Aug 17, 2019 the lesson is to welcome interruptions as formative factors in gods plan for us and to treat interruptions as unplanned opportunities for doing our best acts of generosity. They are gods way of taking off our blinders and making us see that we need the gospel in every moment of the day. They are a light that shines on the darkest recesses of our heart, revealing the truth of whats really. We shouldnt see interruptions as obstacles to our plan but opportunities to embrace gods plan. However, there is an important difference between gods detours and ours. Annoying interruptions or divine appointments heartlight. They may be gods way of bringing new opportunities into our life, or new relationships, or his means of providing us with information that we need. Check out these helpful resources biblical commentary childrens sermons hymn lists. But viewed differently, through the perspective of gods goodness and grace, even these unexpected things might be occasions for gratitude. But a samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him.
Jul 16, 2019 interruptions, if we allow them, can teach us to live from the place of being other focused, not selfabsorbed. Thank you for the reminder to trust gods timing when he does allow those pesky interruptions to come. When life interruptions lead to god opportunities flourishing today. In lifes interruptionsgods opportunities, larry shares the encounter he had with an impoverished boy in haiti, a nonprofit organization, feed the children offers help to those in need, and its efforts are wellknown across the country and around the world. Mar 28, 2014 however, there is an important difference between gods detours and ours. I feel like my whole week has been one interruption after the other. My dog interrupted my sleep last night after a very hard weekend of being left alone much too long. Interruptions can be powerful and can impact you and others in a negative wayor positive way. May 24, 2019 these interruptions are acts of gods grace. But what if we viewed them as manifestations of gods grace. So the next time the phone rings, a text bings, or there is an unexpected knock at the door, ask yourself. Gods alternate routes most often lead to opportunities. When god interrupts our life, the primary purpose of that interruption usually has to do with his call on your life or his correction in your life. Interruption is not simply a matter of our heart developing patience.
When you are confronted with lifes interruptions, stay in faith and declare, my situation may be impossible with man, but it. Sep 09, 2019 but viewed differently, through the perspective of gods goodness and grace, even these unexpected things might be occasions for gratitude. Navigating the unexpected 9781433670459 by priscilla shirer. This months devotions were selected to help you recognize godgiven opportunities for compassion. Aug 18, 2007 also, joseph let these interruptions teach him that gods opportunities would remain available to him as long as he stayed obedient to god. In life s interruptions god s opportunities, larry shares the encounter he had with an impoverished boy in haiti, which permanently changed larry s heart. A journey through the psalms of lament and closer than a sister. Sep 23, 2019 article 3 christians who embraced interruptions real life and unexpected opportunities for the kingdom. Living in another culture presents many opportunities to see gods hand at work in the odd moments and interruptions to our plans. What do we do about lifes interruptions, those unexpectedsometimes sorrowfulevents that stop us cold.
Then i saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. The secret is to step out on the trustworthy limb of. And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any. Pages are intact and are not marred by notes or highlighting, but may contain a neat previous owner name. Some interruptions is a distraction caused by the enemy to keep you from being your purpose and plan that god has for you. Unexpected illnesses change my carefully crafted plans. Weaving the parable of the good samaritan throughout the book, larry explains that those irritating interruptions in our lives are actually opportunities that god places before us to lend a. Those of us who follow jesus shouldnt act this way when interrupted.
Gods unexpected opportunities by stowell, joseph m. Which would represent the greater miracle to the father and his family. Calls from people we know, things that come up both good and bad, stuff with our bodies, intrusive thoughts and feelings, not being able to finish a sentence when talking, coworkers knocking on a closed door, etc. They may be gods way of bringing new opportunities into our life, or new. Sharing the lessons shes learned, priscilla shirer reflects on the book of jonah, showing you how to experience the freedom that comes from going with god even when the world seems to be against you. May 22, 2015 usually we react poorly to these interruptions. Ive come to expect these throughout my day, so when they happen its not so much of an irritation. So, the next time real life comes crashing into your idea that you are in control, look for the opportunity to show christs compassion. Annoying interruptions or divine appointments by mike barres is licensed under a creative commons license. You are watching a movie on tv and just when the story is getting exciting an advertisement comes on destroying the moment. Your life interruptions go beyond your interruptionand beyond you. Just maybe, god wants to invite us to see beyond ourselves and enjoy the view from his perspective. Together they are executive pastors at the river christian church.
