FRIDAY March 31, 2023

Pray, Don’t Perish!

Then Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.” So when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.
Acts 8:24-25

Simon was not a Christian! In fear of God’s judgment, he asked the apostles to pray for him. Why not pray to God himself? The fact of the matter was, Simon had no communion with God. He did not have the Spirit of God. He had not received God’s grace and mercy, and he had no access to the throne room of God! After this encounter with Simon, the Gospel remained unhindered. It continued to be spread throughout the many villages in the area of Samaria.

Do you realize what benefits you have received from God when you have responded to the Gospel message, repented of your sins, and have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior? You have fellowship with God:

If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:6-7).

The Holy Spirit dwells in your life:

But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you (Romans 8:11).

Jesus died on the Cross and became your High Priest; therefore, you have access to God’s throne room where you can find mercy and grace: Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16).

Maybe you are not a Christian. Do you need your sins forgiven? Are you feeling empty and alone? Only fellowship––a relationship with God––can fill that void in your life. Are you ensnared in your sin and need the power of the Holy Spirit to help you overcome? Pray, and do not perish! Ask God for His grace and mercy; He responds to a repentant sinner.

To forsake sin is to leave it without any thought reserved of returning to it again.
~William Gurnall~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!