Interruptions: March 3, 2014

TODAYS WORD FOR MONDAY MARCH 3, 2014

INTERRUPTIONS

DEFINITION:

To cause or make a break in the continuity or uniformity of a course; process or condition; bring to a pause or stop; intrude upon the action or speech of.

SCRIPTURE:

The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the people of no effect. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations. Psalm 33:10-11.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

If your life is anything like ours, it is pretty well planned out. We have a calendar we keep that reminds us of appointments, meetings and even “to do” items. But often interruptions change our planned activities for the day. Most of the time we respond to interruptions, in our well planned lives, with attitudes like frustration, irritation, fear and doubt.

The psalmist in the above verse reminds us that the Lord can make “the plans of the peoples of no effect.” When our plans do not fit into God’s plan or purpose God can interrupt them and make them of no effect. God is consistent and does not change nor does He change the plans of His heart for us.

God often uses interruptions in our life for productive change in us and our lives to accomplish His purpose. The interruptions that come our way may be a surprise from God giving us a new opportunity to serve Him. We need to welcome interruptions as a new “to do” list from Him.

Some of the great advances in God’s plans have come through interruptions to the normal routine of a person. For example look what happened to Mary. An angel interrupted her life with the announcement that she would have a Son named Jesus. Since she was a virgin and engaged to be married this news was shocking and deeply troubling. But God used this interruption to bring His Son into our world so we could have our sins paid for and have an eternity with God.

Look at Saul and the interruption he had in his life. He was a Jewish zealot who persecuted Christians like no other person in his day. He was walking on his way to Damascus to arrest more followers of Christ when he was blinded by Jesus. This life-changing interruption for Saul not only changed his life but had huge implications for the future of Christianity.

We encourage you to look for God’s purpose in the next interruption you face. You will be amazed what will happen if you just stop and ask God, “What are You saying to me and what do you have for me to do now?” We can be confident that God’s plans are always better than our plans. It may be difficult to see God’s purpose at the time a major eruption occurs. It is when we look back that we see God working out His perfect plan and become aware of His blessings in our life.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in James 1:12.

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

PRAYER:

Lord, if I am feeling rushed today and trying to honor my schedule, I need Your eyes to help me see and Your leading to help me respond to an interruption as an opportunity from You. Make me pliable so that I will respond to Your plans and purposes for me.