Yet, both were gods plan to use me to show forth his love. Julie, a bible translator, shares her story of a sunday in her town. When there are interruptions that i didnt forsee or even want, that s god s plan. Gods unexpected opportunities moody publishers, 1996 eternity. He woke me up to feel the reassuring touching of my hand. The hardest part getting back on track with what i was doing before the interruption. Also, joseph let these interruptions teach him that gods opportunities would remain available to him as long as he stayed obedient to god. Jan 07, 20 interruptions are not obstacles to our plan. The prophet jonahs existence was interrupted by a call of god that would require a complete change of life. Interruptions create opportunities for us to address needs we wouldnt otherwise seein us and through us. These interruptions may seem bigger than the ones that you are faced with, but the opportunities to be used by god are always big. She writes for a number of christian ministries and publications including desiring god and the gospel coalition. Henri nouwen said he used to get irritated by unexpected interruptions, then he realized the interruptions were gods way of speaking to him. Well acquainted with interruptions, he created some of the most moving scenes in scripture while on the way to something else.
Some of them is to get our attention to get us back on the path and plan and purpose that god has for our life now dont get me wrong. These things i call interruptions arent only gods way of reminding me that hes right there by my side through it all, but that he is more concerned about my transformation than my daily comfort. But god, as god, has the right to interrupt our lives. They make us want to tell people what we think of them.
Its hard to see all the little frustrating events and interruptions in our day as divinely placed opportunities to grow in grace, but they are. Instead of being frustrated at the presence of other people. Although these moments of surprise can be annoying, perhaps we can begin seeing them as opportunities. Simply put, god interrupts abrams life with a request. When you are confronted with lifes interruptions, stay in faith and declare, my situation may be impossible with man, but it is possible with god luke 18. The book is an encouragement to surrender to gods will in all things. Jesus didnt let interruptions spoil his mood for living fully engaged in the business of carrying out his fathers instructions. Jan 01, 2002 in life s interruptions god s opportunities, larry shares the encounter he had with an impoverished boy in haiti, a nonprofit organization, feed the children offers help to those in need, and its efforts are wellknown across the country and around the world. Christina fox received her masters degree in counseling from palm beach atlantic university. Interruptions may work to our benefit in other ways as well. What we call an interruption may a divine appointment god has.
Life is not disrupted by interruptions, interruptions are a part of life. Interruptions spelled opportunities to display his fathers great power and love. An unexpected savior to a world yearning for freedom. I cant help but marvel at how jesus handled interruptions. When we see lifes interruptions as opportunities, our eyes are opened to see god move in ways we never imagined. May 02, 2014 well acquainted with interruptions, he created some of the most moving scenes in scripture while on the way to something else. Interruptions also bring us some of our best opportunities for sharing our faith, and for giving help and encouragement to others. But what about those times when they are unexpected.
What do we do about lifes interruptions, those unexpected sometimes sorrowfulevents that stop us cold. Whether at work or at home, a phone call or an unexpected visit can easily. Interruptions are gods unexpected opportunities unknown. Interruption,god s unexpected opportunities pt 2 youtube. They come from other people, phone calls, even noises can interrupt our thinking. For most of us, our days are filled with surprising turns, the unexpected, including those darn things known as interruptions. Navigating the unexpected, priscilla shirer has practically written much of the story of my life. Reclaiming a passion for what endures moddy publishers, 1995 revelation zondervan, 1995 overcoming evil with good. The impact of a life welllived moody publishers, 1995 tongue in check victor books, 1994. Stowell a copy that has been read, but remains in excellent condition. Many of us have been living a good life with many opportunities for maintaining good health and economic stability and enjoying luxuries.
