You’ve no doubt heard the saying, “Don’t poke the bear.”  That generally means don’t provoke someone who is already agitated about something.  It’s just not the wise thing to do…at least not at that time.  However, did you know that there is a way to “poke” someone which brings a good result?  That’s right!  God tells us that we actually need to provoke one another…and to do it, especially when we see each other at church, no less.  Check this out!

Hebrews 10:23-25

23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; 24 and let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

“Focus on helping others become loving people. Aim at stirring up others to do good deeds. And of course the implication would also be that if others need help and stirring, we do too, and so we would be aiming at what sorts of ways we can think and feel and talk and act that will stir each other up to love and to do good deeds. The aim of our lives is not just loving and doing good deeds, but helping to stir up others to love and to good deeds..” ~ John Piper

The Lord bless you and keep you…

Pastor Dave