Sunday, June 4, 2023 - IT IS NOT SMART TO LIE TO GOD

"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer

Sunday, June 4, 2023 - Day 155 - (Today’s Bible readings:  Jeremiah 8:18-19:11; Psalm 123; Acts 5:1-16)

IT IS NOT SMART TO LIE TO GOD

But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 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. 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? ... Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. .... After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” 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.” 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. And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things. (Acts 5:1-11 ESV)

If you lie to God, expect dire consequences. How foolish could they be? God knows everything. How could they possibly think that God would bless their lack of veracity? What they received for their foolish lying was God’s justice.

Have you ever tried to hide the truth from God? It does not work. What does work is confessing our wrongdoing and asking for forgiveness. What repentant sinners receive is God’s mercy.

Today Your mercy calls us

To wash away our sin.

However great my trespass,

Whatever we have been,

However long from mercy

Our hearts have turned away,

Your precious blood can wash us

And make us clean today.

(Lutheran Service Book #915)

Lord God, may I learn from Ananias and Sapphira the importance of not attempting to cover up my sins. I confess all of my sins and humbly ask for Your mercy and forgiveness. In the name of Jesus, who is my only hope of mercy. Amen.

"See" you at the Communion rail this morning!

Pastor David Paape