From Believers to Disciples
Friday, May 25, 2007
From Believers to Disciples Calendar
Daily Bible Study Menu
A note about online study
“Study to show yourself approved by God …” 2 Timothy 2:15a KJV
Prayer Focus for Today
Focus on releasing any sin from your life.
Heavenly Father, Thank You for sending Jesus to die on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins. I pray that You will examine my heart and release me from any sin or source of sin. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may live boldly and confidently in Your name. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
God’s Word Today
As we read God’s word this week, we will examine short sections of Acts 8:4-23 each day since it is a rather lengthy passage.
4But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went. 5Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah. 6Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did. 7Many evil£ spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed. 8So there was great joy in that city.
9A man named Simon had been a sorcerer there for many years, amazing the people of Samaria and claiming to be someone great. 10Everyone, from the least to the greatest, often spoke of him as “the Great One—the Power of God.” 11They listened closely to him because for a long time he had astounded them with his magic.
12But now the people believed Philip’s message of Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. As a result, many men and women were baptized. 13Then Simon himself believed and was baptized. He began following Philip wherever he went, and he was amazed by the signs and great miracles Philip performed.
14When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had accepted God’s message, they sent Peter and John there. 15As soon as they arrived, they prayed for these new believers to receive the Holy Spirit. 16The Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them, for they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit.
18When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power. 19“Let me have this power, too,” he exclaimed, “so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit!”
20But Peter replied, “May your money be destroyed with you for thinking God’s gift can be bought! 21You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right with God. 22Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive your evil thoughts, 23for I can see that you are full of bitter jealousy and are held captive by sin.”
From Today’s Reading, a Believer …
What does Peter say is the sin of Simon? Why do you think Peter saw this as Simon’s sin?
Let’s Go Deeper in Our Walk with Jesus
What does Acts 2:20-23 say about how to go deeper in our walk with Jesus?
From Today’s Reading, a Disciple of Jesus Will …
Peter’s pronouncement of death on Simon was not immediate. There was the opportunity to pray and repent. Consider how this differed from what happened to Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5. Take some time right now to confess and repent of any sin in your life.
Ministry, Mission, Outreach, Service Opportunities to Consider
One of our most important ministries around the world is our website ministry through www.newlifexn.org and www.newlifexn.com. These important sites offer folks who have access to the internet the opportunity to know the truth of Jesus Christ and His love for them. Each day folks from around the world access our website and find resources to help them in becoming followers of Jesus or carrying out their ministry in His name. In addition, our webservant, Lisa Johns, connects folks to our prayer team, and with others in their own areas to network in ministry. Please lift up Lisa and the entire internet ministry in your prayers today!
My Journal
Note any thoughts from Through the Bible or the Daily Reading here:
Not Right With God!
Simon’s heart was not right with God. He wanted to use the Holy Spirit for his own glory rather than giving the glory to God. As we go about our lives it is vital that we seek the power of God in our lives for one reason and one reason only—that God may be glorified and that people may be drawn to Him! Our desire must never be for others to thinking highly of us. We are nothing apart from the power of God in our lives—and yet when the Holy Spirit empowers us, we have the life and power of God in us! God’s grace is so amazing that he forgives the sin of our lives through the blood of Jesus and then gives us victory in His name. May we live in such a way that all our actions glorify Him today and always!