"LET US WORK TOGETHER"

All followers of Jesus work together in fellowship for the mutual growth in Spiritual things.

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 (KJV)

God is working all things together for good, but those who love God are best able to appreciate that fact because they love him no matter what. "To them who are called" is the divine perspective. Scripture often
refers to believers as "the called" or "the elect."

"That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Colossians 2:2,3 (KJV)

This passage could also be translated: "That their minds may be strengthened by being lovingly instructed, and so obtain all the wealth of assurance that comes from proper spiritual understanding. More
precisely, to obtain a mature knowledge of God's mystery about Christ." "Hid" does not mean unknown. It signifies "laid up", "stored away", or "reserved." Christ, then, is the source from which all wisdom and
knowledge come.

"Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand together for the faith of the gospel."
Philippeans 1:27 (KJV)

Fellowship, one of the keys to spiritual growth, occurs when Christians share their walk with God in an atmosphere of love and respect. "Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel" means only
conduct yourselves worthily of the gospel. "That ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind": That is, the church is to look and act as though she posesses but "one mind" and one way of thinking. To achieve this
the assembly must put away their many petty grievances, jealousies, and disunity. The way the Philippeans stood fast in one spirit was by their "striving together for the faith", that is, by standing up for the
Christian Faith.

"Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered."
1Peter 3:7 (KJV)

Husbands and wives ~ Work together; Submit youselves to the Lord together in prayer.

"Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." 1Thessalonians 4:17 (KJV)

WHAT A GLORIOUS EVENT! The Rapture of God! ~ The first phase of Christ's return, involving every Christian alive at that time! These Christians will be caught up to meet Him in the clouds, instantaneously receiving glorified bodies. All those who have died in Christ will be resurrected; those who are alive and saved at the time of the Rapture will be caught up with Christ before the start of the Great
Tribulation. Are you ready? Do you know of someone you need to help get ready? The time is NOW!

Application: Let us rely on the Holy Spirit, "working together", through Word and Sacrament; teaching us, so we in turn can teach and mentor others. And when we fail to set the right example, to speak words
that build up, to encourage, or to share God's love, let us look to Jesus, who is not only the greatest teacher of all but also the One who paid for all our failures on the cross. In Him we have forgiveness for
our sin and new strength to start again.

Today's Devotion:
"O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together." Psalm 34:3 (KJV)