ROBES MADE BY DORCAS

Robes Made By Dorcas

Acts 9:36-42

Dorcus, a word which means “Gazelle”, was sometimes called Tabitha. She was a very kind person who spent her time caring for the widows of Joppa. The story takes place in the time of the early church right after Saul’s conversion.

Tabitha, it is not known whether she was a widow or not, could have been the leader or overseer of the local widows or she may have been a dear friend who cared for them. What is clear is that she did many good things for others. We are going to study what happened in Joppa when Tabitha took ill and died.  This is where the story gets exciting. 

Verses: 37 & 38 - Her body was washed and placed in the upper room and the disciples sent two men for Peter “Please come at once”.

First, we see a clear illustration of the body of Christ coming together to support one another in a time of great need.

Verse 39:  Peter went with them and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying…

The widows were not unfamiliar with death or grief yet here we see them weeping for their friend.  “Their tears didn’t compromise their strength,” and we know the widows were strong because, they summoned Peter a wanted man.  They kept the body in the upper room, the room was for prayer meetings in faith and they stayed there until the work was done.

Verse 39… showing him the robes and other clothing Tabitha made while she was with them. Some translations say for “them” and other translations say specifically “inner and outer robes” for them.  I want us to take great care in not overlooking the significance of the end of this verse. The key word is “robes”. What do robes represent in scripture? Robes are used often in scripture when there is a change from some form of death to life. Tabitha made robes for the widows and those robes symbolized the widow’s journey from death to life again. Inner robes meaning newness spiritually and outer symbolizing newness in purpose.

This is so powerful. For we can now see that why Tabitha meant so much to them. God used her to change the lives of the widows both inwardly and outwardly. Here they are exclaiming to Peter “LOOK PETER, LOOK WHAT SHE DID FOR US THIS IS WHY WE ARE HERE, SHE SHARED ALL SHE HAD WITH US AND WE ARE FOREVER CHANGED!

Verse 40:  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.

Verse 41: Then he called all the believers and the widows and presented her to them alive. This became known all over Joppa and many people believed in the Lord.

Because the widow’s did not let their tears compromise their strength and they remembered the new robes of purpose, Tabitha sowed in their life, and they were able to give testimony to the world. Have you given robes of purpose to someone lately? Or has tragedy loss and sadness limited your strength?  Today, please take the time to reflect on those in your life who may have given you garments for praise. Now you can draw strength from their example which can inspires you to inspire others. 

By Rita Leone Reyes – This message blessed many widows at our FNF meeting in N.J., especially when Rita had everyone repeat the phrase “My tears don’t compromise my strength”  A phrase to be repeated to yourself daily.  

God On The Mountain by Lynda Randle - A perfect song for the lives of all widows.

HOW LONG SHOULD I WAIT TO ENTER INTO A RELATIONSHIP AFTER THE LOSS OF MY HUSBAND?

Dear Friends,

At one of the “FNF” meetings, the ladies were asked to write a question concerning widowhood and I would answer one question each month that would be published in their monthly newsletters and now in the Friends Needing Friends blog.

I pray as you read the different answers to the many questions that were presented, God will speak to your hear

t as He helps you through your time of grieving.

Very truly yours in Jesus,

Pastor Bruce Sofia                                                       

Question:  How long should I wait to enter into a relationship (with the opposite sex) after the loss of my husband?

This is an excellent question with no so simple an answer. So let me speak from my heart and share some thoughts relational to my observation from years of posturing. (These truths are also apropos to those who have just come out a broken or soured relationship.)

1  First, remember that the years you spent with your first husband gave you time to become “soul mates.” Becoming a soul mate takes time. It moves beyond the “conditions” and the “becauses,” it loves “unconditionally” (period).  This does not happen overnight, hence there needs to be a season of healing before one should even consider a “romantic” relationship with the opposite sex. (I would suggest at least one and a half years, two or more is better.)

Paul gives good advice to the widow in I Corinthians 7:8 – Now to the unmarried and the widow I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am. Paul goes on to explain his reasoning in verses 29-35 when he says, (29) What I mean, brothers, is...An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs-how he can please the Lord. (33) But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world-how he can please his wife-(34) and his interests are divided.  An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world-how she can please her husband. (35) I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.

However, Paul clearly states in verse 9 “if a couple cannot control themselves, they should marry,” and in verse 36 he says, “If anyone thinks they are acting improperly towards the person they are engaged to, they ought to marry.” 

2   Secondly, the above Scripture give clear directives in understanding our purpose in life – it is to please God and serve Him in a way that brings honor to His name. A wrong mate can redirect us away from serving God; therefore we should be patient in letting God bring to us the right person, if indeed remarrying is in His interest. Remember this truth: If it’s in His best interest, it will ultimately be in your best interest.

