From My Heart
Opening Prayer
Thank God for a person or a couple who are really dear to you. Pray for blessings on them today.
Read ROMANS 16:1-16
[1] I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae. [2] I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me. [3] Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. [4] They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. [5] Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia. [6] Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you. [7] Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was. [8] Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord. [9] Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys. [10] Greet Apelles, whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus. [11] Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew. Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord. [12] Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord. [13] Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too. [14] Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the other brothers and sisters with them. [15] Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the Lord’s people who are with them. [16] Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greetings. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
How would you describe Paul's relationship to them?It’s tempting to skim over this list of personal greetings from Paul. But we shouldn’t dismiss it, or fail to grasp what this list of greetings tells us.
It seems that Phoebe (1,2) has been tasked with delivering this crucial letter. In itself, I find this powerful—that a woman, and a strong woman of independent means, should have that privilege. A real application of Galatians 3:28!
Priscilla and Aquila (3,4) travelled with him in the past and he owes a special debt to them. Now it appears that they are leading a house church in Rome. Rufus (13) may have been the son of Simon of Cyrene who helped Jesus carry his cross. Now his legacy of faith lives on in Rome. Imagine how Rufus’ mom’s heart must have swelled with pride to hear that Paul the apostle considered her to be a mother to him, too.
How good it is when we tell people how much they mean to us personally and what they have contributed to the work of God in our lives and those of others.
Apply
Thank personally whoever you thought of earlier. Don’t leave them in any doubt about what they mean to you.
Closing prayer
Lord, I want to thank You for all You are to me. Help me express my thanks to others, also.
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