| Romans 16:1-2 "I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae. I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me." Phoebe was a deaconess of the church in Cenchreae, which is very hard to achieve in that society, for men were favored over women then. The fact that Paul could do his best to support this sister in her ministry shows that he was supportive to sisters in ministry. If you read Romans 16 carefully, you will find that many sisters were listed as his coworkers with good reputation. In fact during Paul's mission trips, he met a couple who became his best coworkers, namely Aquila and Priscilla. Many people were against sisters in ministry. Actually they didn't understand the Biblical teaching very well. Aquila was the husband of Priscilla. They joined the ministry together originally. But later on Priscilla the wife's ministry became more and more fruitful. So the Bible changed the order of their names. Originally when they were mentioned, Aquila was mentioned first. But in Acts 16:18, Priscilla the wife was mentioned first. This seems opposite from the practice of forbidding women to preach in some traditional churches today. According to the Bible Priscilla not only preached, but also behaved as a spiritual leader to lead the Ephesian church back then. If a sister wants to serve the Lord, she has to get the approval and blessing from the husband. If a husband is willing to support his wife's ministry like Aquila, then the wife serves under the spiritual cover of the husband. That is some kind of blessing for the protected ministry. But if the husband is not willing to be supportive, then the wife has to obey the husband and serve the Lord in the back scene. Once everyone understands this truth, he will no longer blindly oppose to sisters serving in the church or taking the position of a leader. Single sisters should seek the spiritual cover of the elders, so that their ministry may be recognized under the authority of the spiritual elders. Phoebe was the deaconess of her church then. She was so zealous that she was ready to help brothers and sisters, and to participate in the ministry. She took part in all kinds of ministries and became a good helper in Paul's ministry. Let me encourage the sisters around me to rise for the Lord. If the Lord could use Phoebe and other sisters in that environment two thousand years ago, He can use you in a much more open society right now. May God give you a brave heart to follow His guidance. Pray with Pastor Tong Liu 
Lord, may your Spirit raise sisters in your ministry. May the Lord give them a wise heart and a soft spirit, so that they are willing to follow your guidance bravely every day. May you use each and every sister in the end days to form a great army to fight the great battle for you. We thank you and we pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!
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