“I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also.” [1]
“Paul sent an advance recommendation of this sister in Christ so the Romans will receive her and support her during her stay in their city.” [E]
“Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Likewise greet the church that is in their house.” [2]
“Priscilla and Aquila were associates of Paul and helpers to Apollos. ‘The church that is in their house.’ In a city with a Christian community of any size, there would be several ‘congregations’ meeting in different houses since there were no ‘church’ buildings at this time.” [3 E]
“Greet Mary, who labored much for us. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, who have labored in the Lord. Greet the beloved Persis, who labored much in the Lord. Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.” [4]
“Andronicus and Junia” were well regarded among the apostles. Of note among the apostles has the idea that Andronicus and Junia are apostles themselves (though not of the twelve), and notable among other apostles. If there ever were women recognized as apostles – in the sense of being special emissaries of God, not in the sense of being of the twelve – this is the strongest Scriptural evidence.” [E]
Phoebe, Priscilla, Mary, Tryphena, and Tryphosa worked for the Lord. “Of the twenty-four names mentioned in Romans 16, thirteen also appear in inscriptions or documents connected with the Emperor’s palace in Rome. We know that there were Christians among Caesar’s household.” [5 E]
“Heavenly Father, thank You for these women who served You faithfully in the days when the Church first began, and thank You for those who are faithfully serving You now!”
[1] Romans 16:1-2
[2] Acts 18:2; 18:18; 18:26
[3] Romans 16:3-5a
[4] Romans 16:6-7, 12, 15
[5] Philippians 4:22
[E] Enduring Word Commentary
Monday, May 16, 2022
Thursday, May 12, 2022
TRUTH
What is the TRUTH? Who is telling the TRUTH? How do we know the TRUTH?
The Bible urges us to mediate on the TRUTH...
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are TRUE, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” [1]
The Bible refers to Jesus as the TRUE light...
“That [Jesus] was the TRUE Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.” [2]
Jesus referred to His Heavenly Father as the TRUE God...
“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only TRUE God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” [3]
God is 100% TRUE and HOLY. People, on the other hand, are not the embodiment of truth. Our sinful nature deceives us. We need to confess the TRUTH that we are sinners. We need to confess our sins to God and receive His forgiveness to overcome the deceptive power of sin...
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the TRUTH is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” [4]
There is a deceiver in the world. His name is the devil...
“He [the devil] was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the TRUTH, because there is no TRUTH in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” [5]
Jesus taught us to pray for victory over sin and over the devil...
“And do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.” [6]
Jesus is the TRUTH and the way to the Father... the way to the TRUE God...
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the TRUTH, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” [7]
Jesus gives His Holy Spirit to those who repent of their sins and believe in Him. The Holy Spirit guides us into all TRUTH...
“When He, the Spirit of TRUTH, has come, He will guide you into all TRUTH; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” [8]
“Dear Heavenly Father, please forgive us our sins and speak truth into us by Your Holy Spirit. For we ask this in the Name of Your Son Jesus Christ. Amen.”
[1] Philippians 4:8
[2] John 1:9
[3] John 17:3
[4] 1 John 1:8-9
[5] John 8:44
[6] Matthew 6:13
[7] John 14:6
[8] John 16:13
The Bible urges us to mediate on the TRUTH...
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are TRUE, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” [1]
The Bible refers to Jesus as the TRUE light...
“That [Jesus] was the TRUE Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.” [2]
Jesus referred to His Heavenly Father as the TRUE God...
“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only TRUE God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” [3]
God is 100% TRUE and HOLY. People, on the other hand, are not the embodiment of truth. Our sinful nature deceives us. We need to confess the TRUTH that we are sinners. We need to confess our sins to God and receive His forgiveness to overcome the deceptive power of sin...
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the TRUTH is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” [4]
There is a deceiver in the world. His name is the devil...
“He [the devil] was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the TRUTH, because there is no TRUTH in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” [5]
Jesus taught us to pray for victory over sin and over the devil...
“And do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.” [6]
Jesus is the TRUTH and the way to the Father... the way to the TRUE God...
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the TRUTH, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” [7]
Jesus gives His Holy Spirit to those who repent of their sins and believe in Him. The Holy Spirit guides us into all TRUTH...
