The people of Ephesus either loved Paul or hated Paul. Why? Paul had a holy restlessness, a stirring in his heart that drove him to great lengths to share the Gospel message. We must understand that Christianity is not just about getting along with everybody. All of us are individually gifted and crafted for a unique purpose, but it doesn't end there. If we do not use our gifts, it profits no one. In the same way, if our relationship with one another does not transform us, it's not much of a relationship. Ministry changes people. It puts people together in situations that are often uncomfortable and stretches us in ways that we never thought possible. It causes us to drop our masks and be honest with one another.

Hebrews 10:24
And let us consider one another to stir up love and good works,
NKJV

We are to think about one another and how we can love and encourage one another. We are to stir up (incite or provoke) love and good works in one another. This is not always going to be comfortable, and it is not always going to be received in the way that we intended. Maybe that's why the very next verse in Hebrews reads,

Hebrews 10:25
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

I find it interesting that the verse telling us to stir up love and good works in one another is followed by a verse telling us to stay in fellowship. Why? Well, sometimes we can be offended by another's encouragement. We've been chugging along, thinking we're doing great, and then someone offers a word of encouragement that stirs us up. In a huff, we leave the fellowship. One of the resources God has provided for meeting our needs is other believers. When we sacrifice fellowship for comfort, we're like an antelope separated from the herd. Suddenly, it's not a question of 'if' we will be attacked, but 'when' we will be attacked.

Life Lesson: Ministry stirs things up.

Dear God,
Thank You so much for the family that You have placed around me. Please give me a burden for the lost. Give me a burden to minister to and encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ. Please take away any fear of doing this, and forgive me for the times when I have neglected to do this.
I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Living to tell what He died to say,
Pastor David McGee

Senior Pastor
The Bridge
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