Verse of the Day 1/11

Through the Bible - Genesis 29-30, Matthew 10

 

Good morning,

Our pastor, in his sermon this weekend quoted several verses that are key in the life of a churhch including verses from Acts 2 and 4 and Romans 12, all great chapters.   But one vamiliar verse from Hebrews 10 struck me as I read along in the Amplified Bible which I had brought with me.  We"ll go there for today's verse.

^{Hebrews 10:24}And let us consider and give ^[a]attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities,

Or from the NKJV

Heb 10:24 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.    NKJV

The Amplified version speaks of stirring up as to stimulate and incite.  Many of up probably use "inciteful" words from time to time to spur someone to action, but I would hazard a guess that seldom is it done in a loving manner.  The thought here brought me to the prophet Nathan in 1 Kings 12, approached David after his sin and moral failure and told him "you are the man" who was guilty of killing the precious lamb.

 

Occasionally we as Christians will falter and fail in some areas and we will need someone to "incite" us to corrective action.  But the only way that it will work is if it is connected to the principles that preceded it in this translation.  Something like that will be more likely accepted from a friend who is and has been "attentive" and has shown "continuous care" in watching over you and your life.

 

We need this in our lives and in our ministries.  It's an important aspect of small groups, Bible studies, and core groups for various ministries.

 

I am not challenging you to go out and start confronting people on every little thing, but to invest yourself in the lives of others so that when the time comes when a word of correction may be necessary it will be received and will open the friends eyes to what is going on and to realize that corrective action needs to be taken. 

 

The other important point to notice is that our actions should not come from our own ideas, our own pride, but from studying God's Word and letting His Word guide us into how we may stir up, stimulate, and incite "to love and helpful deeds".

 

In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV
Heb 10:19-26

 

Hold Fast Your Confession

 

19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 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.    NKJV