“HE FELL DOWN AND BREATHED HIS LAST!”

Acts 5:1-6                                          (ESV)

Ananias and Sapphira

“[1] But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, [2] and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. [3] But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the HOLY SPIRIT and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? [4] While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man BUT TO GOD.” [5] When Ananias heard these words, “HE FELL DOWN AND BREATHED HIS LAST”. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. [6] The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.”

When we THINK we know more than the HOLY SPIRIT, the third person of the TRINITY, we are in VERY dangerous territory.  Ananias and Sapphira THOUGHT they could withhold some of the BLESSINGS they received from selling a piece of property, but according to Psalms 24:1 “The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein…”!   GOD not only knew the amount of land sold and how much was paid for it, HE knew the hearts of Ananias and Sapphira who were trying to make sure that they were taken care of instead of trusting GOD for their sustenance.  

In Acts 4:34-35 it is recorded “There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.”  GOD didn’t need the resources to provide for HIS CHOSEN.  Hebrews 11:6 says “And WITHOUT FAITH it is IMPOSSIBLE to please HIM, for whoever would draw near to GOD must believe that HE exists and that HE rewards those who seek HIM.”

When we choose to depend on our own wisdom and resources, we are in serious peril.  For Ananias (and Sapphira in Acts 5:10) chose to trust in worldly possessions over the ONE WHO owns everything, they saw IMMEDIATELY the results of that decision, “HE FELL DOWN AND BREATHED HIS LAST”!  Isaiah 42:5 says GOD “gives breath” to the people of the earth.  

FATHER IN HEAVEN, cause YOUR servant to never lose sight of where my breath comes from.  One day it will probably be said of me that “HE FELL DOWN AND BREATHED HIS LAST”, but may it be when my tasks for YOU are completed and YOU are ready for me to come HOME!!!

“OPEN THE EYES!”

 Isaiah 42:5-8                   (ESV)

    “[5] Thus says GOD, the LORD,

        WHO created the heavens and stretched them out,

        WHO spread out the earth and what comes from it,

    WHO GIVES BREATH to the people on it

        and SPIRIT to those who walk in it: 

    [6] “I AM THE LORD; I have called you in righteousness;

        I WILL TAKE YOU BY THE HAND AND KEEP YOU;

    I will give you as a covenant for the people,

        a light for the nations, 

    [7]   to “OPEN THE EYES” that are blind,

    to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,

        from the prison those who sit in darkness. 

    [8] I AM THE LORD; THAT IS MY NAME;

        MY GLORY I GIVE TO NO OTHER,

        NOR MY PRAISE TO CARVED IDOLS.”

Admitting and acknowledging that there is ONLY ONE GOD and HIS NAME is different than mine is in itself a humbling thing.  I AM THE LORD created the Heavens and spread out the earth and what comes from it performed it all by HIMSELF, without any advice or input from HIS creation.  HE ALONE has the OMNIPOTENCE to do as HE pleases (Psalm 115:3) and HIS ways are NOT our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9), so must realize WHO HE is, but more importantly who we are and what we are created to be.

GOD tells us that “I AM THE LORD; I have called you in righteousness; I WILL TAKE YOU BY THE HAND AND KEEP YOU; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations”.  HE desires to “give us” what is needed to GIVE GLORY to HIM, but HE WILL NOT share HIS GLORY with anyone or anything other than HIMSELF.  HE even has to “OPEN THE EYES” that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness”!  We can ONLY SEE because of HIS MERCY and GRACE!

ALMIGHTY GOD holds everything in HIS HANDS and we are nothing without HIM. Isaiah 40:22 so eloquently says “It is HE (GOD) WHO sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; WHO stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in;”!  HIS CREATION has no authority to question HIS actions and decisions.  We are here to GLORIFY HIM, and not try to SHARE IN HIS GLORY!

FATHER IN HEAVEN, “OPEN THE EYES” of YOUR humble servant and guide me in the paths that will GLORIFY and HONOR YOUR HOLY NAME!  I am but the lowest of YOUR GLORIOUS creation, but I am so BLESSED that YOU have used me to “OPEN THE EYES” that were blind and caused me to SEE YOUR TRUTH!!!

“HOW COULD GOD JUDGE THE WORLD?”

 Romans 3:5-8                    (ESV)

“[5] But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of GOD, what shall we say? That GOD is unrighteous to inflict wrath on us? (I SPEAK IN A HUMAN WAY.) [6] By no means! For then “HOW COULD GOD JUDGE THE WORLD?” [7] But if through my lie GOD’S TRUTH abounds to HIS GLORY, why am I still being condemned as a sinner? [8] And why not do evil that good may come?—as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just.”

The entire book of Romans is a gift from GOD, sent to mold us into tools to be used to Glorify the NAME OF JESUS.  But the third chapter is especially great, and Romans 3:10-11 where Scripture says “as it is written: “None is righteous, NO, NOT ONE; no one understands; no one seeks for GOD.”  But time limitations cause me to focus today on “HOW COULD GOD JUDGE THE WORLD?”   

