How many times has someone asked you the question, “How are you doing?” When asked, I may respond in a lighthearted way by saying, “Do you really want to know?” Sometimes I will get a strange look in response and then the person says, “Sure, I do.” Then I ask, “How much time do you have?”
Ask for Help When Needed
No one is immune from the problems and cares of life. The Bible teaches that we should not be surprised when times of need come. How we react to the needs we have in life is important. We must not be shy in asking for help. Far too many times we are hesitant to ask for the help we need. After Tabitha died, the disciples who were there were not hesitant to ask Peter to come and help them because they knew he could help them. Peter went, and through prayer and the power of Jesus Christ, raised Tabitha from the dead. One can only imagine the joy and thanksgiving Tabitha and her friends felt. What if they had not asked Peter for help? Think of times in your life when you needed help. Did you ask for help, or try to make it on your own?
Be Willing to Help Others
How we react to the needs of others is important. We must not be shy when it comes to helping others. To receive help is one thing and to give help is another. Jesus said it is more blessed to give than to receive. One of the greatest blessings we have is to help those in need. To help those in need is to exemplify the spirit of Christ. We cannot be the Christians God wants us to be if we are not willing to help one another.
Peter was more than willing to go when called upon. Think of some times in your life when you helped someone else in need or perhaps did not take advantage of the opportunity. One thing that stands out about Tabitha is that she had a reputation of always doing good and helping the poor. What kind of a reputation do you have? |L
Danny Dodds is the senior minister at South Side Church of Christ in Washington Court House, Ohio. Danny and his wife Delite have two daughters and five grandchildren.
