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"No Trick" by Duane Brush
Scripture: Acts 8:9 But there was a man named Shim‘on in the city who for some time had been practicing magic and astonishing the nation of Shomron, claiming to be somebody great. 10 Everyone gave heed to him, from the lowest to the highest, saying, “This man is the power of God called ‘The Great Power’.” 11 They followed him because for a considerable time he had amazed them with his magic.
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.
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The great magician, Harry Houdini, was the son of a rabbi. Although a religious skeptic himself, Houdini had great impatience with magicians who claimed supernatural abilities for their illusions. His exposure of fake mediums and spiritualists eventually led to the end of his friendship with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. As a man who had mastered many complex escapes and illusions Houdini knew the hard work, strength, and skill required to pull them off successfully.
Simon, a sorcerer from Samaria, came to faith in Jesus Christ under the ministry of Philip. He was astonished at the “great signs and miracles he saw” (Acts 8:13). When Simon saw Peter and John pray and lay hands on believers, who were then filled with the Holy Spirit, he offered money for the ability to do the same. This brought Peter’s swift rebuke. Simon then sought the apostle's prayers that he would not be punished for his rash request.
Magical illusions may be amusing, but the true power of God cannot be bartered or sold. We should quickly repent of any thought that we can control or manipulate God's power for our own ends. The miracles of faith bring glory to God, not another.
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Hymn for Today: "To God Be The Glory" by Fanny Crosby
1. To God be the glory, great things he has done;
so loved he the world that he gave us his Son,
who yielded his life an atonement for sin,
and opened the lifegate that we may go in.
Refrain:Praise the Lord, praise the Lord; let the earth hear his voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord; let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father through Jesus the Son,
and give him the glory; great things he has done.
2. O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,
to every believer the promise of God;
the vilest offender who truly believes,
that moment from Jesus a pardon receives.
Refrain:Praise the Lord, praise the Lord; let the earth hear his voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord; let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father through Jesus the Son,
and give him the glory; great things he has done.
3. Great things he has taught us, great things he has done,
and great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;
but purer and higher and greater will be
our wonder, our gladness, when Jesus we see.
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord; let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father through Jesus the Son,
and give him the glory; great things he has done.
3. Great things he has taught us, great things he has done,
and great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;
but purer and higher and greater will be
our wonder, our gladness, when Jesus we see.
Refrain:Praise the Lord, praise the Lord; let the earth hear his voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord; let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father through Jesus the Son,
and give him the glory; great things he has done.
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Thought of the Day: Psalm 77:14 (13) God, your way is in holiness.
What god is as great as God?-------
Please Pray: For the development of Christian leaders in Reunion.
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Praise the Lord, praise the Lord; let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father through Jesus the Son,
and give him the glory; great things he has done.
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Thought of the Day: Psalm 77:14 (13) God, your way is in holiness.
What god is as great as God?-------
Please Pray: For the development of Christian leaders in Reunion.
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