Begin with 2 minutes of stillness and silence before God.

This short passage is filled with so much goodness. I want to focus on three things from today. In this passage, we see Peter do two miracles - Aeneas is raised from his crippled state and Tabitha (also called Dorcas) is raised from death. Both are incredible acts that only come from God. Peter, in and of his own power, could not heal a paralytic or raise a woman from the dead, but he had the power of God in him as he followed God in faith. Peter’s faith was evident in his life - so evident that, after Tabitha’s death, when the disciples heard he was nearby, they sent for him to come at once. They may not have known what Peter could do, but they knew he could do something to help. They also must have known that if they called him he would come. That he would show up for his friends. His life was such an example of faith and God’s power that they wanted him there. I have to ask myself- is this true of my life? Is God so evident in my life that others want me in the room with them during a hard time? Do my friends and family know that if they call me I’ll be right there? Let’s consider these questions about our lives together and how we can be more like Peter.

In the same lane of looking at how our lives are lived, let’s look at Tabitha. Verse 36 tells us she “was always doing good and helping the poor.” We see that when Peter got to the room where Tabitha was, “all the widows stood around him crying and showing him the robes and other clothing Dorcas had made while she was with them.” She had used her gift of making clothes to significantly impact those around her. You may not have the gift of making clothes (I can barely sew a button on), but we each have spiritual gifts that God has specifically given us to impact those around us. What are your gifts? How can you use them to make a difference in the lives of others? To do good and help the poor?

The last point I want to look at is how God uses difficult situations for His good and His glory. I know we’ve all heard it, but when we are in the middle of a hard season or situation it is often hard to see. Both of these miracles resulted in many people believing in the Lord. In our finite understanding, it can be hard to wrap our minds around this idea, to wonder why God wanted to put us through a hard time for good. When I have found myself in a difficult place, God has reminded me that He put me on this earth for His good and His glory. He purchased my life on the cross to be used to bring others to Him - whatever that may look like. When we find ourselves in a less-than-desirable place in life, look for how God is working. Look for the miracles and how He is bringing good out of them.

Take 2 minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflections:

• Does your life show evidence of God’s work and power in you?
  
• What areas of your life may need some work so that others see God in you?
• How can you use your spiritual gifts to impact others?
• Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for the power of Your Holy Spirit! Thank you for allowing me to be a part of the movement of the Church and bringing glory and honor to Your name. Give me eyes to see the people You have put in my path to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with! In Jesus' name, Amen.