Friday March 12^th-Dorcas- Acts 9:36-42

Rich in acts of kindness and charity!

Dorcas was a disciple and a seamstress and she did not keep things to herself.  Not only did she enjoy making clothes for the widows and the saints but also encouraged them.  Her love and kindness made them feel loved and cherished and it showed by her actions.  When she died they were so wrought, and when they heard Peter was nearby they sent for him, trusting that he would heal her.  He did! 

Lord, You know how much I love to give to Your people and especially to the widows.  It brings me great joy to be able to help them, and encourage them and it is only because You have given me the gift of service and the talent to sew clothes.  As I am making these clothes I pray for them.  It always bring me such great pleasure to be part of their lives.  I don’t remember much of that day that I was very sick.  When I awoke and saw Peter I was so happy to see him.  He had been praying for me and when I heard him call my name to rise up, I sat up and he extended his hand to me. It is through the power of prayer and faith in You that though I had died, You made me alive again.  My greatest joy is in knowing that it became known all throughout Joppa and that many came to believe in You, Jesus.  It is my joy to serve You. 

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Lyn

In the story of Dorcas we see the impact of a genuine, sincere heart of service on the lives of others. Her death impacted both the men and the women of that community. The Scripture tells us she was FULL of good works and acts of charity. 

It wasn’t her deeds that made such an impact but the heart from which those deeds were born. She lived out this quality of Christian service.

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians‬ ‭2:3-4‬ ‭

Christian service is about others. Jesus came to this Earth and left the comforts and prestige of heaven for others. He suffered and surrendered his very life for others. When we genuinely care about others we are cooperating in His continued ministry on Earth and extending his love to others. 

“By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” ‭‭1 John‬ ‭3:16-18‬ ‭

“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”

‭James‬ ‭1:27‬ 

The Bible tells us God appreciates and honors this cooperative effort. In the case of Dorcus he restored her earthly life. For us, it may be spiritual reward. We may see some earthly manifestation or we may only see heavenly manifestation, but God’s Word promises that genuine service is greatly valued and benefits God’s plans. Our service to others will ultimately bless and enrich our lives as well. 

“Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.” Proverbs‬ ‭19:17‬ 

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Galatians‬ ‭6:9-10‬ ‭

“For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Hebrews‬ ‭6:10-12

My prayer for you is that you will have a heart like Dorcas with genuine concern for the well-being of others and inherit all the promises of God that He delights for you to partake in.

Have you ever wondered what you could do to serve others? If so, you've been wondering all wrong!! 

It isn't; what can I do, but what can Jesus do through me? Notice:

Faithful and absolutely trustworthy is He who is calling you, and He will do it [He will fulfill His call by making you holy, guarding you, watching over you, and protecting you as His own].- (1 Thessalonians 5:24 AMP)

I am convinced and confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will [continue to] perfect and complete it until the day of Christ Jesus [the time of His return]. -(Philippians 1:6 AMP)

Very little is known about Dorcas other than her willingness to care for those in need, but her story has inspired many over the years simply because she made herself available to be used by God.

Especially me!

You see, I've always considered my life and talents to be pretty mediocre; sort of like your "basic vanilla" among ice cream flavors- nothing fancy or spectacular that would cause me to stand out among the rest. BUT that was until God took my "basic vanilla" gifts once I had surrendered them to Him and began to use them.  

It all began back in 1999 when The Lord uprooted us and moved us thousands of miles away from home and all that was familiar to us. I had not even been given the chance to pick out the new home I was living in, and I began walking around these four walls wondering exactly what was my purpose in being here!

Finally, one day The Lord and I had a heart to heart discussion and I ended up absolutely surrendering everything to Him. Jesus needed to bring me to the end of myself before He could take over, and I gave it all over to Him including the home I was living in and that's when He began to work. 

The only way I can describe all that happened next was like being in the eye of a storm. All these circumstances began swirling around us and I got to sit there and watch Him work! I couldn't possible take credit for any of it, for all I had done was given what He had already given me, back to Him. 

Lives came to Jesus and others began to grow in their faith, and the whole time I simply marveled at all He was doing! 

