimaginable to me. You see, God used it to reach others and now 2 more songs exist out of obedience.
Please watch ... It will bless you!
Back to Stiring up!
Gathering together we get to see God knitting our lives together and I know for me that spurs me on to want to do more. There are people dying and going to hell every day ... It makes it very hard for me to justify sitting on a couch knowing that people need to hear the Gospel. Remember, faith comes by hearing.
It's not comfortable being out there in front of others to be criticized, mocked, and chided. But the blessings far outweigh the reasons mentioned.
Praise Him if you have Him!
In His Loving Grace,
Jonathan
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