The whole church enjoyed unity and generosity, and it all started at the top. The example of the apostles spread a spirit of generosity throughout the whole church. Unfortunately, a couple of pretenders, Ananias and Sapphira, sold some land and gave part of the proceeds to the apostles, reporting that they had given all the money to the church. God revealed their deception to Peter, and he called them on it. Their sin was not lack of generosity, but lack of honesty. They lied about what they had done. They wanted to be thought of as generous without paying the price.

God would have nothing to do with it. He surgically removed the spiritual cancer from the church by taking their lives. “So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things,” Luke says (Acts 5:11).

Let’s look more closely at the problem and itemize it. Ananias and Sapphira…

1. Clung to their possessions.
2. Agreed to lie about their giving.
3. Pretended to be someone they were not.
4. Thought they could get by with appearing to be generous.
5. Felt more concerned with their image than their relationship to God.

Many leaders struggle with the same issues. Not only do we live in a materialistic world, but we buy into the world’s economy. We think that if we grasp and cling to our possessions through our own cleverness, we will eventually “make it.” God’s economy is radically different. He is an extravagant Lord who gives generously to everyone with a need. He enjoys meeting the needs of His followers, directly or indirectly. He doesn’t merely give of His resources, but of Himself.

Building Generosity into Your Life

Nothing speaks more loudly to others or serves them better than a leader’s generosity. Effective leaders gather for others, then give it away. Consider several ways to cultivate generosity in your own life:

1. Be grateful for whatever you have.
2. Put people first.
3. Don’t allow greed to control you.
4. Regard money as a resource.
5. Develop the habit of giving.

Sometimes we hold on to our possessions because we fear we might run out – life seems scarce. But when we believe that giving is the way to live, we will produce more in the future – life seems abundant. This is the life Jesus had in mind for us (John 10:10).

Little steps towards generosity go a long way. I noticed my cat’s favorite toy had a hole in it. I took a moment to be generous and patched the hole. He shows his generosity by playing more with it and is glad it is lasting longer.

Show more awareness of how you can apply it in more areas of your daily life.

Acts 5:1-11

Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. ² With 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.

³ Then 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? ⁴ Didn’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 just to human beings but to God.”

⁵ When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. ⁶ Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.

⁷ About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. ⁸ Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?”

“Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”

⁹ Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”

¹⁰ At 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. ¹¹ Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.

After the Holy Spirit falls on the believers (Acts 2:1-4), those visiting Jerusalem begin to wonder how these disciples of Jesus could speak so many languages (2:5-13). While some think the disciples are drunk, most just feel confused. Chaos seems to rule.

That’s when Peter stands up and begins to speak. This same Peter, who ran in fear on the night of Jesus’ trial, now speaks boldly. Within minutes, he has captivated everyone with his compelling words. The crowd gladly accepts his message. Why? He has charisma. Through a combination of God-given wiring and the gift of the Holy Spirit, this leader captures and motivates three thousand people to follow Christ.

What Are the Traits of a Charismatic Leader?

Most people think of charisma as something mystical, almost indefinable. They think it comes at birth or not at all. But that’s not true. Charisma is the ability to draw people to you or your cause. Some people possess more of it naturally. Like other character traits, however, it can be learned. Notice what made Peter so charismatic (2:14-40):

1. Confidence: Peter displayed poise and optimism as a buoyant communicator.
2. Conviction: He knew where he was going and what he had to say. He spoke straight from his heart.
3. Connection: He focused not on himself, but on others. He magnetically connected with his audience.
4. Compassion: He exuded warmth and love. He gave the people practical answers to their needs.

By the end of his message, everyone asked, “What shall we do?” (2:37). They felt motivated and ready to act. God used Peter’s charisma like a magnet.

How Can We Build Charisma?

How about you? Do you demonstrate charisma? To make yourself the kind of person who attracts others, build the following into your life:

1. Love life. Celebrate; don’t complain. Enjoy the journey.
2. Put a “10” on everyone’s forehead. Expect the best of people and treat them well.
3. Give people hope. Everyone looks for hope; leaders deal it out.
4. Share yourself. Be vulnerable and real. Share your heart, wisdom, and resources.

