What a Fellowship

0:00Stand firm in the One Spirit. Philippians 1.27. Welcome to today's encouragement from our daily bread. What a fellowship was written by Patricia Reban and read by Joyce Dinkins. Philippians 1.27 Chapter 2.1.4 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the One Spirit, striving together as One for the faith of the gospel. Therefore, if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort

1:00from His love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in Spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, rather in humility, value others above yourselves not looking to your own interests, but each of you to the interests of the others. What a fellowship written by Patricia Reban. Rachel, church-hopped for three years before finding a Bible study group that provided what she couldn't find in a traditional church, community. Rachel is deaf. Around the world, many deaf people face similar worship challenges.

2:02Her house church nurtures community by watching a deaf church service on YouTube, discussing the teaching with each other, and then sharing a meal. The small group provides the Spirit-led church family, Rachel Craves. The Apostle Paul explains what makes a church a community, the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. Writing from prison, he urged this connection to the church at Philippi. His hope, in part, was to encourage spiritual unity in a congregation he'd formed and loved. And firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one, Paul urged in Philippians one. He added, if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, then make my joy complete by being like-minded. So, don't be selfish, he said, not looking to your own interests, but each of you to the interests

3:08of the others. Those wise words can guide all church families. By the power of God's Holy Spirit, our communities can serve Him in harmonious fellowship with each other. Let's pray. Lord, we thank You for the gift of Your Spirit. You hold us together as a family, united as one body in Christ. As members of Your body, give us hearts of love that seek the best for all and hearts that avoids selfishness that divides us. Help us to work together so that we can serve You more effectively. Thank You, Lord. It's in Jesus' name we pray. Amen. As you go about your day, reflect on these questions.

4:10How do you sense the Holy Spirit working in your life? How can God's Spirit help you grow His fellowship in your church?