February 8,2019

February 8, 2019

Judy Hollaway

November 3

Running with Jesus  

Acts 17:16 “Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.”

     Paul had arrived in Athens and as he looked around his spirit was stirred because he was seeing all sorts of idols and statues that the Greeks worshipped.  It was a physical object that was worshipped.  A physical object has no life and is dead.  It doesn’t breath, eat, move or have any emotion yet man will choose to make it an object of worship.  Idols also can be anything we place before God giving time, energy, and glory.  We love to think about idolatry as an object but we don’t like to think about anything that takes us away from God and serving Him.

     Idolatry can be our own desires and pleasures. When we allow pleasures to consume us and take all our time we have created an idol.

     What is foreign to us today is in America foreign religions, Buddhists, Hindu and other religions, have brought their idols into our land.

     Like Paul we must let this stir our spirits to be prepared to be a greater witness than ever before of our true salvation found only in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Paul will deliver a great message to these Greeks shortly.  He will find a way to talk to them.  We must rid the idols we have and prepare to be more faithful than ever to God and carry the gospel message to a world where Judea, Samaria and all parts of the earth has come to us. 

     The last days are upon us and time is short. Let’s pray for a stirring of our spirit.

Father, as we look all around us we see a land filled with idolatry.  Some are physically seen some are not visible.  They are all around us.  Father, stir our spirit and help us to move like never before sharing the gospel as we run through life.

February 7, 2019

February 7, 2019

Judy Hollaway

November 2
Running with Jesus  

Acts17:5b-6 ….. and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;

     We are not told a lot about Jason in this text. We do know he was one God was using to help form a church in this area. He opened his home and helped Paul and Silas do a great work!    We don't all have to be out front and known to be a great helper to God. We just have to be willing servants. We must remember our Father who sees in secret will reward that person for what he has done.

     The Pharisee's wanted to be noticed. They dropped their change in the offering plate so people could hear its rattling sound to look like a big giver. They also prayed long and loud prayers to be heard by men.  Jason moved silently was barely being mention and hardly noticed in this text. Helping two preachers do God's work. We need Jasons.  We have a lot of Jasons working in the background supporting us.
      I notice those who are faithfully helping whether it is financially, or physically doing so much to further the gospel or sustain the church ministries. So I ask are you a Jason? God sees all you do and in season you will reap a reward.

 Father, make us like Jason, faithful, steadfast, and persevering for the gospel. Show us the work You have for us to do in helping Your servant’s leaders get the gospel preached! Help us open our homes or take out the trash or teach no matter what to keep serving and helping. Give us a serving, persistent, and persevering spirit.

A stirring of the Spirit, tomorrow!

February 6, 2019

February 6, 2019

Judy Hollaway

November 1
Running with Jesus  

Acts 17:5  But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar …..

     Jealousy is a big word! It is resentment because of another's success.  This leads us to bitterness and that leads to anger and that can lead to murder.  Paul was preaching and it began to attract a large group and the other teachers got mad and caused a riot.
     Jealousy destroys families, friendships and lives. Rather than being excited over lives being changed self got in the way and personal desire. I have counseled with women who were jealous and built things up in their mind that was not true of their spouse and drove their spouse away from them. Jealousy is another tool of Satan to cause trouble. Remember Cain killed Able over his offering to God. Jealousy is a killer. We must guard our hearts of jealousy.
     Look at all these synonyms for jealousy: anxious, apprehensive, attentive, begrudging, covetous, demanding, doubting, emulous, envious, envying, grabby, grasping, green-eyed, grudging, guarded, intolerant, invidious, jaundiced, mistrustful, monopolizing, possessive, possessory, protective, questioning, resentful, rival, skeptical, solicitous, suspicious, vigilant, watchful, zealous. Now let's look opposite at the antonyms of jealousy: confident, content, satisfied, trusting, unresentful. Now which state had you rather be in?
                 

Father, search our hearts today take out jealousy and put trust into our hearts. Let us be grateful when others prosper and be an encourager not a rioter. Show us blind spots we might have that need to be brought to light so we can live free and spirited.

Tomorrow: Are you a "Jason"?

February 5, 2019

February 5, 2019

Judy Hollaway

October 31

Running with Jesus  

Acts 17:1-3Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:  And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.

     Perseverance is remaining steadfast doing something in spite of difficulty. After the first beating most Christians say, "I am out of here!" Persevering of the saints is seldom spoken of in our modern day. Our social theology is if you don't like something you just throw in the towel. We see this in the breakdown of the family, in the work place and even in possessions. We are so easily turned to self-focused! It doesn't matter about who gets hurt or what others need; it is about me, myself, and I. 

     Paul is a great example of self-less. He ran from town to town preaching to the Jews the truth about Christ being the Messiah. He would be rejected, stoned, beaten and run out of town many times. He could have quit! That is the easy way, we think! However, look how many lives were changed and are still being changed because Paul chose to tell of the love of God.  Paul loved people and gave his life to help others know truth. Another church would be started in this town because of Paul's persevering faith! 

      We need to ask ourselves are we a person known for persevering or are we a runner who lets the least little thing makes us throw in the towel. Let's ask God to help us.

Father, some days it is so hard to press on. We need the strength to carry on. Fill us with Your Spirit and help us persevere. Help us fulfill Your purpose for living. Help us run persevering till we reach the goal! 

Are you a jealous person? Meet me tomorrow!

February 4, 2019

February 4, 2019

Judy Hollaway

October 30
Running with Jesus  

Acts 16:40 "And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed."

     After they were released from their jailing Paul and Silas returned to Lydia's house and were comforted.  Lydia's home was the forming of the Church of Philippi. Paul went to her home upon her pleading. Normally Paul lived independently as he traveled selling tents. This time he went and stayed with her.  In those days Lydia having a business meant she had workers and a community surrounding her. We were told earlier she and her household were baptized identifying themselves as followers of Christ. God was at work forming this church, a place of comfort, and it began when God opened her heart to receive the gospel.
      I am doing a study of the women of the Bible. Never underestimate your abilities as a woman when it comes to God. He uses both men and women to get His work done. He will use anyone with a humble spirit and a servant’s heart. Whether we are wealthy like Lydia or a poor servant girl like Mary. God looks upon our hearts and knows us and searches our hearts. Joseph was the youngest brother and God saw his heart.
      What does God see in your heart? Do we have a willing spirit? Where did Paul find Lydia after God called him in the vision to go to Macedonia, at a prayer meeting outside of town by a river. Lydia was seeking God and he saw her heart and opened her eyes to see Him.
       We will find God in our prayer time while we are crying out to God. We are to be God chasers, someone once said! I want to be among those who chased God and found Him!
               

 Father, look deep into our hearts today, we long for you! We cry out to You with thirsty souls. Here we are Your servant. Fill us with Your spirit today and show us Lydias who are praying for someone. Ttell them how to find God. Make us aware of the opportunities today.
 

Paul, moving forward, tomorrow!