Ezra 1:1
Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,
Had the LORD not stirred up the spirit of Cyrus, the rebuilding of the temple would not have been accomplished. One’s spirit is critical to what one does, and this is why we must learn to stir our spirit for right. I am sure this was not the only thing that stirred Cyrus’ spirit, but his spirit being stirred to rebuild the temple was critical to the LORD’s work being done.
Many never do much for God because they don't know how to stir their own spirit. Many wait on the peripheral to stir their spirit instead of learning what they can do when they are alone to stir their spirit. It is easy to have your spirit stirred in a church service when God shows up, but God can show up Monday through Saturday if you learn to stir your spirit for God. You can stir your spirit at any time if you learn what stirs your spirit. Let me share some things I do to stir my spirit.
First, God’s Word stirs my spirit. There is nothing that stirs my spirit more than God’s Word. It stirs my spirit to step out by faith, to continue in hard times, to win souls for Christ, and to attempt great things for God. Many never stir their spirit because they never read God’s Word. The Holy Spirit will stir your spirit if you read God’s Word. By the way, you can read God’s Word Monday through Saturday.
Second, hymns and spiritual songs stir my spirit. One reason I don't like these new songs coming out today is because they are more about how I feel than they are about the greatness of God. The old songs point more to God than the new praise and worship songs ever do. There is a power in the old hymns and spiritual songs that will stir your spirit if you will sing them. It is critical to memorize Scripture to stir your spirit, but also memorizing hymns and spiritual songs will stir your spirit when you need something to stir you.
Third, Spirit-filled preaching stirs my spirit. I love to listen to the preaching of preachers from the past because they remind me of what I need to stand for and motivate me to do something great for God today. You will find you can stir your spirit easily by listening to the preaching of preachers that God in the past to do mighty through their ministries.
Fourth, I stir my spirit by remembering from where I came. I am always amazed that God took a skinny teenage boy and called him to preach. I remember the first time I preached outside of my church for a church in Pacific Grove, California. All I need to do to stir my spirit on the days when I need stirring is to remember the excitement back then and look at where God has taken me now, and it stirs my spirit.
Fifth, I stir my spirit by seeing what sin has done to the lives of people that I love. It is easy to get angry at sin when I see how sin has ruined the lives and ministries of good people. It is not hard to get angry at sin if you see what it has done to those you love.
Sixth, I stir my spirit by remembering those who influenced me that are in Heaven. I remember these dear people, and it stirs me not to disappoint them. I know some will criticize me for this, but I know I can stir my spirit by thinking of any of these six areas at any time. Learn what stirs your spirit and do it, and you won't have to depend on others to stir you.
Kommentare