Romans 16:1-4 KJV
1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:
2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.
3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:
4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

Yoke fellow is a term used to express the kinship with another believer. Meaning someone that like a dear brother or sister, some close to you. The term yokefellow is used in the continual scripture study, but I am including today's scripture with that same word because of the loyalty Paul had to Phebe our sister, meaning not biological sister but a spiritual sister. Someone they would defend because of the work of the Lord. Someone they would treat with mutual respect as being a servant of God. When the first woman fought to be in combat in the military, I had to think would I really want that job. Do I support her desire to fight with the men in combat. Some women want that role and others would rather never have that position. In the church world women have for decades helped with children, with seniors citizens and even taught sunday school. If a man was not able to preach women did and do preach. That has been the tradition of the church roles of men and women scripturally speaking and also current day.

There are women men and woman both respect that preach behind a pulpit because one they preach well, but they care for the church, the do the work of ministry. Phebe was such a woman respect for the labor she did along side the men of faith. Priscilla who minister along side her husband. Paul single man, but he had woman that worked in the ministry with him and tended to the needs of ministry even teaching as Priscilla and Aquilla while making tents according to Acts. They would teach and educate those about salvation and about Jesus. These people were special to Paul and he includes well wishes to them in every letter he writes if he knew those would be receiving news of his where abouts and his well being.

Women are worthy of respect in ministry. It is mother's Day Week. Ending next Sunday with Mother's day. Women have important role in the church to lead others to Christ also. To teach to minister but they too need the care of the church as the fellow leaders that are men, need care. Look around your church and think of the women who have lead in the work of the ministry for years. I had a Bible Teacher when I was little I can still remember what she taught. Her name was Deborah Tuddy, and I do not doubt she long gone from this earth, for she was old when I was little. If she still living it is the grace of God. She taught so beautiful the story of Saul and the change in his life one Wednesday night or Training Union calss, can not remember but she taught on Paul for probably a month, and the way she told the story stuck with me for years. It perhaps maybe the earliest point I desire to teach. i often wonder as adult would my view of her teaching skills now be the same. The fact is I remembered what she taught more then anything I may of heard about the old woman. So I treasure this memory of this lady from many years ago. A lady not from this area in which I live.

Dear Heavenly Father may we treasure the women that teach the word of God in our life. That we remember what they taught us about scripture and love for others. Let the women of the church world be instructors of faith, hope and love. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Continual Scripture Study: Philippians 4:1-3 KJV
1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.