ASSOCIATION IMPACT
Acts 4:1-10, Exodus 32:49
“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord” 2 Corinthians 3:18.
There is a change/transformation that comes from spending time with God. Moses spent forty days with the Lord on the mountain but was oblivious of the glow on his face until the Israelites encountered him. No one who truly follows God remains the same. We see the disciples who had been timid and unlearned men begin to manifest the traits of learned men. They had oratory and boldness. They spoke with authority. There was a testimony that they had been with Jesus. Can people testify that you have been with Jesus? The fruits of your words and actions must reflect Jesus.
As leaders, we must strive to see that our lives and message influence those who follow us. We have to ensure that they are inspired to outperform their recognised range of capacity. This way, they will be encouraged to achieve remarkable results. Emanuel James Rohn, a renowned American Author, said, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” The Book of Proverbs puts it this way, “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed” (Prov. 13:20). Who are you associating with? A popular proverb says, “Show me your friends and I will tell you who you are.” Jesus can make you better if you choose Him. Make an honest review of your association, in view of your goals, ambitions and God’s plan for your life. Is there a testimony that you have been with Jesus?
Prayer
Lord, I choose your presence; transform my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.
One Year Bible Reading
DAY 276 Isaiah. 27-28: Ephesians 5
PREACH JESUS
Acts 4:9-20, Rom. 10:13
Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
Recently, in an interview, an elderly Christian music minister from Nigeria shared his experience. He disclosed that at the peak of his music career, he was contacted by some persons, who proposed a deal to him wherein he could enjoy financial benefits of earnings in millions of Pounds. The only condition was for him to reduce how often he mentioned the name of Jesus in his songs. He declined. Some schools and businesses have restricted the use of the name of Jesus even when they cannot refute the glaring evidence of His power. The world does not mind what you preach or who you preach, provided it is not Jesus.
However, there is no other source that offers healing, deliverance, satisfaction, and salvation from eternal damnation under the face of the heavens except the name of Jesus. The Devil knows this and has set up structures in organisations to ensure that the gospel is not spread. By the great commission, we are to be witnesses wherever we find ourselves in this world. In our lesson today, the disciples were threatened and told to stop preaching in the name of Jesus. Take note, they weren’t instructed to stop preaching, but to stop doing so in the name of Jesus. However, Peter replied the persecutors that they would rather obey God than men. We must speak up against laws and doctrines that are contrary to God’s word even as we preach about salvation in the name of Jesus. We must do this through our way of living and messages on any platform. Who are you obeying? Let all you do preach Jesus.
Prayer
Dear Father, grant me the grace to stand firm for the gospel. Amen.
One Year Bible Reading
DAY 277 Isaiah. 29-30; Ephesians 6
TAINTED SACRIFICE
Acts 5:1-10
“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.” Acts 5:4
Many people in the early church sold their properties and brought the proceeds from the sales to the apostles’ feet. It seems like a norm although nobody instructed them to do it, neither was it a command from God or the apostles. Brethren saw needs in the church and sold their property so that such needs would be met as an act of sacrifice. Ananias decided to follow suit but he lied about the proceeds. Nothing would have gone wrong if Ananias had truthfully said he only brought part of the money.
We must be careful not to do acts of sacrifice simply because everyone is doing it. Our sacrifice must come from a sincere heart, not a heart of deceit, lies and pretence like Ananias. So instead of receiving blessings from his act, he lost his life. Tainted sacrifices can manifest in helping the poor or supporting God’s work with proceeds of sin hoping God will overlook our actions. Peter said they lied to God this is because God is the receiver of the sacrifice. Be careful not to give God tainted sacrifice. Serving God with defiled bodies taints our sacrifice. In the days of old, the vessels in the Temple were sanctified before use. Is your sacrifice to God tainted? Examine yourself and ensure you do not conspire with anyone to pollute God’s offering.
Prayer
Lord, help me to be sincere in my offerings and gifts to you using the instrumentality of the church. Amen.
One Year Bible Reading
DAY 278 Isaiah. 31-33; Philippians 1
NO SMALL LIE
Acts 5:1-10
He who works deceit shall not dwell within my house; he who tells lies shall not continue in my presence. Psalm 101:7
Have you ever been tempted to tell a small or white lie? Society has peddled a falsity that some lies are harmless. Some lies have been classified as diplomatic, smart, white, or small. Some persons have been tagged foolish for speaking the truth. Ananias and Sapphira agreed with themselves to keep part of the proceeds. Based on their agreement, she kept to her part of the bargain by lying to the apostles. They both had the same faith: instant death. One would have thought that they would have been spared since the property was theirs; they made a sacrifice by selling it and bringing some part to assist the church.
Lies should not be treated with kid’s gloves. Deal with every tendency to lie. God does not condone lies. This is because the devil is the father of all liars. Jesus boldly said in John 8:44 “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”Speaking lies no matter how justified does not exonerate the culprit. Those who say they love God yet hate their brother are also seen as liars (1 John 4:20). The Bible notes that liars will have their place in the lake of fire (Revelation 21:8). The punishment for telling a lie is not less deadly. Watchfulness is required as we live our lives. Do not believe the lies of the devil that some lies are harmless. Jesus is the truth. Choose the Truth rather than the father of liars. A tree is known for its fruits. By your fruits (DNA), who is your father?
Prayer
Oh Lord, sanctify my lips that I will speak no lie. Amen.
One Year Bible Reading
DAY 279 Isaiah. 34-36; Philippians 2
DON’T BE PRIVY TO EVIL
Acts 5:1-10
And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet. Acts 5:2
When someone close to us regardless of the intimacy introduces an idea that involves lying or doing something wrong, we should learn from Sapphira’s experience. It is an appalling situation where people who claim to be believers boldly defraud others right in church. The deception is such that the victims in such transactions trust them because they are supposedly brethren. They take advantage of the church and even leaders to do evil. The apostles were discerning to see through the lies of Ananias and Sapphira. Have you ever wondered about the ultimate fate of Ananias and Sapphira?
The church is the community of believers in Jesus. However, there are wolves in sheep’s clothing. We must be very discerning to spot them and ensure we are not ravening wolves too. We must avoid being privy to evil as much as possible. Counsel, rebuke and pray for those who suggest such a pact. Our response should not be that of agreement. Your marital relationship should not be the bedrock of iniquity. Are you privy to an act of evil, or gesture and venture that is built on lies and deceit? Are you instigating anyone to defraud the church or others? Others learnt from the first death in the early church. May others not learn from the repercussions of your wrong actions! Repent now and desist from evil.
Prayer:
God may I not be privy to evil regardless of the intimacy or bond I share with others. Amen.
One Year Bible Reading
DAY 280 Isaiah. 37-38; Philippians 3
FOCUS ON THE PRIORITY
Acts 6:1-4
But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word Acts 6:4
There is always an imaginary scale of preference in life. Everything is demanding our attention. In the early church, the apostles’ attention was drawn to the complaints of some women in respect of food sharing. The apostles showed what was most important to them. They chose the main assignment of making disciples of men. Serving food though important will affect their core responsibility of prayer and ministering of the word. So, they had to prayerfully choose people to handle that task.
Do you have a routine that is making it difficult for you to maintain a constant prayer life and ministry of the word? You have to be decisive like the apostles so that despite the challenges of life, you will remain focused on prayer and the ministry of the word. Your prayer and ministering of the word are of utmost importance. Sensitivity of the Holy Spirit will cause you to know what duties to delegate. The right administration of the church will eradicate grumblings and distraction from the main assignment. Are you serving tables? Do not let anything regardless of how important it seems stop you from being consistent in prayer and ministry of the word. When Mary sat at Jesus’ feet to hear Him speak, Jesus commended her for doing the one thing that is needful.
Prayer;
Lord, in a world where a lot of things call for my attention and time, help me to still make prayer and the ministering of the word my priority.
One Year Bible Reading
DAY 281 Isaiah. 39-40; Philippians 4
SERVICE
Acts 6:1-6
And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men. Colossians 3:23
Every service in God’s house is spiritual. God is interested in how things are done in His house. No service in God’s house is trivial or minor to require fewer spiritual qualifications. Looking at service first from this point of view will help to shape our attitude on how we go about the service. The apostles needed people to oversee the serving of tables, and the way they went about selecting these people was instructive. They sought men with good reputations, folks full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom just to share food. This task seemed like one that could be delegated to caterers without minding their spiritual state. The men chosen did not also consider it as demeaning.
If the best hands are required to render service in formal organizations, why should the church not demand professionals too? Our God is a God of excellence. Every believer that has a service to render must take the issue of having a good reputation, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom seriously. A lack of honest reports can make the message you preach ineffective to the world. Your life should be the word of God in expression. In fact, being full of the Holy Ghost and having wisdom provides them with the requisite skill of handling people despite their difficult nature. How are you handling your service in God’s house? Do you have these basic criteria for service?
Prayer
Lord, help me to see my service in Your house the way You see it and help me to do it as unto the Lord. Amen.
One Year Bible Reading
DAY 282 Isaiah. 41-42; Colossians 1
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