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Serve God with the Gifts You Have

September 4, 2019 By Jennifer H. Yates 1 Comment

4 Sep
Serve God with the Gifts You Have (1)

She isn’t that well-known as far as women of the Bible go. She doesn’t have the notoriety of Ruth, Esther, Sarah, or Mary; but she is important. And she has an important lesson for us today.

“In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas), who was always doing good and helping the poor. About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. 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!'”

Acts 9:36-38, NIV 84

Tabitha was her Aramaic name, which is probably what she was known by. Dorcas was the translation in Greek, which is what Luke was writing in because Greek became a common language among the people of that time.

Tabitha was a disciple of Christ known for “doing good and helping the poor.” We already know that many women followed Jesus as His disciples. They sat at His feet, learned from Him, and supported Him out of their own means (Luke 8:1-3).

But here we see a woman who was known not just as a believer but at one who truly served others. Her love for Christ and for her brothers and sisters compelled her to put that love into action and do something.

Tabitha could have reasoned that since she wasn’t a leader like Priscilla (Acts 18), a church planter like Lydia (Acts 16:11-15, 40), or a prophetess like one of Phillip’s daughters (Acts 21:8-9), then she had nothing to give.

No, she used the abilities she did have to serve God–so much so that her death was a huge blow to the new community of faith.

“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.”

Acts 9:39

Maybe Dorcas couldn’t lead worship, write a book, or grace a stage with a speaking gift, but she could sew. And she used that gift to serve God and the people around her.

They mourned her loss because her presence and her heart and her gifts were important to their community. She blessed people. Her love made others’ lives better. And that matters.

“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. 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.”

Acts 9:40-41

You know, not every person who died during the early church ministry was raised back to life. But Tabitha was. Her ministry was so significant that the disciples felt the need to call on Peter. And Peter felt the need to call on God.

I don’t know what your gifts, talents, or abilities are, but I know this: God will honor what you have when you offer it in His name. You don’t have to feel confident or be successful. He just calls us to be faithful (1 Corinthians 15:58).

And He alone determines the gifts and abilities He gives (Romans 12:18). Our job is to use them in service to Him and others, trusting Him with the results.

“This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.”

Acts 9:42

Wow! God used Tabitha’s life to draw many people to Him. That’s the ultimate use of any abilities God has given us. All because she was willing to use what she had–needle, thread, and a willing heart.

What gift or ability has God given you? Maybe you can cook, pray, or give great hugs. As my friend says, “Nothing is wasted in God’s Kingdom.” Big or small, God can do great things with a heart devoted to Him. Surrender what you have, and let Him use it for His glory.

Want more encouragement from women of the Bible? Get my book, Just Like us: 7 Ways Biblical Women Were Just Like Us (And Why It Matters).

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Filed Under: Bible Study, Women Tagged With: Bible studies for Women, Biblical Women Just Like Us, Christian Bible studies for women, Christian devotional for women, do I have anything to give, Jennifer H Yates, Jennifer Hayes Yates, women of the Bible

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About Jennifer H Yates

About Jennifer H Yates

Hey, friends! I'm Jen--wife, mama, and empty-nester. I love to write, read, and drink coffee, especially with friends.

I've found that many women struggle to find time and focus to grow their relationship with God through studying His Word. I encourage and challenge women with practical strategies and helpful resources for quality study in as little as fifteen minutes a day.

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We all have a place in the Kingdom. ⁠
⁠
Click

We all have a place in the Kingdom. ⁠
⁠
Click link in bio to read post.⁠
⁠
#prayerwarrior #bedeeplyrooted #prayerispowerful #praywithoutceasing #christianpost #christianblogger #womenintheword #livewithintention #shareyourheart #faithwriter #womenencouragingwomen #wordoflife #seekgoddaily #wordbeforeworld #jesusandcoffee #daughteroftheking #fiercelyhis #womenlivingwell #girlfriendsintheworld #faithblogger #givemejesus #graceupongrace #faithoverfear #seekhimfirst #growingyourfaith #womenoftheworld #intheword #lampandlight #shereadstruth #butfirstjesus

"Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an
"Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel--the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 1:1-4, NIV).
All of Scripture, all of history, all of time has been about Jesus Christ, Son of God. 
Do you know Him? You can. His life, death, and resurrection are historical fact. All so that you could know Him and have eternal life.
Jesus loves you! ❤

"The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee fo
"The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment" (Luke 23:55-56).
Can you imagine the horror these women had witnessed? Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, and many others had followed Jesus and helped support his ministry (Luke 8:3).
Now all their hopes had been crushed as they stood at a distance and witnessed Jesus' agonizing death on the cross (Luke 23:49). His own mother had to stand by helplessly as her son cried out, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit" (Luke 23:46).
As we women often do, they looked for a way to still serve Him, even in His death, by preparing His body for burial. Sometimes, it's the little things.
When our hearts are breaking and we think we can't take another breath, sometimes we need something in our hands--a burial spice, a casserole, a text that says I'm here.
We can't make the hurt go away, but we can channel it into something useful, something hopeful, something comforting.
As they rested on the Sabbath, I'm sure they anticipated the opportunity to see Him one more time, to minister to Him once more with the spices and perfumes they had prepared.
Hearts crushed, hands open.
Grieved but grateful. Resting but ready.
Because if there was anything they knew for sure, it's that Jesus was no ordinary man. And when hearts are turned toward Him, anything can happen.

God never called us to “blind” faith. We may b
God never called us to “blind” faith. We may believe without seeing, but faith is being sure and certain of what we don’t see, not what we don’t know. ⁠
The Israelites had historical facts on which to base their faith. That’s why God constantly told them to remember what He had done and tell it to their children. Their faith was in what they knew to be true, even though they didn’t always see it with their own eyes. ⁠
We, too, have facts on which to base our faith. The Bible is historically accurate and verified. If ever we needed to know what we believe, it’s now.⁠
⁠
Click link in bio to read post.⁠
⁠
#prayerwarrior #bedeeplyrooted #prayerispowerful #praywithoutceasing #christianpost #christianblogger #womenintheword #livewithintention #shareyourheart #faithwriter #womenencouragingwomen #wordoflife #seekgoddaily #wordbeforeworld #jesusandcoffee #daughteroftheking #fiercelyhis #womenlivingwell #girlfriendsintheworld #faithblogger #givemejesus #graceupongrace #faithoverfear #seekhimfirst #growingyourfaith #womenoftheworld #intheword #lampandlight #shereadstruth #butfirstjesus

It’s something I have a hard time doing. Like mo
It’s something I have a hard time doing. Like most women, when I do get still, my mind is still going 90 mph. I’m so distracted by all the preparations for the day. Sounds a little like Martha, who, by the way, is the one who invited Jesus over in the first place. But like Martha, I have felt the Lord’s gentle rebuke. He wants me at His feet. And really, that’s where I want to be. It’s not about time and focus. It’s about heart and desire. The rest will come. ❤️ #growingyourfaith #jesusfirst #wordbeforeworld #seekhimfirst #javawithjesus #womenintheword

Do you really want to grow your faith? What we fee
Do you really want to grow your faith? What we feed the most is what grows the most. 🍽️⁠
⁠
What are you feeding?⁠
⁠
Click the link in my bio to read this week's post.⁠
#prayerwarrior #bedeeplyrooted #prayerispowerful #praywithoutceasing #christianpost #christianblogger #womenintheword #livewithintention #shareyourheart #faithwriter #womenencouragingwomen #wordoflife #seekgoddaily #wordbeforeworld #jesusandcoffee #daughteroftheking #fiercelyhis #womenlivingwell #girlfriendsintheworld #faithblogger #givemejesus #graceupongrace #faithoverfear #seekhimfirst #growingyourfaith #womenoftheworld #intheword #lampandlight #shereadstruth #butfirstjesus ⁠


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