Last night I was reminded again about the power, value, and importance of relationships.

I saw this last evening as we met as the body of Christ. I watched people talking and enjoying fellowship with one another. And, I heard stories of those who have not had the joy of worshiping and serving with other believers.

I first saw this need when we lived in Donaldsonville, LA. We had a ship from Taiwan dock on the Mississippi River. Two of our deacons worked at that facility and met the captain–the only follower of Christ on board. He was starved for relationship with other believers and invited our men and their wives and their pastor and wife to dine with him on board.

We had a marvelous time talking about how we came to know Christ and what Christ does for us right now.

The power of relationships is evident in the New Testament. It is particularly evident in the life of Paul.

Paul did not make his missionary journeys alone. There was always a group to support and encourage one another.

One of the saddest passages of Scripture is the last chapter of 2 Timothy where Paul is asking for Timothy to “come before winter” (when travel would cease on the Mediterranean Sea). He wanted the fellowship with dear friends.

You see the power of relationships most vividly in Romans 16 where Paul calls the names of numerous people he knew in Rome. These were not apostles. They were believers–saints–who loved Christ and sought to serve Him. Paul knew these people and were encouraged by their faith and obedience.

Wherever you worship, I encourage you to look around for people who are hungry for fellowship. Not everyone is the captain of a ship who can prepare a dinner, but everyone needs relationships. Look for those people and encourage them by your simple presence in their lives.

God made us for fellowship. Let us live with one another in the joy of the presence of Christ.