February 26-Meditating on God’s Word
Here is the passage for the week:
Acts 5:1-5, Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 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. 3 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? 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.” 5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened.
Praying the Word: “Lord Jesus, have mercy upon me when I don’t act with full integrity. When I say one thing but do another. From this story, we discover how deeply You desire for members of Your church to be holy, pure, and honest. You made a powerful statement among these first believers that truth is expected to be spoken in Your church. Whether we speak it from the pulpit or in our conversations with one another, You demand honesty. Anything less than wholehearted devotion opens the door for Satan to enter in and deceive us. We are grateful that this swift and severe judgment is not Your standard operating procedure. However, we do get the message and come humbly before You confessing all lack of integrity that exists in our hearts and lives today. Amen.”
February 27-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Acts 5:1, Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property.
Observe what it is saying.
At the end of Acts 4, we were introduced to Joseph who sold land and brought the proceeds to the apostles to distribute to those in need. In the original Greek text, there were no chapters or verses so this would read as a continuous story. The next sentence is our verse for today where we have another example of a couple who agree to sell property with the same intent to give to the apostles to distribute as needed. There were many other unnamed persons who did this as well. So, Joseph whom the apostles called Barnabas or the “Son of Encouragement” was named and became a key figure in Acts. So, if we take this story a verse at a time, without getting ahead of ourselves, we expect that these two named persons will also play a significant role of some kind since Luke makes sure to include their story and their names.
Relate it to your life.
What would be the author’s purpose if my name were included in Scripture?
Do something.
“Lord Jesus, I ask for a good name that is much more desirable than great riches. Amen.”
February 28-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Acts 5:2, 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
Observe what it is saying.
This verse makes it clear that Ananias and Sapphira were in this together. There could be no blaming of one or the other like Adam and Eve did. They consciously, willfully made the decision together to hold funds back from the sale of the property. They were conniving. They intentionally chose to betray their integrity. This is such sad news because this is the first instance in this dynamic loving fellowship that something is amiss. Even as believers, we still have opportunity to sin and disrupt the life of Christ’s fellowship.
Relate it to your life.
I must be vigilant that all my decisions have pure intentions for the integrity of the fellowship.
Do something.
“Jesus, keep my heart, mind, intentions, choices, and actions holy as You are holy. Amen.”
February 29-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Acts 5:3, 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?
Observe what it is saying.
Peter saw through their deception. What is astonishing and fear-inducing is how Satan can deceive believers. We are the enemy’s target. He’s on the prowl looking for those who have unguarded hearts. The enemy whispered, “You can be like Barnabas and others who are seen as superstars of generosity. However, you should hold some back for yourself, you never know when you might need a little extra cash, but don’t tell them you are doing so. They will never find out.” Satan is an expert at whispering lies so that we are deceived to believe that what we are doing is actually good. Satan lied to them. They believed it, and then lied to the Holy Spirit, to God Himself, about what they had done. Scripture is clear that your sins will find you out.
Relate it to your life.
The lies of Satan are nothing less than hell’s attempt to steal your soul.
Do something.
“Jesus, keep me alert to the lies of the enemy and guard my heart that I don’t stumble. Amen.”
March 1-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
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.”
Observe what it is saying.
If there was any question from yesterday’s verse, it is made clear here that the issue was not Ananias and Sapphira holding a portion of the proceeds back for themselves. It was that they lied about it. They told the apostles that they were giving the whole amount to be used for those in need. They could have given half and kept half if they would have been honest about it. The issue was not the amount given. It was the deception they thought they could get by with. They thought they were just lying to the apostles, but their lies were an attack on the character of God. We don’t deceive in isolation for it compromises our character, witness, and relationships.
Relate it to your life.
Integrity is the currency that establishes our character and relationships.
Do something.
“Jesus, make me pure and holy, tried and true in all I say and do. Amen.”
March 2-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Acts 5:5, When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened.
Observe what it is saying.
Such swift judgment may startle us as it did those first believers. Judgment is still a reality in this era of grace, however, it does not always have such a quick response. It was an attention getter for God’s pattern has been to judge sin severely at the beginning of a new period in his salvation history. After the first tabernacle was completed, we read in Leviticus 10:1-2, “Aaron's sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers…and they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to his command. So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD.” We must never diminish God’s holy nature and word.
Relate it to your life.
God’s generous grace does not diminish God’s expectation for me to be a person of integrity.
Do something.
“Jesus, as I prayed yesterday, make me pure and holy, tried and true in all I say and do. Amen.”
