June 4,2019

June 4

Running with Jesus  

Luke 18:10-13 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, tortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.  And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

       I laughed a little when I read this because I couldn't help but think how many of us have sat through a sermon and thought, "I hope they are listening to this message and point a finger!" I have always heard when we point one finger the others are pointed back at me! The Pharisee's didn't go to pray but to announce to all within earshot how good they were. The tax collector, sinner, dared not lift his eyes and beat His chest and begged for mercy! 

     We are all sinners and need to cry out to God be merciful to us as sinners. Pride can cut us off from God. If you feel cut off, perhaps pride is ruling your life. Get down on your knees before your Father. I remember literally climbing into my closet and other times lying faced down with my nose on the floor telling God if I could get lower I would. I want to be near my Father and run with Him. We can't take a step without Him holding our hand and don't want too! Do we really fear God! Boy I do, my mom put the fear of her in me and that taught me to have the fear of God! I am grateful for that teaching. 

      Humble yourself before God if it takes getting on the floor do it and show Him you are tired of being fake and want to be real! These Pharisee's had ritual not relationship! God wants us to be real there is no place for counterfeits in His kingdom. The sinner was confessing and went home justified (just as though he had never sinned)! WOW!!!     

      We can have that burden of sin lifted off us if we will just be humble enough to say, "I am chiefest of sinners, beat our chest and cry out to God, he will come near!"  Do you want to be near or far today? What are you praying and what position are you in?

Lord,  come, be merciful to me a sinner!  Only by Grace and Mercy we thank You for our salvation. We want to join the race and this time running hand in hand! You are an awesome God, our Burden Lifter and Bearer!

      Get up and give Him Praise and go tell somebody!

Tomorrow: Bring your children to Jesus!

Judy Hollaway 

June 3,2019

June 3
Running with Jesus   

Luke 18:1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint."

      Persistent praying, to keep on praying, in the parable today Jesus tells us to pray and keep on praying and never give up to be persistent.  When we pray we are not to let the request overpower our relationship with God. We all have waiting prayer syndrome. We want quick answers and instant results. We can learn to be persistent in praying but not let the request consume us to the point we are not functional. Our focus is not on our request, but should be focused on Whom we are praying to!  When we neglect worship we will sink into worry. Worry will turn our problems into an idol allowing all of it to consume us. The more it consumes us the deeper into despair we go and the external circumstance hasn't changed any. Satan is crafty and remember, he seeks whom he may devour. Allowing our request, devour us will cause us to faint. Then fear grasp us and the wringing of the hands and sleepless nights begin and our emotions are running wild. Opposite of fear is faith. To reverse our emotions we return to praise and thanksgiving, knowing we have a God who knows our tomorrows and holds our hands. We have a God who always helps us and understands we have a God Whose eye is on the sparrow and we have a God Who is mighty to save and strong enough to take us places we don't want to go but can bring us through. We have a redeemer.
     Whatever you are requesting so desperately today do not faint. Place it in God's hands and return to worship and wait upon the Lord as you persistently make your request known! Keep your focus don't be consumed.
           

Father, we worship You today.  We know You always have our back and we trust You with our life circumstance. We thank You for always helping us over, around and through life. I am running with You persistently till I get home!

 Let's beat our chest, tomorrow!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

June 2, 2019

June 2

Running with Jesus

Luke 17:26-30 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.

     Well here they are, the scriptures this generation wants to do away with and we laugh and say "we have heard this all my life!"  Noah preached it for 100 years and only his family was saved. Lots wife looked back and disobeyed God and turned to a pillar of salt!   I think we can say our culture is definitely eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting, and building! Doing life but ignoring the reality of planning for after life! We are all busy as ants running to and fro! We can't ignore God and expect everything to turn out right! 

     As we have heard two things are sure in life taxes and death come to us all! Jesus was headed to the cross to save us and the words in today's verses are written in red letters. These are His Words and He never lies. With all the unrest and signs of times around us, I believe if not our generation, the next will see the Lord's return. I pray God will keep them strong.  Don't let Jesus find you napping. We need to stay sober and alert.

Father, I am looking up today because redemption draweth nigh!  

     Let's live today like we had no tomorrow's. Let's go tell somebody Jesus is coming soon! Awake dreamers because today might be the day He returns or we leave this world! Place your faith in Christ. Be prepared and ready, we all are but one heartbeat away from eternity.

Persistent praying in the morning, see you there!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

June 1, 2019

June 1

Running with Jesus  

Luke 17:19-21   And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole. And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

      "We cannot always judge a book by its cover."  Guess we have all heard that phrase! In the text today the Pharisee's demanding said when the kingdom of God should come not realizing it already had come. They were looking for a geographical place. Jesus said, “The kingdom of God comes not with observation." Neither here nor there! The kingdom of God is within you! 

       I think a lot of this generation is looking to observe the Kingdom of God! Just because something is big and lots of programs buzzing doesn't always mean that is where we can find God and get close to Him. I find God in the pages of His Word penetrating into my longing heart. 

       I am reminded when God sent the prophet Samuel to anoint King David. All the bigger, stronger and older brothers were brought first and he ask is there another and they said one little brother. They sent for him and he was anointed King. David was said to have had a heart like God's and he was known as a friend of God! David loved God and God rules his heart! So instead of looking for a geographical place for God look for His kingdom in your heart. The Pharisee's had the geographical stuff but missed the Messiah!  Watch thinking and going by observation, look into your heart! 

 Father, we surrender to Your rule in our hearts. Lead us in Your path of righteousness and let us sit by still waters. Let your Spirit give us confirmation we are following Your heart. 

Wake up dreamers, tomorrow!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

May 31, 2019

May 31

Running with Jesus  

Luke 17:15-19 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,  And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?  There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.  And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

       Can we get some praise going this morning? 

       Jesus was running to Jerusalem and past through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. (Oh here are those half breeds the Jews hated.) Jesus ran into 10 people that were lepers. He healed them and only one returned to give Him thanks and praise. This leper had two strikes against him, he wasn't a Jew and he was a leper both were out cast!  When he saw he was healed he turned back and praised God.  This man not only God gave physical healing but his faith made him whole!  He recognized his healing came from God! He knew he had a special encounter with God. 

      I have recently became friends with a pastor from India who was from  the Dalits people. They were referred to as the "untouchables" oppressed and broken. They had the lowest jobs, cleaned dead and sewers and had to live in poverty. This Samaritan leper was in the same shape! Praise God no one is untouchable by Jesus! Jesus healed this man physically and spiritually. So sad we have so much and do not appreciate what God has done for us! The more diseased our bodies and hearts are the more we appreciate Jesus and what He has done for us! Oh when He lifts us up out of those filthy pits we automatically praise and give Him thanks. 

      How about you, look back and see where he has brought you from! Here it goes again that hallelujahing!  We glance back just enough to say praise God and to help us stay moving forward with Christ and no turning back!

Father, let us be the one this morning praising and thanking You for touching this untouchable! Love You!

The Pharisee's are back in the morning asking questions!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015