Change is Possible

By Dennis Stackhouse

How difficult is it for you to make changes in your life? For many of us, changes can be extremely difficult. This is especially the case when these changes require us to alter long-standing habits of living. Does it make a difference when we realize that proposed changes could have a significantly positive impact on our lives?

We all know that changes do occur for us throughout the course of our lives, many of which we have no control over. For example, we go from infancy into childhood, from preteen years into being a teenager, from young adults to adulthood to elderly individuals. Other changes are brought about through our own choices, such as who we have as friends, who we marry, the job we pursue, the location where we live, when we will retire, etc.

These changes, and many others we did not mention, should be quite familiar to us. That's the case because such changes all exist within the physical setting; they are things we can see and touch, things that are very real to us. However, as important as these physical things are--and I would agree that they are important to us--there is a realm which is far more important, one that should demand our strictest attention, and that is the spiritual realm.

In this study, we will endeavor to consult God's word in order to discuss examples of people who made dramatic changes in their lives, changes for the better. My hope is that many of the people we consider will be familiar to us, even people we can identify with personally. Ultimately, we should understand that making changes, even on those occasions when it will be quite painful, can result in a happier life, both now and forever! After all, God does know what's best for each of us, both now and forever!

My prayer is that we all come away with the conviction that change is possible and that we can change for the better.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Oct 27, 2023
• ISBN: 9798888328286

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Change is Possible

Dennis Stackhouse

ISBN 979-8-88832-827-9 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88832-828-6 (digital)

Copyright © 2023 by Dennis Stackhouse

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

All Scripture quotations are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Introduction

The Ups and Downs of Simon Peter

Chapter 1

Simon Peter's Courage

Chapter 2

Simon Peter's Struggles

Chapter 3

The Denial of Jesus

Peter Overestimated His Own Power

Chapter 4

The Frailty of Man

Chapter 5

Man's Way Is Not Always God's Way

Chapter 6

Leaving God Out

Peter Underestimated the Power of the Evil One

Chapter 7

The Devil Is Real

Chapter 8

The Devil Is an Enemy

Chapter 9

More Facts About Satan

Peter Ignored the Power of God

Chapter 10

Don't Ignore God's Power

Chapter 11

Power That Is Not Utilized

A Dramatic Change Occurs

Chapter 12

Triggering the Change

Chapter 13

Words of Encouragement

Chapter 14

How God Treated Penitent Sinners

Chapter 15

God's Desire for Your Salvation

God's Plan for Your Salvation

Chapter 16

Faith and Repentance

Chapter 17

Confession and Baptism

Conclusion: Change Can Occur

Change Can Occur

Introduction

Consider, for a moment, if someone were to ask you the question: What's the hardest thing you have ever had to do? How would you respond to a question like that? Might your answer depend upon the mood you were in at the time? Would your answer change according to your age? In other words, would more life experience cause you to answer differently than you would have when you were younger? Is it possible that this question might have more than one correct answer for you? Would you really be able to identify, without any hesitation, the hardest thing you ever had to do in life? It might take some real soul-searching to come up with the answer that stands out above all the rest.

At this point, I would like to assure you that I do not have the answer that would fit for every person and every situation. The answer you would provide is likely not one that I would give or even think of. Each of us are individuals with different backgrounds, mindsets, educational levels, interests, talents, etc. I should think the odds would be good that if ten people were asked this question, ten different responses would be heard. And do understand that I have no intention of trying to insert my answer as being the only proper response. As mentioned, the number of correct answers may be as divergent as the number of people reading these words. However, as is the case with any study that is undertaken from God's word, there needs to be a starting point, a thought that spurs everything which follows.

In that regard, when I was personally contemplating the question I posed at the beginning, something struck me that was impossible to set aside. After giving due thought to the question, I answered by saying: The hardest thing I have ever had to do is change. Does that sound too simple? Does that sound as if I failed to give the question enough consideration? Were you expecting something far more profound? Once again, I realize that not everyone who reads this will agree with me; maybe no one else would agree with me. And I don't put this forth to start an argument; I am simply saying that I view change as being the hardest thing I have ever had to do. And let me quickly add, I have not made all the changes I need to. Perhaps that gives you some insight as to why I answered as I did. Change can be so difficult for me that not all the changes are made in my life that should be. There are still so many changes I could make, and the time to do so is growing increasingly shorter, day by day.

As I seek to provide some of the reasons that I believe change is the most difficult thing for me to do, I want to start by getting the technical definition of the word change in mind. The dictionary tells us: 1. To make different in some particular; alter; to make radically different; transform; to give a different position, course, or direction to. 2. To replace with another; to make a shift from one to another; switch; to undergo a modification; to undergo transformation, transition, or substitution. There is certainly more that could be added to a definition of the word change, but they do not relate to what we will be pursuing in this study. However, isn't there a great deal to consider in the definition provided? As we start to explore this idea further, let's picture some of the common changes many of us have already encountered or will encounter in this life.

