A good morning of services, Father. I am ever grateful for the ministry You have provided me. Use me to fulfill Your will as we continue on. Amen.
Acts 9:32-43 (<<click here to read the passage)
My paternal great-grandmother, Mary Virginia Fowler, was a wonderful woman of God. Her home life wasn’t the best for sure – she gave birth to 17 children and her husband said he hated them all (not a great guy)!
But that didn’t stop her from doing all she could to help others. When she died in the spring of 1953, the other side of the river in Annapolis, Maryland, where she lived, was lined in tribute by many in the black community whom she had helped in some way or another. I’m sure she didn’t have much to work with (with all those mouths to feed and bodies to clothe!) but she didn’t let that slow her down.
We may not realize it, but our acts of kindness may have a great impact on the people around us. A lot of people with that mindset are extremely hard working but are often extremely humble, as well.
In today’s passage, we shift gears from Saul back to Peter. Peter was in the coastal city of Joppa. A believer by the name of Tabitha lived there, and the Amplified Bible said she was rich in acts of kindness and charity which she continually did. v36b Tragically around that time she became sick and died. v37a
Right before this Peter had been in a community not too far away by the name of Lydda, where he had healed a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years and was paralyzed. v33 I’m sure word traveled fast and when the disciples heard that he was not far away they sent for him, urging him, “Come to us without delay.” v38
Peter left at once and was taken to the room in which they had laid her body and if that was not tragic enough, all the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing [him] all the tunics and robes that (Tabitha) used to make while she was with them. v39 He sent them all out [of the room] and knelt down and prayed; then turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise!” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. v40
Of course, they all were overjoyed and because of these acts of the Holy Spirit through Peter, many came to believe in the Lord [that is, to adhere to and trust in and rely on Jesus as Christ and Savior]. v42 AMP
Yes, they saw a miracle of God which led them to believe, but like my great-grandmother, Mary, Tabitha had invested her life in others. Neither of them just talked a good talk. Their actions proclaimed their relationship with the Lord Jesus. Their diligence in service to those in need impacted them for eternity!
Lord Jesus, we may not think what we do is all that important but if we are seeking Your will and doing what we can with what we have, You will bless our efforts. Help us to be rich in acts of kindness and charity. We will be blessed, and others will be blessed, as well. And most importantly, Your name will be glorified! All praise to You, our Lord and Savior!
Mar 27th, 2022, Sun, 12:25 pm
