12 But when they came to believe Philip, as he announced the Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Yeshua the Messiah, they were immersed, both men and women. 13 Moreover, Shim‘on himself came to believe; and after being immersed, he attached himself closely to Philip; and he was amazed as he saw the miraculous signs and great works of power that kept taking place.
14 When the emissaries in Yerushalayim heard that Shomron had received the Word of God, they sent them Kefa and Yochanan, 15 who came down and prayed for them, that they might receive the Ruach HaKodesh. 16 For until then he had not come upon any of them; they had only been immersed into the name of the Lord Yeshua. 17 Then, as Kefa and Yochanan placed their hands on them, they received the Ruach HaKodesh.
18 Shim‘on saw that the Spirit was given when the emissaries placed their hands on them, and he offered them money. 19 “Give this power to me, too,” he said, “so that whoever I place my hands on will receive the Ruach HaKodesh.” 20 But Kefa said to him, “Your silver go to ruin — and you with it, for thinking the free gift of God can be bought! 21 You have no part at all in this matter; because in the eyes of God, your heart is crooked. 22 So repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord. Perhaps you will yet be forgiven for holding such a thought in your heart. 23 For I see that you are extremely bitter and completely under the control of sin!” 24 Shim‘on answered, “Pray to the Lord for me, so that none of the things you have spoken about will happen to me.”
25 Then, after giving a thorough witness and speaking the Word of the Lord, Kefa and Yochanan started back to Yerushalayim, announcing the Good News to many villages in Shomron.
"A Rich Man Asks For Prayer" by Author: Jeremy ScottGod will not be bought. God cannot be bought. The Lord’s Prayer concludes by stating that everything is God’s: kingdom, power, glory. God cannot be bought because God doesn’t operate in the way that humanity does. With Christ’s sacrifice and the Church following His example, God has everything needed for His will to be accomplished. Money is of no concern to God.
Simon the sorcerer tried to buy from the apostles the ability to bestow the Holy Spirit on those for whom he prayed. Peter’s rebuke was harsh, yet true: Money and the power it wields can leave one in chains of evil desire. Thankfully, Simon’s repentant request for the apostle’s intercession put him on a better path. The book of Acts has already told us that Simon had been baptized and believed, but apparently he still had things to unlearn.
It can be encouraging to know that even after belief and baptism the follower of Christ has room for further learning and development. The example of the Spirit of God in Acts being constantly on move gives great hope. We may find ourselves or our desires in conflict with what God wants, in those moments the ability to repent and pray offers hope.
"Take My Life and Let It Be Consecrated" by Frances R. Havergal, 1874
1. Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
*Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in endless praise.
2. Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee.
3. Take my voice and let me sing,
Always, only for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee.
4. Take my silver and my gold,
Not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose.
5. Take my will and make it Thine,
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own,
It shall be Thy royal throne.
6. Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee.
Thought for the Day:
"For what one earns from sin is death; but eternal life is what one receives as a free gift from God, in union with the Messiah Yeshua, our Lord." Romans 6:23
Pow Yelease pray:
That many people in Saint Vincent will come to know Yeshua the Messiah and receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
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That many people in Saint Vincent will come to know Yeshua the Messiah and receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
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