March 10, 2019

March 10, 2019

Judy Hollaway

December 3

Running with Jesus

Acts 24:24-25"And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee."

     Felix liked to talk to Paul and called often to talk about the way of faith, but when Paul began to talk about righteousness, temperance and judgment it became too personal. He began to squirm. I read where he too had taken another man's wife, conviction and self conscience had set in and guilt  began to take place in his soul. He then sent Paul away.

     Shhh!  Don't talk about sin! Isn't this what happens when we are witnessing to a person? We can talk all day about our work and life but don't start talking about sin!

     Sin, what is it? Oh our world doesn't say that word anymore! Sin is transgressing the laws of God. Excuse me, that is right, there are no Ten Commandments! Then we wonder why we live in a decaying society. Murder, adultery, lying and stealing has bombarded our society on every side! Yelp, evidence of a Godless society! Evil will always prevail when God is left out of the equation. 

  I hate to say this but our government officials and our court system, who make our laws, do not want to talk about sin because so many live outside God's laws and they do not  want to change their life styles! The Bible says their eyes are blinded by the god of this world, the prince of this world old Satan himself. Oh he isn't wearing a red suit and carrying a pitch fork. He is dressed as an angel of light in black suits and ties sowing his dirty work to lead people away from God.

Father, we pray for those in authority over us. We pray the eyes of their understanding will be open to truth. Enable them to make laws that once stood upon Your principles. Father we pray for wisdom to discern who we need to vote for as we approach a new election year.  

Stuck and waiting, in the morning!

March 9, 2019

March 9, 2019

Judy Hollaway

December 2
Running with Jesus

Acts 24:16 “And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void to offence toward God, and toward men."

     Paul’s goal was to always have a good conscience toward God and man. Our conscience is that inner feeling or voice that tells us when we have done something wrong. He was being accused of stirring up riots. There were no witnesses to confirm his guilt. Paul had not sinned and knew he was not guilty.  It is very important for us to have a clear conscience so how do we do that, by confession and obedience to God.   First you can't have a clear conscience if you have never been born again. Your sin has separated you from God. And God's Word tells us all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, guilty sentence is on us. If you admit you are a sinner and confess Jesus as Lord then you will have a clear conscience toward God. Then as you run daily you will have to maintain your clear conscience by examining yourself for offenses to God and confess. Then look around to your fellow friends and acquaintances to see if you have an offense to them and seek to restore and bring healing.
     Next you need to run your lives daily by practicing the principles God has laid out in the Bible for you to live by. The principles are boundaries for you to live in. These boundaries are always for our good and will help us to discern good ways from destructive ways. The destructive ways will always lead us to a guilty conscience because when we sin, it is an offense against God. You need to watch your day and see if the moment you do something wrong that a guilty sign won’t pop up! So today let’s learn to run our lives in His Spirit so we can live our lives knowing we have a clear conscience with God and man.

Father, it is our desire to walk in Your will and ways. Teach us Lord how to walk in Your Spirit that we might overcome the world and it’s destructive paths that will lead us away from You and produce a guilty conscience.

Shhh! Don't talk about sin, tomorrow!

March 8, 2019

March 8, 2019

Judy Hollaway

December 1
Running with Jesus

Acts 24:14 "But this I confess unto you, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:"

     Paul is being cross examined regarding his accusers. He uses it as an opportunity to give a strong witness of his run with Christ. He confesses that he worshipped the God of his fathers and believes everything written in the law and in the prophets.
     I wonder what our day would be like in the courts today regarding our faith in Jesus Christ. This may not be a thought in the future. Will we stand and tell our courts we worship the God of our fathers and believe the words of the Bible.
     We are already seeing this battle today. The enemy is trying to tell our world there is no God of America and this is not true. Our laws were founded upon the Ten Commandments and all our former presidents always would call for spiritual leaders to come to the White House to consult with them before going to war. Our history is filled with revivals and people working around our churches activities. People would stop farming for revival meetings. There was a blue law that prevented work on Sunday. I remember everything was closed down for worship when I was a child.
     We must not believe the lies of the enemy who hates God and the things of God. We must prepare to give a witness and stand firm on our faith and live out our principles. We will not be popular and politically correct but we will stand as a witness.
                 

