Uncommon Fellowship

"Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love." 1 John 4: 7-8

Last week, I attended one of my favorite conferences of the year! Catalyst Conference.

This year's theme was amazing! Uncommon Fellowship

Fellowship as defined by dictionary.com as:

1.the condition or relation of being a fellow:

the fellowship of humankind.

2.friendly relationship; companionship:

the fellowship of father and son.

3.community of interest, feeling, etc.

4.communion, as between members of the same church.

We have heard it said many times that we should love our neighbor as ourselves. We know this, but sometimes, we tend to think this is just about people who aren't Christians.

Can I just burst that bubble for you?

We are to love EVERYONE, Christian and non-Christian alike.

Christians make up "the church", that is, the body of Christ. As Christians, we need to stop tearing each other down because one doesn't believe like the other...or one dresses differently, or one has a different style music.

God made us diverse for a reason. What reaches me, might not reach you, and that's ok.

There is something printed in my booklet from Catalyst I want to share with you:

"It's common in our culture to sort, divide, and exclude; urging us to look out for ourselves, make it at all costs, and leave others in our wake. But Jesus is building something uncommon.

BRINGS IN

This uncommon fellowship is a household. A place where we belong to each other, look out for each other, and build each other up. A place where individuals are celebrated, not sorted. In this family, we are included, fathered, encouraged.

LOOKS UP

He cultivates this fellowship with His Word. He recasts fractured desires with His own. He molds pride into humility. He breathes into us, nurtures us, recreates us.

REACHES OUT

His fellowship extends into the world. It transcends boundaries. Challenges darkness with hope. Enters the public square with humility and redefines the contours of culture with truth."

I don't know about you, but that pumps me up! I want to live fully for God and love everyone He loves. ESPECIALLY my brothers and sisters in Christ. Just because they aren't like me doesn't mean I can't love and support them.

I pray that God will move in your heart. Right now, with this stupid Presidential election, people are being divided. Christians are fighting about these two people who are running to govern our United States.

Can we just take a minute and join in prayer over this? I mean seriously. What good is it doing to fight with other Christians on social media? You know what that is causing?

Non-Christians to see fighting among people who are supposed to get along and love each other.

What you write on social media could either cause someone to come to Jesus, or turn them away from Him forever. Think before you type.

Let's love everyone... because honestly, we are all a little uncommon anyway.

God bless you today and always.