Read the transcript from today's video devotional.
I had the privilege in college to do something that none of us like to do. As a matter of fact, people would rather die, studies have shown, than do this. It was give a speech. Everybody had to give a speech. They could have any topic that they wanted to have. I decided—I was a new Christian—I decided to read Job chapter 1.
I got up there, I read Job, and I felt like I was a total monotone, boring everyone. I probably was, but I'll never forget- a few days later, the professor gave us our grade, and he wrote on the bottom of my paper: "Rick, you did a great job with your reading. I appreciated your voice and your inflections. I think you should look into maybe communication, or maybe something on radio." I almost cried. I was probably 20. I was so encouraged by the words that he shared.
Words That Transform
Our verse today has a tremendously encouraging set of words for us. It's in Hebrews chapter 10 verse 24, and it says: Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. As we look here in the book of Hebrews, it's all about the superiority of Jesus Christ. He's superior to Moses. He's superior to Job, to any institution, any sacrifice. He gives us these two incredible ways—two critical truths that we can apply.
Think on Purpose
Number one is think. God's given us the Bible to read, to think about, and to use for reason. In Romans chapter 12 and verse 2, He says, don't be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the what? The renewing of your mind. I love the verse in Philippians chapter 4 verse 8, where He says, Whatever is true, whatever is righteous, whatever's honorable, whatever is lovely, whatever is pure—and He says several things—I want you to think about these things.
Our Verse of the Day here in Hebrews 10 says, Let us think of ways to motivate one another. You know, studies say there's 10,000 to 25,000 thoughts that go throughout our mind every single day. What a great opportunity for you and I to think about the important things. What are those?
Motivate One Another
Number two, He says, Let us think of ways to motivate. Another version says to stimulate one another to acts of love and good works. I'm not a huge coffee drinker, but I know it has caffeine in it. Once in a while, if I have some coffee, I get really motivated and I can tell my energy level just goes up. In this particular passage, it says we're to think about ways to motivate or stimulate other people. Kind of like caffeine does to us in our body. We're to stimulate one another to love and good deeds—to love and good works.
Saturday Night Preparation
I want you to think about this for a minute as you prepare for church on Saturday night. We have a saying in our family: church on Sunday morning begins on Saturday night. If you have a Bible study you're going to or a small group, or a prayer group or even your family dynamics at the dinner table or some friends you're getting together with, I want you to think about the importance of thinking how you—how I—can say something that will stimulate that person, that will motivate that person to love and good works. That's an amazing goal for you and for me.
Here are a couple thoughts. Who are the people? Who's the person who you know you should say something to? They're down there, discouraged. You're the one who can maybe talk with them, maybe pray with them, stimulate them to love and good deeds. Think about that. Let's be the kinds of people who think about how we can encourage and stimulate one another to love and good deeds.