Great direction from John Maxwell. Are you applying these lessons in your life so that others see it in the actions you take? You don’t have to tell them; you have to show it.

Acts 2:1-41

The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

2 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. ² Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³ They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. ⁴ All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues^[a] as the Spirit enabled them.

⁵ Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. ⁶ When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. ⁷ Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? ⁸ Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? ⁹ Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,^[b] 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome ¹¹ (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” ¹² Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

¹³ Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”

Peter Addresses the Crowd

¹⁴ Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. ¹⁵ These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! ¹⁶ No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

¹⁷ “‘In the last days, God says,
    I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
    your young men will see visions,
    your old men will dream dreams.
¹⁸ Even on my servants, both men and women,
    I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
    and they will prophesy.
¹⁹ I will show wonders in the heavens above
    and signs on the earth below,
    blood and fire and billows of smoke.
²⁰ The sun will be turned to darkness
    and the moon to blood
    before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
²¹ And everyone who calls
    on the name of the Lord will be saved.’^[c]

²² “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. ²³ This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men,^[d] put him to death by nailing him to the cross. ²⁴ But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. ²⁵ David said about him:

“‘I saw the Lord always before me.
    Because he is at my right hand,
    I will not be shaken.
²⁶ Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
    my body also will rest in hope,
²⁷ because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
    you will not let your holy one see decay.
²⁸ You have made known to me the paths of life;
    you will fill me with joy in your presence.’^[e]

²⁹ “Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. ³⁰ But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. ³¹ Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. ³² God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. ³³ Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. ³⁴ For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,

“‘The Lord said to my Lord:
    “Sit at my right hand
³⁵ until I make your enemies
    a footstool for your feet.”’^[f]

³⁶ “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”

³⁷ When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

³⁸ Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹ The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

⁴⁰ With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” ⁴¹ Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

1. The Law of the Lid: Leadership ability determines a person’s level of effectiveness.
   • John 1:35-37 – John the Baptizer knew Jesus could lead his disciples further than he could.
   • John 6:66-68 – Peter confessed that the disciples had no better leader to turn to.
2. The Law of Influence: The true measure of leadership is influence – Nothing more, nothing less.
   • Matthew 4:18-20 – Jesus called His disciples, who left everything to follow Him.
   • John 11:47, 48 – The Pharisees feared that if Jesus continued, everyone would follow Him.
3. The Law of Process: Leadership develops daily, not in a day.
   • Luke 2:52 – Jesus continued to grow in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and men.
   • Hebrews 5:7-9 – Although He was God’s Son, Jesus grew and learned through suffering.
4. The Law of Navigation: Anyone can steer the ship, but it takes a leader to chart the course.
   • Matthew 10:1-23 – Jesus gave specific direction in sending out His disciples.
   • Luke 14:25-35 – Jesus taught the value of planning and calculating one’s resources.
5. The Law of the Picture: People do what people see.
   • Matthew 10:24, 25; John 15: 5-20 – Jesus taught that followers soon look like their leader.
   • Matthew 14:22-33 – When Jesus walked on water, Peter imitated Him and attempted it.
6. The Law of Solid Ground: Trust is the foundation of leadership.
   • Matthew 17: 24-27 – To prevent offending anyone, Jesus paid even the smallest tax.
   • Matthew 22:15-46 – Jesus debated enemies and answered questions with integrity.
7. The Law of Respect: People naturally follow leaders stronger than themselves.
   • Matthew 3:11-15 – John the Baptizer acknowledged Jesus’ superiority over his ministry.
   • Matthew 8:5-10 – A centurion sought out Jesus, knowing His authority over all things.
8. The Law of Intuition: Leaders evaluate everything with a leadership bias.
   • Matthew 9:35-38 – Jesus saw the masses and discerned how to reach them.
   • Luke 5:1-11 – Jesus saw Simon’s leadership potential when he didn’t see it himself.
9. The Law of Magnetism: Who you are is who you attract.
   • Mark 10:28-31 – Peter reminded Jesus that he left everything, just as Christ did.
   • John 17:13-21 – Jesus confessed the similarities and unity of the men God gave Him.
10. The Law of Connection: Leaders touch a heart before they ask for a hand.
    • Luke 8:22- 9:1 – Jesus met the needs of His disciples, a demoniac, and Jairus – then sent them out.
    • John 4:7-26 – Jesus connected with a Samaritan woman right where she lived.
11. The Law of the Inner Circle: A leader’s potential is determined by those closest to him.
    • Luke 9:1-10:42 – Jesus sent out the Twelve and the 70, who multiplied His impact.
    • John 17:1-26 – Jesus spent a night praying for the success of His inner circle.
12. The Law of Empowerment: Only secure leaders give power to others.
    • John 13:1-20 – Jesus felt secure enough to wash feet and send men out to do the same.
    • Luke 10:1-24 – Jesus gave His power away to the 70 so they could serve others.
13. The Law of Addition: Leaders add value by serving others.
    • John 13:1-17 – Jesus washed His disciples’ feet and gave an example of adding value.
    • Matthew 14:21-31 – Jesus sought solitude but continued to serve others and meet needs.
14. The Law of Buy-In: People buy in to the leader, then the vision.
    • Luke 5:3-11 – Jesus built His team before they understood the details of His vision.
    • Luke 9:57-62 – Jesus confronted men who followed Him before they knew His vision.
15. The Law of Victory: Leaders find a way for the team to win.
    • Matthew 14:13-33 – Jesus found a way to feed the masses and saved His disciples on the ship.
    • Mark 16:1-20 – Jesus’ resurrection surprised everyone and restored their hope.
16. The Law of the Big Mo: Momentum is a leader’s best friend.
    • Mark 1:40-45 – Jesus’ fame spread to the point that He couldn’t even enter a public place.
    • John 12:9-19 – After Lazarus’s resuscitation, it seemed the whole world sought Jesus.
17. The Law of Priorities: Leaders understand that activity is not necessarily accomplishment.
    • Mark 1:32-38 – Jesus ministered all night, then got alone and decided to move on.
    • Luke 10:38-42 – Jesus narrowed Martha’s to-do list to one key priority.
18. The Law of Sacrifice: A leader must give up to go up.
    • Matthew 20:20-28 – Jesus demonstrated that if you want to be great, you have to serve.
    • John 10:10-18 – Jesus willingly laid down His life for His sheep.
19. The Law of Timing: When to lead is as important as what to do and where to go.
    • John 7:6-8 – Jesus knew when His time had come to reveal the kingdom.
    • John 11:1-6 – When Lazarus got sick, Jesus waited to visit him until after he had died.
20. The Law of Explosive Growth: To add growth, lead followers; to multiply, lead leaders.
    • Mark 16:15-20 – Jesus trained and sent leaders, and expected them to reach the world.
    • John 14:12 – Jesus prepared the Twelve to do greater works than He did.
21. The Law of Legacy: A leader’s lasting value is measured by succession.
    • Acts 1:6-8 – Jesus’ most important words were His last ones to the next generation.
    • Acts 17:1-6 – The apostles’ reputation spread: They turned the world upside down.

Find ways to apply all of this to your life, too!

The flawed worldview of the Jewish leaders contributed greatly to their continuing inability to understand Jesus. They sat in a place of power and feared being displaced. Jesus taught that leadership meant serving others; they sought titles and positions of honor. Jesus taught that leadership meant giving up rights; they took pride in their heritage as sons of Abraham. Jesus told them that their actions revealed their true father – and that’s when they had had enough. This Jesus simply was too radical for them. Still, they couldn’t win a debate with Him. He seemed to know the Scriptures better than they did! He was different from them – but much to their disappointment, He was right.

The Pharisees sought power and were already competing with the Roman Empire for control of the masses. Not only did they have to deal with their own king, Herod, but they also needed to consider a Roman governor named Pontius Pilate. Consequently, they protected every bit of turf they could.

Does this sound like any leader you know? Someone who fights to maintain manmade traditions and rules? Someone blind to the needs of others and preoccupied with himself or herself? Such leaders stand in contrast to the servant leadership Jesus modeled.

