Spreading the love of Jesus...the Cowboy Way!

The Power in God's Word

Acts 8:12-13

"But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw."

Thoughts for Today:

When I read our passage today I immediately thought of Hebrews 4:12, "For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." The Samaritans for years had been following Simon, a sorcerer. They were convinced he had "divine power." But now Phillip arrives and preaches, "the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ" -- they then not only believed but were baptized!

The power of God's Word never ceases to amaze me. As Hebrews tells us, God's Word penetrates, divides, and judges -- it does not leave room for doubt or uncertainty. The message is crystal clear. When we get confused by God's Word it is usually because we are trying to hold on to or reconcile one of our beliefs, practices or ideas with what God is telling us to do. Many times our old ideas are just wrong and need to be thrown out -- they can't be reconciled. The Samaritans had no confusion -- there was wholesale conversion (belief) and immersion (baptism) -- literal and symbolic. When we truly believe and fully immerse ourselves in God's Word, here's what we should expect: "evil spirits came out of many... many paralytics and cripples were healed... there was great joy in that city." and "Simon himself believed and was baptized.'

Questions to Ponder:

Do you trust the power of God's Word? So often we are frustrated when friends or family members (who are under a spirit of deception, oppression, depression, etc) don't listen to our personal witness. Have you tried to simply read Scripture to them? Hebrews tells us that God's Word is "living and active." It has the power to change the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. My words alone don't have that kind of power. Maybe it's time we completely trusted the Word of God.