“When He, the Spirit of TRUTH, has come, He will guide you into all TRUTH; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” [8]
“Dear Heavenly Father, please forgive us our sins and speak truth into us by Your Holy Spirit. For we ask this in the Name of Your Son Jesus Christ. Amen.”
[1] Philippians 4:8
[2] John 1:9
[3] John 17:3
[4] 1 John 1:8-9
[5] John 8:44
[6] Matthew 6:13
[7] John 14:6
[8] John 16:13
Wednesday, May 11, 2022
Thank You Father for Faith
He gives victories to those who trust in Him!
“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.”
“Without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
“By faith Noah... became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.”
“By faith Abraham... waited for the city... whose builder and maker is God.”
“By faith Sarah... bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.”
“By faith Moses... chose to suffer affliction with the people of God rather than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin. He esteemed the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.”
“By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.”
“By faith Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, and turned the armies of the aliens to flight.”
“By faith women received their dead raised to life again.” [1]
“Thank You Heavenly Father for granting us faith in You!”
[1] Hebrews 11:1-2, 6-11, 23, 25-26, 31-35
“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.”
“Without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
“By faith Noah... became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.”
“By faith Abraham... waited for the city... whose builder and maker is God.”
“By faith Sarah... bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.”
“By faith Moses... chose to suffer affliction with the people of God rather than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin. He esteemed the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.”
“By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.”
“By faith Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, and turned the armies of the aliens to flight.”
“By faith women received their dead raised to life again.” [1]
“Thank You Heavenly Father for granting us faith in You!”
[1] Hebrews 11:1-2, 6-11, 23, 25-26, 31-35
Monday, May 9, 2022
God Brings to Pass His Promises
“O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why have you made me like this?’” [1]
God said to Moses, “’I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.’ So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.” [2]
Paul wanted his nation, made up of the Jewish people, to accept their Jesus Christ as their Messiah during his lifetime, but for the most part they did not. He wrote of his sorrow and deep love for them to the Christians in Rome. [3]
The Lord told Ananias that Paul was His chosen vessel to bear His Name to the Gentiles. [4] The Lord confirmed Paul’s calling to bring the Gospel to non-Jews to the teachers and prophets of the Church Antioch. The Holy Spirit spoke to them and said, “Separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” [5]
Soon after that, Paul encountered Jews in Antioch Pisidia who vehemently opposed his teaching about Christ, and he responded to them, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.” [6]
Paul expressed his grief to God that his Jewish nation did not receive their Jewish Messiah while the Gentiles did. He wrote to the Christians in Rome, “blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.” [7]
The Lord reveals to us in the Book of Revelation that Jews from the twelve tribes of Israel will eventually believe in and serve Christ. There will indeed be a great worldwide ingathering of new believers in that day. [8]
One takeaway from this teaching is not to allow the distance between us and victory to steal our joy away in the Lord today. Rejoice in what GOD IS DOING! Trust in GOD! GOD will bring to pass what He has promised to do.
[1] Romans 9:20
[2] Romans 9:15-16
[3] Romans 9:1-3
[4] Acts 9:15
[5] Acts 13:1-2
[6] Acts 13:46
[7] Romans 11:25
[8] Revelation 7:3-9
God said to Moses, “’I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.’ So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.” [2]
Paul wanted his nation, made up of the Jewish people, to accept their Jesus Christ as their Messiah during his lifetime, but for the most part they did not. He wrote of his sorrow and deep love for them to the Christians in Rome. [3]
The Lord told Ananias that Paul was His chosen vessel to bear His Name to the Gentiles. [4] The Lord confirmed Paul’s calling to bring the Gospel to non-Jews to the teachers and prophets of the Church Antioch. The Holy Spirit spoke to them and said, “Separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” [5]
Soon after that, Paul encountered Jews in Antioch Pisidia who vehemently opposed his teaching about Christ, and he responded to them, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.” [6]
Paul expressed his grief to God that his Jewish nation did not receive their Jewish Messiah while the Gentiles did. He wrote to the Christians in Rome, “blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.” [7]
The Lord reveals to us in the Book of Revelation that Jews from the twelve tribes of Israel will eventually believe in and serve Christ. There will indeed be a great worldwide ingathering of new believers in that day. [8]
One takeaway from this teaching is not to allow the distance between us and victory to steal our joy away in the Lord today. Rejoice in what GOD IS DOING! Trust in GOD! GOD will bring to pass what He has promised to do.
