Acts 8:18-23 Simon does not get it! He wants to buy his way in!

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. Greeting to you from Beaumont today where it is overcast and rainy.  May the SON shine upon you all this day.  Blessings.

   Okay, the apostles Peter and John went to Samaria to "see wats up" and found that there truly was a conversion.  They laid hands on the people and the Holy Spirit came.

   Yet, with this movement you will find true believers who have accepted Jesus Christ as their saviour and then there will be the emotional ones who, as the seeds cast on the hard ground, will have shallow roots and fall away. Look at Acts 8: ¹⁸ And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

  Here is a man who, in my opinion, was emotionally moved because everyone else was moved, went forth, but not for any other reason except personal gain.  This Simon saw this as a materialistic venture he could possibly profit from or gain position.  He is wanting to "pay" his way in.  Do you think he missed the mark?

  ¹⁹ Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

  He is wanting to share the Holy Ghost, yet for the wrong reasons.  Come on, just let me pay and give it to me.  How many of us today say this very thing?  Yet, it is a present from God.

  Peter admonishes him as he can see this man, Simon, has a fascination with magic and sorcery and this is his bondage.  Simon now is scared and what happens?

  ²⁰ But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. ²¹ Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
  Peter speaks plainly to Simon telling him his heart is not right.  If we pray for someone and their heart is not right with God, they will not open up to God and accept His free gift of salvation.  As pastor preached yesterday, so often we tend to hold on to the past, saving it for that "rainy day" when we can pull it out again. We have to let go and let GOD.  Listen to what Peter boldly tells Simon:
²² Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
²³ For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
     Peter pulls no punches and speaks the truth.  Wow!  Many of us need to hear the truth about us, repent, go to our knees and visit wholeheartedly with GOD. And in saying this, I am definitely preaching to myself.  Love you all.In Christ's Love and Grace,
Johnny