What are you excited about today? The Bible uses the terms “stir or stirred up”. To be stirred up is not to be apathetic or indifferent or lukewarm. It means to be involved, emotional and zealous. Obviously, we can be stirred up about things in a bad way or in a good way. I Kings 21:25, “But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up.” The wickedness was already in the heart of Ahab, but his wife certainly “stirred the pot”.
“Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.” Proverbs 10:12. “A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.” Proverbs 15;18. “He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.” Proverbs 28:25. “An angry man stirreth up strife…” Proverbs 29:22.
Don’t let the devil stir you up. Let God stir you up!
It should be easy for a Christian to be stirred up about the things of God. Easter is right around the corner. When we realize the value, the privilege and the benefit of all that Christ has done for us we should “…lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens.” II Corinthians 5:14-15, “The love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” Galatians 4:18 states, “But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing,…”
None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm.
Remember, it is hard to steer a parked car.
The biggest problem is not to add years to your life—but life to your years.
The fire of God in your heart will melt the lead in your feet.
BUT CATCHY LITTLE STATEMENTS WILL NOT GIVE YOU ZEAL!
“Zeal is the heat or tension of the affections; it is a holy warmth, whereby our love is drawn out to the utmost for God, and His glory.” George Swinnock.
“If it be true zeal, then tract of time, multitude of discouragements, falseness of those deserting the cause, strength of oppositions, will not tire out a man’s spiritual strength. Zeal makes men resolute, difficulties are but whetstones to their fortitude and steels men’s spirits with an undaunted resolution.” Abraham Wright.
“Oh, what a benefit to be eaten up with the love and zeal of a good thing!” Richard Greenham.
Few things can stir the heart and soul like singing out a familiar hymn with other believers. While there are many great worship songs written in the past several decades, the church has a rich tradition of singing hymns that should be preserved for future generations.
Come, Thou Fount of every blessing, Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing, Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet, Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it, Mount of Thy redeeming love.