Psalm 1:1-3 English Standard Version

¹ Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; ² but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. ³ He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

Here we are, seated with Christ in the heavenlies. We do not take counsel from the wicked, nor do we walk with sinners. Our delight is in the Lord.

Now we must look at the prosperous side of this relationship. Being rooted and grounded in Christ is the very reason we can be fruitful. When we become prosperous in all we do it can become about what we have done. The blessings we enjoy makes all that possible.

It is not that we have become ungrateful. It is because we are human and the natural instinct of comfort is to relax and enjoy what we have gained. It is not a sin to enjoy these things. It is only a sin if we allow those things to push God out of first place in our lives.

Mark 6:2 English Standard Version (ESV) And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands?”

This is the Lord, humble and dedicated to do the Father’s will. Now we serve the Lord but we are not the Lord and the praise of man that falls on human ears we may find pleasure in being seen. It is not sin to feel this way. God made us this way but it is a sin to allow those feelings to push God out of first place in our lives.

Psalm 35:7-9 English Standard Version

⁷ For without cause they hid their net for me; without cause they dug a pit for my life. ⁸ Let destruction come upon him when he does not know it! And let the net that he hid ensnare him; let him fall into it—to his destruction! ⁹ Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord, exulting in his salvation.

Yesterday my study of fellowship led me to a spiritual minefield and I perceived danger all about me. I gave up that study and this morning discovered why my study took that turn yesterday.

The issue of an improvised explosive device (IED) has 3 methods of handling that directly affects fellowship. Do not discover it and everyone around us gets wounded. Ignore it but warn others and then it becomes someone else’s problem. The third and best answer is to disarm it so that it is no longer a danger to anyone.

This is the essence of fellowship. We are in this with others that we love. They should protect us and we should protect them. A vast array of experience is brought to the table and we need to be mindful of what is being offered in how problems have been dealt with in the lives of others. We should share our experiences also.

How does it make us feel when someone says “I’ll pray for you.”? If they walk off without taking the time to stop what they are doing and be instant in prayer, does that make us feel like we are not important enough for a moment of their time? If it is someone we are not in close fellowship with, that moment might be the opportunity to show the love of Christ and draw them into fellowship.

Remember Jesus said, “They shall know you are my disciples by the way you love one another.”

One another should be extended to those outside our inner circle.