March 24 – 2 Corinthians 13

Lesson: He is the Source of Fellowship

Dear Lord, bless our time with you today.  Meet us where we are at, guide our minds, and hold our hearts as we search for Your truth.

First, do your own quiet time with God and 4R journaling.  When you are complete, come back here for the lesson.

Request Gods’ help

Read 2 Corinthians 13

Record a verse that stands out to you

Respond to God

The Spirit gives us awakening, life, fellowship, and connection.  Feeling disconnected from God?  Start chatting with Him.  It doesn’t have to be long elaborate prayers.  It can be small yet meaningful chats with Him throughout the day.  Feel like you need a recharge? Pray!  Have a Selah day… or a Selah moment if you are in a crazy season like I am!  Start small, a small change of rerouting to engage the Spirit, start that two way communication.  What happens when we keep communicating or stop? What have you learned from your own faith walk?

When we take the time to press pause and just linger with Him for a bit, we are drawn close. He gives us reset and recharge.  Fellowship isn’t always about being active and busy socializing.  Often it’s about the still, quiet moments spent with Him and in these moments the Spirit will release to you joy and thanksgiving.  As Christ followers we are to seek and enjoy the grace of Jesus, love of God and the fellowship with the Spirit.  Take a look at verse 14:

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

Did you know that is the only time all three are used as a blessing?  Why was it so important at that moment to include all three in a blessing?  Because Jesus was reminding us that there will be a time when we will be tested.  He wants us to remember who we are in Him, to remember to keep analyzing our hearts to ensure we are aligned to His.  To remember to be in constant fellowship with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  True fellowship with Them will guard us against evil.  Once we are in fellowship we can start to examine our own selves and our faith to see if we are in fact in the faith. Right?  Fellowship with the Spirit brings unity required of all Jesus followers (Ephesians 4:3-6).

What are some steps for a closer fellowship with the Spirit?

  1. Thank Him!
  2. Ask the Spirit to reveal truth to you and to teach you!
  3. Ask the Spirit to use you!

Having fellowship with Him isn’t an option.  It’s a requirement; a life sustaining requirement.  It’s a requirement that we should not be alone!  What an amazing bit of knowledge!!!  When you feel alone, know that you are not.  The grace of Jesus is with you.  The love of God is with you.  And the fellowship of the Spirit is with you. You are, in fact, in wonderful company!!!!

Dear Heavenly Father, we praise You for You are the fellowship that brings us rest and restoration. We thank You for desiring so much of our heart that You would create fellowship with the Spirit so that we can strengthen our faith in You.

(Further reading: Psalm 100:1-5)

 

What’s next?

As the Spirit leads, in the comment section below, share what He has laid on your heart.

Then join us again tomorrow to learn about the ministry of power.

 

1 Comment. Leave new

  • Sharon Gamble
    March 24, 2024 10:59 pm

    Chiming in very late, today! I did my study in the morning, but Ray and I had Information Center at church so we were out the door early. And then? There *might* have been a 3-hour nap. Haha! But anyway …

    My verse: 2 Corinthians 13:14 “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

    My response: I love seeing these three: grace, love, and fellowship, in light of the Trinity. Dear God- Father, Son, and Spirit – Your love shows itself daily in Your patience with us, and was demonstrated most fully when You gave Your Son Jesus. Lord Jesus, You extended grace – undeserved pardon – with Your redemption and then? You did not leave us alone, but placed Your Spirit within us. You actually walk with me through every difficulty and joy, fully knowing my heart – joys and sorrows, as we do life in fellowship together. I feel so blessed to be Yours.

    Reply

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