June 10:  Christian Fellowship.

Confidence and Unity.
Therefore I rejoice that I have confidence in you in everything.--2 Corinthians 7:16, NKJV

WHEN MEN WILL SHOW confidence in their fellowmen they will come much nearer to possessing the mind of Christ....

...Jesus found access to minds by the pathway of their most familiar associates....

Jesus assumed humanity that He might meet humanity.  He brings men under the transforming power of truth by meeting them where they are.  He gains access to the heart by securing sympathy and confidence, making all feel that His identification with their nature and interest is complete.--Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 189, 190.

Let us cherish a spirit of confidence in the wisdom of our brethren....Connected with the service of God, we must individually realize that we are parts of a great whole....

Workers for Christ are to strive for unity.  We are the children of the same family, and have one heavenly Father.  Let us not put on garments of heaviness, and cherish doubts and a lack of confidence in our brethren.  We should not hurt our souls by gathering the thistles and the thorns, but instead we should gather the roses and the lilies and the pinks, and express their fragrance in our words and acts.--Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 500, 502.

When there is harmonious action among the individual members of the church, when there is love and confidence manifested by brother to brother, there will be proportionate force and power in our work for the salvation of men.--Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 188.

                        I do not say this to condemn you; I have said before
                 that you have such a place in our hearts that we would live or die with you.
                       I have spoken to you with great frankness; I take great pride in you.
                  I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds....
                         ....I am glad I can have complete confidence in you.
                              
                                                     --2 Corinthians 7:3, 4, 16, NIV

June 9:  Christian Fellowship.

Shared Happiness.
"And you rejoice in your feast, and you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant and the Levite, the stranger and the fatherless and the widow, who are within your gates."--Deuteronomy 16:14, NKJV

THE ISRAELITES, in all their festivities, included the poor, the stranger, and the Levite, who was both the assistant of the priest in the sanctuary, and a religious teacher and missionary.  These were regarded as the guests of the people, to share their hospitality on all occasions of social and religious rejoicing, and to be tenderly cared for in sickness or in need.  It is such as these whom we should make welcome to our homes.  How much such a welcome might do to cheer and encourage the missionary nurse or the teacher, the care-burdened, hard-working mother, or the feeble and aged, so often without a home, and struggling with poverty and many discouragements....

...The warmth of a genial welcome, a place at your fireside, a seat at your home table, the privilege of sharing the blessing of the hour of prayer, would to many of these be like a glimpse of heaven.

Our sympathies are to overflow the boundaries of self and the enclosure of family walls.  There are precious opportunities for those who will make their homes a blessing to others....

...If we would show an interest in the youth, invite them to our homes, and surround them with cheering, helpful influences, there are many who would gladly turn their steps into the upward path.--The Ministry of Healing, 352, 354.

                                       Keep loving each other as brothers and sisters.
                                          Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers,
                             for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!
                              
                                                                            --Hebrews 13:1-2, NLT

June 8:  Christian Fellowship.

Wonderful and Pleasant Heavenly Harmony.
How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!--Psalm 133:1, NLY

THERE ARE MYSTERIOUS LINKS that bind souls together, so that the heart of one answers to the heart of another.  One catches the ideas, the sentiments, the spirit, of another.  This association may be a blessing or a curse.--Messages to Young People, 411.

Christian sociability is altogether too little cultivated by God's people....

....Those who shut themselves up within themselves, who are unwilling to be drawn upon to bless others by friendly associations, lose many blessings; for by mutual contact minds receive polish and refinement; by social intercourse acquaintances are formed and friendships contracted which result in a unity of heart and an atmosphere of love which is pleasing in the sight of heaven.--Messages to Young People, 405.

                      Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
                         For brethren to dwell together in unity!
                        It is like the precious oil upon the head,
                               Running down on the beard,
                                       The beard of Aaron,
                         Running down on the edge of his garments.
                                   It is like the dew of Hermon,
                            Descending upon the mountains of Zion;
                       For there the Lord commanded the blessing--
                                            Life forevermore.
                              
                                                   --Psalm 133:1-3, NKJV

June 7:  Christian Fellowship.

Encouraging Fellow Believers.
The brothers and sisters in Rome had heard we were coming, and they came to meet us at the Forum on the Appian Way.  Others joined us at The Three Taverns.  When Paul saw them, he was encourages and thanked God.--Acts 28:15, NLT

IT WAS WITH A HEAVY HEART that Paul went forward to his long-expected visit to the world's metropolis.  How different the circumstances from those he had anticipated!  How was he, fettered and stigmatized, to proclaim the gospel?...