Examples of How We Make Changes in This Life

One change that quickly comes to mind is the change that occurs from infancy to childhood. I realize that these changes are not made with intention on our part; at least, not at first. As an infant, we are totally dependent upon our parents for all our needs: food, clothing, shelter, and nurture. How many infants would survive without the loving care of their parents? But even as an infant, changes begin to occur. As we transition into childhood, we move about the house more easily, first, by crawling. Eventually, crawling gives way to walking, and a new world is opened up. The young child will also change in that communication with his or her parents becomes more understandable, by gestures and then by words. As I said, many of the changes that take an individual from infancy to childhood are not by the person's own determination; they are simply a part of the natural maturing process. But let's take this a bit further.

Perhaps the next major change in life occurs when a child goes from the home environment to school. This can be a real strain on both the child and the parents. As a child, we transition from the comfortable, familiar surroundings of home to the unfamiliar, even uncomfortable arena of the school. It's there we really begin to learn how to interact with others—those we like and those we don't like. When we are enrolled in the school system, we are faced with new challenges every day. There is so much information to learn that it can seem rather overwhelming, especially to a child who is only five or six years old. But for most of us, this is just the initial introduction into a time that will span many years, perhaps even including graduate-level education. And there are many changes that occur during our educational process, something that you can likely recall quite well.

However, the changes don't stop when we cease our formal education. At that point in time, most individuals seek employment, and hopefully that employment relates to a major field of study. This represents another striking change for those who pursue such. There is a world of difference between going to class and going to a job. Some of those differences include the fact that most employers have strict hours that need to be maintained by their employees, new employees must prove their worth to the employer, positive relationships must be fostered between employees and supervisors, and most new employees start at a minimal salary as they strive to work up in the ranks of the company, etc. In addition to that, many individuals will be living on their own for the first time, trying to balance a budget that can be strained to the limit. There is rent to pay, utilities that must be covered, food, clothing, insurance, and perhaps a vehicle payment. You talk about a great change in one's life, this is it!

Is that the end of the changes we encounter as human beings? Not at all. For many young people around the world, choosing a mate signals more changes. After a time of dating, that right person is selected, and a relationship becomes more serious. When a man and woman decide they wish to get married, more changes are about to happen. It's a tremendous transition, sometimes even a shock, when two people, who are likely living independently, determine to establish a home together. At that time, it's no longer a matter of doing what you want to do when you want to do it; there is another person to consider. The love that came so easily before marriage may turn sour, and life can be a real strain. Unfortunately, many young couples cannot adjust to the changes that are required, and their marriage becomes a divorce statistic. This seems like an opportune time to briefly think about the God-given pattern for marriage by embarking upon an educational detour.

Wives are addressed in Ephesians 5:22–24:

Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.

Since God expects wives to be subject to their husbands, and that husbands are to be the head of their wives, does that mean he can act as a tyrant or a dictator or a slave driver? No, as Ephesians 5:25 indicates: Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her. Husbands are given the responsibility of loving their wives to the point that they would give their own lives to protect or save their wife, just as Christ did for the church. We should also add Ephesians 5:31, which is God's plan for marriage: For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. One man with one woman for life; that is God's design for the marriage relationship, and it will never be anything else.

Getting back to thinking about changes that can and do occur in life, marriage is not the last of them. Typically, when a man and woman get married, they begin to think about starting a family of their own, and many will do just that. Whenever a child is born to a couple, major changes will hit that household. For those of you who have raised children, you understand what a life-changing experience it is to bring home that new son or daughter. In a very real sense, this starts the cycle of change all over again, for the parents and the children. Bringing that infant home, beginning to train and nurture them, getting them involved in their educational process, watching them eventually leave the home and start a life of their own—all of this requires the ability to change and adjust rapidly. But when all the children have left their home, this brings another change into the life of the parents. At some point in time, those parents may have to transition into an assisted-living facility, or even a nursing home where they can receive the help and care they need. So you see, changes come into our lives from the time we are born until the time we die physically.

Now are there other changes that can and do occur? Have I mentioned all the possibilities for change that face human beings? Certainly not! I feel certain that many of you reading these words can think of examples where change occurs that I did not mention, or that I would never even think of. In that regard, let me say that I did not set out to provide a complete, comprehensive list of all the changes that come to people living on this earth. My goal was to simply get us thinking about the fact that we have changes to deal with on a continual basis. And the changes we make are undeniably consistent with the definition of change we provided earlier.

