Saturday, May 10, 2014

May 10, 2014. THE IMPORTANCE OF FELLOWSHIP

Saturday May 10
“You are members of God’s family.” Eph 2:19 NLT

THE IMPORTANCE OF FELLOWSHIP

Nathaniel Hawthorne said, “ No man, for any period, can wear one face to himself and another to the multitude without finally getting bewildered as to which is the true one.” we like to wear masks in public, yet only as we open up to one another can we truly change and grow: “If we live in the light...we can share fellowship with each other” (1 Jn 1:7 NCV). One author writes: “The world mistakenly thinks that intimacy occurs in the dark, but God says it happens in the light. Darkness hides our issues, but when we are able to bring them out into the light they lose their power, we find forgiveness, our wounded areas are healed, and we begin to make progress.” We’re afraid of transparency, yet it’s the only way to become spiritually and emotionally whole. None of us is as strong individually as all of us are collectively. We’re more consistent in our faith when others walk with us and encourage us. Over and over in the New Testament we are told to be devoted to one another, submit to one another, forgive one another, bear one another’s burdens, honor one another, accept one another, teach one another, serve one another, encourage one another, pray for another, and love one another. You’re not responsible for everyone in your church, but you are responsible to them. God expects you to do whatever you can to serve them. Paul challenged the believers in Rome, saying, “I want us to help each other...Your faith will help me, and my faith will help you” (Ro 1;12 NCV). That’s what it’s all about!
Taken from the Word for You Today Devotional

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