Make sure that when you enter into a relationship with the opposite sex as a widow(er) that the reasons are to advance His kingdom and not just for your pleasures. Ask yourself, “Does this person want what God wants for my life? What does God want for your life? He wants you to “follow Him and fish for men.”  (Matthew 4:19). If the person you are considering a relationship with does not have this at heart, they will steer you away from God and you will miss what is best for your life.

You have heard the expression “haste makes waste.”  How true in life when it comes to entering into opposite sex relationship. How many have wasted good years on relationships that have turn sour. Not only is patient a virtue in this instance, but seeking godly, objective counsel is also wise.

Proverbs 11:14.

Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.  Consider the counsel of those who over the years have revealed themselves as true friends.  They will see your situation much more clearly than you. Ask them what they think, then put their thoughts before the Lord in prayer. If you will listen, God will reveal His heart to you and it will be what is best.

By Rev.Dr.J.Bruce Sofia - Founder & Director of Gloucester County Community Church

 Lord Song, I Know The Plans I Have For You!

PUT YOUR MOURNING ASIDE: IT'S TIME TO CELEBRATE

Put Your Mourning Aside: It’s Time to Celebrate

The two chapters of Friends Needing Friends International have decided to celebrate two fun holidays, Mardi Gras and St. Patrick’s Day. Both chapters have worked very hard during the year serving the Lord by helping other widows. The New Jersey chapter turns 27 years old and the Florida chapter celebrated their 3rd Anniversary in February. Also our blog has over 15,600 “hits” in twelve countries to its credit. While all the praise for every accomplishment for this ministry goes to God, I think there is Scriptural precedence for celebration and partying. One only has to look in the book of Nehemiah to read of such celebrations.

The rebuilding of the wall around Jerusalem is recorded within this book. It was not an easy process. The workers became discouraged and wanted to quit, their enemies taunted them, and Nehemiah had a lot to contend with in leading the people in this process. Once it was completed and the beautiful city of Jerusalem was again well defended, those Israelites who had been taken captive and were now living elsewhere began to come “home” to Jerusalem which once again began teeming with people.

Then Ezra, the priest, called the people together to read the Law of God aloud to them as it has been so long since that had occurred. They were so happy to once again hear God’s Word that they wept openly. The eighth chapter of Nehemiah tells us that Nehemiah told the people to stop their weeping, for the joy of the Lord was their strength.  Then, he told them to do something that might seem a little curious to us: he told them to

 “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks…” Ladies, that’s a celebration.

Your ministries have been developed with tears, moments of wanting to give up, and discouraging remarks by outsiders, but FNF, as well as the blog, is stronger than ever.  To God be the glory!  This calls for a celebration.  It’s time to party!

The twelfth chapter of Nehemiah records the joyous occasion of the dedication of the wall.  I think it could well serve as a model for what Friends Needing Friends will be doing.  Verse twenty-seven tells us that they celebrated with songs of thanksgiving.

 It is fitting that you women give thanks to God for FNF, not forgetting to be thankful for Dotti, the founder, and Florida director, and maintains the blog.  And don’t forget all those who work so hard each month to put on the lovely meetings that you enjoy.  I also note that the Scripture states that they celebrated joyfully. There is a difference in merely being happy and being joyful.  Happiness comes from without, but joy comes from within. These folks were happy, taking pleasure in the moment, but they were also joyful, which is long lasting. I encourage you to not go light on the fun, food, and frivolity. After all, the whole of this ministry is dedicated to you women who have endured mourning accompanied by many tears. Take to heart Nehemiah’s words: “Do not mourn or weep…Go your way, enjoy choice food (don’t even think of counting calories) and sweet drinks…for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”  Congratulations to FNF, its blog, and each of you ladies who minister to each other faithfully month after month! God is celebrating with you.

By Shari Hervold                        

Reflection:  If you are reading this blog and have not asked the Jesus of the Bible to become your Lord and Savior, I implore you to do so now.  If you long for a lasting joy in your life, I ask you to trust in Jesus Christ for eternal life made available to you through His death and resurrection. Jesus Christ himself said that if you come to him, you will become a child of God and a joint heir with him in all the wonderful things that God has prepared for those that trust in Him. It is the best decision you will ever make.

On February 16, 2015 FNF did exactly what Nehemiah said to do: "Go your way...and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks"

But you all must remember that Dotti, Monique and Vella are drinking sweet Sprinkling Ceder Drink.  Now ladies how sweet can you get.....(Smile). 