The Importance of Spiritual Changes

I would confidently say that most of you are perceptive enough to realize that I am not planning to write an entire book based upon changes that occur in the physical world. We all understand that these changes do happen, or that the possibility for change exists in the world around us. It's likely that most of us have undoubtedly experienced numerous changes in our lives up to this point. And we probably understand that more changes, or the possibility to change in the physical realm, will lie ahead of us. I don't intend to go forward focusing merely on the physical aspect of these changes. If you have the sneaking suspicion that I have something more profound in mind, you are absolutely right! As we do proceed with our thoughts together, I want our focus to be on the spiritual side of life. After all, the spiritual life is the part of us that should carry the highest degree of consideration, because the spiritual realm will be unending; it is eternal in nature.

Think with me about this from a common sense standpoint for just a moment. Does God spend time in His word identifying sinful behavior? He most certainly does. Does God spend time in His word exhorting people to correct their sinful behavior? Of course He does. Does God spend time in His word identifying how His people should live in these earthly bodies? There's no doubt about it. Does God spend time in His word explaining how people can obey Him, have their sins forgiven, live faithfully, and then look forward to eternal life with Him in heaven? God most definitely does. I dare say that anyone who has spent much time reading God's word would quickly confirm all of these statements as being accurate, if they are giving an honest assessment. Therefore, if God does identify sinful behavior and encourages people to turn away from sin, is He not seeking change in people's lives? If God sets forth a pattern by which people who seek to please Him should live, is He not seeking change in people's lives? If God requires people to live obediently and faithfully if they want to eventually abide in heaven, is He not seeking change in people's lives? The astoundingly obvious response is yes!

God desires that people change their way of life, from sinfulness to righteousness, from darkness to light, from evil to goodness, from living for self to living for God. You see, all of this is done for our benefit. God does not issue arbitrary commands; there is rather a definite purpose behind them. If we do make the changes that God requires of us, our eternity will be spent in peace and joy and blessedness rather than in agony and misery and punishment and destruction. The point we need to understand from this is that God seeks change in our lives because He knows if we do make those changes and follow Him in faithful obedience, it will result in our good—our eternal good. To verify that, we read the following in 2 Peter 3:9:

The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

How many people does God want to see perish eternally? Not even one! Why does God want all people to come to repentance? Because it will benefit all who do so, and again, those benefits will be eternal.

Why God wants people to change in this way should be evident when we consider some of the Scriptural information that reveals what kind of a mindset God has toward sin. Although the specific word sin may not appear in all these verses, that is clearly what's being addressed. In Psalm 5:5, we have this: The boastful shall not stand before Your eyes; You hate all who do iniquity. The term "iniquity" is just another way of saying sin. The following is stated in Psalm 11:5: The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked, and the one who loves violence His soul hates. Do violence and sin go hand in hand? Absolutely. Look also at Psalm 45:7: You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Here we see both extremes of God—His love for righteousness and His hatred of wickedness, "wickedness" being another synonym for sin. Are you getting the impression that God hates sin, that He simply cannot tolerate it? If so, you're getting the message God has sent mankind.

Beginning in Romans 7:14, the Apostle Paul is speaking about the conflict that exists between our two natures—the fleshly and the spiritual. In reality, he is dealing with the battle that exists between sin and righteousness. Notice what he said in Romans 7:15: For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. Paul is indicating that when he sins, when he gives in to the fleshly nature, he is doing the very thing he hates. Why? Because he realizes that God hates sin. He went on in Romans 7:19 to say this: For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. Paul sincerely wanted to change into a man that was constantly doing God's will, but like us, he struggled with sin. But even in the midst of those struggles, the apostle knew that sin and God do not mix. Is there more we could say that shows how much God hates sin? Of course there is. I hope we realize that we have only referenced a few examples of this very principle through our introductory remarks. In reality, the Scriptures are filled with this concept, and for good reason. As mentioned, God wants the best outcome for every one of us, whether we currently realize it or not.

An Encouragement to Change Spiritually

As we conclude our thoughts connected with this introduction, we all know that changes occur in our lives; many of them are inescapable. We all know that some of the changes we get involved in are unpleasant, and we don't want to be forced into making them; other changes turn out to be positive, and we're actually glad that we made them. The bottom line is, change happens, it will always happen, and we need to make the best of it when it does happen in our lives. There's no doubt that this is critical to us in the physical existence, but it's even more critical in the spiritual world. So right here, I would like to offer some words of encouragement. God loves you and wants the best for you, in this life and the next life. The best way for any one of us to achieve what God wants is to become, and then live as, a Christian. When we obey God and submit our will to His, changing our lives in order to live faithfully before Him, the promise of a heavenly home is ours to anticipate. The outcome for those who have changed from a life of sinfulness to a life of righteousness is recorded in Matthew 25:34:

Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.'

