HEAR Journaling - Acts Chapter 8
Highlight - Acts 8 New Living Translation
9 A man named Simon had been a sorcerer there for many years, amazing the people of Samaria and claiming to be someone great. 10 Everyone, from the least to the greatest, often spoke of him as “the Great One—the Power of God.” 11 They listened closely to him because for a long time he had astounded them with his magic.
12 But now the people believed Philip’s message of Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. As a result, many men and women were baptized. 13 Then Simon himself believed and was baptized. He began following Philip wherever he went, and he was amazed by the signs and great miracles Philip performed.
14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had accepted God’s message, they sent Peter and John there. 15 As soon as they arrived, they prayed for these new believers to receive the Holy Spirit. 16 The Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them, for they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.17 Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit.
18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power. 19 “Let me have this power, too,” he exclaimed, “so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit!”
20 But Peter replied, “May your money be destroyed with you for thinking God’s gift can be bought! 21 You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right with God. 22 Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive your evil thoughts, 23 for I can see that you are full of bitter jealousy and are held captive by sin.”
24 “Pray to the Lord for me,” Simon exclaimed, “that these terrible things you’ve said won’t happen to me!”
Explain – Simon evidently recited a sinners prayer and was baptized, but his heart was not right with God. The Holy Spirit was not available to him because of his heart. His motives were for himself, not a full repentance and acceptance of Jesus as Lord and Savior. He was full of bitter jealousy and held captive by sin. Peter told sorcerer Simon to “Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord.”
Apply – We too can fool ourselves into thinking that our hearts are right with God when we truly have not received Him as Lord and Savior. We must do as Peter advised Sorcerer Simon, “Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord.” Then as Romans 10:9-10 NLT says:
9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.
Respond – Lord I am so thankful that You are truly my Lord and Savior. I pray for my whole house, all my generations, all my extended families and all their generations to truly know You as Lord and Savior.
REPLICATE Ministries, What is a HEAR Journal?
https://replicate.org/what-is-a-hear-journal/
https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.cloversites.com/e4/e465d33d-444a-46eb-9922-5cdcb0aaef4d/documents/H.E.A.R_journal_method.pdf
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