WORDS: for good or evil?

      

                             Welcome  to Moments to Share with Jesus

                                                                2024  

            Have you found hope to inspire you for the New Year? Is your calendar already filling with a myriad of activities and projects? And does this excite you? While no one's life is perfect, I hope you discover joy in minor triumphs which lead to larger achievements. God's gracious provisions give us peace of mind, but his greatest gifts are love, life and hope. If we focus on these, and apply them as Jesus teaches, they will chase away  anxiety and despair. 

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11.

We'll explore New Testament women this term. I'm praying they will inspire you to spend many 2024 moments with Jesus. Whenever I include the Bible references, you'll find inspiration when you check them out for yourself.

                                                What am I hoping for in 2024?

   Watch this space! The Lord is moving Castles in His Heart closer to publication! I hope you can purchase your copy soon. As soon as we know the release date, you'll be the first to hear. Please pray for a smooth transition from manuscript to book and for the promotion and distribution. 

                                             And now for the first blog of 2024!

                                                   Priscilla, the Tentmaker. 

Priscilla and Aquila had recently arrived in Corinth. Perhaps they met Paul in the synagogue, because they were Jews.

 

“Paul, I’m pleased to meet you. This is my wife, Priscilla.”

“How do you do, ma’am? How long have you been in Corinth?”

 

“Just a few months. We left Italy when Claudius Caesar banished the Jews from Rome. We had lobbied for increasing liberty to express our faith, which only ended in trouble for us. He tried to prevent us from meeting in the synagogue, but when we refused, he deported all the Jews.”    

 “We must expect opposition to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Are you followers of the Way?”

Aquila nodded his head and shook Paul’s hand, his eyes alight with warmth and kindness.

“The Messiah has come and ascended to the Father, and we’ve received him as the Lamb of God. But would you like to eat with us?”

 

“Thankyou. Most generous.”

 

As Paul entered their premises, he noticed the tents and tools of the trade. He smiled to himself because he shared their skills and profession.

“I see you make tents. This is also my trade!”

 

“Our business is booming. We could use another pair of hands. Would you be interested in working with us?”

 

“Yes. This is the Lord’s provision. I must express my gratitude for your generous offer.”

 

     And Paul lived and worked with them for eighteen months.

 

Priscilla was an industrious and skillful woman who supported her husband. While they stitched leather or goat-hair tents, the bond between Paul and this couple ripened into a lifelong friendship. As Paul shared his passion for Christ, I imagine they discussed the scriptures over another fine row of hems and loops. When Paul sailed from Corinth to Syria, Priscilla and Aquila accompanied him before settling in Ephesus, where they established a home church.

 

 After Claudius’s death in 54 AD, Priscilla and Aquila returned to Rome. When Paul wrote to the Roman church in circa AD 57, he sent his warmest greetings to these dear friends, overwhelmed by their loyalty to him and to Christ. Wherever Paul traveled, he met opposition, but at some point, this brave couple had protected him, risking death. We’re grateful, like the ancient Gentile churches, because Paul’s writings exist because of their commitment to the Gospel.

 

   Whenever you find Priscilla in the Bible, she works beside her husband. They worshipped, served, and opened their home. The Roman church met there, and Paul called Priscilla and Aquila his co-workers in the ministry of Jesus Christ, in honorable recognition of their love for the church and the glorious gospel. Timothy, a leader in the Ephesian church, carried a letter from Paul home from Rome and again, Priscilla and Aquila received a special mention.

 

Priscilla was a resourceful Proverbs 31 woman who showered love, food, and godly wisdom on her visitors. Paul mentions Phoebe was a deaconess, and it’s likely Priscilla worked beside her, teaching the younger women to serve and live productive, fruitful lives. In Paul’s eyes, she bore equal status and respect as her husband. Isn’t this special in a hierarchical world? It proves her genuine godliness and reputation.

 

Comparisons may be odious, but examples inspire our admiration and spur us to love and Christian service. We may feel insignificant or unworthy. If we’ve cooked a meal in Jesus’ name, supported our husband, prayed for a friend, or encouraged them with a Bible verse, we’ve been their Priscilla and a faithful witness for Jesus. Whatever we do by word or deed,  if we do for him, he sees our faithfulness and rewards us according to his enormous grace and mercy.

 

Priscilla's name means venerable, a fitting title for a humble servant. If we wear the name of Christ with integrity, we’ll share his glory. Perhaps Priscilla’s life offers us excellent guidance about Christian womanhood. Her courage, selfless devotion to the church, work ethic, and hospitality are beacons of inspiring beauty. Does she inspire you too?

 

                                          You’ll find her journey in these references.

             Acts 18:2-3, 18-20, 24-26, Romans 16:3-5, 1 Corinthians 16:19, 2 Timothy 4:19.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, 

Thank you for love, hope and life.

Please help us understand how Priscilla's devotion to you illuminates our journey with Jesus. Amen.