But what if we viewed them as manifestations of god s grace. God is inviting us to see him all around us, in the lives of others, in our conversations, in our serving those in need. Aug 19, 2019 god has used interruptions in my carefully laid plans to give me some of the most meaningful moments of my life. Sharing the lessons she s learned, priscilla shirer reflects on the book of jonah, showing you how to experience the freedom that comes from going with god even when the world seems to be against you.
I dont know anyone who likes them, but they are a part of our every day life. Yet each time he was taken off course, that journey became a testimony to gods presence in everything he did. Philippa smyth lives in beautiful auckland, new zealand, with her husband dean and their three boys, micah, toby and zachary. In acts 16, paul discovered when he tried to go to bithynia that the spirit of jesus did not allow them. May, 2015 these interruptions are acts of gods grace. How union with christ helps friendships to flourish. My life is filled with interruptions, inconveniences, frustrations, and unexpected events. God is in the interruptions the cornerstone for teachers.
Take the story told in matthew 14, when jesus finds out about john the baptists beheading. When interruptions are his instrument, it gives me an opportunity to set aside my agenda and selflessly love and serve someone else. Lifes interruptions gods opportunities by larry jones. Is it possible they might be opportunities from god. Then paul found himself called to an unexpected trip to romethat started with the interruption of his arrest in jerusalem. And we know that god causes everything to work together for the good of those who. But tonight, driving home in my car and listening to a random preacher on a random radio station, i got it. We all live in the tension between our plans and interruptions, our expectations and the unexpected, life as we want it to be and life as it happens. The lesson is to welcome interruptions as formative factors in gods plan for us and to treat interruptions as unplanned opportunities for doing our best acts of generosity.
What if we saw them as opportunities for growth and sanctification. Said another way, interruptions, if we let them, can teach us to live more like jesus, accepting interruptions as they come and attending to what is right in front of us in the midst of what else is going on. Are you going to work with god to figure out renewed priorities. When interruptions are the ministry stray thoughts. These things i call interruptions arent only god s way of reminding me that he s right there by my side through it all, but that he is more concerned about my transformation than my daily comfort.
God has used interruptions in my carefully laid plans to give me some of the most meaningful moments of my life. Not every interruption is to distract us from what gods plan and purpose is for our lives. Jesus interruptions were opportunitiesnot inconveniences, frustrations, irritations, or annoyances. Interruptions are gods unexpected opportunities unknown psalm 62. Small frustrations and interruptions give us opportunities to rely on god. Heartlight encourages you to share this material with others in church bulletins, personal emails, and other noncommercial uses. J interruptions are gods unexpected opportunities unknown psalm 62. As you begin to view interruptions from gods perspective, watch what happensnot just in how others are blessed but in your own excitement at the privilege of serving.
They are god s way of taking off our blinders and making us see that we need the gospel in every moment of the day. She is passionate about helping people realize their. I love the way shirer explains how our interruptions are gods. You are watching a movie on tv and just when the story is getting exciting an. Imagine eves dropping on gods conversation with abram in genesis 12. Lifes interruptions are divine opportunities the gospel coalition. And in the grander scheme of things, interruptions never slowed jesus down or aborted his purpose. Gods unexpected opportunities paperback may 1, 1996 by joseph stowell author 5. Jul 25, 2018 we all live in the tension between our plans and interruptions, our expectations and the unexpected, life as we want it to be and life as it happens. In lifes interruptionsgods opportunities, larry shares the encounter he had with an impoverished boy in haiti, which permanently changed larrys heart.
Gods unexpected opportunities paperback may 1, 1996 by joseph stowell author. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. What are the interruptions god might be using in your life to point you to a place where you can act on behalf of gods imagebearers, loving and serving them with the love and strength of christ. Please see our usage guidelines for more information.
They are a light that shines on the darkest recesses of our heart. But how we handle interruptions actually tells us more about ourselves. Now we know hes sovereign in all things and is in his heavens and does what he pleases ps. But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.