I've got my spurs out!!! Can I count on you?

Hebrews 10:24-25

The Message (MSG)

 ^22-25So let's do it—full of belief, confident that we're presentable inside and out. Let's keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.

I can not tell you how many times people will leave the church because no one called them to say they are missed. I can completely understand where the people are coming from, BUT....... when they were here who were they calling to say they missed them? It goes both ways. I do good to make sure I have 6 heads in the car, mine included, going to church and then getting back home. I can hardly think who was not there. But the one way to make sure we are constantly encouraged is to be an encourager. Kind of like to have a friend, you have to be a friend. The Christian life is nothing more than a constant giving of ourselves. If we receive anything back, then praise Him, but do not expect it.

With that giving mind in perspective the verse above says "let us consider". That consider there means to contemplate. "How we may spur one another on" That spur means to move someone in a direction for results and it actually means doing something for them. So giving... it might take some work. Many times it will not be a rash or rushed decision. Now just because you get a quick idea doesn't mean it is not a valid one or one to not take seriously in doing for someone.  Do this or that................now! Sometimes i react, sometimes not. But the main point is that we are to consider - contemplate, look for ways, be creative (ugh) - how we can spur one another one - move each other in the direction to be encouraged.

The last verse says that we are to "encourage one another". That is not needed to be explained, but I did look up encourage. We are to be like Christ and He is our encourager. Advocate is the most common word used for Jesus as it pertains to encourage. He speaks to the Father on our behalf - praying for us. How cool is that??? In the Greek it is parakletos!! I love that word.

So friends - it is going to take a movement, effort on our part to encourage one another to achieve what He has called us to. We have to encourage one another - spur one another on towards love and good deeds - and good eating. When we feel a moment of weakness coming on - to overeat, to eat cruddy food, to not go to church, not attend Bible study, to skip out of aerobics, to not meet with a friend.................... pick up the phone and call someone. Because here is the deal, if things work the way the Lord intends them to - someone calls you for a "spur on" and you do just that. Encourage them off the ledge and back to right thinking - rational thinking - you do not need another Little Debbie Swiss Cake roll. Then when it is your turn for a 'spur on' you have someone to call for encouragement. That is what God means when He says to not give up meeting together. Come together as often as possible, but when you are down do not give up on one another - spur on!!!

Who is the one you can call for a "spur on"??

532 - My Parakletos

"And let us consider how we may spur one another one in love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as we see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25

How was yesterday - is the challenge on? The Lord gave me a victory yesterday and then one quick reminder!! I did well on my eating - as far as healthy things, even had some sunflower seeds - and aerobics last night was rocking. It was warm down there which i love - love to sweat - and the ladies had a ton of energy! That makes it fun and intense - the way it is suppose to be. Then when I came home stravin' I knew it was going to be a battle. I fixed the kids and I tacos. I LOVE tacos... I did pretty well and was cleaning up dinner - then i needed one more thing. So i set out for some cereal, but could only muster up Captain Crunch. I felt the Lord whisper, "There are better things", but I rationalize that I deserved it ('deserved it' can get me in big trouble). So i pour the cereal and milk, sat down with Emmajoy, and inhaled a huge bite. AAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWEEEEEEEEE - sour milk and it wasn't even out of date... God could not get my attention by speaking so He turned the milk into sour! I'm done, let's go to bed! You have any experiences like that? Let's hear!

This verse above is really talking about coming together as Christians and fellowshipping. It is talking about making sure we encourage one another to keep coming into the fellowship - church - and to not miss out. I am not sure people understand how much they are missed even if they are not told when they miss church. I can speak from an aerobics perspecitive - when the ladies don't show up it makes class a bummer. I get so much energy from a full class and am encouraged just to walk in and see everyone ready to go. The ladies we have coming right now are wild women and I love it. They talk back to me during class, they scream when it burns, they are just trying their dog-gone hardest - it is unbelievable to be part of it! It is like having my friend Mellissa Guinn from Charlotte in the class times 15 - there are a bunch of her!!! JOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you Lord!

I can not tell you how many times people will leave the church because no one called them to say they are missed. I can completely understand where the people are coming from, BUT....... when they were here who were they calling to say they missed them? It goes both ways. I do good to make sure I have 6 heads in the car, mine included, going to church and then getting back home. I can hardly think who was not there. But the one way to make sure we are constantly encouraged is to be an encourager. Kind of like to have a friend, you have to be a friend. The Christian life is nothing more than a constant giving of oursleves. If we receive anything back, then praise Him, but do not expect it.

With that giving mind in perspecitive the verse above says "let us consider". That consider there means to contemplate. "How we may spur one another on" That spur means to move someone in a direction for results and it actually means doing something for them. So giving... it might take some work. Many times it will not be a rash or rushed decision. Now just because He gives you a quick idea doesn't mean it is not a valid one or one to not take seriously in doing for someone. He works that way often in my life - Do this or that................now! Sometimes i react, sometimes not. But the main point is that we are to consider - contemplate, look for ways, be creative (ugh) - how we can spur one another one - move each other in the direction to be encouraged.

The last verse says that we are to "encourage one another". That is not needed to be explained, but I did look up encourage. We are to be like Christ and He is our encourager. Advocate is the most common word used for Jesus as it pertains to encourage. He speaks to the Father on our behalf - praying for us. How cool is that??? In the greek it is parakletos!! I love that word.

So friends - it is going to take a movement, effort on our part to encourage one another to achieve what He has called us to. We have to encourage one another - spur one another on towards love and good deeds - and good eating. When we feel a moment of weakness coming on - to overeat, to eat cruddy food, to not go to church, not attend Bible study, to skip out of aerobics, to not meet with a friend.................... pick up the phone and call someone. Because here is the deal if things work the way the Lord intends them to - someone calls you for a "spur on" and you do just that. Encourage them off the ledge and back to right thinking - rational thinking - you do not need another Little Debbie Swiss Cake roll. Then when it is your turn for a 'spur on' you have someone to call for encouragement. That is what God means when He says to not give up meeting together. Come together as often as possible, but when you are down do not give up on one another - spur on!!!

You all that left comments have spurred me on and those of you that sent emails have done the same - thank you! I hope these next 39 days can do the same for you. That is right - one day gone and done with and victory to claim!!! Yeah!!! Be encourged my friends!! Take "it" to your friends, but don't ever neglect the greatest encourager of all - The Parakletos!! I love you, Lord!