INTERRUPTIONS

“And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him. And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.” - Mark 5:24-27

Interruptions can be annoying at times. Interruptions have a way of interfering with our plans. When we have highly structured schedules, an interruption can be very frustrating. Interruptions can come in a variety of ways. Unexpected automotive problems, a knock on the door, a medical emergency, a phone call at the worst possible time --- these are among the interruptions that often come along.

Have you ever considered interruptions to be a blessing? The fact is that interruptions often turn out to be divine appointments that we are unaware of. God's opportunities often come in the form of interruptions.

Think about the life of Jesus. His ministry was often filled with interruptions. In Mark chapter 5, Jesus was on His way to perform one miracle when a woman, with an issue of blood, touched the hem of His garment. In another situation, Jesus was teaching in a house when the message was interrupted as men tore open the roof and let down a man on a mat, believing that Jesus would heal him. Interruptions were ministry moments for Jesus.

I have to admit that I used to see interruptions as a frustrating aspect of my day. Recently, I've changed my mind. You see, our frustrations with interruptions often reveal how consumed we are with our plans ... and totally oblivious to God's plans. It isn't important that my goals are accomplished. It is important that God's will is done.

Interruptions are meant to divert our attention from our selfish ambition and focus on the people around us who are hurting and in need. It is possible to be so consumed with myself that I fail to see the tremendous needs of those God has placed near me.

It is impossible to live a life of ease and comfort if you are serious about God using you. Ministry is never done according to my pre-planned schedule.

The next time an interruption occurs, we need to pause and think. This may be a God-ordained moment. A display of kindness, a word of encouragement, a moment to stop and pray for a person --- these seemingly small things may be used of the Lord in a great way.

Sometimes the greatest blessings of life don't come in a church service. They often come during the daily grind of life when we stop and help others in Jesus' Name.

The Lord interrupts our lives so that He may use us to bless others.

GIVING THANKS FOR ALL THINGS

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:18

This coming Thursday, we'll be celebrating Thanksgiving Day here in the United States. For most, it is a time for family, food and fun. Yet the holiday has a deeper meaning than this. The Thanksgiving holiday is a reminder that we have much to be grateful for. For the Christian, giving thanks is a daily event, not an annual observance.

The Bible has much to say about giving thanks. When Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, he said, "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” While most of us would agree that it is God's will for us to give thanks, there are three words that make this command very challenging: "In every thing..."

Most of us have no problem giving thanks when we receive an answer to prayer. It is not difficult to be grateful when we receive good news. We don't consider it a difficult matter to express gratitude when we receive God's blessings. But Paul wrote, "In every thing give thanks." Let's be honest, there are times that giving thanks is more difficult than others. When the doctor gives you a terminal diagnosis, it is tough to give thanks. When a policeman knocks on your door and gives you devastating news, it is hard to be grateful. Yet the Bible instructs us, "In every thing give thanks."

How can we be grateful at all times? How can we give thanks "in every thing"? When everything is going wrong, how can we praise God? Let me give you three things we can always be grateful for.

1. THE GOODNESS OF GOD

Your circumstances may not be great, but God is. Your medical prognosis may not be good, but the Lord is good. God is good whether your situation seems good or not. He can be trusted with our challenges, problems and uncertain future. Isn't it good to know that your future is in the hands of Someone good? Yes, bad things happen in life. It rains on the just and the unjust. Life on earth is marred by sin, so don't be shocked when problems or pain comes in your life. The problems of this sin-cursed world are a reflection of man's rebellion. God is good all the time. Be grateful for that.

2. THE GRACE OF GOD

Regardless of what you're going through, you can be thankful for the grace of God. Because of God's grace, you are His child. The old hymn writer, John Newton, aptly wrote, "'Twas grace that brought me safe thus far and grace will lead me home." Every blessing you have enjoyed is a gift to you from a loving Father. Even if all your blessings came to an end today, you've already received far more blessings than you can repay Him for. You didn't deserve a single blessing, yet God, in His grace, has blessed you abundantly. Has a loved one passed away? Be grateful for the time you did have with him and thank God for the promise of the resurrection. Loose a portion of your health? Be thankful for the health you've had in the past and the degree of health you now have. All good and perfect gifts come from the Father. They are tokens of His love and grace. Be thankful for God's unmerited favor.

3. THE GLORY OF GOD

Finally, be thankful that God is in control. Your future is not in the hands of "fate," but a great and loving God. The God we serve is perfect in all His ways. Meditate on the glory of the Lord and you'll be blown away. We are not servants of sin, but servants of the most high God. He takes great delight in making His glory known. In fact, you are here on earth to express praise to Him. You were created to glorify the Lord. The Lord is glorified through the obedience of His children. When His presence is noticed in the life of a believer, it brings great pleasure to Him. Sometimes in our valleys, He works deeply in our lives, making us the people we ought to be. It is the trials of life that make us strong. The problems and pain of life keep us humble and prayerful. We find ourselves spending more time with Him as we face the challenges of life. Just as the melting fire melts away dross from a precious stone, the melting fire of affliction often melts away the sinful, selfish dross from our lives. God's glory, not our comfort, is the aim of this life. We are here to glorify the Lord, not build large bank accounts. Paul wrote, "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;”

The horrible events of life remind us that we live in a sin-infested world. Such heartbreaking events also remind us that we are citizens of another country --- a better country. When we get to heaven, the trials of this life will make better sense. Until then, we can trust God with anything we face. And for that, we give Him thanks.