Here is the passage for the week:
Acts 5:1-5, Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 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. 3 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? 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.” 5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened.
Praying the Word: “Lord Jesus, have mercy upon me when I don’t act with full integrity. When I say one thing but do another. From this story, we discover how deeply You desire for members of Your church to be holy, pure, and honest. You made a powerful statement among these first believers that truth is expected to be spoken in Your church. Whether we speak it from the pulpit or in our conversations with one another, You demand honesty. Anything less than wholehearted devotion opens the door for Satan to enter in and deceive us. We are grateful that this swift and severe judgment is not Your standard operating procedure. However, we do get the message and come humbly before You confessing all lack of integrity that exists in our hearts and lives today. Amen.”
February 27-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Acts 5:1, Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property.
Observe what it is saying.
At the end of Acts 4, we were introduced to Joseph who sold land and brought the proceeds to the apostles to distribute to those in need. In the original Greek text, there were no chapters or verses so this would read as a continuous story. The next sentence is our verse for today where we have another example of a couple who agree to sell property with the same intent to give to the apostles to distribute as needed. There were many other unnamed persons who did this as well. So, Joseph whom the apostles called Barnabas or the “Son of Encouragement” was named and became a key figure in Acts. So, if we take this story a verse at a time, without getting ahead of ourselves, we expect that these two named persons will also play a significant role of some kind since Luke makes sure to include their story and their names.
Relate it to your life.
What would be the author’s purpose if my name were included in Scripture?
Do something.
“Lord Jesus, I ask for a good name that is much more desirable than great riches. Amen.”
February 28-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Acts 5:2, 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
Observe what it is saying.
This verse makes it clear that Ananias and Sapphira were in this together. There could be no blaming of one or the other like Adam and Eve did. They consciously, willfully made the decision together to hold funds back from the sale of the property. They were conniving. They intentionally chose to betray their integrity. This is such sad news because this is the first instance in this dynamic loving fellowship that something is amiss. Even as believers, we still have opportunity to sin and disrupt the life of Christ’s fellowship.
Relate it to your life.
I must be vigilant that all my decisions have pure intentions for the integrity of the fellowship.
Do something.
“Jesus, keep my heart, mind, intentions, choices, and actions holy as You are holy. Amen.”
February 29-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Acts 5:3, 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?
Observe what it is saying.
Peter saw through their deception. What is astonishing and fear-inducing is how Satan can deceive believers. We are the enemy’s target. He’s on the prowl looking for those who have unguarded hearts. The enemy whispered, “You can be like Barnabas and others who are seen as superstars of generosity. However, you should hold some back for yourself, you never know when you might need a little extra cash, but don’t tell them you are doing so. They will never find out.” Satan is an expert at whispering lies so that we are deceived to believe that what we are doing is actually good. Satan lied to them. They believed it, and then lied to the Holy Spirit, to God Himself, about what they had done. Scripture is clear that your sins will find you out.
Relate it to your life.
The lies of Satan are nothing less than hell’s attempt to steal your soul.
Do something.
“Jesus, keep me alert to the lies of the enemy and guard my heart that I don’t stumble. Amen.”
March 1-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
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.”
Observe what it is saying.
If there was any question from yesterday’s verse, it is made clear here that the issue was not Ananias and Sapphira holding a portion of the proceeds back for themselves. It was that they lied about it. They told the apostles that they were giving the whole amount to be used for those in need. They could have given half and kept half if they would have been honest about it. The issue was not the amount given. It was the deception they thought they could get by with. They thought they were just lying to the apostles, but their lies were an attack on the character of God. We don’t deceive in isolation for it compromises our character, witness, and relationships.
Relate it to your life.
Integrity is the currency that establishes our character and relationships.
Do something.
“Jesus, make me pure and holy, tried and true in all I say and do. Amen.”
March 2-Meditating on God’s Word
Write out the Scripture.
Acts 5:5, When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened.
Observe what it is saying.
Such swift judgment may startle us as it did those first believers. Judgment is still a reality in this era of grace, however, it does not always have such a quick response. It was an attention getter for God’s pattern has been to judge sin severely at the beginning of a new period in his salvation history. After the first tabernacle was completed, we read in Leviticus 10:1-2, “Aaron's sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers…and they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to his command. So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD.” We must never diminish God’s holy nature and word.
Relate it to your life.
God’s generous grace does not diminish God’s expectation for me to be a person of integrity.
Do something.
“Jesus, as I prayed yesterday, make me pure and holy, tried and true in all I say and do. Amen.”
Posted in Daily Devotionals