Wednesday Service | Change in Circumstances | Dan Inglese

Luke 24:13-14 (NIV)

Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem.  They were talking with each other about everything that had happened.

Luke 24:17-24 (NIV)

He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” they stood still, their faces downcast.

18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

19 “What things?” he asked.

“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. ²⁰ The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; ²¹ but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place.

Luke 24:32-33 (NIV)

32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” ³³ They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem…

Sometimes circumstances in our lives don’t work out the way we planned.

1. Ask God to Change our perspective.

Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

2. Believe that God will shape our hearts through the process.

Proverbs 16:32 (NIV)

Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

3. Trust that God will meet you where you are at.

Often times the circumstances we ask God to change are the circumstances that God uses to change us.