February 4, 2020

February 4

Running with Jesus

Luke 7:8-9 "For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel."

      You need to turn to Luke 7 and read the whole section about the Centurion. The first miracle Luke recorded in this town came by the faith of this man. Centurions led a legion of soldiers for the Roman army. One of his servants was sick and he sent friends to ask Jesus to heal him. The interesting thing was first He was a Gentile not a Jew and secondly was the faith he had. He sent Jesus word, it wasn't necessary to come to his house for Him to heal the man. He knew that liken to himself, giving orders to his servants, if Jesus just gave the order it would be done!

       The truth we can learn from this is Jesus does not have to be physically present to heal and help us. Jesus had just preached so many powerful principles of the way of our new life in Christ. Now He would be revealing His power to command diseases away by His authority and control. There are so many times I wish Jesus would appear and sit face to face with me. I know you do too! This would not be FAITH in action. Jesus said more blessed are those who have not seen and believe. 

      This man was humble and demonstrated how we should intercede and pray for others. He demonstrates trust we can place in Christ. Jesus marveled at this man’s faith. He would be considered an enemy of Jews but God looks on our hearts. This man was humble we see because he sent word he was not worthy to be under the same roof.  Great faith requires humility. His faith also was a demonstration that salvation was for all people. 

      Do you really believe when you pray?  I challenged myself about praying in faith. Prayer is not always getting what I want. Prayer is faith in God to answer in His great wisdom and discernment because He sees our lives in one view. Faith is believing when we can't see Jesus physically. 

Father, thank You for all the stories recorded in Your Word. Thank You for encouragement on faith today because at times my faith wants You to appear to me in some tangible way. I don't have to see but I sure can feel your presence helping me keep running by trusting and having faith in You for all the things I don't understand about life. Just knowing You are here with me comforts and gives me peace for the trek of life I am running. Let others marvel at the grace You give into our lives. Help us keep the faith when we run against obstacles that look impossible. 

Don't miss the run tomorrow, interesting thing will happen! When you run with Jesus, daily life will never be the same!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015