SECOND-HAND RELIGION

“For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.” - Romans 10:2

Why are so many young people dropping out of church? Some would argue that they need more entertainment to keep their attention. Others believe that churches need to have a better transition ministry, helping these young people move into adult-oriented worship. Some even believe that the drop-out rate is inevitable and is a natural occurrence.

I really believe that so many young people only have a second-hand religion. They identify with the religion of parents, grandparents or close friends. They are emotionally impacted by the spiritual transformation they witness around them. Young people are easily influenced by the faith of those they respect the most. Here's the problem: many of these young people never have a personal, life-changing encounter with God themselves. Thus, when they get to an age when they start dating, church is no longer important to them. When they get to college, the influence of parents and grandparents diminishes a great deal and the influence of professors, textbooks and college-life impacts them more. It isn't an issue of losing salvation, it is a revelation that they never had a real salvation to begin with. They were simply going through life hanging on to the spiritual coattails of family. They only had a second-hand religion.

Many adults are in the same boat. A husband experiences a life-changing encounter with Jesus and the wife joins the church with him, even though she has not had the same salvation experience. A person can be swept away with emotion or caught up in a moment of excitement, making a public commitment, but never repenting of sin or trusting in the Savior. They have a second-hand religion.

Churches are hurting across America because of this dilemma. Many have made outward religious professions without a first-hand, life-changing moment with Jesus Christ. So many are deceived and hell-bound who call themselves Christians, yet only have a second-hand religion.

Paul instructed the Corinthians to examine themselves, challenging them to be positive that their faith is genuine. I believe that second-hand faith is the reason for so-called “backsliding,” and apostasy. That is why you find atheists who were once church members and some in the deepest forms of depravity who once were in ministry. They only had a second-hand faith.

It is a concern for parents or Sunday School teachers when they share the Gospel with children. While it is certainly possible for a child to get saved, far too many simply make a profession of faith that is not anchored in Christ, but a second-hand faith.

It is time for us to examine our own faith. Do I have a second-hand faith or have I been truly born again? Does my life manifest God-honoring fruit, or is my life just an outward show of religion? Do I really believe the Bible, or have I simply been brought up to acknowledge the truth of Scripture? These are questions we need to answer ourselves.

The fact is that a second-hand religion is as about as useless as false religion or no religion. Don't settle for counterfeits. A first-hand salvation can only come through a first-hand encounter with Jesus Christ. That kind of salvation bears fruit and perseveres.

Do you have a second-hand religion or the real thing?

AFFLICTIONS

“Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.” - Psalm 34:19

We tend to think that the word “affliction,” refers to physical pain. While physical pain is an affliction, the word, “affliction,” is defined by Merriam-Webster as something that causes pain or distress. Dictionary.com defines affliction as a state of pain, distress, or grief; misery.

I used to hear old-timers pray for “the sick and the afflicted,” noting that there is a difference in the two. While sickness is an affliction, the word “affliction,” covers a broader area that would include anything that we'd consider a burden or problem.

In Psalm 34:19, the writer penned these words, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.” In this verse, the psalmist specifically addressed the issue of afflictions. While his words are sobering, they also contain a powerful promise to those who are struggling with afflictions.

1. DIFFICULTIES

First of all, there is the sobering news: “Many are the afflictions of the righteous.” We are tempted to think that afflictions are for the disobedient or indifferent. Not so. The psalmist wrote, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous” (emphasis added). This verse teaches us that God's people will suffer trials, heartaches and pain. None of us are immune to afflictions.

Furthermore, the psalmist wrote, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous” (emphasis added). The righteous will suffer many afflictions. We have not been promised a life free to pain or problems. Many afflictions will come as we travel through life. Afflictions are not necessarily a reflection of a deficient faith. In fact, afflictions may come to try your faith.

2. DELIVERANCE

Secondly, there is a promise, "... the LORD delivereth him out of them all." Afflictions may come to the child of God, but God is still in control. Our afflictions seem overwhelming to us, but it is comforting to know that God is greater than all our afflictions combined. We find hope in the promise that God delivers His people out of their afflictions.

Notice that the promise is that "the LORD delivered him out of them all" (emphasis added). Deliverance is promised for ALL of our afflictions.

Yet there are a few things we need to understand. First, God does not promise when deliverance will come. In our face-paced society, we like immediate results. When we pray for deliverance, it may not come within the timeline we desire. Yet deliverance WILL come.

Secondly, God does not promise how deliverance will come. Deliverance may come in a dynamic, miraculous way. Then again, He may choose to deliver us through the means of death. Regardless of how it comes, deliverance will come.

It is encouraging to know that our afflictions are temporary. Soon our afflictions will give way to glory. When we get to heaven, afflictions will be a thing of the past. In the meanwhile, we endure afflictions by the grace of God for the glory of God. Soon our trials will end and all will be bliss.

While the afflictions of the righteous are many, we rejoice that the Lord delivers us out of them all.