Secular Leadership vs. Spiritual Leadership

Take a moment to contrast the world’s leadership model with Jesus’ model.

Issue… Secular Leadership… Spiritual Leadership

How to gain influence… Leverage power… Love people (Phil. 2:3-11)

How to possess confidence… Compete and win… Depend on God (2 Cor. 3:4-6)

How to acquire authority… Claim your rights and position… Servanthood (Matt. 20:20-28)

How to grow an organization… Demand of people… Develop people (Acts 19:8-10)

What vision drives you… Temporal gain… Eternal gain (Matthew 6:31-32)

What is success… Overcoming the competition… Obeying the Lord (1 Cor. 4:1-5)

The heart of leadership… The boss… A Father (1 Cor. 4:15)

What does your leadership look like? Are you a Pharisee or a servant?

Thoughts of John Maxwell to maximize leadership skills of truly being a servant.

John 8:1-59

¹ but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.

² At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. ³ The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group ⁴ and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. ⁵ In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” ⁶ They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. ⁷ When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” ⁸ Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

⁹ At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. ¹⁰ Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

¹¹ “No one, sir,” she said.

“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

Dispute Over Jesus’ Testimony

¹² When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

¹³ The Pharisees challenged him, “Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.”

¹⁴ Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. ¹⁵ You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. ¹⁶ But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. ¹⁷ In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true. ¹⁸ I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.”

¹⁹ Then they asked him, “Where is your father?”

“You do not know me or my Father,” Jesus replied. “If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” ²⁰ He spoke these words while teaching in the temple courts near the place where the offerings were put. Yet no one seized him, because his hour had not yet come.

Dispute Over Who Jesus Is

²¹ Once more Jesus said to them, “I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come.”

²² This made the Jews ask, “Will he kill himself? Is that why he says, ‘Where I go, you cannot come’?”

²³ But he continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. ²⁴ I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins.”

²⁵ “Who are you?” they asked.

“Just what I have been telling you from the beginning,” Jesus replied. ²⁶ “I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is trustworthy, and what I have heard from him I tell the world.”

²⁷ They did not understand that he was telling them about his Father. ²⁸ So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up^[a] the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. ²⁹ The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” ³⁰ Even as he spoke, many believed in him.

Dispute Over Whose Children Jesus’ Opponents Are

³¹ To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. ³² Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

³³ They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”

³⁴ Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. ³⁵ Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. ³⁶ So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. ³⁷ I know that you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me, because you have no room for my word. ³⁸ I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence, and you are doing what you have heard from your father.^[b]”

³⁹ “Abraham is our father,” they answered.

“If you were Abraham’s children,” said Jesus, “then you would^[c] do what Abraham did. ⁴⁰ As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. ⁴¹ You are doing the works of your own father.”

“We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God himself.”

⁴² Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. ⁴³ Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. ⁴⁴ You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. ⁴⁵ Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! ⁴⁶ Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? ⁴⁷ Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”

Jesus’ Claims About Himself

⁴⁸ The Jews answered him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?”

⁴⁹ “I am not possessed by a demon,” said Jesus, “but I honor my Father and you dishonor me. ⁵⁰ I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. ⁵¹ Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.”

⁵² At this they exclaimed, “Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that whoever obeys your word will never taste death. ⁵³ Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”

⁵⁴ Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. ⁵⁵ Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word. ⁵⁶ Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.”

⁵⁷ “You are not yet fifty years old,” they said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!”

⁵⁸ “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” ⁵⁹ At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.

1. Positively – We accept it as being His Word.

Acts 2:40 Gladly receive the Word of God. When was the last time you were glad you received God’s word?

 ^{With many other words, he warned them, and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.}”

James 1:23 Meekness – Not just listen, do.

Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror.

Acts 17:11 Daily – Searching as they are teaching.

Now, the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

Psalm 119:11 Hide on Heart so that you might not sin.

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

Matthew 7:24-27 Obediently – Be able to think differently. What’s different in your life this week because you follow the Lord? Are you accepting and allowing change to happen continuously?

