Say “Yes” to God’s Change In YOU!

Not all changes are bad. Sometimes they end up being quite good. Yet all change can feel scary and uncertain, even when we know God’s in the details. Sometimes, God is even driving the change. Those can often be the most frightening, but I think they’re also the most exciting to see what God can work through our lives.

As we become more comfortable handling life’s changes, we open ourselves for God-driven changes

We’ve been talking in this series about changes that happen to us and how to better react. There’s another type of change that can be just as frightening, but has so much more impact – a God-driven change.

As we draw closer to God and become better at using our three keys {knowing Jesus, living in community, relying on prayer} for managing our emotions through change, we open ourselves for God to begin driving change in our lives. Change to drive us closer to Him or change to make an impact in this world in His name.

Today, let’s see how Peter allowed himself to enter into a God-driven change that changed the course of the Christian church. Read through this passage in Acts 10:1 – 11:18 or watch it below on this video from “The Visual Bible: Acts” (this story begins 1:46 into the clip):

[youtube id=”NlPpMvEZzzg” height=”353″ width=”574″ marginbottom=”15″]

God-driven changes initiate from prayer and require us to listen and obey

Cornelius and Peter were both in prayer when God initiated this change. Both were given instructions, which they followed.

[callout]One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”

Cornelius started at him in fear. “What is it, Lord? He asked.

The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.

When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout solider who was one of his attendants. He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa. (Acts 10:3-8 NIV)[/callout]

[callout]About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance.

While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there. While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.” (Acts 10:9-10, 17-20 NIV)[/callout]

God was orchestrating quite a meeting here. In separate towns, he sent a vision to Gentile soldier and to Peter. The requests made in the visions were no simple commands to follow. For Cornelius, as a Gentile, although he believed in God, he would not have been allowed to socialize with the Jews. He probably thought it was foolishness to ask Peter to come visit as, by custom, Peter wouldn’t even be able to set foot in Cornelius’ home. Yet, Cornelius said “Yes” anyway. Said “yes” to what probably seemed like a crazy, out-of-the-blue idea.

Peter also said “yes” to a crazy, out-of-the-blue request. The vision he received was about eating unclean foods, animals a good Jew would never touch. It was about letting go of Jewish customs and social rules and instead following where God led him. If God said something was good, then it must be good, no matter what the customs said. In this way, Peter said “yes” to enter the home of a Gentile. He not only entered the home, but he ate with them and stayed there several days.

Don’t underestimate the power and impact of following a God-driven change

This meeting God arranged wasn’t just about breaking down social customs and barriers. It was to fundamentally change the vision of the early church. It was about so much more than a Jew eating with a Gentile, it was opening up Christianity to ALL people. Up until this point, only Jews or Gentiles who had been circumcised and fully practiced Jewish law had been allowed to be baptized. Yet, here was a house full of Gentiles – uncircumcised, not following the Jewish customs – who loved God and wanted to follow Jesus.

As Peter began to teach them about Jesus, the Holy Spirit was poured out on all those in the room.

[callout]While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. (Acts 10:44-45 NIV)[/callout]

By two men taking brave, small steps into a God-driven change, they changed the course of the Christian church. Neither man could have seen the full impact of their obedience as they agreed to follow God’s requests to meet each other. Through that obedience God did more than just change their lives, He opened the door for our lives to be changed as well.

[callout]Then Peter said, “Surely no one can stand int he way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So he ordered that they be baptized int he name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days. (Acts 10:47-48 NIV)[/callout]

What might God do though you if you’ll only open yourself to His changes and say “yes” to the steps He lays before you?

[callout]Study Guide:

Read this full passage for yourself: Acts 10:1 – 11:18

Reflect on the questions below:

1) What does this passage tell you about God?

2) How does this passage speak to you?

3) How can you open yourself to a God-driven change?

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If you want to dig deeper into the life and lessons of Peter, I highly recommend two books:

“A Fragile Stone: The Emotional Life of Simon Peter”, by Michael Card and “The Fisherman: A Novel”, by Larry Huntsperger

[callout]This post is part of the “A Better Change” series. For more information on this series and to find related posts, click here: A Better Change Series – Overview[/callout]

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