The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you. – (2 Corinthians 13:14)

While most translate the phrase “fellowship of the Holy Spirit”, I find the phrase “the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit” to be powerful and exciting.

We are brought into a close fellowship with God through “the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit”. Think about the implications of this.

Our fellowship with one another, our connection to each other, is based upon our being draw together because of our friendship with the Spirit. As we are drawn into a more intimate friendship with the Spirit of God, we find ourselves drawn closer and closer to each other.

Prayer : Almighty God, I want to be drawn near to you. I thank you for the extravagant grace of being able to even say such thing. You are holy and majestic, yet you want me to come closer to you. Thank you for inviting me into such an intimate friendship through the Holy Spirit as I commit to be in a closer relationship with other believers who yearn to be drawn near to you. In Jesus’ name I thank you for this grace. Amen.

There was a little boy who once heard how many people in the world do not know the love of Jesus. The boy had a great desire to become a missionary so that he can travel places sharing the love of God.

Unfortunately, one day he met with an accident and lost both his legs. He was laid on the bedside of a window and was supplied with his daily needs. The boy grieved in his heart that he can no longer go places to share the love of Jesus. He was so disappointed.

Then one day an idea struck him, everyday he made small chits with one liners in it that read messages like Jesus Loves You, Jesus Heals You, Jesus Saves You etc. He threw these chits from the window on the travelers who passed by the road. He did these for years but did not see any response.

One day a stranger knocked at the door. He asked if there is anybody on the window-side throwing chits on the road. The stranger was led to the boy.

The stranger said, “I am a rich industrialist. Two years ago I was struck by a strange disease which had no medicine in the medical world. I was then being taken in an ambulance for an emergency surgery. The ambulance happened to stop by the signal that is beside the window when a paper came flying and stuck to the glass window of the ambulance. It read, “Jesus heals you”.

The message renewed my spirit and encouraged me. Jesus healed me miraculously and today I’m completely restored with good health. Thank you for sharing His love with me”.

No matter in which state we are, we can still share the love of God with others and change their lives.

There is an old proverb which says, “If we work together, even mountains can be moved!”

What a single person alone cannot achieve, partnership can.

Partnership is the joining together of different persons to achieve a common specific goal. This can be seen in different places in the Scriptures.

Jesus handpicked twelve people to work with him rather than doing the job alone. When He sent His disciples to different cities and villages to preach the Good News, He sent them in small teams. He also had a group of women supporting Him financially.

Apostle Paul ministered with a team of associates in different places. He also had financial partners like the Philippian church. That is what Paul says in Philippians 1:3-5 (ESV), “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you … because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.”

Church is not meant to be a ‘spiritual hotel’ where people come, eat and go back to their places. God wants His Church to function as a spiritual family where all get involved in His work.

God has given everyone at least one gift to be used in Kingdom work. An Apostle or a Pastor alone cannot do the gospel work. When all the members get involved in supporting them, it will be greatly fruitful and excellent.

You need to find out your area of partnership in the gospel work. If you are an intercessor, function as a prayer partner. If you are called to be a helper, get involved in ushering. Like wise, find out your role and get involved in the outreaches of your church.

Whatever we have in our hands is not really ours, but God’s. He has given us wealth, resources, abilities and potential to share in building His Kingdom on earth.

In Philippians 4:19, Paul promises the Philippian believers that “…God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” He said this to those who were partnering financially with him in the gospel work.

Though we need to give to the poor and the needy, giving for the gospel work is of utmost importance. God will richly bless those who give for the gospel work. That’s His principle.

Take a commitment to be a partner in supporting the gospel work.