September 24, 2019

   September 24  

  Running with Jesus  

     Judy Hollaway

Acts 10:47 "Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

     We have taken a rest from running the last couple of days and camped out with our friend Cornelius. You need to read Acts 10 to know all about Cornelius’ character and this story. He was a God fearing man and an alms giver; however, he was not born again until later in this text. God was looking on him and his outward expression of wanting God and resulted in God sending salvation to this man! God noticed Cornelius’ heart and he always reached out to man and helping those in need. God is looking for a seeking heart. Cornelius was doing all he knew to do, reverenced and respected God and helped others. But this did not merit salvation. A lot of good people will not end up in heaven because they are trusting in their good works alone. Are we born again or just steeped in church traditions? Get up, go to church, sing three songs, toss a twenty in the offering plate, listen to a 30 minute message and go home unchanged and do nothing till the next Sunday. Conscience soothed and headed straight to hell, religious! This man did all these things but was not saved until God sent Peter to share the gospel with him. Reminds me of Nicodemus, a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin court, religious man regular in attendance, knew the law but lost and on the way to hell. Jesus told him, “You must be born again”! 

     So let's examine your relationship with God. Are you going through the motions? Maybe today, God has sent this devotion to let you know doing religious things IS NOT SALVATION. God is looking into your heart, sees your good deeds but wants to bring you into a relationship with Him! Until we are born again, we are not saved and cannot have a relationship with God. 

     Today, Oh Father! I am praying for all those who are religious and do good things, to realize they do not know YOU! They may know all about the virgin birth, death, burial and resurrection in their heads BUT NOT THEIR HEARTS!!! I pray for conviction from the sweet Holy Spirit to open their hearts and eyes so they can see if what they have is real or just a pacifier, which does not change lives but just satisfies for a little bit and will lead straight to Hell!!! Father, I pray You reveal truth to their hearts. You want to touch lives and transform hearts so they will want the relationship with You that you desire them to have! AMEN!!!

      Cry out to God today. Repent and ask God to bring His Holy Spirit into Your life, receive His Spirit and be born again. Don't let Satan deceive you into believing good works saves you. This man was lost, but praise the Lord, God sent a messenger with the truth.

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015