Father, help us be strong like our forefathers. Help us remember they were willing to give their lives for freedom to worship Christ and we should help make a way for our kids and grandkids. Father we are a needy people. Give us power and boldness through Your Holy Spirit that dwells in us.  Please give us favor with all men.
 

Let's work on our conscience, in the morning meet me here!

March 7, 2019

March 7, 2018

Judy Hollaway

November 30

Running with Jesus

Acts 24:2a "And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him...."

     The High Priest arrived and was ready to make his case against Paul and brought this man Tertullus, a great orator to do some of his talking. They began to accuse Paul and verse 5 gives us some of their accusations; "For we have found this man a pestilent fellow and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes".

     I could not help but think of the fact we have an accuser Revelation 12:10 "..... for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night."

      Satan loves to run to God and point out our weaknesses and bring condemnation upon us. We have to learn to discern conviction from condemnation. God will convict us about our sin to draw us to repent and once we have confessed and turned from our sin it is under the blood. God cast it as far as the east is from the west. But rest assured our accuser doesn't want us to forget it! He will stand on your shoulder and whisper in your ear guilty, guilty, guilty to bring you to self-condemnation. You must learn to discern his voice. He is a liar and will tell you that you are not forgiven and help you not forgive yourself. That is when you have to quote scriptures; old things are passed away and all things have become new, and Romans 8:1"There is therefore no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus." Next you put up a no fishing sign post in your mind, don't go back to that place. Live in your new life in Christ and remember you have an advocate up there in the heavenly court saying you are His and that is under the blood!

Father, thank You for Jesus and knowing we can move on with our lives and get a new start and You have us in the palm of Your hand. Thank You that one day our accuser will be place in the pit of hell. Help us walk in Your discernment of truth and not his lies. Thank You for forgiveness and mercy You give us every day. 

The God of our fathers, tomorrow!

March 6, 2019

March 6, 2019

Judy Hollaway

November 29
Running with Jesus

Acts 23:35 “He said I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's judgment hall."

     Paul was placed in the judgment hall when he reached Caesarea. This would be a prison. In those days it was called "house of darkness" I read it was like a manhole they were placed down into and was dark where only torches were lit for the guards to see by. Archeologists have found walls with chains and shackles that would hold them and normally it could take long periods before brought to trial. In Paul’s case since they had no reason to try him they hoped the riot would calm down. It was not the case. We know Paul was often in chains and beaten. We can reflect back and remember times when he and Silas praised God while in prison.
     We all experience times we feel we are in that "house of darkness". We feel chained and hopeless. We must remember to worship and praise God during those times. Praising and looking up at the goodness of God will help us endure those times.
      Sometimes I tell the Father the only good I see right now are Your attributes and often I turn, especially at bed time, to Isaiah chapter 6 and read where Isaiah saw the Lord sitting on His throne lifted up and His train filled the temple. Then he saw angels flying around the throne crying out "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heavens’ Armies! The whole earth is filled with your glory!" I put myself to sleep meditating and visualizing heaven.
     This earth has so many dark places but in heaven and eternity Jesus is the light and there is no need for a sun, moon or stars. And one day he will wipe away every tear we have ever shed on this earth.
  Take some time and go and read this Isaiah passage and let the peace of God surround you.
               

Father, I know in my darkest days You have always come to me and as I look into Your word you bring light and lift me up as I keep my mind stayed upon You. You had mercy upon man after they sinned and caused us to live in a fallen world and You gave us living hope after this world passes and for that we can worship and praise You. We have a Savior who suffered and knows and understands our pain. Thank You for salvation and hope. Bless that one who needs to know You see in their dark places too.

Meet your accuser tomorrow!