And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things. …when they had called in the apostles, they beat them…

Acts 5:11, 40 ESV

Today’s story has a husband and wife drop dead for lying to make themselves look good. God can and does cleanse His church. I do believe we will see this to a much greater extent as the revival comes into full swing. He’s coming for a spotless bride.

Their deaths brought fear. There is a fear that makes you keep your distance and a fear that makes you cling to Him tighter. We need a healthy fear of the Lord. Anything that makes you hide from God instead of run to Him is wrong. We need to get rid of anything keeping us from Him and we need to trust His only good and always good plans and purposes.

I do want you to have the fear of the Lord, but to never fear at what He’s going to require of you. Get before the Lord and settle the matter until you can give everything in your life to Him, including your work, your relationships, your kids, your future without any “but not…”

Give yourself fully to Him , and He will be able to help you count it all joy.

Then they left rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer for the name.

Acts 5:41 ESV edited