April 14, 2019

April 14

Running with Jesus

Luke 15:1-2 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

     I want us to look at two types of people in these two verses and let’s analyze the people. The first set Luke said were tax collectors and sinners. Now what did they come to do? Listen to Jesus! It is very interesting that sinners were there to listen. Listen in Greek can mean to hear God’s word to prompt faith! 

      The second set were those Pharisees who are keeping up the pace running with Jesus. What were they doing? Complaining and judging just waiting to find a way to put Jesus to death. 

     Today we have the same two kinds of people in the world and in the church, sadly to say. Those who come to hear a word from God to birth faith and those who are religious just come and are always looking to find fault.

     So where do you fall judging or listening?! 

      I remember when I got serious with learning and I sat down at my table with pen and paper. God gave me Psalm 32:8  "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you."

      I had a reading comprehension problem growing up.  Through studying scripture I overcame my handicap. I remember it was as though the blinders were removed. I was able to read and comprehend. My ears were tuned in to listen to Jesus. The first things I remember hearing God say as I read was "I love you"                  I can't help thinking about like the sinners and the hated tax collectors! They were getting relief and hope! The religious could not see sin because of their ego and pride. They were learned in the law and tradition and they missed salvation! 

Father, help us to be good runners. In order to run we have to be a good listener! As Your Word is preached help us hear! Let us approach Your Word every day with a heart and mind to hear so our faith can be prompted! 

Lost sheep, in the morning!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

April 13, 2019

 April 13

Running with Jesus

Luke 14:34-35a Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out.  

      "Don't Lose Your Influence!"

      Most people probably think of salt as simply a white granular food seasoning. In fact, did you know only 6% of all salt manufactured goes into food? Apparently we use salt in more than 14,000 different ways from the making of products as varied as plastic, paper, glass, polyester, rubber and fertilizers to household bleach, soaps, detergents and dyes. Salt acts as a preservative in foods. Too much salt can ruin the taste of food but just the right amount can make you want a little or a lot more of the food it is in. 

     For the Christian God wants us to be salty. He wants our lives to be able to have a powerful influence on those around us.

     It is so easy to lose that influence. One word spoken in haste, one bad choice can destroy our witness.  Not only choices affect us and others, but not walking daily with God weakens our faith. When our faith is weak and those crosses of life come we are called to bear, others will watch us to see how we handle them. To lose our flavor as this verse says we are good for nothing in the kingdom. For salt to lose its savor it has to be diluted! 

      Hum!!! Let's think about this one!  Am I a diluted Christian? Satan will little by little pull us into activities and life and before long we drop out of church. Then we go back to old life styles, the Bible is placed where you can't remember. It may just be collecting dust on your table. You glance and say I should read it later. Before long we become diluted and non effective. You seldom talk to God! Yes,old Satan has you right where he wants you! On his team! Started small, you didn't mean too, and you didn't plan it! 

     So what do you do, go home where you belong. The father is waiting. It may take a little while to get the savor back but you can.

Father, keep us salty and make us aware what we do and say dilutes our witness. Help us be aware of the small things he is trying to lure us into to take us away from You and Your kingdom work. Open our eyes to see where we are on our walk.

     Walking toward Calvary or away from Calvary! Walking toward enhances our savor and walking away dilutes us! Which way are you walking? "Let's have a Think!"

Tomorrow:  Listening! I love eaves dropping on Jesus conversations! Don't you?! When you read and study walk down into the Bible, don't stay on the surface, become a character in each setting! Travel town to town!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

April 12, 2019

April 12

Running with Jesus

Yesterday:  Luke 14:25-26 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,

If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

Today:  Luke 14:27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

     Here we are again Jesus telling these people who were following Him what they needed to consider! "Carry your cross". I do not know what cross you are having to carry! This one is dying to self and living God's divine plan! Jesus was headed toward Jerusalem to die. He had a big cross to carry. And we should be willing to bear our life-crosses no matter how heavy.

      This always reminds me of when Mike surrendered to preach. It meant giving up job security to do the faith walk!  A couple of years ago Mike passed the age he could have retired from Bell South Telephone Company. In my tiredness for a moment I wished we were back! However, in a flash I jumped back into our life in the ministry. How could retirement replace what my Savior did on the cross for me? How could it replace helping birth Christian babies into His kingdom? How could it replace being there to laugh, cry, and comfort my church families? Besides, all that I just heard "retirement" is not in the Bible. We might change positions but we will work till Jesus comes. 

      The job was only a tiny cross. There have been bigger ones. But do I regret giving my whole life to Jesus? NEVER!!! The joy of my life journey has been a totally amazing run with Jesus. He is so sweet and good to me! When I have a bad day He always finds a way to help me! 

Jesus, help us carry our cross till You come for us. Some days we can't bear it alone. Remind us You will always be there to help us bear whatever shape our cross comes in life!  You are an Amazing God! Remind my friends You are there every day to help them!

Tomorrow: Don't lose your influence!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

April 11, 2019

April 11

Running with Jesus

Luke 14:25-26  And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,  If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

     Following Jesus comes with a high price, commitment.  We hear all sorts of excuses for not serving God. God was not telling these friends to not care for loved ones. However, it was priority that He wanted. I always share the umbrella effect of God's plan of authority for man. (Use your mind to see this!)

     God is great big umbrella over a little smaller one, the husbands, next a little smaller than his, the wife, next a little smaller, the children. When one gets out from under God's big umbrella he gets hit!  We have to put God first and be submissive to His will and authority! Then He will help us with living out His divine plan and purpose. Running with Christ will cost us though. Some lose their families because they are not believers. The benefits of following Christ are immeasurable. We must keep a steady focus on God and make Him number One! The rest will fall into place. He will guide us to do the right things. He will help us with the sacrifices. Sadly to say many will not commit to follow. They are not willing to give up self. It is dying to self and living unto God we find the key to live life. 

Lord, we love You and we desire to follow You. Give us strength and power as we do life! Help us keep our priorities in order and just like Jesus, be ready to obey at any cost!

     Did you make your agenda today? If you have, where was God on your list? Did you consider there will be some door open to share or help another?!  Don't get caught up in self! 

Bearing your cross, tomorrow!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015

April 10, 2019

April 10

Running with Jesus

Luke 14:11  For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

      The Pharisees had so much religious pride. They were the cleanest, they obeyed all the rules, they would be asked to sit in the best seats at the feast.   Jesus delivered a message about pride in this text. Jesus was always in His servant mode! He was always helping others. He went out of His way to go to a thirsty woman in Samaria who was a half breed the religious Jews hated. How about you are you in servant mode today?

      The Bible says pride goes before destruction. We say we are not prideful but would we serve an "untouchable" person?  Would we let them come as guest to our home? Would we be caught walking down a street with them?  Dictionary definition:  Pride is an excessively high opinion of oneself.  Conceit is too high an opinion of one’s abilities, worth, or personality; vanity.  An arrogant person is overly convinced of one’s own importance; overbearingly proud; haughty (The American Heritage Dictionary).      

      The Bible uses the word pride in that we are substituting our own authority, our plan, our greatness, our human goodness in place of God's.  The proud person looks at himself differently than God looks at him. The Bible says God will make the prideful humble. But the person who humbles himself will be important! 

     Since my strong willed granddaughter got saved I have been trying to help her understand she has that old nature who wants to be in control of her and how she needs to let Jesus’ Spirit help her to over ride that old. So I'll say, "Babe how many points does old Zoey have?" She bows her head slightly. She says, "10 Granny!" Then I say "How many does Jesus’ Zoey have?"' She smiled and said, "325!"   I think she is getting it! If only we all could get it! Jesus tells us the humbled will be made important!

Father, help us let our new life as Your runners win out over the old self who puts itself above You and Your plans, desires,  and respond to every soul in a Godly way,  knowing You love and came to serve "all" people not just those who fit our mold! 

      Lots to ponder this morning grab your coffee or coke and sit a little while and let this digest! (Note to self, help me to digest the Word of God, sometimes I swallow it whole and don't savor it. Relax and let it digest so my spirit body can get the benefits!")

Commitments and excuses, tomorrow!

Judy Hollaway

Originally penned 2015