Can we all agree?

I snapped this picture at sunset from the restaurant where John and I had dinner a week ago. I gasped as the shutter clicked and thought how it resembles a dove.

After returning home, I was showing two friends some of the pictures of John and both of them exclaimed as I flicked past this one…Is that a dove?!?!

And then, because they are dear friends and believers, they tearfully nodded agreement…yes…it was God showing me His Spirit is there, so far from where we are…. all that way away ….watching over our son.

Agreement among believers is always a delight.

My memory verse for the first half of February encourages agreement ACCORDING TO CHRIST JESUS…and tells us how we get it, and why we get it.

Romans 15:5&6 NASB

Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant that you be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

There is so much for me to love about these verses.

First, it assures me that God gives perseverance and encouragement. How I need both of these!

Second, it tells me that being in agreement with other believers can be granted, or given to us, by God Himself.

AND, more importantly, that agreeing will be ACCORDING to….or in agreement with…the mind of Christ.

How sad to be in agreement with other believers, but for that agreement to NOT be according to the teachings of Christ!

Third, this passage instructs me in the purpose of this agreement: to join together in glorifying God.

I love to be in agreement with people. I am not a fan of conflict and do not enjoy debates. But the point of agreement among believers is not for a “happy place” for you and me to camp on.

The point of agreement is so that we will be unified in praising God. I can not help but note that the focus of His Name here is not that He is MY God, but that He is the God and Father OF …. our LORD Jesus Christ. We do not come into agreement, and glorify God as He is to each one of us, but we come together in agreement to glorify Him as the GOD AND FATHER of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior!

This is exactly what I experienced as my friends saw the representation of the Spirit in a picture snapped on a phone. God, revealing Himself through His creation to encourage me.

And our exclamations and tears were giving glory to Him, the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, whom we share in fellowship. Yes, He spoke to me…but He also spoke encouragement and hope to them and so we glorified the God and Father of the one who saved us all.

I pray today that God will grant YOU what is needed….encouragement, perseverance, agreement, the ability to give Him glory and praise. God bless you as you start your week knowing He is with you <3