Acts 9:36-43 - Study on Dorcus

Yesterday in the teen Sunday School class we discussed the topic of "Study".  Not only did we talk about the importance of them studying well in school but most important was them studying the Bible.  I challenged them to choose one scripture or portion of scripture and study it a few different times this week and then bring me what they learned.  I told them the Lord gives us different things from the same scripture at different times.  In the middle of the night last night the Lord woke me up and told me "study Dorcus".  I thought that it was odd that He told me to do that but I figured there has to be a reason for it so I started this morning. I must admit I'm anxious to find out more about Dorcus.  Here's what I know before starting.  She was written about in the books of Acts and she was a follower of Christ.  Not much but at least it's a start!  Now to see what else I can learn about her....

Acts 9:36-43

New International Version (NIV)

³⁶ In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she 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 for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. ⁴² This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. ⁴³ Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.

It's cool that Dorcus was brought back to life through the miraculous power of the Lord through Peter.  I wonder how long was between her death and the miracle?  

I was reading this morning....

"We have five glimpses of her witness and work in the historical account Luke gives us.

She Was a Christian

She is called, “a certain disciple,” and is thus included among the numerous disciples mentioned in the New Testament. Through the Spirit-empowered ministry of Philip the evangelist, a Christian Church was established at Joppa—now known as Jaffa—and from an early date the church was not only a center of fervent evangelism but also of a well-organized social service. Possibly Dorcas came to know Christ as her Saviour in this church, and there caught the vision of how she could serve Christ with her money and her needle. Dorcas knew what it was to have a regenerated heart and this was the source of her unselfish life and charitable acts. Behind her sewing of garments was a saved soul. Giving of alms, and the making of garments in themselves gain no merit with God who, first of all, claims our hearts before our talents. It was only when Mary Magdalene was recovered from her stained past, that Christ accepted her desire to minister to His wants.

In our churches and also in commendable societies there are many public-spirited women who, with humanitarian ideals, are engaged in various relief activities, and whose sole object is to do good. But they are not actuated by Christ. Trying to emulate Dorcas, they lack her Christian discipleship, forgetting that caring for widows and others in need springs from “pure religion” which also reveals itself in keeping oneself unspotted from the world (James 1:26, 27). When Luke says that Dorcas was full of good works, he meant the word “full” to refer primarily to her inward grace, which prompted the outward deeds. “Good works are only genuine and Christian when the soul of the performer is imbued with them.” The cup of cold water to be acceptable must be given in His name. With Dorcas, then, being good meant doing good. Her manifold good works flowed from a heart grateful to God for His saving grace.

Lange the commentator says that “The gazelle is distinguished for its slender and beautiful form, its graceful movements and its soft but brilliant eyes; it is frequently introduced by the Hebrews and other Oriental nations as an image of female loveliness, and the name was often employed as a proper name, in the case of females.” Whether Dorcas, whose name means “gazelle,” was a beautiful woman or not we are not told. She certainly lived a lovely life, and had eyes reflecting the compassion of the Master whom she so faithfully served. All whom she influenced and helped saw in her the beauty of Jesus. As a disciple she certainly had faith in the One who had called her, but she came to see that faith without works is dead. She also knew that works without faith gained no merit with God, and so the hands that dispensed alms and made garments were inwardly inspired by Him whose hands were nailed to a tree.

She Was a Philanthropist

Dorcas the believer was likewise Dorcas the benefactress. “This woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.” How significant are these last three words! Too many well-meaning people sit around and talk about charitable works they never do. Sometimes they propose these works and leave others to execute them. Dorcas not only thought up ways of relieving the needy, but she also carried out her plans. Which she did!She knew what she could do, and did it. Studying the female characters of Scripture it is interesting to discover how several of them are conspicuous for one grace or work of mercy, or for another.

Rizpah we remember because of her loving care of the dead.

The widow of Zarephath for giving bread to the hungry.

Anna the prophetess for her fastings and prayers day and night.

Martha, as the queen of gracious hospitality.

Mary for her box of fragrant ointment.

Joanna, and her ministering unto Jesus.

Dorcas, for her care of widows and clothing the poor.

Further, a few Bible characters have inspired profitable institutions for the welfare of human society—

Mary Magdalene—home for wayward and lost girls.

