God uses Peter
Acts 9:32-42 (New Living Translation)
32Meanwhile, Peter traveled from place
to place, and he came down to visit the believers in the town of Lydda. 33There he met a man
named Aeneas, who had been paralyzed and bedridden for eight years. 34Peter said to him,
“Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you! Get up, and roll up your sleeping mat!” And he
was healed instantly. 35Then the whole population of Lydda and Sharon saw
Aeneas walking around, and they turned to the Lord.
36There was a believer in Joppa named
Tabitha (which in Greek is Dorcas). She was always doing kind things for others
and helping the poor. 37About this time she became ill and died. Her body
was washed for burial and laid in an upstairs room. 38But the believers
had heard that Peter was nearby at Lydda, so they sent two men to beg him,
“Please come as soon as possible!”
39So 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. 40But 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! 41He 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.
42The news spread through the whole
town, and many believed in the Lord.43And Peter stayed a long time in
Joppa, living with Simon, a tanner of hides.
This past week, what special ability did you use to meet someone's need?
Dorcas made an enormous impact on her community by "always doing kind things for others and helping the poor." When she died, the room was filled with mourners, people she had helped. And when she was brought back to life, the news raced through the town. God uses great preachers like Peter and Paul, but He also uses those who have gifts of kindness like Dorcas. Rather than wishing you had other gifts, make good use of the gift God has given you.
No comments:
Post a Comment