Message summary: God sees every deed of kindness and hears every encouraging word and prayer offered on behalf of others. People like Dorcas in the Bible and Nancy in today's illustration are really the backbone of the church and that of a healthy social system!

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"Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which translated in Greek is called Dorcas); this woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did" (Acts 9:36). "For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for His name in serving the saints, as you still do" (Hebrews 6:10).

Yesterday we attended a monthly noon prayer luncheon held at a local church here in Mount Joy. Nancy (far right) is a very pleasant woman who has headed up these lunches as well as other community activities for many years. I told her yesterday she reminded me of Dorcas in the Bible.

Also named Tabitha she is more commonly known by her Greek name, Dorcas. She was an active part of the faith community in Joppa and was characterized as a "woman who was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did". Note two descriptive words describing this sister with a servant's heart; abounding and continually. In verse 39 we read that she was a seamstress and blessed others by the garments she sewed for them.

Can you think of those whose lives are characterized by their deeds of kindness and charitable acts? Amidst so much despair-inducing news of our age we will receive strength as we consider the quietly faithful people in our own lives. Many of you reading this are like Dorcas or you will surely call to mind an individual(s) who is.

Each of us know people like Nancy regardless of where we live.  In each church we have been a part of we can recall such people. These names came to mind such as Dale, Sally, Marcia, Shirley and many, many others if I take just a few minutes to review my memories. In our present ABF class we consider Deb and Michelle who keep things going smoothly behind the scenes with their weekly email communications sent out to class members.

In a brief teaching at our luncheon yesterday they were described as workers serving below deck, little known, and in many cases receiving little acclamation or appreciation. The illustration was told about an engineer volunteering on a ship that provided medical services to the needy. He was assigned far below the deck to manage the sewage plant. He played an unseen but essential role which was an absolutely critical part of the operation.

Hebrews 6:10 reminds us, "For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for His name in serving the saints, as you still do".

God sees every deed of kindness and hears every encouraging word and prayer offered on behalf of others. People like Dorcas in the Bible and Nancy in our modern day illustration are really the backbone of the church and that of a healthy social system!

Let them know of their great value to you personally and to the body of Christ as they give of themselves heartily unto the Lord. And let us seek to demonstrate these qualities in our own lives.

Be encouraged today, Hebrews 3:13

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