Lazarus—whose name has been given to hospitals caring for the sick and poor.

Dorcas—source and inspiration of Dorcas Societies all over the world.

Among her good works was that of fashioning coats and garments for widows and the needy of her church and community with her own loving hands. The practical, unselfish service of this Christian philanthropist has filled the world with fragrance, for there flowed out of that little city of Joppa a multitude of benevolent and charitable organizations in which women have been prominent. The question came to Dorcas as it did to Moses when he felt he was not the man to deliver Israel from Egyptian bondage, “What is that in thine hand?” And Moses answered, “A rod” (Exodus 4:2). And that rod became the symbol of delegated divine power. “What is that in thine hand?” the Lord asked Dorcas. She said, “A needle,” and He took what she had and she stitched for Christ’s sake. All praise, then, to the needle that represented practical benevolence among the needy. The garments Dorcas cut out and sewed represented Christian faith in action. “I was naked and ye clothed me,” said Jesus of those who clothed His poor and destitute children.

She Was Mourned and Missed

It was a sad day for the church at Joppa when one of its most beloved and devoted members died in the midst of her works of charity. “Death loves a shining mark, a signal blow,” and death certainly found such a mark in the bountiful Dorcas whose passing was a blow to the community. The vessel containing the costly ointment was broken, and the odor filled the house as never before. Kind hands washed the corpse and placed it in the upper chamber, with feelings expressed by the poet—

Sister, thou wast mild and lovely,

Gentle as the summer breeze,

Pleasant as the air of morning

When it floats among the trees.

While Dorcas doubtless owned her home, she seemed to have no relatives to mourn her going. The widows she had clothed and to whom she had been a friend laid her out; and great grief prevailed. Although so diligent on behalf of others, Dorcas died in the midst of a useful life. The writer had a preacher-friend who always said that he would like to die with his boots on—and he did, one Sunday morning, while preaching the Gospel. Is it possible that Dorcas had a sudden call with her needle in hand? What a grand way to go!

She Was Raised From the Dead

Her fellow disciples at the church where she had worshiped, learning that Peter was nearby, sent two members to beseech the apostle to visit the grief-stricken company. They knew that he had exercised supernatural power, and doubtless entertained the hope that their greatly-loved benefactress might live again. Like the faithful minister that he was, Peter did not delay in accompanying the two men to the death chamber at Joppa where the weeping widows were assembled. The apostle must have been moved as they reverently exhibited the coats and garments Dorcas had made for them. Then after Christ’s example at the raising of Jairus' daughter, “Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed” (see John 11:41, 42). When he felt his request had been received, Peter spake the word of power and authority, “Tabitha, arise,” and life returned. Dorcas sat up, and Peter presented her alive to the saints and widows (compare Matthew 9:25;Mark 5:40, 41).

What a moving scene that must have been! What joy must have prevailed among her fellow-saints and the widows, now that their much-loved Dorcas was alive again, and in her resurrected life, with fuller dedication to the service of the Master, was willing to take up her needle again. Her return from death must have been a great gain to her church. Her only pang was that she would have to sicken again and for the second time enter the gates of death.

She Was the Cause of Revival

The resurrection of Dorcas had a twofold effect. First of all, the miracle comforted the mourners for she had returned to her life of good works and alms deeds. This miracle was thus like our Lord’s miracles—one of mercy. The second effect was to convince all of the truth of the Christian faith attested as it was by miraculous power. Throughout Joppa the message rang, “Dorcas is alive again,” and “many believed in the Lord.” The miracle in that upper chamber, then, was not a miracle for the sake of a miracle. Dorcas raised from physical death became the cause of the resurrection of many from their graves of sin and unbelief. How the church at Joppa must have increased its membership through the many who were saved as the result of the return of Dorcas from the realm of death. After the resurrection of Lazarus we read that many of the Jews believed on Jesus. Is not the same true in a spiritual resurrection? A transformed life attracts others to the Saviour. We read that after the miracle, Peter stayed in Joppa for many days, and we can assume that his ministry greatly helped the church there in the establishment of the new converts. Peter stayed with Simon the tanner, a saint who prepared skins for leather to the glory of God, just as Dorcas made up her garments with consecrated hands.

