2003 I presented a service of thanks using various people from the Bible whose names became an acrostic spelling THANKS. One of my favorite services all year is when people share their testimonies. It is worship as people celebrate together God’s goodness.
also interspersed the evening with songs, gifts, specials, poems, and scriptures. As we think of the goodness of God and His work in our lives. This week let's look at six people for whom their story of thanks inspires us all.
T-TABATHA
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.
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.
How many people could give testimony that they were quite sick, but the Lord had raised them up to health again in response to prayers? Anyone that might say I was declared dead, and the Lord brought me to life again?
If Tabitha, also known as Dorcus, was with us tonight I believe she would stand up and praise the Lord for saving her life. She might say, “I’m so thankful that God has given me the ability to help others with my sewing skills. I’m thankful also for my friends who cared for me and prayed for me.”
have people here who’ve made clothes, quilts, wall coverings, embroidery, cross stitching as a means of ministering to others. She gave to the Lord what she had, and God blessed her for it.
Perhaps some of the people were poor. This is a time to think of the poor. She gave out of her desire to serve the Lord by giving to others.
Peter went to Joppa, after hearing of her death. He had everyone leave the room. He prayed and took her hand and she came to life again. She arose. She stood up and gave praise to the Lord for His miraculous healing power over sickness and death.
I wonder if this last verse has anything to do with the testimony of Tabitha afterwards - “This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.”
Application: Praise the Lord for life and health
Prayer: Lord as I reflect on this, I see Thanksgiving here lived out in helping and serving others and in seeing Your hand of physical healing in our life and that of others. Thank you, Lord, for the opportunities you give us to live this out.