The Wise and Foolish Builders

²⁴ “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, yet it did not fall because it had its foundation on the rock. ²⁶ But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ²⁷ The rain came down, the streams rose, the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

2. Negatively – Are you skeptical?

1 Thess. 2:13 Word of Men.

And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.

Luke 24:11 Skeptically not sure. But they did not believe the women because their words seemed nonsense to them.

Mark 5:40 Mocking.  But they laughed at him.

After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him and went in where the child was.

2 Peter 3:16 Twisting – Twists to our own destruction.

¹⁶ He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.

Jeremiah 36:23-24 Try to Destroy. Whenever Jehudi had read three or four columns of the scroll, the king cut them off with a scribe’s knife and threw them into the firepot until the entire scroll was burned in the fire. ²⁴ The king and all his attendants who heard all these words showed no fear, nor did they tear their clothes.

Mark 10:20-21 Become Sad. “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”

²¹ Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

Acts 7:54 Become angry.

When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him.

3. Promises – Based on faith

Romans 10:17 Faith is produced. Is your faith weak? What are you reading? Listening to?

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

James 1:18-19 Souls saved.

¹⁸ He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created.

Listening and Doing

¹⁹ My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,

John 8:31-32 Discipleship – Not just what we say, it’s what we do.

³¹ To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. ³² Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Psalm 119:9 Strength in temptation. How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
    By living according to your word.

John 15:1-8 Bear fruit.

 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. ² He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes^[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. ³ You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. ⁴ Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

Matt. 4:1-11 Strenght in scripture. Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness

4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted^[a] by the devil. ² After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. ³ The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

⁴ Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’^[b]”

⁵ Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. ⁶ “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
    and they will lift you up in their hands
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’^[c]”

⁷ Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’^[d]”

⁸ Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. ⁹ “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

¹⁰ Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’^[e]”

¹¹ Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

Heb. 5:11- 6:1 Maturity, life is not about us; it’s about others.

We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. ¹² In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! ¹³ Anyone who lives on milk, still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. ¹⁴ But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

6 Therefore, let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death,^[a] and of faith in God,

Matt. 24:35 A Foundation. God’s word is a foundation; you have a direction and a place to stand because you have the Lord in your heart.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

2 Tim. 3:15 Wisdom

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Acts 20:32 Grace for our hearts. What are you reading? Eyes and Ears filter everything. Simple.

“Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

Romans 12:1-2 Transformed.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by renewing your mind. Then, you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.

Romans 8:29 Conformed to the image of Christ saved so we can be saved from Jesus. Make us more like Jesus.

²⁹ For those God foreknew, he was also predestined to conform to the image of his Son, who might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

How are you receiving God’s message today? Open Bibles and Open Hearts?

The husband who threatens his wife with divorce or makes offhanded comments such as “You’d be better off with someone else” or “I think I’ll find someone else” is playing into a destructive pattern.

When Joshua was leading the Israelites to the Promised Land, he challenged them to totally commit to the Lord. They could no longer serve the God of Israel and still try to worship their old idols. They needed to make a choice. We face a similar question when we come to marriage. Will we put aside any thoughts or comments about divorce and be totally committed to our spouses?

The wise husband will make every effort to communicate to his wife that whatever happens, he is with her. If there are disagreements, he will take the time to listen, understand, and seek a resolution. If she suffers physical or emotional pain, he will remain by her side. Every wife should be able to say, “I know that my husband is with me, no matter what happens. He is committed to our marriage.” Every husband needs the same commitment from his wife.

Take some time to pray individually or as a couple, asking God to help you live a life of complete commitment to each other.

Reflect on these questions:

Tell about a time you felt encouraged by your spouse’s commitment to you.

What else might your spouse do that would help you feel his or her commitment to you?

What are things your spouse says or does that make you feel insecure?

Read these passages for further study on committed love:

Ephesians 5:25 Husbands love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

I Peter 3:7 Husbands, in the same way, be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

I John 4:18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

Joshua 24:14-15 “Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. ¹⁵ But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

This devotion stands out from Gary Chapman as one focusing on the love language of affirmations. We need to affirm our love for each other and what better way to show it than by simply making sure you are saying positive and affirming statements to each other? I am blessed that my partner is always finding some way to make me smile every day and really goes out of his way to make sure he says something loving to me, and whenever he can find a chance with those around us. Friends and strangers alike!

I believe we always need to be working on finding more creative ways to say affirmations to let them know that you truly do care and love them. Be sure to share this with a loved one.

An ancient Hebrew proverb says, “Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.” (Proverbs 3:9-10).

The apostle Paul affirmed that concept in the New Testament. To the Christians living in Philippi who had sent him money for his ministry, he wrote, “The gifts you sent… are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:18-19).

Clearly, our giving is important to God because it is a true reflection of our gratitude to Him and our love for people. The question is not whether we will give. The question is how much shall we give and to whom shall we give it?

Take time to pray and think about the things God has given you. Make a list, if it helps. Be as comprehensive as possible. Include everything from family to health. Bring each item to God in prayer, thanking Him again and again for His incredible generosity.

Discuss and reflect on these questions:

What are the “best parts” of your life that you give to God (for example, your money, time, and attention)? What are the parts that you withhold?

If giving is a true reflection of your gratitude to God, how much gratitude are you showing?

What changes do you need to make in your giving attitudes and practices?

Consider these passages for further study on Giving:

Proverbs 12:24-25

Diligent hands will rule,
    but laziness ends in forced labor.^(A)

²⁵ Anxiety weighs down the heart,^(B)
    but a kind word cheers it up.

²⁶ The righteous choose their friends carefully,
but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

James 1:17-18 ¹⁷ Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. ¹⁸ He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created.

Reflect and evaluate if you are giving your best. Learn who are good examples to model. Share how you are putting your best parts of yourself to others.

If you feel loved by your spouse, you can relax, knowing that he or she will do you no ill. You feel secure in your spouse’s presence. You may face many uncertainties in your vocation. You may have enemies in other areas of your life. But with your loved one, you feel secure.

Your sense of self-worth is fed by the fact that your spouse loves you. After all, if he or she loves you, you must be worth loving. Your parents may have given you negative or mixed messages about your worth, but your spouse knows you as an adult and loves you. That love builds your self-esteem.

Love is not the answer to everything, but it creates a climate of security in which we can seek answers to the things that bother us. In the security of love, a couple can discuss differences without condemnation. Conflicts can be resolved. Two people who are different can learn to live together in harmony. We discover how to bring out the best in each other.

Take time to pray and:

Thank God for giving you someone who helps you recognize your self-worth;

Ask Him to help you do the same for your spouse;

Ask Him to bless your relationship so that it will bear fruit for Him.

Take time to discuss and reflect:

On what do you base your self-worth?

On what does your spouse base his or her self-worth?

How can you help each other guard against situations and people that can damage your self-worth?

Consider these passages for further study on self-worth:

Psalm 139:13-15 For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

Colossians 3:12-14 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. ¹³ Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Titus 3:5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,

When I think of my self-worth, I do my best not to rely on anyone else to determine what my self-worth is. Everyone else has their own opinion, and I wanted to base it on my own decisions and not others. I love hearing the ideas of other people, yet that should not determine who I am. How independent are you in determining what your self-worth is?

Moses had grown up in Pharaoh’s household. He was in line for all the wealth and prestige Egypt had to offer. But God’s plan called for him to deliver his fellow Israelites. As a result, Moses found himself pitted against the people he’d known and loved since he was a boy.

By faith, Moses chose to walk with God. The only assurance he had that things would turn out for the best was the promise of God. That is the assurance you have. Do you need more?

You and your loved one are on a journey together. Where will it take you? Whose lives will you impact along the way? What ups and downs lie ahead of you? God rarely offers us glimpses at His road map. But He does promise to accompany us at every step of the way. Is that good enough for you?

Take time to pray. Thank God for the stories of His faithfulness that are scattered throughout Scripture. Ask Him to bless your efforts as a couple to step out in faith, following Moses’ example.

Take time to reflect.

When you read about what God had in store for Moses, does it give you comfort or make you uneasy? Explain.

What evidence do you see of God’s work in your lives so far – both individually and as a couple?

What are your biggest concerns about the journey that lies ahead of you?

