Devotionals for April 7, 2022
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READ
36 There was a believer in Joppa named Tabitha (which in Greek is Dorcas). She was always doing kind things for others and helping the poor. 37 About this time she became ill and died. Her body was washed for burial and laid in an upstairs room. 38 But the believers had heard that Peter was nearby at Lydda, so they sent two men to beg him, “Please come as soon as possible!”
39 So Peter returned with them; and as soon as he arrived, they took him to the upstairs room. The room was filled with widows who were weeping and showing him the coats and other clothes Dorcas had made for them. 40 But Peter asked them all to leave the room; then he knelt and prayed. Turning to the body he said, “Get up, Tabitha.” And she opened her eyes! When she saw Peter, she sat up! 41 He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then he called in the widows and all the believers, and he presented her to them alive.
42 The news spread through the whole town, and many believed in the Lord.
39 So Peter returned with them; and as soon as he arrived, they took him to the upstairs room. The room was filled with widows who were weeping and showing him the coats and other clothes Dorcas had made for them. 40 But Peter asked them all to leave the room; then he knelt and prayed. Turning to the body he said, “Get up, Tabitha.” And she opened her eyes! When she saw Peter, she sat up! 41 He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then he called in the widows and all the believers, and he presented her to them alive.
42 The news spread through the whole town, and many believed in the Lord.
REFLECT
Much like the believers in Acts 6 (please see our Monday devotional and central passage of the sermon), Tabitha (AKA Dorcas) was a catalyst of care in her community. She loved and served widows, even though she didn’t have an official title within the church. Look how God used her !! We are still learning from her walk with Jesus two thousand years later! You can make a big impact even if you are “Title-less” in the local church. Don’t wait for a position before you start leaving a legacy.
APPLY
Q: What did Tabitha do to love and serve her community (verses 36,39)?
Q: In what specific ways can you invest your time, talent and treasure in your local church and community?
Q: Who can you graciously “nudge” into action so that they start serving?
Q: In what specific ways can you invest your time, talent and treasure in your local church and community?
Q: Who can you graciously “nudge” into action so that they start serving?
SING
“I Thank God” by Maverick City Music
PRAY
"Forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us."
Holy Spirit, show us our shortcomings and failures. We confess that we fall short of your moral standards. We receive free forgiveness through what Jesus has done. Help us also to apologize to others with a pure heart.
Holy Spirit, show us our shortcomings and failures. We confess that we fall short of your moral standards. We receive free forgiveness through what Jesus has done. Help us also to apologize to others with a pure heart.