Bethel's Mini-Journal

Bethel's Mini-Journal is a ministry of Bethel Baptist Church of Southgate, MI. It's offered as a simple forum for daily Bible reading and reflection. The original comments are from Pastor Roger Dahlen. Everyone is welcome to participate by adding comments or observations of their own. Just click on the "comments" link at the bottom of each day's entry, and add whatever thoughts you have. To publish, choose "other" or "anonymous" and push the publish button.

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Location: Southgate, Michigan

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Dealing with My Heart Condition

Scripture – Acts 8:14-25: 14When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 17Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

18When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money 19and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. 22Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.” 24Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.” 25When they had testified and proclaimed the word of the Lord, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages.

Reflection: – Simon was a magician by trade (Acts 8:9-11). I can see why he would be fascinated by the miraculous things he saw the apostles doing. I imagine him trying to figure out how it was they did these “tricks.”

Simon’s problem was he had not made a real commitment to Christ. He professed belief and was baptized (Acts 8:13). At the same time, he was more caught up in the miracles he saw, rather than the truth of who Jesus is. I doubt he really saw anything wrong with his offer to buy the spiritual ability he saw in Peter and John. Peter, however, put his finger right on it – Simon’s heart was not “right before God.” Simon’s response indicates that something of Peter’s message got through.

I wonder what happed to Simon. What became of him? He joins a long list of people in the Bible about whom we know nothing more than what’s seen in these brief snapshots.

What about you? What’s happening in your faith journey? How is your heart before God?

posted by Pastor Dahlen | 8:25 AM

1 Comments:

Blogger Geewiz387 said...

My faith journey has been a difficult one but it brought me to a place of peace and happpiness in God. When I finished my journey (which occasionally I still travel the hard road) I was able to write a book about it and get it published. It has helped several people already. I hope to help many more people. http://www.createspace.com/3346233
Here is the link for the book. The name of the book is pretty much self explainitory. I had thought that God was taking his time about helping me. I finally realized that his timing is always perfect.

11:46 AM  

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