*DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL* *FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29 2019* *THE WOMEN FOLKS TOO* TEXT: ROMANS 16:1-16.

*DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL*

*FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29 2019*

*THE WOMEN FOLKS TOO*

TEXT: ROMANS 16:1-16.

_🔑KEY VERSE: "I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea" (ROMANS 16:1)._

The hymn, "So Send I You," has been called the greatest missionary hymn of the twentieth century by many evangelical leaders. It was first published in 1954 after having been written sixteen years earlier by a Canadian woman, a school teacher, Margaret Clarkson.

Women, as well as men are both important in God's vineyard. In concluding the epistle to the Romans, Apostle Paul dedicated a considerable part of this chapter to acknowledge the contribution of his fellow helpers and associates in the service of the Lord. A number of women ministers were on the list, including Phebe, Priscilla, Mary and others.

As requested in this passage, the leaders in the church, together with the entire membership, are commanded to assist the women in their ministries. God who created the woman to help the man in marriage, also gave her a unique place in the Church of God. Their work is pivotal to the overall success of the Church. They equally have very special abilities in areas where they have been naturally endowed, like teaching the children and youths and counseling the womenfolk.

Some women tend to fold their hands because it was said in 1 Timothy 2:11,12 that the woman should not usurp authority over the man in the church; that's true. But how about outside the church? Outside the church lies a greater harvest field with more people needing our help. The command to preach to every creature is a challenge to both men and women in the church. Like Clarkson, our women leaders should step in to preach and heal the millions who are lost and lone and contribute their quota in washing the saints' feet.

*✍THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:* God needs your service too even if you are a woman!

COVER TO COVER: DANIEL 3-5.

*MEDITATION*

And women also

*1. The roll of honour*
a. 29 people were mentioned in the text with 10 of them female.
b. Can you identify the 10?
c. Phebe, Priscilla, Mary, Junia?, Tryphena,Tryphosa, Persis, Rufus mother and Julia, Nereus sister.
*2. Their real helpful and unique services*
a. Service to the Church v16.
b. Succour to many, including the Apostle v2.
c. Support to the husband's ministry and helper to the Apostle v3.
d. Selfless sacrifice to the Apostle and the Gentile Churches v4, 12.
e. Sacrificial service and supply to the ministers of God v6,12.
f. Sufferings, afflictions and imprisonment with the Apostle in the course of their duty as messengers (apostles) to the Church v7. They were Jews.
g. Spiritual and natural motherly role to other sisters v13.
*3. A reflection on your relevance in the Church*
a. Were it not for Paul, their activities could have gone unrecorded or unnoticed by man. Yet they were in God's roll of honour.
b. What value are you adding to the Church?
*Lord*, I don't want to be a parasite in the Church, lay your hands on me and use me🙏
*Lord*, I don't want to be a problem to the Church, turn my life around by the Spirit and make me a blessing🙏
*Lord*, I pray for our sisters that they will receive multiplied grace to be instruments of blessings in your hand and not in the hand of the old serpent🙏
*Lord*, fill all our daughters with virtue and sincere faith and let them not be preys in the hands of the wicked🙏

HYMN: To the work, to the work

1. To the work! To the work! We are servants of God;
Let us follow the path that our Master has trod;
With the balm of His counsel our strength to renew,
Let us do with our might what our hands find to do.
Refrain:
Toiling on, toiling on,
Toiling on, toiling on;
Let us hope, let us watch,
And labor till the Master comes.

2. To the work! To the work! Let the hungry be fed;
To the fountain of life let the weary be led;
In the cross and its banner our glory shall be,
While we herald the tidings, “Salvation is free!”

3. To the work! To the work! There is labor for all;
For the kingdom of darkness and error shall fall;
And the love of our Father exalted shall be,
In the loud swelling chorus, “Salvation is free!”

4. To the work! To the work! In the strength of the Lord,
And a robe and a crown shall our labor reward,
When the home of the faithful our dwelling shall be,
And we shout with the ransomed, “Salvation is free

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