Stir Up and Spur On

“Encouragement. We are all in desperate need of it, and the best way to receive it is to give it.”

We’ve all heard the saying, “It's better to give than to receive.” In fact, it’s not just any saying, but the very words of Jesus Christ, as referenced in Acts 20:35.

So, how do we give encouragement, why is it important, and why do we ourselves need it, too?  I’m so glad you asked! 

Hebrews 10:24-25 says, 

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (NIV) 

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not  neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. (NLT) 

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. (ESV) 

Three different translations put it in three similar, but unique ways. We must think about and consider ways to stir up and spur on love that leads to good works and good deeds in each other. The Apostle Paul tells us that the key to doing this is to not give up or neglect meeting together. He goes on to say that if we are not intentional about it, we’ll form a habit to do without it. He warns against this lack of togetherness and encouragement because He knows the closer we get to Christ’s return, the harder it will be to maintain that intentionality. 

We are all needy! God created us that way— to need Him and to help others see their need for Him, too. We are relational beings, different from any other creature He made. When He created Adam, it did not take Him long to realize it was not good for man to be alone. His solution to Adam’s need came in the form of another human being. He fashioned Eve and formed her from Adam's rib, so that she, like Adam, would understand her need for God and for others. 

It’s a beautiful thing to behold. When we come together to give and receive encouragement, we honor God. We live out God’s great love in a world in desperate need of it. We become spiritual stirrers and spurrers —stirring up the love of Christ in others, and spurring one another on to good deeds because of that great love. 

It is the gift that keeps on giving, in a world that will one day be ending. So, let’s love well as we stir up and spur on. 

Action Step: Listen to “I Speak Jesus” by Charity Gayle. 

Prayer: Father, thank You for opportunities to meet together and gather with other women

of faith. I praise You that You modeled community, and You call us to be an integral part of the body of Christ. God, help me do that in my home first, with my people, and then show me ways to encourage and equip others alongside my family. Father, I long to be a spiritual stirrer of hearts and spurrer of actions among those You have called me to do life with. Open even more doors of opportunity to meet with others, stir up Your love in them, and spur on Your good and perfect will in the world around us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Written by Tabitha, a stirrer and spurrer in need of encouragement, too. 

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