Fear God
ENTHRONEMENT ASSEMBLY DAILY DEVOTIONALS.
Monday February 26th, 2024.
Topic : Fear God.
Memory Verse: Acts 5:4. Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”
Bible Reading :Acts 5:1-3 NIV. Key Verse: v3.
Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet. Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?
At this point in time in the history of the early Church, there was great revival as the early disciples built on the gains of Pentecost. The people were living as one in true love of the Spirit. People were donating what they had to the course of the gospel. Some went as far as selling their landed properties and houses, donating the proceeds to support the work of the early church so that people’s needs be met. “that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.
sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.” Acts 4:34-35 .
Ananias and Sapphira his wife conspired, sold their property, kept part of the proceeds back and lied to Apostle Peter that the money they brought was all the proceeds of the sales. They did that to show off as if what was going on was a competetion. They couldn’t be themselves as they had every right to keep whatever they wanted to and release whatever pleased them because it was their money and giving to the work of God was never by force. They wanted to be recognised and honoured by men for making a false sacrifice of dropping everything they realised which they never did in the real sense of it. At the rebuke of the Spirit of God, Ananias and Sapphira lost their lives under this dispensation of grace we all enjoy today. “Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband.” Acts 5:9-10.
Anytime I read the story of Ananias and Sapphira, I fear God the more. No wonder Apostle Paul wrote that we should work out our salvation with fear and trembling before the Lord. They just told what looked like harmless lie before the Lord who is rich in mercy and grace and was destroyed by the anger of God on the spot. Today many people are sick and dying in our churches and some problems we are praying over has defied solutions and prayers seemed not to be answered because the people involved lied to men of God they are dealing with, thinking that God will understand. Today we must learn to be sincere anytime we are dealing with other men, especially men representing God or when we are handling things of the kingdom. We must not forget that same God who is rich in grace and mercy also kills. ”The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.” Proverbs 9:10-11.
Prayer : Thank you Father God for your love, grace and mercies towards me. From this day, help me to love and fear you as my father. Keep me from from any lifestyle or behaviour that incures your wrath. Let my life, decisions and actions honour you all the days of my life in Jesus wonderful name… Amen 🙏🏿.
Yearly Bible Reading : Deuteronomy 34:1-12.
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