“Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25). There is a supernatural element to times of corporate worship and fellowship. When we join a local body of believers and fellowship with them, we are not only obeying Scripture but we are allowing God to work in us through the encouragement and admonition of other Christians. When a group of Christians gather together, God speaks to us through a minister or a song or other believers. God uses the opportunity to build each one up individually as he moves in our midst, speaking and touching each other — often in a different way. That is the beauty of the family of Christ. Through fellowship, we find strength and power and discipline. And through meeting together, our faith grows. Healthy fellowship is important outside of worship services as well. Each of us should find people of like mind and values — people who will not only commit to being our friends but also will hold us accountable. People who will mentor us in our faith, help us resist temptation and pick us up when we fall. People who will be there to encourage us during times of stress and turmoil and admonish us when we are missing the boat. People who want to see us succeed in our Christian walk and whom we can encourage when they too face difficulties. The enemy of our soul is fearsome, but our Commander-in-Chief does not leave us defenseless against him. He gives us weapons forged and tempered to bring his power to bear in the struggle. “‘No weapon formed against you shall prosper … This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me,’ says the Lord” (Isaiah 54:17). Pray fervently and worship with all your heart. Stay in fellowship with other believers. And examine the Scriptures daily and put on the whole armor of God. With the weapons he gives you, you will be prepared and in control. Nicky Cruz, internationally known evangelist and prolific author, turned to Jesus Christ from a life of violence and crime after meeting David Wilkerson in New York City in 1958. The story of his dramatic conversion was told first in The Cross and the Switchblade by David Wilkerson and then later in his own best-selling book Run, Baby, Run. | 
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