“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name
Immanuel,” which is translated, as “God with us.” Matt.1:23
God’s original purpose in creating man is to have people He will fellowship/partner with.
He had this relationship with the first man He created (Adam and Eve). When man
sinned and ate the forbidden fruit man died spiritually and lost that relationship. Jesus
came and restored that relationship between man and God. Hence, He is called
Emmanuel.
When Jesus called His disciples to Himself, the first reason for calling them was for
them to be with Him i.e. fellowship with Him. “And he goeth up into a mountain, and
calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him. Then He appointed twelve, that
they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, and to have the power to
heal sicknesses and to cast out demons:” Mark 3:13-15. It is obvious from this scripture
that there can be no effective ministration or service if there is no quality fellowship with
God. It is in our fellowship with Him that we receive grace and anointing for effective
ministry or Christian service.
A growing fellowship with God has other benefits. “Now when they saw the boldness of
Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled;
and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13. Peter and
John was an ordinary fisherman who did not go to school. Yet their fellowship with Jesus
transformed their lives from ordinary to extraordinary to such an extent that they
became a wonder to their generation. You can experience the same transformation if
you will cultivate the lifestyle of intimacy with God because He is not a respecter of
persons.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
Your relationship with God is more important than what you do for Him. Invest in developing
your relationship with Him. The blessing far outweighs the price.