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Dear Christian Believers,
Holiday Greetings and God bless you and your families
in the name of Jesus Christ
Recently I received an e-mail from someone
called, "Be Somebody!" It was written
by Hazel Stone. Her name is all I know about her. I got
so blessed by what she shared, and thought I would share
of it with you along with my comments. It is concerning
a 1955 graduation commencement speech. I'm sure all of
us remember a little of our graduation commencement speeches
except that they were the exhortations about the world's
doors were open to us, and that if we work hard we will
be successful in life. Commencement is defined
as, "the act of beginning." When we
graduate from high school, or college, it is a new beginning
for our lives. When we start a new job or career, it's
a new beginning. When we marry and have children it is
a new beginning. In these new beginnings we make decisions
and we take actions that will affect our lives and the
lives of others; We commence! The speaker at the commencement
shared the record of Dorcas and makes some interesting
observations.
Acts 9:36-42
Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha,
which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman
was full of good works and almsdeeds [charitable
deeds] which she did.
37 And it came to pass in
those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they
had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.
38 And forasmuch as Lydda
was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that
Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring
him that he would not delay to come to them.
39 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 [tunics] and garments
which Dorcas made, while she was with them.
40 But Peter put them all
forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him
to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her
eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
41 And he gave her his hand,
and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints
and widows, presented her alive.
42 And it was known throughout
all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.
The three main points the speaker made
from this record were:
- First, Dorcas WAS
SOMEBODY. (She was benevolent, she was compassionate,
and devout. She was generous in giving of her life)
- Second, Dorcas DID
SOMETHING (her life's description was
summed up in six words, "full of good and alms
deeds" Dorcas GAVE of her life)
- And Third, Dorcas, LEFT
SOMETHING. Her acts of charity that she preformed
lives on 2000 years later, because of the "Dorcas
Societies" that the world wide continue
to do acts of charity and good works. I thought about
WHEN we became born again sons and daughters of GOD,
we became SOMEBODY, not because we
did anything, but because of what GOD had done though
our Lord Jesus Christ. And now we DO SOMETHING
because of our love for GOD and thankfulness to HIM
for making us somebody. And finally we are to LEAVE
SOMETHING behind, so that others might
have examples to follow, and the knowledge of the truth
to speak and live in their generation and the generations
to come. If we truly desire to celebrate the birth,
life and ministry, the sacrifice, and the resurrection
of Jesus Christ and show our thankfulness to GOD; then
we need to manifest the SOMEBODY that GOD made us, DO
SOMETHING for HIM and LEAVE SOMETHING for the generations
that follow.
Happy Holidays!!
John & Mary Lou
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