As we go through the succeeding chapters of this study together, I have chosen to focus our thoughts on an individual that will probably be familiar to most, if not all, of us. The importance of making change in our lives will be drawn from a man named Peter. There are various designations for this individual in the New Testament, such as Simon, Cephas, Simon Peter, Peter, and the Apostle Peter. If you recall some of the information related to Peter, you likely realize that he was an impetuous person, one that was often speaking before he thought things through. And although he did experience some colossal failures in his life, although he did things that were contrary to what we would expect a follower of God to do, in the end, he changed for the better. Among other things, he wrote two letters that brought great encouragement to Christian people who were struggling under persecution.

With that said, I want to add that I do hope this study will be of benefit to you, even if the changes we examine seem rather insignificant on the surface level. God wants to bless you, He desires that you repent so as not to perish eternally, and He wants to see you in heaven after you depart the physical body. Do you experience changes in this life? Of course you do. Will you experience more changes for as long as you abide in the physical body? There's no question that you will. So don't neglect the changes that will bring you into a saved relationship before God. This can be an exciting time of discovery for all of us as we delve into God's word, looking for ways that we can better imitate Him. And as always, I would pray for God's guidance as we consider His desire for all mankind. May He help us in understanding Him more fully, and may we be quick to change how we live in order to please the heavenly Father in all things. May God bless us, each and every one!

Part 1

The Ups and Downs of Simon Peter

Chapter 1

Simon Peter's Courage

Having taken some time in our introduction to consider change in a general sense, and we included the difficulty that can be associated with it, let's begin the first section of this book by introducing the individual who will be the primary focus of our study together, who we mentioned is going to be Simon Peter. Again, if you are familiar with Peter, or even if you're not, I hope we can all come to see what an intriguing individual he was. This man experienced some incredible highs that were also countered with some unbelievable lows, and we will be examining both sides of his character. And this points us to a remarkable aspect of God—the fact He not only applauds the positive characteristics of the men and women who serve Him but that He also gives us an insight into their struggles and weaknesses.

Ultimately, Peter did make some major changes in his life, and when it was all said and done, he clearly demonstrated just how human he was. That's one of the reasons I have such a great appreciation for Peter and why he serves as a wonderful example for all of us—he was a flawed human being, just like us. However, before we get into the details that surround Peter's life, let's take a moment to consider the idea of courage, something we must all exhibit if we are going to bring change about in our lives.

Without a doubt, courage is a quality all of us have a tendency to admire. The dictionary tells us that courage is Mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty; firmness of mind and will in the face of danger or extreme difficulty; a quality of temperament enabling one to hold one's own or keep up one's morale when opposed or threatened. Certainly, from this definition, and from our own life experiences, we understand that courage is something that can be evidenced in many different areas of life. Just to point out a few examples of this, think about the courage it takes for our men and women to serve in the armed forces of this country, especially when they are called upon to engage in battle against an enemy. In a similar way, it takes tremendous courage for anyone to work in law enforcement in this country, from a local to the national level. Literally, such people are putting their lives on the line every day to protect law-abiding citizens.

In another sense, consider the kind of courage it takes for an individual or a group to start a new business. There are so many factors that must be borne in mind for a new business, such as market conditions, competition, customer traffic, attractiveness of the product, etc. I'm sure we all realize that when a new business is started, there are no guarantees that it will be successful. Although we may question it at times, there are still elected officials who have enough courage to stand up for what's right even when they are opposed from every angle. What about the courage it takes to become a parent, to be responsible for the welfare and future direction of their children? That has become an increasingly difficult task. If you are functioning as a teacher, do you have the courage to tell one of your students that they have done wrong, perhaps in making fun of or bullying another student? Not everyone is willing to do that because it requires courage.

Does that cover all the areas where courage can be identified? Of course not; as mentioned, there are so many different settings where we recognize courage in others, areas we could all point to. We understand courage as the attitude embodied when someone faces and deals with a situation that is viewed as being dangerous or difficult or painful, but the person does not back down from it. Words we might use to describe such a situation could include fearlessness, boldness, bravery, or valor—words that are quite similar to courage. And as evidenced in our brief examples, it includes more than just physical dangers that our military and law enforcement personnel encounter. It also applies to the person who has the courage to do what they know is right, someone who stands firmly upon their convictions, perhaps someone who does not shy away from declaring the truth of God's word. And this last understanding is where we will primarily focus our thoughts in this study. We want to explore the courage it took for the early proclaimers of God's word to keep putting the message in front of others who were violently opposed to them. And specifically, as mentioned,