The Phaneroo Devotion: God's Gifts Can Not Be Bought
Apostle Grace Lubega
Acts 8:18-20 (KJV); And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
Simon the Sorcerer was a Christian convert and believer in Jesus Christ (Acts 8:13). However, he did not understand how the kingdom of God works. This is seen from the fact that he attempted to buy the gift of God with money.
Simon’s attitude is not very different from that of some Christians in our day. There are many people whose relationship with God is transactional, one they perceive through the eyes of trade and commerce.
What may appear as prayer, worship, and service is their attempt at buying the gift of God. They may not offer money like Simon did but may offer their time purely in exchange for what God can give them in return.
This has made me understand that selfishness can lead a man into a whole night of prayer. A desire to advance his own needs can make one serve tirelessly. He may do many things for the gospel yet his sacrifice is translated in the realm of the spirit as the act of one trying to buy God’s gifts.
The Apostle Peter explains Simon the Sorcerer’s problem – it was a heart issue. Peter says, “thy heart is not right in the sight of God.” (Acts 8:21).
Child of God, prayer, fasting, and service to God are highly commendable. It is not my intention to undermine their importance but you must examine yourself and ask the genuine question, ‘am I praying, worshipping, and serving God or trying to buy His gifts?’
Only God can reveal to you the true state of your heart. When He does, He mends what is broken, kills what must die, and brings to life what must live. Praise His name!
FURTHER STUDY: John 4:24, Isaiah 55:1
GOLDEN NUGGET: Your relationship with God should not be transactional. You must examine yourself and ask the genuine question, ‘am I praying, worshipping, and serving God or trying to buy His gifts?’ Only God can reveal to you the true state of your heart.
PRAYER: Loving Father, I thank You for this truth. Thank You for the priceless gift of Your Spirit and the immeasurable opportunity to serve You. I do so with a genuine heart because I know that there is no greater privilege than this. I pray, give, fast, and serve in this purity of spirit, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
EKIRABO KYA KATONDA TEKISOBOLA KUGULWA
Omutume Grace Lubega
Ebikolwa By’Abatume 8:18-20 (KJV); Naye Simooni bwe yalaba ng’olw’okussibwako emikono gy’abatume baaweebwa Omwoyo Omutukuvu, n’abaleetera effeeza ng’agamba nti Mumpe nange obuyinza buno buli gwe nnassangako emikono aweebwenga Omwoyo Omutukuvu. Naye Peetero n’amugamba nti Effeeza yo ezikirire naawe, kubanga olowoozezza okufuna ekirabo kya Katonda n’ebintu.
Simooni omulogo yali akyuse n’afuuka omukristaayo era omukkiriza mu Yesu Kristo (Ebikolwa By’Abatume 8:13). Naye, teyategeera engeri obwakabaka bwa Katonda gye bukolamu. Kino kirabisibwa mu ye okugezaako okugula ekirabo kya Katonda ne ssente.
Endowooza ya Simooni teyawukana nnyo ku y’abamu ku bakristaayo mu nnaku zino. Waliwo abantu bangi ng’enkolagana yabwe ne Katonda ya kuwaanyisa, nga bagirabira mu ndaba ya bya busuubuzi na kugula.
Ekiyinza okulabika ng’okusaba, okusinza n’okuweereza kwe kugezaako kwabwe okugula ekirabo kya Katonda. Bayinza obutawaayo ssente nga Simooni bwe yakola naye bayinza okuwaayo obudde bwabwe mu kuwaanyisa n’ekyo Katonda ky’ayinza okubawamu.
Kino kindeetedde okutegeera nti okweyagaliza wekka kusobola okutwala omuntu mu kiro kiramba eky’okusaba. Okwagala okutuukiriza ebyetaago bye kisobola okuleetera omuntu okuweereza obutakoowa. Ayinza okukola ebintu bingi ku lw’enjiri so nga ssaddaaka ye evvuunulwa mu nsi y’omwoyo ng’omu agezaako okugula ebirabo bya Katonda.
Omutume Peetero annyonnyola ekizibu kya Simooni omulogo – yali nsonga ya mutima. Peetero agamba, “omutima gwo tegutuukiridde mu maaso ga Katonda.” (Ebikolwa By’Abatume 8:21).
