Simon wanted the Holy Spirit on his terms. Once he observed the power of the Holy Spirit as Peter and John laid hands on the people, Simon offered to buy it. Acts 8: 18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy …
Receiving the Holy Spirit when we believe is the greatest gift we will ever receive. Think about how the Holy Spirit has transformed your life and the work He is still doing. As Philip ministered in Samaria, something began to happen in people’s hearts as they heard the Good News of Jesus. As the Holy …
The power of the Gospel is seen in people’s hearts as they bear the fruit of a transformed life. In the early church, a great persecution drove the believers out of Jerusalem. Instead of stopping the Gospel, it spread it like seeds in the wind. Acts 8:4 But the believers who were scattered preached the Good …
Persecution is the seed of revival and has happened throughout history. The early church was just in its infancy when a great persecution broke out. Acts 8:1A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem, and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and …
We can build our own prisons because sin can hold us captive. Many people, perhaps some you know some, are stuck in the past. They are stuck in the past because they can’t let go of something. A divorce, betrayal, worry, addiction, regret, unforgiveness toward someone, or another situation holds them captive. If you find …
The world chases after many things, but true riches are found in Jesus. When I graduated from college, I went through a time of self-discovery, pursuing the things of this world. A few years later, I realized that my faith in Jesus is where real wealth is. Are you chasing the world? Is the Lord …
Having an open heart to receive Jesus is the first step to faith. A heart that is open to Jesus is like good soil for the seeds of the Gospel. As people, we can either harden our hearts or have an open heart to receive Jesus and be guided by the Holy Spirit. Our response …
The power of the Gospel to transform people is a beautiful miracle from the Lord. If you know Jesus as your Savior, you have personally experienced transformation. Years ago, a high school senior invited her friend to a mission trip with us to Mexico. Before going on a mission trip to Mexico, the team spent …
Are you available to build God’s Kingdom? I believe the Lord is asking each of us this question. To be available each of us must put our desires and work on hold and pursue God’s desires. To take part in building God’s Kingdom is one of the greatest gifts we will ever receive. I believe …
“Why be baptized” may be a question that you or others may have. Sometimes people have been baptized and wonder why that was so important. In our story, Philip was guided by the Holy Spirit to stand beside the carriage of the treasurer of Ethiopia. The man had gone to Jerusalem to worship and was …