Those would have been unthinkable and cruel thoughts. Renee needed a family. She needed a mother and father to care for her and the security that only a family could provide. We fed her and clothed her. We provided emotional support and security. Consequently, she's grown up to be a wonderfully balanced and emotionally stable young woman.

When we are born into the kingdom of God, we need the same kind of spiritual love, security and encouragement that a new born child requires. Too often, new Christians attempt to mature spiritually outside the context of God's people. But God didn't create us as "Lone Rangers." He created us to function as a team - as parts of one Body. We must learn how to walk spiritually. We need to be fed the Word of God. I believe that fellowship with other Christians is one of the most important practices that the Christian must give himself to.

When God created us, He instilled a need for fellowship with others into our lives. When He saved us, He also infused into the deepest part of our souls a need for fellowship with others who have experienced God's grace. Therefore, each of us need to find a church that preaches and teaches the Bible as God's word. We need to find a group of people who have come to know Christ and can help us to get to know Him better.

I've been a Christian for 33 years, and I know that all churches have problems. There's no perfect church because churches are made of imperfect people. However, the church is to be an assembly of those who have come to the cross. It's not a showcase for saints, but rather a hospital for sinners. It's where we go to get our lives mended. It's a nursery that provides an atmosphere for spiritual growth. We first feast on the milk of God's word. As we grow we are more able to digest the meat of the Scriptures.

We learn to clothe ourselves with the whole armor of God as we face the battles of life. We are able to hear the word of God and interact with others who have heard and experienced the same great truths. The bottom line is that a good strong Bible believing church will provide the atmosphere to become all that God intended us to become. We grow. We give. We become - all that God desires for us to become.

Fellowship with other believers is as necessary to spiritual health and life as water is to a fish; air to a bird; and food to every human being. Without it, we would soon die. I've watched many Christians wither on the vine and die spiritually because they decided that they didn't need the fellowship of other Christians any longer. Perhaps they were hurt by another believer. Or maybe they disagreed with someone in their church. They may have even seen much hypocrisy in the lives of Christians. However, forsaking fellowship with other believers is no solution to all of the above circumstances. It does no good to anyone. If we aren't comfortable with the group of believers with whom we are meeting, then we need to find another group of Bible believing Christians and grow with them. Fellowship with other Christians isn't just an option for Christian growth. It's a necessity.