Hey Guys!

Sorry I am coming to you a couple of days late. I hope everyone had an amazing Easter. I had a wonderful Easter with my family. I am blessed to have celebrated Easter Sunday sitting and worshipping with all my family (well, most of them) but thankfully ending the day by spending it with all of them. I have an amazing family and I love the fact that we can all joyously come together and fellowship as Christians. There is something to be said about true Christian fellowship. I grew up in the church, Sunday mornings, Sunday nights, Wednesday nights and all the functions in between, I was there. I admit it was good for me. I am thankful my parents are Christians and felt it imperative to have me involved in church and the activities promoted by our church. I know it has helped mold me into the Christian I am still becoming. I also know, that it was during my time in college, when I was not as involved in church and not very close to God that I really began to have a desire to know Him better. It was there that God placed a very special lady (she was actually a secretary in one of the departments at Alabama) into my life who daily reminded me of the importance of Christ in our lives. I also know, that it is this present time now, when I am in fellowship with other Christians that I have gotten so close to God. And I have a desire to know him better.

After this past weekend and reading through my bible, I thought it would be good to find a verse that dealt with fellowship. In Hebrew 10:25 it says, “Let us not give up the meeting together, as some are in habit of doing, but let us encourage one another- and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” You know, I think it is important to have true fellowship with other Christians. In I John 3-4 we see that John wants to tell everyone what he knows of Jesus, what he “has seen and heard.” He thought by telling others about Jesus he would be promoting fellowship with others. True fellowship is what John desired, and it is what most of us are seeking as well. Fellowship is not just hanging out with your buddies. It is being with others that have the same goals and desires as you do. By having this, there is a better communication, a better understanding between people. This allows you to have a deeper experience with one another.

Last week, as you know, with some reservation, I decided to send our verse to my entire contact list. I sat at my computer overwhelmed with emotion as I read email after em ail. Most of the responses were from the ones I had added and it was such a joy to read them I can’t explain. See, John tells us about this fellowship that he is so eager for others to have. When we fellowship with God, He brings us into fellowship with each other. Telling someone about Jesus and also listening to others tell you is the most fulfilling experience you can have with other people. Thank you so much for your responses. They have been so encouraging and uplifting to read!

3 “We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We write this to make our joy complete.” I John 1:3-4
You know He is always with us. He is always there. It is our decision how much we want to acknowledge or recognize Him.

I encourage you to seek true Christian fellowship with others. Whether it is in church, in Sunday school, a small group, a group of coworkers or friends or your spouse. I really believe that He intended for us to fellowship with others. I think it encourages us, it comforts us, it brings us joy, and it also challenges us as Christians.

Our verse for the week:
6 If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” I John 1:6-7

Okay, it is two verses, but give it a try. I pray that you will be encouraged to continue to hide His word in your heart!!! And I also pray that you will be encouraged to seek a Christian fellowship with others.

I hope that the rest of your week is fabulous and will talk again next Monday!

Love you guys!
Your sister in Christ,
Natalie