Mwana wa Katonda, okusaba, okusiiba n’obuweereza eri Mukama birungi nnyo. Si kigendererwa kyange kunyooma mugaso gwabyo naye olina okwekebera weebuuze ekibuuzo mu bwesimbu, ‘ nsaba, nsinza era mpeereza Katonda oba ngezaako kugula birabo Bye?’
Katonda yekka y’asobola okukubikkulira embeera entuufu ey’omutima gwo. Bw’akola ekyo, atunga awamenyese, n’atta ekiteekeddwa okufa era n’azza mu bulamu ekiteekeddwa okuba ekiramu. Erinnya lye lyebazibwe!
YONGERA OSOME: Yokaana 4:24, Isaaya 55:1
AKASUMBI KA ZAABU: Enkolagana yo ne Katonda teteekeddwa kuba ya kuwaanyisa. Oteekeddwa okwekebera weebuuze ekibuuzo mu bwesimbu, nsaba, nsinza era mpeereza Katonda oba ngezaako kugula birabo bye? Katonda yekka y’asobola okukubikkulira embeera entuufu ey’omutima gwo.
ESSAALA: Kitaffe omwagalwa, Nkwebaza ku lw’amazima gano. Weebale ku lw’ekirabo ekitaliiko muwendo eky’omwoyo wo n’omukisa ogutayinzika kupimibwa ogw’okuweereza. Nkikola n’omutima omwesimbu kubanga mmanyi teri mwagaanya munene gusinga ogwo. Nsaba, mpaayo, nsiiba era mpeereza mu butukuvu buno obw’omwoyo, mu linnya lya Yesu, Amiina.
EBICONCO BYA RUHANGA TIBIRIKUGURWA
Entumwa Grace Lubega
Ebyakozirwe Entumwa 8:18-20; Simooni, ku yaareebire baaheebwa Omwoyo Orikwera ahabw’okuteebwaho engaro z’entumwa, yaazireetera empiiha, naagira ati: Naanye mumpe amaani aga, weena ou ndaateho engaro aheebwe Omwoyo Orikwera. Kwonka Petero yaamugarukamu ati: Efeeza yaawe ebure naiwe, ahabw’okuba waateekateeka kugura ekiconco kya Ruhanga n’empiiha.
Simooni omufumu akaba ari Omukristaayo owahindukire kandi omwikiriza omuri Yesu Kristo (Ebyakozirwe Entumwa 8:13). Kwonka, tarayetegyereize oku obukama bwa Ruhanga buri kukora. Eki nikireebwa obu ayenda kugura ekiconco kya Ruhanga n’empiiha.
Ekigyendererwa kya Simooni tikirikutaana n’eky’Abakristaayo bamwe omu biro byaitu. hariho abantu baingi abu omukago gwaabo na Ruhanga guri ogw’okushubura, ogubarikureebera omu maisho g’okuguza hamwe n’okugura.
Ekirikureebeka nk’okushaba, okuramya n’okuheereza n’okugyezaho kwaabo kugura ekiconco kya Ruhanga. Nibabaasa okutahayo empiiha nk’eki Simooni yakozire kwonka baheyo obwiire kwenda kutuunga eki Ruhanga arikubaasa kubaheereza omuri ekyo.
Eki kiretsire nayetegyereza ngu okweyendeza nikibaasa kuretera omuntu kushaba ekiro kyoona. Ekyeetengo ky’okutunguura ebyeteengo bye byoona nikiretera omuntu kuheereza atarihire. Nabaasa kukorera engiri ebintu bingi, kwonka okwehonga kwe kwoona nikushobororwa omunsi y’omwoyo nk’ekikorwa kyogwo orikugura ebiconco bya Ruhanga.
Entumwa Petero nashoborora ekizibu kya Simooni omufumu – Ekaba eri enshonga y’omutima. Petero nagira ati, “omutima gwaawe tiguri gye omu maisho ga Ruhanga.” (Ebyakozirwe Entumwa 8:21).
Mwaana wa Ruhanga, okushaba, okusiiba n’okuheereza Ruhanga n’eby’okukorerwa kimwe. Tikigyendererwa kyangye kurabyamu amaisho omugasho gwaabyo kureka oshemereire kweshwijuma kandi okebuuza ekibuuzo, ‘ndiyo ninshaba, ndindamya n’okuheereza Ruhanga nari ningyezaho kugura ebiconco bye?’
Ruhanga wenka niwe arikukushuuruurira oku omutima gwaawe guri. Ku arikukikora, nayombeka ekishenyirwe, ayita ekishemereire kwiitwa kandi aha amagara ekishemereire kugira amagara.
Eiziina rye rihimbisibwe!
SHOMA NEEBI: Yohaana 4:24, Isaaya 55:1
EZAABU: Omukago gwaawe na Ruhanga tigushemereire kuba ogw’okushubura. Oshemereire kweshwijuma kandi okebuuza ekibuuzo, ndiyo ninshaba, ndindamya n’okuheereza Ruhanga nari ningyezaho kugura ebiconco bye? Ruhanga wenka niwe ari kukushuuruurira oku omutima gwaawe guri.
OKUSHABA: Taata omukundwa, Ninkusiima ahabw’amazima aga. Ninkusiima ahabw’ekiconco kitaine muhendo ky’Omwoyo waawe n’omugisha gutaine gw’okukuheereza. Ninkikora n’omutima guhikire ahabw’okuba nimanya ngu tihariho omugisha ogurikukira ogu. Ninshaba, mpereza, nsiiba kandi mpereza n’omwoyo ohikire, omu eiziina rya Yesu, Amiina.
MOT PA LUBANGA PE WILE
Lakwena Grace Lubega
Tic pa Lukwena 8:18-20 (KJV); Ka Cimon oneno ni gulimo Cwiny Maleŋ pi keto bad pa lukwena, ci okelo lim botgi kun waco ni, “Wumiya tek man bene, wek an bene ka aketo ciŋa i kom dano mo olim Cwiny Maleŋ.” Ento Petero owacce ni, “Centeni myero orweny woko matwal, kacel ki in, pien itamo pi wilo mot pa Lubaŋa ki lim!
Cimon ma lajok ni onongo obedo Lakricitayo ma onongo pwod olare alara dok ngat ma oye i Yecu Kricito (Tic pa Lukwena 8:13). Ento, en pe oniang kitma ker pa Lubanga tiyo kwede. Man waneno ki i ada ni en oteme me wilo mot pa Lubanga ki lim.
Kit Cimon ni pe pat twatwal ki ikom pa Lukricitayo mukene ikare wani. Tye dano mapol ma wat ikin gi ki Lubanga opong ki wil, ma gi neno ki wang me cat ki biacara.
Ginma twero nen calo lega, woro Lubanga dok tic pi en ni en aye temme gi me wilo mot pa Lubanga. Gin pegi twero miyo cente calo Cimon ento gitwero miyo cawa gi mere me loko ki ginma Lubanga twero mini gi pire.
Gin man oweko wa niang ni gem twero weko ngatmo lego dye wor kulu. Miri me medo miti ne kene twero weko ngatmo timo tic pa Lubanga labongo ol. En twero timo jami mapol ata pi kwena pa Lubanga ento kun nongo i lobo me cwiny, ginma en tyeka tyero ne en aye tyeka nen calo tim me temo wilo mot pa Lubanga.
Lakwena Petero otito peko pa Cimon ma obedo lajok ni- obedo lok me cwiny. Petero Waco ni, “cwinyi pe tye atir iwang Lubanga.” (Tic pa Lukwena 8:21).
Latin pa Lubanga, lega, ki rikec dok tic pi Lubanga pire tek mada. Pe obedo miti na me cayo ber gi ento myero ipenye kekeni dok ipenye lapeny ma pire tek ni, ‘an mono atye ka lega, ka woro Lubanga dok tic pi en onyo atye ka temo wilo mot ne?’
Lubanga keken aye twero nyuti kitma cwinyi tye kwede i ada. Kace en otimo meno, En mwono ginma otu, neko ginma myero oto dok kelo ikwo ginma myero okwo. Kipak nyinge!
