Pray And Fellowship With Those In The Faith

God calls each of those people that believe in Him to also fellowship with others in His church. We don’t just go to a church building once a week and call it good, but continue our friendship one with another throughout the week. It is important to not let a day go by without praying for and with others in need. Visit them or call them, while lifting them up as God would. Please know that as believers in Christ, we are also His followers. Knowing this will help you be more selfless and kind towards others in the faith. This will lead you to find out more about the people that you go to church with and also contact them if they are sick, depressed or just need somebody to talk to. We really are God’s hands and feet when it comes to His church. Without us praying for others in the faith and showing kindness towards them, then more people would be suffering. So please realize that God wants to help others and you are part of that assistance to them. Once you realize this, then you would not only put in prayer requests for people in need at church, but you would also start praying for these people daily. As Paul did and the early church members did also, you would be in agreement with them, when Paul said, 1“grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints.” (Philemon 1:3-5) Do you see how it was his desire to think of others before himself? This was his heart towards those in the faith. That is why he continually prayed with them and sought them out, in order to help them.

As Christians, we know that we were all once part of the darkness of this world, while living in sin, but now our lives have been transformed in Christ Jesus. Before He put the Holy Spirit in our lives, we walked apart from God in sin, but now we live for Him. We are delighted to see people coming to the Lord, since they are now living for His will, instead of the flesh. In saying this, listen to how Paul greeted his fellow brother in the faith. He said, 1“I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels.” (Philemon 1:10-12) As you can see, He was thrilled that this new brother in the faith was walking in the light of Christ. He was in bondage of sin, but Jesus has set him free. For this reason, he is now able to do God’s will and be fruitful in His sight. Now, lastly he said something very important. He said to the church members to also receive this new brother. To not ignore him, but to fellowship with him also. Make him feel welcome and loved within the community of believers. This was how the original church was like. They not only prayed for others, but spent their time with them. They were all nourished in the faith as a whole and not separately. So please ask yourself if you are living your faith out alone or with other friends in the faith? If you are alone, then please repent and allow God to open you up to meet new people in the faith. Then, will you want to care for them and pray for their needs. Please think about these things as you continue your daily walk in Christ Jesus.

Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that people in the faith will open up their lives to You and for the care of their brothers and sisters in the faith. May they begin to see past themselves and see the needs of others also. Then, will they begin to do Your will and care for other individuals that are hurting. They would lift these beautiful people up in the faith, while fellow-shipping with them and praying with them often. Give these people a loving heart for all Your children and not just those in their family outside the faith. I know that we are Your children and are now a part of a much greater family then the one I was born in. Truly, every member of the faith is a part of that eternal family, of which I will be with in heaven. I am so looking forward to this, Lord. It truly brings a smile to my face to know that every person that believes in and follows You, Jesus, that I will be with them and You also in heaven. It will be a most wonderful family and we will rejoice together in Your heavenly home. And as I am looking forward to this time with You on this new earth and in heaven, I hope and pray that I will never lose sight of these same brothers and sisters, while on earth. May I know who is in need, that I might pray for them and with them? Help me care for the people in church, that all their spiritual and physical needs will be met in Your presence, oh God. Because You are the supplier of all good things for my life, I wish to share the same joy that it gives me with those in the faith also. Help them see how You have transformed my life and how they also can be changed. No sin can stand in the way of Your mercy. No sickness can stand in the way of Your healing power. You are the Lord God almighty and can do all things. I trust in You, God. I love You. Amen.

Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.

1Philemon 1 (KJV)
1 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer,
2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:
3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,
5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;
6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
8 Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,
9 Yet for love’s sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
11 Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:
12 Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:
13 Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:
14 But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.
15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;
16 Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?
17 If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.
18 If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;
19 I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.
20 Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.
21 Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.
22 But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.
23 There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;
24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

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