Be Stirred

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
 
How active is your faith?
Have you just been going through the motions?
Too many distractions?
Do you feel like you could use a “faith boost”?
Is there or has there been someone in your life that is/was “stirred” in their faith
and you wished you were that way?
 

     Most of us have experienced the transforming moment when we realized in our heart God’s salvation plan for us, the moment when we made the decision to turn our life around and live for Him. (If you haven’t, we need to talk) Remember that feeling of being “stirred”? Excitement, fulfillment, relief, joy…. just to name a few emotions you may have had. Remember the almost instant understanding of it all? Were you inspired to learn about Him? Were you inspired to serve Him?

     Do you still have those feelings and ambitions or have they faded and you have gone back to your daily distractions with God in the background. Is your knowing you’re saved by His grace enough for you?

(I know, too many questions.)
 
     But we need to be “stirred”. As Christians, we have a battle to win. We aren’t just here to have a fun, enjoyable, relationship with God and enjoy His beautiful sunsets. In Genesis 1:28 God says we are to …subdue the earth; and have dominion over everything on the earth. His plan is to take back earth after Satan has taken possession when God cast him from Heaven.
 
Because of sin, there are many “broken” people that need to know Jesus
and we may be the only Bible they read.
 
Just as God sent Jesus to be an example, so we need to be examples to others.
He sent the Holy Spirit so we could do the things Jesus did.
 
Ways to become “stirred”:
Listen to sermons (with intent), pray… (often), fellowship with other Christians (not just talking about the weather), journal your thoughts and prayers, read your Bible…(often), become involved in a small group, and real spiritual growth happens when you begin leading a group and helping other in their spiritual walk.
 
Ok, last question: What will you do to “stir” the Holy Spirit in you?

-Joanie Lawrence-Cain