Lord, help me see beyond the trials and struggles I face for serving You. Grantme the faith to know that whatever evil befalls me, You are at work buildingYour kingdom and forming godly character in my heart and life. In Your name,amen. - P53
When God‘speople live out God‘s Word, the deeper the darkness around us, thebetter our light can be seen. - P53
[NIV] 14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Sa-maria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peterand John to Samaria. - P54
21 You have no part or share in this ministry, becauseyour heart is not right before God.
22 Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in thehope that he may forgive you for having such a thoughtin your heart. 23 For I see that you are full of bitternessand captive to sin."
- P55
25 After they had further proclaimed the word of theLord and testified about Jesus, Peter and John returnedto Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritanvillages. - P55
The apostles hear about the new converts in Samaria and send Peter and Johnto pray over them so that they will receive the Holy Spirit. - P55
Simon the sorcerersees this and asks for the same ability. Peter sees through him and tells himto repent of wanting to buy the gift of God. Simon asks Peter to pray for him.
Peter and John return to Jerusalem. - P55
Peter and John are sent to Samaria to investigate the reports that Samaitans are turning to Jesus as their Savior. Upon arriving, they discoverthat the Samaritan believers had been baptized in the name of Jesubut have not yet received the Holy Spirit. - P56
So, the apostles lay theirhands upon these new Christians and pray for them, and the HolSpirit comes upon the Samaritans just as He did upon the Jews. Jesus isbreaking down barriers! - P56
Two people groups who have hated each otherfor generations are now united through their common faith in Christ.
Just as it did in the days of the Early Church, the gospel continues tobreak down social, economic, and gender barriers today. - P56
We are all one in Christ. - P56
Misguided followers of Jesus need to be rebuked and corrected. Whilea rebuke might feel harsh and is hard to receive, when it comes from agodly believer, it has the power to radically change the course of a per-son‘s life. - P56
Simon is a baptized believer, but his previous life as a sorcerercontinues to have a grip on him. By offering the apostles money toreceive power for ministry, he offends the grace of the gospel and revealsthat his heart is not yet right before God. - P56
But to his credit, Simon re-ceives Peter‘s stern rebuke with humility. - P56
When we have the courage toconfront misguided thinking and behavior within the church, we mightsave a fellow believer from wandering away from the grace of Christ. - P56
Lord, grant me the grace to receive godly rebuke in my life. More than that,
grant me the grace and courage to rebuke others with kindness and love thatpoints them to You. In Jesus‘ name, amen. - P57
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