HAPPY FRIDAY!
Today’s scriptures are about the importance of fellowship. If you really think about it, we’re pretty co-dependent creatures. We were created to be stronger in numbers, mentally, physically, and spiritually. After all, God created Adam for companionship, and after Adam was created, God created Eve for Adam’s companionship, so this has always been truth. It’s written: The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” (Gen. 2:18) We’ve come way further, and grown tremendously in numbers since then, but the concept still remains the same. We each are vessels for God, and He uses us, to communicate to others. It’s written that no man has ever seen God, and won’t ever see Him until we reach Heaven, so He shows Himself through us.
Have you ever been in prayer about something that’s been really bothering you, and a friend, stranger, or even a child will come up to you and give you the answer you were waiting on? That’s the way that God works, so it’s important for us to stay in fellowship with each other. When we’re saved we become a part of the “Body of Christ”, and each member of this body performs a certain function. A hand can function without all of its fingers, but it would function “properly” with all of them. One of my favorite songs is “I need you to Survive”, by Hezekiah Walker. Trust me when I say that I need every encounter that I have with every person in my life. Every friend, family member, significant other, and even enemy has made me who I am today. I was just mentioning how grateful I am for the group of people I’ve worked with over the last seven years. I can no longer call these people my co-workers, but I call them friends at work. We’ve become a close knit family, and I’m grateful to the role that each of these people has played in my life. I’ve made lifelong bonds because of it.
I learned in Culinary School that a classical kitchen is broken down into several different functions, but it’s very hard for one person to do everything required to run the operation. I worked at one of the largest hotels on the Island of Kauai in Hawaii, and they have several kitchens, in order to be able to serve food to the guests. There’s the Garde Manger kitchen that works with cold foods, the banquets kitchen, the bake shop, the Saucier who makes sauces and stocks, and all of the line cooks that work at the seven different restaurants. However, there’s one Executive Chef, who has several Sous Chefs that work below him, who are responsible for the hundreds of cooks that work hands on with the food. The fact remains that this organization cannot run successfully without each one of these people. Every cook, every Chef, and every steward that cleans is important to the success of this organization. Please understand that God has placed you here for a reason, you have a will, a calling, and a job to do in His Kingdom, on earth and in Heaven. However, you must rely on the people He’s placed in your path to walk with you in this journey—you can’t do it all on your own. Join a good church, and don’t just go on Sundays, but participate and serve. You’ll see that these people will help you identify and complete God’s will for you.
Be open to relationships of all types, because they’re healthy and necessary for your growth and survival. There are a lot of us who’s been hurt in the past that hold on to that, and shy away from getting close to others. First, forgive the person who hurt you, and then forgive yourself. I know how it feels to beat yourself up for something someone else did to you, as if you allowed it to happen. Here’s your freedom, “It’s not your fault!”, now you can let it go. That’s the only way you’ll be able to move on to a better, healthier relationship. There’s nothing wrong with wanting companionship, remember we were created to be that to one another. King Solomon wrote: Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: if either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. (Eccl. 4:9-12) You notice that Solomon was talking about two being together, but ended it with the “three strand cord”. Two or more people together, with God in the midst, can never be defeated. When you put God first, you’ll be able to find someone who’s good for you, and then you’ll both need to include Him in all things, in order to survive.
I know how it feels when you’re going through things, and you don’t want to be bothered with anyone. However, it’s not healthy to stay hidden forever. Fellowship is required for growth, but be sure you’re fellowshipping with people who want what you want. Jesus once said, “…if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.” (Matt. 15:14) If you’re tired of the direction your life is going in, it’s time for that self-evaluation I’m always writing about. First ask yourself what you want out of life, and how does God fit into that. If you don’t know Jesus, then that’s the first step to take. Confess to God that you’re a sinner and ask Jesus to be Lord of your life. Once that’s done fellowship with other believers, and joins a church or organization with people who are doing, or working towards what you want out of life, and stick with it. Be open to everyone who comes into your life, because wisdom comes in every shape and form, and you just never know what you can learn from others. If you aren’t sure what you believe take a few moments to take the God Quiz right now! My favorite verse today is: Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (Colossians 3:16)
ENJOY! http://www.bible.com/scripture-detail.php?juli=2455604&dtype=Scripture
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I love you!
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