Monday, April 19, 2010
Have you ever deprived yourself of something on purpose? Perhaps you’ve intentionally refrained from eating sweets, or watching TV, or indulging in a favorite activity. My guess is you have for some reason- either a personal benefit you were seeking or as an intentional witness.
Have ever been deprived of something because of the actions of another? On Saturday, my devotion was about the power of encouraging another person and the great gift that offers others. The early church typically was known to be a community that had many encouraging people- often demonstrating that via extreme generosity.
Have you ever noticed that “just around the corner” from experiences of encouragement are agents of discouragement? You know what I mean—you get pumped up and re-energized (for example at church in worship or in personal study or hanging out with one of God’s beloved encouragers) only to have a person or experience seek to bring you down. Some of you will head to work on Monday to face people that will challenge you and try to dishearten you. They may bring your spirit down but know that is not the way of Jesus. The way of Jesus is to bring courage, hope, and inspiration to others. The community of faith is called to be that encouraging force at all times, in all places, and in every generation. Turn to the community for that support and that positive alternative witness. As Jesus echoed often, do not fear.
Annanias and Saphira were a discouraging presence- plain and simple. Some may have seen them as the norm. the people of God need to say, “they need to be the exception”. Shower the world around you with the encouragement from God. Do not withhold it for those around you need it and so do you!
Acts 5: 1-12
But a man named Ananias, with the consent of his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property; 2with his wife’s knowledge, he kept back some of the proceeds, and brought only a part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3‘Ananias,’ Peter asked, ‘why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the proceeds of the land? 4While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, were not the proceeds at your disposal? How is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You did not lie to us but to God!’ 5Now when Ananias heard these words, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard of it. 6The young men came and wrapped up his body, then carried him out and buried him.
7 After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8Peter said to her, ‘Tell me whether you and your husband sold the land for such and such a price.’ And she said, ‘Yes, that was the price.’ 9Then Peter said to her, ‘How is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.’ 10Immediately she fell down at his feet and died. When the young men came in they found her dead, so they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11And great fear seized the whole church and all who heard of these things.
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