I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the
WEEK 49
PRESENTING OURSELVES AS A
LIVING SACRIFICE
ROMANS 16:1-16
I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea; that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well.
Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who for my life risked their own necks, to whom not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles; also greet the church that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia. Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. Greet Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners, who are outstanding among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. Greet Apelles, the approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus. Greet Herodion, my kinsman.
Greet those of the household of Narcissus, who are in the Lord. Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, workers in the Lord. Greet Persis the beloved, who has worked hard in the Lord.
Greet Rufus, a choice man in the Lord, also his mother and mine. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the brethren with them. Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.
OUR FATHER, thank You that You have
designed a plan of redemption that rescues the unworthy and the guilty from their plight
and places them into Your kingdom. That kingdom exists not only as a heavenly, eternal realm;
it also has a vital presence now on this earth. We rejoice that You design to build Your kingdom
through Your Body, the church,
every member having an important part to play.
Thinking of the apostle Paul, we recognize the unique gifts and abilities
he was given to advance Your kingdom,
yet we are greatly encouraged to realize
that the Holy Scriptures honor by name
those who helped him. You surrounded Paul with people we would not know
had he not named those who prayed for him, encouraged him, and assisted him in Your great work.
Thank You, Lord, for such an example
of the Body of Christ working together. We are reminded that You not only save sinners;
You also bring them together in one Body
under the power of Your Spirit
to accomplish Your glorious purposes.
Your grace is abundant in every way. We bless You for the gospel and all that it brings:
salvation, liberation, healing, wholeness, and hope. Thank You that You equip us and blend us together
in this wonderful entity called the Body of Christ.
We confess there are times
when we are not useful as we should be— and sometimes we are even a hindrance to Your work. We grieve the Holy Spirit. We seek the pleasures of the world. We live without heed to our duties. We trifle with things that are evil.
We confess, moreover, that we are at times
unloving, uncaring, proud, selfish, impatient, too earthly minded, and too apathetic about the things that really matter. How desperately we need to come before You
to be washed and forgiven of all such things. May we mortify our sins at their first appearance
and never let them linger! Our heartfelt desire is to manifest Christ in His great glory. We are the Body of which He is Head. May we honor Him accordingly in everything we do and teach.
In all the ways we have offended You, Lord,
we humbly ask for Your pardon. How grateful we are that You are willing to forgive repentant sinners
and restore us for useful service! Our earnest desire is to be suitable instruments in Your hands. May we be faithful in Your service. Enlarge our capacity for gospel work,
and intensify the reflection of Your glory on our faces.
You, Lord, are everything we need;
may we desire nothing more.
You are our stronghold and our Deliverer. You are our strength and our hope. You are our Guide and our Keeper. You are the one true God, and the Rock of our salvation. All Your grace abounds to us;
we always have full sufficiency in everything. Indeed, we have an abundance for every good deed.1
May we not squander such exquisite blessings.
Cleanse us, so that we might more clearly reflect
the glory of Christ. Help us, even now, to give more perfect expression
to the praise that will occupy our hearts throughout all eternity. As always, we bring all these petitions in His blessed name. May they be heard and answered
as they are consistent with Your will. Amen.
1. 2 Corinthians 9:8