17/09/2022
*ANCHOR (⚓) – NIFES’ Daily Devotional*
*Date:* Saturday, 17th September 2022
*Topic:* ```Three Hours Late To Church```
*Bible Reading:* Acts 5: 1–11 (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ®. Copyright © 2016 by Crossway Bibles)
*1.* But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property,
*2.* and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it 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 to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land?
*4.* While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.”
*5.* When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it.
*6.* The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.
*7.* After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.
*8.* And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.”
*9.* But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”
*10.* Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.
*11.* And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.
*Word for Today:* _“After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.”_ – *v. 7.*
*Inspiring Commentary:*
You must have heard a sermon on the lie of Ananias and Sapphira. If Barnabas gave an offering and he was praised, Ananias and Sapphira need not give as competition and they need not lie about how much they gave. Can we for once see Madam Sapphira in this text? She was 3 hours late for Church!!! Yes, as seen in Acts 5:7 _“After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.”_ I kept asking how long their Church service was that someone could be 3 hours late. I also asked what Madam Sapphira was busy doing at home that she was 3 hours late. Was she dressing up for that long and the head tie didn’t cooperate? Was she deciding which clothes to match that day of special recognition? Was she practising her walking steps in case she was called out to be recognised as the wife of the great donor to the Church? Whatever, she was 3 hours late for Church service and we need to learn lessons from her. She may have been saved if she saw how her husband died and she repented.
Beloved, why coming late to Church? Can’t iron the clothes early? Can’t get water for bathing early? Can’t do that other thing before Church time? A brother shared of a good woman in their Church who was however barren. She was always early to church but decided to come late one day. While the church was praying an angel brought a gift for her but she missed out because she came late. This may just be a story but we can learn a lesson from it. Beloved, can you decide not to make late-coming a habit? May God help you.
*Prayer:* God, please help me to always respect appointments with You much more than I do to man.
