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“Interrupted Now Today, Expect Redeemer's Restoration Unify People Towards Immanuel's Omnipotent Nurture!" (I.N.T.E.R.R.U.P.T.I.O.N)”

Ramesh C. Reddy
Publisher

"People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them." (Mark 10:13-16, NIV)

APPROACH QUESTION:
If you were having a conversation with someone and you are interrupted what do you do?

OBSERVATIONS:
I asked myself what were the people doing?
People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them!

I asked myself what did the disciples do?
The disciples rebuked them!

I asked myself what was Jesus' reaction to the disciples actions?
1. When Jesus saw this, He was indignant.
2. Jesus said to them, "Let the children come to me."
3. Jesus said to them, "Do not hinder them."
4. Jesus said to them, "For the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these."
5. Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."
6. Jesus took the children in His arms.
7. Jesus put His hands on them and blessed them!

Today, I decided to look at one of Jesus' response

INTERPRETATION:
I asked myself why was Jesus indignant and the significance of that?
Jesus saw the disciples rebuking the people from bringing the children to him. This did not make Jesus happy even though at the time Jesus was discussing with the disciples about divorce and adultery. Jesus always seemed to make room for others amidst what He was doing. In this instance, Jesus wanted the disciples to make room for the children to come to Him even though they may have felt it was an interruption to their own conversation with Jesus.

IMPLICATIONS:
I saw important implications for my own life here. What I personally took out of this is that Jesus did not mind interruptions and neither should I. Even though Jesus was in an interaction with His disciples, Jesus did not like that His disciples rebuked the people from bringing the little children to Him while He was interacting with them. While interacting with people, I need to beware of interruptions and take the wisdom of the Lord in addressing them.

I ask you now dear friend, what do you do with an I.N.T.E.R.R.U.P.T.I.O.N in life?
Dear friend, it is so easy to be caught up in what we are doing or supposed to be doing that when others interrupt our own conversations or the structure we have set in place, it can be frustrating. We have an agenda and we want to accomplish  that and an interruption just comes in the way that we may  try to stop it from happening like the disciples did when people were bringing children to Jesus because that interrupted their own conversations with Jesus. Yet, Jesus never took an interruption to be a nuisance. Jesus addressed the paralytic's situation when the friends brought him there (Mark 2) and Jesus addressed the people's situation when they brought the children there. We need to do the same.

When I was involved in full-time campus ministry, what I reminded our student leaders was that being sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit was way more important than trying our best to stick to the format structure we put in place. In other words, if we had 15 minutes assigned to ice-breaker/chat, 15 minutes assigned to worship, 30 minutes assigned to Bible study, and finally 30 minutes assigned to prayer in that order, I did not want our groups to be rigid to that format when an INTERRUPTION occurred.

While we were having Bible study, if a student walked in crying, it made no sense to continue with the Bible study but more sense to address the student's need where he/she was at. That's what we did because even if we continued with the study for the sake of the others, that one person's need was not being addressed. I was reminded of the story of the 99 sheep and the one lost sheep. The Shepherd left the other 99 to take care of that 1 sheep. I believe Jesus was indignant with the disciples because they did not want to have an interruption with their time with Jesus. However, Jesus wants to meet our needs where we are at.

Handling an interruption takes a lot of prayer and discernment but what I found out is when we were able to even address one person's needs even if it meant postponing the Bible study, etc to spend time in prayer with that person, laying our hands, etc if they are comfortable, that grew our group more than sticking with a rigid format. Once the person felt better, they were able to focus on the Bible study too.

This takes practice and total dependence on the Lord. I know because I hate interruptions but I have learned that an interruption can be used to bless others and in the process to be blessed ourselves because we have made a difference and imitated Christ. Christ used interruptions to teach lessons and make a difference in people's lives such as the paralytic being put down the roof, such as the children being brought to Jesus, etc. We too can do the same.

