Intimacy with God

Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.” Acts 8:18-24

Simon Magnus was a renowned man in the city of Samaria because of his magic. He amazed the crowd. The people recognized him as the power of God that is called Great (Acts 8:10). He himself heard Philip preach the gospel message and became a believer. He was baptized and continued to follow Philip watching him perform miracles. He was amazed.

But the people who were baptized did not yet receive the Holy Spirit. So, Peter and John came to lay hands on them to receive the Holy Spirit. When Simon Magnus saw this, he wanted the same power to do the same. So he offered the apostles money. He thought he could buy this ability. Peter though rebuked him and chastised him to repent. Simon’s heart was not right before God. His intention was for selfish reasons. Peter recognized that Simon was in a state of bitterness being held in a bond of iniquity. He needed to repent before God.

In some ways I can relate with Simon. In my early walk, I wanted the blessing of God. My sole purpose was to please the inner hunger of satisfying my dreams and goals. I needed God to help me achieve my plans. In many ways, it was a business transaction. I supported him if HE would support me. I didn’t really surrender my entire kingdom. Instead, I wanted his Kingdom to help make my kingdom to grow.

In many ways, it was Mike walking the Christian lifestyle the best he knew how on his own. Jesus was only a passenger observing my frustration. The Holy Spirit continued to nudge me, but I ignored HIS major advances.

But through a process of loses, pain, and struggles, my eyes slowly began to open. I got tired of banging my head against the wall. There had to be a better way. There is. It’s called repentance.

When the truth slapped this face, I then realize my stupidity. I had never totally surrendered my kingdom to Lord Jesus on day one. But over time, HE dismantled each corner of the soul. Yes, at the start HE was the Lord of my faith. Then He was the Lord of my money. Followed by the Lord of my relationships. But no, HE was not the Lord of my goals and dreams yet. I was doing everything in my ability to keep this kingdom while supporting God’s Kingdom. Only after I surrendered this kingdom, did life in the Spirit began to noticeably change.

God knew for this person to continue growing, there was one piece of the old man that had to go. Yes, God’s Spirit is alive and working in each of us. But HE will not involve HIMSELF more than you allow. As we taste more and more of God’s Spirit though, our willingness to repent grows. As we realize what needs to change, we repent. We refocus our eyes onto Jesus. We thank HIM for HIS life work, death, and resurrection. We seek ways to support HIS Kingdom in our small world. We learn to follow the influence of the Holy Spirit in us. We cry out longing to see the world through the eyes of the Triune God. HE is creating HIS masterpiece in us – the new YOU.

The work is not about us improving ourselves. The work is the Holy Spirit regenerating us into the image of Jesus Christ. This is HIS work. We are allowing HIM to change us as we hang onto our Lord in the process. Nothing is sacred but HIM. Everything is possible, with HIM. HE is the reason we can now experience life the way God intended it to be.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

^{Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler}

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“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)