Consider these passages for further study on faith:

Genesis 15:1-6

After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision:

“Do not be afraid, Abram.
    I am your shield,^[a]
    your very great reward.^[b]”

² But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit^[c] my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” ³ And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.”

⁴ Then the word of the Lord came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.” ⁵ He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring^[d] be.”

⁶ Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

Lamentations 3:22-24 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.
²³ They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.
²⁴ I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
    therefore I will wait for him.”

Luke 17:5-6

The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”

⁶ He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.

Exodus 6:1-13

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh: Because of my mighty hand he will let them go; because of my mighty hand he will drive them out of his country.”

² God also said to Moses, “I am the Lord. ³ I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty,^[a] but by my name the Lord^[b] I did not make myself fully known to them. ⁴ I also established my covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan, where they resided as foreigners. ⁵ Moreover, I have heard the groaning of the Israelites, whom the Egyptians are enslaving, and I have remembered my covenant.

⁶ “Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. ⁷ I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. ⁸ And I will bring you to the land I swore with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the Lord.’”

⁹ Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and harsh labor.

¹⁰ Then the Lord said to Moses, ¹¹ “Go, tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the Israelites go out of his country.”

¹² But Moses said to the Lord, “If the Israelites will not listen to me, why would Pharaoh listen to me, since I speak with faltering lips^[c]?”

Family Record of Moses and Aaron

¹³ Now the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron about the Israelites and Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he commanded them to bring the Israelites out of Egypt.

Having faith takes trust. Trust in the Lord and he will lead you.

The most important legacy we can leave is our personal character and integrity. This legacy has the greatest impact on how we are remembered by our children and in generations to follow. The obituaries of yesteryear told of the character of the person who had died. And though today’s death notices seldom tell whether the individual was kind or humble or generous, the qualities of character are just as important now as they were when our grandparents were young. No matter how a person tries to hide who he or she is, the truth always becomes known.

The pursuit of integrity never ends – not in this lifetime, anyway. Every day brings new obstacles, new temptations, and new challenges. On the bright side, every day also brings new opportunities to show the qualities of your character, to correct past lapses of integrity, and to add to your legacy.

Take time to pray and ask God for the wisdom to recognize integrity challenges when you face them and for the strength to make the right choices, regardless of the consequences.

Discuss and reflect on these questions:

How would you respond to someone who argued that the pursuit of integrity is just black-and-white thinking in a world mostly made up of gray areas?

How do your daily decisions – at home, at work, among friends, and in the community – reflect your commitment to integrity?

What steps can you take to correct a past lapse of integrity?

Consider these passages for further study on Integrity:

Psalm 15:1-5

Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent?
    Who may live on your holy mountain?

² The one whose walk is blameless,
    who does what is righteous,
    who speaks the truth from their heart;
³ whose tongue utters no slander,
    who does no wrong to a neighbor,
    and casts no slur on others;
⁴ who despises a vile person
    but honors those who fear the Lord;
who keeps an oath even when it hurts,
    and does not change their mind;
⁵ who lends money to the poor without interest;
    who does not accept a bribe from the innocent?

Whoever does these things
    will never be shaken.

Proverbs 16:11 Honest scales and balances belong to the Lord;
    all the weights in the bag are of his making.

Titus 2:1-8

You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. ² Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, love, and in endurance.

³ Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. ⁴ Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, ⁵ to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

⁶ Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. ⁷ In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness ⁸ and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

The study is from Exodus 1:15-21.

The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, ¹⁶ “When you are helping the Hebrew women during childbirth on the delivery stool, if you see that the baby is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live.” ¹⁷ The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live. ¹⁸ Then the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, “Why have you done this? Why have you let the boys live?”

¹⁹ The midwives answered Pharaoh, “Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive.”

²⁰ So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous. ²¹ And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own.

Standing up for what you see is right shows that you have a stand for Integrity. There is a time and place for sharing what you stand for. Doing it publically when things could just be easily done privately should show integrity. When things are not settled publically, let them know before a public notice is made. Either way, your character, and integrity will be known to others, and they will be stood out in ways you may never realize.