May 25, 2019

May 25

Running with Jesus

Luke 16:22-23  And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

     We all are familiar with this story of the rich man and the beggar Lazarus! The Pharisee's equated wealth as proof of being righteous. I think we are guilty of putting this mind set into our mode of thinking. We often begin saying things like if they walked with God and do all these things they would not be in this shape. We need to be careful because we don't always see the whole picture! This beggar died and went to heaven and the rich went to hell. I am also reminded of Job, lost his kids, crops and health! Be careful judging and teaching people everything will be hunky dory if you follow Jesus and remember obeying God took Jesus to death on a cross!

 Father help us lean not to our own understanding but let this mind be in us that is in Christ Jesus. Without the beggar’s story and Job's life many would remain lost.

     Blessings sometimes come through trials and suffering and the beggar’s and Job's lives are still helping people in this world thousands of years later!

Going to be shouting in the morning!!! Meet me! I am hallelujahing now! (Lol if hallelujahing is a word!)

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

May 24, 2019

May 24

Running with Jesus

Luke 16:13-15 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.  And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.  And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

     God knows the heart! Our thoughts and desires are not disclosed for us to see but God sees and knows every thought and intent.  America and sadly the church have developed a Pharisee mentality. If you run through these last few chapters of Luke, Jesus keeps revealing the condition of their hearts. He preaches one sermon after another dealing with all the Ten Commandments. In this chapter he deals with covetousness, cheating, adultery, jealousy and putting love of money above God. They had the first commandment out of place and fell into disobedience in all the other areas. So it is with us we cannot serve God and mammon (wealth regarded as an evil influence or false object of worship and devotion), we love one and hate the other.

     This is true when we dive off into sin we begin to make excuses over and over and justify our actions but God is seeing and knows when we justify we walk out into self-righteousness and we fall short of His glory! We begin to move further from God. Our country has moved so far away! The body of Christ has moved so far away it looks like the world.

 Father, keep our hearts in line with Your Word and help us live by Your principles and guide lines. There is none righteous but Jesus. We surrender our hearts, mind, and thoughts to You this morning.  We declare we are Your child and surrender to walk in obedience to You!

      Making a daily declaration helps keep our souls in Christ! 

Tomorrow: The rich man and Lazarus!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

May 23, 2019

May 23

Running with Jesus  

Luke 16:10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

      Be faithful in little things. Sometimes we are always waiting on the big thing to happen to us! I see people like this looking for jobs! They want a job that makes 6 digit figures. Instead of taking the small paying job God provided, they pass up opportunities set before them and one day they don't get the big one because they have no resume! We never know what lies ahead for us if we don't take the little steps. Babies crawl before they learn to walk. Integrity and responsibility are running short in this generation. God is watching us and it doesn't matter what position you hold but what matters is how well we do what has been given us to do. We run in a world system that categorizes everyone and everything! God looks at our heart and watches our attitude. As I get old (lol) I see everything I do as an opportunity to serve and God opening doors for a mission field in my life. At home I serve my husband and my kids. At work I serve my boss and the kids then I watch my mission field for ripe souls to pick. It might be a grandchild I get to lead to Christ or a coworker! We have to realize we are placed in places for divine appointments by God! We work for Him! He goes before us and leads us to be on mission with Him. So let's change our attitude about work and where you go. Let's be faithful to the little things He gives us to do and leave the big stuff to Him! Be faithful where you are placed! You get to help someone!

Father, help us be faithful in little things today. Show us who we can serve and help us have joy in doing what You have given us to do. Let Your mind be in us! Help us remember to watch for doors to witness as we work in Your fields.

     Running with Jesus keeps our attitude in check. Always get higher than life and work from His point of view.

Tomorrow: A Pharisee mentality!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

May 22, 2019

May 22

Running With Jesus

Luke 15:20-23 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.  And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.  But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:  And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:

     The prodigal son story is a story we have heard preached from so many angles! The angle I love the most is my own version, when I realized and came to my senses! Have you come to yours? I am so humbled by this story because we all are eating hog rations and living in the pigpen of sin until we wake up and run.   When we see his compassion it should motivate us how to respond when our child returns home and others who stray.  Notice if you read the whole story he was repentant and said he was sorry. The father forgave him but also he didn't give up on his son, he watched the road and waited everyday for his return. The son was forgiven before he even asked for it! Forgiveness is already there just waiting for us to come and get it. God loves us unconditionally and as His child we should love in the same way! Be willing to allow others to make mistakes and when they repent or ask forgiveness give them the same grace and mercy we receive from God. If we all got what we deserve, it would be hell.

      Notice forgiveness was already there, the prodigal had to receive it. So let's imitate the father go ahead and forgive the one who needs it before they ask for it. This will keep the chains off of your heart!

 Father, thank You for receiving this prodigal girl and loving her. Give me Your Spirit that enables me to have forgiveness stored and waiting to pour it out on others!

Tomorrow: Little things.

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

May 21, 2019

May 21

Running with Jesus

Luke 15:10  Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

             Wouldn't you like to be an Angel for one day! I would love to be up there watching from the grandstands of heaven!

1 Peter 1:12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

              Angels want to look into salvation of men and their relationship with God!

       We cannot in this mind even look at one tiny glimpse of heaven. I think with our physical decaying bodies it would make our head explode at the glimpse. Isn't it wonderful to know we have hope of eternal life! I bet the Angels say, "Oh, look another one is getting to come here!" We get excited when we plan a surprise birthday party and can't wait for the guest to arrive! Now can you magnify that a trillion times when an angel sees one of us get born again and knows what is in store for us humans! I bet there is rejoicing over us! Turn and read Revelation 21 about heaven and the jasper walls , street of gold, gates made of one pearl, a glassy sea and of course the throne of God. Cherubim are flying around crying “ Holy, Holy, Holy.” Day and night! Let's have that Jesus moment! 

       We need more Jesus moments as we run through life. Jesus moments lift us above our circumstances and we get extra energy to keep running.

Father, thank You for the book of Revelation! We can read about heaven and what will happen to our enemy! Thank You for ministering Angels and the work they do we cannot see!

I see a prodigal coming down the road, tomorrow!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015