Category: Interruptions

Intentional Response

“As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.” Luke 8:42-44 (NIV) Has your life been interrupted recently? Has your schedule, routine, or plans been shifted as a result of an unexpected interruption? Jesus had that experience as He was on His way to heal the twelve-year-old daughter of Jairus. Jesus was on his way to their home to perform a miraculous healing touch when His plans were interrupted. In the midst of the crowds pressing in on Jesus, there was a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. No one could heal her. She was desperate and determined that Jesus could heal her. She came up behind Jesus and touch the edge of His cloak and her bleeding stopped immediately. Jesus noticed that power had gone out from Him and so He asked His disciples, “Who touched me?” The woman came trembling at Jesus’ feet and told Him why she had touched Him and then affirmed her healing. Jesus responded to her by saying, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” Jesus turned this interruption into an opportunity to be a blessing to someone in need. Of course, this interruption delayed His arrival at the home of Jairus. Someone from the house of Jairus announced that his daughter was dead. Did she die because of the delay? Jesus went into their home and took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!” The interruption Jesus encountered became a pronounced opportunity to heal the woman and the child. Will you turn your interruptions into opportunities for God to do something special through you? God knows where you are and what you are facing. God knows each interruption that will intrude your schedule. How will you respond? Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Comfort Interruptions Storms

Unexpected Interruption

“Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.” Matt 8:24 (NIV) Trials have a tendency to sneak up on us like weeds in a flowerbed. We can be living in the land of the familiar and enjoying our daily routine when all of the sudden, we get surprised by an unexpected interruption. Maybe we get an unwanted notice in the mail, or the check engine light in our car comes on, or the doctor walks in the room with a concerned look in his eyes. Life is filled with seasons of uncertainty. Who do you turn to when trials come into your life? The disciples went to Jesus and woke Him and said, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” We must give them credit at this point. They knew to turn to Jesus. But, Jesus questioned them about their lack of faith and their pressing fear. Why would they be afraid of anything, knowing that Jesus was with them? Jesus seized the opportunity to demonstrate His power over nature. Jesus rebuked the winds and the waves and it was completely calm. The disciples experienced the demonstration of Jesus’ power. Whatever trials come your way, remember that Jesus is your sufficiency. The storms of this life can never catch Jesus by surprise. Release your fear and unleash your faith. Trust Jesus with your life and with the uncertainties of life. He will never leave you and He will never forsake you. Jesus will display His power and enable you to experience His abiding peace. Always remember, Jesus is in the boat! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Interruptions Jesus Obedience

Intentional Response

“As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.” Luke 8:42-44 (NIV) Has your life been interrupted recently? Has your schedule, routine, or plans been shifted as a result of an unexpected interruption? Jesus had that experience as He was on His way to heal the twelve-year-old daughter of Jairus. Jesus was on his way to their home to perform a miraculous healing touch when His plans were interrupted. In the midst of the crowds pressing in on Jesus, there was a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. No one could heal her. She was desperate and determined that Jesus could heal her. She came up behind Jesus and touch the edge of His cloak and her bleeding stopped immediately. Jesus noticed that power had gone out from Him and so He asked His disciples, “Who touched me?” The woman came trembling at Jesus’ feet and told Him why she had touched Him and then affirmed her healing. Jesus responded to her by saying, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” Jesus turned this interruption into an opportunity to be a blessing to someone in need. Of course, this interruption delayed His arrival at the home of Jairus. Someone from the house of Jairus announced that his daughter was dead. Did she die because of the delay? Jesus went into their home and took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!” The interruption Jesus encountered became a pronounced opportunity to heal the woman and the child. Will you turn your interruptions into opportunities for God to do something special through you? God knows where you are and what you are facing. God knows each interruption that will intrude your schedule. How will you respond? Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Comfort Interruptions Storms

Unexpected Interruption

Expression Interruptions Serving

Interruptions (3)

