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Gratitude for Encouragers

Words of Faith Final

Gratitude for Encouragers
Words of Faith 12-16-2021
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2021
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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 Romans 16
[3] Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus. [4] They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.
[5] Greet also the church that meets at their house.

    Have you ever tried to narrow down your Christmas card list? Narrowing the list can be difficult. It certainly was for Paul! He mentioned 26 people by name as he greeted the believers in Rome, a city he had not yet visited!
    At the top of the list, Paul had warm greetings for Priscilla and Aquila. This was the dynamic couple that he first met when he arrived in Corinth on his second missionary journey (Acts 18:2) and then worked with at their trade of tent-making.
    Who were these folks? They had come to Corinth from Rome because of Claudius' decree that all Jews must leave Rome. Then, they accompanied Paul when he left Corinth (Acts 18:18). They ended up staying in Ephesus (Acts 18:19) and ministered to Apollos (Acts 18:26), and undoubtedly to Paul, during his stay in Ephesus on his third journey (1 Cor. 16:19). Shortly after that, they must have moved back to Rome. Still, later, they returned to Ephesus (2 Tim. 4:19).
    But these were more than just traveling companions. Paul praised Priscilla and Aquila. He called them "my fellow workers in Christ Jesus." He goes on to say that "they risked their lives for me." The language means literally "they lay down their own neck for my soul." Such friends are rare and precious. We do not know how they risked their lives for Paul, but he felt a great debt.
    When Paul first met Priscilla and Aquila, we know that he had just come through a very discouraging time. He had been run out of three towns and rejected in Athens. Still, Priscilla and Aquila encouraged him by giving him work and supporting his ministry. Paul wrote to the Corinthians about this meeting: "I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling" (1 Cor. 2:3). Priscilla and Aquila had stood with Paul in difficult times. They had encouraged him. That is something that is not quickly forgotten.
    Is there a Priscilla and Aquila in your life? Someone who lifted your spirits when you were going through a hard time? Someone who stood with you through a rough season? Someone willing to "lay down their neck for your soul?" Someone who encouraged you? Perhaps you should send greetings to them and gratitude.

   Lord, thank You for bringing to mind those who have stood with me in the hard times. I give thanks for these and pray Your blessing upon them. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2021
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)        
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2021 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.