Romans 16:1 I am introducing to you our sister Phoebe, shammash of the congregation at Cenchrea, 2 so that you may welcome her in the Lord, as God’s people should, and give her whatever assistance she may need from you; for she has been a big help to many people — including myself.
3 Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers for the Messiah Yeshua. 4 They risked their necks to save my life; not only I thank them, but also all the Messianic communities among the Gentiles. 5 And give my greetings to the congregation that meets in their house.
Give my greetings to my dear friend Epaenetus, who was the first person in the province of Asia to put his trust in the Messiah.
6 Give my greetings to Miryam, who has worked very hard for you.
7 Greetings to Andronicus and Junia, relatives of mine who were in prison with me. They are well known among the emissaries; also they came to trust in the Messiah before I did.
8 Greetings to Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord.
9 Greetings to Urbanus, our fellow worker for the Messiah, and to my dear friend Stachys.
10 Greetings to Appeles, whose trust in the Messiah has been tested and proved.
Greet those in the household of Aristobulus.
11 Greet my relative, Herodion.
12 Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, women who are working hard for the Lord.
Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has done a lot of hard work for the Lord. (Complete Jewish Bible)
In some areas of the world, October has become the month to recognize the work of pastors and ministers of the Word. Congregations may participate in a variety of activities, depending on what they deem fit. Often during a part of these activities, laypeople make a point of encouraging their ministers to keep serving.
It seems obvious that encouragement, even if just a simple word, can help to enliven a person. We all have experienced a time when a small note of encouragement has changed our day. Taking a moment to encourage another is a low-cost (time and effort) way of building up another person.
The Church, however, can become one of the quickest groups to forget this. Instead of encouraging, we complain about things that don’t go our way. We bicker with each other about petty situations. We stomp our feet and shake our fists at each other when we don’t win.
Christ calls all who would be his disciples to deny themselves, pick up their crosses, and follow him. Being an encourager is inherent in being a follower of Christ. When we deny ourselves and our desires, we can care for and encourage the other.
Hymn for Today: "Take My Life and Let It Be" by Frances R. Havergal.
1. Take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days;
let them flow in endless praise,
let them flow in endless praise.
2. Take my hands and let them move
at the impulse of thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
swift and beautiful for thee,
swift and beautiful for thee.
3. Take my voice and let me sing
always, only, for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
filled with messages from thee,
filled with messages from thee.
4. Take my silver and my gold;
not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
every power as thou shalt choose,
every power as thou shalt choose.
5. Take my will and make it thine;
it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart it is thine own;
it shall be thy royal throne,
it shall be thy royal throne.
6. Take my love; my Lord, I pour
at thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be
ever, only, all for thee,
ever, only, all for thee.
Thought for Today: What good will it do someone if he gains the whole world but forfeits his life? Or, what can a person give in exchange for his life? (Matthew 16:26).
Please pray: For faculty and students as they prepare for Christian ministry in Ecuador.
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