RUNNING WITH GAZELLES

Acts 9:36-41
36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas), who was always doing good and helping the poor. 37 About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. 38 Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, "Please come at once!" 39 Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them. 40 Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, "Tabitha, get up." She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers and the widows and presented her to them alive.

Not long ago I read this quote: "Every girl has certain needs. From birth to 18 she needs her parents. From 18 to 35,
good looks; from 35 to 55, a good personality; from 55 and beyond, she needs cash."

I don't know who would agree with that. I do know, however, that every church has certain needs. One of the greatest is
a need for "gazelles."

Read Acts 9:36-41. Dorcas (Tabitha), whose name means gazelle, served in the early church. She was filled with grace
and dignity. Her response to Jesus' great salvation was gratitude shown through her good works. And her generosity
flowed out of her love for others. Her works were tangible, practical, and simple; she made coats and other garments
for widows and other poor people. It seems there was no one to whom Dorcas wouldn't extend God's love and peace.

Dorcas was an amazing woman, whose values concerning material possessions were aligned properly. She understood
that everything belonged to God, and that part of her stewardship was to give to others. Her life made such an impact on people around her that when she died her friends sent for Peter to raise her back to life.

As followers of Jesus, we have been called to be salt and light in a decaying and dark world. We are in desperate need
for more gazelles--people whose good works flow out of a heart of gratitude for their salvation in Jesus (Ephesians 2:10).
We can impact our world with simple and tangible acts of kindness (Luke 10:37)--washing cars, buying lunch, buying and pumping gas, cleaning someone's yard.

Let's lock arms and invest our lives in what matters most--serving God by helping people. --Marvin Williams

DESTINATION POINTS

* How can I show God's love in a practical way today?
* When I die, how do I think people will view my absence, as a loss or a benefit?
* What in life do I value most--things or people?

LINKS:
The Best Decision I Ever Made
http://www.christianitytoday.com/cl/2002/003/17.18.html

bottom line: Generosity is giving what God gave you.

soul journey