(Acts 8:9-11) Simon is a familiar fellow

  [9] But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:

[10] To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.

[11] And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.

MAGICIANS AND SORCERERS

Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is the divine power known as the Great Power.�?They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his magic.

Simon is a familiar fellow.  At least what he did is familiar.  He performed all sorts of signs and wonders, doing such a good job that people said he was "the divine power known as the Great Power."  And the people followed him, believed in him, probably even worshipped him. Just like the people do today.

Why is that familiar?  Take a look around you.  The pervading thought in the "Star Wars" movies was the influence of the "force" on Luke Skywalker. If the "force" was with him, he could perform superhuman feats.  Every night on television we are subjected to more and more programming about psychic phenomena, being told amazing stories about how psychics have "miraculously" helped one person after another and being given convenient phone numbers to use so you and I can avail ourselves of their "power". 

Throughout our public buildings, stacks of newspapers are available �?free of charge - which give us detailed accounts of mystic powers, of signs and wonders, all of which are performed today.  Some of the most popular games for children are designed to teach the child how to use his "powers" to conquer evil.  And, of course, there’s the ever-present Harry Potter and his seemingly benign powers against evil.   Eastern mysticism is being taught in our corporations, and even in our prisons, as a "healthy" form of "relaxation therapy"... with seemingly miraculous results. 

 Every newspaper and magazine in the :country-region has at the very least a horoscope column within its pages.  Every December, the tabloid covers are emblazoned with famous psychics' predictions for the coming year.  One after another, famous and non-famous people alike are proclaiming the reality of their own reincarnation, weaving miraculous tales of how past lives are influencing their lives today.

People today are no different from those people who followed Simon.  They saw what looked like miracles and were drawn to him like a magnet.  Today, people see what looks like miracles, and they, too, are suckered in.

Amazingly, Simon was smart enough to realize he didn't have the same power as the believers.  Simon saw what they did and could tell the difference.  In the confusing array of signs and wonders today, you and I should have at least the level of discernment that Simon did. 

If we know the Lord, we can tell the difference.  Through the Holy Spirit in us, we can see what is of God and what is not.  Pray for discernment today.Amen.

May God Richly Bless You, Love In Christ, Joylee.

The Joy Of The Lord Is My Strengh.

ImGoingOnWithJesusJustTheSame.