The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 27 June 2023 – Be Filled With The Holy Spirit
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TOPIC: Be Filled With The Holy Spirit
READ: Acts 4:33-5:16 (KJV)
33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
35 And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
5 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
2 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.
3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.
13 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.
14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.
16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
THE MESSAGE:
God continued His wonderful works through the early Apostles. The believers grew in number, shared things in common and showed genuine love for God and for one another (Acts 4:33-37). The story of Ananias and Saphira, however, was an attempt by the ancient Serpent to destroy again the joyful communion of the believers with God as he did to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit discerned the plot and said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit…” (Acts 5:3). Ananias and Saphira lied against the Holy Spirit and fell for their sin.
Today’s text shows that when believers are in peaceful fellowship, the devil is not happy and will always seek ways to break their relationship with God and themselves. Anyone in the bondage of the devil manifests the works of the flesh – lying, jealousy, party spirit, hatred, envy, etc. (Galatians 5:19). It is only through the infilling of the Holy Spirit that you can discern the schemes of Satan around you and overcome it. God’s desire is that the Holy Spirit abides in you forever (John 14:16b). Are you filled with the Holy Spirit? Ask Him to come into your life today.
PRAYER: Spirit Divine, come into my life today and break every work of the flesh in Jesus’ name. Amen.
