Each one you is part of the body of Christ, and you were chosen to live together in peace.
COLOSSIANS 3:15 (CEV)
How wonderful it is, how pleasant, for God's people to live together in harmony!
(PSALM 133:1 (TEV)
"God intends for us to experience life together. The Bible calls this shared experience fellowship." p138
"When it comes to fellowship, size matters: smaller is better. You can worship with a crowd, but you can't fellowship with one." p138
"Authenticity is the exact opposite of what you find in some churches. Instead of an atmosphere of honesty and humility, there is pretending, role-playing, politicking, and superficial politeness but shallow conversation. People wear masks, keep their guard up, and act as if everything is rosy in their lives. These attitudes are the death of real fellowship." p140
"...being authentic requires both courage and humility. It means facing our fear of exposure, rejection, and being hurt again. Why would anyone take such a risk? Because it is the only way to grow spiritually and be emotionally healthy." p140
"You can't have fellowship without forgiveness. God warns, "Never hold grudges," because bitterness and resentment always destroy fellowship. Because we're imperfect, sinful people, we inevitable hurt each other when we're together for a long enough time. Sometimes we hurt each other intentionally and sometimes unintentionally, but either way, it takes massive amounts of mercy and grace to create and maintain fellowship." p142
"God's mercy to us is the motivation for showing mercy to others. Remember, you will never be asked to forgive someone else more than God has already forgiven you." p142
"If someone hurts you repeatedly, you are commanded by God to forgive them instantly, but you are not expected to trust them immediately, and you are not expected to continue allowing them to hurt you." p143
Point to Ponder: I need others in my life.
Verse to Remember: "Share each other's troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ." GALATIAN 6:2 (NLT)
Questions to Consider: What one step can I take today to connect with another believer at a more genuine, heart-to-heart level?
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