encouragement

WEDNESDAY, January 16th, 2008

Good morning, Ladies!

It’s cold and rainy here on this “Middle of the work week” day!

I was going to write up something on “Job’s Wife” this morning, but God changed my mind! (I’ll keep Mrs. Job for later!) ?

The verse chosen this morning is Hebrews 10:24. “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works.”

The word “Provoke” here means to “rouse or incite… call to action.” I asked my hubby to help on this one because when I read this first
I wondered what the “good works” here would entail. In the “Greek”… the word “works” in this verse means: “toil, to work as an effort or occupation, an act-deed, doing, labor.”

Interestingly enough, I thought the “good works” here would be more on a “spiritual plane”… I was wrong! While it is imperative that we rouse one another in a godly fashion toward godliness… it is just as important to “call to action” one another on the day-to-day physical labor we may need to accomplish.

“Provoking to love” is really not such a “hard” thing… Think about it! Even the most “hard to love people” you can pray and ask God to give you love for them… but provoking to ‘good works’ is a much harder thing to do… Spiritually OR Physically!

Have you ever had a “to do” list? There is something very fulfilling about being able to cross off those essential items on the list that need to be completed. The next question I have for you is: Do you ever look at that list and think… “Um… I don’t have to do that today” and leave the “work” for later? I can see you smiling, because I think we all have experienced that tug of “procrastination.”

Spiritual work is a basic part of our Spiritual lives… and is essential for a Christian walk on this earth.
Physical work is a basic part of our Physical lives… and is essential for a physical walk on this earth.

Now that we’ve established that the “good works” here can be either spiritual OR physical, we need to “provoke” one another unto it.

“What does that mean, Karen?” It means that during the day we need to pray and ask God to help a brother or sister in their daily tasks. Call them or, in our technologically wonderful era, e-mail and “provoke” to good works! Tell someone you are praying for them as they “wash those clothes.” Or while they are at work out in the world… or as they home-school their children.

Provoking is not always a “bad” thing. Provoking can be a very wonderful attribute as long as it’s performed in a godly way! Remember… the first part of the verse states “Consider.” This word means to “think about.” The old adage.. “Think before you Speak” comes into mind here. Before you try “provoking” someone, make sure of three things:

1. That you are provoking in a “thoughtful” way.
2. That the “good works” is not something that you should be doing rather than the other person. (i.e. don’t ask your husband to do the dishes, if it is something you can provoke yourself to do.)
3. Make sure the “good works” are worth provoking for!

A rule of thumb: Provoking in this passage of scripture is not a “harmful” attribute. I think of it as “encouraging”. I encourage my daughter in Algebra. She may not like it, but it’s good for her to do! When she passes her Algebra test, I praise her and “provoke” her to the next PACE knowing it will keep her motivated!

I think of the physical work that we ladies have to accomplish from day to day. I encourage you all in it, knowing that it is essential to your lives! (Even though those silly base boards should be fine until next year, they still need dusting!) Hehehe

What are some “physical” things that you procrastinate on? I don’t mind doing the chores around the house because they HAVE to be done. But when I look at the laundry? Ai Yi Yi! Talk about “provoking!” I almost have to ‘talk myself into’ getting motivated! What about weight control? YIKES! That’s big one… I look at the Elliptical sitting next to my desk and think “I’ve got to get on that thing today”… but then think “I’ll do more tomorrow.” What about communicating with a family member or friend? Do you put this off? If you have children or grandchildren, do you think “I’ll spend more ‘play time’ with them today because I know they need this.” But then something “more important” happens and you just can’t make the time. There are many “good works” that we face every day that get pushed aside because we are not “provoked” into it.

“But Karen, I don’t have anyone that can provoke me.” Very good comment; however, I want to point to a very important “Person” who DOES provoke us daily. Jesus Christ. How does He provoke us? Through His Word and by using US to “encourage ourselves!”

1 Samuel, chapter 30:6b “…but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.” What a challenge! The first portion of this verse had the children of Israel ready to stone David. But David “encouraged himself in the LORD his God.” Just because you may not have a close friend or a family member that can “provoke” you for good, doesn’t mean you cannot be provoked! PROVOKE YOURSELF! Encourage yourself! Look at that “good work”… even though it may be tough and say, “I can do this with God’s help!”

The next time you know that your spouse, family member, friend or co-worker has a tough, but “good” job to complete, remember to “consider them” and then “provoke” them in that good work. And the first place to start is always in prayer! ?

Have a wonderful Wednesday and remember to start your day off with Christ so those “good works” that need to be accomplished will be aided with His direction. ?

Karen

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THURSDAY