 It was an exciting new movement and they wanted to be a part, but it was risky. The leadership was questionable, following could be dangerous, and--at some point--they may have to run. "Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet." Acts 5:1-2 We find this passage of scripture at a time where the brand new Church is beginning to build. A newly repented Peter and the apostles, fresh from the Day of Pentecost, are re-invigorated and ready to begin their ministries to preach Christ to the world. If we look back at Acts 4:32, we see: "All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions were his own, but they shared everything they had." This was a new Church, yes, but their hearts were driven by the Lord. They were very clear on their mission and that unity was paramount. "Then Peter said, 'Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you have received for the land? Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God. Wow. That passage is heavy. At first reading it may seem very heavy-handed. And to be honest, it feels a bit unfair and perhaps, disjointed. Does the punishment fit the crime? And what are the implications of not giving all our money to the Church? Perhaps we can gain some insight from looking at 1 Samuel 16:7b: "People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." Could it be that while man would look at Ananias & Sapphira's decision as merely a lapse in good judgment, the Lord saw into their innermost parts, their deepest thoughts? Could it be that He saw that they were only half-heartedly committed at best, or--worse--not committed at all? Could it be that He saw that when the going got rough for the Church {and OH! Was it ever about to get rough}, Ananias and Sapphira would flee, taking with them the money they'd secretly squirreled away, leaving the others in the lurch? This may not be the case, but we do know that the Lord requires us to be all in or all out (Revelation 3:16). We know that He requires believers to be ready to go the distance, no matter how difficult (Matthew 16:24). Could it be that truly following after the Lord requires sacrifice and selflessness and Ananias and Sapphira's actions showed neither? Jesus Himself said this: "Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." Matthew 19:24 Could it be that when we're rich {whether it's with money, talents, or resources} we're stingy because we're looking out for "number one" instead of looking toward "The One"? Could it be that we only "half commit" because we're keeping one foot in the world and one foot in the Kingdom? Could it be that we keep a "fail-safe" in place for when things get rough? And where would we be if Christ was only half-committed? God requires total obedience; a complete giving over of selves when we commit to Him (Romans 12:1). The truth is, we don't fully know or understand why God chose to deal with Ananias and Sapphira the way He did. What we do know is that they can be an example to us as to being upfront and honest with The Holy Spirit. Allow their mistake to be wisdom gleaned as to commitment. To end, I'm including the video of Steven Curtis Chapman's song "Burn The Ships". I {Mandy} think it ties in very well with the theme of committing fully and never looking back. **Today we observe Memorial Day and honor those who gave all. We at Deliberate Women honor and remember those in our Armed Forces who committed whole-heartedly and gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
0 Comments
 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:28-31 For years, these verses have given me chills every time I have read them. I remember reading this passage and taking it to memory and seeing how God spoke truth and hope into my heart. I remember a friend soon after that pulling this verse "randomly" to encourage me. I remember my developmentally delayed nephew saying the words "Aunt Mia, do you not know, have you not heard?" in various situations and seeing how the word of God came so confidently out of his mouth and heart. Do you not know, Have you not heard? "Do you not know, Have you not heard?" When I read those words, because of the way the Lord communicates with me, it's more like "Mia, how many times do I need to tell you, don't you know this yet? Haven't you heard me?" The Lord IS the EVERLASTING God! He doesn't grow weary or tired, His understanding blows us away, we can't grasp it. He does not tire of us and our ridiculousness, He does not grow weary of our prayers and cries, He responds in a way that we can not fathom. How could we fathom His understanding when we so easily grow tired and weary of all that surrounds us, the daily grind, the disappointments, the heartache, the struggles and the loss. We grow tired. BUT.... that awesome word in the Bible.....BUT....the big BUT of God....How I like big But's, ladies, I can not lie. BUT, those who HOPE in the Lord WILL renew their strength. BUT, those who HOPE in the Lord WILL renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Can you picture it.....soaring effortlessly through the struggles, running the race that He has set before you without fatigue, walking and never stopping... can you see it?
We CAN see it, we CAN experience it, we CAN live it because of that one word...HOPE. Hope in the Lord. The sure hope of his promise. Believing in that, gives us the ability to see. As my friend Holland Davis, recently reminded me.. "Mia, believing is seeing" If you are tired today, if you are in the battle, if you are growing weary from the same frustrations that never seem to cease, let me encourage you to take this verse to heart. Hope in the Lord and His promise to lift you up, trust in Him even when it is difficult. He will not fail. It's not possible for Him to. I love you in the Lord, Mia  I'm continually being reminded by the Lord that what He is calling me to do will often feel very unnatural to my flesh and by the world's standards. I {Toi} often feel inadequate or unqualified to do the things I know He is leading me to do.
Today, I feel some of you are experiencing that same "unnatural feeling" in what you feel the Lord is calling you into: You feel the Lord calling you into something deeper and greater. I see some of you saying "The only ministry I have or know is the food ministry. I'm really good at making casseroles and delivering them to the sick at my church." Don't underestimate the power of the food ministry, my dear sister! David gained access to his destiny on the battlefield through "food ministry." David's father instructed him to carry food to his brothers who were away at battle (1 Samuel 17:17-19.) David was faithful in his service and it aligned him to be in the right place at the right time to slay the giant. What if the Lord is using the food ministry to bring you to the sick so you may lay hands on them and see healing take place? There are some of you who feel the sins of your past disqualifies you from ever being used fully by God. That is a lie. You have been forgiven and as far as the East is from the West. He has blotted out your sins. (Psalm 103:12) Rahab was a prostitute, but her faithfulness to God qualified her. Rahab went on to marry and have a family. She was the mother of Boaz, the kinsman redeemer for Ruth. Rahab went on to become the great (35th great) grandmother to Jesus Christ. God qualified a prostitute to be graphed into the lineage of Jesus. The less qualified you are by the world's standards for a position, the more glorified Christ is in your success. What is the Lord leading you to do? Ask Him to show you. He will give you the grace needed to accomplish it. |
FREE Download!Archives
October 2017
|
RSS Feed
© 2020 She Heard/Mandy Pagano. All Rights Reserved.
She Heard/Mandy Pagano makes no representations or warranties in relation to this website or the information and materials provided therein, and will not be liable to you in relation to the contents of or use of this website for any indirect, special or consequential loss. Nothing on this website constitutes or is meant to constitute advice of any kind. If you require advice in relation to any legal, financial, medical or psychological matter, you should consult an appropriate professional.
DALLAS, TEXAS
She Heard/Mandy Pagano makes no representations or warranties in relation to this website or the information and materials provided therein, and will not be liable to you in relation to the contents of or use of this website for any indirect, special or consequential loss. Nothing on this website constitutes or is meant to constitute advice of any kind. If you require advice in relation to any legal, financial, medical or psychological matter, you should consult an appropriate professional.
DALLAS, TEXAS