"And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was
shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the
word of God with boldness. And the congregation of those who believed were of
one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him
was his own, but all things were common property to them. And with great power
the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and
abundant grace was upon them all. For there was not a needy person among them,
for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the
proceeds of the sales and lay them at the apostles' feet, and they would be
distributed to each as any had need.
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? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God." And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came over all who heard of it. And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things. At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon's portico. But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, the people held them in high esteem. And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number, to such an extent that they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and pallets, so that when Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on any one of them. Also the people from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together, bringing people who were sick or afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all being healed." (Acts 4:31-35, 5:1-5, 11-16 NASB)
**When a unified move of God began, it was a sovereign thing not to be taken lightly. Those who understood it, gave their possessions to the body to be distributed as needed. Not one person held back as they all understood that it belonged to The Lord... Except one. Ananias & his wife, had they succeeded in only bringing their partial offering, it would've become a seed of discord, jealousy and selfish gain. The Father could not have it nor tolerate it.
1. They had to be removed swiftly before it had the opportunity to affect this sovereign move
2. The awe of God, instead, was replaced and increased...
So much so that those who did not understand it, stayed at a distance for fear. Most likely it was a fear of judgment because there was also a fear of laying down EVERYTHING for the sake of the gospel.
People did get saved and multitudes were added to the church, but the miracles and favor happened among those who cashed it all in for the sake of the cause.
There is always a unified community and continued sense of awe when a sovereign move happens. Yet as soon as some hold back or selfish gain enters the picture, it dies off.
There is also always those who never fully enter in for fear, but instead stay at a distance - reaping the benefits of those who've cashed it all in, yet losing out on its fullest life changing potential.
We continue to cry out for revival, but there is a price...
Well, I truly believe we ARE on the verge of a move of God in our land, yet much of the effect will be measured by our willingness to lay down EVERYTHING for the sake of the cause.
Will we stifle what He is doing for selfish gain? Or will He find us faithful enough to sustain it?
Let us seek The Lord with our WHOLE heart.
Ask and find what it is He wants of us. Do not hold back what is already his, but release it to Him for the sake of His cause.
Let revival spread once again in our land & restore us to our God given heritage.
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? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God." And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came over all who heard of it. And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things. At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon's portico. But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, the people held them in high esteem. And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number, to such an extent that they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and pallets, so that when Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on any one of them. Also the people from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together, bringing people who were sick or afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all being healed." (Acts 4:31-35, 5:1-5, 11-16 NASB)
**When a unified move of God began, it was a sovereign thing not to be taken lightly. Those who understood it, gave their possessions to the body to be distributed as needed. Not one person held back as they all understood that it belonged to The Lord... Except one. Ananias & his wife, had they succeeded in only bringing their partial offering, it would've become a seed of discord, jealousy and selfish gain. The Father could not have it nor tolerate it.
1. They had to be removed swiftly before it had the opportunity to affect this sovereign move
2. The awe of God, instead, was replaced and increased...
So much so that those who did not understand it, stayed at a distance for fear. Most likely it was a fear of judgment because there was also a fear of laying down EVERYTHING for the sake of the gospel.
People did get saved and multitudes were added to the church, but the miracles and favor happened among those who cashed it all in for the sake of the cause.
There is always a unified community and continued sense of awe when a sovereign move happens. Yet as soon as some hold back or selfish gain enters the picture, it dies off.
There is also always those who never fully enter in for fear, but instead stay at a distance - reaping the benefits of those who've cashed it all in, yet losing out on its fullest life changing potential.
We continue to cry out for revival, but there is a price...
Well, I truly believe we ARE on the verge of a move of God in our land, yet much of the effect will be measured by our willingness to lay down EVERYTHING for the sake of the cause.
Will we stifle what He is doing for selfish gain? Or will He find us faithful enough to sustain it?
Let us seek The Lord with our WHOLE heart.
Ask and find what it is He wants of us. Do not hold back what is already his, but release it to Him for the sake of His cause.
Let revival spread once again in our land & restore us to our God given heritage.
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