A lesson to bear in mind as we part with our saintly benefactress is that she was unconscious of the magnificent work she was doing and of its far-reaching consequences. Dorcas did not aspire to be a leader, but was content to stay in her own home and try to do all she could in all the ways she could. Thus, in spite of herself, she became a great leader in an almost universal philanthropic cause, just as “The Lady of the Lamp,” Florence Nightingale, did when she went to Crimea to care for the wounded, dying soldiers on the field of battle. May grace be ours to do whatever our hands find to do, as unto the Lord!"

I love the part, "“This woman was full of good works and alms deeds which she did.” How significant are these last three words! Too many well-meaning people sit around and talk about charitable works they never do. Sometimes they propose these works and leave others to execute them. Dorcas not only thought up ways of relieving the needy, but she also carried out her plans. Which she did! She knew what she could do, and did it."  We all get to be guilty of not doing from time to time.  Dorcus is the example we need to follow on continuing to do what the Lord puts before us.  There is no record of family for her so she didn't have that type of support in her ministry.  Some questions that go through my mind are...Did she get the widows involved in her ministry?  Where did her money come from?  She had to have some in order to provide for the widows.  

I think I need to continue my study on Dorcus and see what lessons I can learn from her.  As I told the teens yesterday, "even though the Bible was written years ago it is still applicable to us today."

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for bringing Dorcus to my mind.  I pray for more of Dorcus in me when I begin to feel like I can't continue on in ministry.  I pray for more of Dorcus in me when I feel like I don't want to do something You put before me to do.  Lord, I praise Your Holy Name for being My Leader!  Amen.

Acts 19:11-12 - Blessed

I'm sitting here thinking about how easy it was to clear my calendar when I was told to "rest" and not be on my knee.  It was almost as easy to clear it as it was to fill it.  mmmm.....I think there is a lesson to be learned here.  I've been filling my calendar up this summer because I physically could.  I never know when the MS will hit and my "go" days will turn into "stop" days.  The Lord has blessed me so much with many "go" days recently.  Then I was blessed with this knee issue.  Yes, I said "blessed" because I know it is part of God's plan.  Why was I suddenly stopped when the things I was doing were good things?  I don't know the answer to that question yet and maybe I never will know the answer but the Lord knows and that's all that matters.  

Was I doing too much?  Probably. When I do, others miss an opportunity to serve.  Sometimes it's just easier to do things myself instead of asking someone else.  But if opportunities aren't put before people, they don't always know about them.

Did I miss some opportunities the Lord put before me?  I hope not but possibly.  I know I was blessed through the opportunities the Lord gave me that I saw.

Did I need to realize just because I felt good I didn't need to do everything put before me?  Most definitely.  I think this is the key.  It's ok to say "no" and not feel bad about it.  

I think the hardest part of having MS is that I never know when I will wake up and not be able to function "normally" which is hard to deal with.  There have been times I've lost clear vision, loss of legs and/or arms, not been able to think clearly and/or have brain and mouth work together, had to deal with hippy-hippy shakes....all kinds of things.  So when I wake up and feel good it's hard to not go full force.

As I reflect on these recent "good days" where I was going full force I'm thankful I stayed close to the Lord.  I'm thankful I was praising Him throughout my days.  But I know I had to have missed something or He wouldn't have stopped me so abruptly.  I am thankful though that my stop wasn't MS related.  At least with the knee it's something that can be treated and go away.  Unfortunately with the MS it doesn't happen like that.  I am praying for no surgery but if that's what is needed then so be it.  I know I'm in the Lord's hands.  He's brought me through nine surgeries so far in my life so one more won't hurt me.  My dear Daddy had over sixty in his lifetime.  I sure don't want to reach that many!  But if I do I know the Lord is in control and will watch over me.

Paul was in Ephesus in Acts 19.  As he went around preaching and teaching the Lord gave him opportunities to heal people.  Verses eleven and twelve are interesting...

¹¹ God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, ¹² so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them. 

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for this knee injury.  I don't know all the reasons for it but I don't need to know unless you reveal them to me.  I praise You that You have kept the MS under control.  As I'm walking with these crutches and dealing with pain I must admit that at times I get fearful that the stress of this time will kick me into an MS exasperation.  So Lord I'm praying for a hedge of protection around me from MS.  I'm also praying for wisdom for the doctor as I go in tomorrow to get the MRI results.  Lord, would You please keep me open to opportunities You put before me.  I keep getting the sense the main reason for this injury is because I was doing things myself instead of asking others.  I also pray that nothing evil has been allowed into my life to cause this knee issue.  I pray against anything evil that may be lurking in my shadows.  Lord, You are greater than evil.  You are greater than everything and I praise Your Holy Name for that!  Cleanse me Lord.  Make my physical body whole, I pray in Your Name.  Lord, thank You for being My Healer!  Amen.

Proverbs 11:25 - Generosity Examples

This is a picture of love.  This is a picture of sacrifice.  This is a picture that means so much more than anyone may think...

I was blessed by these "flowers" from one of the little boys at church for my birthday.  He has nothing materially speaking but has so much in his little heart.  He is one of the children that melt my heart.  When his Momma was in the hospital a couple years ago and had no family to care for the children, we took him and his little brother into our home for a week.  As I think back on that week, I was blessed with going on a field trip with them, praying with them at bedtime, loving on them with Jesus' love.  It wasn't an easy week with having two little ones around but it was a blessed week.  I showed them Jesus' love and now he has returned that love.  I'm so blessed by this gift.  It makes me realize that it's not about the money or material things but rather it's about pure and simple love...Jesus' love.  He had nothing to give yet he found a way to give a gift.  He took an empty water bottle, filled it with mulch/dirt and poked some "flowers" in it.  When he presented it to me, he was so proud of it.  He had nothing to give yet he found a way to give a gift.  What can I learn from his actions?

• I can learn my actions are being watched so I need to make sure they are always Godly actions.  
• I can learn it doesn't take money to bless people.  I have had the opportunity to bless many with food from my kitchen....ones who just need some encouragement or need to know Jesus loves them and so do I.
• I can learn sacrificially giving is the best kind.

"A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed” Prov. 11:25 NIV

I want to be known as "generous".  I want to be known as one who "refreshes others".  I love that my parents raised me to look for people who are in need.  Not necessarily are their needs physical.  There are so many people in this world who just need to feel loved.  So many people who are around people each and every day yet they feel alone.  During the many times of illness in my parents I saw them encourage those who came to encourage them.  That's the example I want to follow.  During this time of resting with my knee I am looking for opportunities to love on others.  Just because I can't physically leave this house it doesn't mean I can't encourage others.  

Dear Jesus,

I am asking for opportunities in abundance during this time.  You have already given me opportunities through the computer to encourage.  I pray for more open doors to be Jesus to others.  I praise You Lord for You and my parents being My Generosity Examples!  Amen. 

Psalm 46:1 - True Peace

I love, love, love VBS!  Even though it's a tough week physically I still will miss it.  I think one of the reasons I love it so much is because I remember when I was a little girl and would go to VBS.  Back then it was two weeks long and was in the mornings.  One year the church bus picked me up but normally a neighbor, Mary Troyer, came and picked me up.  I loved those two weeks.  They were the highlight of this farm girl's summer.  We didn't go on vacations much and since we didn't have neighbors my age summer was spent reading for the most part.  

Yesterday I was so blessed with the children as they gave a closing program.  Their singing was awesome!  The scripture they hid in their heart was awesome!  The way they participated when we went back to the Children's Room while Doc shared with the adults was awesome!  One of the parents who doesn't normally attend our church blessed me in a powerful way as she was leaving.  Her comment was, "My kids love coming here for VBS!  You can tell the workers really care for the children."  Praise His Holy Name!  The workers aren't ones who are there because they "have to" but rather are there because they care.  I'm so blessed to be working with Willard Naz people!  Thank You Jesus!

I woke up singing one of the VBS songs, "Forever I Am Safe" and thought of the scripture that goes along with it.  Psalm 46:1, "God is our refuge and our strength; an ever-present help in time of trouble."  Woo hoo!  Praise the Lord for the peace He gives during the times of storms.  This morning as I look at this immobilizer and think about this week's schedule I could be panicked.  But instead I have peace.  I have peace in knowing God is in control.  He will handle the schedule.  He will provide people to cover things that need taken care of that I can't.  Not only that but He will heal.  I am believing in a non-invasive healing.  

I love the words of Matthew Henry...."This psalm encourages to hope and trust in God; in his power and providence, and his gracious presence with his church in the worst of times. We may apply it to spiritual enemies, and the encouragement we have that, through Christ, we shall be conquerors over them. He is a Help, a present Help, a Help found, one whom we have found to be so; a Help at hand, one that is always near; we cannot desire a better, nor shall we ever find the like in any creature. Let those be troubled at the troubling of the waters, who build their confidence on a floating foundation; but let not those be alarmed who are led to the Rock, and there find firm footing. If God be in our hearts, by his word dwelling richly in us, we shall be established, we shall be helped; let us trust and not be afraid."

Woo hoo!  Thank You Jesus for the encouragement that comes from Your Word!  Thank You Jesus for the encouragement that comes from Your people!  Thank You Jesus for the encouragement that comes from the peace You have put inside me!  You are so awesome!

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for Your Peace!  Thank You for Your Strength!  Thank You for being My Refuge!  Amen.

Psalm 91 - He Is Our Protector

I am praying Psalm 91 over the family the Lord woke me up at 5AM to pray for...

Psalm 91 (New Living Translation)

¹ Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
² This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.
³ For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease.
⁴ He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
⁵ Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day.
⁶ Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
⁷ Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you.
⁸ Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished. 

⁹ If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter,
¹⁰ no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home.
¹¹ For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.
¹² They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.
¹³ You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet! 

¹⁴ The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name.
¹⁵ When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them.
¹⁶ I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.”

It was such an abrupt awakening with such an intensity to pray.  I always wonder after I am done as to what is going on in their lives.  This family is on vacation so it could be a lot of different things.  It could be my prayers stopped something from happening.  It really doesn't matter what it is or if I will ever know what it is.  The important thing is that I was obedient and prayed.  

I love this Psalm.  It is one that can only be prayed for believers.  When I pray it, I am asking for a hedge of protection to be around me or whoever I am praying it for.  The enemy is given a roadblock when he tries to harm.  When we trust the Lord, He is our hedge of protection.  This past week was one where the enemy tried his best to get us.  When I think about the "what ifs" that could have occurred, the Lord's Hand was definitely protecting us.  To Him be the Glory!  I am so thankful for the prayers that are sent up on our behalf.  We just never know  how much of the enemy is stopped through those prayers.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for Your Protection, not only for us but for the ones I pray for.  Father, I don't know the circumstance but I do know You didn't wake me up for nothing.  Once again I pray for protection over this family.  I pray You will bless their time of vacation in a mighty way.  During my prayers You had me pray for a physical healing over one of them that is dealing with a disease.  Lord, touch him.  Once again, I don't know if he is suffering right now or not but you told me to pray for him so I did.  Father, I am so thankful for the way You give me opportunity to be an intercessor.  I praise You Lord because I know there are many who pray for me.  Lord, You are so awesome.  Thank You for loving me!  Thank You for blessing me!  Thank You for being My Protector!  Amen.  

Acts 16:16-40 - "Lord, I Need You"

I woke up this morning to "Lord, I Need You" and started praying for His Presence to overcome the "junk" that is pulling me down.  "My one defense, my righteousness..." gives me hope and it needs to give me peace.  The enemy is trying to steal my joy...no the enemy is stealing my joy.  I am so distraught over circumstances.  Lord, I need Your encouragement.  I need You to fill me up with more of You and less of me.  "Lord I come, I confess...bowing here I find my rest...Without You I fall apart...You're the one that guides my heart."  Yes, this is how I feel.  Like I'm falling apart.  It has been a tough week physically with this knee issue. It has been a tough week emotionally with the situations we have dealt with.  It has been a tough week mentally with VBS.  But Father I know You are the One who can enable me to get through the tough times.  I also know You are greater than the enemy.  "So teach my song to rise to You, When temptation comes my way, And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You, Jesus You're my hope and stay."  Amen!  The temptation is great to give up but I know that's not what You desire of me.  I am falling on You, Lord to be what I need to get through this day.  No, I don't want to just get through the day.  I want to enjoy this day.  The desire of my heart is to be joyful.  I am choosing joy over sadness.  I am choosing joy over anger.  When times get tough, I do pray for "my song to rise to You."  The lesson last night of Paul and Silas in prison proves I can praise through the tough times.  I doubt the enemy will like it which makes it even better!  Paul chose to pray and sing hymns.  I will make that same choice.  

