Category: 260 Devotional

¹⁹ But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. ²⁰But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe. ²¹They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, ²²strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. ²³Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.

²⁴ Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. ²⁵ And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia, ²⁶ and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled. ²⁷ And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he hadopened a door of faith to the Gentiles. ²⁸ And they remained no little time with the disciples.

 

Meditation

1. Paul believed that the purpose of ministry was to “strengthen believers’ souls” (v22) and “equip the saints” (Eph 4:12-13).  We are commanded by Jesus not only to make disciples, but also to teach them to obey everything that Jesus commanded.  This is the “Great Omission from the Great Commission” in many churches.
2. How much do you know of the various Equipping opportunities at your church?  What have you been committed in?
3. Recalling your own Christian journey, how much equipping have you received?  Are you willing to receive training for spiritual growth and ministry preparation?
4. This “260 Appointments with God” is an Equipping opportunity.  Thank the Lord for this exercise, and pray that God will help you persevere to the finish line.

 

Family Time (Begin this time by reading the passage above using a children’s Bible.)

Saul has changed his name to Paul.  Look up a Bible dictionary to find out the meaning of Saul, and Paul.  Do the two meanings match who Saul and Paul were before and after he met Jesus?  What’s the meaning of your name?  Pass the Family Devotional Journal for each to write or draw meaning of their names. Pray that God will help them to live up to their namesake.

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 13:19-21

¹⁹ A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools.  ²⁰ Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.  ²¹ Disaster pursues sinners, but the righteous are rewarded with good.

 

¹In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. ²While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” ³So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

⁴ So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. ⁵ When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of Godin the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John toassist them. ⁶ When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certainmagician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. ⁷ He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. ………

¹³ Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem, ¹⁴ but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. ¹⁵ After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.” ¹⁶ So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said:  “Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen.

 

Meditation

1. In this passage, worship, prayer and fasting are integrated into the selection and installation of Barnabas and Saul as missionaries.  Today worship and prayer are common in the ordination of pastors and installation of missionaries, but fasting is not.  Why has fasting been dropped from the preparation for these times of consecration?  How possible would it be to suggest that fasting be part of the next ordination or installation service in our church?  Or for the next church-wide meeting regarding future planning?
2. Read carefully the definition of these three elements to gain a better understanding.  Find ways to implement one of these this week.  (Spiritual Formation Bible)

Fasting: The voluntary abstention from an otherwise normal function – most often eating – for the sake of intense spiritual activity. Other examples include websurfing, TV, favourite food, sports, etc .

Prayer: Interactive conversation with God about what we and God are thinking and doing together. Therefore, there is talking and also the silently listening.

Worship: Expressing in words, music, rituals, and silent adoration the greatness, beauty, and goodness of God, by means of which we enter the supernatural reality of the glory, of God.

 

Family Time (Begin this time by reading the passage above using a children’s Bible.)

What is in a Worship service?  Discuss each item as children name them.  Plan a Worship service at home.  Record your plan in the Family Devotional Journal for your family’s weekly or monthly Worship at Home.

 

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

 

Proverbs for Today 13:15-18

¹⁵ Good sense wins favor, but the way of the treacherous is their ruin.  ¹⁶ In everything the prudent acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly.  ¹⁷ A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing.  ¹⁸ Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is honored.

¹ About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. ² He killed James the brother of John with the sword, ³ and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. ⁴ And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. ⁵ So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.

⁶ Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. ⁷ And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. ⁸ And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” ⁹ And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. ¹⁰ When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. ¹¹ When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”

¹² When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. ¹³ And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. ¹⁴ Recognizing Peter’s voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. ¹⁵ They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!”¹⁶ But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. ¹⁷ But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to James and to the brothers.” Then he departed and went to another place.

 

Meditation

1. What does the church’s response to James’s death and Peter being in prison (vv. 2, 5) demonstrate about prayer?  Why do you think the praying Christians reacted as they did to Peter’s return?
2. The earnest prayer of the church significantly affected the outcome of the events of this chapter. How is your motivation to pray influenced by this truth?  How have you seen God respond to a group of people who were earnestly praying?
3. Recall a time when God answered one of your prayers. Thank him for the joy and encouragement you received from his gracious blessing upon you.

Family Time (Begin this time by reading the passage above using a children’s Bible.)
God did a miracle in getting Peter out of the prison.  What has God done to you and your family?  Encourage everyone to share.  Pass the Family Devotional Journal for each to write or draw the sharing. Thank God for His goodness and care.

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 13:12-14
 ¹² Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.  ¹³ Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded.  ¹⁴ The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.