[1] Romans 9:20
[2] Romans 9:15-16
[3] Romans 9:1-3
[4] Acts 9:15
[5] Acts 13:1-2
[6] Acts 13:46
[7] Romans 11:25
[8] Revelation 7:3-9
Friday, May 6, 2022
Soft Clay in the Father’s Hands
“Then one of the servants answered and said, ‘Look, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing [the harp], a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and the Lord is with him.’” [1]
How was it that a servant of a king noticed young David? To begin with, the Lord connected them. Secondly, David was soft clay in the Potter’s hands...
“O Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You, our potter; and all we are the work of Your hand.” [2]
How did David become skillful at playing the harp? How did he become mighty and valiant? How did he learn to wage war? How did he become prudent in speech? Who made him into a handsome man?
The Lord did! The Lord was with Him! The Lord gave David the patience and tenacity to learn and perfect his harp playing skills. The Lord gave him the resilience to learn how to win battles for God and country. The Lord worked with his tongue and vocabulary to speak well. The Lord helped him to take care of his outward appearance.
Simply put, David was soft clay in the Potter’s hand. He did not harden himself against the Lord. He welcomed the Spirit of God to use and lead him. David allowed the Lord to shape his heart into a heart that was after God’s heart. The outcome was that the Lord was able to greatly use David to bring many people to Him. His Psalms are still widely used the world over.
Therefore, let us say with the Prophet Isaiah, “O Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You, our potter; and all we are the work of Your hand.”
[1] 1 Samuel 16:18
[2] Isaiah 64:8
How was it that a servant of a king noticed young David? To begin with, the Lord connected them. Secondly, David was soft clay in the Potter’s hands...
“O Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You, our potter; and all we are the work of Your hand.” [2]
How did David become skillful at playing the harp? How did he become mighty and valiant? How did he learn to wage war? How did he become prudent in speech? Who made him into a handsome man?
The Lord did! The Lord was with Him! The Lord gave David the patience and tenacity to learn and perfect his harp playing skills. The Lord gave him the resilience to learn how to win battles for God and country. The Lord worked with his tongue and vocabulary to speak well. The Lord helped him to take care of his outward appearance.
Simply put, David was soft clay in the Potter’s hand. He did not harden himself against the Lord. He welcomed the Spirit of God to use and lead him. David allowed the Lord to shape his heart into a heart that was after God’s heart. The outcome was that the Lord was able to greatly use David to bring many people to Him. His Psalms are still widely used the world over.
Therefore, let us say with the Prophet Isaiah, “O Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You, our potter; and all we are the work of Your hand.”
[1] 1 Samuel 16:18
[2] Isaiah 64:8
Wednesday, May 4, 2022
Expressing Pain Experiencing Help
The entire Bible can be read as a book about God’s response to human suffering. Many of the song lyrics in the Bible describe the composer’s pain, insecurity, fear, anxiety as well as confidence in the Lord for an abundant victory.
The composer of Bible songs cried out loud to God. He did not sing softly. He boldly made his supplications to the Lord. He poured out his complaints to God. He listed his troubles. He was overwhelmed. His enemies laid traps for him. He felt that no one cared for his soul. He felt like he was an invisible man!
He told the Lord of his low estate, and of the strength of his persecutors. He wanted the Lord to free his soul from its unpleasant imprisonment.
The upside of his life was the Lord. The Lord was aware of him. The Lord knew the path he walked. The Lord was his place of refuge. His safe place! The Lord was his portion. God filled the gaps left behind by disappointments. The Lord delivered him. He praised the Lord. The Lord replaced bad company with people who honored God.
The Psalmist ended his song on a high note. Thanks to His confidence in the Lord’s love for him, he said to the Lord, “You shall deal bountifully with me.”
“I cry out to the Lord with my voice;
With my voice to the Lord I make my supplication.
I pour out my complaint before Him;
I declare before Him my trouble.
When my spirit was overwhelmed within me,
Then You knew my path.
In the way in which I walk
They have secretly set a snare for me.
Look on my right hand and see,
For there is no one who acknowledges me;
Refuge has failed me;
No one cares for my soul.
I cried out to You, O Lord:
I said, ‘You are my refuge,
My portion in the land of the living.’
Attend to my cry,
For I am brought very low;
Deliver me from my persecutors,
For they are stronger than I.
Bring my soul out of prison,
That I may praise Your name;
The righteous shall surround me,
For You shall deal bountifully with me.”
Psalm 142
The composer of Bible songs cried out loud to God. He did not sing softly. He boldly made his supplications to the Lord. He poured out his complaints to God. He listed his troubles. He was overwhelmed. His enemies laid traps for him. He felt that no one cared for his soul. He felt like he was an invisible man!
He told the Lord of his low estate, and of the strength of his persecutors. He wanted the Lord to free his soul from its unpleasant imprisonment.
The upside of his life was the Lord. The Lord was aware of him. The Lord knew the path he walked. The Lord was his place of refuge. His safe place! The Lord was his portion. God filled the gaps left behind by disappointments. The Lord delivered him. He praised the Lord. The Lord replaced bad company with people who honored God.
The Psalmist ended his song on a high note. Thanks to His confidence in the Lord’s love for him, he said to the Lord, “You shall deal bountifully with me.”
“I cry out to the Lord with my voice;
With my voice to the Lord I make my supplication.
I pour out my complaint before Him;
I declare before Him my trouble.
When my spirit was overwhelmed within me,
Then You knew my path.
In the way in which I walk
They have secretly set a snare for me.
Look on my right hand and see,
For there is no one who acknowledges me;
Refuge has failed me;
No one cares for my soul.
I cried out to You, O Lord:
I said, ‘You are my refuge,
My portion in the land of the living.’
Attend to my cry,
For I am brought very low;
Deliver me from my persecutors,
For they are stronger than I.
Bring my soul out of prison,
That I may praise Your name;
The righteous shall surround me,
For You shall deal bountifully with me.”
Psalm 142
Sunday, May 1, 2022
The Privilege to Preach the Gospel
“Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the Gospel of God.” [1]
Paul bound himself to Jesus, and served the Gospel with all his spirit...
“For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the Gospel of His Son...” [2]
Paul was ready to go to Rome far from his homeland so that more people could hear the Gospel...
“So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the Gospel to you who are in Rome also.” [3]
Paul knew that the Gospel message of Christ had power to convert and save lost souls...
“For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes...” [4]
Paul also knew that God was against those who were suppressing the Gospel. Therefore, it behooved him to preach this powerful Gospel to them so that they too might be saved...
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.” [5]
Rejection of the Gospel truth that saves one from sin leads to lifestyle of more sin...
“Even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting.” [6]
Jesus compared the kingdom of heaven to a treasure of great worth...
“The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” [7]
“Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the privilege to preach the Gospel. Please open doors and grant us boldness to preach Your Gospel. Thank You for giving Your Son to die on the cross for our sins. Thank You for giving us Your Holy Spirit as a deposit and as a guarantee of the eternal kingdom that is instore for us. In Your Son’s Name I pray. Amen.”
[1] Romans 1:1
[2] Romans 1:9
[3] Romans 1:15
[4] Romans 1:16
[5] Romans 1:18
[6] Romans 1:28
[7] Matthew 13:45-46
Paul bound himself to Jesus, and served the Gospel with all his spirit...
“For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the Gospel of His Son...” [2]
Paul was ready to go to Rome far from his homeland so that more people could hear the Gospel...
“So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the Gospel to you who are in Rome also.” [3]
Paul knew that the Gospel message of Christ had power to convert and save lost souls...
“For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes...” [4]
Paul also knew that God was against those who were suppressing the Gospel. Therefore, it behooved him to preach this powerful Gospel to them so that they too might be saved...
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.” [5]
Rejection of the Gospel truth that saves one from sin leads to lifestyle of more sin...
“Even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting.” [6]
Jesus compared the kingdom of heaven to a treasure of great worth...
“The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” [7]
“Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the privilege to preach the Gospel. Please open doors and grant us boldness to preach Your Gospel. Thank You for giving Your Son to die on the cross for our sins. Thank You for giving us Your Holy Spirit as a deposit and as a guarantee of the eternal kingdom that is instore for us. In Your Son’s Name I pray. Amen.”
[1] Romans 1:1
[2] Romans 1:9
[3] Romans 1:15
[4] Romans 1:16
[5] Romans 1:18
[6] Romans 1:28
[7] Matthew 13:45-46
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