January 9, 2019

January 9, 2019

Judy Hollaway

October 4

Running with Jesus  

Acts 12:11 “And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.

     This all took place the night before Herod was going to bring Peter out and have him killed.  Can we imagine what was going on in his mind?  James had just been killed and Peter was on death row.  He was sleeping when the angel came to bring him out. I feel he had made peace with God and was ready to go home with the Lord because he was asleep.  We may wonder why James was not delivered but Peter was.  All I can say Peter’s purpose in life was not over. He has a greater work to do before His life will end in a cruel death.

     Peter was so stunned He thought he was in a vision.  I would have thought that too, how about you?  What an experience Peter had, deliverance from the hand of an ungodly ruler and expectation of the people.

     As we dig into the church’s power in prayer we will see how we often react.  I want to tell you that we may not be in a physical prison but many of you are in emotional prisons and spiritual prisons.  Prayer is where I found the keys to release me from many of my chains. By praying, seeking God reading His word and asking for guidance I would find freedom.  I was lead to read self-help books and Godly counseling.  I was so confused for so long and had no idea a person could be bound up by fear to the point of paralysis.

     One of the greatest needs in my life was forgiveness.  I needed to forgive myself of sins of my past and forgive others that had injured me. 

     Prayer and obedience are the tools to deliver you out of the hand of the ruler of this world who cannot get your soul but can bind your soul to keep you from living the victorious life.  Victory comes through prayer and believing what God’s Word says over what the enemy and his world forces tell us.

Father, I know there is one out there in chains.  I pray in the name of Jesus You will send Michael the Arch angel to fight that prince of darkness who is holding them captive.  I pray they will lay down all that past and walk into the light of Your presence today.  Help them lay down anything they are holding on to.  In the name of Jesus release them. 

     Walk away from all those feelings and walk out into Faith.  Fear is gone, dread is gone, and you are new inside.  No matter what is going on outside you are okay inside.

Don’t miss tomorrow Peter is knocking on a door. (Read this whole chapter so you won’t miss out on any of this understanding, the Church has power.)

January 8, 2019

January 8, 2019

Judy Hollaway

October 3

Running with Jesus

Acts 12:6-8 “And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.  And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.  And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.”

     I love this text and it means so much to me!  Back in the 80’s when I first began my prayer time with my Lord. I never forget when I was struggling with my children getting older and learned I needed to begin to intercede for them because the enemy was working to draw them into the world.  God began to show me the power in prayer and how the war in the heavenly places was taking place and I could see in my spirit the angels fighting.  Along with this passage I also found in Daniel 10:12-14 “Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.  But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come.”  Daniel prayed and a war went on in heaven between the demonic forces and the heavenly forces.  The chief Michael had to help fight to get the message to Daniel after he prayed.

     Friends, don’t layup and sleep when you and I need to be praying.  Angels start moving!  Do you need some angels to move those giants in your life?  I think so I know I do.  We are in a greater war than on this earth.  We are in a battle taking place in the heavens.  Do not forget this and remember God has given us weapons of warfare to capture rebels and bring them back and that weapon is prayer and intercession.  Every family needs an intercessor are you the one?  God is looking for watchman to stand in the gap. Let that be you.

Father, thank You for the weapon of prayer you have given us.  Even though we don’t understand fully what is going on up there, we do know we are to obey you and learn from some of the greatest prayer warriors in the life of the world. Today we see the church in its ultimate strength and power, in prayer. 

Tomorrow let’s not leave this place, we need extra strength and we will gain it right here.

January 7, 2019

January  7, 2019

Judy Hollaway

October 2

Running with Jesus  

Acts 12:5 “Peter therefore was kept in prison; but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.”

     We will camp out and rest for a bit from running, the Passover is starting in the city and the Jews are gathered and as we learned yesterday the new King Herod has orders for the sword to be taken to Peter like he did with James.  He would gain more political favor with the Jews.  However we read two little powerful words, “But Prayer”. 

