WHY FELLOWSHIP IS SO IMPORTANT TODAY !

The past two years have been an amazing picture for every Christian Believer amplifying the absolute need for Fellowship with those who share Jesus as their Lord, Savior, and King. It saddened me greatly to see how many churches shut their doors to worship as Covid and the regulations it spawned ran roughshod over so many countries, economies, and people. In so many ways people were left to fend for themselves. I watched fear rule the day instead of common sense and trust in God. I am not going to spend time arguing the merits of all the rules, threats, and arguments that this timeframe left us with, but I am going to point out the absolutely critical role that being in worship and community with others plays in our spiritual life ! NO ONE IS AN ISLAND IN THE BODY OF CHRIST ! It is the strength and power we bring as a body when we are ONE in Christ that makes our Faith and Belief So Unique. The church is a key part of BUILDING COMMUNITY that is essential in our spiritual health and faith. I am so thankful that Brave Church remained open throughout the Covid challenge. Our pastor, Jeff Schwarzentraub never closed the church. He preached the Gospel every Sunday. He and the staff were available for everyone. God’s Word, Prayer, and FELLOWSHIP never wavered ! No one was left alone to face uncertainty, fear, or doubt. God never wants us to feel separated from Him or His Kingdom of believers.

TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE, BECAUSE THEY HAVE A GOOD REWARD FOR THEIR TOIL. FOR IF THEY FALL, ONE WILL LIFT UP THEIR FELLOW. BUT WOE TO HIM WHO IS ALONE WHEN HE FALLS AND HAS NOT ANOTHER TO LIFT HIM UP ! AGAIN, IF TWO LIE TOGETHER, THEY KEEP WARM, BUT HOW CAN ONE KEEP WARM ALONE ? AND THOUGH A MAN MIGHT PREVAIL AGAINST ONE WHO IS ALONE, TWO WILL WITHSTAND HIM- A THREEFOLD CORD IS NOT QUICKLY BROKEN Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

IRON SHARPENS IRON, AND ONE MAN SHARPENS ANOTHER Proverbs 27:17

FOR WHERE TWO OR THREE ARE GATHERED IN MY NAME, THERE I AM AMONG THEM. Matthew 18:20

I’m writing about Fellowship today because I am seeing some brothers and sisters in Christ who are isolating themselves. Many feel that their church, pastor, and elders have let them down. In a time of fear and unknown, they had no where to go, and no words of comfort and hope. WE ALL NEED HOPE AND ENCOURAGEMENT, ESPECIALLY IN DIFFICULT AND CHALLENGING TIMES ! If you are in that place of frustration, doubt, or anger, I implore you to MOVE FORWARD and re-engage with another church or group of believers. Several times in my life. I found myself losing connection to the four wall church for various reasons, but I NEVER LOST THE GIFT OF FELLOWSHIP ! Various groups filled my faith life, but when I did find myself isolated, I always asked Jesus to help me find believers to share with, grow with, and pray with. Fellowship DOES sharpen us. Fellowship DOES teach and encourage us. Fellowship DOES help us discern truth and GROW in our faith !

BEAR ONE ANOTHER’S BURDENS, AND SO FULFILL THE LAW OF CHRIST. Galatians 6:2

AND LET US CONSIDER HOW TO STIR UP ONE ANOTHER TO LOVE AND GOOD WORKS, NOT NEGLECTING TO MEET TOGETHER, AS IS THE HABIT OF SOME, BUT ENCOURAGING ONE ANOTHER, AND ALL THE MORE AS YOU SEE THE DAY DRAWING NEAR. Hebrews 10:24-25

FINALLY, ALL OF YOU, HAVE UNITY OF MIND, SYMPATHY, BROTHERLY LOVE, A TENDER HEART, AND A HUMBLE MIND. 1 Peter 3:8

As our world continues to change and shift with the many challenges we face, DO NOT BE ALONE. Seek others and find the absolute strength and authority that Jesus promises all who believe in Him. We are facing challenges and times that will take all we have to shine the Light Of Christ into an ever darkening humanity. We are told that “Many will fall away as things become more difficult”. DO NOT LET YOURSELF FALL AWAY ! Be strong in the Body Of Christ, and seek to carry each others burdens. Reach out and share the Gospel to all whom you meet. Speak strongly in loving witness to all Jesus can do in people’s lives. Be a witness to His mercy and saving grace in Your Life. Seek Jesus daily, Get in His Word often, Pray continually. BE IN FELLOWSHIP, for it is there that you will find the blessing of Jesus in your life ! JOIN IN/JAA

THE GRACE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND THE LOVE OF GOD AND THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT BE WITH YOU ALL. 2 Corinthians 13:14

LET THE WORD OF CHRIST DWELL IN YOU RICHLY, TEACHING AND ADMONISHING ONE ANOTHER IN ALL WISDOM, SINGING PSALMS AND HYMNS AND SPIRITUAL SONGS, WITH THANKFULNESS IN YOUR HEARTS TO GOD. Colossians 3:16