February 28, 2019

February 28, 2019

Judy Hollaway

November 23

Running with Jesus  

Acts 21:39 But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people."

     After Paul's arrest he asked if he could speak to the crowd. He began to share his personal testimony. He shared how the light shown down from heaven and blinded him and had to be led by hand. Paul thought they would understand how his life was before as a devout Jew and then how he became a follower. They didn't accept Paul's message, especially when he told them God was sending him to the Gentiles! Bad words for these men who were suppose to be bringing the light to the world.

     Are we! Are lights shining in our dark world? Are we that city on a hill so all can see Jesus? I am afraid as the body of Christ, we have put our lights under a bushel basket. God's Word tells us men love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil. Christian shed light on sinful ways so don't think the world will like you! This group had pride in the fact they were "Chosen” of God and when Paul said God sent him to the Gentiles, light hit them and wham they turned on Paul. When we share and hit a nerve that reveals their sin, we will take a hit! So don't be discouraged just stay the path.

 Lord, as we run in this world there is so much darkness we get overwhelmed by it all. Give us strength to stand in the dark. We know we are the only light people may come in contact with. Give us favor with all we shine on. Help them be able to see the right way in their dark by looking at us. Help us not walk in darkness. Fill us with Your sweet Holy Spirit.

In the morning, running into those Sadducees and Pharisees, don't miss them!

February 27, 2019

February 27, 2019

Judy Hollaway

November 22
Running with Jesus  

Acts 22:3 "I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day."

      Yes, I did use the same verse yesterday, keep reading.  Every time I see where Luke writes about Paul's life as Saul I think about how he was living the perfect fulfilled life. He had education from the best elite school and best professors. He had a great job and fulfilling for a man, he could get orders and go around and have people arrested, beaten, and put to death. He was a commander over a host of people. In the "worlds" eyes successful. That would be to live life and be happy and die. Although Saul thought he had eternity wrapped up! The more He did in name of Jehovah, the more he thought he had it made. He was missing it though!
       But God! God had a higher plan and purpose for Saul and that would be to become Brother Paul. And when he met Jesus and only then did he find he had a higher purpose than this world offers. We can settle to live in the lower plan or divine plan and purpose. God has a plan we cannot imagine for our life. We couldn't dream of it and we couldn't make it happen. We can choose to obey Him or live in the world’s plans and ways.  When we choose to obey Him we will fulfill His higher purpose!
      Saul became known as Paul and founded more churches than any one man and is still leading people to Christ in this century, and authored most of the New Testament books that has built up the body of Christ that is still working today. What a legacy! I know he never could have dreamed the plans God had for him.   Divine plans; let's think about where we are in our lives. Are we seeking the world’s way and system or living in His divine plan for our lives?
               

Lord, we look to You to find our true higher purpose for living. As we seek to run with You we trust You to map out the higher plans for our life. Help us look unto You for guidance, die to self and the world’s way of thinking and planning.  Help us remember life is short and what we do between the dates on our tomb stone is what counts. Here we are use us for Your glory.
 

Light in darkness, in the morning!

February 26, 2019

February 26, 2019

Judy Hollaway

November 21
Running with Jesus  

Acts 22:3 "I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day."

     No one had more zeal and passion for his Jewish faith. He was trained in the doctrine of the law! He was so zealous for the law that they were crying out for his arrest and his death.
     I cannot imagine standing out in a street yelling to kill someone, can you? These men wanted to kill Paul and some even listened to lies. When he was arrested they ask if Paul was the man who had followers who had a band of men who had captured some souls and killed them.  Paul never gave up witnessing for Jesus. The zeal and passion he had to destroy Christians is now being used for the gospel.
     We need to catch hold of Paul’s zeal and compassion for "The Way". I feel we need to urgently be sharing our faith with as many as possible. Days are short. If we have zeal, witnessing will be our focus. We live in this world but we are to remember we are not to live like the world and function like the world.
                 

God move us and give us a zeal to share the gospel today. Help us look for doors to be open and help us stay focused as we work through the day. Help us understand opportunities are divine appointments. Help us run hard and fast.

Tomorrow: Thinking about Paul's life in one big picture!

