[S] Romans 15:5-6 --
5 Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus,6 so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
[O] The two operatives perseverance and encouragement are the secret sauce of receiving likemindedness with others in service to God resulting in glorifying God. Unity among a group of believers first begins by latching our hearts to perseverance and encouragement which come from God. When two or more people gather there exists differences in opinion and from that can arise divisions. Perseverance will prevent this because it allows waiting and eventually accepting others as they are moving into the territory of encouragement. I know that when I coach teenagers soccer, I can see their eyes sparkle when I encourage them on specific thing they did well which results in their deeper interest in the game.
[A] So, as I am constantly asking the question of how to "CONNECT" people at my church, I will take these two operatives to heart and also emphasize to the small group leaders to take on the same heart.
[P] Dear Father, we have a small group seminar in a couple of weeks where we want to build a unity of spirit among the members of our church in order to lay a rock-solid foundation of small groups to carry us further into Your wonderful ministry of reaching out to the people around us so they may know You and Your beautiful plans for their lives. Would you please send Your Spirit ahead of this event so our members will attend with the hearts of perseverance and encouragement? In Your name. Amen.
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