Daily Bread

Meanwhile the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and was built up. Living in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.

Now as Peter went here and there among all the believers, he came down also to the saints living in Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years, for he was paralysed. Peter said to him, ‘Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up and make your bed!’ And immediately he got up. And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.

Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. At that time she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, who heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, ‘Please come to us without delay.’ So Peter got up and went with them; and when he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs. All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was with them. Peter put all of them outside, and then he knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and said, ‘Tabitha, get up.’ Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he showed her to be alive. This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

How I long for the Holy Spirit to work in power in and through the church — to bring healing and restoration to those who are sick in body or mind!

These two stories from the Acts of the Apostles took place within the wider church community. Aeneas was one of the 'saints' (meaning he was a follower of Jesus), and Tabitha was also a disciple. The miracles don't seem to be everyday occurrences but powerful examples of how God worked through Peter — so powerful that they became case-studies for the church and recorded for our encouragement.

To me, these stories of healing are a salient reminder that we in the church are called, through the Holy Spirit, to minister to one another. Yes, the church exists to join in with the ongoing mission of the God in the world — to minister to those outside the church — but we are also called to be part of one body, together, and to offer one another mutual support and encouragement. If one part of the body hurts, we all hurt. If one member of FAB Church is suffering, we all suffer.

We are not meant to do this thing called life on our own, and yet many of us find ourselves living on our own — due to illness, family breakdown, or bereavement — and this is why our church community is so important. We must be here for one another, be confident to reach out and ask for help, and be ready to offer prayer, support, and love, when it is needed.

Holy God
Thank you that I am part of a loving community
where I can find mutual support and encouragement.
When I am low or struggling,
help me to be confident to ask for help,
and also, through the power of the Spirit,
be the support and encouragement others need.
Through Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ.