Now Is The Time: Acts Youth JourneySample

IT’S NOT ABOUT THE MONEY!

PRAY:

Lord, speak to me through your Word. Reveal to me the idols and sins that may be hindering my walk with you.

READ:

Acts 5.1-42

This chapter of the book of Acts clearly displays the awesome power of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church. In this narrative of Ananias and Sapphira, we see that the Holy Spirit’s power is far greater than that of Satan's. Satan's tactics are divisive and contradictory to the Word of God. By tempting the husband and wife to lie and cheat, Satan sowed seeds of corruption in the Church. But, the Holy Spirit, who knows all things and knows our hearts, permanently removes Satan's instruments, Ananias and Sapphira, from the Church.

While this judgment may seem cruel, it is meant as a warning and a learning experience to the Early Church. The death of these two had an impact on the others. “The church members were afraid, and so was everyone else who heard what had happened” (v 11). We see that when something is held back from God, he is grieved. God did not need Ananias and Sapphira's funds; he wanted their undivided, sincere faith in God’s providence. As a Father, the Lord wants his children to completely rely on him, so that we are not tempted to hold anything back from him.

REFLECT:

What are you holding back from God? Is it money, like Ananias or Sapphira? Are you lying, cheating, or gossiping to get ahead? The Lord yearns for his children to have complete trust in him. God wants our faith to be undivided and sincere. Is your faith resting completely in the Lord’s providential power?

RESPOND:

Trust God with the life issues that concern you. Pray and believe that God will work it all out in the way that he knows is best.

Jesus, send me your Spirit so that I can fully lean on you and your great power. Thank you that you will provide for all my needs and I do not need to hold anything back from you.