Today's Scripture
TODAY’S READING SCHEDULE: Psalms 1 8 -19; Acts 13:1 -25
A heart to know God – Acts 13:4-12
4 After the Holy Spirit sent them on their way, they went down to Seleucia. From there they sailed to Cyprus. 5 In Salamis they proclaimed God’s word in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their assistant. 6 They traveled throughout the island until they arrived at Paphos. There they found a certain man named Bar-Jesus, a Jew who was a false prophet and practiced sorcery. 7 He kept company with the governor of that province, an intelligent man named Sergius Paulus. The governor sent for Barnabas and Saul since he wanted to hear God’s word. 8 But Elymas the sorcerer[a] (for that’s what people understood his name meant) opposed them, trying to steer the governor away from the faith. 9 Empowered by the Holy Spirit, Saul, also known as Paul, glared at Bar-Jesus and 10 said, “You are a deceiver and trickster! You devil! You attack anything that is right! Will you never stop twisting the straight ways of the Lord into crooked paths? 11 Listen! The Lord’s power is set against you. You will be blind for a while, unable even to see the daylight.” At once, Bar-Jesus’ eyes were darkened, and he began to grope about for someone to lead him around by the hand. 12 When the governor saw what had taken place, he came to believe, for he was astonished by the teaching about the Lord.
What does this passage mean to me/us?
The governor of Seleucia was an intelligent man with a desire to know the Word of God. Probably, that was the reason why he had Elymas the sorcerer, as a counsel.
When Paul and Barnabas came to Seleucia, he invited them to hear more about God, however, Elymas the sorcerer “opposed them, trying to steer the governor away from the faith” (v.8).
There are times when we are drawing closer to God we see how practices and even things we considered as a representation from God opposing us from getting closer with God. It is ironic that our heart desire to grow closer to God can be blocked by things we adore.
As Paul was empowered by the Holy Spirit, we need to light of the Holy Spirit to shine the light of truth and reveal deceiving power of the enemy. Since the enemy is the one who don’t want us to grow closer to God.
When the light of truth shines in our lives, the deceitful scheme will be cast away.
Prayer
Lord, help us to see you truth. Help us to draw near to you everyday. In Christ name, we pray, Amen.
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