A Right Heart

A RIGHT HEART

a prayer to open

Holy Spirit, come. Center my heart.

Fill my mind. Guide my steps.

The believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went. Philip . . . went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah. Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did. Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city.

A man named Simon had been a sorcerer there for many years, amazing the people of Samaria and claiming to be someone great. Everyone, from the least to the greatest, often spoke of him as “the Great One—the Power of God.” They listened closely to him because for a long time he had astounded them with his magic.

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. 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.

When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had accepted God’s message, they sent Peter and John there. As soon as they arrived, they prayed for these new believers to receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them, for they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit.

When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power. “Let me have this power, too,” he exclaimed, “so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit!”

But Peter replied, “May your money be destroyed with you for thinking God’s gift can be bought! You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right with God. Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive your evil thoughts, for I can see that you are full of bitter jealousy and are held captive by sin.”

“Pray to the Lord for me,” Simon exclaimed, “that these terrible things you’ve said won’t happen to me!”

After testifying and preaching the word of the Lord in Samaria, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem. And they stopped in many Samaritan villages along the way to preach the Good News.

Stephen’s death caused many disciples to scatter away from Jerusalem for fear of persecution. And for some, their first stop was Samaria, just as Jesus had predicted (see Acts 1:8). There the disciples confronted a new problem: people’s desire to use the Holy Spirit for their own power or fame, which Simon the Sorcerer seemed to desire above all else. Although he claimed to believe in Jesus and was even baptized, something in his heart was not right. He did not want the gift of God’s Holy Spirit, a relationship with Jesus, or the ability to invite others into that relationship; what Simon wanted was God’s power so he could amass fame. He sought not to follow God but to be God. How often do we seek God’s power to overcome difficulty but resist his presence to guide us into love or service or generosity?

• Read this passage again. What word or phrase stands out to you? Sit quietly, reminding yourself that you are in God’s loving presence, and ask him to show you how that word or phrase connects to your life.
• Have you ever sought a relationship with someone just to gain power or fame, or perhaps to fulfill an unmet need? Why did you really want that thing?
• Examine your relationship with God. What evidence do you see of an actual relationship? Do you spend time with him? Does your conduct and attitude reflect time spent with him? Are there times you want the power of God but resist guidance and correction? Is there any area in which you are held captive by sin or bitterness and you push him away?

Father, I want a heart that is right with you. There are times I seek your power and ability to resolve my problems but resist your presence and love. When I slow down and quiet my heart before you, I recognize that what my soul really desires is to walk with you, hear your voice, and allow you to correct and guide my steps. I want to turn my heart over to you to be transformed. Help me surrender my hands to you for your purposes. Help me submit my mind and thoughts to you so you can align them with your love and holiness. I pray that your Holy Spirit would make your will known and done in and through me. Amen.