UNCOMMON DESIRE FOR GOOD WORKS - PART 4

THURSDAY 24 OCTOBER 2024

What did the Lord Jesus say about good works? In Matthew 5:14-16, He said, "You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden. People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honour to your Father in heaven" (NET).

In other words, the possibility and certainty of manifesting divine light in a brightly-inspired manner can mainly be experienced through good works. More below!

Reference: Acts 9:36 Common English Bible (CEB)

"In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas). Her life overflowed with good works and compassionate acts on behalf of those in need."

As a born again Christian, let your light so shine before men. Do not say you cannot do so. Let it shine, because the Lord knows you can. If you can talk about or display anything that interests you, let divine light within you be a vital part of your expressions.

For Dorcas, her light shined and emitted so much unmatched influence that all her beneficiaries who partook of her good deeds, came and gave a warm-hearted and honourable remark on her behalf. To that effect, the Bible says, "Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them" (Acts 9:39 KJV).

Many widows who derived advantageous effects from her philanthropic provisions and benefactions testified in that upper chamber. Beloved, you can speak about anything that you know or even think of the diversity of their testimonial evidences because they were many, but I can assure you that all of those monumentally-expressed comments on behalf of "kindness personified" Dorcas was a programmed influence from the spiritual realm.

Now ponder this question before you answer it: How often do you testify of God's goodness and mercy? How often do you cogitate on Christ's atoning sacrifice on your behalf and His overwhelming triumph over sin and death with ardent alacrity? Are your lips always silent about the Lord who laid down His life for you, which is the ultimate sacrificial symbolism in Christendom with an eternal relevance far beyond the coats and garments Dorcas made for the needy? Do not say that you need another special miracle before you testify today.

In your world, you are designed to be the epitomized exhibition of what Christ did for mankind, and more so, the demonstrative witness of what the glorious gospel can do for the world. That was Peter's manifested evidence. Anybody looking at what Peter did about Dorcas when he arrived at Joppa, and still do not have a loftier idea of the inspired possibilities of divine nature, and of the great influence of transformative power, the gospel of Jesus Christ can deliver to mankind, has a questionable Christian faith. From an observatory standpoint of splendid intelligence, let us reconsider the wondrous reasoning of Biblical narrative in the passage below:

"Peter asked them to leave the room; then he got on his knees. He prayed for a while and then turned to her body.

Peter: Tabitha, get up!

She opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up. Giving her his hand, Peter lifted her up. Then he called in the other disciples—including the widows—and reintroduced them to their beloved friend. The news of this miracle spread throughout the city, and many believed in the Lord" (Acts 9:40-42 VOICE).

Did you notice that the availed confidence in Peter's willingness was to the utmost? He did not descend to the common-sense of doubt or unbelief, but rather he took absolute control of the situation, bringing to bear the Almighty Father's design for greater good works which He sent His Son and the Holy Spirit to accomplish through us.

Beloved, in accordance with my mental reasoning, the miraculous result, plus its fulfilling and impactful explication, conveys a high degree of Petrine accessibility to divine authority - which is extremely difficult to be set forth in quotidian details.

What about the news of this miracle that spread throughout the city, such that many souls believed in the Lord? This is to inform your long-established thought pattern that Dorcas' death wasn't an ordinary tragic outcome. What a harvest of souls fundamentally hinted at - in the wordings of the Biblical text numbered as Acts 9:42. Stay tuned for more. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Deuteronomy 10:21; Job 5:9; Jeremiah 32:27; Mark 9:23; Acts 3:16.

Guided Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I bless and honour you today for the awe-inspiring story of Dorcas' demise that was turned around to an extraordinary miraculous result, which represents an exemplary standard of Christ's victory, supremacy and dominion over sickness and death. For this reason, I thank you for granting me a remarkable turnaround that results in a more favourable situation as it pertains to every aspect of my life, in Jesus' Name, Amen!