SCRIPTURE: Acts 4:32-5:11
OBSERVATION:
A striking contrast between the example of Barnabas and Ananias/Sapphira. Was the Lord making a public example and warning through this? If people today dropped dead when they lied in the fellowship of believers… Note that grace and power is upon the community when they are generous, but great fear when greed and deception are at work.
APPLICATION:
Is lack of life, grace, power, healing, unity, etc. the result of ‘the spirit’ that we bring with us into the community of believers? Instead of praying for revival ‘out there’, I should pray for revival in me, to make me a living, dynamic, generous channel for God’s amazing power and grace. Its not enough to want to be a part of a dynamic church, I have to be willing to be a dynamic Christ-follower.
PRAYER:
Lord, with Your help I see how sting and selfish I am, and I realize that this affects Your community. I ask for more help to change, to become a Barnabas. Amen.
It was certainly evident that God’s Spirit was at work in His people. Their motto was All for Jesus. What JOY the community of believers had when they put Jesus first and Others second. A total contrast to Ananias and Sapphira. It is a matter of the heart. All what I have is not my own, but a trust from the Lord, given to me for His purposes. What a testimony I too may have when I use His monies/His gifts for His Kingdom purposes. That’s God’s grace abounding and at work. Help me Lord to be a Barnabas. Help me to be a living testimony of Your goodness – a living letter.
Jesus, all for Jesus,
All I am and have and ever hope to be.
Jesus, all for Jesus,
All I am and have and ever hope to be.
All of my ambitions, hopes and plans
I surrender these into Your hands.
All of my ambitions, hopes and plans
I surrender these into Your hands.
For it’s only in Your will that I am free,
For it’s only in Your will that I am free,
Jesus, all for Jesus,
All I am and have and ever hope to be.