 | ||
December 6, 2024 | ||
Dear Church Family, It’s frustrating when someone is in the way. Have you ever been busy trying to get something done and someone keeps, either standing in your way, distracting you from your task, or is actually opposing you? The opposite can also be true. When someone gets out of the way, or even better, when they actively help you accomplish the task, it can have an amazingly positive effect. As I was reading Acts 11 today, I loved Peter’s response to those who were complaining that he went to the Gentiles and ate with them.
God had just done an amazing work in Peter’s heart in Acts 10. He had given Peter three visions of a sheet with all kinds of unclean animals on it. When a voice commanded him to kill and eat these animals, Peter was shocked and responded that he had never eaten anything common or unclean. Each time, the Lord responded, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” God used these visions to prepare Peter to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles. While this might not seem shocking to us, to the Jews, the Gentiles were unclean and seemingly unworthy of God’s love. When Peter went to Cornelius’ house in obedience, shared the Gospel with all those gathered, and saw the Holy Spirit descending on them in the same way He had descended on the Jews, it finally made sense. As Peter brought this news back to Jerusalem, one group, the circumcision party, started complaining and criticizing Peter. You can read his response in Acts 11:4-17. In these verses, Peter explains the vision, the response of the Gentiles, and the pouring out of the Holy Spirit. His final conclusion was that God clearly wanted to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles and Peter did not want to stand in God’s way. I love that response and that’s how I always want to be. God is always going to get the things done that He wants to accomplish, but I want to be a conduit of His plans, not an obstacle to them. I don’t want to stand in the way. I want to, either get out of the way, or be a part of making them happen. Sometimes it’s hard, though. Sometimes we’re confused at how God is at work. Sometimes His ways are at odds with our ways. That was certainly true, both with Peter, and with the other Jews. After Peter explained everything in Jerusalem, look at the very next verse:
How is God working in your midst? Are you standing in the way? Are you having a hard time wrapping your mind around God’s ways? Ask Him to meet you right where you are and show you how you can be part of His plan and not in the way of His plan. –Pastor Dave What’s Happening at Gospel Life:Communion: We will be celebrating the Lord’s Supper as part of our Sunday morning service on Sunday, December 15th. Through the ordinance of communion, we remember the sacrifice Jesus made to save us from our sins. Youth Christmas Party: All youth are invited to our Christmas Party on Sunday, December 15th from 5-7 pm. We’ll meet at Columbia High School (301 S Happy Valley Rd, Nampa, ID 83687) for dinner, games, and fun together celebrating the birth of our Savior.Upcoming Date: Christmas Eve Service (Dec. 24th) Life Groups: If you’re interested in joining a life group, we have several to choose from. You can check them out here: Request Prayer: It’s important for us to be praying for each other as a church! If you ever need prayer, we would love to come alongside you. You can always turn in a prayer request on Sundays using the Connection Card, but you can also submit a prayer request online at any time: | ||
Be a Conduit of God’s Plan
