COMMUNISM!

Here's two interesting things I found in today's New Testament reading in Acts 4:23-37.

1.    The believers's prayer.  They first pray about how herod is persecuting the church even as he persecuted and killed (by God's own plan unbeknownst to them" Jesus Christ.  If WE were praying this prayer, we would pray, "Lord, keep us safe so that we can preach the Gospel message!"  They DID NOT pray this.  They prayed, "LORD, it's very dangerous out there.  But, just like with Jesus persecution, we know you are in complete control.  Therefore, let us preach your word with great boldness."  This is not, by far, a prayer for protection, but instead a prayer of TRUST, and a statement against the human propensity towards FEAR.  Sometimes we embrace our fears in our prayers, the apostles rejected them in favor of BOLDNESS in the face of persecution, and as a result, they were all filled once again with a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit's power.  Looks like God enjoyed that prayer.

2.  COMMUNISM!!!!  In Acts 32-27, we see communism.  People didn't consider their possessions their own, but gave to anyone as he or she had need so that ALL had some.  Historically, in communist countries, those who are ruled do not have a choice in the matter.  They MUST, as mandated by the authorities, participate.  In fact, they are commanded to do so as their patriotic duty.  Here's the difference between that and what we see here in Acts.  They all were filled with the Spirit, and spotaneously sold, and gave as people around them had the need out of LOVE from the Holy Spirit for God's people.  I believe this kind of communism still happens as individuals give over their whole lives to the Holy Spirit's work, and see the needs of those around them through the eyes of Christ.  It is not a mandated thing, it is a "compelling" thing as The Holy Spirit breaks your heart for the physical, and spiritual neexs of those around you.

COOL!  THOUGHTS???