I’ve joined my blogging friends for a new facet of my blog, called His Encouragement, inspiring scriptures shared each Thursday. My hope and my prayer is that these scriptures each week will bless your heart and encourage your soul.

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

Hebrews 10:24 KJV

Did my title catch your attention? It was supposed to. No, I’m not talking about your love life in that sense, however, I am talking about your “love life,” as in, how are you doing at loving others?

This verse in Hebrews 10 states that we are to provoke each other to love and to good works. The two go hand-in-hand, the best way to show love is by going good works and when we do good works for others they will feel loved.

When I think of the word provoke, I think of two siblings in a car poking each other until one screams, “Mom, Billy’s poking me!” The word provoke here means “to incite or irritate.” We think of inciting a riot, so I guess we are supposed to incite a riot of do-gooders! Lol!

You know, a pearl comes from a piece of sand that gets inside a oyster and irritates it. The oyster builds a protective coating to stop the irritation. We should allow the Word of God and others to irritate us, provoke us into doing good and loving others. When we do, something beautiful will come from it.

I Corinthians 13 acts as a perfect check-up to see how we’re doing in the love department. We always think of this chapter when it comes to marriage, but these words were written to the Church in Corinth about their church family relationships. When you read the chapter, it’s important to note that there is something or someone on the opposing side or a situation that warrants a loving response.

Charity suffereth long- Is there someone trying your patience lately?

And is kind– Is there someone that doesn’t deserve your kindness?

Charity envieth not- Did someone else get something that you wanted?

Charity vaunteth not itself– Is there reason to promote yourself when you could promote someone else?

Is not puffed up– Are you filled with pride?

Doth not behave itself unseemly– How’s your behavior is bad situations?

Seeketh not her own– Are you thinking about the needs of others more than your own needs?

Is not easily provoked– Is someone rubbing you the wrong way?

Thinketh no evil– Do you assume the worst of people?

Rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth– Do you believe lies instead of seeking out the truth?

Beareth all things– Is there a burden you need to bear?

Believeth all things– Is there something causing you to doubt?

Hopeth all things– Is there something causing you to fear?

Endureth all things– Do you feel like quitting?

Let me provoke you to love and to good works today!

What scripture is encouraging you today? Share it with us!

Check out these other blogs for more encouragement from God’s word for your Thursday.

Nicole @ Christian Fiction Girl

Trisha @ Joy of Reading

Jessica @ A Baker’s Perspective 

Jacquelyn @ A Heavenly Home

Becca @ The Becca Files

Jenny @ Author Jenny Lynn

Rebecca @ Rev. Rebecca Writes