Hey there, and welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread.

Our reading titled, Fellowship in Jesus, was written by Dave Brannon.

I'm not sure who's responsible for turning out the lights and locking up the church after our Sunday morning service.

But I know one thing about that person.

Sunday dinner is going to be delayed.

That's because so many people love to hang around after church and talk about life decisions,

heart issues and struggles, and more.

It's a joy to look around 20 minutes after the service and see so many people still

enjoying each other's company. Fellowship is a key component of the Christ-like life. Without the

connectivity that comes from spending time with fellow believers, we'd miss out on many benefits

of being a believer. For instance, Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5,

we can encourage one another and build each other up.

The author of Hebrews agrees, telling us not to neglect getting together

because we need to be encouraging one another.

And the writer also says that when we're together, we spur one another

on toward love and good deeds. As people dedicated to living for Jesus, we prepare ourselves

for faithfulness and service as we encourage the disheartened and are patient with everyone.

Living that way, as he helps us, allows us to enjoy true fellowship

and to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

Today's Our Daily Bread Devotional Scripture reading is from 1 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 verses 11 through 15.

Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you who care for you and the

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