Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

November 17
Monday


CLOSING
THE GAPS

READ:
Acts 5:1-11
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Why have you
conceived this thing in
your heart? You have
not lied to men but to
God. __Acts 5:4
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After the final episode of the 2002 TV program Survivor: Africa, a wrap-up special focused on the final contestants. The show's host Jeff Probst
said that the victor won "mostly by sticking with his principles." The champion later explained that he wanted to win while retaining "dignity and self-respect." He elaborated that you don't have to lie, cheat, or do underhanded things to win. You can be competitive, yet still be truthful and nice. In short, he permitted no discrepancy between image and reality.

In the book of Acts we read about Ananias and Sapphira, who did have a gap betwen what they wanted to be known for and who they really were (5:1-11). Satan filled their hearts with a deceptive plan. They sold a piece of property and brought just a portion of the money to the apostles, while pretending they were giving all the proceeds. They wanted to be recognized as a generous couple, but they were not what they appeared to be. This gap caused them to lie to the Holy Spirit and to the faith community. They paid a terrible price__death. Their example stands as a stark warning to us all.

What discrepancies have we permitted in our lives? We must confess them and close the gaps. __Marvin Williams
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`````````````````Lord, by Your Spirit grant that we````````````````
```````````````````May live with such integrity```````````````````
```````````````That when we simply give our word````````````````
````````No one will doubt what has been heard. __D. De Haan````````
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Integrity means
never having to look over your shoulder

**************Today's Bible Reading __ Acts 5:1-11***************

1But a certain man named
Ananias, with Sapphira his
wife, sold a possession.

2 And he kept back part of
the proceeds, his wife also
being aware of it, and
brought a certain part 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 keep back part of the
price of the land for
yourself? 4 While it
remained, was it not your
own? And after it was sold,
was it not in your own
control? Why have you
conceived this thing in your
heart? You have not lied to
men but to God."

5 Then Ananias, hearing
these words, fell down and
breathed his last. So great
fear came upon all those who
heard these things....

7 Now it was about three
hours later when his wife
came in, not knowing what
had happened. 8 And Peter
answered her, "Tell me
whether you sold the land for
so much?" She said, "Yes,
for so much."

9 Then Peter said to her,
"How is it that you have
agreed together to test the
Spirit of the Lord? Look, the
feet of those who have buried
your husband are at the door,
and they will carry you out."

10 Then immediately she fell
down at his feet and breathed
her last. And the young men
came in and found her
dead, and carrying her out,
buried her by her husband.

11 So great fear came upon
all the church and upon all
who heard these things.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

The statements in the following verses clearly reveal that the Holy
Spirit is both personal and completely divine: Peter said, "Ananias,
why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit?... You
have not lied to men but to God" (Acts 5:3-4). Dennis Fisher