Religion & Spirituality:Christianity
Acts 8:9-25 (NIV)
Read by: Shelly Scott
Have you ever desired the Holy Spirit’s power without actually submitting yourself to the Spirit?
Today on Daily Read, we hear the story of Simon from Samaria. As people are coming to believe in the LORD Jesus and be baptized, we learn that many of those people were former followers of a powerful sorcery in town named Simon. He ends up believing too, but after seeing the Holy Spirit come asks if he can purchase the ability to have that same power.
As you listen to today’s passage, it might feel hard to relate. I mean we’ve never tried to buy the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives. Or have we? Maybe not outright, but what about those moments where we thought if I just went to this conference or that conference maybe I’d experience something more, or maybe if I get into this group or that group maybe I’ll be closer to Jesus, or man If I just had that person speaking into my life I’d be on fire. I don’t know…. But what I do know is that the Holy Spirit is not going to be controlled by us, and we will only participate in the Spirit's power as far as we’re submitted to the Spirits renewal in our lives.
----------REFLECT----------
1. What part of this passage stuck out to you the most?
2. When Simon asks if he can but the Holy Spirit, what do you think is motivating him? Is it control, greed, fame, something else? Have you ever been motivated by these kinds of things when it comes to participating with the Holy Spirit?
3. Desiring the power of the Holy Spirit without submitting your life to the Spirit is dangerous. What areas of your life do you need to submit to the Spirit? Is it a set of habits, something that you need to bring into the light through confession, or an ulterior motive that you need to lay down before the LORD? Bring that before the LORD and ask for one clear next step.
Spirit, help our submission to you and the desire for your power in our lives to be found in equal measure. And give us the courage to take whatever first step you’ve asks us to take today.
----------GO DEEPER----------
Bible Project: Acts 1-12 Overview >>
InterVarsity Press Selections: Acts >>
----------CONNECT----------
Find an InterVarsity Chapter >>
Start an InterVarsity Chapter >>
Learn More >>
More Episodes
2021-05-11
2021-05-10
2021-05-09
2021-05-08
2021-05-07
2021-05-06
2021-05-05
2021-05-04
2021-05-03
2021-05-02
2021-05-01
2021-05-01
2021-04-27
2021-04-26
2021-04-25
2021-04-24
2021-04-23
2021-04-22
Get this podcast on your
phone, FREE
