Tag Archive | fellowship

No man/woman is an island..

Aug8

In the garden of Eden, God said it was not good for Adam to be alone. It is the same today, we need one another. We have been created for fellowship. If we neglect spending time with others we can become lonely and bitter. The majority of us love to get together with family and or friends and spend time talking, laughing and just sharing life. It can be like a tonic that rejuvenates us!

As Christians it is just as important that we spend time with  fellow believers. God has equipped us all with different gifts and strengths that are made to be shared. We can gain so much from one another. When dark times come, it’s great to know there are other people not only praying on your behalf but available when you need an encouraging word. Then there are times when we may need some fine tuning in our thinking or actions and who better to receive it from than another believer who has your best interest at heart.

We are so fortunate to have a second family that is there to build us up in our faith, encourage us, correct us when we are going off the tracks and to share the amazing things God is doing in our lives.  No wonder the scripture says in Hebrews 10:25 NIV 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another —and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

If you’re not currently attending a church where you can use your strengths and  gifts and receive the benefit of the strengths and  gifts of others it’s time to find one.  God knows the need we have to give and receive encouragement and therefore warns us not to stop meeting together.  There are so many benefits that come from gathering together with fellow believers.  Here are just a few verses that demonstrate some of them…

Acts 15:32 NIV 32 Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the believers.

Colossians 3:16 NIV 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

1 Peter 4:8-10 NIV 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 

For anyone that doesn’t have a Church family, I would encourage you to pray for direction in finding one.  It can be such a great blessing in your life, both in giving of yourself and in receiving from others!

No man is an island,
Entire of itself.
Each is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.~John Donne

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Importance of Fellowship

Jun25

There are so many things that keep us busy these days.   Jobs, family, volunteering and too many other things to list.  It doesn’t take too long before we can get bogged down with responsibilities. To keep on the right track and to keep joy in our lives we need to have a good prayer life and time spent in the word. These are two basics that keep our spiritual feet firmly on the ground. Along with these two things we also need fellowship. God didn’t create us to be islands. We need one another. We need the support of prayer and conversation from other believers. In the New Testament church, the apostles worked along side one another and encouraged each other as the need arose. This need hasn’t diminished but because many of us work outside the church the need is vital to have the support of believers to keep us walking right.

This past weekend we held our church picnic at our home and it was great to spend time having fun with our brothers and sisters in Christ. There was no drama, no discord just a group of people that love God having a blast with one another. When we get to know each other better we are better equipped to pray and help one another.  We live in a world where many live and look out for themselves. In the church we need to be sure we don’t allow that to become our lifestyle.  God has called us all to serve.  If we get too bogged down we are not fit to help anyone. Having fellowship is vital. Whether it be a picnic, a potluck or a prayer meeting, we need one another.  It can help recharge our spiritual batteries and remind us we are not lone wolves but we are a body, a body that serves and encourages one another and that reaches out and serves our families, our communities and our world.

1Peter 4:9 NIV  9Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

Romans 12:10 NIV 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Galatians 5:13 NIV 1313 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.

Make time for fellowship.