Husbands of Sapphira, Sons of Ananias

35 The wise shall inherit glory, But shame shall be the legacy of fools. (Proverbs 3:35 New King James Version)

Based on my research, Proverbs 3:35 is the one and only time in the entire NKJV translation that the word “legacy” is written. What legacy did our predecessors leave for us? Legacies of goodness, righteousness, and truth like our brother Timothy’s mother, Eunice, and grandmother, Lois? Or legacies of shame and deceit like Ananias and Sapphira, Jim and the late Tammy Faye Bakker, Jerry Sandusky, and the late Bernie Madoff?

As for me, I have made up my mind and I am resolved, like Joshua, that my children and I along with our spouses to be, and the generations after us (from generation to generation until Jesus Christ returns), we will serve the Lord, amen!

As a male, leader, husband, if you stopped being the head and high priest, who brings God’s salt and light by your goodness, righteousness, and truth to your family, then of what good are you? If your husband ministry does not lead your community, followers, wife to be good, right, and true, then I believe you have lost your usefulness.

As a father, if your father ministry does not lead your children to be good, right, and true, then I believe you have lost your usefulness. As a son, if your son ministry does not lead your parent(s) to be good, right, and true, then I believe you have lost your usefulness. As a brother, if your brother ministry does not lead your sibling(s) to be good, right, and true, then I believe you have lost your usefulness and on and on.

What am I saying? Well, to wherever you are and whatever you find yourself doing, what do you bring to the location within those roles? Will everyone that you have been assigned to serve be led to goodness, righteousness, and truth?

After all, the fruit of the Holy Spirit of God in all of us is goodness, righteousness, and truth. Your light cannot easily be hidden nor can your salt be quickly unflavored. However, if you choose to no longer fight to be His salt, light, goodness, righteousness, and truth, then you are living a lie! Repent and be restored; otherwise, please stop living a lie! Fight, brother, fight!! Fight and keep fighting, firmly resisting to give the devil (plus all his willing agents) any access to you and your family until he flees!

Trust God that the devil will ultimately flee and surrender because you, brother in Christ, will not give up resisting him. You and your household will overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony, in Jesus Christ’s name, amen!

4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”? 6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” 7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. (James 4:4–10 New King James Version)

I will see you on the next journey and when you are ready to build on this foundation of goodness, righteousness, and truth that we have laid down, God willing. Make sure your foundation remains dry and strong to take the weight of the rest of your household as you carry them along on the shoulders of Jesus Christ. Because of the increase of His government and peace in our lives, there will be no end! Until then, may the Lord bless and keep you in Jesus’ name, amen.