“That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full” (1 John 1:3-4 KJV).
Fellowship helps you to enter into the rest of God. That is, fellowship with God and with other believers. Now, I didn’t say church members. They can talk in tongues and have a church membership card in their wallet. But that doesn’t make them a believer.
I know it may sound contradictory, but there are some unbelieving believers. They believe selective things and not all the things about the Word of God. You need fellowship with believers. When you have fellowship with believers, it will help you get over into that peaceful state of rest in God.
If it seems like you’re being hammered out there by life and your rest seems to be starting to go away from you, and you’re starting to have trouble sleeping, because of worry, you need to get with other believers.
Talk about what God has done. Testify with with another. After awhile, instead of your head being down, your head goes up and your shoulders go back. You think, “If God did it for him, He’ll do it for me.”
Then your joy will spring forth. And the more you talk about how good He is, the further the anxiety runs away. That’s why you need a local church. You can’t be out here by yourself. You need to be with believers that you can run with. Seeing their faith helps you to stand until you see victory.
Fellowship with God is necessary.And the testimony of the saints helps you to see that God is good all the time.
Scripture References: John 15:11-12; John 17:21-22
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Keith Butler has been an ordained minister since 1974. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds diplomas from Canada Christian College and Rhema Bible Training Center.
He serves in ministry with the support of his lovely wife, Pastor Deborah L. Butler, and their children: Pastor Andre Butler (granddaughters Alexis, Angela, and April), Pastor MiChelle Ferguson and husband Pastor Lee (grandson Lucas), and Minister Kristina Jenkins and husband Pastor Joel (grandsons Andrew and Austin, and granddaughter Alyssa).