Opportunities – Stephen Trammell

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 (5)

“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) Often God makes His greatest impact through you when you are on your way to do something unrelated. Jesus was on His way to heal Jairus’s twelve year old daughter who was dying. On His way, Jesus was interrupted by the touch of a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. Jesus turned the interruption into an opportunity to make an eternal impact. She was healed. “Be very careful, then, how you live–not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” Eph 5:15-16 (NIV) “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.” Col 4:5 (NIV) Be attentive to the interruptions that you encounter as you are doing life. When you face an interruption, look to see what God might be inviting you to do in order to make an eternal impact. Often the interruption is the invitation to join God in His activity. Pardon the interruption; it may have eternity written all over it! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor