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Paul said this to encourage us!

The Apostle Paul knew the importance of mutual encouragement. He taught the brethren  to watch over each other and to continually encourage each other in the faith.  In Ephesians 6: 21, 22 (AMP), Paul told the Ephesian brethren:  “Now, so that you may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will tell you everything.  I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we are, and that he may comfort and encourage and strengthen your hearts.” He was very aware that the brethren went through many difficulties, so they needed encouragement. He also knew that they were praying for him, so he wanted to update them on how he was doing. He also shared this very important point in Hebrews 3:13: “But exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Part of the strength of their fellowship was that they guarded each others’ hearts from being hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. The fellowship of the saints mutually protected, encouraged and uplifted them. They continually prayed for each other, and watched each others’ backs. Now it’s our turn. We need to watch over each other, encourage each other, minister to each other, pray for each other and be accountable to each other. In the fellowship of the saints, there is strength, stability, confidence, joy, peace, provision, wisdom, and the blessing of being part of the family of God!

1 Thessalonians 5:11 “Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.”

 

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Are you part of a fellowship?

There are various meanings to the word fellowship. Among them are: “Community of interest, activity, feeling, or experience. A company of equals or friends. Companionship. Company.”  There is also a greek word for fellowship, Koinonia, which means: “Christian fellowship,” literally “communion,” from koinos, which means: common. In true fellowship, there is no elitism. There is a sense of mutual benefit. In some cases it is like a family. In Fellowship, there is the sharing of ideas, resources, love, care, mutual benefit among other things. When we become part of a local church, we become part of a fellowship, where we worship God together, bless each other, learn together, minister together and serve community together. But the most important part of our fellowship is with God Himself. Psalms 138:6 (AMP) “Though the Lord is exalted, He regards the lowly [and invites them into His fellowship]; But the proud and haughty He knows from a distance.” God is inviting you to fellowship and spend time with Him daily. Jesus taught us to pray daily to the Heavenly Father. This is not new. Enoch fellowshipped with God: Genesis 5:22 (AMP) “Enoch walked [in habitual fellowship] with God three hundred years after the birth of Methuselah and had other sons and daughters.” Enoch pleased God. Paul taught the church in Ephesus that in Christ, we are in fellowship with one another and are being built up together so that God can dwell in us and among us. Ephesians 2:22 “In Him [and in fellowship with one another] you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” Understand therefore, being part of His Body is more that just going to church; you are part of the Church, His Body, the Ekklesia, the called out ones. You are in fellowship with God and with His Body. There is no greater fellowship than that!