Written by Mark Driskill:
Thursday February 17, 2011
Read Acts 8:9-13 and 17-21

“May your money perish with you because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!”

The Holy Spirit, Simon learned in the infancy of his faith, is not for sale! Simon believed in the miraculous power of the Holy Spirit but his heart was not right with God. He was in love with miracles and money, but not in love with Jesus.

Oh how it grieves the Spirit when we want to use him for our own advancement in the world rather than be used by him for the advancement of the kingdom of God! Does it not make your heart grieve to know that so many are doing the same today? How it breaks God’s heart to see those glittery merchandisers dressed as preachers who find money and material wealth behind every verse of scripture. They act as if the Holy Spirit is nothing more than a divine ATM from which they can make themselves wealthy while the poor go hungry. “God wants everyone rich…but me first.” is their cry, while the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head.

When the apostles brought the good news to a community they brought it as a free gift. Sure they were supported financially by the generosity of the saints, no problem with that. But they didn’t try to make a fortune out of it. Now many who preach the gospel refuse to go anywhere with the word unless they are assured of a large payment. Books, Bibles and conferences are so highly priced that the people who need them the most cannot afford them! Simon the Sorcerer would have done really well in such a culture. Okay enough ranting. You get the idea.

We have a decision to make today. It’s very simple. Will I attempt to use the Holy Spirit for the advancement of my kingdom or will I allow the Holy Spirit to use me for the advancement of Christ’s kingdom? Who will use who today?

Mark Driskill and his wife Mary are homeschooling community ministers in Breathitt County Kentucky.  They have four children. They co pastor Emmanuel fellowship Church, serve as Camp Pastors at Bethel Mennonite Camp, and Mark Teaches at Oakdale Christian Academy.

Mark is web minister for Begotten by theWord , a ministry of Helping Hands Christian Resources.

Once a month he preaches on the local radio station through the “Lion of Judah” program. Mark also preaches in youth rallies and revivals upon request at no charge. Their vision is to see true spiritual awakening come to the mountains of Eastern Kentucky and to the nation.

Contact information:
Email: driskill@hilbillymail.com
Facebook: Mark Driskill
Address: PO Box 1159 Jackson KY.