Thurs., 2/13/14 Devotion (Rom. 16:1)

Today's encouragement comes from Romans 16:1, where we read these words:

"I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cen-chrea . . . "

What a fantastic thing to have said about a person (above). First, the great Apostle Paul "commends" Phoebe. Second, she is a "sister," a part of a great covenantal family. Thirdly, she is a "servant of the church." Phoebe's life is valuable, and well-spent. Fourthly, she is a "servant" of a particular church--the one in "Cenchrea." Phoebe did not content herself with her association with the "invisible" church. Instead, she was committed to a local one.

Godly women are exalted in Biblical Christianity. Their roles are vitally impor-tant. The true church cannot prosper or thrive without them.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Christ does His church more good now that He is in heaven . . . " --Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]