{The Body}

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
[Hebrews 10:24-25]

I love my friends. A lot of times I think to myself secretly, that I have THE best friends in the whole wide world. Today, I got to spend time with two of my closest friends that I've known basically since I was born. Sitting at Starbucks for three and a half hours hearing about their summers and the ways the God has been working in them really filled me up where I had been lacking all summer.

This made me realize again just how important it is to have fellowship within the body of Christ. There is something so comforting in hearing about each others' struggles, talking about the things of life, discussing topics you may be confused about, or simply praying for one another.

1. Talking about your struggles. We have deal with our own struggles at our own time. Whether it be struggling with a particular sin or just chaos going on in your life, talking about it with fellow believers gives us comfort in knowing they're there for us. They may not be going through the same things you are, but perhaps they have before, or they might in the future. It helps you know you're not dealing with things alone...ever.

2. Talking about the things of life. Simply taking part in active friendship. Friendship is one of the most beautiful relationships that God created for us as human beings. The ability to know things about other people and accepting them as they come, it gives us opportunities to love others like Christ has loved us.

3. Discussing topics you may be confused or concerned about. The gospel is simple, but the spiritual details located in the Bible are hard. They can sometimes be difficult to understand or comprehend on a full level of being able to apply them to your life. Having discussions or talking about what you're reading or things that are found in God's Word is a good way to find answers. To see how others take it, but don't forget to still compare that to what God says to beware of "false prophets."

4. This, I feel like, is one of the most important things about fellowship within the Body. Praying for one another- WITH one another. I can't tell you how encouraging it is when someone prays with me. One things I love about the people at my school is that if you're having a bad day and it's clear you're having a bad day, there's usually someone who will pray with you simply because they love you with the love of Christ. Bringing God into your friendship, it increases the strength and also the vulnerability within that relationship. It's how a friendship was meant to be.

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."
[Galatians 6:2]

"There should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it."
[1 Corinthians 12:25-27]

"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." 
[James 5:16]

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."
[1 Thessalonians 5:11]

"But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness."
[Hebrews 3:13]