Passage of the Day:
The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. 13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. 14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. 15 As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. 16 Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed, Acts 5:12-16.
Reflection:
The context of today’s passage begins with a couple who tried to convince first century apostles that they were also Christians. Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira viewed the church as a social gathering, seeking to win approval and favor by trying to replicate Christianity without having a personal relationship with Jesus. When God made Peter aware of their scheme to become accepted, Ananias and Sapphira both lied to the Holy Spirit, thinking that they could deceive church leaders. After Ananias and Sapphira both suddenly die from apparent heart attacks, other spiritual pretenders kept their distance, afraid a similar fate may happen to them. Subsequently, only true believers met at Solomon’s Colonnade to worship the Lord.
Prayerful Action:
He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance! – Acts 28:31
Developing the Spiritual Guts to Press On:
I sent two years living right down the street from Willow Creek Church, a mega-church in Illinois. After moving back to Delaware, the church that I helped start in college became a Willow Church Association Church. Congregations throughout the country sent leadership teams to Willow Creek to find out how they too could duplicate this spiritual climate. Unfortunately, over the past 25 years, most Willow Church Association churches have failed. Why? Well, Willow Creek was a byproduct of a spiritual awakening within Chicago when teenagers fasted and prayed for their lost friends. You can’t counterfeit or fake faith. Growing churches have genuine believers who hunger and thirst for righteousness. This spiritual anointing can’t be manufactured. Rather, when Christians share a common vision to fulfill the Great Commission in their community, then and only then will the Holy Spirit move. This sets the stage becoming bold believers.
Song of the Day:
Final Thoughts:
There are plenty of Ananias and Sapphira’s attending church each Sunday. Meanwhile, there is plenty of hypocrisy to go around in every church. Rather than dwell upon and focus on the negative, dare to become a genuine follower of Jesus, filled with the boldness of the Holy Spirit to proclaim the good news about Jesus.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 