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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue 732 February 14, 2003 - Fellowship Last night Kathy and I spent some delightful time of fellowship with a couple of friends. We spent a little time catching up on how our week had been, what the kids were doing and the usual, everyday stuff. Then we got into some real fellowship. Wait a minute! Isn't talking about the kids and work fellowship? It can be a vital part of fellowship, if it is truly shared but true Christian fellowship involves much more than that. Fellowship involves learning about God's hand at work from one another. It involves sharing our successes and failures. It includes discerning and confirming or refuting what we believe God has been saying to us. It means truly encouraging one another. Last night we shared things God had laid on our hearts. We spoke of how He had been blessing us and challenging us. We sought His will in our lives and those around us. We prayed together. We glorified God together. That's fellowship. A superficial "How about that local sports team?" or "Whazzup?" doesn't cut it as fellowship. A polite exchange of "How are you?" and "Fine," doesn't do it. An hour or two of cocktail part superficiality isn't fellowship. A weekend spent with friends where God is never mentioned or the ways we see Him at work never comes up, may be pleasant but it isn't fellowship. There is nothing wrong with any of these things and all of them have their time and place. Never confuse these things with true Christian fellowship. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:23-25 NIV We're one body, one spirit, one in Christ. Part of that unity involves sharing Him. If we can't or won't do that in the comfort of other believers how in the world can we ever do it in the company of the people who most need to hear the gospel, the non-believer? Even if our time is spent with other believers if the subject of God doesn't come up in other than superficial ways, we haven't truly fellowshipped. Not every moment of the conversation has to include God. There is plenty of room and necessity to talk about the struggles and joys of day-to-day life, but we need to remember that He is the structure that holds it all together. He is our hope. Our testimony is important even to other believers. It encourages them and it can give them hope. It can teach them. But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 1 Peter 3:15-16 NIV What is God telling you these days? Have you confirmed it through the Word and with other believers? What are you struggling with? Have you shared that with other believers so that they might pray with you and help you carry the load? What victories have you had? How have you seen God at work? Have you shared those things with others or kept them to yourself? Until next time, seek some real Christian fellowship. Take some time to share with others how God you've seen God's mighty hand at work. I pray you develop a real hunger for true, open and honest fellowship. Be blessed Hallelu Yah (Praise God)! Kevin YOU ARE Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, you are enlightened. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. Ephesians 1:18-21 NIV Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. You have value in the eyes of God so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. Are you tired of living a shallow superficial life? Is your heart longing for some depth of relationship? Look to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. If you want to know how that's possible simply email us and we'll send you some Bible verses that will explain it to you You can simply begin the relationship by honestly and completely opening your heart, admitting you need God's help, and saying a prayer along the lines of: Jesus: I have made many mistakes in my life and done things I am not proud of. I have sinned. I need your love and forgiveness. I believe that you came into this world and gave your life on a cross to pay for my sins and that you defeated death and rose again. Please forgive me, and be the Lord of my life. I give my life to you Lord. Amen If you pray this prayer for the first time let me know so I can rejoice with you. Did you know that at Gleanings, we have a dedicated team of prayer warriors and all prayer concerns are kept strictly confidential? Your comments, your questions and your joys are shared with the prayer team, to keep me accountable as the head of the ministry and to encourage them as they see God at work in your life. As with prayer all these things are kept confidential within the Gleanings team. To share your questions, comments, thoughts, prayer concerns and praise reports email us If you enjoyed this issue of Gleanings From The Word, email it, in its entirety, to a friend. For information on use of Gleanings in your church newsletter or other situations please visit the permissions page . You can write to us at Gleanings From The Word Ministries International 114 Oak St Sherwood Park, AB Canada T8A 0V8 © 2003 K.F. "Kevin" Corbin Gleanings From The Word Ministisries International - All Rights Reserved
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