Weekend, November 9, 2024
God Can Change the Narrative
About that point King Herod Agrippa started to persecute some believers within the church. He had the apostle James (John’s brother) killed with a sword. When Herod noticed how a lot this happy the Jewish folks, he additionally arrested Peter. (Acts 12:1-3 NLT)
Everybody wants a change of narrative typically. When life appears to be trending towards catastrophe, chaos, uncertainty, or struggling, it’s comforting to know that God can intervene. He can rewrite the script. All we’ve got to do is ask. God makes use of prayer to alter not simply our circumstances however our attitudes and views, our hearts and minds.
After we pray, we’re acknowledging our weak spot. That’s a tough factor for some folks to do. We predict, I can determine this out. I can resolve this battle. I can save my family. Nevertheless it doesn’t work. So we name on God and say, “Lord, I’m weak. I would like Your assist. Please come by way of for me.” And that’s when the narrative begins to alter.
In Acts 12, we discover a modified narrative. Issues had been wanting dim for the early believers. King Herod had killed the apostle James and imprisoned the apostle Peter, two vital church leaders. And the way did the believers reply? “The church organized a protest and stormed Herod’s palace.” No, that’s not what occurred. “The church boycotted all merchandise made in Rome.” No, not that both.
Right here is how the believers responded to Peter’s imprisonment: “Fixed prayer was supplied to God for him by the church” (Acts 12:5 NKJV). They prayed, however not only one time. They had been engaged in fixed prayer. For many individuals, prayer is a final resort. They are saying, “We’ve tried the whole lot. All we are able to do now could be pray.” Prayer is the first factor we must always do. Paul stated, “Don’t fear about something; as a substitute, pray about the whole lot” (Philippians 4:6 NLT). Nothing is just too small to wish about.
Is there a troubling narrative in your life proper now? Is there a circumstance that you haven’t any management over that should change? Supply it to the Lord in prayer. Jesus stated, “In case you stay in me and my phrases stay in you, you could ask for something you need, and it is going to be granted!” (John 15:7). In different phrases, “Belief Me. Ask Me. I’ll change your narrative.”
The narrative of Acts 12 modifications when an angel seems in Peter’s cell. Peter’s chains fall off, and he walks out of jail. And Herod, the person who imprisoned him, offers a speech that’s so spectacular that the viewers begins referring to him as a god. Herod accepts their reward, falls down lifeless, and is eaten by worms.
In the beginning of Acts 12, Herod held seemingly absolute energy and the church was on the ropes. On the finish, Herod was worm meals and the church had its chief again. It was a story twist nobody however God might have predicted. And it was an vital reminder that no scenario is hopeless. Each narrative might be modified by way of prayer, together with yours.
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