KWAN MUKENE: Jon 4:24, Icaya 55:1
LWOD MADIT: wat ikin in ki Lubanga omyero pe opong ki wil, myero ipenye kekeni dok ipenye lapeny ma pire tek ni, ‘an mono atye ka lega, ka woro Lubanga dok tic pi en onyo atye ka temo wilo mot ne?’ Lubanga keken aye twero nyuti kitma cwinyi tye kwede i ada.
LEGA: Wora me amara, Apwoyi pi ada man. Apwoyi pi mic pa Cwiny Maleng ma tye labongo wel me tic pi in. An atimo meno ki cwiny ma atir pien angeyo ni petye yweka mo madit loyo man. An alego, amiyo, ari kec dok atiyo ticci ki leng cwiny man, inying Yesu, Amen.
EBISEMBO BYA RUHANGA TIBISOBORA KUGURWA SENTE
Omukwenda Grace Lubega
Ebikorwa 8:18-20 ( KJV); Simooni obu yarozire baatunga Mwoyo Ahikiriire habw’abakwenda kubataho emikono, yabaha sente, naagamba ati: “Obusobozi obu na nyowe mubumpe, weena ou ndaatahoga emikono, atungege Mwoyo Ahikiriire.” Baitu Petero yamugarukamu ati: “Kabule nazo sente zaawe, iwe anyakutekeriize kugura ekisembo kya Ruhanga na sente! ”
Simooni omurogo akaba nubwo yakahinduka kuba mu Kristo kandia omwikiriza omu Yesu Kristo (Ebikorwa 8:13). Kyonka, ateetegereze oku Obukama bwa Ruhanga bukora. Kinu nokirorra hangiga ngu akalengaho kugura ekisembo kya Ruhanga na sente.
Entekereza ya Simooni teri y’embaganiza kuruga hali ey’abakristo ab’ebiro binu. Haroho abantu baingi ab’omuganjano gwabo na Ruhanga gw’okusuburrana, ogu ogubarorra mubirahule by’obusubuzi.
Okukuzooka nk’okusaba, okuramya hamu n’okuhereza biba by’okwerengamu kugura ekisembo kya Ruhanga. Basobora obutahayo sente nka Simooni oku yakozire baitu bahayo obwire bwabo omukuhingisaniza n’ekyo ekya Ruhanga asobora kubagarurramu.
Kinu kinkengeseze ngu okwegondeza nikusobora okusabisa omuntu itumbi lyona. Okwegomba kw’okutunga ebyetagobye nikusobora kuletereza omuntu kuhereza atakujwaha. Asobora kukora ebintu bingi habw’enjiri kunu ekyonzirakye nikirorwa nk’ekikorwa kyogu ow’akulengaho kugura ekisembo kya Ruhanga omu nsi y’omwoyo.
Omukwenda Petero nasoborra ekizibu kya Simooni Omurogo -ekaba eri nsonga y’omutima. Petero nagamba, ” omutima gwawe tiguhikiriire omu maiso ga Ruhanga.” (Ebikorwa 8:21).
Mwana wa Ruhanga, kusaba, kusiiba hamu n’obuhereza hali Ruhanga nibisiimwa muno. Tikiri kigendererwa kyange kudibya omugaso gwabyo baitu n’osemerra kw’erenga kandi oyekaguze ekikaguzo eky’amazima, ‘ninsaba, nindmya hamu n’okuhereza Ruhanga rundi nindengaho kugura ebisembo Bye?’
Ruhanga wenka nuwe asobora kukusukurra enyikara y’omutima gwawe yonyini. Obwakora ekyo, abumba ebicwekere, naita ekisemeriire kufa kandi nahumbura ekyo ekisemeriire kwomera. Kugiza Ibaralye!
GALIHYA N’OSOMA: John 4:24, Isaaya 55:1
EBIKURU MUBYOONA: Obuzaale bwawe na Ruhanga tibusemeriire kuba bw’okusuburrana. N’osemerra kw’erenga kandi oyekaguze ekikaguzo eky’amazima, ‘ninsaba, nindmya hamu n’okuhereza Ruhanga rundi nindengaho kugura ebisembo Bye?’ Ruhanga wenka nuwe asobora kukusukurra enyikara y’omutima gwawe yonyini.