¹⁹Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. ²⁰Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. ²¹The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.  ²²News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. ²³When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. ²⁴He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.  ²⁵Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, ²⁶and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

Meditation

1. Barnabas appears as a minor character taking a backseat to Paul.  His name means “son of encouragement.”  He brought the money, having sold a field, to the apostles for charity use (4:37).  Later he encouraged the believers to accept Paul(9:27).  Paul and Barnabas began an itinerary ministry, teaching, caring and evangelizing.  Barnabas is described as “a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith”.  Though Barnabas enters and disappears in Acts quietly, we hear echoes of Jesus: “Whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant” (Matt 20:26).
2. Who in your life has impacted you most deeply?  Who was like Barnabas that has believed in you, supported you when you sorely needed it? Who, as Barnabas did, “strengthened (your) souls… and encouraged (you) to continue in the faith”?
3. Barnabas could be characterized as a giver – he gave of his money, time, energy, and position.  Which of these types of giving is most difficult for you?  In what way might God be asking you to give right now?
4. How can you imitate Barnabas as an encourager of others, seeing their potential, and spurring them on in proclaiming the good news of Jesus?

 

Family Time (Begin this time by reading the passage above using a children’s Bible.)

Barnabas is an Encourager and a cheerful Giver.  Do you like to give away things to people who need it?  What have you given to people?  Discuss ways and things your family can give to a needy family or a person.  Decide when and how to accomplish it.  Record your plan in your Family Devotional Journal.

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 13:8-11

⁸ The ransom of a man’s life is his wealth, but a poor man hears no threat.  ⁹ The light of the righteous rejoices, but the lamp of the wicked will be put out.  ¹⁰ By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom.  ¹¹ Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.

⁹About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. ¹⁰He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. ¹¹He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. ¹²It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. ¹³Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”  ¹⁴“Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”  ¹⁵The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”  ¹⁶This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.  ¹⁷While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. ¹⁸They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.  ¹⁹While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you.

²⁷Talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. ²⁸He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. ²⁹ So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.”

 

Meditation

1. The Jews did not want to interact with the Gentiles, they don’t go into their homes, or touch their things, or eat at their table, etc.  This is mainly because the Gentiles eat what was forbidden by Jewish laws, they are ceremonially unclean, and interacting with the Gentiles would make the Jewish people unclean.
2. However, while Cornelius’ messengers were on their way to Peter, God used the vision to change Peter’s view toward the Gentiles.
3. Is there anything (of culture, background, custom, habits, education, interests) that have limited or prohibited you of true fellowship or reaching out to others?
4. Reflect on you prayer experiences.  In what areas have you experienced God’s guidance in prayer?
5. What are some of the social and cultural barriers that you need to break through as you seek to reach out to your friends for the gospel?

 

Family Time (Begin this time by reading the passage above using a children’s Bible.)

Which friend of yours comes from a different background than yours?  What are the differences and similarities between the two of you?  Thank God for the many people in the world.  Put a photo of you & your friend in your Family Devotional Journal. Lead the family sing “Jesus loves the little children”.  Since Jesus loves all the children of the world, so shall we.

 

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

 

Proverbs for Today 13:5-7

⁵ The righteous hates falsehood, but the wicked brings shame and disgrace.  ⁶ Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless, but sin overthrows the wicked.  ⁷ One pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.

 

 

 

¹Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest ²and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. ³As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. ⁴He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”  ⁵“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. ⁶“Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

⁷The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. ⁸Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. ⁹For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

 

Meditation

1. This is the beginning of Saul’s new life in Christ.  The focus of this marvelous experience is Jesus Christ.  Saul not only saw a vision, he personally met the risen Christ (vv4-5). He recognized that Jesus was the Son of God and changed the direction of his life. True repentance came through a personal encounter with Jesus, when a relationship with Jesus was established and new life began.
2. Recall your encounter with Jesus: how you acknowledged Jesus as your Lord, repent your sin, gave your life to Jesus, determined to live an obedient life, established a personal relationship with Jesus and began a new life.
3. Thank God for your conversion experience.  And dedicate yourself to God once again to live an obedient life for God.

 

Family Time (Begin this time by reading the passage above using a children’s Bible.)

What did Saul see?  How will you feel if you were Saul?  Who was talking to Saul?  What did Saul do before Jesus talked to him?  Do you think Saul changed after this?  Why?  Have you met God?  Share.

 

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 13:1-4

¹  A wise son hears his father’s instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.  ² From the fruit of his mouth a man eats what is good, but the desire of the treacherous is for violence.  ³ Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.  ⁴ The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.

²⁶ Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. ²⁷ And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship, ²⁸and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. ²⁹The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”  ³⁰Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.  ³¹“How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.  ³²The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture:

“He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent,  so he did not open his mouth. ³³In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants?      For his life was taken from the earth.”

³⁴The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” ³⁵Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.

