The Priority of Likeminded, Spirit-filled Fellowship and Support

David W Palmer

Next, we see that Mary prioritized seeking fellowship with someone who would believe her story, and who could “get” what she was going through:

(Luke 1:39–41 NKJV) Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, {40} and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. {41} And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb ….

Again, I encourage you to follow Mary’s example. After receiving Jesus in a life-changing way, she didn’t go to her nearby friends and family; she rushed to Elizabeth—another person who had received God’s promise of a supernatural birth. Mary knew that Elizabeth would understand and encourage her in the new “blessed” journey her life had undertaken. We see that the Holy Spirit joined their fellowship:

(Luke 1:41–42, 46–47 NKJV) … Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. {42} Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! ... {46} And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord, {47} And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.

Being filled with the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth began to prophesy and Mary was praising God. They were so wise to seek this kind of fellowship; God was obviously in it. In a similar way, I encourage you to seek fellowship with like-minded, Spirit-filled people—those on a similar journey of following Jesus with all their hearts—as you undertake your own serious apprenticeship with the Master. Find people with the same heart and spirit as you; you are going to need their love and support. But, dare I say it, the Holy Spirit says you will also need their honest help to face some home truths at times:

(Hebrews 10:24–25 AKJV) And let us consider one another to provoke to love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching.

At times, we all need someone who knows our journey, and us; and who will get in our face, confront us if necessary, and spur us on in the tough times in our apprenticeship.

Remember, Jesus is calling you to enter through a narrow, limited gate, and onto a constricted (with-strictness, like running the gauntlet) path. If you count the cost, overcome the obstacles, and stay committed to that path, you will rejoice in the end; Jesus said that it is the only path that leads to life, and that there are only a “few” who find its narrow entry point:

(Matthew 7:12–14 DKJV) Therefore, in everything, whatever you want others to do to you, you do the same to them; for this is the objective of the law and the prophets. {13} Enter through the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many are entering through it. {14} How narrow is the gate and constricted is the way, which leads to life! And there are few who find it (the narrow gate).

(Luke 13:23–27 NKJV) Then one said to Him, “Lord, are there few who are saved?” And He said to them, {24} “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. {25} When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open for us,’ and He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know you, where you are from,’ {26} then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.’ {27} But He will say, ‘I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.’”

(Matthew 25:19, 21 NKJV) “After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. ... {21} His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’”

Today, I encourage you to find and fellowship with Spirit-filled people who have your best interests at heart. Allow them to get to know you until they can encourage you, pray for you, prophesy over you, and lovingly provoke you to love and good works. We all need this kind of exhortation and accountability; eternity is that important.