I can't say for sure, but I like to think Dorcas could say the same. She took what talents she had and let Jesus use her to bless others! I'd love to know her thoughts after she was brought back to life, wouldn't you? 

 I'll bet her life was no different than before. I'll bet she kept right on allowing Jesus to shine through her. And if anyone would have asked, she'd probably tell them that their greatest gift of all is simply their availability. 

Blessings, 

sue 

“Dorcas, arise.” As Dorcas opened her eyes, the room slowly came into focus. Looking around, she saw the apostle Peter kneeling beside her. Quickly she sat up in bed and tried to make sense of her surroundings. "Where am I? Where is my Lord? Why have I been taken from Him?", Dorcas asked with a tremor in her voice. Peter gently took her hand in his and replied, "My dear sister, God has performed a mighty miracle through you."

Still confused, all Dorcas knew at that moment was the pain she felt at having to leave paradise and her Savior's side. "Dorcas", Peter said softly. "I know the agony of being separated from our beloved Lord Jesus. I too long for nothing more than to be at His side once again. But your work here on this earth is not finished. And God will use your life as a great testimony through which many will be saved." Not finding much comfort in Peter's words, through tears Dorcas asked, "Why me?" 

"Listen", Peter replied. And as Dorcas turned her head to the door, she heard a great many wailings and cries of sorrow. "Those are for you.", Peter continued. "For me?", asked a surprised Dorcas. Peter went on to tell of how he was ministering in the nearby town of Lydda when he was approached by two disciples urging him to quickly go to Joppa. For their beloved disciple Dorcas had died from a sickness, leaving many broken hearted. And on the way, they had shared with Peter stories of the many abounding deeds of kindness and charity Dorcas selflessly performed. They sang praises of her love and care for orphans and widows, and of her devotion to the Lord.

 "See for yourself", said Peter, as he motioned with his arm around the room. Dorcas looked and saw piles of tunics and other garments strewn over the furniture. "What are these?", she asked the apostle. "These are the evidence of your faith and love for others.", replied Peter. "the widows who brought them wanted me to see the great care you put in every stitch." Dorcas was deeply moved by the womens devotion. She hadn’t before realized all of those she had touched. And even though her heart still felt the chill of disappointment, it was beginning to warm from the outpouring of love.

"Are you ready?", Peter asked "It's time to show the people the mighty love, mercy, and hand of God at work." "I am!", answered Dorcas. And she got out bed, took Peter's arm, and let him lead her out to the many people gathered in prayer and anticipation. At her appearance, shouts first of disbelief, and then joy grew so loud, they spilled out into the street. People rushed up to hug her, and many fell to their knees praising God. Tears of joy and sounds of laughter now turned the once solemn house into a place of jubilation, and many stayed long into the night worshiping and celebrating.

Peter left Dorcas and went to stay with his friend Simon. But often he would return to check on her. For she had become a local celebrity, and many came from miles around to see the "living miracle" and to hear her story. Yet she still remained humble, and Peter was filled with joy as he watched her pick right up where she left off in her work for God's kingdom. For Dorcas often told of God's great love in not only in saving her, but saving us all through the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. And in her heart she longed for the day when she would once again return to her Master and hear Him say, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”

(Dorcas reminds me of the apostle Paul who in Philippians 1:23 says, “I am hard pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.” I too often cry out, “Maranatha, come quickly Lord Jesus!” But if Dorcas has shown me anything, it’s the importance of continuing God’s work until the day He calls us home. How about you? Are sitting idly by, until the Lord’s return? Or are you using each precious day He gives you to glorify Him and work for His kingdom?)

Hi Girls! 

We've reached another one of my favorite ladies from the New Testament this week and I hope that her story will inspire you this week. I don't want to give away the ending of her story just yet, but I do hope you'll join us to hear more about this amazing woman and all God did through her!! 

Tabitha/Dorcas story is found in Acts 9:36-42

As always our themes for the week will be:

• Monday: Her story--a portrait of her life
• Tuesday: Her life and times--background information about the culture of her day
• Wednesday: Her legacy in Scripture
• Thursday: Her promise--the Bible promises that apply to her life and yours
• Friday: Her legacy of prayer--and praying in light of her story

We want to also encourage you to be thinking along these lines as you study Dorcas throughout the week. Ask yourself: