How Easily Is Our Faith In Jesus Interrupted?

Daily Devotionals 3 Minutes

How Easily Is Our Faith In Jesus Interrupted?

 

Good Morning Friends,

 

When Christ bursts into this world on the last day that will be the last interruption that we will ever experience. There will no more interruptions by sickness, death, wars, natural disasters, accidents, crime or whatever. We will be taken into God’s presence and join those gathered around the throne of God. We won’t be afraid because we will see it with new eyes. In the meantime we need to deal with the interruptions that take place in our everyday life, especially those interruptions that would bring us fear and grief. The apostle Paul had to deal with these kinds of interruptions often. Shipwrecks, jail, hostile people, sickness interrupted him in the work God had given him to tell the good news about Jesus. But nothing interrupted his trust in Jesus. And that brings us to todays’ question designed to change our attitude about these intrusions. So, How Easily Is Our Faith In Jesus Interrupted?

 

Scripture: At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.” “I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner.  King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.” Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”  Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.” The king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice and those sitting with them. After they left the room, they began saying to one another, “This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment.” Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

 

Acts 26:24-32 (NIV)

 

Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.”

 

Mark 10:49 (NIV)

 

As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed Him. 
And two blind men sitting by the road, hearing that Jesus was passing by, cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” 
The crowd sternly told them to be quiet, but they cried out all the more, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” 
And Jesus stopped and called them, and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” 
They said to Him, “Lord, we want our eyes to be opened.” Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him.

 

Matthew 20:29 (NIV)

Message: The whole story of the Bible can be looked at from the viewpoint of interruptions. The devastating effects of sin interrupt the peace and harmony of life in the Garden of Eden. Sin interrupts God’s plans for the world and so he interrupts the cycle of sin by becoming a human being who lives among us filled with grace and truth. Jonah was fleeing from God who had commanded him to go to Nineveh and preach repentance. His escape was interrupted by God’s big fish that swallowed him. The story of Jesus in the gospel is one of interruptions. The announcement of the birth of Jesus interrupts a young girl’s life and her wedding plans. The silence of the night is interrupted when angels announce the birth of the Messiah. Zacchaeus interrupts Jesus. Jarius and his daughter dying interrupts Jesus. The woman with the issue of blood who touched Jesus was an interruption. The blind men in today’s scripture interrupt Jesus. And yes the sadness and confusion after Jesus’ death is interrupted by the news that he has risen. Interruptions are events in our lives that can’t be forced. Here are two interrelated things to think about. First, no amount of interruption in our world can take away from us the grace and love of Jesus. And second, our willingness to be interrupted is a sure sign we are moving in the realm of love and humility. There are moments when we are beautifully interrupted by something profound and special. See interruptions as an opportunity to strengthen ones faith and others.

 

Pray we not only cope with interruptions but learn to benefit from them. Pray
that the Holy Spirit would interrupt every sin, every temptation, every fear and doubt. Pray the Holy Spirit would remind us every day that God’s love for us is uninterruptible. Pray that our commitment and faith be as uninterruptible as God’s commitment to us. Pray we surrender our agenda to God’s will. Pray we place the needs of others on par with our own. Pray we make ourselves available to God. Pray we use interruptions as opportunities for ministry. Pray we see interruptions as a way to engage and also to serve God.

 

Blessings,

 

John Lawson

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