Thoughts I had whilst reading ACTS 5:1-11
Free-will gives us choice.
Choice could be to the 'dark side'.
Lying about our choice indicates guilt.
Guilt is 'knowing' we could have done better and that we have let GOD down.
Guilt is our conscience which to me is The Holy Spirit urging us back from 'dark' choices.
By lying, Ananias and Sapphira let GOD know loud and clear that they were going to go ahead and do things their way, whether it suited GOD or not, as long as they were 'seen' to be doing the 'right' thing.
The overall message for me is:
Above all things ... be true to GOD, your heavenly father. Only HE is important. Only HIS opinion matters. ANd if you think you've let HIM down, admit it, ask forgiveness, make amends and HE will embrace you with open arms.
I appreciate everyone's input, sharing and knowledge, I might not comment on each and every contribution but I read them with interest and an open heart, thanks people:)
Have an awesome day stepping out and being true to your faith!
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An eight week journey of seeking God as we read.think.pray.live our way through the gospel of John
An Invitation
Please join us during this lead up to Christmas 2009 by doing the four things listed below. Anyone can join at any time throughout this 8 week period although obviously it would be best if you can begin with us on the first of November 2009.
Requirements:
1. Commit to seeking God EVERY DAY in Nov & Dec '09 in a way that is more radical than anything you have ever done before.
2. Read.think.pray.live your way through the Gospel of John in seven weeks (3 chapters each week) and then 1 John, 2 John, 3 John in the final week.
3. Listen to the Holy Spirit and obey whatever he says to do!!
4. Contribute your insights and experiences to this blog.
May we all continue to seek the Kingdom of God before anything else!
Requirements:
1. Commit to seeking God EVERY DAY in Nov & Dec '09 in a way that is more radical than anything you have ever done before.
2. Read.think.pray.live your way through the Gospel of John in seven weeks (3 chapters each week) and then 1 John, 2 John, 3 John in the final week.
3. Listen to the Holy Spirit and obey whatever he says to do!!
4. Contribute your insights and experiences to this blog.
May we all continue to seek the Kingdom of God before anything else!
7 comments:
You will know that when I say something struck me - it is not the only thing - but a 'fresh' thing...
so today - what Gamaliel said hit me. "Dont persecute them - and if it is just their own doing it will die a natural death - but if it is God's doing - well - be careful about persecuting God!" or words to that effect...
Persecution of itself has an effect of sorting wheat from chaff. The survivors in a persecuted church are often such amazing saints.
Where there is no persecution - faith is not tested, reliance on God is reduced. Even the fervent can grow cold. Like the church at Ephesus (Rev 2) people can be doing the right things, believing the right things - but have lost their first love! "You don’t love me or each other as you did at first!"
I feel strongly that out of this 52 days of preparation there will be definite God given callings for some people. Callings that may mean complete change. Need they fear that call if the love of all of the rest is going to fully support them (in practical as well as spiritual ways)?
We are so used to being individuals, satellite families - isolated in our own plans, we have forgotten what it is to be ONE family, bound in love for God to love and support each other.
I agree Rosaleen and this is an interesting experience for me - being a part of a (virtual) Christian satellite family (but obviously part of the one body). I like it for now - better than church for me.
Both the bible and Iris are challenging my level of faith. Imagine having the faith to put sick people in the street so that a passing shadow might impart the healing power of God.
Thing that I got out of this passage was the comparison between Anias and the Rich Young Ruler made in Matthew Henry's commentary (oldie but a goodie - http://www.ccel.org/ccel/henry/mhc5.html ) - the RYR was not two-faced; he new he couldn't cut the mustard but wasn't willing to play Jesus false. That shows integrity and as "he went away grieving" (19:22), I have great hopes for the lad that he might have come to Christ at a later date. Anaias and his wife wanted to play the pious game, and I confess it can be an easy path to walk down; my prayer is to be in private who I am in public.
As for Gamiel, I reckon that he has forgotten that there is more to it than a contest between man and God -"Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God." For mine there are lots of things that are of satan, and they flourish even under persecution. A friend of mine who was a missionary in Russia told me how people were attracted to the JWs because it was persecuted! Satan is a wily one!
Finally and a propo of nothing, I came across this from a book called "Living on the Devil's Doorstep" by Floyd McClung (YWAM dude). He and his fam. gave it all up to go to the mean streets of Afghanistan and Amsterdam to care for the unloved. Be interested in your thoughts.
"First and foremost we must nurture our relationship with God: that is the first priority of all Christians. It doesn't mean blithley continuing your devotions while the house is burning down and the rest of the family is in an uproar, but it does mean that this precious cornerstone relationship must be maintained, or everything else is less effective [As my old man used to tell me - he was an RAF Warrant Officer - "Do the essential things first!" JB].
Second comes family relationships, both with the natural family and with the wider family of believers. I had been brought up to believe that putting God first automatic -ally meant putting His work first as well. I now realized that these priorities are wrong - it should be God first, then our families, and after that God's work.
A good stable marriage with a quality relationship can take the outside pressures, but if marriage partners don't spend time with each other and give each other priority, then it undermines the marriage commitment...The third is our responsibility to non-Christians."
There is a bit more, but I don't want to be long-winded (for a change). How does this strike people? Inquiring minds want to know.
Rosaleen: I agree with you re persecution. I also reckon that if we were more bold in the proclamation of the Gospel in our day to day lives we would also experience more persecution. "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." 2 Tim 3:12
Rosaleen: I would also like to think that out of this 52 days there will be God given callings that mean complete change for many of us.
Garry: One of the biggest changes for me in recent times is to not only have my faith challenged but experiencing it being re-charged.
Jim: Interesting comments re RYR and Ananias. Not sure about this comparison but I've always thought the presence and holiness of God must have been pretty intense in the early church for "lying to the Holy Spirit" to be dealt with so severely.
Jim: I like Floyd's comments although lately I have been seeing the whole thing more fluidly with lots of overlap.
Me: God seems to be challenging me at the moment on the issue of healing and I couldn't believe it when I read verse 16: Crowds brought the sick and demonized and ALL of them were healed!! I can't remember the last chapter in either Luke or Acts that I have read where there hasn't been healings, miracles or wonders.
Another line that has been repeated in these first few chapters of Acts is: "The Lord added to their number those who believed." I wonder if this is a natural consequence of church life being expressed as it ought?!?
After the apostles had been "flogged" and ordered not to speak in the name of Jesus, they went and did the opposite. There's that boldness again! What does this mean for us?? I wonder how much thought they gave to being "relevant" and sensitive so as not to offend anyone in the process.
Another verse that stood out to me was verse 32: "We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him."
A virtual, Christian, satellite family ... love it! Thanks Garry :)
I too find this is working for me right now, I do not attend church (as in a building) but feel very connected with the body through this blog, emails, phone-calls and occassional meetings in homes and coffee-shops, restaurants, parks and the like.
Would be nice to meet with you all soon though ...... was disappointed to find no-one (who I hadn't previously met) at South Perth last Tuesday.
Tuesday 17th December - you all meeting? where? Will endeavour to join you.
my prayer is to be in private who I am in public.
I like this - thanks JB.
To answer your question - I think the way you have priortitised 'life' makes sense to me - because I beleive GOD wants us to be effective in whatever world/environment/culture/life-style we find ourselves in and not to walk away from it (or we'd all be Amish!) but to embrace it and use it for the greater good.
We all know people who have 'suffered' neglect growing up as a Ministers child, whilst he/she does 'GOD's work' with everyone else BUT the immediate family. Many people have turned away from GOD for this very reason. And how sad for the Minister to witness this in his/her children.
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