“When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.” Matt 14:14 (NIV) What if you turned an interruption, such as Hurricane Ike, into an opportunity to express God’s love by serving others? Jesus faithfully served others during His earthly ministry. He put His compassion in action. The ultimate demonstration of servitude is the atoning work of Jesus on the cross. Jesus put our needs before His own. “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature ; rather, serve one another in love.” Gal 5:13 (NIV) “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Phil 2:4 (NIV) Look to see where God is at work and take the initiative to join Him in His activity. Be the hands, feet, and voice of Jesus this week and serve others. Find a need and meet it. Put the needs of others before your own. Treat the next person you come into contact with as the most important person on the planet. Explore ways to be a blessing to that person. Express God’s love by serving others. May others see Jesus in you! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor

Interruptions Intimacy with God Knowing God

Interruptions (2)

“When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.” Matt 14:13-14 (NIV) After hearing of John the Baptist’s death, Jesus chose to embrace solitude in order to connect with our Heavenly Father. Jesus modeled the value of knowing God intimately. When interruptions arise, turn them into opportunities to take your love relationship with God to the next level. Hurricane Ike has given many of us in the Houston area the necessity to embrace a different pace. Our entire region has shifted into survival mode. Families are coming together and working together to do life together through the backside of this storm. What an opportunity to know Christ more! “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.” Phil 3:10-11 (NIV) “Come near to God and he will come near to you.” James 4:8 (NIV) As followers of Christ, we have the privilege of determining our level of intimacy with God. God invites us to know Him personally and intimately through our relationship with Jesus. Whatever you are facing during this season of life, make the choice to daily draw near to God. There’s more to explore! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor

Family Interruptions Opportunities

Interruptions (1)

“When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.” Matt 14:13-14 (NIV) Has your life ever been interrupted by a hurricane? Storms have a way of intruding your normal routine and invading the conveniences of life. Your whole world of normal comes to an abrupt halt as you navigate the rugged terrain of survival. Jesus experienced a painful interruption that hit close to home. Jesus received news that His cousin, John the Baptist, had been beheaded. Remember, John had baptized Jesus to inaugurate Jesus’ public ministry. John was the forerunner of Christ. Now Jesus had to deal with grieving the unfortunate loss of John. Our lives here in the Houston area have been interrupted by Hurricane Ike. What if we could turn this interruption into an opportunity to identify what matters most in life? In times like these, we are reminded of the value of our faith, our family, and our friends. Spend some time in prayer thanking God for what you do have, including the life-giving relationships that God has blessed you with. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor

Impact Interruptions Opportunities

IMPACT (5)

Interruptions

An interruption is often God’s invitation. Life can be extremely hectic and chaotic. We are bombarded with snail mail, email, text messages, and cell phone calls. Our lives are marked by perpetual busyness. In the midst of being on the go all the time, we encounter interruptions. Sometimes an interruption occurs when we are on our way to engage in a meaningful experience such as corporate worship. Peter and John had that kind of interruption. “Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money.” Acts 3:2-3 (NIV) They were about to enter the place of worship. Peter and John were almost stepping through the temple gate when they were interrupted by a beggar. The unnamed beggar snatched the moment by asking them for money. Peter and John could have easily ignored the man, but they chose to turn the interruption into an opportunity to make Jesus known. “Then Peter said, ‘Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.’” Acts 3:6 (NIV) Jesus is not asking you to be something you are not. Jesus is not asking you to give something you do not have. He wants you to be who you are in Christ and be willing to give what you have in order to bless others. Peter and John gave the beggar so much more than money could buy. They were channels of blessing which provided spiritual and physical healing to the man who had been crippled since birth. Because of their willingness to turn an interruption into an opportunity, the man experiences healing and began walking and jumping and praising God in the temple. Be ready for an interruption today. It just might be God’s invitation for you to join Him in His activity. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Pastor of Leadership and Pastoral Care