You always hear the saying: Don't put God in a box. It's common and after hearing it enough it starts to go "in one ear and out the other". Today in Church our Pastor read Acts chapter 10. You know the one about the wild and unclean animals being lowered on a sheet from the sky when Peter was on the rooftop praying. God told him to eat of it, but Peter refused. Thrice this happened and every time Peter refused. God explained that what God has made clean is clean.
Shortly after some people called on Peter and requested his presence at another's house - this man was named Cornelius (think thats how you spell it). Anyways there, Peter was told that an angel appeared to this Cornelius guy and told him to beckon Peter and hear all that he had to say of the Lord. But the thing is, this guy was not a Jew and nor were his friends. Rather they were Gentiles and in the Jews' eyes they were unclean. No the moral of the story is not to eat them. Lol but you already no that. The whole moral of the story - what Peter had to realize - is the Gospel was also for the Gentiles and every other tribe of people, not just the Jews. In God's eyes all men are equal and has the chance to the remission of sins and eternal life, should they choose to only believe. See, that day God stretched Peter's ministry. God caused Peter to step outside of the box Peter had built for himself. What Peter would never have considered - sharing with the Gentiles the truth of the Lord - God showed him to be His will and what He was calling Peter to do.
This choice was not easy for Peter, being raised in a family, a culture, a nation! where Non-Jewish people were considered unclean and forever lost. Peter had to make a choice to accept what God was telling him; something that was entirely against what he was raised by. He had to make a choice to step outside of this box of beliefs he had built up for himself. He had to take that step of faith and follow the Lord's leading. See, when you put your self and what you can do for the Lord in a box... you are actually putting God in a box. God cannot use you in the great and mighty ways He has planned for your life if you do not choose to first break down those walls you've built and step outside your comfort zone.
That box for you may be numerous of things. It may be traditions, self-experiences of your past, fear, prejudicness or even the time you are willing to give. God desires to use each of us in mighty ways. Some He has already, other's not so much or not at all, but it starts with our choice to surrender to His will for our life. To let Him lead our life and follow wherever He may take us. It requires us to put our trust in Him even when what He is calling us to do is out of our comfort zone or goes against our grain. If He is calling - if the Lord is calling on you and touching your heart - don't be afraid to step outside and see the plans He has for you. Don't be afraid to break down your box. Don't be afraid to let God out of the box...
Did you know that had Peter not, nor many of the other disciples, chosen to step outside the norm of reality... the box of traditions that their ancestors had built... we would not be where we are today; children of God much less hearing of the love of our Lord. It takes a willing heart to live the life God has called us to live. Are you willing?
Shortly after some people called on Peter and requested his presence at another's house - this man was named Cornelius (think thats how you spell it). Anyways there, Peter was told that an angel appeared to this Cornelius guy and told him to beckon Peter and hear all that he had to say of the Lord. But the thing is, this guy was not a Jew and nor were his friends. Rather they were Gentiles and in the Jews' eyes they were unclean. No the moral of the story is not to eat them. Lol but you already no that. The whole moral of the story - what Peter had to realize - is the Gospel was also for the Gentiles and every other tribe of people, not just the Jews. In God's eyes all men are equal and has the chance to the remission of sins and eternal life, should they choose to only believe. See, that day God stretched Peter's ministry. God caused Peter to step outside of the box Peter had built for himself. What Peter would never have considered - sharing with the Gentiles the truth of the Lord - God showed him to be His will and what He was calling Peter to do.
This choice was not easy for Peter, being raised in a family, a culture, a nation! where Non-Jewish people were considered unclean and forever lost. Peter had to make a choice to accept what God was telling him; something that was entirely against what he was raised by. He had to make a choice to step outside of this box of beliefs he had built up for himself. He had to take that step of faith and follow the Lord's leading. See, when you put your self and what you can do for the Lord in a box... you are actually putting God in a box. God cannot use you in the great and mighty ways He has planned for your life if you do not choose to first break down those walls you've built and step outside your comfort zone.
That box for you may be numerous of things. It may be traditions, self-experiences of your past, fear, prejudicness or even the time you are willing to give. God desires to use each of us in mighty ways. Some He has already, other's not so much or not at all, but it starts with our choice to surrender to His will for our life. To let Him lead our life and follow wherever He may take us. It requires us to put our trust in Him even when what He is calling us to do is out of our comfort zone or goes against our grain. If He is calling - if the Lord is calling on you and touching your heart - don't be afraid to step outside and see the plans He has for you. Don't be afraid to break down your box. Don't be afraid to let God out of the box...
Did you know that had Peter not, nor many of the other disciples, chosen to step outside the norm of reality... the box of traditions that their ancestors had built... we would not be where we are today; children of God much less hearing of the love of our Lord. It takes a willing heart to live the life God has called us to live. Are you willing?
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