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"FULL OF GOOD WORKS" "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 which she did. 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." (Acts 9:36-37)This woman who went by the name of Tabitha/Dorcas is worthy of our attention. Whenever I see a person's name in the Bible, I like to find out what I can about them and what their name means. The name Tabitha means Gazelle. A Gazelle is a very graceful creature and Dorcas, by all accounts in this passage of Scripture, certainly lived up to her name.Now, here was a lady whose life was filled with gracious things she did for others. I can't help but think that when people in and around Joppa mentioned Dorcas' name, her good works to others and her wonderful spirit of giving would be included. Her labor of love was seen in the coats and garments that she thoroughly enjoyed making for those in need.The story of Dorcas' life is depicted in three scenes in Acts 9. First, her Deeds, second, her Death, and third, her Deliverance. To many, her death and her deliverance seems to stand out in verses 36 to 41 in this 9th chapter of Acts, but too often we overlook her deeds. When we read the last part of verse 36, we find, "...this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds." Ah, but it's those last three words that should catch our attention, "WHICH SHE DID" (caps mine)You know folks, it's nice to have good intentions concerning what we're going to do for God tomorrow and beyond; but it's quite another thing to make up our minds and just go ahead and serve Him today! I don't believe that God is all that impressed by what we say we're going to do later on, rather, I believe He's more interested in what we're doing for Him right now.Like each of us, Dorcas didn't know the day of her death, but she did know the purpose for her life. And that was to daily serve God where she was at starting with the dawning of each new day. You see, Dorcas wasn't a dreamer, Dorcas was a doer!What a wonderful testimony to this woman’s faith as seen in the words of those weeping women who knew her best, "and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them." (v. 39)Friends, what kind of testimony do we have? Is it a mighty river flowing with good works toward others today, or is it just a flimsy little stream of good intentions for tomorrow?