2 Timothy 4:2 Be ready in season and out of season.
No greater honor can be given to a person than to have their name mentioned in the Word of God. In the 12th Chapter of the Book of Acts, we read of the time when Peter was imprisoned by Herod, chained to soldiers, and prepared to be put to death by the sword. However, the Angel of the Lord came, released Peter, and escorted him out of the prison gates.
The Scriptures tell us that Peter went to Mary’s house, which is believed to be the Upper Room, where a great number of people had been praying for Peter all night. This Mary was the mother of John Mark, the writer of the Gospel of Mark. They were a wealthy family who had a big house with iron gates and servants.
Peter arrived at Mary’s house sometime between 3am and 6am and the Bible tells us that a servant girl named Rhoda answered his knock on the gate. This would indicate that she was present in the all-night prayer meeting for Peter and was continually on duty in Mary’s house. And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. (Acts 12:13) Her name in Hebrew is Rode and means servant.
There were millions of servants in Biblical times. Why would the Holy Spirit choose to have her name mentioned in the Scriptures? She was nothing more than a slave in the home of a wealthy family. The mention of her name in the Bible is a picture of the Love of Christ for all people no matter their financial or social status in life. Jesus died for all people, the rich and the poor.
The fact is, Rhoda could have gone to bed and let the important people in the house have their prayer meeting, but she didn’t. She stayed up all night and prayed with them and when the knock came at the door, she answered it. One of her duties as a servant was to greet guests at the gate.
Rhoda was a faithful servant. She loved the family she served and because of her faithfulness, she received one of the greatest honors any human being could have: The Holy Spirit of God included her name in the Holy Word of God!
We are all called to be servants in the Family of God. Our Calling is not limited to Sunday morning for an hour or two. The great Apostle Paul reminded young Timothy to Be ready in season and out of season. (2 Timothy 4:2) No matter what your Gifting and Calling is, be ready all the time. No task is too small. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men. (Colossians 3:23)
God just might use YOU to……….turn the tide……….in this world!
Ready to be used, Doreen
www.bettsministries.org
