April 19, 2019

April 19

Running with Jesus

Romans 8:37-39 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

     I am having one of those days when you feel separated. I have been physically sick for almost two weeks. It has made me think a lot about people who have long term sickness. If my short term sickness can pull me down, what a roller coaster they must be riding.

     I am so glad that no matter what my physical body may go through God never changes. I am glad I don't have to trust my feelings to give me eternal security.  I have also been a little down over losing mom. Even though you wouldn't bring them back to this world, death has defining moments for life. Life will change as we run through it! Sometimes we want to hold on to those precious moments but they are only memories etched in our hearts. I wish the younger generation knew how fast time travels and moments can't be recaptured. 

     But to run with Christ we cannot run with our minds looking back or listening to our emotions. We have to keep our eyes on the finish line. After the sickness passes the emotions will line back up. During the feelings of separation we must rest in the Words of Christ "nothing can separate us from the love of God"! 

     Good Runners stay the course. So if you feel separated from God remember you really are not! Don't buy into Satan's lies! 

 Father, thank You for always being with us even through the valley of emotions You never leave us! Thank You for Your written Word that is the bread to sustain us in life!

God and Mammon, tomorrow!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

April 18, 2019

April 18

Running with Jesus

Luke 16:1-2 And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods. And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.

      Well here we go with money again! This parable can go in so many directions. We know He was talking so the Pharisees could hear, He had them hired  to manage His kingdom and they failed to take care of it.

       I want to focus upon our money management! Tough subject for the Church today! I believe in tithing and I believe God's Word teaches us this principle. The church wants the benefits of kingdom living but doesn't want to do the conditional part of God's promises. God wants to help us be good managers of our money. He provides what we have! You say not! I worked for it! Who do you think gave you the health, the oxygen, and the wisdom to enable you to work? GOD! He is our provider so He should be given ten percent and also help you manage the rest! 

      A few things I ask myself before making purchases, do I really need this or am I hoarding? Does someone else have a need, I need to help meet? Do I have an emergency reserve? You do realize tires can blow and kids could get sick? This list could go on forever.   

     We can cause God to withhold blessings from us because we have not learned to manage what we already have been given to use for His kingdom. Remember running with Jesus should draw us out of worldly living, watch being caught up on name-brand living! All that stuff is in the mind of man! It usually builds pride and self-ego. Get out the check books sit down and log where your funds went last month! Where did God fit in?

Father, teach us how to be a good manager of the money You have given us. Lead us not into temptation and deliver us from the evil one.

Tomorrow: Valley of emotions!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

April 17, 2019

April 17

Running with Jesus

Luke 15:17-18 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

     In this parable we could focus from several angles. I chose to look at the younger brother who lives his life wastefully. He was very self-focused and thought little about his future. He lived it up and wound up broke, slopping pigs, the animals a Jew would have nothing to do with. You couldn't get much lower. Eating hog rations! 

     I love the way it says He came to His senses; my father's servants eat better than this!  This man left filled with pride and a blown up ego. He was a hot head and wouldn't listen to his father. Notice how he returned humbled and had a servant role mentality. This is where our spirit should be, in servant mode! When we realize what Christ has done for us, we should be willing to sweep floors, take out trash and wash feet for Him.

     Notice the father never moved and was looking daily down that road for that son to return. Don't ever feel you have gone too far to come back to God. He is waiting for you to return. He watches and searches for us.

     God never moves He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Sometimes my feelings and emotions try to deceive me and I feel far away but God is as near as our breath. 

     My question today is: What mode is your mentality in? Are you in servant mode or looking for others to cater to you? 

Father we are sinners and help us to not listen to our self-righteousness but be a willing servant ready to live in and do kingdom work seeking You and helping others. Help us understand Father always knows best! Let us not live life recklessly and ignore our heavenly inheritance! Help us come to our senses and stay in them! 

Tomorrow: Grab your checkbook!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

April 16, 2019

April 16

Running with Jesus

Luke 15:8-10 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?  And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

     Here is another parable, which is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. This coin was very valuable to the lady. The coin was attached to a bracelet given in marriage equivalent to a wedding ring. Jesus was teaching the Pharisees how a sinner was very valuable to God. Jesus said, "It is not His will any should perish!"

      The Jews lived in a shame and honor society. They were looking at outer appearance of Christ with sinners. They would be ashamed to be caught with one. He was teaching them how close sinners were to God, dear to His heart, but how far away they, the religious were. They thought themselves as "godly". 

     You may not realize it but Jesus is searching constantly for sinners, lost souls. Not only is He searching for the lost, but comes daily just to meet with us to help and encourage us too! Then He wants to guide our every step. He will lead us to where He is working and then we are invited to work with Him in bringing the lost to Him! 

      Then it says it is a happy time among the angels when one sinner is found!

Wouldn't you love to pull back the curtain and peep in and watch the angels when one soul gets born again!

1 Peter 1:12 tells us angels want to look into this thing called salvation and humans. 

 If you want heaven to be rejoicing then get involved with helping others find Christ.

 Lord, help us be as excited as heaven is when reaching a lost soul. Help us search for them as this woman did for her lost coin!

     Stay focused on your mission not in your circumstance, Satan's goal is to stop you from sharing Christ. See he can't get our souls, so he seeks to rob our joy and ministry. Don't get too prideful, too busy or so dragged down with your circumstance and miss your purpose in life. That is reconciling souls to God, our mission! 

The lost son, tomorrow!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

April 15, 2019

April 15

Running with Jesus

Luke 15 :3-4,7 And he spake this parable unto them, saying,  What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?  I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

     Jesus is responding to the thoughts and conversations of the Pharisee's. (They didn't know He knew all thoughts! Don't judge, we act the same way!)  He tells them a parable about a man who had 100 sheep and one got lost and when He found him, came home, and all rejoiced with him over finding the sheep! He then says heaven is a happy place for one sinner who is changed than 99 who don't need to change. 

     We get all excited when people join our church who are already saved and a lot of the time we get skeptical about those we consider "bad "sinners who get born again and start coming. We should be reaching out to sinners and bringing them in. And rejoice with them. 

     We must watch developing the attitudes of a Pharisee. In God's eyes sin is sin. The problem with the Pharisees was not Jesus teaching the sinners but Jesus was eating with sinners. Jesus was looking for the lost to bring salvation to them.  

      God tells us to go out into the highway and hedges and compel them to come in. 

Father, as we go out today help us find that lost one who needs to know You. Make us aware of that person and give us boldness to share.

Tomorrow: The lost coin!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015