Stir One Another!

We are in a season of smaller numbers. Well, I hope it’s a season! We just about make double figures, and so it’s not surprising that everyone contributed to the meeting. Cliff led communion.

We looked again at Haggai 1, and reminded ourselves that there is a picture of the church in the context to this book. A conquering king (Cyrus) frees the people of God, and commissions them to return to the place the Lord had for them, where they were to gather and build the temple. The parallels for us are clear – some did not leave Babylon, some returned to Jerusalem but did not gather with the others, some gathered but did not work, some gathered and worked.

The majority were concerned with their own lives and building their own homes. The word of the Lord through Haggai resulted in repentance, and prioritising the work on the temple. The Lord told them he was with them and ‘stirred them’. We recently looked at how the Lord stirs us. 

There are 2 further positive stirrings in scripture. In Hebrews 19:24 we are told to stir one another, and in 2 Timothy 1.6 to stir ourselves. We looked at Hebrews 10.24.

We can try and stir one another in a critical manner, by saying ‘You should do such and such’ or ‘you shouldn’t do such and such’.  This can produce a negative knee-jerk reaction, though we are well advised to quietly consider whether there is truth when we receive such criticism. It is more productive to compliment a person on their good works, generosity, faithfulness, hospitality, passion and suchlike. They will be encouraged to do more, and others will want to emulate. I went round the room encouraging people, using their gifting and character. Note – one must speak truth. One must not flatter, or pretend, as that lacks integrity and godliness.

We meet to pray on Thursday in Catfield, and next Sunday in Frettenham.