From God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, grace and peace to Uinta County. I love the Apostle Paul. He is one of the first people I want to meet when I get to heaven.

I cannot wait to fellowship in heaven; meeting the saints, all those that came before me, and, of course, my loving Savior.

Humans are social creatures built to seek companionship. Companionship promotes health and well-being. Friendship plays a vital role in stimulating health. The National Institute of Health states companionship increases dopamine, our feel good hormone.

Magnetic imaging reveals positive changes in the brain when people are involved in relationships.

Koinonia, or Greek for Christian fellowship, happens when Christians with shared beliefs, convictions, and behavior come together. Fellowship allows mutual cooperation as we worship and perform God’s work in the world. We are called to love one another (John 13:34), bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2), and encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11). Fellowship creates unity. Paul asks us to make every effort to keep unity in Spirit through the bond of peace. We are to break bread and pray together.

The Church, in Acts, displayed leadership, prayer, worship, discipleship, evangelism, fellowship and ministry. These seven functions are keys to a local church being Biblically healthy and growing.

Early believers relied on fellowship. Fellowship created a bond and strengthened them to overcome persecution. They were devoted to praying and breaking bread together.

Another form of fellowship is when Christians come together for the Lord’s Supper. Communion, or the sharing and exchanging of one of the most intimate activities and experiences, is an essential part of the church service that we share with others.

Engaging in frequent consistent fellowship with others with shared beliefs is good for our health. According to the American Psychiatric Association one-third of Americans experience loneliness at least weekly while 10% experience loneliness daily.

Making time to develop friendships fosters engagement. Fellowship can be as simple as sending an encouraging text, opening our home to others, sharing a meal, praying together. We show obedience to God when we share our sins and pray with each other.

Studying the word together is beneficial. Joining a Bible study or sharing a Bible verse and discussing it with a friend can provide an opportunity to learn the characteristics of God. A strong foundation in the Word can help people endure difficult times.

Jesus tells us we must build our lives on a firm foundation, a rock. A sturdy base supports a house through storms. We are not meant to grope in the dark with makeshift beliefs. Discerning God’s truth from falsehood impacts every area of our lives. Although the

Bible is not a magic wand, the word can make a significant impact in a person’s life. The word stabilizes.

Attachment disorders begin when a child becomes insecure and untrusting of their environment. A safe, predictable environment creates emotional freedom and confidence. The stability created by having a firm understanding of God’s truth allows us to feel safe when venturing out into a world that is quite unstable and unpredictable.

The concept of true koinonia serves as a beacon of light and provides spiritual nourishment and encouragement for believers on their journey of faith. If you are not part of a church body, please reach out this weekend. We would love to meet you and share true koinonia.