|
|
|
Romans 16:1-4
I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae. 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.
Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.
New International Version (NIV)
| |
|
Who is on your list? Mostly, we don’t want to be on someone’s list. To hear my mom say, “Duane, you are on my list,” was not typically good news. Think of the person who brings you pain. How about the one who refuses to reconcile even though you have apologized? We all have a list. Whose list are you on?
Living together in Christian community, we love each other. In a beautifully packed set of verses, Paul describes life in Christian community at the end of Romans 12, “Love must be sincere. . . be devoted to one another in love . . .” In 13:8, he writes, “Let no debt remain outstanding except the continuing debt to love one another.” In 14:7 “None of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone.”
Then in 15:1-2, we bear with one another. Some years ago we had a string of small break-ins at the church. Thieves were breaking into cars and stealing things. As I walked down the sidewalk one day, I saw someone sitting in my car. Fearing a break-in I sprinted toward the car, not really knowing what I would do. When I arrived I found a rather large Teddy Bear sitting in the driver’s seat. Our Minister of Missions, Josh Guajardo had put the Teddy Bear in my car with the message, “Thank you for bearing with us.”
Finally in chapter 16, Paul writes down his list of friends in the faith. Phoebe, a deacon in Cenchreae is at the top of the list. She took the letter to the Romans to the Roman Christians. What a privilege. Paul must have had so much confidence in her. He says as much. She is a sister, a servant and a saint! Priscilla and Aquila are next. They risked their lives for him and all the churches of the gentiles. Andronicus and Junia, male and female are outstanding among the Apostles. Paul had a lot of friends in Rome when he arrived some time later. Twenty-eight of them made the list.
Later Paul lists the ones who are with him as he sends the letter. These lists are love-lists. He greets and sends greetings from others whom he loves in the Lord. Who is on your list? Whose list are you on? For the record, we are on God’s list. He has not forgotten our names or our service in the Lord. Those who trust in him have our names written in the Lamb’s book of life. Whatever you do, don’t miss that list.
| |
|
Pray with me:
Father, we thank you for loving us with undying love. Imprint your love on our souls today. Make us loving people who love each other well. We owe you everything. Help us to release others from what they owe to us. Let us finish well in your love, we pray, In Jesus’ name. Amen.
| |
|
Join us in memorizing the Word. Scripture for this week:
Matthew 6:3-4
But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
| |
| Our 2020 Every Day with Jesus readings will follow the Foundations New Testament reading plan. Copies of the reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download your copy at REPLICATE.ORG
We would love for you to join us as we read the New Testament through this year, five chapters a week. In addition I will continue my long-standing practice of reading one Psalm a day through the year. Use Robby Gallaty’s H. E. A. R. plan to study each chapter (also found at REPLICATE.ORG). Highlight verses which speak to you, explain what they mean in your own words in a journal, apply them to your own life, then respond by doing what God tells you to do.
Joyfully,
Duane
| |
|
|
|
|