Acts 16:16-40

New International Version (NIV)

Paul and Silas in Prison

¹⁶ Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. ¹⁷ She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” ¹⁸ She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her.  ¹⁹ When her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. ²⁰ They brought them before the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar ²¹ by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice.”  ²² The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. ²³ After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. ²⁴ When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.  ²⁵ About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. ²⁶ Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. ²⁷ The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. ²⁸ But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”  ²⁹ The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. ³⁰ He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”  ³¹ They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” ³² Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. ³³ At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. ³⁴ The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.  ³⁵ When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: “Release those men.” ³⁶ The jailer told Paul, “The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace.”  ³⁷ But Paul said to the officers: “They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out.”  ³⁸ The officers reported this to the magistrates, and when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were alarmed. ³⁹ They came to appease them and escorted them from the prison, requesting them to leave the city. ⁴⁰ After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and sisters and encouraged them. Then they left.

Dear Jesus,

You know where I am...You know how I am feeling...You know my thoughts but You also know the desire of my heart is to be joyful.  Lord, I pray for Your strength to overcome the "junk" of this world.  This week has been awesome in the fact of seeing the children learn more about You.  It has been so wonderful to see children accept You into their heart.  Father, protect them.  I pray You will be so great in their lives.  I ask that You would love on them in such a way that there is no doubt in their mind of Your love.  I praise You Father for all the good things that happened through VBS.  I praise You for all the workers who gave sacrificially.  I praise You for the way You provided for this VBS, financially and with people.  Lord, thank You for being My Joy!  Amen.

[Verse 1:]
Lord I come, I confess
Bowing here I find my rest
Without You I fall apart
You're the one that guides my heart

[Chorus:]
Lord, I need You, oh I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

[Verse 2:]
Where sin runs deep, Your grace is more
Where grace is found is where You are
And where You are Lord I am free
Holiness is Christ in me
Yes where You are Lord I am free
Holiness is Christ in me

[Bridge:]
So teach my song to rise to You
When temptation comes my way
And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You
Jesus You're my hope and stay
And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You
Jesus You're my hope and stay

Ephesians 2 - "Nothing"

The Lord took me to Ephesians 2 this morning...

2 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, ² in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. ³ All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.⁴ But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,⁵ made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. ⁶ And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, ⁷ in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works,so that no one can boast. ¹⁰ For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

He directed me specifically to verse 10.  "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."  In my prayers this morning I was praying for some people who have been in some circumstances this week that are less than desirable to be in.  I questioned God on why verse 10 was the one I was to concentrate on.  

I went to Matthew Henry's commentary and found:  "A state of sin is a state of conformity to this world. Wicked men are slaves to Satan. Satan is the author of that proud, carnal disposition which there is in ungodly men; he rules in the hearts of men."   As I think on these situations, satan is definitely the root of the issues.  How do we deal with him when he is so greatly involved in others lives?  How do we deal with the issues that effect us when he is so greatly involved in others lives?  Yes, I pray for the ones involved but what else can I do?  "Nothing."  That was the response the Lord gave me.  My response to that was, "What?  What do You mean 'nothing'?"  Once again He responded, "Nothing."  I feel like I'm failing when I do "nothing"...I feel like I need to be doing something....I need to figure out a way to fix the issues.  But I am to pray and do "nothing".  I don't understand.

The next part of Henry's commentary says specifically about verse 10:  "It was his purpose, to which he prepared us, by blessing us with the knowledge of his will, and his Holy Spirit producing such a change in us, that we should glorify God by our good conversation, and perseverance in holiness. None can from Scripture abuse this doctrine, or accuse it of any tendency to evil. All who do so, are without excuse."  I praise the Lord for the change He made in me many years ago.  I also pray for that same change to happen in people who don't have "...the knowledge of his will..."  The circumstances I am praying for this morning are both ones with such people.  

Dear Jesus,
I praise You for changing me!  I praise You for loving me!  I praise You for creating me!  Lord, I must admit I didn't like Your answer this morning.  These situations are effecting me and those around me.  How can I do "nothing"?  Isn't there something I can do to change things? I will keep praying for souls to be saved in both circumstances but what about the junk that is occurring right now?  I'm sorry Lord.  I will obey.  I will not manipulate.  I will listen.  Bless my prayers in a mighty way.  Thank You Lord for being My Savior!  Amen.