Our sweet ladies that greet all the ladies each meeting. Thanks Mary Lou, Monique and Vella. God Bless you. 

A special thank you to my daughter-in-law April who not only took all these great pictures at our celebration, but she is helping with the set-up of the FNF blog.

The table settings are street signs of the different streets in New Orleans.

  

Thanks you Lord for all that you have done for our special group of ladies at Friends Needing Friends International Widow Ministry. We love you dearly.  

            

A WOMAN OF EXTRAORDINARY STRENGTH AND RESOLVE - PART ll

A WOMAN OF EXTRAORDINARY

 STRENGTH AND RESOLVE

Part II

In part I we described the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Rizpah’s two sons at the hands of the Gibeonites. We left them hanging on gallows above a rock in the mountains. (II Samuel 21: 1-15) A plan had fomented in the mind of Rizpah that, followed to its conclusion, would not bring these young men back to life, but at least would remove the shame of their deaths.

And so, Rizpah went to the field to join the ghastly sight and protect the bodies no matter what it cost her. As stated in part I, they were just pawns of the Gibeonites, and once they were hanged they weren’t given a second thought. This dehumanizing action was tantamount to breaking God’s laws and was unthinkable to Rizpah.

So, Rizpah had to put her own grieving on hold in order to protect the dignity of her sons. And, as Scriptures tell us, she spread sackcloth, the cloth of mourning in her culture, on the rock and made a public humiliation of herself to defend her loved ones and she was determined to remain there until the drought was over and she could get some assistance in giving them a proper burial. She knew that nothing would be done until the famine was over.

One woman told me recently that she considered the scene of this grief-stricken mother with these seven bodies, the second most ghastly scene in the entire Bible; second only to the crucifixion of Christ.

 Think of it, she literally watched the bodies of her precious boys shrivel and decay in death before her very eyes. Most likely she kept a small fire burning at night, protecting herself from the chill off the mountain, and perhaps a lighted torch ready when a wild animal would prowl too close, drawn by the stench of the decaying bodies. Perhaps she huddled under the sackcloth during the daytime hours to protect herself from the scorching sun. Sleep, of necessity, was broken – awakening at the first sound of an animal. 

We aren’t told how she obtained food and water. I’d like to think that some family member or close friend provided it for her. One thing for certain, she didn’t pick up a cell phone and call for delivery from a local grocery store! Her neighbors as well as the Gibeonites must have thought her mad. I don’t think it out of the realm of possibility that she was mocked and verbally abused. Yet, she didn’t budge from her vigil. Her soul was occupied with the single goal of saving her children from this final disgrace and complete disregard for God’s law.

 One month passed, then two, three, four.  The bodies now were almost skeletons, but Rizpah continued to guard them. Finally, after almost six months, according to most sources, the rains came and someone reminded David about these seven corpses and of Rizpah. David, perhaps shocked about this, did the honorable thing and had these bones buried with those of King Saul and his son Jonathan.

Rizpah’s actions had done more than just assure dignity in death for Saul’s sons. Her persistent courage gave meaning to her sons’ deaths and helped the nation of Israel deal with the sin of its leader, King Saul.

“What is her legacy to me?” you might be asking.  First off, her firm resolve in the face of considerable odds is a lesson for the widow when life gets messy and she wants to give up on life. Have you had days when you would rather not get out of bed? Death has a way of taking some of the life out of the survivor too, doesn’t it? Psalm 73:26 say, My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Rizpah could do nothing to stop the deaths of her sons any more than you could prevent the death of your spouse, but even in the midst of your pain, you can, in God’s strength, move out and offer assistance to others.

Second, Rizpah is an example of one way to deal with grief. In her I see a woman who really didn’t have anything to give except her grief and suffering. Unbeknown to her, she used that to bring about the healing of her country. Widows through the ages have found that in helping others, they help themselves to heal. Rizpah’s experience is proof positive of Romans 8:28 that in all things, no matter how great the tragedy, no matter how deep the pain, God can work through it.

Rizpah did what she must do. She gave. Giving unlocks one’s heart to God’s comfort and His plans for their lives after tragedy and grief have done their worst. God wants to use even your pain as a catalyst in your life to reach out to others, righting wrongs, and fulfilling God’s plan for your life.

Thank you Shari for a very powerful story of Rizpah

                        

     God bless you my friend!

   

This beautiful song "But God" sung by Gilead Taylor, described the only one she needed to help her sons was God. I believe the "someone" that reminded David about the corpses was sent by God to answer this widow's prayer to give meaning to her sons' deaths and helped the nation of Israel deal with the sin of its leader, King Saul.