Acts 5: 11 “So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.”
Dear God,
I thank You for this fresh new day, a day of promise, as I prepare for the next few days.
I am finding the stories in Acts food for reflection, relative to my own spiritual experience. The different examples of how the Holy Spirit worked in the early Acts church are arresting, because of the great power that caused the early church to grow and expand in a way not seen before. Jesus told us that the Holy Spirit would be a special part of His church after He went back to heaven; I believe as we have come down more than 2000 years nearer to Jesus coming back He will manifest His power through people who set aside their self-focus, and build an active faith in You. Put numbers of such people together and I cannot imagine what You could achieve through such a group. This type of movement is predicted by You in the end times; ushering in the time of the end, as are false revivals, which are not based on much prayer, soul searching and study of Your scriptures.
Come amongst us soon Holy Spirit in Your mighty power and usher down Jesus our Triumphant King.
A heart that is untrue to You cannot be hidden under the light of the Holy Spirit. The Acts 5 characters, Ananias and Sapphira found this when they promised all the proceeds of their sale, but had kept some back a portion for themselves, when the sale had netted more than they expected. You had not asked for any of their proceeds, but because they had publicly promised the amount, and then to make themselves look good, stated they were giving the full amount from their sale, when they were not; as an example to the early church members, You did not let their deceit and lack of truthfulness go without immediate judgement.
Reveal to me (us) if and when I have practiced this principle of promising such and such, but actually secretly keeping some back for me. I think this could be applied to not just money, but promises I (we) make of giving time to You, but robbing You of some of our promised time or service. I desire to serve You with a true and undivided heart, remembering, that my money, time etc. is mine as Your provision, until I make a promise or pledge to You of a certain amount, and then it becomes Yours totally.
The apostles were full of faith and worked selflessly to reveal Jesus, in the power of the Spirit. They had become mighty instruments for teaching and healing; always giving You glory, as they presented word pictures of the crucified, resurrected Saviour of the world. They were not deterred by their external circumstances! Neither had they been left without input and protection by You. Some were imprisoned and set free by an angel. In obedience to the words of that angel, they went back and taught in the same temple from which they had been arrested.
I am conscious of what could happen in some places and situations, when we also go and present word pictures of the crucified, resurrected Saviour to the world. You have promised Your power and mighty works to every person, and promised that we have no need to fear because You are always near to those who pray sincerely.
I love You Lord and only in Your wisdom can I present a crucified, resurrected Saviour! Thank You for hearing these prayers.
Amen