Change me first

Send us Fan MailSo many times when we pray we ask God to intervene and change our situations. But how many times do we ask him to help us to change within the situation. We explore the story of Peter and Cornelius, one mans desire to please God through righteous living, and another man’s battle to change his mind and recognise something promised yet unfamiliar. The intrinsic tussle between revelation and understanding, and the visual struggle between love and traditional duty.Change (Def) - To make the form, nature, content, future course of something different from what it is or what it would be if left alone. To transform or convert, to transfer from one to another.Acts 10:1-7 - Change always requires a reason.“At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. 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 stared 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.”Acts 10:9-16 - Change forces you to challenge what you know.“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. He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”“Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”Acts 10:19-21 - Your heart has to be open.“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.”Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?”Acts 10:25-28 - Peters thinking is changing.“As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself. While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean.”Acts 10:44-48 - Transformation.“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. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.Then Peter said, “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.”Support the showPresenter:  ⁨@SheanWilliamsWorld⁩  Socials:TikTok: @rhema.biblestudieInstagram: rhemabiblestudiesFacebook: rhemabiblestudiesThreads: rhemabiblestudiesBrought to you by Willow Media Housewww.willowmediahouse.com