"ARE YOU PLANTED WHERE THE LORD SAYS OR JUST WHERE IT'S CONVENIENT!!"

Proverbs 22:10; "Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease."

YAHWEH appoints men to lead His people.

1. He "calls" pastors to teach His word and watch over the souls of His children:

• Hebrews 13:17; "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you."

The members of a fellowship should express their love, for their pastor, by regarding him in high esteem.

1. Due respect, or esteem, requires proper submission to the pastor of one's church or ministry: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13; "And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the LORD, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves."

1. When an individual or family chooses a fellowship, they purposefully demonstrate faith in the messages that are being preached and in the goodness of the fellowship:

• Acts 2:44; "And all that believed were together and had all things common."

A good fellowship can benefit Believing families in many ways. When the messages are of YAHWEH, families can grow spiritually.

1. By hearing and applying the Word of YAHWEH, our faith increases, and our spiritual growth is spurred along: Romans 10:17; "So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of YAHWEH."

Through faithful fellowship with other Believers, in the Body, we can build lasting relationships for our families. Within a fellowship, men will have other like-minded men to fellowship with. Women will also be able to find friends that are Believers, and even children, get to grow up with friends that share the same values and morals.

1. Faithful fellowship aids in strengthening a family's commitment to grow and mature in their walk as Believers: 1 Peter 3:8; "Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous."

1. Believers should appreciate the fellowship that they attend, and we should never forget all that YAHWEH has provided for us through the leadership, messages, and fellowship of the Body: 1 Timothy 5:17; "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine."

When we join a fellowship, we are really uniting with the vision of the pastor of that fellowship. We are making a statement that we are supportive of the teachings of the ministry and that we believe in the doctrine of that fellowship. We must also realize that WE made the choice to be there. The decision to join a fellowship should not be superficial, but rather the decision should be based on how the ministry aligns with the Word of YAHWEH!!!

OF COURSE, THERE ARE NO PERFECT FELLOWSHIPS BECAUSE HUMANS ARE NOT PERFECT.

But we should expect the ministry to be governed by the Word of YAHWEH and line up, in every way possible, with YAHWEH's word. When we are not "happy" with the pastor or his ministry, for whatever reason, we should never discuss our issues, with the leadership of a fellowship, with other members. The Word of YAHWEH is clear that when we have an ought against anyone then we should go to them, in order to rectify the problem. If they repent, we should forgive them and hopefully continue with them. But, if we decide not to continue with them, we should not discuss these aforementioned matters with others. Many have faith in their decision to be in a fellowship, so we should never try to extract others from a ministry because we are leaving. We can ruin lives forever when we speak ill of the leadership of a ministry that we are attending. Gossip, rumors, slander, and allegations can hurt the confidence people have in a ministry that has blessed their lives. When malicious conversation spreads, little ones in the faith can be discouraged and even lose faith in the very ministry that was overseeing their growth and maturity. The blood of the innocent will be on the hands of those that start seditions and variances in a ministry.

YAHWEH will always protect those that carry His message of truth and He will always fight against those that fight against Him.

REMEMBER: "THE WORD OF GOD IS LIVING & POWERFUL…SHARPER THAN ANY TWO-EDGED SWORD…PIERCING EVEN TO THE DIVISION OF SOUL AND SPIRIT…AND OF JOINTS & MARROW…AND IS A DISCERNER OF THE THOUGHTS & INTENTS OF THE HEART." (HEBREWS 4:12)

"IF YOU'RE NOT WINNING SOULS FOR YESHUA...YOU DON'T WORK FOR YAHWEH...YOU'RE SELF-EMPLOYED!!"