It does take a lot of prayer  and willingness to take interruptions as we are sensitive to the Holy Spirit. Sometimes, the situation may involve only one person taking the other person aside, listening to them, and praying for them. It depends on the situation. It is much more easier to stop a Bible study and pray for someone who comes in crying as a group than stopping a church service to pray for someone who comes in crying but at least one person can pull them aside to see if they want to talk. Crying is an extreme example and there maybe someone who just needs to talk right away and cannot concentrate on what is happening until their situation is addressed.

That's what Luke and I did when we were planning to have lunch. We hoped to catch up on how things were going in each other's lives but another person joined us and started pouring out his heart to us. Both Luke and I addressed that situation even though it was not pleasant for us because what we had originally planned did not happen. But, in retrospect, it was a blessing to the other person and made a difference in their lives.

I can tell you from experience that Bible study small groups that addressed interruptions to the point of canceling the Bible study became  a much more close-knit community not only with each other but the person they were helping. I was the recipient of that help when I was with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.

Our small group Bible study was getting ready to have their lesson on serving but all of them were very concerned that I did not show up that night. I had a lot going on with an eviction deadline to meet so I did not make it. As I was moving my stuff from Shadyside to Sq Hill, I was so overwhelmed and was talking to the Lord about it. When I was coming back from Sq Hill to Shadyside, I was shocked to see members of our small group at my place.  They had cancelled the Bible study on serving, when I had not shown up, even though it interrupted with their weekly schedule. Instead, they found out where I had lived and showed up to surprise me.

I was so touched but did not have any clue how they could help me because my apartment was like it was hit by a cyclone. My bedroom, my living room, and kitchen were swamped with stuff everywhere. I thanked them and requested them to leave but they were not going to hear those words. Sara told me that she would go back to campus and bring boxes and she did.  Sara, Jonathan, David, and Josh basically became my movers. They packed everything from 8:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. even though few of them had finals the next day. When I think about the magnitude of their help, to this day, I long for that type of small group where we lived out Acts 2:42-47.  The next day, Josh had his brother bring his big truck and both David and Josh packed their truck to full capacity and then unloaded everything into my garage in Sq. Hill.

My Chinese roommate was just stunned when they totally cleaned up all my mess and left back to campus at 11:30 p.m. He asked me who my friends were and where they were from! When I told them that Sara is the president of Pitt-IVCF, Jonathan is the vice-president of Pitt-IVCF, Josh is the worship coordinator of Pitt-IVCF, and David is the prayer coordinator of Pitt-IVCF, his response was, "No wonder, they are Christians and that was really nice of them to help you that way." He had heard about InterVarsity Christian Fellowship before.

What makes it that much more touching is that these were students and I was their staff worker at the time. It was already embarrassing for me to take their help because I had felt as a campus minister, I need to be ministering to them and taking care of their needs but here they were canceling the small group I had set in place for that night to come and help me. They used an interruption to be a blessing.

It did not stop there with this group but few months earlier when one of the students' lost her ID in a dumpster, as a staff worker, I volunteered to help that student find her ID. I got in the dumpster to look for it and cut myself. When I came out of the dumpster, I fainted. Sara who was studying nursing and Becky who was studying occupational study attended to my needs by taking me to their McCormick suite while Brad, Sandy, and Liz came to see how I was doing. They were so concerned about me that they told their RA, that they were going to let me stay in the guest room for the night. It was such a blessing.

I had decided to become a campus minister to take care of the spiritual needs of the students but these students from IVCF took care of my physical needs. They used interruptions to become a blessing. What they did for me I wanted to do for others. I wanted to make an impact in other people's lives for His honor and glory. I felt how much they loved their staff worker.

Well, all that is in the past but the principles can still be applied today where we can see interruptions as opportunities to bless others instead of seeing them as nuisances. We can love others by our actions.

I have used ministry examples but the principles can be applied in the workforce, academia, etc too. Take interruptions to bless others instead of being upset or mad. Usually, people don't interrupt unless they are really bothered by something. Just as the IVCF students did we need to be receptive to other people's situations like they did mine but that involves discerning of the Holy Spirit and making our own lives vulnerable to others. Our small group basically knew everything about each other. They could have literally been my blood brothers and sisters.

