A friend of mine posted this on her social media wall "God wants full custody of you, not weekend visitation."
Christians like to think of having themselves committed to God, yet we are afraid to do just that. Examples that come to mind:
I would give more, but I have to be able to pay the mortgage (and go out with my friends, and...)
I am willing to dive into the bible more often, but first I have to.....
I will be more active in my church, however, I am not as church/Christian as many who are leading ....
I must confess, I have had instances of all of these statements and more, and I still do have these issues but they come and go in cycles.
In this reading, we come to know a little about Simon the Magician. He knows how to bewilder the masses so they are willing to work for him - a little on the occult side I would say. He sees and hears the things that Phillip is professing about Jesus Christ. You could say he got that Sunday morning feeling - a believing that makes us feel good inside, he even was baptized and starting following Phillip around in hopes to hear more and learn more. Phillip is doing so well in Samaria (which is like going and preaching in enemy territory) that word gets back to the apostles and they send Peter and John to see what is going on. Can you imagine? They must have been like proud parents going to see what their newly Christian kid has been doing in the land that didn't like the idea of people preaching about Christ.
In on the scene comes Peter and John, who continue to speak to the masses about Jesus and pray for the Holy Spirit to descend upon those new Christians. It is almost as if all these new Christians had all the head knowledge of Jesus, but without the presence of the Holy Spirit, there was not much in the way of "heart knowledge" of the Messiah. When Peter and John laid hands on these individuals, it must have been like a light coming on. Understanding in a way that had never been experienced because these baby Christians were ready to receive the Holy Spirit.
At this point, Simon thinks there is something to this and wants to know the trick. In fact, he is willing to pay for it. You might say that Simon just doesn't get it. Peter ends up giving him the what for and lets Simon know that his money is no good and you can't receive the feeling/blessing/Holy Spirit because "your heart is not right before God. " (Act 8:21)
Isn't that the way it always goes? You are not in the right mind set to get things done. Your intent is for YOU to be getting the best, not God. In the long run, you are suffering/agonizing/guilt-ridden because you know what you need to do, but your heart just isn't in it, and since we tend to make decisions on emotion at times, it is easy to way-lay yourself from doing what is right.
I don't want to be a "Simon". Not only is he told his heart is in the wrong place but Peter goes on to tell him he better get his act together and repent and PRAY like hell and MAYBE, "if possible", your heart's intent MIGHT be forgiven. There is no one on Earth wants to get a "maybe" as an answer. Simon does not either so he asks Peter to pray that he is not abandoned by the Lord. How is that for a cliff hanger? We don't even know if Simon does receive the Holy Spirit. All we know is that the apostles went on and continued to preach the Gospel.
So where are we in our walk to getting into the right mind/heart standing for us to receive the Holy Spirit? Are we willing to give our life, our thoughts, our time, our gifts and our money with the idea that God will provide in the long run? This is not the Prosperity Gospel as much as it is an ETERNITY Gospel. God will provide ... in the end. Are we willing to give it all to Him with that understanding? If we can, we might be more ready to receive His blessings as well as the peace that the Holy Spirit can give us.
Today's picture - Reflections
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