Ephesians 3:16-20 “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being. 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us., 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever Amen.

In these passages, we see that we have access to the power found for believers in Jesus Christ in the Spirit. The Spirit is able to strengthen us. We are told to be rooted and grounded and established in love. The next verse is what I want to focus on mostly, it reads: “may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” We as the body of Christ need to be together. We were not meant to be an island out there somewhere figuring it out as we go. We were are encouraged to assemble ourselves together and when we do there is power there for each. We are strengthened through the common bond of fellowship and prayers for one another.

When we are born-again we do not automatically think all pure thoughts, we don’t always stop doing those things that are un-Christlike. Have there been people so immediately transformed that their lives were a complete 360, yes, but few. Most of us it is a process of repenting, surrendering, learning and growing. The Spirit comes in when we are saved and starts the process of cleaning us up. Revealing and teaching truth to us. When we are with other believers we can see by example how we ought to live. We can listen to how God has strengthened and helped them and it grows and helps establish our faith. We see we are not alone in our struggles, our sin, our hopes, and desires, we are like minded. We also have others whose walks are further along than ours to help us and pray for and with us. WE NEED THE FELLOWSHIP WITH LIKE MINDED PEOPLE. If you continue to hang with the same crowd who are doing the same thing chances are you will not have an influence on them, however, they may keep you in a place of struggle. Do you stop loving them, no? Do you stop showing up to help them in time of need, no? But, you should separate yourself to the degree that you no longer regularly participate in things that are displeasing to the Lord.

In Hebrews 10:24-25, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are int he habit of doing, but encouraging one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

What Day is this passage talking about? That Day when the clouds will split, the trumpet will sound and the Lord himself will return to this earth to take His own and establish His Kingdom. We need to be ready, we do not know the day or the hour of his return. The scripture tells us that he will come as a thief in the night. (1 Thessalonians 5:2) & (Revelation 16:15.) Are you ready?

What are you devoting yourself to that keeps you from getting with other believers? Where do you go when life gets overwhelming? Is your walk so self-centered that you just cannot bring yourself to church or is it that you feel you can go this life alone, you do not need others prayers, you prefer to hang with folks that you see as more fun? We were never meant to be an island, we need connections with like-minded people in our lives. Together we have power in our worship, in our prayers, in our walk, and in our faith.

Acts 2:42 “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

Getting together is God’s idea. If it is God’s idea it is a great idea and there are reasons that he knows as to why we should gather together. I want whatever God wants for me. I tried going it alone once, I can tell you it ended really badly! Worst idea ever! I stopped asking for prayer, I stopped reading my Bible, I stopped worshipping with other believers, I stopped wanting to go to church. Why? My heart had left its first love and I was following it. When you are isolated and alone you are in grave danger of the enemy. Oh, he cannot steal your salvation, but he can torment your mind, whisper lies in your ear and you soon find yourself turning to listen. This warning in 1 Peter 5:8 is something we all need to keep in our minds, not out of fear, but as a reminder that we need to be strengthened and surrounded by God’s people, alert and not focused on self and worldly and activities. “Be alert and of sober mind. your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

If for some reason you have left the church or you have never committed to going, you need to! It is good for your soul, good for your growth, good for your faith and good for your spirit. My happiest times are when I am in church surrounded by like-minded believers worshipping the God who has saved me and called me his own, it really does not get any better than that! They are family and my heart is made better by being with them!

As we used to chant when I was a child… “try it you will like it, take a tip from me, I tried it I liked it…He is the victory.”

Blessings as you walk this earth, may your faith be strengthened, and your spirit made strong together.