Daily Dose of Hope

November 28, 2025

Scripture: Acts 8:1-26

Prayer: Almighty God and Risen Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, We come before you today with praise and a sense of awe. Even though you are incredibly mighty and take care of us in such fundamental ways, we struggle to stay focused on our faith. Help us gather our scattered and distracted thoughts. Help us take a moment of silence and remember who you are...Holy Spirit, speak to us today. We want to hear your voice. In Your Name, Amen.

Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional/podcast that complements the daily Bible reading plan for New Hope Church on Brandon, Florida. We are currently walking through the book of Acts. Today, we are talking at the first half of Acts 8.

After Stephen's killing, the new Christians are forced to scatter around the area. Saul (who will become Paul) is going door to door to question people and throw Christians into prison. This is serious stuff. I want you to just imagine what that would be like. We live in a place where we can worship freely but what those new Christians experience isn't too different from many parts of the world today. Just keep that in mind.

What's interesting to me is that wherever they go, the believers spread the Gospel. They aren't deterred by their experience in Jerusalem. Rather, the opposite seems to be true. They are bold and tell the story of Jesus wherever they go. Think of your own life. How do you share the story of Jesus? Do you?

One more interesting part of the passage is the bit about Simon the sorcerer in Samaria. Sorcery is absolutely forbidden by God because it relies on powers that are not of God. When I speak of sorcery, I'm referring to black magic, the occult, witchcraft, etc. Sometimes, there is no power attached to these things and other times, they definitely have power and it comes from the evil one. So, friends, this is not something you want to mess with at all. Just stay away from it.

Sorry, I digress. Simon had become a believer after hearing Philip preach but the Holy Spirit had not yet come to the church in Samaria. When the apostles (Peter and John) come to Samaria and lay hands on the believers, the Holy Spirit comes to them and they receive the power that comes with that. Simon witnesses all of this and he wants it. He offers Peter and John money to receive this power. Of course, they are appalled. They tell him he is wicked and needs to repent. His heart is not right before God. Simon appears to be repentant and we don't hear any more about him.

The apostles continue to visit Samaritan villages to spread the Gospel.

We will chat some more on Monday.

Blessings,

Pastor Vicki