Monday, May 01, 2006
May 2 Acts 8
Go ahead and look first at Acts 8 . See how God speaks to you individually. Then come back, if you wish, and see what God has put in my mind/heart.
Key Verse(s): Acts 8:18-19
When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money and said, "Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit."
Title: Power Plays
Observation: Power. We like power. I like power. And we as Christians are not immune. Simon had already accepted Jesus as his savior, but he wanted the spiritual power that Peter and John possessed. He wanted to buy with money the power of God.
God gives authority (I think that’s a better word than power for what the Apostles did) to those who can be trusted with it. And he has a very stern warning for those who want this authority for their own benefit, so that they might be seen as “great”.
Application: I am in tremendous pain tonight. I wish I could heal myself. I wish I could heal others miraculously, that they might be removed from sickness, disability, or pain. Yet God does not lend out his power for “magic tricks”. God’s miracles are for His purposes.
Prayer: Lord God, help me in my pain. Heal me if its your will. Send someone to heal me, the dentist, doctor, or faith healer that is in your plan. Allow me have patience and dedicate my suffering to you, so that I might not be afraid of pain in the future. Help me to be transformed through this experience.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Key Verse(s): Acts 8:18-19
When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money and said, "Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit."
Title: Power Plays
Observation: Power. We like power. I like power. And we as Christians are not immune. Simon had already accepted Jesus as his savior, but he wanted the spiritual power that Peter and John possessed. He wanted to buy with money the power of God.
God gives authority (I think that’s a better word than power for what the Apostles did) to those who can be trusted with it. And he has a very stern warning for those who want this authority for their own benefit, so that they might be seen as “great”.
Application: I am in tremendous pain tonight. I wish I could heal myself. I wish I could heal others miraculously, that they might be removed from sickness, disability, or pain. Yet God does not lend out his power for “magic tricks”. God’s miracles are for His purposes.
Prayer: Lord God, help me in my pain. Heal me if its your will. Send someone to heal me, the dentist, doctor, or faith healer that is in your plan. Allow me have patience and dedicate my suffering to you, so that I might not be afraid of pain in the future. Help me to be transformed through this experience.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
