Here is what God is saying to me through this chapter: In verses 18-21, Simon the magician tries to purchase the power of the Holy Spirit from Peter. Simon sees that the Apostles give new believers the Spirit by laying their hands on them in prayer. Simon wants this power as well; he wants to be able to give people the Holy Spirit by laying his hands on them. He made lots of money with his magic and it’s clear he wants to sell the Holy Spirit to those who want it. He wanted a good thing (the power of God) for the wrong reasons (to get rich). He wanted the power of God’s Spirit not to build God’s kingdom but to build his own by filling his pockets with cash. Peter rebukes Simon with “your heart is not right before God” (v. 21).
Here is what I will do today because of what God is saying to me: I can’t help but think of the many preachers out there today who try to market the power of God to people. These guys travel all over the world promising people the power of God if the price is right. While I have never sold the good news for money, there are times when I’m tempted to use the power of God for the wrong reasons, selfish reasons. Today, while I’m serving God, I will invite the Spirit to confront me with the question “Len, why are you doing what you’re doing? Are you using the power I give you to build your kingdom or Mine?”
5 comments:
Its something how Simon thought that he could buy the power of the Holy Spirit. When in reality its a free gift from God. I am so grateful for his gift of the Holy Spirit,to think how much God loves me enough to give me his Holy Spirit to indwell in me, Is it any wonder why I Love him so. I pray that God will continue to use me for his Honor and Glory! Thank You Lord!
I was struck by how clearly and quickly Phillip was able to hear the Holy Spirit in verses 29-38, tell him to join the eunuch who was reading Isaiah in his chariot. The fruit of his sensitivity to the Spirit being a eunuch who came to Christ. Because of this I will ask the Lord to help me hear te Holy Spirit as clearly as Phillip did and to help me obey as immediately as Phillip did, so as not to miss an opportunity to lead someone to Christ.
Thanks for your insights. I was struck, as well, by the senstivity of Phillip to the Holy Spirit. I pray for discernment and openess that moves me to follow the Spirit in srving other people wherever he leads.
Verse 1-3 stood out to me: "The Church Persecuted and Scattered: On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2 Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. 3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison."
The Voice of the Martyrs called on Christians worldwide to set aside yesterday, to pray for Christians around the world living daily under the threat of persecution as a part of the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. I attended the special prayer service last evening at SWC.
We take our freedom for granted. Throughout the last 2000 years, Christians have been persecuted. There are many today still being imprisioned and murdered. I will continue to pray for those being persecuted and their persecuters. I am going to write letters to those being persecuted.
If you would also like to write an encouraging letter to a Christian in prison because of their faith in Jesus Christ, go to http://www.prisoneralert.com/
Thanks Brad for this very practical application of writing a letter to a persecuted Christian in the world.
Post a Comment