     The church had received word Peter had been arrested and the Bible says prayer was made without ceasing! Ceasing means to end, halt, stop, or bring to an end.  Not ceasing, men kept on going.  The church was about to learn a lesson on the power they have in prayer.  Also they would learn the power of prayer that was gained by praying together.  It was a new church of believers and the Holy Spirit had been released upon believers.  The church was operating under new management and open communication with God.  Prior the resurrection there was a curtain that separated man from God; now anyone could come boldly before the throne of grace and find help in time of trouble.

     Sometimes prayer is the only leg we have to stand upon in times of trouble.  The Bible tells us at times we don’t know how to pray and can even utter a word, but the Holy Spirit will discern our heart and thoughts and He will pray for us.  You may feel prayer is useless but it is not it is our life line to God.  I want to encourage you to pray.  Don’t wait for desperate days to pray!  Pray without ceasing, this means to be in constant communication with God.  Be aware He is a present God in the day of trouble.

Father, we want to know more about the power of prayer.  Help us as a body of believers seek to pray without ceasing.  Show us Your mighty work of prayer.  I know days Father, I may feel You are not listening to me, but I chose not to trust my feelings, I chose to trust You to discern how to answer my prayers in Your way and Your time.  I thank You for Your Words of instruction I am to obey, no matter what I see I trust You.  We will not cease to pray and talk with You.

Tomorrow: Prayer causes angels to move, you better not run off the path and camp here for a little rest.  You

will need it to complete the trek we are on.

January 6, 2019

January  6, 2019

Judy Hollaway

October 1

Running with Jesus  

Act 12:3-5  And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

     Herod was not through with his attack on Christianity, since the people approved of killing James he went after Peter! The whole town would be celebrating the feast of unleavened bread so it would be a perfect time for him to gain some more favor with the crowd. So he grabs Peter and arrests him. James and Peter were disciples of Christ and were teaching and training the church and it was on the rise. The head and the heart is where Satan loves to shoot those fiery darts. They are both the control center for the body.

      If you are in leadership and do anything that is furthering the gospel, honey, you are in the Green Berets, Special Forces in the Lord's army. Believe me you will come under attack of the devil and his demonic forces. He will attack you mentally by discouragement, fear, doubt, and negativity. He will shoot for your heart and use your children and loved ones.  Just anything to bring you down! 

      The body of Christ needs to pray for their leaders. We will see tomorrow just how powerful the unified prayers of the body are. So today if you are in leadership we will have a season of prayer for you. We will pray for encouragement and strength. I ask you to send a leader in your church a text, call, or card and encourage them and thank them for their service.

Father, we lift up our Pastors, worship leaders, deacons, teachers and any in leadership in our church bodies. Strengthen their inner man and protect their minds, heart and families. We thank You for their work. Give them wisdom, knowledge and understanding of how to lead us. 

Prayer tomorrow!

January 5, 2019

January 5, 2019

Judy Hollaway

September 30

Running with Jesus  

Acts 12:1-2  Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.

     James and John were disciples of Christ. A new ruler was in leadership and he was a half Jew. He wanted to gain favor with the people so he had James killed with a sword. How sad!

     What people will do to gain glory and power! They go to the point of murder! Just like Jesus, the world and its system hate Christians. However, why are we shocked by this? The Bible tells us Satan is the prince and power of this world and roams the earth to devour someone. We need not think we are exempt from that evil one! It is evident in our society he is beefing up and seeking to destroy Christianity, his time is running out. It is hard to believe the changes in our culture in just my sixty years on this earth. I felt safe as a child in a land operating in a society land.

     We need not think the day will come when leaders want kill Christians with a sword in America!   Last days are upon us! Better wake up people! I believe the coming election will be one of the most major elections in the life of this country! We better pray and rise to the occasion! 

Father, we cry out and pray for Your return to be soon. We pray for You to raise up Godly men and women. Father, we pray for souls to come to know You! I sense an urgency, come quickly Father. Keep our families in Your watch care give them a desire to know and worship You. 

Tomorrow: Praying for Church leaders, so hurry back!

(devotion was written in 2015)