June 23, 2021 — Acts 4:32–5:16

“But a man named Ananias, with the consent of his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property;with his wife’s knowledge, he kept back some of the proceeds, and brought only a part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. “Ananias,” Peter asked, “why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the proceeds of the land?While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, were not the proceeds at your disposal? How is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You did not lie to us but to God!” Now when Ananias heard these words, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard of it.The young men came and wrapped up his body, then carried him out and buried him.

After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you and your husband sold the land for such and such a price.” And she said, “Yes, that was the price.” Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Look, 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 died. When the young men came in they found her dead, so they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. And great fear seized the whole church and all who heard of these things.” Acts 5:1-11

“Sin is more dangerous than wild bears, more deadly than blazing forest fires. Ask Nebuchadnezzar, who lost his mind because he refused to deal with his pride. Ask Samson, who was reduced to a pathetic shred of a man because he never got control over the lusts of his flesh. Ask Achan and Ananias and Sapphira, who all lost their lives over “small,” secret sins.” (Nancy Leigh DeMoss)

I don’t know about you but when I read the story of Ananias and Sapphira, I get just a little uncomfortable. What could the story of their unwillingness to share all they have and their eventual demise tell us about G-d and about faith? Perhaps we are reminded of the pitfalls of wealth – and how money can get a hold on us so much that it separates us from a relationship with G-d – at least one that G-d would want from us – without restraint or other “god’s” between us.  

As we seek relationships with friends or spouses and a relationship with G-d we are continually reminded of the pressures of money, wealth, and the striving to accumulate more and more stuff that our society tries to place upon us. Sometimes we must live with a text and the difficult message that it speaks, knowing of course that each day, each minute, each second that we live gives us another opportunity to experience G-d’s grace and forgiveness as we live in relationship with G-d – one of repentance, of sharing out of our abundance, and trust in G-d.

Pastor Dave

June 22, 2021 — Psalm 51           

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit.

Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. Deliver me from bloodshed, O God,  O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your deliverance.

 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.
For you have no delight in sacrifice;  if I were to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased. The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” Psalm 51:10-17

I remember singing the Offertory from the SBH (Service Book and Hymnal) “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.  Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with your free spirit.”  This text is taken from the 51^st Psalm. Psalm 51 is one of the penitential psalms. Psalm 51 is often called the “Miserere” which is the opening word of the psalm in the Latin translation. It is a personal statement of awareness of our wrongdoing and need for repentance and penitence.  Verse 17, which reads “The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit” is a wonderful acknowledgment of human sinfulness which is why it is appointed for Ash Wednesday.

Forgiveness begins with recognizing our sin and our need for repentance. We can always count on our Lutheran Liturgy to give us the proper words to lead us in the way of personal and corporate worship and prayer.

Pastor Dave