Monday I {Mandy} wrote about Ananias and Sapphira, members of the early Church who withheld a portion of their money and lied about it. They pretended they gave everything they had. Peter questioned first Ananias, and then Sapphira, asking why they lied to the Holy Spirit. They both fell down dead. 

What we can take from this is not that God demands every penny we have, but rather that we have the correct heart behind what we give--and what we don't.

Maybe you don't have a lump of money socked away somewhere, but is there anything you do have that you're withholding? Talents? Skills? Abilities? Effort?

For the longest time, I thought the passages abou Ananias and Sapphira were about the dangers and sin of lying. However, after reading through those verses again for Monday's Devotional, I realized there was an underlying issue at work: their half-hearted conviction and commitment.

There were a number of things that could have contributed to Ananias and Sapphira's one-foot-in commitment: Peter had just denied Christ, but was newley restored, Christians were an enemy of the Romans, fear of a fate similar to Christ's, the idea of sharing everything one has with a less-than-stellar cast of characters, and the list goes on. But where Ananias and Sapphira missed the boat is in putting their faith in men instead of putting it in God. 

While those in leadership had questionable pasts, the Lord anointed them to lead His Church. The Lord was at the helm and was going to do what He wanted with His Church. 

Even though it's been over 2,000 years since Ananias and Sapphira, we see them in many of us today. For the longest time I held back in writing and living boldly in the name of Christ for the sake of my pride. I was more afraid of others' opinions of me than I was in disobeying God. 

I was terrified every time I published a blog post conveying my faith because I feared what would be said in the comments. I feared what might be whispered behind my back, "Who does she think she is? I know her and let me tell you...all that religious stuff is a crock."

As my faith grew and I felt my passion also growing, it put a strain on many relationships. Suddenly, I was seen as a fanatic, a cult member, a goody-two-shoes. 

I wasn't the person they once knew, and they didn't like it.

As God asked me to do more and bigger, to step out in faith and accomplish through Him what I surely could never accomplish on my own, I doubted and feared, so I held back. 

Have you been there? Have you held back for whatever reason? 

Is it pride?
Is it fear?
Is it doubt?
Is it selfishness?
Is it pressure from others against change?

The Lord will accomplish His will, despite us. However, we are all given gifts to be active, contributing members of the Body. Without each part working to its fullest, the Body is weakened and not as efficient. Who knows the blessings we are missing out on? Who knows how many we're not reaching for the Lord that we were purposed to reach? Who knows how many others would have been inpisred to obey by witnessing our obedience?

If you find yourself in this place right now, where you have something to offer, but you're holding back for whatever reason, ask God to give you strength to be bold. Ask Him to go before you and lead you along the path He's setting you on. 

And Be All In.

There's no such thing as a part-time Believer. 

There aren't any casual Christians. 

Not in God's view. 

When He calls us to Himself, He calls all of ourselves, all the time. 

Beginning June 2, Deliberate Women will be hosting a book club for our friend Natalie Chambers Snapp's new book Heart Sisters. 

We will post two chapters a week, one on Tuesdays and one on Thursdays, from June 2-July 7, and we'll finish up with a giveaway of Natalie's book for one lucky winner!

We are so excited to be reading through Heart Sisters with you! The link to buy Natalie's book is HERE. 

We encourage you to invite your friends to join in!

Are you joining us? Let us know in the comments here or on our Facebook page!

Earlier this week I talked about God's big But! These words have been resonating in my life this week as I reflect on Hope. "BUT, those that hope..." There is something different about our lives when we operate in Hope. We have a different outlook, we walk through pain and struggles knowing that there is light at the end of the tunnel. We talk differently, we live differently and so importantly, we SEE differently.

Through the many challenges I have been flooded with this week, I have seen how Hope in God has changed me. I want it to change you. I pray that you know that regardless of the storms you are going through, the pain, the loss, the heartache and joy, when you HOPE in in the Lord, he WILL renew your strength, you WILL soar, you WILL run and not grow weary, you will walk and not be faint.

I have had many opportunities this week to speak hope into people's lives and even greater, I have had so many moments where others have spoken hope into mine. May you too receive words of hope so that you can speak them into another's life, so that they to can soar on wings like eagles during the days when the legs simply have given out. 

I want to share a song, my dear friend, Rachel Barrentine, wrote. I'm sure I have talked about it before, but definitely worth sharing again. She is one of Nashville's shining stars and a person that continually speaks hope and truth into my life.

"Hope In God" ~Rachel Barrentine

Earlier in the week, I (Toi) was discussing how when the Lord is leading you into something new it often may feel "unnatural" to our flesh or by the standards of the world.  When I felt the Lord leading me into the blogging world, it felt very unnatural. I don't consider myself a writer. I had no idea how to even start a blog. 

I prayed "Lord, I feel you leading me in this direction but I don't even know where to begin on starting a blog. I want to be obedient to You in this area but I can't do it alone. I'm going to need Your help on this."  

God is faithful and a few days later I came across a post by Crystal Paine from Money Saving Mom on how to start a blog. I read through it and quickly realized that I would need help with graphics and designs. I prayed and asked the Lord for help. A few months later, a blogger I follow posted that she was now freelancing in image design. God is always faithful and when I asked, He was faithful to answer. 

Want to know something? God is wanting you to ask Him for help. He wants you to invite Him in. He didn't answer me because I earned special treatment through good behavior. By His grace, by that grace alone you and I are able to have a relationship with Him where we can bring Him our troubles and concerns.

What do you need to ask the Lord for?