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September 21, 2007 Tabitha Lives for God by Pam Kumpe Did you ever watched the television show, Bewitched in the 60’s, early 70’s? Well, even it you never watched it, plenty of people did. It was the longest running supernatural show on TV. Samantha, a nose-twitching witch, and her mortal husband, Darrin were on this romantic comedy. This show endures some pretty vexing life situations. And we have a mother-in-law Endora and she doesn't like Darrin. She casts spells on him, and calls him Durwood, and Darwin, among other things. In most episodes, Darrin becomes the victim of a spell, and eventually the television couple end up having a daughter named Tabitha. She takes after her mother and has some magical abilities, which only add to Darrin's worries. But the woman I want to tell you about today, well she has no magical powers. She's hardly a witch. But her supernatural way of caring and giving was left on the heart of those she helped – and her story is remembered and documented in Acts -- Chapter 9. And yes, her name is Tabitha too! Imagine that I gave you a piece of paper, and some tape, string and a pair of scissors. I cut your paper into pieces. I cut your string in half. Now, I want you to fix your broken items, and you can only do so by using the four items in your hands. Sure you can tape the pieces of paper back together and you can tie the string together. You can fixe them by using the tools at hand. Well, Peter, one Jesus' disciples was asked to fix something -- something which was very difficult, so difficult he needed God's help. Tape and tying things together – were not going to fix what happened to Tabitha. One day some people came to ask Peter to travel with them to their town. A friend of theirs named Tabitha had been sick and had just died. Everyone loved Tabitha because she was always helping people. Peter went with the people and they took him to where she was lying on a bed. Some of the people Tabitha had helped were there. They were crying and showing Peter the clothing she had made for them. Do you know what Peter did? He sent everyone out of the room, and then he got down on his knees to pray. Peter trusted God to hear and answer his prayer. He knew what God's Word says about prayer. James 5:16 says, "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." Peter knew that prayer was powerful, so he prayed to God and turned to Tabitha and said, "Tabitha, get up." Suddenly, she opened her eyes! She looked at Peter and sat up. Peter took her hand and helped her get out of bed. Here's a woman, Tabitha who was always doing good and helping the poor. She became sick and died. And get this, the widows deeply mourned for her and stood around, crying and showing the robes and clothing Tabitha had made. Peter raised her from the dead and many people came to believe in Jesus from this act. We can use the resources God has placed in front of us, our hands and our time -- doing something for others. There's someone you can do, either with something tangible or with your time. God doesn't want us to forget about the widows, who might be alone or who might be sitting at home without transportation. He could use you to check on someone, to give him or her, a ride to the store. You could provide for some needy children, volunteer at a facility -- do something. We should follow the example in James 2:27 by looking after orphans and widows in distress, and by showing the people around us we care about them. Tabitha helped the poor and it gained her the lover of her community. It's our love for God that should shine through in our actions. It makes us beautiful on the inside, and God will smile – I just know it. Can you imagine, getting sick, and having all your friends around you. You can't get up. You are struggling for your next breath -- and then you close your eyes and inhale for the last time. Then what if it wasn’t over – what if your friends looked up Peter, and he prayed for you? Just imagine the impact this would make on your friends and family – when you come back to life. We are to let our light shine before men, to they see our good deeds and praise God, in other words, God can use our lives to draw people to him. When Peter by faith trusted God for the miracle, not only did Tabitha live -- but many became Christians after this miracle took place. Is your life pointing to the supernatural love of Christ? – I hope so. ___________________________ Blessings from East Texas Pam Kumpe |
| << August22, 2007 - Let's Go Camping with Priscilla |
October17, 2007 - Mary at Bethany >> |
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