How does a GOD WHO is thought of as being so LOVING condemn those who fail to acknowledge HIM to eternal separation and damnation?  1 John 4:8 says “ANYONE who does not love does not know GOD, because GOD IS LOVE.”  But we ARE NOT GOD!  Being made “in HIS image” doesn’t qualify us as being HOLY enough to make decisions as GOD does.  Are your EYES OPEN to SEE what Paul meant when he wrote “I SPEAK IN A HUMAN WAY”???  GOD IS GOD and I am not!  

My grandchildren are LOVED beyond description.  There is very little that I will not do for them, if within my power.  But can you imagine letting them walk across an interstate highway simply because they wanted to?  BE NO MEANS!  I LOVE THEM TOO MUCH!  Even though they have to be told “no” to certain things, because they are LOVED they are kept from doing what is not wise for them to do.  As they grow in wisdom and grace, their EYES will be OPENED to SEE the dangers of operating outside of their current wisdom.  

“HOW COULD GOD JUDGE THE WORLD”, since HE IS LOVE?  There are some things that we will never while living in “this world”!  However, we can BELIEVE through FAITH that HE IS IN CONTROL of EVERYTHING and HE will one day exhibit that HE is not only LOVE, but HE is HOLY, HOLY, HOLY (Isaiah 6:3), something that we must make known to ALL!!!

“THE LORD HAS ASSIGNED TO HIM!”

1 Corinthians 7:17-24                                       (ESV)

Live as You Are Called

“[17] Only LET EACH PERSON LEAD THE LIFE THAT “THE LORD HAS ASSIGNED TO HIM”, and TO WHICH GOD HAS CALLED HIM. This is my rule in all the churches. [18] Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. [19] For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, BUT KEEPING THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD. [20] Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. [21] Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) [22] For he who was called in the LORD as a bondservant is a freedman of the LORD. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of CHRIST. [23] You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. [24] So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with GOD.”

Allowing others to walk in a PATH OF DESTRUCTION, especially when it is someone you cherish and love, can be a very torturous experience.  Looking back over my life I can see some choices that were made that proved to have results that were costly, to put it mildly.  There were times, I’m sure, that friends who might have been able to help were “prevented” by the HOLY SPIRIT, leaving me to grow Spiritually where I depend SOLELY on THE LORD and HIS teaching abilities.  

There are some lessons that I have learned that I had to be placed in the position of HEARING from THE LORD, or SEEING HIS HAND, before I was able to learn from the trial that I was going through.  I couldn’t have heard the advice, nor seen the pitfall I was headed to, until GOD led me through “the valley of the shadow of death” and got my attention first!

We ALL have a PLAN for our lives.  My problem is that too often I have not WAITED for THE LORD and proceeded with what “I thought” was the best thing for my life and my future.  The WISE things for me to consider is “Only LET EACH PERSON LEAD THE LIFE THAT “THE LORD HAS ASSIGNED TO HIM”, and TO WHICH GOD HAS CALLED HIM.”  Walking through “the valley of the shadow of death” isn’t a problem if we have THE LORD guiding our steps.  Where I have “wandered” in my life is when I WOULD NOT WAIT ON THE LORD (Psalms 27:14)!

1 Kings 19 tells us that GOD doesn’t always speak to us in the same manner as HE has previously.  GOD has a PLAN for each of us.  My challenge is to SLOW DOWN and listen for HIM, not to build something faster so I can move to the next task ahead of me!  “THE LORD HAS ASSIGNED TO HIM” exactly what HE needs for me to accomplish through HIM, and for HIS GLORY!  It has taken me a long time to SEE that PEACE only comes from WAITING ON HIM!!!

“YOU PRESERVE ME FROM TROUBLE!”

 Psalm 32:6-7                                (ESV)

    “[6] Therefore let everyone who is Godly

        offer prayer to YOU at a time when YOU may be found;

    SURELY in the RUSH OF GREAT WATERS,

        THEY SHALL NOT REACH HIM. 

    [7] YOU are a hiding place for me;

        “YOU PRESERVE ME FROM TROUBLE”;

        YOU surround me with shouts of deliverance.”

Recently while scanning through a social media account I noticed that someone had posted a song by Simon and Garfunkel entitled “Bridge over Troubled Waters”.  That song was reportedly released in 1970, so in those days, if it had “sounded good” I listened.  But the chorus to that song and the verses above fit very well together.  A “Bridge over Troubled Waters” doesn’t remove the turbulent stream, but it does provide a way for us to escape the danger! 

In this psalm David writes that BLESSED (Psalms 37:1-2) is the person who has his transgressions forgiven.  Why would a thrice HOLY GOD “choose” a vile, repugnant being such as me to be saved from the catastrophic choices that I have made in my life?  While it is TRUE that I may have to go through some turbulent times, GOD has displayed HIS abilities of SAVING me time and again.  HE Glories in proving to me and those around me that “YOU PRESERVE ME FROM TROUBLE”!

Do I deserve to be rescued OVER AND OVER again?  Scripture states in several places that NONE of us are righteous, NO NOT ONE!  “YOU PRESERVE ME FROM TROUBLE” because YOU have a Plan for me to fulfill, not because of my worthiness.  BLESSED and Highly Favored is the only reason I have to offer as to why “YOU PRESERVE ME FROM TROUBLE”!!!

“WHAT ARE YOU SEEKING?”

 Genesis 37:12-17                                 (ESV)

Joseph Sold by His Brothers

“[12] Now his brothers went to pasture their father’s flock near Shechem. [13] And Israel said to Joseph, “Are not your brothers pasturing the flock at Shechem? Come, I will send you to them.” And he said to him, “Here I am.” [14] So he said to him, “Go now, see if it is well with your brothers and with the flock, and bring me word.” So he sent him from the Valley of Hebron, and he came to Shechem. [15] And a man found him wandering in the fields. And the man asked him, “WHAT ARE YOU SEEKING?” [16] “I am seeking my brothers,” he said. “Tell me, please, where they are pasturing the flock.” [17] And the man said, “They have gone away, for I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’” So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan.”

Joseph was sent on a specific mission by his father Jacob.  Checking on the welfare of his brothers seemed a harmless enough request, but things didn’t go exactly how Jacob, Joseph, nor the brothers of Joseph THOUGHT THAT THEY WOULD!  

To begin with, Joseph had reported in Genesis 37:2 “a bad report” concerning his brothers.  His brothers felt that Joseph received too much favorable attention from Jacob, so when they saw Joseph coming to see them they devised a plan in their minds to remove their problem from their midst.  They were going to slay Joseph, but one of the older brothers suggested throwing him an a well to avoid having blood on their hands.  

We now know that ALMIGHTY GOD had a PLAN for Joseph, a plan that entailed going through the bottom of the well, being sold into slavery by his own brothers, rising in favor with Potiphar, being imprisoned for doing nothing wrong against her, and finally interpreting dreams for the Pharaoh and being ELEVATED to second in line to Pharaoh because he served GOD, even through less than optimal times!

How many times do I experience a bit of difficulty and ASSUME that GOD IS JUDGING me for being the wretched sinner that I am?  GOD has already brought me through some things that I could have never gotten through on my own.  Just as Joseph’s life had a few challenges in it, so our lives are meant to draw HONOR and GLORY to our CREATOR, not to elevate us.  What is my HONEST reply when I am asked “WHAT ARE YOU SEEKING?”

“THE WAY!”

 Acts 9:1-9                                (ESV)

The Conversion of Saul

“[1] But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the LORD, went to the high priest [2] and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to “THE WAY”, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. [3] Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. [4] And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting ME?” [5] And he said, “Who are you, LORD?” And HE said, “I am JESUS, WHOM you are persecuting. [6] But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” [7] The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. [8] Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. [9] And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.”

The Apostle Paul was previously known (until Acts 13:9) by the name Saul, that is until THE LORD transformed his life FOR HIS GLORY!  As a matter of fact, the chapter of Acts 9 begins with “But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the LORD, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to THE WAY, men or women, HE MIGHT BRING THEM BOUND TO JERUSALEM”.  Saul was INTENT on destroying “THE WAY”, that is until his EYES were OPENED and TRUTH was revealed in his life! 

In John 14:6 JESUS said to him (Thomas), “I AM “THE WAY”, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the FATHER except through ME.”  Now in Acts 9 THE CHURCH is being referred to by “this world” as “THE WAY”.  I have explained many times that GOD does NOT work in coincidences!  GOD does WHAT HE PLEASES (Psalms 115:3; 135:6) and HE doesn’t need my help to hurry along what HE decrees!  Far too many times I am convinced that I “know” what GOD has planned, only to discover that HE might have a “time out” planned for my future?!?

Saul “thought” he was doing the “right thing” by arresting and persecuting members of “THE WAY”.  But it wasn’t until his EYES were OPENED to TRUTH that HE was able to clearly SEE “THE WAY” forward!  In Acts 9:1 he was operating “in the fast lane”, but by Acts 9:9 “for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.” 

Isn’t it AMAZING how when JESUS intervenes in our lives that our perspective completely changes?  Saul almost immediately went from being a “persecutor” to being the “persecuted”!  His “choice” of direction in his life, his compass, was TOTALLY and COMPLETELY altered!  Being able to SEE “THE WAY” meant being led by THE SPIRIT, not by his limited wisdom!  GOD has to OPEN OUR EYES, and we have to WAIT ON THE LORD, to be able to SEE “THE WAY”!?!