CAC LIVING WATER-PATTERN OF GOD'S WORK 3

LIVING WATER DAILY DEVOTIONAL

PATTERN OF GOD'S WORK 3
13^TH JANUARY, 2022

EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Genesis36-37

READ: Acts 5:1-11

1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. 

2 And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 

3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? 

4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”

5 Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. 

6 And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.

7 Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 

8 And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?” She said, “Yes, for so much.”

9 Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 

10 Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. 

11 So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.

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MEMORISE: But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? (Acts 5:3).

EXPOSITION

It is worrisome how some people and some so called ministers of God have resorted to seeking means outside God to do His work committed to them. What is their problem? Are they trying to help the Almighty God who would never complain of weariness or helplessness? Majority are into it because of their bellies, having not been really called of God. Some others, like the two eldest sons of Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, aren’t coming to terms with the fact that you must do God’s business with only God’s tools. The strange fire that these siblings brought before God made Him to consume them (cf. Heb. 12:29). You shouldn’t try to help God, or do His work your own way.

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Ananias and Sapphira are our focus today. The couple finished themselves because they did the work of God with deceit. Though not compelled in any form  to do the work, they tried to imitate others who were faithfully serving God by selling their properties and donating the proceeds to God’s work. Yet, they did not do it with genuine and faithful heart God who judges both actions and motives expected of them. To be sincere, they weren’t destroyed for keeping part of the money to themselves, but because they brought the half part as if they were bringing the whole – deceit. That was their undoing. Can a man deceive his Creator, the Omniscient?

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God, who knows and judges all things, revealed the secret of these hypocritical couple to His anointed servant to safeguard the nascent early church from corruption, just like He wouldn’t allow Nadab and Abihu to corrupt His priesthood from its take-off. Failure to follow God’s specification for doing His work in man’s hands has always landed people in trouble. You can avoid the mistake of Nadab, Abihu, Ananias, and Sapphira. As God is helping you, focus on working according to His pattern, no matter the situation

PRAYER POINT:

1. Lord, help me to always act by, and according to Your holy instructions.

2. Your Spirit of dissidence, out of my life, my family members’ lives, and my ministry, in Jesus’name.

3. 3 Lord, continue to use Your power and means to expose and punish sin in the body of Christ everywhere.

DO HAVE A BLESSED DAY

©2022 LIVING WATERS IS a daily devotional by THE CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH