CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS UNTO GOOD WORKS
TOPIC: CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS UNTO GOOD WORKS
TEXT: 1 SAMUEL 30:12-18
Dr. Howard Kelly (1858-1943) was a distinguished physician who was one of the four founding doctors of Johns Hopkins, the first medical research university in the U.S. and arguably one of the finest hospitals anywhere. In 1895 he established the department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at that school. Over the course of his career, he advanced the sciences of gynecology and surgery, both as a teacher and as a practitioner.
It is not his skills as a healer or accomplishments as a medical pioneer that concern us in this tale, though, but rather the account of a years-previous kindness repaid. According to the biography written by Audrey Davis from knowledge she gained of the doctor through her 20-year friendship with him and through the notebooks and journals he left her upon his death (Dr. Kelly began keeping a diary at the age of 17 while in his junior year of college), the story of the bill paid in full by the glass of milk is true:
On a walking trip up through Northern Pennsylvania one spring, Kelly stopped by a small farm house for a drink of cool spring water. A little girl answered his knock and instead of water brought him a glass of fresh milk. He drank it slowly, and then asked, “How much do I owe you?” “You don’t owe me anything,” she replied. “Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness.” He said, “Then I thank you from my heart.”
As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was strong also. Years later that young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease. Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes. Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room. Dressed in his doctor’s gown he went in to see her. He recognized her at once. He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life. From that day he gave special attention to the case.
After a long struggle, the battle was won. Dr. Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He looked at it, and then wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent to her room. She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally she looked, and something caught her attention on the side of the bill. She began to read the following words: “Paid in full with one glass of milk”.
You are God’s workmanship created for good works, the day you give your life to Christ should be the day you start show kindness to people. Let today’s story speak to you to always long to do good things for others. Jesus was anointed with Holy Spirit and power, but never oppressed the poor, the Bible says, He went about doing good, for God was with Him.
Whatever heaven enabled or empowered you with is for the good of others and society. Do you want God to be with you? Do good! You have the power to not just do the right thing, but to show the right thing. Good deeds must be the trademark of all who have been empowered to become children of God. The lady never known she would one day need Howard Kelly but because she was trained to be of help to people, she gained it one day. Imbibe the SPIRIT of kindness, not only in yourself, but also your children and all that are yours.
Word Affirmation: I, God Most High, say, "You are gods, my own sons - Psa 82:6 (ERV) (Don't just say it, mean it!)
“Be compassionate!”
Central Truth