Acts 13:8-12 Believe it - the Holy Spirit has the power

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  Remember, satan casts "doubt darts" and we must be vigilante in being aware of this.

   For the ones that know the Doug Morman family please be in prayer for their recent loss.

  Let us look at Acts 13 beginning with verse 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.

  Elymas was an alternate name for Bar-Jesus whose original Aramaic name means "Son of Salvation" but he was really a "magician" and "false prophet".

  He was seeing that the governor was liking the message of Barnabas and Saul and was trying to turn them away.  It is interesting how the Holy Spirit moves, because verse  9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him.

  Saul is not intimidated and he, being in this Greek influenced territory uses the Semitic name Paul, which helps with the cultural identification with the people. Now, Paul looks at Elymas, realizes (by help of Holy Spirit) what he is trying to do and verse 10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?

  Now Paul calls him a child of the devil and an enemy of righteousness.  Paul rebukes him and strikes him with temporary blindness.  The governor is totally amazed and in awe by the power of the servants of the LORD.

   11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.

   12 Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.

   Notice the deputy did what???     BELIEVED!!  He was in total amazement and awe of what the LORD's men could do.  However, we must remember this is all done through the leading and power of the Holy Spirit, not of man himself.  How has the LORD shown you a miracle lately?  If none, were you watching?  Miracles happen every day, childbirth is only one instance. Keep the faith, keep looking for the miracles in todays walk. Love you all

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny