Acts - Breaking the Spell

This week Michael Coe encourages us to shift our focus from seeking a counterfeit, self-serving power to embracing the true lordship of God. The society we live in is obsessed with power - whether through physical strength, financial status, or even spiritual tools used for personal branding and control. While the world may offer temporary comfort, the gospel provides a profound relationship with a heavenly Father who offers unconditional love and forgiveness. We can move beyond treating God's grace as a transaction and instead seek His heart, finding that true greatness in His kingdom comes from a place of humility and service. So stop bargaining for benefits and instead be changed by who God is, allowing His presence to be your ultimate source of strength. But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed. - Acts 8:9-13 (ESV)