At last the travelers reach Appii Forum, forty miles from Rome.  As they make their way through the crowds that throng the great thoroughfare, the gray-haired old man, chained with a group of hardened-looking criminals, receives many a glance of scorn and is made the subject of many a rude, mocking jest.

Suddenly a cry of joy is heard, and a man springs from the passing throng and falls upon the prisoner's neck, embracing him with tears and rejoicing, as a son would welcome a long-absent father.  Again and again is the scene repeated....

As the warmhearted disciples eagerly flock around their father in the gospel, the whole company is brought to a standstill.  The soldiers are impatient of delay, yet they have not the heart to interrupt this happy meeting; for they, too, have learned to respect and esteem their prisoner....

Few realize the significance of those words of Luke, that when Paul saw his brethren, "he thanked God, and took courage."  In the midst of the weeping, sympathizing company of believers, who were not ashamed of his bonds, the apostle praised God aloud.  The cloud of sadness that had rested upon his spirit was swept away....With firmer step and joyful heart he continued on his way.--Acts of the Apostles, 448, 449.

And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me
                here has helped to spread the Good News.  For everyone here, including
                 the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ.
                           And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here
                  have gained confidence and boldly speak God's message without fear.
                                                                                        --Philippians 1:12-14, NLT

June 6:  Christian Fellowship.

Praying for Others.
Always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now.--Philippians 1:4, 5, NKJV

PRAYER IS COMMUNION with God, the Fountain of wisdom, the Source of strength, and peace, and happiness....Paul exhorts believers to "pray without ceasing," in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, making known their requests to God.  "Pray one for another" James says....1 Thessalonians 5:17; James 5:16.--Testimonies for the Church, vol. 7, 42.

Learn to exercise faith in presenting your neighbors before the throne of grace and pleading with God to touch their hearts.--Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, 245.

Souls are to be sought for, prayed for, labored for.  Earnest appeals are to be made.  Fervent prayers are to be offered.  Our tame, spiritless petitions are to be changed into petitions of intense earnestness.  God's word declares: The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.--Testimonies for the Church, vol. 7, 12.

The minister is not to rule imperiously over the flock entrusted to his care, but to be their ensample, and to show them the way to heaven.  Following the example of Christ, he should intercede with God for the people of his care till he sees that his prayers are answered.--Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, 267.

                             In all my prayers for you, I always pray with joy
                    because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.
                                                                                            --Philippians 1:4, 5, NIV

June 5:  Christian Fellowship.

Fellowship and Solidarity.
I long to see you again, for I remember your tears as we parted.  And I will be filled with joy when we are together again.--2 Timothy 1:4, NLT

WE SUSTAIN A LOSS when we neglect the privilege of associating together to strengthen and encourage one another in the service of God.  The truths of His word lose their vividness and importance in our minds.  Our hearts cease to be enlightened and aroused by their sanctifying influence, and we decline in spirituality.  In our association as Christians we lose much by lack of sympathy with one another.  He who shuts himself up to himself is not filling the position that God designed he should....

If Christians would associate together, speaking to each other of the love of God and of the precious truths of redemption, their own hearts would be refreshed and they would refresh one another.--Steps to Christ, 101.

We are all children of one Father, dependent upon one another for happiness.  The claims of God and of humanity are upon us.  It is the proper cultivation of the social elements of our nature that brings us into sympathy with our brethren and affords us happiness in our efforts to bless others.--Patriarchs and Prophets, 541.

                              Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy.
                                          I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived
                                          first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice
                                                         and now, I am sure, lives in you.
                              
                                                                     --2 Timothy 1:4, 5, NRSV

June 4:  Christian Fellowship.

Let Us Make Others Happy.
Being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith.--Philippians 1:25, NKJV

FROM THE ANOINTED ONES that stand in God's presence the fullness of divine light and love and power is imparted to His people, that they may impart to others light and joy and refreshing.  Those who are thus enriched are to enrich others with the treasure of God's love.--Prophets and Kings, 594.

Religion is founded upon love to God, which also leads us to love one another.  It is full of gratitude, humility, long-suffering, forbearing, merciful, and forgiving.  It sanctifies the whole life and extends its influence over others.

Those who love God cannot harbor hatred or envy.  When the heavenly principle of eternal love fills the heart, it will flow out to others, not merely because favors are received of them, but because love is the principle of action and modifies the character, governs the impulses, controls the passions, subdues enmity, and elevates and ennobles the affections.  This love is not contracted so as merely to include "me and mine,"  but is as broad as the world as high as heaven, and is in harmony with that of the angel workers.  This love cherished in the soul sweetens the entire life and sheds a refining influence on all around.  Possessing it, we cannot but be happy, let fortune smile or frown.--Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, 223.

                     I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you
                            with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
                         so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.
                 And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power.
                                                                                            --Ephesians 3:16-18, NIV

June 3:  Christian Fellowship.

Your Happiness Is My Happiness.
And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.--1 Corinthians 12:26, NKJV

CHRISTIANITY IS A SYSTEM which, received and obeyed, would spread peace, harmony, and happiness throughout the earth.  The religion of Christ will unite in close brother-hood all who accept its teachings.  It was the mission of Jesus to reconcile men to God, and thus to one another.--The Great Controversy, 46.

Let your hearts be true to Jesus.  Although you may feel that you are the least of all saints, yet you are members of Christ's body, and through Him you are identified with all His human agencies and with the excellence and power of the heavenly intelligences.  None of us liveth to himself.  To each is assigned a post of duty, not for his own narrow, selfish interests, but that the influence of each may be a strength to all.  Testimonies for the Church, vol. 7, 296.

God's church is the court of holy life, filled with varied gifts and endowed with the Holy Spirit.  The members are to find their happiness in the happiness of those whom they help and bless.--The Acts of the Apostles, 12.

                    Let love be without hypocrisy.  Abhor what is evil.  Cling to what is good.
                                Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love,
                                              in honor giving preference to one another.
                                                                                              --Romans 12:9, 10, NKJV

June 2:  Christian Fellowship.

Living in Harmony With Our Brothers and Sisters.
Fulfil my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.--Philippians 2:2, NKJV

GOD DESIGNS that His people shall be a unit, that they shall see eye to eye and be of the same mind and of the same judgment.--Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, 361.

The religion of Christ does not require us to lose our identity of character, but merely to adapt ourselves, in some measure, to the feelings and ways of others.  Many people may be brought together in a unity of religious faith whose opinion, habits, and tastes in temporal matters are not in harmony; but if they have the love of Christ glowing in their bosoms, and are looking forward to the same heaven as their eternal home, they may have the sweetest and most intelligent communion together, and a unity the most wonderful.--Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, 65.

Let us be determined to be in unity with our brethren.  This duty God has placed upon us.  We shall make their hearts glad by following their counsel, and make ourselves strong through the influence that this will give us.--Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 500.

                                         How good and pleasant it is
                                 when God's people live together in unity!
                                                                                  --Psalm 133:1, NIV

                  Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ,
                      if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit,
                           if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete
                                          by being like-minded, having the same love,
                                                 being one in spirit and of one mind.
                              
                                                   --Philippians 2:1, 2, NIV

June 1:  Christian Fellowship.

Christian Fellowship and Brotherly Love.
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stay true to the Lord.  I love you and long to see you, dear friends, for you are my joy and the crown I receive for my work.--Philippians 4:1, NLT

CHRIST HAD BIDDEN the first disciples love one another as Hehad loved them.  Thus they are to bear testimony to the world that Christ was formed within, the hope of glory.  "A new commandment I give unto you," He had said, "That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another."  John 13:34.  At the time when these words were spoken, the disciples could not understand them; but after they had witnessed the sufferings of Christ, after His crucifixion and resurrection, and ascension to heaven, and after the Holy Spirit had rested on them at Pentecost, they had a clearer conception of the love of God and of the nature of that love which they must have for one another....

...They rejoiced in the sweetness of communion with saints.  They were tender, thoughtful, self-denying, willing to make any sacrifice for the truth's sake.  In their daily association with one another, they revealed the love that Christ had enjoined upon them.  By unselfish words and deeds they strove to kindle this love in other hearts.--The Acts of the Apostles, 547.

                         We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually
                     seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us.
                 And our fellowship is with the Father and with the Son, Jesus Christ.
                      We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy.
                              
                                                                    --1 John 1:3, 4, NLT