Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

Jan 1st, 2013 Just for Ladies – by Camille Stahl

Today’s Passage – Genesis 1 – 3 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Mathew 1 – 2; Proverbs 1; Psalms 1 – 5)

Scripture Memoriztion for January – Philippians 3

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 51

Sapphira – A Woman Who Did Not Keep Her Promise To God!

“But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, 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. 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? 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. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. 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. 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. And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.” (Acts 5:1-11)

At the time of Sapphira, and her husband Ananias, the church was being persecuted. Many believers gave generously to support the church. But Sapphira and her husband had greedy hearts and desire money as they tried to look good in the churches eyes. So they vowed to sell their home and give the money to the church, as other did, but kept back some of the money for themselves. As a result of the couples disobedience, they both died and the church feared.

Today many of us are making “New Years Resolutions.” Some may be to stop smoking, lose weight, find a new job, stop drinking, to be more mindful of your money…. The list can go on and on. For others it maybe to be a better Christian. To start or increase your Bible reading, to pray everyday, to attend church regularly, to tithe, to serve more, to win souls….. All of these “Resolution” are good, but we must remember the example of Ananias and Sapphira. Keep our promise to God. Everyone will wake up today and read their Bible and pray. But will we still be doing it next week or next month? We may forget but God doesn’t. I’m not saying God will kill us, but we could suffer the consequences.

Let not just start the New Year off right, lets finish strong and keep our promises to God, to ourselves, and to each other.

HAVE A JOYFUL AND BLESSED NEW YEAR

Thank You

1 John 5:13