February 25, 2019

February 25, 2019

Judy Hollaway

November 20
Running with Jesus  

Acts 21:30-31 "And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut. And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar."

     Paul reached Jerusalem and met with the disciples and shared all the events from his missionary journey and it was so exciting as he traveled from city to city seeing churches birthed, souls saved and finding the churches were still functioning on his first two missions. He was at one of the high points of his ministry. However, the Jews were angry with Paul! We must remember his role as Saul was against Christianity! Now he was a Father of "The Way" and helping it to grow leaps and bounds. The religious leaders hated him enough to want to kill him! What does that say about religion!
      Religion never transforms a soul even as I type religion has our world turned upside down with religious people killing people! What a sad day because they believe it gets them a special place after life in heaven.
     Jesus came to save the lost, heal the sick, and bind up the broken hearted. That is our mission too! That is transformation into the image of Christ our Savior. You can be religious all day and die and split hell wide open.  Good people die and go to hell. The Word say’s “There is not any good no not one.” It also says “Our righteousness is as filthy rags.” We take on the righteousness of Christ when we accept His shedding of the blood for our sin. We are made right with God and we gain eternal life. We do not have to blow ourselves up or kill someone to gain favor with God! But what is so sad is just like Jesus who healed the sick, did miracle after miracle was hated, despised, and killed by religious people, so was Paul. Christ and Christians are still being hated today. If the Lord tarries many of us will be martyred for faith.  Will we stand up for Jesus? is the question. Let us pray for boldness and for revival in our land.
               

Oh Father, we are troubled over our land. We come seeking revival, first in our own hearts and then for our churches across this land. We pray for boldness and strength in the days ahead. We love You and worship You in truth and spirit.

Tomorrow: Paul, a man of Zeal!

February 24, 2019

February 24, 2019

Judy Hollaway

November 19 

Running with Jesus  

Acts 21:8,10-11 "And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him. And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles."

     In this town were some prophets who had a great concern for Paul not to return to Jerusalem. One even did a demonstration tied with Paul's belt. They knew he would be in danger of being killed.

     We all want to run with Jesus as long as we can live on the mountain tops, have a feel good sermon that soothes our conscience, but let God ask us to make a sacrifice or suffer for Him, we check out! We think going to church on Sunday for one hour is serving God! 

     Paul puts us all to shame. His zeal and compassion for Christ will lead him to death. It is believed by historians he was beheaded. Many of the disciples were hung on crosses and burned at the stake.  Paul knew what God was asking him to do. When we really want to do God's will, we must accept all that comes with it, even pain. Then we can say, “the Lord's will be done.” 

     In the days ahead I truly do not know what we will face before the Lord returns. If we can't make little sacrifices to give God our life and accept His will for our lives, how will we be able to face harder days? It is in the little giving up of ourselves daily that builds up to help us when it comes to the big things He wants to entrust us with. 

      What sacrifice is He asking you to make. Maybe just to start reading your Bible daily, start to Sunday School, volunteer for the nursery or fix a meal for a sick person. This is the beginning of living for Jesus daily. Is it too much of God to ask? He gave his only Son to die for us! How selfish we have become! "It is my money I want it now society!" 

      When we learn to die to self and live for God and run with Jesus you will find the key to living life. Fulfillment does not come from pleasure and self indulgence. You may enjoy these for a season but it will not last. Fulfillment comes from walking in obedience to God. 

Father, help us seek to obey You. Give us strength for this day as we seek to know Your will and ways. Help us not run off the path You have set and probated for us. Lead us not into temptation and deliver us from the evil one. 

“A Dying Seed”

John 12:24    Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

I have hopes and dreams, I live for each day,

Something to gain, a more peaceful way.

Yet I look around and see so many needs,

LORD, break me and plant me,

An unworthy seed.

To die unto self is a much greater gain.

To strive alone is only in vain.

For all must be given to bring forth new life,

As did our Savior, our Redeemer,

Our Lord Jesus Christ.

LORD, help me to grow each and every day.

I’ll feed on Your Word and continually pray.

For whatever I am, LORD, I want to be,

A servant of yours,

A dying seed.

Debra Barnett Rodgers

April 12, 1999

Paul will make it back to Jerusalem, tomorrow let’s join him!