Welcome Phoebe

Welcome Phoebe

Reading: Proverbs 28-29; Psalm 60; Romans 16 1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a deacon in the church in Cenchrea. 2 Welcome her in the Lord as one who is worthy of honor among God’s people. Help her in whatever she needs, for she has been helpful to many, and especially to me. (Romans 16:1-2 NLT) As Paul completed his letter to the Christ-followers at Rome, he wrote the most detailed greeting section of any of his letters to churches. He specifically identified at least eight women by name and two by relationship in his greeting… (I’ve listed the women in bold below)
• I commend to you Phoebe – she’s an important leader in the church and worthy of honor!… (16:1)
• Say hello to Priscilla and Aquila – they risked their lives for me… (16:3)
• Hello to Mary – what a hard worker she is!… (16:6)
• Greet Andronicus and Junia (we did prison time together!)
• Hello to Tryphena, Tryphosa, and Persis – diligently serving the Master… (16:12)
• Hello to Rufus’ mother (She’s been a mother to me!)… (16:13)
• Hello to…Julia, Nereus and his sister – followers of Jesus… (16:15) This helps to bring some insight and understanding to the high esteem in which Paul held godly women. Merely reading parts of Paul’s first letter to Corinth and some lines from his letter to Timothy can give the impression that Paul didn’t think very highly of women. Paul’s obvious appreciation and respect for these godly women, servant-leaders in the church, helps to bring that into balance. What about me? Do I allow wrong impressions to develop either by the things I say, or by not saying the things others need to hear? Do I make people feel unappreciated or disrespected by not taking time and not making the effort to specifically thank them and honor them? How about you? Are you taking the time and making the effort to give honor, show respect, and express appreciation for others? Prayer: Father, I want to do better at this. Please help me not to make people feel unappreciated or disrespected through my words and actions, or by my silence and inaction. May I champion the proper showing of respect and appreciation and may I demonstrate it through my words and actions. Help me to be quick to give honor and express appreciation for others at all times and in all kinds of situations. Amen.