SIMON'S HEART

   I would like you to meet Simon. He calls himself a magician. You will notice
that he will not look you in the eyes. That is because he is afraid of people.
The only way that he feels comfortable with you is if he can get you to think 
that he is someone important. For a long time he has been telling people that 
he has the power of God. He has been tricked by the devil into thinking that he
can do magic.
   Not too long ago, something happened which made Simon's magic look very 
weak. God sent his preacher, Phillip, to teach the people about Jesus. It had 
been very hard for Simon, but he had to admit that he didn't have God's power 
when he saw it changing the lives of his neighbours. That day he took an 
important step and asked God to save him. He confessed to the Lord that he 
needed his power. It must have been very hard for him to admit that God was 
more important than himself.
   Today something is happening that is tempting Simon to try to be important 
again. He sees God's power working through another preacher, Peter, in a 
special way. Simon can't resist the temptation. There he goes, running down the
street to his house. I wonder what he is going to do? Here he comes running 
back again with a bag full of money. What is he doing now? I can't believe it! 
He is trying to give the money to Peter so that he can buy the power of God!
   Did you see how Peter answered him, so roughly? Look at how Simon is 
kneeling in the street and looking down at the ground. Now he is ashamed 
because he never thought of what a foolish thing he was doing. God is showing 
Simon what is inside of his heart. The Lord has to show everyone what is inside
their heart so they can know the difference between what is important and what 
is not.

Taken from Acts 8