Commended in the Lord (Dan Wells)

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I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea. I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been a great help to many people, including me. (Romans 16;1,2)

Romans is a long and, at times, complex Bible book. Which is why the final chapter often gets overlooked. It’s mostly a list of names and greetings from the apostle Paul. It doesn’t seem terribly interesting and relevant to us today. But those greetings are real, personal relationships and can encourage us, so we are going to look at a few of them over the coming days.

The chapter starts with Phoebe, who has been a great help to Paul is his work and ministry. In fact, that seems to be Phoebe’s character, she is a helpful person who serves the Lord in lots of ways. I wonder if you know anyone like that? Perhaps you are like that!

Helpful people aren’t necessarily superstars in human eyes but they are special in God’s eyes. Paul takes time to commend Phoebe and to welcome her in a way ‘worthy of the saints’. Is there someone who you can thank for their helpfulness and commend to the Lord in prayer today? Is there a way you can help others just as Phoebe did? It might not be big or flashy or spectacular but it is commended by the Lord.

Lord Jesus, thank you for the example of Phoebe. Help me to be like her, a great help to others. Enable me by your Holy Spirit to help others today. Amen.

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