I see that kind of love even now with others. Few days ago, I was in deep distress when Edwin my mentor  interrupted his job to call me to discuss my situation. Then yesterday after our small group of Living Acts ended not only did Edwin&Marie listen to my longings but counseled me about the issues I was dealing with. Then, Edwin spent more time listening about what was happening in my family while he was driving me home and prayed for me at 11:12 p.m. I was touched that they interrupted their own schedule to spend time with me that late at night. I could see their love for me exerting that extra time to listen to my concerns and pray for me that I only felt comfortable sharing with them.

You maybe the one someone interrupts but use that as an opportunity to bring blessing into their lives. I have had multiple opportunities to do that even yesterday with a friend. That friend's perspective towards the end changed then how it began.

May you use an interruption in your own life to become a blessing to those in need! Amen!

"Interrupted Now Today, Expect Redeemer's Restoration Unify People Towards Immanuel's Omnipotent Nurture!" (I.N.T.E.R.R.U.P.T.I.O.N)/"What do you do with an I.N.T.E.R.R.U.P.T.I.O.N in life?"

Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you so much for letting me see how upset you were with the disciples when they rebuked the people from bringing the children to you. They were interrupted from their conversation with you but you did not mind the interruption. You always look for ways to help those in need. Thanks so much Jesus. Thank you for how you have used people in our lives who used interruptions to bless us instead of taking them as a nuisance. Help us to do the same please Oh Lord. Thanks so much Jesus. Thank you for helping some of us to experience what an Acts 2:42-47 community looks like. I pray that all of us can experience that in our lifetime sooner than later if I may ask Oh Lord. Give us discernment to meet the needs of those that are brokenhearted, financially in trouble, having family trouble, etc. Thanks so much Lord Jesus. We turn our time over to you. Thank you for hearing our prayer and answering us. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

May you experience the POWER OF CHRIST'S RESURRECTION this day, and give Him the LOCKED areas of your life too so you can experience His PEACE as you become an ACTOR in the film called LIFE being directed by your DIRECTOR, JESUS CHRIST who comes to give JOY and PEACE.

If you are reading this and do not know Jesus as your Lord and Personal Savior and would like to invite Jesus Christ into your heart and make Him a daily part of your life, you can this very moment. You will never be alone. You can claim God's promises for you in the Bible and see them come true, before your eyes, in His wonderful timing. You don't have to wait for a special time to come to the Lord. You can come right now as you pray this prayer, meaning it in your heart. You can invite the GREAT PHYSICIAN right now as you make this your prayer.

Dear Jesus, I want to be free. I don’t know everything about you. I still have a lot of questions. What I do know is that you died on the cross for my sins. When it comes to sin, I am a paralytic Oh Lord. I am infected with this deadly disease known as sin. I am not perfect but a sinner who needs your cleansing blood to clean me of my sin. I confess to you my sin and repent of my sin. I know you have forgiven me when you died on the cross and shed your blood. I want to accept that forgiveness. Thank you for shedding your cleansing precious blood for me. You were nailed to the cross because of me. It is like I actually held the hammer and pounded the nails. Thank you for willingly dying for me Jesus. Thank you for taking the shame and pain for me. Thank you for doing that to set me free. I come to the cross and ask you for your healing in my life. Thank you for the power of your love using your Blood to redeem all humanity that comes to you. Thank you for coming back to life to save us and give us Eternal Life as we yield to you. Your blood can heal us where we are. I love you Jesus. I want you Jesus. Even with my questions, I come to you now and accept you into my heart. Please Jesus come into my heart and make my heart your home. Give me a transfusion of change. Live in me Jesus and I will live for you and serve you the rest of the days of my life. I thank you Jesus for coming into my heart and making my heart your home. Thank you for living in me Jesus. I acknowledge you now as my Lord and Personal Savior. Please be the Lord and Savior of my life. Thank you for being my Lord and Personal Savior Jesus and because of what you have done for me when God looks at me, He now sees me covered in Your blood and His judgment passes over me. Thank you that you have heard my prayer and answered me. Thank you for being with me Lord and Personal Savior! Thank you for saving me. Please fill me with your Holy Spirit. Thank you Jesus I now belong to you and never need to be alone! You will always be with me and have given me Salvation.  Thank you that you have heard my prayer and answered me! Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

May my spoken words and unspoken thoughts be pleasing even to you, O Lord my Rock and my Redeemer." (Psalm 19:14)

No matter what you feel in your heart, know that Jesus has come in and resides with you! You are not alone! To make your walk strong with the Lord, spend time in prayer talking to Him as you would to a friend. You don’t need special words to talk to the Lord. Spend time in His Word reading Psalms and turning them into prayer. Next allow God to heal you and speak to you through the Gospel of John or Gospel of Mark before moving on to other Books of the Bible! Slowly, let the Lord show you to which Scriptures He wants you to go to next. It is also important to be part of a body of believers to help you grow in the faith. Find a Bible believing church that preaches the Word of God from Genesis to Revelation proclaiming Jesus Christ our crucified and risen Lord who brings us hope, healing, and help! But beware of churches who do believe in the Word of God completely but there is no freedom in Christ but legalism involved.

As a professional, it is not too late to join a church! As a student, it is not too late to join a fellowship on campus this  new year of 2010! May the Lord's presence and peace fill you with His love now and forever! Amen!

Friend, if you have prayed this prayer and meant it in your heart, you are a new creation in Christ and all old things are passed away and everything has become new! You may feel something or may not but don’t base it on feelings but base your new life in Christ on the promises of our Savior who will never leave you nor forsake you! Amen!

Spend time in His word and let the Lord speak to you! Start out in the Gospel of John! You can also check out the Gospel of Mark which are the devotionals I have been going through.  Learn from Jesus through study and prayer. Also find yourself a church fellowship and a college fellowship you can be part of where you can be part of a community of believers to supplement your own walk with the Lord. Let it be a Bible-believing and Bible-breathing church! Believe in Bible LIVE Eternally!

Feel free to email me at reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.com if you want to meet to study the Bible, pray with, talk about Spiritual issues or whatever is on your mind! My number is 412-641-9426

"This is my work and I can do it only because Christ's mighty energy is at work within me." (Colossians 1:29, TLB)

Express Your View

2010 DEVOTIONALS:

Mark 10:13: "Why S.H.A.R.E Jesus with others in life?" (March 09, 10, 4:59 a.m) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Mark 10:13: "Why B.R.I.N.G Doggy Poo to Jesus?" (March 08, 10, 9:01 a.m) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Mark 10: "When have you become an A.D.U.L.T.E.R.E.R in life and what now?" (Feb 24, 10, 9:31 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Mark 10: "Why D.I.V.O.R.C.E the one you marry in life?" (Feb 22, 10, 12:15 p.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Mark 10: "What do you do with what is P.E.R.M.I.T.T.E.D in your life?" (Feb 20, 10, 10:08 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

1 Corinthians 13: "How will you be someone's V.A.L.E.N.T.I.N.E using 16?" (Feb 13, 10,  12:16 p.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Mark 10: "Who do you become an A.T.T.R.A.C.T.I.O.N to and why?" (Feb 05, 10, 9:43 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Mark 9: "How can you be a S.A.L.T in someone's life today?" (Feb 04, 10, 11:27 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Mark 9: "What do you help your friends E.S.C.A.P.E from?" (Feb 03, 10, 12:30 p.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Mark 9: "Why bother with H.E.L.L in life?" (Feb 02, 10, 2:39 p.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Mark 9: "When are you planning to cut your hand, foot, or eye to escape Hell?"" (Feb 01, 10, 1:41 p.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

 Mark 9: "Why heed Jesus' W.A.R.N.I.N.G in your life?" (Jan 30, 10, 12:41 p.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy