TUESDAY 30TH JANUARY 2018 MORNING
Acts 8:18-24 New International Version (NIV)
18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money 19 and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
20 Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21 You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God.22 Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23 For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”
24 Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”
Simon had been a Sorcerer using evil powers to work magic. But he listened to Philip’s preaching and believed in gospel and was baptized as a believer. However he still had much to learn. He thought that the power of the Holy Spirit could be obtained by paying money. Peter was horrified at this suggestion and told Simon to repent.
We are saved by the Grace of God. By the Grace of God we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and many spiritual blessings. We should not think that our offerings in church are buying blessings from God. We give to God out of thankfulness. We return to God a portion of what He has given us.
JUMANNE TAREHE 30 JANUARI 2018 ASUBUHI
MATENDO 8:18-24
18 Hata Simoni alipoona ya kuwa watu wanapewa Roho Mtakatifu kwa kuwekewa mikono ya mitume, akataka kuwapa fedha akisema,
19 Nipeni na mimi uwezo huu, ili kila mtu nitakayemweka mikono yangu, apokee Roho Mtakatifu.
20 Lakini Petro akamwambia, Fedha yako na ipotelee mbali pamoja nawe, kwa kuwa umedhania ya kuwa karama ya Mungu yapatikana kwa mali.
21 Huna fungu wala huna sehemu katika jambo hili, kwa kuwa moyo wako si mnyofu mbele za Mungu.
22 Basi, tubia uovu wako huu, ukamwombe Bwana, ili kama yamkini, usamehewe fikira hii ya moyo wako.
23 Kwa maana nakuona u katika uchungu kama nyongo, na tena u katika kifungo cha uovu.
24 Simoni akajibu, akasema, Niombeeni ninyi kwa Bwana, yasinifikilie mambo haya mliyosema hata moja.
Mwanzoni Simoni alikuwa Mchawi na alitenda miujiza kwa nguvu za giza. Lakini alisikia mahubiri ya Filipo na aliamini Injili na kubatizwa. Baadaye alifikiri kwamba angeweza kulipa pesa ili apate nguvu ya Roho Mtakatifu kutenda miujiza. Lakini Petro alisikishwa sana na mawazo haya potofu na alimwambia Simoni atubu.
Tunaokolewa kwa neema na tunapewa Roho Mtakatifu na baraka nyingi kwa neema. Hatuwezi kuzinunua. Sadaka zetu hazinunui baraka kwa Mungu. Ni shukrani zetu tu ambazo tunastahili kumpa Mungu.