Meditation

1. After Stephen was martyred, persecution of the Church increased and Christians scattered.  The Spirit led Philip to the chariot of the Ethiopian eunuch.  The eunuch believed quickly and wanted to be baptized.
2. Philip’s experience reminds us that when we share the gospel with other, we come in the love of the Holy Spirit to those who honestly seek God, trusting that the Spirit began the work before we did and will carry it on after us.
3. Who, among your closely acquainted, can you begin to pray for his/her salvation?  Is there anyone around you who has been asking “spiritual” questions—questions about life’s meaning, belief, purpose, etc.?  Write the name down and pray regularly, taking note of the Holy Spirit’s work and asking for wisdom to share the gospel with him/her.

 

Family Time (Begin this time by reading the passage above using a children’s Bible.)

Philip was a missionary who went to different places to preach the gospel.  Who are the missionaries that our church is praying for and supporting?  What places are they in?  Pray for these missionaries.  Can you be a missionary?  Write in your Family Devotional Journal the missionaries and include their photos, too.

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 12:25-28

²⁵ Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.  ²⁶ One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.  ²⁷ Whoever is slothful will not roast his game, but the diligent man will get precious wealth.  ²⁸ In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death.

⁵¹“You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! ⁵²Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— ⁵³you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it.”

⁵⁴When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. ⁵⁵But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ⁵⁶“Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”  ⁵⁷At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, ⁵⁸dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.  ⁵⁹While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” ⁶⁰Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

 

Meditation

1. Do you think that Stephen’s boldness was a mistake which cost his life?  In fact, just like the crucifixion of Jesus, Stephen’s martyrdom was part of God’s plan for saving His people. God usually would turn “bad” things into unexpected good outcome.
2. Have you had any experience that was terrible, disappointing, unfair…, but in the end, there was an unexpected good result?  How does this help you understand God’s will?
3. Are you willing to be like Stephen and, as Paul says in Philippians 1, have the attitude that “to live is Christ and to die is gain”?

 

Family Time (Begin this time by reading the passage above using a children’s Bible.)

What happened to Stephen?  Why?  Why didn’t God save Stephen?  Parents, recall one difficult incident you or the family experienced.  Share how God blessed the incident and caused beautiful consequences from it.  Ask a child to write to draw the incident in your Family Devotional Journal.

 

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 12:21-24

²¹ No ill befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble.  ²² Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.  ²³ A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly.  ²⁴ The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor.

¹In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. ²So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. ³Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them ⁴and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”  ⁵This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. ⁶They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.  ⁷So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

 

Meditation

1. The life of Early Church was full of miracles, sharing, and fellowship.  How wonderful it would have been to be a member of this “Perfect” church.  In fact, the Early Church also had problems just like today.  There is no perfect church until the coming of Christ in union with believers.
2. If you have been frustrated with your church, are you willing to spend the same amount of energy to pray for your church and pastors?
3. Spend a few minutes to pray for your church, pastors, ministries and other believers.

 

 

Family Time (Begin this time by reading the passage above using a children’s Bible.)

Name all the deacons in your church.  Allow everyone a chance to introduce one deacon to the rest of the family.  End it by praying for each deacon.  You may ask children to write the names of each deacon in your Family Devotional Journal.

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 12:17-20

¹⁷ Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit.  ¹⁸ There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.  ¹⁹ Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.  ²⁰ Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy.

 

¹Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. ²With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.  ³Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? ⁴Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God.”  ⁵When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. ⁶Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.  ⁷About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. ⁸Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” “Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”  ⁹Peter said to her, “How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”  ¹⁰At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. ¹¹Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.

Meditation

1. The sin that Ananias and Sapphira committed wasn’t that they’ve kept some money for themselves.  After all, the sale of the property and the amount to donate were their decisions.  They sinned in deceiving God and His people.  They were severely punished for deception for greed will corrupt the church and the work of the Holy Spirit.  It seems Ananias and Sapphira were bound by their desire for approval or acclaim.  They couldn’t give freely and honestly as led by the Holy Spirit, but rather needed to use their giving to increase their reputation.  God could not allow such motives to pollute the powerful work of his Spirit in this first body of Christians.
2. Satan will use your weaknesses to come into your heart and influence your decisions.  In what ways should you be alert in guarding your actions and thoughts?

 

Family Time (Begin this time by reading the passage above using a children’s Bible.)

Discuss the story: What did Ananias and Sapphira do wrong?  Why did God punish Ananias and Sapphira so harshly?  How did Satan cause them to sin?  How would Satan cause you to sin?  What should you do?  End with a prayer for each family member to obey God and not Satan. Jot down the prayer for each one in your Family Devotional Journal.

Prayer & Journaling:  On your prayer journal, as you listen to God, write down a few thoughts, questions, words, names, drawings, or anything that has come to your mind during this time.

Proverbs for Today 12:14-16

¹⁴ From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good, and the work of a man’s hand comes back to him.  ¹⁵ The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.  ¹⁶ The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult.