Acts 5 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Acts 5.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/act/5/1/s_1023001

Meditate on verses 1-3.

 

But a man named Ananias, with his wife

 Sapphira, sold a piece of property,

and kept back some of the price for

himself, with his wife's full knowledge,

 and bringing a portion of it, he

 laid it at the apostles' feet.

But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled

 your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep

 back some of the price of the land?”

 

Ananias and Sapphira were following many people’s example by selling their property and giving the money to the poor.  For some reason, they decided to keep part of the money.  No foul yet, but then they acted like they gave all of the selling price to the church. 

 

Peter tells Ananias he lied to the Holy Spirit which is lying to God (v. 4).  To Sapphira he says she and her husband have conspired to put the Spirit of the LORD to the test (v. 9).   Both died in this event by God’s power (vs. 9-10).  

 

Ask the Holy Spirit to search your life for places where you are lying or testing Him.  Also, ask Him to show you areas of your personal life that you no longer treat as sacred.  In fearful respect of God, confess those sins, asking the LORD to help you live holy to Him.

 

Pray Acts 5:3-4 and 9 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 

“Holy Spirit, ______ and I do not want to lie to You.

God, we do not want to lie to You.

Holy Spirit, we do not want to put You to the test.

Please forgive us and help us not to do it again.

In Your name, Jesus ~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 4 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell