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Interrupted

 

And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, Acts 14:19-21

How do you feel about being interrupted? It stinks doesn’t it? This is especially true when you are really locked in on doing something: a project, assignment, or a program. Whatever it is, you were invested in it, and to be interrupted is an inconvenience. I was watching the President give a briefing on Wednesday August 10th and it was interrupted as the Secret Service advised the President to come with them. After a short amount of time, the President came back in and continued his briefing explaining that a suspect had been shot by the Secret Service outside of the White House. This was an interruption. A bit different than what we go through, but it was certainly nothing like what Paul went through.

Paul preached the truth, but certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium did not like the truth. They hated the truth so much as to stir up other men to stone Paul. They did this terrible attempted murder, and they dragged him out of the city. Could you imagine being a Christian who was with Paul, who witnessed the Apostle interrupted? They did what any one would do; they stood around and supposed he was dead. Yet, Paul was very much alive. Although interrupted, he would not be shut down. He arose and went back into the city, the one from which he was just drug out of after being stoned by men.

The truth cannot be shut down. Christian, you have the truth, and just because men do not like it does not allow for you to stop. Interruptions are going to happen. Interruptions are no reason to be shut down. We need to carry the Gospel when they call us names, talk about us behind our backs, harass us, arrest us, and whatever other interruptions we face. We cannot give up; all need the Gospel. Let’s make interruptions just an inconvenience. 

Grace and Peace.

Ryan


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