Stir'em Up: Recent Episodes
Stir'em Up
“ 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
Have you ever asked yourself "why does something good have to be so hard." God often calls us to things that require personal sacrifice. And in a world that avoids personal sacrifice at all costs, we need to remember that because of the Gospel life comes through sacrifice.
No matter what we are waiting for, waiting is hard. But when we choose to trust God and embrace our seasons of waiting, the end is always beautiful.
Now we, as Christians, are image bearers. We have a purpose. Our purpose is to show the world around us, Christ. Christ, living inside us, gives power for us to make a little heaven on earth by telling the lost about the Gospel.
Are there times in your life that you are suspicious of others' intents or motives? Maybe there are times that you feel like people are out to get you. I’ve been there too often! Sometimes when a certain personality flaw is evident in our lives we want to try to stop being that way or saying those things. We modify our behavior so that we can change. The problem with this is we are addressing the fruit and not the root.
Discipleship is both the intentional and unintentional shaping of someone’s life. It is helping someone to become like someone. As Christian parents, one of the greatest responsibilities that we have been given is to help our kids be a disciple of Jesus. This week we are talking about what that looks like.
We are weak. We are sinners. He is Just. He will execute the penalty for sin. Christ is the Justifier. He will offer grace. Grace is undeserved. Grace is a gift from God through Jesus. Grace gives the power to do every good work. When you are weak remember…Grace!
People often wonder if there is a checklist of things to look for in a life partner. It’s easy to come up with a long list of all our wants and ideals. And even though it’s fine to have a preference on if you to marry someone with dark hair or blonde hair, those things ultimately aren’t the bedrock to a good relationship. Even though a broken marriage can be restored, it is so much better to start off with a solid foundation. So, what are the things that will set a romantic relationship up for success down the road? Paul gives us some solid dating (and general friendship) advice in 2 Cor. 6:14
True belonging is being fully known and fully loved! There is only One who fully knows us, and we can be so thankful today that He also fully loves us! He demonstrated that love for us on the cross! His act of righteousness brought the free gift of a justified life.
The Gospel is not just a historical event that we believe happened. It is supposed to be the lens through which we look at all of life! When we look at life through the lens of the Gospel, not only does it help us understand the world better but it gives us purpose and hope. It helps us to understand pain and suffering. It also helps us to understand that life is not about us. True life is about being a part of God’s redemptive work in the world around us.
The Bible was not written to be a self-help manual. It was written to reveal who God is and what He has done. When we read the Bible, we need to be careful that we are not just looking for ourselves but looking for the God of the universe to reveal Himself to us. The Bible is the Big God Story...not the Big Us Story. And because of His goodness, we get to be a part of His story!