ESAARA: Taata Omugonzibwa, Ninkusiima habw’amazima ganu. Webale habw’ekisembo ekitanyina muhendo eky’Omwoyo wawe hamu nomugisa ogutanyina rupimo oku kuhereza. Ninkikora nomutima ogwezire habwokuba manyire nti tiharoho mugisa ogukukira gunu. Ninsaba, mpayo, nsiiba kandi mpereza omu kwera kw’omwoyo, omw’ibara lya Yesu, Amiina.
ZAWADI ZA MUNGU HAZIWEZI KUNUNULIWA
Mtume Grace Lubega
Matendo ya Mitume 8:18-20 (KJV); Hata Simoni alipoona ya kuwa watu wanapewa Roho Mtakatifu kwa kuwekewa mikono ya mitume, akataka kuwapa fedha akisema, Nipeni na mimi uwezo huu, ili kila mtu nitakayemweka mikono yangu, apokee Roho Mtakatifu. Lakini Petro akamwambia, Fedha yako na ipotelee mbali pamoja nawe, kwa kuwa umedhania ya kuwa karama ya Mungu yapatikana kwa mali.
Simoni Mchawi alikuwa Mkristo aliyeongoka na kumwamini Yesu Kristo (Matendo 8:13). Hata hivyo, hakuelewa jinsi ufalme wa Mungu unavyofanya kazi. Hili linaonekana kutokana na kweli kwamba alijaribu kununua zawadi ya Mungu kwa pesa.
Mtazamo wa Simoni si tofauti sana na ule wa Wakristo fulani katika siku zetu. Kuna watu wengi ambao uhusiano wao na Mungu ni wa kifedha, moja wanaona kupitia macho ya biashara na ununuzi.
Kinachoweza kuonekana kama maombi, ibada na huduma ni jaribio lao la kununua karama ya Mungu. Huenda wasitoe pesa kama Simoni alivyotoa lakini wanaweza kutoa wakati wao kwa kubadilishana na kile ambacho Mungu anaweza kuwapa kama malipo.
Hili limenifanya nielewe kwamba ubinafsi unaweza kumwongoza mtu katika usiku mzima wa maombi. Tamaa ya kuendeleza mahitaji yake inaweza kumfanya mtu atumike bila kuchoka. Anaweza kufanya mambo mengi kwa ajili ya injili lakini dhabihu yake inatafsiriwa katika ulimwengu wa roho kama kitendo cha mtu kujaribu kununua karama za Mungu.
Mtume Petro anaeleza tatizo la Simoni Mchawi – lilikuwa ni suala la moyo. Petro anasema, “Moyo wako si sawa machoni pa Mungu.” ( Matendo 8:21).
Mwana wa Mungu, maombi, kufunga na kumtumikia Mungu ni jambo la kusifiwa sana. Si nia yangu kudhoofisha umuhimu wao lakini ni lazima ujichunguze na ujiulize swali la kweli, ‘Je, ninasali, ninamwabudu na kumtumikia Mungu au ninajaribu kununua zawadi Zake?
Mungu pekee ndiye anayeweza kukufunulia hali halisi ya moyo wako. Anapofanya hivyo, Yeye hurekebisha kile kilichovunjika, huua kinachopaswa kufa na kuhuisha kile kinachopaswa kuishi. Lisifuni jina lake!
MASOMO YA ZIADA: Yohana 4:24, Isaya 55:1
UJUMBE MKUU: Uhusiano wako na Mungu usiwe wa shughuli. Ni lazima ujichunguze na ujiulize swali la kweli, ‘Je, ninasali, ninamwabudu na kumtumikia Mungu au ninajaribu kununua zawadi Zake? Mungu pekee ndiye anayeweza kukufunulia hali halisi ya moyo wako.
SALA: Baba Mpenzi, Nakushukuru kwa kweli hii. Asante kwa zawadi isiyokadirika ya Roho Wako na nafasi isiyopimika ya kukutumikia Wewe. Ninafanya hivyo kwa moyo wa kweli kwa sababu najua kwamba hakuna pendeleo kubwa kuliko hili. Ninaomba, kutoa, kufunga na kutumikia katika usafi huu wa roho, katika jina la Yesu, Amina.
