Because Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit, he could speak the word of the Lord against the sorcerer, with dramatic result. The ultimate consequence - the proconsul saw the miraculous, heard the teaching and believed.

Why don’t we see such miracles today? Could it be because we are following Jesus’ teaching, but not Jesus? Are we squelching the Holy Spirit within us by our self-focused and self-indulgent lifestyle? Are we just not bold enough?

What if we lived our lives fully dedicated to Christ in the same way Paul did, and were in moment by moment intimate communion with the Father through the Holy Spirit He has placed within us? How many more people would see what happened, and believe, being amazed at the teaching about the Lord?

Lord, give us the same heart for you that Paul had, so we can be useful to you in reaching lost people.

Acts 13:9-12